A sense of loss brewed within Kevin. He had principles, but he was not stubbornly rigid.
The little move Ada had made to secretly copy the Red Queen's data template had not escaped the commander's notice, but he had chosen to turn a blind eye.
After all, Artificial Intelligence was highly profitable, widely applicable, and posed few potential threats.
Yet he had never expected that the first person to truly enter his heart would turn around and weld the door shut behind her.
Don't let me see you again! Damn Vixen!
Meanwhile, in a café facing Blackstone Bridge, a striking red figure gently curled her lips into a smile.
"What are you so happy about?"
Wesker, a former Umbrella executive wearing black sunglasses indoors, lightly raised his coffee and asked curiously.
"A script written by yours truly. The contents are quite interesting..."
The female agent slowly turned around, her words laden with meaning. Amid the shifting light and shadow, she seemed even more mysterious and unfathomable.
"Something to do with that commander?"
Wesker took a small sip of coffee, his expression turning amused. Ada merely smiled without answering.
When the former Umbrella security chief noticed the female agent's fingertips, his curiosity deepened.
"You actually... got hurt?"
Ada raised her index finger, wrapped in a Band-Aid, and examined it carefully as though admiring a treasured work of art.
"A tiny sacrifice in exchange for the initiative in a game. Not a bad deal..."
Little one, are you ready to play this dangerous game?
It's 1–0 now. I'm looking forward to our next meeting.
Just as the smile at the female agent's lips grew brighter, the crisp sound of a spoon tapping against a mug rang by her ear.
"All right, time is tight. Now it's our turn to make a deal..."
Wesker tossed a stack of documents onto the table, then drank his coffee as he waited for the female agent's response.
In fact, ever since the S.T.A.R.S. officers of the Raccoon City Police Department had been attacked at a suburban sanatorium, Wesker had considered changing employers.
That initial bioweapon outbreak had shown him the madness of certain people and Umbrella Corporation's inherent flaws, so naturally, Wesker had sought a way out.
Likewise, the mutation in the Acre Mountains had drawn the attention of other rival corporations, who desperately wanted Umbrella Corporation's research on Gene Serum.
The two sides, sharing common interests, hit it off immediately.
Wesker was responsible for stealing the data and handing over The Hive's internal security codes, while Ada, acting on behalf of other competing companies, served as the middleman for this transaction.
"Is this Sun Stair Flower what you wanted me to see? This thing seems outdated, doesn't it?"
Ada glanced at the photographs and could not help feeling disappointed by Wesker's bargaining chip.
"Not the flower—the soil in which the Sun Stair grew..."
There were purplish-red particles in the soil, like some strange crystalline substance, and it did not exist within any currently known mineral classification.
"This is called Honkai Crystal, a very unusual material. It seems more valuable than the T-Virus..."
"After all, the reason the Sun Stair has such unique effects and is so difficult to keep alive after transplantation seems to be this strange crystal."
Wesker pointed to some preliminary research data beneath the photographs, seemingly very confident in his bargaining chip.
"Oh? The legendary Honkai Crystal? I imagine that Archbishop of Schicksal in Europe would be very interested..."
"Also, the original source code for the Artificial Intelligence Red Queen in your possession has already fetched a good price from an organization in North America called Anti-Entropy."
"Furthermore, the U.S. military seems to be conducting an epoch-making study into military Artificial Intelligence, codenamed Skynet. They are another worthwhile trading partner."
"As for the Modified T-Virus, the head of the pharmaceutical division of the Shinra Family in the Far East region is currently raising funds..."
After opening her computer, Ada sent over the on-site photographs and some of the information. Before long, a series of trembling pop-up windows showed intense interest.
"Looks like I really got my hands on something incredible..."
Wesker's right hand rested lightly on the table, rhythmically tapping the glass. He was clearly in a very good mood.
"You can decide the specifics of the transaction yourselves. I'm merely a passing middleman..."
Seeing that everything had gone smoothly, Ada casually slipped the miniature computer into her LV handbag, then fired her Rope Gun and secured the hook.
"One final complimentary piece of information: the flight carrying S.H.I.E.L.D.'s investigator will arrive in Raccoon City at eight tonight..."
"So, I hope you enjoy your custom-made game of cat and mouse. And don't casually damage public property..."
After waving goodbye to Wesker, the female agent leaped away and was picked up by an Apache attack helicopter hovering near Blackstone Bridge.
