Umbrella Corporation, Virus Test Site

The group edged cautiously toward the stairwell, a stark contrast to their carefree attitude on the way up.

Earlier, they had been chatting and discussing what they might encounter. Now, everyone held their breath and stepped as lightly as possible, afraid of disturbing any other "things" lurking in the stairwell.

The sound-activated lights flickered on beneath their feet, then slowly went out after they passed. In the shifting light, the shadows in the stairwell seemed to come alive, twisting and writhing across the walls, as though a monster might leap out at any moment.

At the landing between the third and second floors, the old sheriff instinctively glanced back. He realized that Li Dan had not followed them and was still standing at the entrance to the fourth-floor stairwell, his back to them, looking at something.

"Mr. Exorcist!" the old sheriff called despite himself. "Aren't you coming down with us? It's too dangerous to stay here alone!"

Li Dan slowly turned around, his face expressionless and his voice as calm as ever. "Go ahead. Don't worry about me. I'm just staying behind to clean up some trash."

He had intervened earlier because he was worried the old sheriff and the firefighters would get bitten.

He stayed behind to search the entire building for anyone else who had been infected, and to keep a "sample" for study.

The old sheriff wanted to keep trying to persuade him. After all, Li Dan was the only one who knew how to deal with these "zombies," and staying upstairs alone was far too risky.

But when he saw the resolve in Li Dan's eyes, he knew he could not change his mind. He could only unholster a pistol from his waist and toss it over along with a magazine. "Be careful, then. Take this