This World Is Seriously Ill

When Lara finally nodded seriously, agreeing to the bet between herself and Kevin, the onlookers from Raccoon City couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

"Are we... too heartless?"

Leon asked cautiously, sensing the strange atmosphere.

Everyone looked embarrassed, realizing that their behavior of spectating and setting up private bets was indeed quite ungentlemanly.

So?

As everyone watched with anticipation, Leon's expression turned serious, and he slammed his wallet onto Kevin's side.

"I'll add another 500, betting on the Captain to win!"

"What the hell!" The crowd, who had some lingering guilt, all gave Leon the middle finger.

When has that cunning Captain ever been at a disadvantage? The situation is already so clear, why would you need to add more bets!

The atmosphere among the spectators became lively.

Of course, rather than expressing hollow thanks, it was better to engrave this feeling in their hearts; this was their unspoken consensus.

"Enough with the nonsense, what exactly do we do?"

The decisive Countess, after making up her mind and trusting in her own strength, coldly urged.

"Currently, the BSAA has two sparring partners to choose from: one is a former Umbrella member and mercenary, Rain; the other is Jill, a former member of Alpha Squad..."

"I personally recommend Rain. The two of you have already met, and she should allow you to have a good time, Countess..."

Kevin's demeanor was respectful and humble. While he mentioned recommending Jill and Rain, his gaze lingered on someone else for a long time.

"Didn't you recruit three female members from Raccoon City? What about her?"

Countess Lara, with a dark expression, pointed to the person next to Kevin and asked seriously.

Have a good time? I thought you were so noble, but you're just hypocritically trying to please...

"Well, we value peace and harmony, friendship first, competition second. It would be a grave sin to disappoint you, Countess."

Kevin gently appeased her, his face full of concern for Lara.

"Since you say that, it seems she's the strongest woman in the BSAA?"

Lara's expression was certain, and she saw through Kevin's little trick of manipulating things to please his boss.

The Commander smiled without answering.

Here it comes! The good show is coming! The onlookers from afar watched with amusement.

However, Countess Lara, who seemed to have been led by the nose, glanced at the excited spectators in the distance and then pursed her lips into a slight smile.

"Just now, were you trying to guide me to choose her?"

Everyone was slightly stunned by this sudden turn of events.

She found out? How?

The Commander showed no surprise at Lara's reaction, merely responding frankly.

"Yes, so please listen to my sincere recommendation."

Lara nodded slightly, and the index finger pointing at Alice began to move elsewhere.

This time, it's a bust... everyone thought regretfully, starting to feel sorry for the soon-to-be-lost housing and thirty percent of their salary.

"I choose... her!"

When the final answer was revealed, the onlookers' widened eyes spilled onto the ground once more.

Because the finger that had circled around had returned to its original point.

"The strongest woman in the BSAA? I personally prefer interesting challenges!"

"Since you have such confidence in her, then let you be defeated convincingly!"

A powerful confidence radiated from Lara, her flamboyant personality completely exposed!

"As you wish, BOSS..."

At this moment, the onlookers noticed an invisible "sinister smile" of a successful scheme forming at the corner of the Commander's lips.

It seemed he had never been surprised by this outcome.

This is the Tomb Raider I remember! This is the Countess from the Crawford family!

Confident and arrogant, hoping to crush all impossibilities underfoot!

Therefore, by secretly revealing Alice's identity as the strongest fighter, no matter what, Lara would choose her as an opponent.

Kevin waved goodbye with a smile and began discussing the night's entertainment with the surrounding onlookers.

Thirty seconds later, Alice, calm and collected, returned from the training room and continued to pick up her fork and knife to enjoy her dessert.

As for the Countess, she would probably be sleeping in the training room tonight.

So, goodnight, Countess...

ps1: Thanks to Huaxu's Undead, Bewildered Momo, Shuke44317652427, Wang's Man, and other readers for their support and donations.

Actually, everyone, please don't go to too much trouble. Just keep up with the recommendations and monthly votes you're already giving.

ps2: Got another classic character trapped, happy.

Chapter 58: Maintain Fear, Learn Reverence!

My… head hurts…

Lara woke from darkness and grogginess, sat up against the headboard, and after a long while, her consciousness finally cleared.

She was in her bedroom, and according to the wall clock, it was already 2 AM.

So, I was unconscious for a full seven or eight hours? The Countess, gradually recalling the specific encounter, had a rather unpleasant expression.

She hadn't expected that woman named "Alice" to be so outrageously strong! A single blow had rendered her unconscious.

Of course, if it weren't for Kevin, who had a bit of a conscience and notified the maids to carry the unconscious Countess to her bedroom to rest.

She probably would have slept in the training room all night…

That devious pretty boy! Damn him!

A strong sense of frustration caused Lara to pound the headboard fiercely. Her feelings towards the Commander, besides disdain, were now mixed with anger.

Due to the long period of unconsciousness, Lara felt no sleepiness even at two in the morning.

Helplessly, the Countess donned a robe and went towards the front yard.

The living room was lit at this moment. Driven by curiosity, Lara pushed open the door and stepped inside.

A figure, somewhat to her surprise, was sitting on the sofa, drinking tea and reading a newspaper.

"What are you doing here? Are you trying to flaunt your victory?"

