The music box played a soft tune, like a delicate thread in the heavy silence of the east wing.
Its tinkling, slightly off-key lullaby floated through the air, inviting them to venture further into the cold, lifeless center of the facility. The sound echoed through the air, hinting at secrets waiting to be uncovered.
In a place like this, those answers held more worth than any bullet could ever have.
They paused for a moment in the broken hallway, just past the blocked-off Records Room, listening closely for another sound. At their feet lay the lifeless body of the Hunter, a dark reminder of what had happened.
"It's a trap," Rebecca whispered, her voice strained as she reloaded the Benelli.
The sharp, decisive sound of the gun chambering a new shell echoed around her, marking a moment of clear determination. "It has to be."
"Yeah, I think so," Jun replied, his eyes fixed on the shadowy hallway where the music was drifting from.
As the rush of adrenaline began to fade away, he felt a dull ache spread through his body. Yet, despite the discomfort, his mind remained clear and sharp, ready to take on whatever came next.
"Ha... I guess we don't have much of a choice since it's the only clue we've got." He gently ran his fingers through his hair as he glanced at Rebecca. "That journal talked about Marcus being 'reborn.'"
"This music, it really feels like it's tied to what's going on here. It feels like it's too particular to just overlook it."
Jun took a deep breath and leaned softly against the wall, which was marked with blood. He shut his eyes for a moment, a look of concentration crossing his face before he opened them again.
"What's going on?" Rebecca inquired, her forehead creased with worry. "Is your leg—?"
"It's okay," Jun suddenly replied with a shrug, trying to brush it off. "Really, it's not a big deal."
"The regeneration is holding," he said, pausing for a moment as he considered the implications of his words.
"I was just… checking in on things." He lightly tapped his finger against his temple, as if trying to spark a thought or remember something important.
"The Hunter, it moved quickly—quicker than I thought. I really got lucky to survive in that small room earlier."
"Lucky?" she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Jun, you just smashed a bioweapon to pieces with a fire extinguisher. You know?"
"It's a tactic we only use when there's no other choice," he replied, a serious smile flickering on his face.
"It would be wiser to avoid letting it come that close in the first place. If I can't put my strength to good use, then it feels like it's all for nothing. I really have to pick up the pace to our current situation and enemy."
"Right now, my reflexes are a problem we can't keep dealing with for much longer."
Rebecca looked closely at him, noticing not just the soldier in front of her but the clever mind of a strategist behind those eyes.
"You're making plans. With your… system," she said, her voice trailing off as she looked around the room, searching for the right words.
The air felt heavy with anticipation, and everyone leaned in a little closer, eager to hear what she would say next.
"It's just a tool," she said, her voice steady and clear. "A good soldier takes care of his tools," Jun said, his voice calm and even. "At this moment, the tool is indicating that we need to pick up the pace."
"This is really important," he said, his voice steady and firm.
She nodded slowly, and in that moment, a deep understanding seemed to flow between them.
He wasn't merely a brute; he was someone who thought deeply and made plans.
His unusual power was simply another factor he considered in his careful calculations. "Alright. We listen to the music, letting it guide us, but we also must be prepared for that big moment when everything comes together."
"Yeah," Rebecca nodded.
As they continued forward, the melody became more distinct with each careful step they took.
The hallway opened up into a T-junction.
To the left, the path sloped down into a dimmer, more functional area labeled 'Utilities & Incinerator.'
On the right, there were beautiful, wooden double doors that stood slightly open.
From behind those doors, the tune of the music box floated out, clear and eerily enchanting.
The sign hanging on the wall said, "Head Librarian's Office."
"A library," Rebecca said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. "... Of Course, It's the very last spot you would think a monster would be hiding."
"Or maybe the first," Jun said, his [Threat Sense] reaching out into the room beyond. His brow furrowed in concern.
As the danger signal was quite intricate, filled with layers and nuances that made it hard to decipher.
There was something there, something powerful, but it was wrapped up in feelings that went beyond just basic hunger. It also included sadness in the air that was deep and strong, making it feel thick and heavy all around.
"...Haa." Jun took a deep breath in, feeling the air fill his lungs, and then slowly let it out, releasing all the tension he had been holding onto.
He gently pushed the door open, and the hinges moved smoothly without a sound.
The office was big and beautifully decorated, standing out sharply from the plain hallways.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves were filled with leather-bound books, and a grand mahogany desk took up space in the room.
In the middle, there was a figure sitting in a tall-backed chair, facing away from them.
"!!!!" Jun & Rebecca.
There stood a woman, her graceful posture striking even when she was perfectly still.
Her long, dark hair flowed down over her shoulders, resting on a beautiful dress that had seen better days and was now covered in a layer of dust.
She gently swayed back and forth in the chair, lost in a soothing rhythm.
On the desk in front of her, the music box played its enchanting melody, filling the room with a haunting tune. She was softly humming along, the sound a little broken and fragile.