What a crazy and interesting world. Wesker rose and gently adjusted his sunglasses. Standing before the shattered floor-to-ceiling window, he gazed down at Raccoon City with a distant, amused look.
P.S. 1: Unfortunately, 21 monthly tickets, 20 blades, and 700 in rewards did not meet the target.
Still, I decided to dedicate this chapter to everyone, but this will basically not happen again.
After all, I have work and still need to keep up with updates. It is quite tiring, and I write rather carefully, seriously weighing the wording.
Extra chapters are not good for my physical and mental health.
P.S. 2: Lastly, thank you all for your support. There is an event in the end-of-volume note later on. Be sure to check it out—there is a surprise.
End-of-Volume Note: Story Idea Event (Must Read)
First, I noticed that many readers enthusiastically suggested all sorts of harmonious cities, such as Gotham City with its "simple and honest folkways," Fuyuki City where "the world is nuclear-peaceful," Yharnam City with its "welcome," Dunwich with its "peace and tranquility," the "relatively safe" H District, and so on.
As this is a setting with multiple worlds, the author hopes to place the decision of saving the world in your hands and is preparing to hold an event in the review section. The details are below.
1. Attention, savory and sweet factions: please post the cities you want to see in the story in the review section, then invite readers to like and comment on them.
2. After the second volume ends, the author will select the two cities with the most likes and comments, add them to the future plot, and seek out and adopt some of the proposer's suggestions.
3. Whether you are a follower of Cthulhu, a Master in the Holy Grail War, a devoted fan of "Zombie Brother," or obsessed with Batman and the Joker's twisted romance, cheer for the world you want to step into.
Second, I imagine everyone saw many hints in the last chapter, so let me explain: the Calamity Virus does not refer solely to biological viruses, but to every cause that could destroy this world.
Lastly, answers regarding the plot.
1. Regarding the power system, some people asked: if an 18-strength Tyrant can lift a 20-ton tank, could a person with 18 strength do the same?
The answer is, of course, no. The maximum strength of the human species is 20. It merely means they have perfectly developed all the normal potential of the species. For example, if the upper limit of a person's bone density, muscle density, willpower, and genetic development is 1,000 jin, then 20 strength proves that they have reached the absolute limit. To go further, they would have to alter themselves at the genetic and species level. Otherwise, they could never improve.
In other words, once one surpasses 20, one gradually surpasses the human species itself.
But even so, a person with 20 strength still could not defeat an 18-strength Tyrant, because the Tyrant species possessed an overwhelmingly powerful constitution. At 18 strength, it could exert force on the level of 20 tons.
To give an intuitive example, the top student in your class says he only performed at sixty percent this time, yet scores 120, because his score range is between 120 and 150. In contrast, you tell your parents that you performed at one hundred and twenty percent, exceeding your usual level, yet score 100, because your normal level is around 80. Understand now? You are not the same species. Comparing the strength values of humans and Tyrants vertically has no meaning whatsoever.
2. Regarding the emotional issues involving the female characters.
You may have misunderstood. The protagonist and the female characters are still far from becoming lovers. Jill developed a favorable impression of the protagonist because he saved her, and she wanted to get closer to him.
As for Ada, she clearly values profit more. To her, emotions are more like an interesting game. Given how shrewd she is, she definitely would not be the first to fall. Just look at Leon, who has been single for more than a decade. Those of you who got the wrong idea should go face the wall.
As for Alice, she has lost twenty years of memories, and her marriage to Spence was fake. There is basically not much affection between them. After becoming homeless, she naturally chose to rely on someone willing to risk his life for her.
Of course, she also had the idea of finding someone to support her.
Furthermore, Alice is a straightforward and simple character, but she also has a bit of a bad-girl personality. The reason she agreed to become the protagonist's girlfriend was simply because it seemed fun and she wanted to do it.
I think I have a decent grasp of the characters' personalities and distinctions...
A Reasonable "Truth"
London, England, Heathrow International Airport.
Kevin, Jill, and Alice had just gotten off the plane when they were left somewhat stunned by the scene at the arrival exit.
Two rows of black-clad men in sunglasses and formal suits stood respectfully apart, while a stretched Lincoln sat with its door open, waiting for the arrival of honored guests.
"Captain!"
