Chapter 1: Don't get me wrong, its not your last day.
Chapter Text
Do you feel it, Leto?
Do you feel the claws of it stabbing into you again? Do you feel how each twinge of pain is followed by the feeling of hopelessness carrying the next swipe into you? The feeling of being motionless in the air, unable to do anything except take each and every attack it throws to your body. The screams you let out acting out as beautiful melodies for the demon..you barely remember how the day was before the event, the only memory remaining is of the despair during and after it.
And then-
"STOP!"
The man sits up franticly, his voice echoing into the night as his vocal cords peaked and nearly tore themselves from how loud he was. Looking around the dark room in a frenzy the shadows left little to the imagination, making up shapes that didn't resemble anything human, though instead of making the man panic more, he slowly regained his breath. Keeping eye contact with the shaped shadows before he reached over to his bedside lamp and turning it on, watching the shadows retreat and show Leto that they were just odd shapes made from his furniture and clothes. His trembling body barely found its rest as he was left to do breathing exercises..
Breathe in..
Breathe out..
Breathe in...breathe out. Slowly he closed his eyes and let himself calm down, grounding him back to reality..he wasn't there anymore, he couldn't hurt him anymore. He was..safe. Several minutes passed where he was left in the same position, his breathing now having fully calmed down and his body only briefly twitching every now and again, finally, Leto acknowledged he is not in any danger and opened his eyes to the world. Looking around the dimly lit room he slowly got up off his bed and made his way over to the bedroom door, opening it and walking into the dark hallway..each step letting out a small muffled echo into the night. Reaching the bathroom and opening the door, he flickered on the lights while his eyes stared down at the tiles, daring not to look at the blinding light which caused him to squint just a bit. Moving to the mirror his eyes slowly adjusted to the light and finally looked up, his gray and soulless eyes stared into the reflection of the man or "husk" that stared back. He could feel himself regaining his motivation for the night as he straightened himself and began his morning routine, cleaning his black hair, eyes and brushing his teeth. But as he slowly regained his full sense of self he heard his phone send out a ping.
"...What could it be this time?...I swear I sent out those reports.." He told himself as he finished brushing his teeth and put the toothbrush away. Walking back over to his room he saw his phone lit up with a single notification, though once he approached and took a look at what it was, he felt himself groan internally. Another SCP report...and another SCP for him to study. "Oh..great, just great...well, at least I don't have to worry about losing my job." Putting the phone away and walking over to his wardrobe he looked over at his work uniform, carrying the symbol of his department, though it was a bit scrounged up he could still recognize the Wolpertinger anywhere. Funny to think that at first he hated looking at it even since it gave off the vibe to him that the Department didn't even deserve a Foundation based logo, though now..he found it more charming than anything.
Putting on the work uniform and the coat, he got ready for work and with a quick dash of deodorant he got out of the house and into his car, starting it and driving to work. The cold air of the night was a nice welcome to Leto once he rolled his windows down and let the air blow through his car, letting him fully relax and allowing his mind to just focus on driving..speaking of focus, he recalled he had not even looked at what SCP he would be assigned now to, so after stopping at a red light he pulled out his phone and looked at what or who the SCP was...
"...A KETER!?"
Screaming out and adjusting his seating he took his attention fully off the road to re read the e-mail.
"Thanks to your recent promotion to senior researcher, along with the new office space we have decided to give you a task we find most fitting for you as we have read about your love for Korean folklore and think you're best suited for the task. Just remember..don't call her a kitsune..??"
Confusion rose in his voice as he kept re-reading the email even after the light had turned green..only after making sure he wasn't hallucinating by pinching himself did he finally sigh and click on the provided document link, looking back to the road and stepping on the gas pedal after turning on the audio reading of her document. The drive to site 17 was a bit awkward for him as he shifted in his seat, hearing all about the extra addendums and even the interview which sent a shiver down his spine. He, a newly appointed senior researcher was meant to somehow talk to and deal with THIS type of SCP!? God...the guys up in management either overestimate his abilities or want him dead.
Driving up to the site and making sure to park his car discreetly he made his way over to the sites entrance, seeing the guard at first raise their gun before lowering it once Leto stepped into the light.
"Good evening Leto. Another late night assignment?" The guard asked, familiarity in his voice as he examined the researcher who seemed to be looking not too great.
"You tell me Ron...finally got assigned to a Keter SCP." As the words left his mouth he saw Rons eyes widen a bit before he started opening the sites doors.
"Eugh, yeesh..good luck man. Just try not to get yourself killed, you still owe me that coffee." Silence grew between them before they both chuckled, Leto shaking his head as he watched the massive doors open.
"I will try not to. Key word, try." And just like that, he finally entered the site..the cold air of the night quickly being replaced by warm air as the sites ACs worked overtime to make sure the personnel on site weren't freezing.
Checking his coat he counted every single thing in his head, his key-card, his foundation issued clipboard and tablet, and finally his phone which still had the SCPs document open. "Alright...953...here I come."
