Luo Shu had absolutely no intention of following Barbie. That much was non-negotiable.
So he came up with an excuse:
"If you really want me to join Achilles' Heel, fine. But at least let me go back to Area-14 first to pack my things!"
Barbie laughed. "What belongings? I know your movements inside out. When you were containing the 'Malicious One,' you went straight to Area-13 with Hammer Down—you didn't bring any luggage!"
Damn it, I forgot about that.
Your enemies really do know you best.
To cut off any further excuses, Barbie added, "If you really need something, I'll contact Site-19 and have your things airlifted. Now, let's go."
At this point, Luo Shu knew he couldn't stall any longer.
If he kept resisting, Barbie would just ask:
"Are you this scared of coming with me because you're hiding something?"
Any excuse he made would just sound like a guilty conscience.
Gritting his teeth, he forced a smile. "Fine, let's go! Might as well enjoy some sightseeing in Greece—consider it a work trip."
Before parting, Peter pulled him aside, reluctant to let him go.
"If Barbie dares to bully you, tell me immediately! I'll find a way to get you back to Hammer Down!"
If there was one thing Luo Shu would miss about the Foundation, it was Peter.
Sure, the guy had some questionable morals, but he genuinely cared about Luo Shu.
If he could stay under Peter's wing, Luo Shu wouldn't have minded sticking around the Foundation a little longer.
But now… their paths had diverged.
He hugged Peter tightly. "Hope we meet again someday!"
Peter, being a bit dense, didn't catch the finality in those words.
But Barbie did.
Her eyes flickered with suspicion, and she subtly signaled her team.
The members of Achilles' Heel nodded in understanding—except for Jianjia, who hesitated.
Barbie shot her a sharp glare.
The Road to No Return
It was time to part ways.
Hammer Down boarded their Black Hawk and headed back to Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Achilles' Heel loaded into a heavily modified armored bus, bound for Dushanbe.
This wasn't just any bus—it was a Foundation-modified beast.
A high-powered diesel engine roared even in the thin air of the Roof of the World, effortlessly cruising at over 100 km/h.
The exterior looked ordinary, but inside, it was reinforced with bulletproof plating and hidden armor.
Strangely, the interior felt smaller than it should have been.
Luo Shu tried to sit next to Jianjia—her presence made him feel safer—but Barbie stopped him.
"You're sitting with me."
Then, as if he were a high-value prisoner, the rest of Achilles' Heel surrounded them in a tight circle.
Luo Shu couldn't help but joke, "Really? I'm just a containment specialist, not an O5 Councilor. Do I need this much 'protection'?"
Barbie gave him a cold look. "I hope you stay this optimistic. I will find out what you really are."
Hearing that, Luo Shu actually relieved.
As long as you're not planning to kill me outright, bring it on.
With all the abilities from the Anomalous Entity Catalog, I'm not afraid of you!
Since there was no immediate danger, Luo Shu dozed off right then and there.
Better sleep now—I'll need all my wits to deal with these people later.
Seeing him so relaxed, Barbie grew uneasy.
Did "God" and I misjudge him?
She discreetly contacted "God" again.
"Luo Shu seems completely unbothered. Could we be wrong?"
"Trust your instincts. Our duty is to protect this world. We cannot afford to let a potential threat go unchecked."
"I still think we should be cautious," Barbie insisted.
"God" relented. "Then take him to Site-403. Use that on him..."
Barbie considered it. "Good. It's on the way."
The Gulfstream Privilege
Luo Shu woke up to Barbie shaking him roughly.
They had arrived at Dushanbe Airport's VIP terminal.
On the runway ahead sat a Gulfstream G700 private jet.
Now this is luxury!
Hammer Down gets crammed into a C-5 Galaxy, while Achilles' Heel gets a Gulfstream?
Talk about favoritism.
But it made sense.
Hammer Down was made up of ordinary humans (and possibly some SCP-2000 clones).
Meanwhile, Achilles' Heel was packed with reality benders—people who could've lived like kings in the outside world if they hadn't been recruited by the Foundation.
To keep them loyal, the Foundation had to spoil them rotten.
Well, might as well enjoy the perks.
Once onboard, Barbie relaxed her surveillance.
Luo Shu had been cooperative so far, and it wasn't like he could escape mid-flight.
Only one guard was left to watch him while the others ate, played cards, or napped.
Barbie herself disappeared into the master suite's shower.
Finally, Jianjia seized the chance to sit beside Luo Shu.
"The boss loves cleanliness. She always takes a bath after boarding."
Of course she does.
You're a Level-4 reality bender—you can do whatever the hell you want.
Luo Shu couldn't help but feel bitter.
He'd risked his life for the Foundation, yet just because he was ex-D-Class, he was constantly treated with suspicion—even targeted by "God."
Meanwhile, these reality benders—who'd probably killed people by accident—got Gulfstream jets and five-star treatment.
The Foundation really does play favorites.
No wonder I can't bring myself to be loyal.
Maybe I should just declare myself an anomaly and join Achilles' Heel properly?
No… that's not the issue.
"God" wasn't after him because of his D-Class past—there was something else.
In fact, his prisoner status should've been erased by now, given how many Keter and Euclid-class anomalies he'd helped contain.
I refuse to believe none of these reality benders have ever killed anyone by mistake.
But the Foundation treats them like VIPs anyway.
It's not about fairness—it's about control.
I need to get out.
For good.
As the Gulfstream soared into the sky, Luo Shu stared out the window, watching the world shrink beneath him.
This might be my last chance.
If I don't escape now…
I might never get another opportunity.