"Miss Ada Wong, you're a well-known figure in the mercenary world, so we know who you are and what you're after."
Not bothering to think about the headache that would come later, Kevin simply bluffed his way through and kept up the act to the end.
"Oh?" The mysterious and dangerous female agent wore a smile on the surface, but a flicker of surprise and wariness rose in the depths of her eyes.
Kevin leaned against the headboard, staring straight into Ada's eyes as he spoke slowly, word by word.
"At the very least, our goals are the same right now: obtaining the T-Virus... So why can't we work together?"
"That reckless style doesn't seem like those old-fashioned British gentlemen." The corners of the woman's lips lifted slightly, and she seemed rather interested in Kevin's proposal.
"When in Rome. America is a paradise for gamblers and adventurers!"
Kevin gradually became more talkative and sharp, using a fairly natural American shrug to dispel the hint of suspicion that had risen in Ada's heart.
Then, the man struck while the iron was hot. "Besides, you've seen the power of Umbrella Corporation's biological weapons. Trying to break through The Hive's security system head-on by yourself is nothing but a pipe dream. For me, it would be even harder."
"I have connections, and you have the ability. If we work together and muddy the waters, we might all get what we want."
Kevin's mind was quick, and he spoke with ease. He had never realized he had such a gift for arguing.
"Indeed. Keeping you around does seem more useful..." Ada put on her brownish-yellow trench coat and walked toward the window with her back to Kevin.
However, just as a relieved smile appeared on the boy's tense face, a silver dinner knife shot past his cheek and embedded itself in the wooden headboard.
"But calling a girl 'auntie' without permission is quite rude..."
"So next time we meet, be good, little boy..."
Ada looked back and smiled. Then she pulled out her Rope Gun, secured the grappling hook, waved goodbye to the still-shaken youngster, and leaped out of the hotel.
Finally... I bluffed my way through it. Kevin collapsed onto the bed and gasped for air.
But in the next instant, he realized there was an even more serious problem.
Wait, that woman left. Who was going to untie me?
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The other two updates will be released at seven sharp tomorrow morning.
Keep Your Head Down, Don't Get Cocky!
When Kevin, his face exhausted and dark circles under his eyes, staggered down the stairs while holding the railing, the landlady's pitying gaze dealt him a crushing blow.
This was humiliating... But the problem was, I don't have that kind of hobby!
Thinking back to the awkward situation last night, when it had taken him nearly half the night to get free, Kevin could not help regretting his momentary loose tongue.
A sharp tongue felt great in the moment, then came the crematorium.
Learn from it! Kevin calmed himself and repeatedly warned himself.
Many geniuses who thought themselves clever fell by the wayside. The ones who reached the finish line were often not the smartest, but the ones best at staying alive.
Besides! He might be the person who could see the farthest in this world, but he was definitely not the smartest!
This was a living world. This was a dangerous world. This was also a sick and insane world!
His most urgent task was to survive as long as possible!
So keep your head down and develop. Don't get cocky!
Kevin's thoughts spun outside the door. In the end, he tucked the recovered Identification Documents into his wallet, pulled up his hood, deliberately avoided the cameras, and moved calmly through the shadowed corners.
However, the moment he stepped half a pace out of the dark alley, his body stiffened, and he quietly withdrew.
Damn it! Umbrella Squad!
On the main street, twelve Umbrella mercenaries in black tactical uniforms, wearing gas masks and carrying MP5 submachine guns, were patrolling and questioning people at a checkpoint they had set up.
Umbrella's infiltration of Raccoon City was terrifying. They had basically seized control of most of its military and political power.
From Kevin's rough observation, their stated reason was that Mexican terrorists carrying special weapons had infiltrated the city, so Umbrella needed to conduct a special screening.
But those two Mexican drug dealers were already dead as doornails.
And those kind-hearted Umbrella mercenaries "maintaining public order" were comparing his photograph against passing pedestrians.
He did not know why, but there was no doubt about it. He... had been exposed!
Could it be... Alice? Suspicion rose in Kevin's heart, only for him to crush it a moment later. It did not make sense.