If not for James's respectful greeting, Kevin would have thought they had been exposed and MI6 had caught them at the airport entrance.
Had these idiots spent so much time under gunfire that they no longer understood the meaning of keeping a low profile?
Kevin looked around and immediately spotted many familiar faces, including Leon and Barry.
Every one of them had bulging waists, seemingly carrying firearms. Rain, dressed like a wandering singer, was even pacing nearby with a heavy instrument case on her back.
Judging by its shape, it was most likely a heavy weapon or a disassembled sniper rifle...
Fuck, never mind how they managed to bring so many weapons into the airport—I told you to pick us up, not form a group to carry out a terrorist attack!
It had taken great effort for the world's attention to be drawn to Umbrella, allowing them to quietly shift from the light into the shadows. Were these people dissatisfied that things were not big enough? Did they want to jump out and help share the firepower?
The commander, his face dark as ink, did not linger. He immediately carried his suitcase into the Lincoln.
However, Jill and Alice, who were traveling with him, seemed far more interested in the car and the scenery around them.
After getting into the car, they even pulled out a refrigerated wine cabinet from the back, poured themselves a glass each, and drank to ease their fatigue from the journey.
It seemed he had a long way to go in training this bunch... Kevin slapped his forehead, his expression full of agony.
"Welcome home..."
Once the doors had shut, a familiar greeting came from the back seat.
Dr. Charles? Kevin was somewhat surprised, then came to understand why everyone had made such a grand display.
After all, although Umbrella Corporation had sunk into a mire of public opinion, it had not been critically damaged. This massive company, with numerous branches all over the world, had surely extended its tentacles into every European nation.
Therefore, they could not guarantee that they would avoid pursuit by U.S.S. For Dr. Charles's safety, such an elaborate escort was understandable.
The man before him was worth more than an entire division.
Still, Kevin deeply disdained the planner's ostentatious approach. It would only make the target easier to identify and more dangerous.
If the commander had handled it, he would have hidden even Dr. Charles's existence, thrown every scrap of dirt he could at Umbrella Corporation, and perhaps arranged an accidental death and a new identity.
"Ten percent of BSAA's startup capital comes from United Nations funding, while the other ninety percent is supported by the Crawford family."
"So the person you will report to is naturally the master of County of Surrey, the current head of the Crawford family—Lara Crawford."
"Additionally, she is my niece and is fairly respectful toward me as her uncle. It seems I am the most suitable person to handle the reception..."
No matter how Kevin listened to Dr. Charles's explanation, it carried a restrained sense of bragging.
What a vain Old Man. Kevin silently grumbled, feeling slightly uneasy about the upcoming meeting.
It was not because he was excited to meet some celebrity. After all, his repeated brushes with death in Raccoon City had made his mental endurance extraordinarily strong.
What worried him more was that the original Modified T-Virus data had been lost, leaving him with insufficient bargaining chips.
BSAA was no charity organization. He needed to produce some results worth showing if he wanted to secure benefits for his team members.
"I have a question. What personnel and departments support BSAA's operations? Since we are being transferred back home, we should get to know our future colleagues in advance."
Kevin probed for information about BSAA. Who knew whether this so-called BSAA had been altered beyond recognition by the World Will...
Dr. Charles gave Kevin a slightly surprised glance, then pointed around the vehicle with one finger.
"Well, they are roughly all here?"
What the fuck! Are you messing with me? BSAA—the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance—has such an impressive name, but it is just an empty shell?
Kevin nearly cursed out loud. I thought I had found an organization to join! Instead, you want me to relive the hardships of starting a business?
Dr. Charles seemed to have anticipated Kevin's shock and confusion, and patiently explained things to his student.
"BSAA's actual founders are Richard, Lara's father, and me. This nominal empty shell was originally just an idea before the Raccoon City crisis erupted."
"Back then, Richard and I explored West Africa and eventually discovered the tomb of the Ndipaya Empire, along with the Sun Stair Flower within..."
"Although Richard repeatedly urged me not to bring that dangerous plant back to America for research, I had no choice but to do so in order to overcome my family's hereditary illness..."
"After that happened, Richard cut off contact with me for a time..."
"Until my daughter Angela was born, and the successfully developed T-Virus truly freed my little angel from her wheelchair..."
Dr. Charles's lips curved into a warm smile, as though he were proud of his daughter.
Before you continue