Riding Skill and a World That Got Its Channels Crossed!

Xiao Miao and the other three suddenly sprang into action. After a series of dull crackles and pops, five dreamless deadbeats lay by the roadside.

Their corpses would provide the local wildlife with a hearty dinner.

Space in the muscle car was limited, so the doctor had no choice but to take the VIP seat in the trunk. Angela sat on Jill's ample thighs, turning around to hug her tightly and refusing to let go.

She probably missed her mother again.

Once everyone was seated, Xiao Miao stomped on the gas. The tires shrieked against the pavement as the muscle car sped down the road toward the next city.

East of Raccoon City lay Detroit. The former industrial city had fallen completely into ruin. Of its population of less than 700,000, around 68% were African American!

This had caused Detroit's violent crime rate to soar. It had held the title of "America's Most Dangerous City" for years, with gangs everywhere and addicts on every street.

Xiao Miao and the others were starving and had wanted to find a restaurant, only to discover that the streets were full of fried chicken and burger joints. There was not a single proper restaurant in sight.

So now, Xiao Miao sat by the window, hugging a bucket of wings as he gnawed on a drumstick. Jill and the others were doing the same.

The wings and drumsticks did not taste particularly good, nowhere near as good as KFC back home. But under the powerful boost of the hunger buff, Xiao Miao still ate until his mouth was slick with grease.

Naturally, the money for the fried chicken had been generously donated by those five Black men. Xiao Miao had asked for their opinion while searching their pockets. They had not said a word, which presumably meant they consented.

After finishing the chicken, they slurped down watermelon juice made entirely of additives and discussed their next move.

Carlos planned to seek help from his former superior in the military. He believed individual strength was worthless before a massive corporation like Umbrella Corporation. Only by taking the upper route could they possibly expose the truth.

Jill's plan was similar. She still had a considerable degree of trust in the U.S. government and intended to report back to a police department in a major city, then reveal the truth about Raccoon City.

Xiao Miao did not think much of either plan and offered a few warnings. But the two had already made up their minds and would not give up until they hit a wall, so Xiao Miao said nothing more.

Dr. Ashford's daughter needed medication year-round, but he had become thoroughly disillusioned with Umbrella Corporation. He planned to seek refuge with a friend who was a professor at Harvard University.

Alice chose to destroy Umbrella Corporation's laboratories through direct action. Xiao Miao still had a mission tied to her, so he proposed that they work together. Alice readily agreed; this had been the plan the two had agreed on long ago in the confessional.

At the dining table, everyone realized it was time to part ways. Carlos and Dr. Ashford were the first to rise and leave. Xiao Miao watched Carlos's departing back and finally decided to make three pulls.

His current Fate Value was only enough for three pulls.

The Fate Dice spun, and white, blue, and green lights appeared in succession.

Damn, the gacha had sunk!

[Item Card: Mysterious Blue Pills of a French Gigolo (Don't misunderstand, this is medicine for heart disease)]

[Skill Card: Riding (Your horsemanship is superb, and you can easily handle large mammals)]

[Item Card: Seyed's Jeweled Pocket Watch (Saving the nation is a belief; loving money is a hobby. The two do not conflict)]

Xiao Miao: ...

Carlos, when did you start moonlighting at Dam Zero? And what was this French gigolo business?

"Gigolo" was merely the official term, a more civilized label. In truth, it was a traditional profession involving the sale of physical labor and deoxyribonucleic acid.

Xiao Miao found it hard to connect Carlos's rough face with the profession of "gigolo."

Also, was this Riding skill actually legitimate?

After Carlos and the doctor left, Jill got up to leave as well, only for Xiao Miao to press her back into her seat.

"Leaving in such a hurry? Why not chat a little longer?"

Xiao Miao wore a reluctant expression, though he secretly glanced at the system panel.

[Traveler of the Myriad Worlds is coming into contact with the current world's destined course. Please continue observing. Remaining settlement time: 00:58:54...]

There was only an hour left before the second mission's settlement time expired.

This mission's countdown had only begun after he encountered Jill outside the police station. Perhaps staying in contact with Alice after Jill left would keep the timer going, but Xiao Miao did not want to create unnecessary complications.

