"I understand." Jill's expression settled into calm. She fixed her gaze on Mero and said earnestly,
"I'll consider your offer seriously. While we're moving together, you don't need to worry about me."
"Just focus on protecting Rebecca. I'm not as skilled as you, but I can take care of myself."
"And if Rebecca runs into danger, I'll do my best to protect her and help you secure Umbrella's evidence."
She never once mentioned paying for protection. How stubborn can someone be?
"No money involved?" Mero's eyes seemed to pierce through her. "You don't have debts, do you?"
After a pause…
"Of course not! Impossible. How much?"
"One hundred thousand."
"Alright, I don't really need someone to protect me either."
"Fifty thousand."
"Five thousand!"
"Wait, that's not how bargaining works! Don't I have to pay for bullets?"
"Ten thousand. That's the highest I can accept."
"Deal!"
"No!" Rebecca's eyes widened. "Why is that only a tenth of my share?"
"I calculate payment based on the client's risk and need." Mero explained, soothing the client with professional calm.
Rebecca's eyes flickered. What does "based on the client" mean? Because I'm valuable, the price is higher?
Jill felt a surge of understanding. Just as she thought, this man didn't care about money at all.
Snapping back, she said, "I haven't agreed to this transaction yet. For now, let's just move together."
"Doesn't matter. If you want to follow, follow. I won't stop you."
Mero waved and walked ahead. Warm candlelight fell on him, casting a golden glow.
What a pity.
The sound of footsteps echoed tap, tap, tap. The three slipped into the tunnel and disappeared.
In the shadows, Mero touched his chin, thoughtful. "I'm clearly not cut out for business negotiations."
"Better leave this kind of thing to Ada in the future. Pairing men and women for work makes it easier."
The reason he agreed to Jill's price of ten thousand wasn't greed or attraction.
Unlike Rebecca, an ordinary college graduate, Jill's combat skills were far superior.
The Delta Force is world-renowned. Even basic training there is exceptional. Protecting her is much easier, so the cost could be lowered.
Refusing payment didn't matter; at least she was competent.
Plus, someone with Jill's experience could earn at least two thousand dollars per day on a security mission. Getting her for free was like a windfall.
Mero chuckled. "I really am a genius at business!"
The trio delved deeper into the Arkley Research Facility.
They soon approached the core area of the underground complex. Progress had been faster than usual, thanks largely to Jill's map. Without it, Mero might still be wandering the upper levels.
This place was built like a maze; without a map, getting lost was inevitable.
Passing one laboratory, Rebecca found a research journal. Calling it a "journal" was generous it was more like a horror compendium, cataloging grotesque creatures with twisted bodies.
The building was decades old and showed its age. Some areas still required candlelight or torches, which also meant the place had been used recently.
"Mero, this way." Jill, dusty and grimy, gestured from a T-junction.
Though they had not spent much time together, Rebecca had already shared the story from the previous night in vivid detail, earning some trust.
Mero moved lightly, enjoying the attention of the two companions.
His relaxed, cheerful demeanor contrasted sharply with the exhausted, grimy appearances of the women, making him almost feel like a character from a fairy tale in the middle of a horror story.
Though boring at times, Ada had briefed him on Tyrant and Leech Queen's combat data. The employer had offered fifty thousand and one hundred thousand for each. That was enough to lift his spirits.
Two videos totaling one hundred fifty thousand dollars. In the field of special operations, that was a high payout.
Suddenly, a shocked voice called out from ahead.
"Why are there so many snakes and giant spiders?!"
"They're charging!"
Mero focused. Dozens of virus-infected vipers and calf-high spiders crawled toward them.
His face showed irritation not fear, but annoyance. He hated dealing with numerous small enemies.
"Don't panic! I found flamethrower grenades in the mansion. I'll handle the snakes!"
Jill shouted instructions to Rebecca and Mero, raising her grenade launcher.
"Big spiders are easier just shoot them."
Having fought from the mansion to the underground lab, Jill was experienced. She no longer panicked at the sight of these creatures.
Rebecca raised her shotgun. Small snakes were tricky, but giant spiders were easy to take down. One shot was enough.
When the flamethrower grenades flew, dozens of snakes ignited instantly.
The wall-mounted spiders were equally easy; Mero and Rebecca cleared them efficiently.
"What's going on? Why are there so many mutated monsters?" Rebecca asked uneasily.
Their main disadvantage was numbers. Being surrounded was the greatest threat.
One bullet per zombie worked, but even a single bite could be disastrous. Zombies clustering could allow them to overwhelm a weak spot.
Fortunately, these creatures were simple-minded, driven only by bite instinct. They didn't understand strategy or coordination.
"Ahead is the core lab. Maybe these creatures escaped from there!" Jill checked the map again.
"Don't panic. Them appearing here might be a good sign!" Mero's excited voice came from amidst the remains of spider zombies.
"If someone set them up here, it means something inside isn't meant for us to see!"
"There must be Umbrella's evidence inside!" Rebecca's gaze at Mero was full of worry, as if the two shared a deep bond.
"Hmph." Mero scoffed confidently. "Umbrella's impressive arsenal only includes these bioweapons. Nothing to worry about."
Jill's face darkened. She had a bad feeling about Barry, who escaped from the stone coffin platform before.
Before meeting Mero and Rebecca, during the mansion mission, she had overheard Barry speaking with a mysterious person. Words like "betraying STARS" were mentioned. She had pointed her gun at him.
Until now, they hadn't found him or seen his body.
Alongside her were Rebecca and the traitor Barry, the missing Captain Wesker and Enrico, plus muscle-bound officer Chris and pilot Brad.
Counting herself, seven members. The rest of STARS were confirmed dead.
She had to figure out what had really happened.