Breaking FloorsThe plan was supposed to be simple. Kidnap someone to bring back to the doctor, so he could liquefy them, adding another soul to the Lake of Unity.

But it didn’t work out. He hadn’t realized his mistake until it was far too late, as he made his way back to the Tsukuba Research Facility with a sack.

The sack was bleeding. It was not bleeding earlier. It also stopped moving. The Crusader Enforcer hit the intended target a little too hard.

“Shit”

Great. Just fucking great. Humans that were due for liquefaction were needed alive, and he just dragged in a dead corpse. Trying to dispose of it now would just trace it all back to him and the research facility, so he had no choice but to bring it in.

But what the hell was anyone going to be able to do with a dead body It’s worthless to the researchers and he certainly didn’t want to confront that General about it. The Enforcer would rather stay on the priest’s good side, so telling him was a no-go.

And after he informed his boss about potential mutiny in the Crusaders, she said she would have traitors sold off to the General to be liquefied. Inadequacy definitely wasn’t allowed, even in this particular Enforcer was plenty competent.
Perhaps the head scientist would know what to do Sure, this body is useless, but he’s crazy enough to find another use or experiment on a corpse. Hell, he had probably messed up somewhere during his experiments and got stuck with a couple of stiffs.

He may be brilliant, but no one was perfect. Mistakes had to be made in order to improve, right

Even if the doctor tried anything, he’s not physically strong.

__________________________________

“So you brought your little failure to me”

The Enforcer rubs the back of his helmet, humiliated.

“Look, the other guys— they do things like kidnap easy targets for you. Children, defenseless men, and women. Me I prefer going after the drunks and the addicts. They’re usually too stupid to know what’s going on and no one knows or cares what happens to them.” The Enforcer sighs. “This guy, took a tumble on his back while I was trying to snag him. I’m pretty sure he broke something and I didn’t realize it—”

“He snapped his neck,” Livingstill points out. “Did you drop him on a curb or something”

“Yeah, kind of.” The Enforcer admits. “My hand slipped. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. I just need to know if you can make this problem disappear, without letting anyone know Seriously, I’ll do anything in return.”

Dr. Livingstill chuckles, digging through some tools in the drawer. “You will not have to do much. The brain is preservable for me to use in the future if I need it.”

“You’re going to take out his brain”

He nods. “What else does it sound like Once I remove it, we can use the hydrofluoric acid I have and no one will have to know about your little mistake.” The smile on the doctor's face is absolutely unnerving. “Now do me a favor and go find a plastic bucket.”

A bucket That seriously wasn’t going to be big enough to handle a dead body
“Here, you’re going to need this.” Livingstill passes him a gas mask.

__________________________________

The Enforcer turns on his phone, playing his death metal mixtape so no one could hear what he was doing.

The realization of dissolving a corpse, guts and all, finally settled to the Crusader Enforcer once Livingstill gave him the go. The body had the top of his skull removed, reeking of blood, Matango, and death.

He quickly puts the gas mask on, trying not to gag. The Enforcer is lucky that the facility is slow today and the doctor gave him free rein over the lab. All the other scientists were forced to keep quiet on the matter too.

Still, after two hours, the man couldn’t find a goddamn plastic bucket Especially not one that would handle an entire person.

… the Enforcer recalls how there was a shower or bathing area for soldiers and research workers. That would have to do.

Dragging up to the shower drains, the Enforcer strips the body down— why couldn’t they just use an incinerator It would have been easier on the eyes for him. Instead, he was stuck opening a bottle of acid and dumping it directly on a corpse.

He squints, trying to look away from the work. The Enforcer makes sure to turn the water on before he leaves, trying to get out what little bits he can.

__________________________________

The job is done, the doctor has a free brain he can poke around with, and the Enforcer is free of a problem that would have gotten him in serious trouble.

“Doc, serious question, what the hell did I need a dinky little plastic bucket for” The Enforcer groans in exhaustion. “You seriously had me out on a wild goose chase over a stupid piece of cheap plastic for nothing, we have a perfectly good drain system upstairs that washes out easy.”

Dr. Livingstill pauses, his pupils shrinking.

“Drain” Livingstill mutters. “You used the facility’s shower system”

“Yeah, it just seemed to make way more sense Less hassle, the body fits—”

He gets up and shuffles past the Enforcer, opening the door outside of the lab. A faint dripping sound can be heard.

The Enforcer peeks over his shoulder. Red fluid is seeping through the ceiling, landing on the floor and dissolving what’s below. Nearby, the priest ends up staring at it.

“Hark The facility is possessed Haunted by a wicked spirit” Unryu screeches, holding up his staff. “Begone from this place—”

The ceiling cracks and breaks open.

Unryu squawks in horror, watching the blood and guts fall from above. Livingstill doesn’t even flinch, while the Enforcer steps back, mortified. While the priest continues chanting before eventually retreating to report the ‘haunting’, Livingstill closes the door to the lab back up and sighs.

“I apologize, my thick-skulled minion, what were you saying” Livingstill narrows his eyes. “Ah, yes, the plastic bucket. If it wasn’t clear by now, hydrofluoric acid eats through anything except plastic. Metal, ceramic, rocks, glass. Essentially every main compound that makes up the facility, it can burn through.” The scientist pauses. “Oh, and flesh and bone, of course.”

…

“Thankfully, the priest doesn’t understand science too well. I’ll see that the repairs come out of your paycheck and we’ll have this cleaned up without a fuss.”

The Enforcer nods, knowing he won’t be able to sleep that night.