Still, at least one thing was certain: he absolutely could not contact Alice again. Being around her was far more dangerous than he had imagined!
By the same logic, Dr. Charles's home had also become forbidden territory.
Where should he go? Kevin was somewhat lost. As he unconsciously backed away, he somehow ended up at the Wild Rose Hotel.
However, parked outside the hotel was a black Hummer SUV with its doors open. The red-and-white umbrella logo of Umbrella made his heart sink to rock bottom.
Barely ten minutes later, three Umbrella mercenaries who had emerged from the hotel spread out and advanced into the alley from different directions.
Kevin's heart pounded violently. He instinctively slowed his steps and hid toward the shadows. With no better option, he could only avoid them for as long as he could.
Yet just as the Umbrella mercenaries entered the alley, noisy shouting erupted from the street. A suspicious hooded man fled in the direction opposite the mercenaries.
The three immediately turned around and moved to capture the target. Screams and crashing sounds instantly rang out one after another.
Finally... safe... Kevin let out a long breath. Those three Umbrella mercenaries had come within five meters of where he was hiding. He had nearly been done for.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind and clamped tightly over Kevin's mouth, dragging the struggling mixed-race boy into the deep darkness.
"Boss, we caught him!" In less than ten minutes, the suspicious man in front of the Wild Rose Hotel had been pinned to the ground by two Umbrella Squad members closing in from both sides.
Looking at the wriggling figure on the ground, now covered in dust and grime, Captain John, who had a slight aversion to dirt, could not help showing a bit of disgust. He waved for his men to haul the suspect up.
"Hey! Want a hit, buddy?" The brownish-blond-haired man, whose pupils were unfocused and body swayed back and forth, was clearly a drug addict high on something.
After carefully checking the facial recognition system, John disgustedly shoved away the trash trying to cozy up to him and ordered his men to drive him away on the spot.
The sudden interruption left John in a foul mood. Nearly every Umbrella Squad member inside The Hive had been mobilized just to catch a tutor who had wandered into a restricted area?
What were they, hyenas that dealt with rotten meat?
He shook his head to dispel the images of the special experiments lingering in his mind. The dissatisfaction in his heart subsided, and his expression turned cold again, because the scenes inside The Hive were not only nauseating, but enough to send chills down one's spine.
But he felt as though he had forgotten something, and that drug addict had appeared a little too conveniently.
John came back to himself and swept his gaze around like a hawk. When the sharp glint in his eyes passed over the alley from earlier, his expression changed slightly.
Huff! Inside a private room at a café, the man slowly drew the curtains shut and exhaled a breath of foul air. The Umbrella mercenaries searching through the alley noticed nothing of the gaze watching them from above.
"Kevin, right? Nice to meet you..." The man with short dark brown hair, dressed in a black leather jacket with a press pass around his neck, was not particularly burly, yet he had an indescribably agile air about him.
His friendly smile and outstretched hand left Kevin, who sat quietly across from him, somewhat confused.
Just moments ago, when Kevin had been in trouble, this guy had actually lifted a manhole cover and led him through the city's sewage pipes to escape the danger zone. So what was this guy after?
"I can see you have a lot of questions. All right, let me introduce myself again."
The reporter in the black jacket noticed Kevin's vigilance and suspicion. He scratched his head awkwardly, then his expression became solemn.
"Matt Addison, BSAA Level Three Field Agent, here to make contact. I assume you are the other agent who infiltrated Raccoon City. Pleasure working with you."
Then the black-jacketed reporter smiled slightly, easing the tension between them.
Kevin shook his hand without giving anything away, then sat down. Through indirect probing, he gradually confirmed one of his suspicions.
As his exploration of this world deepened, the Information Anchor of his identity would eventually go from illusory to real.
In other words, he was becoming part of this insane world, and the BSAA agent information code that had appeared in his mind was proof.
So which world was real, and which was false?
Kevin gave a faint bitter smile, but had no answer.