Blood gushed out of the class-D's neck as she tried to hold onto it, the blue and white uniform she wore now began quickly being coated and covered with crimson red blood, staining it beyond even normal usage.
"Pathetic...is this what you call "entertainment"? " The Kumiho scoffed, sitting back down in her beanbag chair as she stared at the prisoners corpse then up at the scientist who seemed to be writing down something behind the glass wall. Though she was tempted to use her powers to manipulate the man and get out of the chamber, she knew better than to try it as the security was heavily amped up from last time. Leaving her with little choice but to just stay in the cell until she could at the very least figure out another way out.
"...D-6253, results for pacification by entertainment similar to that of namsadang deemed as failures." Not even glancing up from the clipboard as he spoke he motioned over to the guard to open the cell door, and with a quick card swipe he heard the guard enter with someone else and the dragging of a body slowly being audible.
"What should we do with the body? Send it over to medbay for organ harvesting or take out the liver to feed her?" Speaking up with a slight hint of fear in his voice the guard kept switching his gaze from he scientist, to the other Class D carrying the body of his comrade and finally to the Kumiho who seemed to be watching them boredly before the containment doors slowly closed. "I do not care what you do with it, so long as I don't have to smell that awful stench any longer than I need to." Beginning to walk out with the clipboard by his side the inexperienced guard and Class D looked to each other before shrugging and taking the body away, leaving the Kumiho all alone again in her cell.
...another day another useless test. These past few weeks have been so..boring. Sure she was glad to finally have contact back with humans and have her food delivered by them and not that pesky robot for so many years but..what good would it serve her if they just had their heads deep into their clipboards and not even try entertaining the idea to talk to her? Dare she say, even the robot had more personality than these brown nosed coat wearers and their orange lab rats. Oh the tragedy of the poor Kumiho..doomed to die of boredom in a thousand years..or however long the Foundation can deal with studying her before she is neutralized or whatever other plan they have for her.
Closing her eyes and leaning back in the beanbag chair she let out a quiet groan into the air, having no one to hear her unaudible pleas for a release from this hell called the SCP Foundation. Luckily (or, unluckily) her pleas were heard as she heard the outside containment doors open with..only a single pair of footsteps accompanying the noise. A lone researcher? No..they put in regulations to make sure nobody entered her cell without at least a good reason and security, but as the footsteps rounded the corner of the observation chamber around her cell, she looked at the glass and saw a single researcher..staring at her.
"...."
"...."
"...."
"...so this is the fabled Kumiho..huh, expected you to look scarier." The researcher checked his phone then looked over at her, looking between the provided and blurred photo of her, then at the real deal. "Alright lets get started..."
Checking his provided notes and work, he stared down at the long list of things while he set up the voice recorder. "..Ooook. Guess this assignment isn't gonna be as easy as I thought..." Looking back up to the Kumiho he saw her eyes piercing into his just waiting for him to slip up.
"Have you..uhm..had any connections to the assassination of Empress Myeongseng?" Asking it awkwardly he looked to the side as she did not take her eyes off of him..though the question seemed to stun her as though he didn't see it she tilted her head, confusion spreading across her face.
"...실례합니다만, 무슨 말씀을 하셨나요?" Muttering over to the researcher she saw his eyes slowly go back to looking at her, now with HIM having a confused expression on his face as he blinked a few times and let out a nervous laugh.
"Aha..uh..I was not informed you only spoke Korean...shit...uh...improvise Leto improvise.." Speaking to himself in a low tone, he scratched his arm and looked over to his phone, quickly opening up google and looking up google translate where he fumbled with the keyboard for a moment before clearing his throat. "Ahem..uh.. 당신은 명성황후 시해 ..fuck how do I say this..uh.."
"You do know I can speak and understand english, right?" Amusement spread across her face at the clueless researcher, seeing him pause in the middle of his reading to look at her then back down at his phone as he shut it off and put it in his pocket.
"Ohyeahdefinitely,yeahnoneedtoworry." Waving his hand dismissively he looked back to his list of tasks then at her, awaiting..well, a response.
"...No, I did not have any connections nor involvement with her assassination. Although I did hear about her during my time when I was traveling from village to village." And just like that, a small part of her history not known before was revealed..and little by little the two began to talk more. Leto leaned slightly on the glass wall, listening and writing down any little thing she said that he thought wasn't on the files, maybe this job would be far easier than he expected.
Time slowly passed between the two, their conversation ranging from Leto asking her about significant historical events in Korea and having 953 either admit or deny any involvement..though his attention slowly shifted from his notepad and back to the Kumiho. "..and one last question, do you regret anything?"
Chapter Text
The question hung in the air between the two of them, Letos' eyes darting between his clipboard and over towards the raised browed Kumiho. Sure, the question in of itself was foolish to even ask as everyone knew the answer to it..but the expected "no" didn't come out immediately. Instead the observation room and the containment cell remained quiet for a time, the researcher growing a bit more worried as he didn't know what to do..while the Kumiho...