After a while, the gentle rocking came to a halt.
The humming slowly faded away, but the music box kept going, holding onto one last, lonely note. After a moment, that note too faded into silence.
The woman leaned her head to the side, just a tiny bit.
"Did you come here to tell me a story?" She asked, her voice a soft, fragile whisper that felt like it was pulling the warmth right out of the room.
•••
The woman's whisper, barely a breath, lingered in the space between them. Jun stayed perfectly still, his finger hovering just beside the trigger of his M4. Every instinct whispered to him that this was a trap.
Rebecca lifted her empty hand, a soothing gesture. "We don't want any trouble," she said, her voice gentle yet firm. "We're just trying to figure out what went down here."
The woman laughed out loud in a dry way. "Is something mistaken? Please forgive me, sweetheart. The trouble is over; now all that's left is to wait."
She began to sway gently in her chair, a soft creak accompanying each motion.
"These books tell such empty tales. But you... you hold onto fresh pain. A sweet aroma that drifts gently through the air. The air is filled with the aroma of a new story."
Jun stepped back, gently tugging Rebecca along with him. "We're leaving," he said, his voice firm and final.
The rocking came to a halt in a flash.
"Are you leaving?" The woman leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, heavy with a deep, aching sadness. "But you just got here, my dear, and you haven't met my kids yet."
The woman rose slowly, the chair groaning beneath her as she stood. She turned to face them, and Rebecca gasped sharply.
She had a beauty that felt out of place, like a flower blooming in the wrong season.
Her skin was as pale as paper, and her eyes gleamed like polished stones, a deep, shiny black.
A black tear slipped down her cheek. She slipped into a sleek black dress, her hands clasped together, showcasing long, sharp black nails.
"You see?" she asked, her dark eyes fixed on Jun. "A mother shouldn't have to face things by herself."
"You both took my kids from me. But I can always create new ones. Ironic, don't you think?" She laughed sweetly, but it sent a chill through Jun and Rebecca. "Oh yeah, how about... I bring you into my family?" she said, her eyes shining with sincerity.
From the shadowy corners of the room, behind the bookshelves, small, pale figures emerged, shuffling quietly into view. They were kids once, or at least had been.
Their faces showed no emotion, their eyes deep and dark like the woman's. They crept quietly, their tiny hands stretching out.
Rebecca stepped back without thinking, her grip on the shotgun tightening until her knuckles turned white. "Oh my gosh..."
"Such ugly names for my beautiful family," the woman said, a soft smile playing on her lips. She opened her arms wide. "All they need is a hug.... Aren't you going to give them a hug?"
The quiet children moved ahead, quickening their pace.
"Jun," Rebecca whispered, her voice shaking slightly. "They're... just kids."
"They're not kids anymore," Jun said, his voice steady, with a hint of steel in it. He lifted the M4, but for a brief moment, his aim faltered.
Their small, innocent faces caused him to pause, his finger hovering over the trigger.
The Mother smiled, her lips curving into a wide, unsettling grin. "Look? The pain of choice. It really enhances the story."
The first child lunged forward, its mouth wide, showing off rows of sharp teeth, as it aimed for Rebecca's leg.
The Benelli shotgun erupted, its thunderous boom shattering the stillness of the room.
The small body crumpled against the bookshelf, motionless. Rebecca flinched, her eyes going wide as she gasped. "I... I had to..." she stammered, her eyes darting away, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"You did," Jun said, his voice steady and reassuring. He squeezed the trigger, sending a rapid series of shots from the M4. Three more tiny shapes dropped quietly to the ground. "They're monsters. And don't forget what happened on the train, Rebecca."
His words wrapped around her like a warm blanket, calming her racing thoughts. Rebecca nodded, her jaw clenching slightly.
She pulled the trigger once more, the shotgun roaring as it sent another creature flying backward. Yet for every one they took down, two more emerged, scrambling over the furniture.
They moved forward silently, and the stillness felt more unsettling than any loud shout could ever be.
"We can't hold them!" she exclaimed, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. Rebecca shouted, her hands working the shotgun with a swift motion. "We need to leave now!"
The Mother stood in the middle of the room, her head slightly tilted as she observed everything around her. "You can't escape, my little one," she whispered.
Jun pulled the trigger one final time, the sound echoing in the still air. The M4 let out a final click, signaling it was empty. He glanced at his empty magazine, frustration etched on his face.
The tiny, pale hands reached out, just inches away from them.
At that moment, Jun felt a sudden clarity wash over him. He poured every ounce of his will, every bit of energy he had saved, into one goal: speed. He had to move quicker and be tougher.
A powerful wave of energy surged from him, and in that moment, the world around him felt like it was slowing down just a touch. The children moved with more ease, their paths now bright and clear. He felt a lightness in his body, as if it were primed for action.
[Skill Get: Enhanced Reflexes. Cost: 80 Points.]
