A Boss with a Human Touch / The Pre-Booked Wedding Photos

The middle-aged man had a gentle face, and the intellectual air characteristic of a scholar made him pay great attention to his appearance. Even with thick bandages on his chest, he still wore a well-tailored suit.

"Nice to meet you... Dr. Ethan..."

Kevin glanced at the written documents Hank had presented one last time, then stood up and shook hands slightly with the lucky hostage, his smile bright and genuine.

P. S.: I went out for a walk today, taking a break.

Updates will be released as usual at 6:00 AM tomorrow.

Chapter 210, Section 223: The Human-like BOSS

"More than ten days ago, while we were searching in a desert in Afghanistan, we inadvertently heard gunshots and explosions from the direction of 9 o'clock, and saw flashes of light."

"So I led the Wolf Pack Squad to investigate and discovered that it was a hidden terrorist hideout."

"Moreover, there seems to be internal strife inside; the terrorists are busy hunting down a steel-armored man whose chest is glowing..."

"During the firefight, we flanked them from both sides, with one team responsible for eliminating the terrorists and the other team responsible for scouting inside the cave."

Hank, sitting at his desk, simplified the details, giving a brief account of what had happened.

When he got to the crucial point, the taciturn career soldier turned his gaze to Dr. Ethan beside him.

The gentle-faced middle-aged man added with a subtle smile and grateful eyes.

"I was a hostage taken by those terrorists. Because of my talent in the field of mechanics, I was lucky enough to be spared and put in charge of assembling weapons for them..."

"Later, I accidentally became cellmates with a guy Tony Stark..."

"That guy was a bit of a troublemaker. While he was imprisoned, he secretly assembled a Power Armor and eventually broke through the encirclement."

"I wasn't so lucky. I was accidentally shot in the chest and was on the verge of death..."

"However, perhaps because God dislikes being disturbed while taking his afternoon nap, he sent these angels to pull me back to continue suffering and atonement on earth..."

The middle-aged bald doctor named Ethan, after his near-death experience in Afghanistan, has become more carefree and peaceful, and even started joking with Kevin.

"Dr. Ethan, we at BSAA are an official United Nations agency responsible for Bio-terrorism counter-terrorism. Combating evil is our duty, and it is our honor to save your life."

"However, although our special medicine (a byproduct of the T-Virus) has repaired your body, please rest and recuperate in County of Surrey until your injuries are fully healed."

"If needed, I will contact your family and friends..."

Kevin's words contained both official rhetoric and a degree of personal concern.

After Dr. Ethan, filled with gratitude, thanked him repeatedly, he was taken away and settled by Hank's subordinates. Kevin closed the file and continued his questioning in a deep voice.

Were all the terrorists wiped out?

"Have the steel armor and design blueprints been recovered?"

Hank shook his head slightly, and after looking in the direction Dr. Ethan had gone, he hesitated for a moment before giving his answer in a muffled voice.

"We were busy rescuing Dr. Ethan, so the encirclement wasn't tight, and a third of the terrorists escaped."

"And the squad of soldiers outside also failed to intercept the armored man..."

"As for the blueprints, while cleaning up the battlefield, we discovered that Dr. Ethan seemed to have thrown something into the fire..."

Kevin twirled the pen in his hand, showing no surprise.

"You heard it too, he just said that Tony Stark 'himself' assembled that Power Armor..."

"He's trying to protect Tony Stark's achievements, but this precaution is understandable..."

"After all, your appearance was too coincidental..."

"Actually, compared to Tony Stark's achievements, I value Dr. Ethan's work even more..."

"We currently lack researchers in the field of mechanical engineering, and Dr. Ethan, who has lost a loved one, is free from constraints and is the easiest target."

"Let the school kids go there more often, just so they can take care of the elderly out of a specific purpose..."

The commander's keen observation and magnanimous response gradually dispelled Hank's slight discomfort at having revealed someone else's secret.

"Oh, right, we could have Dr. Charles, Dr. Ouma, and Count Richard —these well-known figures in academia—make initial contact with him. The circle of scientists might be quite small."

"But things that shouldn't be revealed must be kept secret!"

"Also, after settling Dr. Ethan in, go home immediately, take a shower, and change your clothes. I'll give you seven days off to rest..."

"Enjoy life to the fullest for now. The next batch of soldiers joining the Wolf Pack Squad will require your training..."

Kevin then took his car keys from his desk and tossed them to Hank, who was standing upright to the side.

"Yes, sir!"

Hank's answer was deep and earnest, even conveying a sense of sincere admiration.

He likes the current boss very much; at least he's somewhat human and treats his subordinates well.

Of course, the generous salary and the exceptional fighting ability of the BSAA team members were also important factors in his unwavering loyalty.

Dr. Ethan, Iron Man Tony's mentor in life, is also the foundation upon which Kevin established a good cooperative relationship with Stark Industries.

However, the time is not yet ripe, and he needs some patience.

Now that I've finished my work, where should I go next?

Should I take Miku out for a walk... help Asuna with her studies online... or teach Shino Asada how to shoot at the range?

Kevin stretched and leaned back in his chair, flipping through a blank schedule and letting his mind wander.

However, Kevin was startled awake by the urgent ringing of his cell phone. He glanced at the caller ID on his private number and was immediately flattered.

Sakurami Haruharu? What does she want with me?

When Kevin came to his senses, he hurriedly answered the phone, and heard the anxious voice of this intelligent wife on the other end.

"These two sisters named Konno, you sent them, didn't you?"

"Aiko Konno has fallen ill, and her symptoms are quite severe. You'd better come and see her!"

The commander responded in a deep voice, then silently turned off his phone, calmed himself, and walked towards the stables.

