Rank

With Chris taking the lead, the remaining STARS members no longer hesitated and began signing the documents.

Once the contracts and non-disclosure agreements were signed, four Alpha operatives wearing black sunglasses and suits stepped forward to collect the paperwork.

Two of the Alphas left the warehouse with the documents, while the other two remained standing behind the STARS members to maintain a perimeter.

"Ahem." Sui Bian gave a light cough to break the silence, scanned the STARS members present, and said in a deep voice:

"Everyone, I understand your confusion, and I will patiently answer your questions. First, the recent joint clearing operation allowed me to witness your practical combat capabilities, which is why I had to ask Chief Irons to invite you all here."

"Mr. Sui." Chris was the first to raise his hand again. "The agreement mentions 'prohibiting the disclosure of what is seen or heard during operations to friends and family.' It also states that 'during operations, you will encounter incomprehensible organisms, objects, phenomena, and spaces'... So, I want to know what exactly is the threat we are facing? And what is the relationship between those threats and your Umbrella? Could it be... those B.O.W.s we encountered a few days ago?"

Before arriving at this warehouse, Irons had assured the STARS members that Mr. Sui needed them for more covert operations. In short, there was a lot of exaggeration and deception in Irons' words.

"One moment." As Sui Bian spoke, he took out a black remote pointer. He used it to dim the lights in the warehouse, then turned on a projector to display a file for everyone to see.

.

Project: Leech Queen.

Class: Nyx.

Status: Neutralized.

Description:

The project was originally named James Marcus. He was infected by a virus during an experiment on ■■/■/19■■, Raccoon City time. Due to the project's unique nature, he successfully fused perfectly with the virus to become a hermaphroditic 'Leech Queen.' Although the project retained a certain level of human intelligence, it harbored extreme hatred toward humanity and caused the shutdown of two Umbrella facilities, resulting in a total of 217 deaths. The project was neutralized on June 5, 1998, at 13:24 Raccoon City time, through the joint cooperation of the Raccoon City Police Department and Umbrella.

Summary:

The project possesses extreme hostility toward humanity and is highly infectious. If left unchecked, it could cause a viral crisis of unprecedented scale. However, due to the project's physical capabilities not being particularly outstanding, it is classified as a 'Nyx' level anomalous phenomenon.

End of file.

.

Nyx class?

Leech Queen?

What... are all these?

The STARS members were somewhat bewildered. They could understand giving Marcus the codename 'Leech Queen,' but why was there a classification system?

"Mr. Sui." Marini, the Bravo Team leader and the oldest and most experienced among them, spoke up: "According to the file you provided, there is more than one James Marcus in this world, correct?"

"That is correct, you could put it that way." Sui Bian did not deny it.

"But I have a question." Marini's expression was serious. "Are these anomalous phenomena the products of illegal experiments conducted by your Umbrella? And are you... looking for us to clean up these messes?"

As these words fell, the STARS members seemed to find a thread to pull on, and their gazes toward Sui Bian grew wary.

"Heh." Sui Bian had anticipated this question, so he simply smiled and used the remote pointer to switch the content on the projector.

The title of the file projected onto the screen read 'Anomalous Phenomena.' The general content indicated that there were many things in this world that humans could not comprehend, most of which were hostile to humanity or the world, with some anomalous phenomena possessing the power to destroy a town or even human civilization.

Immediately after, Sui Bian used the remote pointer to show the STARS members the classification system for these anomalous phenomena.

.

Based on the threat level of the anomalous phenomenon, as well as the difficulty of containment, recovery, and neutralization, they are generally divided into four levels.

① Unthreatening class.

Description:

This level does not cause large-scale commotion and does not attract special attention from society, but this does not mean that anomalous phenomena of this level are 'unthreatening.' On the contrary, if handled improperly, they can still plunge human society into catastrophe. For example, a plain red button that causes no harm to humans who approach it and can be easily contained. However, if someone attempts to press this button, it could cause the random death of ten thousand people; such anomalous phenomena are also classified as 'Unthreatening.'

② Nyx class.

The behavior, manifestations, and characteristics of this level of anomaly exceed the current cognitive scope of the scientific field, or perhaps current technology simply has a limited understanding of such anomalies.

Furthermore, anomalies of this level usually possess autonomous thought or sensory capabilities; their behavior is difficult to predict, and if left unmanaged, they will cause a certain degree of impact or turmoil to the human world.

Compared to Unthreatening level anomalies, controlling or neutralizing this level usually requires the deployment of small-scale military forces or special measures.

③ Hera level.

This level of anomaly is qualitatively different from the previous two.

If humanity wishes to contain them, it often requires large-scale and complex means, as humanity lacks the corresponding understanding and technology to confront them.

Please note that being classified at this level does not necessarily mean they are highly dangerous, but rather that they are extremely difficult to control or maintain continuous control over. Humanity is completely unable to predict the behavior or thoughts of individuals at this level.

Alternatively, it may be that existing human technology is unable to neutralize them, or that neutralizing such an individual could pose a major threat to human society.

④ Exafanistis level.

Exafanistis is derived from a Greek word meaning "extinction," "destruction," or "doomsday."

Just as the term Exafanistis implies, anomalies of this level are sufficient to cause the destruction of humanity or even the Earth itself.

With current human technology and knowledge, it is fundamentally impossible to explain anomalies of this level.

Note:

Under no circumstances is the fact of an anomaly's existence to be disclosed to the outside world.

It is speculated that certain anomalies can utilize human emotions such as fear, worship, and blind faith to strengthen themselves.

File ended.

.

"."(x11)

After reading through the so-called anomalies and their classification levels, the eleven STARS fell into a silence, their expressions remarkably vivid.

There were looks of bewilderment and confusion, as well as expressions of worry and perplexity.

But regardless, this file caused the STARS to begin doubting whether abnormal events, phenomena, or creatures might truly exist in this world.