"Agent Kevin, your early exposure has put you in a dangerous position. Headquarters is concerned for your safety, so they are preparing to activate the second plan. I will be responsible for contacting that Umbrella executive and the informant planted inside The Hive." Matt phrased his words with great tact.
Clearly, because Kevin had been exposed, BSAA headquarters was already prepared to abandon him as a chess piece. Their so-called concern for his safety was merely an excuse Matt used to comfort him.
But because of that, Kevin absolutely would not allow this goodwill to become a lament bought with blood and sacrifice.
Now, due to the shift in the worldline, not only was his identity at risk, but Alice's secret likely could not be kept either. For all he knew, a massive net had already been cast over there, waiting for prey to step into the trap.
So... Kevin thought for a moment, then slowly spoke in a solemn tone to the warmhearted young man disguised as a reporter.
"Matt, if you trust me, get your sister Lisa out of The Hive within two days, by any means necessary. The farther away, the better!"
He was not some saint who loved all living things, but he was an emotional person. So if there was help within his ability to give, he was naturally willing to make the effort.
"But the mission..." The young man, who had thrown himself into a noble cause with burning passion, hesitated.
According to the organization's intelligence, the project developed in the underground Hive beneath Raccoon City was definitely an inhumane genetic weapon. Once it leaked, the consequences would be endless.
They had spent countless hours, manpower, and effort just to seize a tiny piece of evidence against Umbrella Corporation.
If they let go now, who knew when these bastards would show their fox tails again?
But Kevin's words left Matt no choice but to hesitate, because he had never reported to the organization that his sister Lisa had infiltrated Umbrella Corporation as an inside operative, for safety reasons.
If even the agent before him already knew her identity, then Lisa's situation might truly be very dangerous.
"For now, I still have absolute authority, right? I'll bear all the consequences of this decision myself."
Kevin saw Matt's inner conflict. He lifted his clothes, revealing patches of bruises, and the mixed-race boy's calm account of the danger from last night made even Matt's heart tremble.
"This mission has already changed. Lisa's identity is no longer safe. Go now! Get her out! Otherwise, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"
Kevin patted Matt on the shoulder, his expression serious.
"All right! But when the mission is over, I'll help explain things to headquarters."
After thinking deeply for a moment, Matt finally nodded seriously, but he chose to share the responsibility.
Good. One person saved. Kevin leaned back in the café's wicker chair and let out a long breath.
But Matt, who had started toward the door, seemed to remember something and returned.
"Almost forgot. Umbrella Squad checkpoints are everywhere right now. This place won't be safe for long either. You need to find another place to lie low immediately."
"Also, I have a map of the city's sewage system. I can lead the way."
That truly was a reason he could not refuse. Kevin rubbed his chin and fell into thought.
The Cabin in the Woods in the Acre Mountains, Dr. Charles's house, Raccoon City University... Kevin ruled out those places one by one.
And based on what he had learned in their earlier conversation, Matt himself had a criminal record and had not found a suitable place to stay either.
So it could only be there...
Kevin looked toward the center of Raccoon City with a meaningful expression.
P.S. Where do you think the protagonist will choose to go?
This Is an Accident. Do You Believe Me?
"You're sure you want to do this?"
"Quit talking and get to work!"
As the sky darkened, two furtive figures whispered as they argued in front of a private residence.
In the end, the young man with short dark brown hair seemed convinced. Helplessly, he pulled a piece of wire from his wallet, inserted it into the keyhole, fiddled with it a few times, and slowly pushed open the security door with Kevin.
As expected of a technical specialist... He was incredibly skilled at picking locks. No wonder he had left so many criminal records across the country.
Kevin's eyes gleamed as he silently gave him a thumbs-up.
However, the instant Kevin stepped inside, he heard the door lock behind him.
"I'll handle the traces and go meet Lisa. You just hide here. We'll meet at the usual place tomorrow night at eight."
Matt seemed experienced in this sort of thing. His counter-surveillance awareness was extremely strong; he even volunteered to stay outside and clean the traces off the lock. A few minutes later, he left without making a sound.
Before you continue