So accumulating 5,000 Rumor Points was enough to unlock the System Shop?
Ethan immediately opened it.
The interface was extremely simple and straightforward.
The first thing he noticed was that his current Foundation clearance level was F-Class.
The shop interface was divided into several major categories: [Personal Enhancement] [Support] [Base] [Extra] Ethan entered the Personal Enhancement section.
At present, it contained three options: [Equipment Acquisition] [Ability Training] [Auxiliary Item Support] Each category appeared to have multiple tiers, but with his current authority, Ethan could only access the lowest F-Class basic tier.
[Spend 1,000 Rumor Points to randomly obtain one piece of standard agent equipment.] [Spend 1,000 Rumor Points to randomly obtain one Ability Training package.] [Spend 1,000 Rumor Points to exchange for one designated auxiliary item.] The Support section offered considerably more variety.
Its basic options also started at 1,000 Rumor Points.
Available Foundation support included: [Aerial Reconnaissance] [Supply Airdrop] [Fire Support] [Precision Airstrike] [Airborne Recruit Support] And several other options.
As for the Base category, even the most basic F-Class Foundation Branch Base cost 5,000 Rumor Points.
What interested Ethan most, however, was the Extra section.
Compared to the basic options that generally cost 1,000 points, purchases under Extra started at 2,000 Rumor Points.
[Spend 2,000 Rumor Points to randomly draw one item or project from a world of at least C-Class.] So it was another mystery box.
Ethan was beginning to suspect that the Foundation System had a particular fondness for randomized draws.
Still, unlike the other sections, Extra didn’t appear to be limited to Foundation equipment or Foundation support.
Unfortunately, Ethan currently possessed only 5,000 Rumor Points.
He couldn’t afford to spend them recklessly.
But after unlocking the System Shop, a bold idea suddenly occurred to him.
Could he use these points to make the “Foundation” he had fabricated carry out an actual containment operation?
In other words…
Could he stage a genuine public display of the Foundation’s power?
Ethan had already noticed something about the way Rumor Points worked.
If he wanted to earn more of them, credibility mattered greatly.
And different individuals and organizations seemed to provide vastly different amounts.
Tony Stark was the most obvious example.
As Iron Man, Ethan had barely needed to convince him before Tony began generating enormous amounts of Rumor Points.
By comparison, the entire Atala organization had caused far more commotion, yet the number of points it contributed was still lower than Tony’s.
Apparently, the more influential or important an individual or organization was, the more Rumor Points their attention and belief could generate.
Thinking of this, Ethan glanced toward Tony.
“Tony, your Mark I prototype armor should be almost finished with testing by now, right?” The moment the topic shifted to his area of expertise, Tony immediately became more confident.
“We’ve finished the basic tests.” “A little more refinement and it should be complete within the next few days.” “Once all the testing is done, we can use this big guy to get out of here.” Ethan smiled.
“I’ve got some good news.” “The Foundation is preparing to send reinforcements to contain SCP-939, ‘With Many Voices.'” “I think we should adjust our escape plan accordingly.” Yinsen looked startled.
“How did you contact the Foundation?” Ethan gave him an enigmatic look.
“I naturally have my own way of contacting the Foundation.” “In any case, getting out of here won’t be a problem.” He continued, “I may also be able to use the situation to force the Atala militants to split their forces.” “If I can draw some of their manpower toward the anomaly’s location, it’ll make your breakout much easier.” Tony and Yinsen exchanged glances.
“What are you planning?” Both men were curious about what Ethan had in mind.
“I’ll have the Atala militants act as guides and take me to the valley village where SCP-939 appeared.” “We’ll conduct a containment operation there.” “If I go with them, they’ll almost certainly send a sizable force.” “And when the operation begins, there should be plenty of chaos.” “That’ll be your opportunity to escape.” Tony’s expression immediately changed.
“No.” “That’s way too dangerous!” For an instant, Ethan’s image seemed to grow enormously in Tony’s mind.
This noble Foundation agent was actually willing to risk his own life just to create an opportunity for them to escape!
Even Yinsen was visibly moved.
They weren’t family.
They had only ended up becoming fellow prisoners through circumstance.
Human beings were selfish by nature.
There was no reason Ethan had to go this far for them.
Their respect for the Foundation rose dramatically.
What kind of extraordinary organization could cultivate someone like this?
[Ding!
Tony Stark and Dr.
Yinsen have developed deep admiration for the Foundation.] [Rumor Points obtained: 2,000.] Ethan blinked.
He had somehow earned even more Rumor Points without deliberately trying.
“Don’t worry.” “I’m not going to throw my life away.” “Besides, the anomaly’s location is very close to this mountain base—less than ten kilometers away.” “If we don’t contain SCP-939 as soon as possible, every one of us could be in danger.” “But—” “Enough.
No buts.” Ethan cut Tony off decisively.
“This is settled.” “If I really do die during the operation…” He gave them a firm look.
“Then at least I’ll have remained true to the Foundation’s oath.” “We’ll proceed with this plan.”