Lara showed complete rejection towards the uninvited guest.

"I'm not that bored. Besides, losing to her is nothing to be ashamed of. Our entire team combined has never won against her!"

Kevin put down the newspaper, his expression becoming serious. He stood up and saluted.

"Countess Lara, BSAA Senior Agent Kevin Li requests a private report to you!"

Unlike his lazy and cunning demeanor during the day, the Commander now exuded an aura of reliability and seriousness from head to toe.

Seeing that Lara, despite her displeased expression, nodded in tacit approval, Kevin calmly recounted the thrilling Biohazard Crisis in Raccoon City.

There was no embellishment, no exaggeration, and he even omitted unnecessary details.

Lara, initially skeptical and sarcastic, was forced to believe as she faced a series of evidence.

It was this 20-year-old university student, bearing the "honorary title of BSAA Senior Agent," who had successfully saved 100,000 lives.

The danger of walking on a knife's edge was self-evident. Lara could even smell the scent of gunpowder and blood from his plain words.

"Based on the aforementioned situation, I have the following proposals."

"First, provide professional training facilities and a base of operations, and increase personnel and funding support for the BSAA's field operations department to promote its prompt improvement and transformation."

"After the outbreak of the Biohazard Crisis in Raccoon City, the leakage of T-Virus samples and some research data is unavoidable. It is highly likely that bio-terrorist attacks will occur in various countries successively…"

Lara pondered, understanding Kevin's subtext.

"...The United Nations may very well increase the authority of the BSAA, transforming it from a nominal organization into a substantive one, perhaps granting it some extraterritorial law enforcement powers…"

Kevin nodded in agreement. This Countess was skilled in all forms of sports, and even achieved accomplishments in obscure and difficult archaeology; she was clearly not an incompetent figurehead.

"This is an opportunity for the Crawford family to expand. Using the BSAA as a platform, deepen cooperation with various European countries and convert relationships into profits…"

Lara was somewhat interested in the profits Kevin spoke of. The Crawford family, now under her leadership, had only made achievements in real estate and archaeological research; their overall economic strength was not formidable.

"Pharmaceuticals!"

"This is my second point: seize the opportunity to raise funds and prepare to divide all the resources of Umbrella's European branches!"

Kevin's expression remained unchanged, his plan already set in his mind. He then began to earnestly state his reasons.

"According to the latest news I received from Mayor Warren, the US military is likely to terminate its cooperation with the Umbrella Corporation."

"Umbrella has invested too much capital in the research and development of the T-Virus and its modifications. Without being able to recoup their investment, their future is predictable."

"Furthermore, Umbrella Corporation has branches in Europe, which will inevitably lead to a stock market decline and a reshuffling of market share in the European pharmaceutical sector…"

"We possess the data for the Modified T-Virus and a large amount of core research data. Even if we can't take the whole pie, we can invite other families involved in the pharmaceutical field to share the benefits."

A playful smile gradually appeared on Lara's face.

"This shouldn't be your real objective…"

When did this cunning fox of a Commander develop loyalty to a family?

His actions of snatching pie for the Crawford family were likely just a cover for his larger scheme.

A hint of surprise flickered in Kevin's eyes. Although he had guessed that Lara might notice something amiss, the Countess's intelligence and perceptiveness exceeded his imagination.

"Alright, the third point is…"

"To provide Dr. Charles with a private core laboratory and assemble a medical team to begin research on the Modified T-Virus."

Lara's eyes sharpened, and she regarded Kevin's idea with suspicion.

"I'm not hearing things, am I? A BSAA Senior Agent wants to continue developing the T-Virus, the very thing that almost caused global destruction?"

"Do you know the consequences of this? If it ever gets out, it won't just be you; the entire Crawford family will be implicated!"

Kevin nodded slightly. He had anticipated the objections from the woman behind the scenes, but he was confident enough in his own abilities and hidden cards to persuade the Countess.

"First, we'll use the excuse of developing a T-Virus vaccine to silence the public."

"Second, the original purpose of the T-Virus was to enhance human physique. The Modified T-Virus we have in hand has already taken a significant step towards gene fusion."

"Next, we just need to remove the unstable factors, and it might be ready for use in the near future, greatly improving human physique."

"What's more, the first and second perfect T-Virus fusion subjects are right here with us."

"I've already consulted with Dr. Charles. As long as we don't deliberately pursue an 'evolution' that achieves godhood in one step, it's entirely possible to develop a general gene enhancer."

Lara frowned slightly. The T-Virus was too dangerous.

Although its development would create some byproducts to fill the gaps in the medical market, allowing the Crawford family to reap astonishing profits, this cake was a bit too hot to handle.

"I'm afraid that reason isn't enough to convince me."

Kevin sighed softly. "Alright, the third point is indeed born from my personal desires."

Faced with Lara's refusal, the Commander turned his gaze to the vast night, his voice low and heavy.

"Humanity has propagated for nearly a million years, and only the last 4,000 have been meaningful."

"What were we doing for the nearly 25,000 years before that?"

"Hiding in caves, huddled around small fires, fearing the things we didn't understand..."

"Explanations for how the sun rose, monsters with human heads and bird bodies, living stones..."

"We called them 'gods' and 'demons,' and prayed to them for forgiveness and salvation, but it was all in vain."