[Points Remaining: 405]
"Rebecca!" he called, his voice cutting through the air. "Left side, go to the door, now!"
He stepped forward without hesitation. As the next wave of children jumped, Jun sprang into action.
He moves like a blur. His combat knife glinted, a quicksilver line in the soft glow of the dim light.
He didn't stand and fight; he danced through them, his new reflexes letting him duck under grasping arms and slide past reaching hands.
Each time, his knife hit its target—a swift, accurate jab to a neck or head. He pushed through, leaving a trail of crimson blood behind him as he headed for the doorway.
"GO!" he roared.
Rebecca took a final shot, the sound echoing as it cleared the path ahead. She dashed forward, her eyes locked on the trail of fallen creatures left behind by Jun.
They rushed out of the office and into the hallway, a wave of children following closely behind, their pale faces creating a haunting scene.
The Mother's voice lingered in the air, a gentle whisper that seemed to resonate in their thoughts. "Run as much as you like... you can't get away, my dear~"
•••
Jun slammed the heavy office door, and it groaned as if it were complaining.
He seized the metal filing cabinet from the wall, his muscles flexing as he tipped it over with a loud crash, forming a makeshift barricade at the door.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Soft, tiny fists started to thump gently on the other side of the door. The noise kept pounding, a steady thump that felt almost alive.
Rebecca pressed her back against the wall, breathing heavily. She gazed at the barricaded door, her face drained of color.
"I can't believe it... I shot a child." Her voice echoed, filled with a lingering sadness and shock.
Jun approached her, his steps soft against the ground. He kept his distance, yet his presence felt like a sturdy wall in her fading reality. "You shot a monster," he said, his voice steady as he met her gaze.
"It had the face of a child, playing tricks on your mind. Keep this in mind, Rebecca. You saved my life back there, and you saved yourself too."
He exhaled slowly, feeling his body buzz with the remnants of the fight and the surge of his newfound powers. The world seemed to stand out, every detail more defined, every color more vibrant. "That thing... she's completely unpredictable. This isn't just about infection; it's about gathering things we can't even put into words."
Rebecca finally lifted her gaze to him, her eyes scanning his face. "Jun, how did you... move like that? Like... How I put my word... You suddenly became like a blur."
Jun tapped his temple lightly. "I said I was taking stock. I turned it in." He offered her a weary, tight-lipped smile. "I guess I pick things up quickly when my life is on the line."
A gentle chime rang in his thoughts, bringing a chill of satisfaction that flowed through him.
The System liked how he used his power wisely and how he managed to get through both a mental and physical fight. It felt like a silent acknowledgment from a strict teacher.
[Lost Children x12 Eliminated. Points +60.]
[Tactical Withdrawal Successful. Points +25.]
The small, frantic knocking at the door came to an abrupt halt. A heavy silence settled around them, pierced only by the rhythm of their breaths.
"!!!" Jun exclaimed, turning to Rebecca. Suddenly, a sound began. A heavy scraping noise, then a deep, wet growl rumbled in the air.
A sound echoed from the far end of the hallway, near the shadowy entrance to the 'Utilities & Incinerator' area they had walked by earlier.
Jun felt a jolt, a sudden alertness coursing through him, a clear signal of overwhelming strength nearby. A storm was brewing on the horizon. Something straightforward, without any tricks.
He glanced at Rebecca, then shifted his gaze to the empty M4 in his hands. He let the rifle slip from his hands, the sound echoing in the stillness. Now, it felt like a weight he didn't need.
He pulled out his combat knife, the blade shining softly in the low light. It seemed tiny, almost unimportant in the face of the looming danger.
The dragging sound got louder. A huge, dark shape loomed at the end of the hallway. A creature, even bigger than the Hunter, lumbered into sight.
Its skin was a patchy, burnt red, and one arm had twisted into a huge, misshapen hammer made of flesh and bone, which it pulled along the ground.
Its face twisted into a chaotic blend of tusks and fury.
A Tyrant. The name just popped out and appeared in Jun's mind: the ultimate Bio-Organic Weapon from Umbrella.
It halted, its unseeing head swiveling in their direction. It let out a roar that shook the ground, sending vibrations through the floor.
They found themselves cornered. A group of quiet children huddled behind a barricaded door, their eyes wide with fear as a massive monster loomed in front of them, blocking their only escape.
Jun gripped the knife tighter, his instincts kicking in as he measured the angles and distances, feeling the weight of their impossible situation. He moved in front of Rebecca, his body a last, urgent barrier.
"Oh shit," he said, his voice steady even with the monster's growl in the background. "Here we go again."
(To be Continued)
•••
Jun's Current Status:
Points: 490
Skills: Basic Strength, Lockpicking, Threat Sense, Enhanced Regeneration, Pain Suppression, Enhanced Reflexes
Equipment: Combat Knife, Benelli M3 Shotgun (Rebecca).
Bound Companions: None
Active Objectives: Survive.