It was only an hour. He could just forcefully drag things out with some excuse.

Jill casually brushed back her hair, amusement shining in her eyes. "What, can't bear to see me go?"

Xiao Miao nodded. "A little, yeah. How about we chat for another hour? I'll treat you to fried chicken."

Jill rolled her eyes beautifully. Xiao Miao's complete lack of social awareness could turn hormones into cholesterol. But considering his looks and abilities, the cholesterol turned back into hormones.

Besides, they were about to part ways, and neither knew when they would meet again. Jill also wanted to leave behind a pleasant memory for them both.

"I know what you're thinking. You can just say it directly. I don't mind." Jill stood and pulled Xiao Miao up, leading him out of the fast-food restaurant. "There's a motel right next door. Let's not waste time."

"No, wait, Alice is still..."

Alice had her feet propped on another chair. Hearing that, she raised the bucket of wings in her hand. "I'm not full yet. You two go have fun. Don't mind me."

Xiao Miao felt that Jill had definitely misunderstood him, but he was not good with words. He babbled incoherently and, before he knew it, was lying on a motel bed.

"Use Skill Card: Riding!"

At his mental command, the skill card turned into a streak of light and vanished into Xiao Miao's body. Electricity surged through his limbs and bones, his muscles trembling faintly as vast amounts of knowledge about camel habits, species, and taming methods filled his mind.

Give him a wild, unruly camel now, and he was confident he could train it into a qualified mount within five days.

It really was a legitimate skill!

Jill stood barefoot on either side of Xiao Miao's body. Seeing him tremble continuously, she could not help widening her eyes. "No way, are you... trembling because you're nervous?"

Xiao Miao: "...Careful, or I'll sue you for slander!"

(An hour and a half later)

[Ding! Skill level increased...]

[Agile Fingers lv6→lv7!]

[Riding lv5→lv6!]

The skill really was legitimate, but Xiao Miao had used it the wrong way...

Back in the fast-food restaurant, Xiao Miao and Jill sat down beside Alice again. Jill ordered two cups of watermelon juice.

The skill's power could not be underestimated. Jill had nearly dehydrated and urgently needed water and energy.

Alice was still eating.

The T-virus had given her physical constitution and abilities beyond those of ordinary people, but it had also increased her appetite. The unscientific virus suddenly became scientific in this strange regard.

On the system panel, the mission timer had already reached zero. One thousand Fate Value was credited to his account, and the return prompt appeared once more. Xiao Miao still chose [No].

After finishing her drink, Jill savored the madness from earlier. A trace of reluctance unexpectedly rose in her heart, so she asked the server for paper and a pen, wrote down a phone number, and tossed it to Xiao Miao.

"Remember to call me."

Xiao Miao was in sage mode. He accepted the note, his face darkening. "What do you mean? Do you really take me for an on-call fascia gun with automatic cleaning?"

Jill rolled her eyes. "Didn't you treat me like a Fiji Cup too?"

The tomboy's words were exceptionally bold. Xiao Miao coughed awkwardly and let his gaze wander.

Since he had never considered keeping a used car long-term, he always stood up and pedaled.

The three chatted for a little longer before Jill got up and left. She was an independent, strong woman with her own opinions and would never change her mind because of some man.

Only Xiao Miao and Alice remained in the fast-food restaurant. Xiao Miao looked at the beauty beside him. "Got a target?"

Alice shook her head. She had only been the security chief of Umbrella Corporation's experimental base in Raccoon City and did not know the locations of its other secret bioweapon laboratories.

"I do have a lead."

Xiao Miao took a newspaper from his pocket and spread it across the table, pointing at the front-page headline.

"Professor Alice Krippin's research team received funding from Umbrella Corporation to genetically modify and induce mutations in the Urticaria Virus, hoping to cure cancer. They already have over a thousand successful cases."

It was no coincidence that Xiao Miao had noticed this news. The second page of the newspaper contained an interview with another professor named Robert.

Robert pointed out that Krippin's plan carried enormous risks. Fighting poison with poison was far too dangerous. If the mutated Urticaria Virus ever went out of control, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Xiao Miao thought Professor Robert made a lot of sense, because the guy had Will Smith's face!

The channels had gotten crossed, damn it!