"This Patient Has Escaped the Threat of the Plague!"

Level 3 detention block.

Ever since the Hive fell completely into Sui Bian's hands two months ago, the once-empty cell units began to be filled with "tenants" dressed in orange uniforms.

On the back of these uniforms—or rather, prison jumpsuits—were clearly printed D-prefixed serial numbers, such as D-0001 and so on.

Most of them were death-row inmates from Colorado State, while the rest were human scum like serial rapists and child molesters whose crimes did not warrant death. These were Umbrella's most useful and valuable employees: D-Class Personnel.

At the same time, the detention block contained several individual cells with higher security clearance, used for the temporary confinement of Nyx-class and security-level humanoid anomalies.

The Plague Doctor, who had been captured by Alpha not long ago, was currently being held in one of these very cells.

18:02, local time in Raccoon City.

Inside cell number 001.

"Hmm~ hmm~"

The Plague Doctor was humming an unknown tune in his magnetic voice, seemingly in a very good mood.

The cell was spacious, a square layout of about forty square meters, equipped with a comfortable single bed and wooden desk and chair.

There was also an en-suite bathroom with a shower stall; this alone was enough to make any D-Class Personnel envious.

D-Class Personnel were granted collective bathing time every week, but...

"Soap" incidents always seemed to occur in American prisons. It was unclear whether the Plague Doctor even needed to use the toilet or shower, otherwise, it would be a terrible waste.

Beyond that, the cell could accommodate more accessories, furniture, and items, but these required the anomaly to behave well before they could apply to the Hive for their preferred belongings.

At this moment, the Plague Doctor was lying on the bed, flipping through his notes, looking quite content.

Swish— The sound of the metal cell door rising interrupted the Plague Doctor's humming and reading.

As soon as the door rose, several armed security guards dressed in dark gray uniforms, wearing body armor, tactical belts, and black berets, and wielding P90s, quickly entered the cell.

Their muzzles were trained on the Plague Doctor as he slowly sat up from the bed.

"Ah..." The Plague Doctor said in a rather helpless tone, spreading his hands. "Is it really necessary to make such a fuss every time?"

"Of course it is." No sooner had the Plague Doctor finished speaking than Sui Bian's reply came from outside the cell.

Sui Bian walked into the cell accompanied by Hunk, who was dressed in a black suit, and three other Alpha members in similar attire.

After Hunk and Alpha had locked the Plague Doctor in this cell, they had handed over the responsibility of guarding him to the Hive, so they were not equipped with Mechanical Exoskeletons or other individual combat gear.

Although the armed security guards were no match for the USS, they were more than enough to keep watch over the Plague Doctor, provided they had lavender spray and strict containment protocols.

Besides, the Plague Doctor was usually quite mild-mannered.

"Oh?" The Plague Doctor, sitting on the edge of the bed, stared at Sui Bian as he entered, looking puzzled, and took the initiative to speak.

"This gentleman, you... seem somewhat special. I cannot detect the presence of the plague upon you..."

"Could it be that I don't have the plague?" Sui Bian asked with a light chuckle.

"No, sir," the Plague Doctor explained, shaking his head slightly. "It is that it cannot be detected."

Having said that, the Plague Doctor glanced around at the others present and said to Sui Bian, "Sir, these are respectable soldiers. If they can maintain their current state, they will not be eroded by the plague, at least for a short time."

"Heh, I'll take that as a compliment." Sui Bian responded with a light laugh, then continued, "Doctor, I am the leader of these soldiers and this facility. My surname is Sui..."

"Mr. Sui, may I ask where my new laboratory is? Researching a vaccine is a matter of urgency."

Upon learning that Sui Bian was the leader here, the Plague Doctor hurriedly interrupted him and bluntly demanded a new laboratory.

"Patience, Doctor. I have come precisely to resolve this matter. If this room is not too cramped for you, how about we make it your residence for rest and experimentation?"

Sui Bian was not angered by the interruption and even made the aforementioned proposal to the Plague Doctor.

Hearing this, the Plague Doctor pondered for a moment before nodding. "A very good proposal, sir. However, I require experimental subjects to conduct my research."

"No problem." Sui Bian had long expected the Plague Doctor to say this, so he agreed without a second thought and clapped his hands, raising his voice.

"Bring in the traitor's corpse and let the Doctor see if it meets the criteria."

As his voice fell, the researchers who had been waiting outside pushed two gurneys into the cell and brought them to a stop not far in front of the Plague Doctor.

The two corpses on the gurneys were Nikolai and another UBCS traitor.

"Ah~! Thank you, sir!" Seeing the ready-made experimental subjects, the Plague Doctor hopped off the bed and came to the gurneys to carefully examine the two bodies.

As he looked, he commented, "Hmm... these two deceased individuals are already terminally ill. They are the best experimental subjects! I wish to begin the experiment immediately! I wonder if I might borrow a cart from you? It would facilitate my surgery."

Without waiting for Sui Bian's consent, the Plague Doctor shooed away the researchers standing by the gurneys.

Immediately after, the Plague Doctor took a small black bag from the side pocket of his black robe, pulled out a pair of medical scissors, and began to cut open Nikolai's jacket.

Already terminally ill? Then the plague might truly be related to human nature, Sui Bian thought to himself.

He paused for a moment.

Sui Bian said to the Plague Doctor, who was about to begin the surgery, "Doctor, I have provided you with excellent experimental subjects. As a fair trade, I require your assistance. How about it?"

The Plague Doctor had already skillfully cut open Nikolai's jacket. Without looking up, he took a scalpel from his bag to proceed to the next step, replying nonchalantly, "Hmm... very well..."

Seeing this, Sui Bian signaled for the other experimental subject to be brought into the cell.

Soon, a D-Class Personnel wearing a metal mask, hands bound in handcuffs, feet shackled, and dressed in an orange jumpsuit was escorted into the cell by two security guards.

The D-Class Personnel was injected with the T-Virus, and the researchers physically accelerated the infection process; now, he—or it—had become a zombie devoid of memory and consciousness.

"Agh...! Argh!" The zombified D-Class Personnel let out a low growl, attempting to bite the security guards restraining it to satisfy its endless hunger.

Unfortunately, all efforts were in vain; the zombified D-Class Personnel was completely unable to break free from its bonds.

?

?!

The Plague Doctor, having sensed the commotion, had originally only intended to glance at the D-Class Personnel turned zombie before returning his focus to the surgery. However, upon looking up, the eccentric doctor was startled.

"Wonderful! This patient has already been freed from the threat of the Pestilence! And it is a treatment method I have never witnessed before!"