Ten minutes later, led by Sakurami Haruharu, Kevin entered the gates of a hidden laboratory in the outskirts of County of Surrey and met his sisters in a sterile chamber.

After a few days apart, Aiko Konno had lost a lot of weight, with sunken cheeks. The oversized hospital gown only accentuated her slender frame.

With each cough from Aiko Konno, a trickle of blood would flow from the corner of her mouth, her expression one of extreme Affliction.

Konomi Konno, who was not currently showing symptoms, lay on her sister's bedside, tightly holding her skinny hand, her eyes filled with tears.

But at her sister's insistence, the child could only force a smile and wipe away her tears again and again.

"What is the current status of the development of T-Virus reagents?"

"I've allowed you to mobilize all the resources; now at least give me an answer!"

Kevin pulled the cold-faced Sakurami Haruharu into a corner, his expression somewhat annoyed.

"80% of the semi-finished products... theoretically feasible... but lacking in clinical trial data..."

Sakurami Haruharu originally wanted to confront Kevin about the two girls who were abandoned in the laboratory, but the man's reaction was unexpectedly intense.

Therefore, under this pressure, the intelligent housewife had no choice but to instinctively provide the data.

What is the success rate?

"Approximately 40%..."

"How long can Aiko Konno hold on in this situation?"

"I don't know. This illness is quite severe; we might have to try and get through tonight..."

"Don't wait any longer, let's try the drug!"

After a brief exchange, Kevin closed his eyes slightly and made a decisive decision, which Sakurami Haruharu did not quite agree with.

P. S.: By the way, now that we're going to meet Tony Stark, do you guys have any favorite Marvel characters?

Chapter 211, Section 224: The Wedding Photo Appointment

"I'm not a gambler, but if there's a 40% chance, I should take the plunge!"

Even if this attempt fails, it will still provide the necessary data for treating Yuki!

"Besides, you know how Affliction is for Lanzi to keep pushing herself like this."

"If I can't ensure they live a healthy life, at least they should die with dignity!"

"Go ask them. If they agree, prepare for the experiment immediately!"

Kevin's tone was urgent and anxious; he didn't want to wait in vain any longer, because every moment was torture.

Sakurami Haruharu glanced deeply at the man who was trying so hard to stay upright, suppressed the doubts in her throat, turned around and went into the sterile room to ask the Konno Sisters for their opinions.

Finally, Sakurami Haruharu walked out with a sad and indescribable expression on her face, nodded slightly to Kevin, and then pushed out Konomi Konno behind her.

"Brother Kevin, if possible, I'd like to be the first to try the drug!"

"Lanzi has done so much for me, I must do something for her, otherwise..."

Konomi Konno grasped Kevin's hand, her expression serious. Kevin could even see the will to die in those red eyes.

Ignoring Sakurami Haruharu's repeated attempts to dissuade him, the commander crouched down slightly, bringing his gaze level with Konomi Konno's, and reached out to wipe away the remaining tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Great, very brave! I support your choice!"

"Remember, come back alive, and once you're better, I'll take you to have our wedding photos taken!"

Upon hearing this, Konomi Konno gave Kevin a quick kiss on the cheek, her eyes crinkling into crescents with happiness. After making a pinky promise with Kevin, she cheerfully went into the ward to prepare.

"I will gather the medical team and the remaining virologists within an hour. Don't feel guilty, just do your best..."

After Kevin got up, he didn't say much. After arranging everything, he put down his phone, mounted his warhorse, and rode away.

However, the man's shoulders were shaking quite violently as he left.

Although he made the decision, he ultimately dared not face it.

The warhorse galloped faster and faster under the whip, but because the reins had no clear direction, Kevin didn't know where he was until dusk, let alone how to find his way home.

The trees were sparse, the road was slightly sloping on both sides, and there were hardly any people or vehicles around.

Kevin casually tied his warhorse to a tree, sat down on the grass beside the tree, and quietly gazed at the distant lights, not wanting to ask anything or care about anything.

The Moon rises in the east and sets in the west, and time passes by second by second. In this dark, gentle slope, only the chirping of insects remains.

As dawn broke the next day and the moonlight faded, the mist in the forest was dispersed by a powerful airflow, followed by the roar of propellers.

With a dull thud, Lara, Alice, and Jill jumped from the hovering helicopter, their eyes bloodshot, indicating they hadn't slept all night.

"The results are in..."

"Are you planning to continue playing hide-and-seek here, or change into your groom's attire and go with that girl to take wedding photos?"

Alice walked over Alice, took a deep breath, grabbed Kevin's shoulders, lifted him up, and asked him, word by word.

"Are they... safe?"

Kevin raised his head slightly, and when he heard Alice's question, his previously unfocused eyes instantly narrowed, and his face showed a look of sudden awakening.

"Although there were some adverse reactions, everything is going smoothly. Their AIDS Virus is being cleared by the T-Virus, and their immune function is gradually recovering..."

Alice gently brushed the grass off Kevin, quietly recounting the process and the result.

What are the adverse reactions?

The cautious Kevin, fearing that this good news was merely a word game to appease him, immediately pressed for details.

"Their muscles and figures have become much fuller, and their physical fitness has improved significantly. They'll be studying with Angela from now on."

Alice's lips curled into a slight smile, a vengeful one that caught Kevin's slightly bewildered expression.

Because this guy, who was afraid to face the consequences, hid in the deep mountains, probably didn't know that in the day after he left, members of the BSAA and the SCP Foundation basically searched every inch of County of Surrey.

With him gone, everyone seemed to have lost their souls. The operation of each department was extremely sluggish, and the lack of complete trust between them gradually became apparent.

If it weren't for Sakurami Haruharu's intervention, Lara probably would have planned to broadcast Kevin's bounty on billboards and in some County of Surrey media outlets 24/7.