Cradling the corpse of the man in her arms, she watched the last light of life slip away from his eyes while her hand trembled on his liver..her first attempt, her first true attempt at actually abstaining from her nature, to follow the path so very few of her kind walked down. The path of abstaining from meat and murder and attempting to ascend through those means...yet, a single moment where she doubted it had caused her to lash out at the person she held dear for so many of her years. The grip on his liver tightened for a moment before she slowly let go, she may have taken his life but she will not defile his corpse as some sort of meal. Pulling her hand out from his abdomen she pushed the arm under his body and picked the corpse up, carrying it outside to bury it properly so at least his spirit could rest..as she dug his grave, tears started to swell on her eyes. For the first time and most likely last time, the Kumiho cried for someone.
"..Sometimes, I do."
The Kumiho glanced away, now instead of the researcher diverting his gaze it was her, the question and her subsequent answer bore deep into her psyche. It had been a while since she had recalled that oh so bitter memory of hers, the emotions that swirled and the proceeding hatred not only towards herself but towards the world. And now, the uncomfortable silence within each of the respective rooms.
Leto slowly looked down at the clipboard, staring at the question for a moment before writing out "No.". He knew that look all too well, the look of shame and regret on the Kumihos face after admitting something so personal to someone who probably did not understand. His gloved hand slowly reached for the voice recorder and shut it off, putting it away in one of the many pockets located on his coat. Sure he is gonna have to cut out that part of the recording and get questioned on it but..better to at least respect her than to expose her like that.
"Got it...sorry for the invasive question."
Putting his clipboard to his side and clicking his pen off the man stared down at the Kumiho, his gaze lingering on her longer than necessary..he swore, for just a moment, something in his heart skipped a beat. It was not from love or some foolish emotion like that..no, this felt more personal. Her body language indicating vulnerability and her face..it made him shudder just thinking of even feeling this for someone like her.
".."
The grip on his clipboard tightened, his mind trying to remind him to just go back to work while his heart spoke to the more vulnerable side of the scientist. His body remained still, his appearance that of a statue from a passing glance. Yet his body raced with his thoughts going back and forth with what to say or do now. And, as his lips opened, his mind didn't speak, but his heart did.
"I'll be back. I promise."
Escaping his mouth in the nick of time, his lips completely shut once her gaze went back to him, a confusion now having taken over the once frown that had been on her face. Just as quickly as he spoke, he moved away from the window and out of the observation room, each step he took felt more like a short run. Running away from this responsibility he put on himself just temporarily, but, he knew he would be back. He had promised after all, and dead men don't go back on their promises.
Tip tap..tip tap the fox demon listened as the man’s footsteps faded, leaving her alone with her thoughts once again. She pushed herself from the beanbag and began to pace, eyes darting to the observation glass as if he might reappear—ready to snatch back the promise. But the glass stayed empty. No footsteps. No breath. Nothing. For as long as she could remember, the only way to draw them . Yet this one… this one was different. No hint of attraction, no manipulation, and still he had sworn to return. Why? Her shoulders sagged as she leaned against the wall, mind circling back to him, to that scientist. Against her better judgment, he lingered in her thoughts.
And then, the silence had returned this time heavier than before. Clearly no tests were coming anytime soon, yet for just a fleeting moment..she enjoyed having at least someone to talk to.
He held the sandwich with a loose grip now, his small office space feeling more like a prison than anything. It was a hasty job after all, the previous senior researcher had only a few days ago moved from this site to some...keter duty or whatever. He did not care nor know much of any of those details, all he knew was that this new office space was his..and that he now had a ton more responsibility on his shoulders than before.
"Yeah you can handle this Leto..its allll gonna be alright..."
".."
"I've resorted to speaking to myself."
Clicking his tongue, he sighed and pulled the sandwich closer, taking a slow bite as his computer wheezed awake. He chewed without any enthusiasm, mentally bracing himself for whatever else his bosses threw at him. His eyes drifted to the silvery plaque on the desk: Doctor Leto Roland. On any other night, he’d be grinning ear to ear at seeing his name carved into something so official and nice. But all he could think about was the promise he’d blurted to that fox demon before leaving. Slumping into his chair, he stared at the linux logo that lingered on his screen, half tempting him to "gently" smack the pc on the top of its head to make it work faster. But alas, the screen would finally blink awake after so long. Straightening himself, he opened more of the emails he had gotten dumped on him. He’d just finished his work with the Kumiho so surely whatever greater force was watching over him would give him a break..right?..right?..Oh what the hell is a 1443.And so, Sisyphus Roland began the long trudge of reviewing the other SCPs piled on his desk. He scrolled half-mindedly through document after document, skimming key details he’d need later for writing on his report or interviews.
Notes:
Hey guys sorry for the long wait, it has been a pretttty long time. But thanks to the recent break I have had from college I am able to focus on writing so expect me to write out a couple more chapters to keep you guys fed :-)
Also short chapter, I know. But I mostly wrote this through sleep deprivation, I promise the next chapter will be extra long for yall!!
UniteTogether on Chapter 1 Sat 26 Jul 2025 10:19PM UTC
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