Despite moving at a snail's pace, the Stairwell Investigation Team eventually made it to Sublevel-5.
The entire time, the Site Director watched through Bearded Jack's handheld action camera.
"The architectural style of this staircase is identical to the upper floors. This must have been part of Site-19's original design—so why did we only discover it today?"
He was deeply puzzled.
Bearded Jack chimed in, "Could the Chaos Insurgency have built a secret entrance, copying Site-19's layout?"
Luo Shu, leading the team, couldn't take it anymore. "If the Insurgency really built this, why would they make the staircase so wide and obvious?"
Bearded Jack was instantly shut down.
The Site Director agreed. "This isn't the Insurgency's work. It's more likely a Foundation construction—one we somehow forgot. I'll verify this with the O5 Council later."
Hearing "later," Luo Shu knew it was hopeless.
This involved SCP-055 (The "Anti-Meme")—the Site Director would forget everything as soon as he turned around.
Unless he contacted the O5 Council immediately and obtained Class-W Mnestics to reinforce his memory, none of this would stick.
But the Director clearly didn't realize that. He planned to gather more evidence before reporting.
With that in mind, Luo Shu relaxed. Even if SCP-055 was exposed, there'd be no consequences. He led the team deeper into Sublevel-5.
Seeing the identical layout to the floors above, the Director grew more convinced.
"This level looks ancient—like it hasn't been maintained in years. No surveillance either. I'll have to assign a team to renovate and repurpose it."
Ah, such grand plans.
Too bad you'll forget.
Forget.
Forget.
Luo Shu mentally chanted like a curse.
To prolong SCP-055's anti-memetic effects, he deliberately avoided the most efficient path, opting instead for the "right-hand rule"—a maze-solving method where you keep your right hand on the wall until you exit.
Of course, this didn't work for mazes that shifted dynamically.
But for exploring unknown areas without splitting the team, it was the safest approach.
"From now on, we're using the right-hand rule," Luo Shu declared. "Unless anyone has a better idea?"
Bearded Jack, a brute at heart, had no objections.
The rest of MTF Nine-Tailed Fox stayed silent—unless they wanted to take point.
Even the Site Director voiced his approval over the radio. "Better safe than sorry. Proceed as you suggest."
No one suspected Luo Shu's ulterior motive.
Thanks to the right-hand rule's inefficiency, the team spent over half an hour wandering Sublevel-5 under SCP-055's influence.
By now, the weaker-willed members had forgotten their mission, moving on autopilot.
Even the Site Director, watching from his office, grew dizzy, his memory slipping away without notice.
After leading the team in a massive loop, Luo Shu finally arrived at SCP-055's containment unit.
Out of habit, he stepped forward to open the reinforced metal door.
"Stop! Luo Shu, fall back! Combat team, move up!" Bearded Jack suddenly barked.
Despite being a meathead, he noticed something off.
Sublevel-5 had many containment units, but after SCP-055's arrival, the entire floor was abandoned to prevent its anti-memetic effects from interfering with other anomalies.
Every unit they passed had been open and empty.
Only SCP-055's door remained sealed.
If Bearded Jack hadn't caught that, he wouldn't deserve his rank.
The fact that he prioritized Luo Shu's safety showed how much he valued him.
Luo Shu felt a pang of guilt—but only for a moment.
If not for the "God's" threat, IR1901's warnings, and SCP-055's cryptic truths, he might've considered trusting Bearded Jack.
But not now.
He had a mission—one he didn't fully understand yet.
Until then, he could trust no one but himself.
As Luo Shu retreated, two MTF operatives stepped forward and forced the door open.
SCP-055—long forgotten by Site-19—was exposed.
The moment they saw it, everyone froze, even the Site Director watching through the camera.
Luo Shu knew this feeling well.
Without Class-W Mnestics, ordinary minds couldn't retain awareness of SCP-055. If not for the Anomalous Project Encyclopedia, even he wouldn't have remembered encountering it.
This was exactly what Luo Shu wanted.
A few more minutes here, and even the Site Director would forget everything.
Sublevel-5? The investigation?
None of it would remain in their memories.
Luo Shu even took the camera from Bearded Jack's limp hands, angling it directly at SCP-055 to ensure the Director kept staring at it.
Finally, SCP-055 broke the silence.
"Why did you bring Foundation personnel here?"
"Do you need me to eliminate them for you?"