Billy watched Mero and Rebecca's figures disappear into the distance. For some reason, their silhouettes seemed to shine with an almost otherworldly light.
After staring for a long moment, Billy spat onto the ground and muttered, "This merchant… damn ruthless!"
His complaint went unanswered. Rebecca silently made her way along the cliff path, heading downward. Below, a prominent mansion stood among the trees.
Seeing the mansion sparked a different thought in Rebecca's mind. She didn't believe Mero was a greedy merchant. The ground itself wasn't safe, and dying here seemed far more likely than surviving to collect their rewards.
Everything Mero had done today, she had observed carefully, storing every detail in her memory. He had said that people like them were a little foolish, yet not unpleasant.
Rebecca felt that, in many ways, this agent was no stronger than herself. She, the police officer who had understood Lieutenant Billy in just one night, felt she had also seen through Mero. Recognition like this carried more weight than words ever could.
She felt glad. In a single night, she had encountered two people she didn't dislike.
In the shadows of the dense forest, Rebecca's figure vanished, following the trail of Mero's disappearing back.
Mero arrived at a temporary outpost built from an off-road vehicle and a few tents.
He removed his clothes and changed into a fresh combat suit that highlighted his lean, defined muscles.
The training facility for executives had been completely destroyed, leaving not even remnants of chemicals. The next target was obvious the mansion.
Mero stretched and licked his lips, a confident smile spreading across his face. This operation had been meticulously planned. All obtainable intelligence had been gathered.
From the cliff, the mansion below was clearly visible. It belonged to Umbrella Corporation, disguised as a resort on the surface, but underground it housed a viral laboratory. It was the central research hub for the entire Akeley Mountain region.
For this reason, Mero and Ada had chosen the lower-risk training facility as their initial target. He knew that the current level of evolution only increased survival chances in dangerous situations it was a foundation to gain more and live better.
To survive well in this world, one needed either money, power, or overwhelming strength.
Power was rare. Personal combat abilities, at least for now, couldn't surpass human technology. So money was essential. With wealth, even aircraft and heavy artillery could be bought on the black market. Viruses brought mutations, money, and potential evolution a trifecta of opportunity.
In this life, Mero had experienced the bitter truth of human helplessness. Human rights were nothing but words. A tiny difference, a slight anomaly, something rare that was enough to make someone an outcast, a source of tragedy.
Could you adapt to the virus? Were you stronger than me? Faster? Longer-lived? If not, then for the sake of humanity's future, you became a lab rat.
Ask about humanity's future, but what about my own future? When sedatives filled the air, your questions would never be answered.
Footsteps broke through Mero's train of thought.
"You're still here?"
Mero turned, raising an eyebrow as he saw the police officer following him. This wasn't the path to the highway. Could there be… an ulterior motive? Time to test her limits.
He suddenly went pale, slumping against the officer.
Rebecca gasped, quickly catching him.
"I need to reach the mansion below. There's only one path. Mero… you "
"Sorry." Mero struggled upright, leaning against a tree, gasping for air. "I'm fine."
Rebecca glanced at his weakened face. Remembering how he had selflessly held back the threat, saving her and Billy, she felt a surge of respect and gratitude. She stepped forward, helping him regain balance.
Mero sensed the genuine concern in her eyes. It was perplexing why was she following him?
"You're going to the mansion too?"
"Yes. Are you, Agent?"
Rebecca lifted one of Mero's arms to help him up, surprised and relieved.
"The mansion is our squad's rendezvous point. Once we meet everyone, we can evacuate together!"
"You're meeting at the mansion?" Mero's expression was puzzled.
"As far as I know, Umbrella's central Akeley Research Facility is located right there."
Night fell quickly.
A helicopter from the Raccoon City Police Department landed in the Akeley Mountains. The STARS elite unit's Bravo Team had gone missing in the mountains, and naturally, the department couldn't ignore it.
Fortunately, STARS had two teams. After confirming Bravo Team's disappearance, Alpha Team immediately deployed to support them. If Bravo Team was elite, Alpha Team was the elite of the elite, trained purely for combat.
Near the crash site of a downed helicopter, Alpha Team held their guns at the ready, scanning the area.
The team was intimately familiar with this helicopter it belonged to Bravo Team, with whom they had close ties. Many had even flown in it before.
Leading the operation was STARS commander, Captain Albert Wesker. He held a handgun, wore sunglasses at night, and his blonde hair was slicked back perfectly, projecting a calm and professional aura. Yet beneath that composure, there was excitement and urgency.
"Bravo Team's helicopter crashed, only Kevin's body was found. My god, he has scratch and bite marks… could those cannibal reports be true?"
Joseph Foster, the team's vehicle specialist, examined the cockpit and muttered in shock.
"Hmph," Wesker snorted, naturally noting Foster's panic. His expression remained unchanged. He knew the Akeley Mountains better than most.
"The rest of the team's bodies aren't here, which means they may still be alive. The crash didn't kill them. Continue searching for the other Bravo Team members!"
Wesker's voice was icy.
The other team members nodded. Over years of working together, they understood their captain well. No matter the crisis, his composure remained unshaken. Alpha Team had been together for two years. At first, they thought he was cold on the outside but warm inside; over time, they realized he was cold through and through.
"This is eerie… where could they have gone?" Joseph muttered.
Wesker glanced at him coldly. "Less talk, more action. Focus and you won't run into so many problems."