The Author's Note:
Sorry for the long wait, guys. Last month was hectic, and during the New Year, I was bedridden for a week with a fever. To top it off, my laptop's screen got damaged, delaying updates even further.
The start of this year has been rough for me. I hope your year started better! It might be late, but HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!
I'd also like to ask my readers for help. If you can contribute to my laptop repair, updates will come faster as I am currently writing on my mobile.
Here's my UPI ID: marveric6835@oksbi.
Please mention your Webnovel User ID when donating. Thank you!
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Leon's frustration boiled over as he led the charge toward the building Chase had pointed out. Barry and Mikey followed close behind, their weapons ready despite their exhaustion. They were determined to confront whoever was responsible for the ambush, unwilling to let Umbrella's agents slip away without answers—or retribution.
I stayed behind with Claire, Betty, and K-Mart. Claire was still leaning against me for support, her grief over the lost survivors heavy in her expression. I tightened my hold on her, offering silent comfort while watching the others disappear into the distance.
"They'll be fine," I said flatly, my eyes never leaving the horizon.
K-Mart, her rifle slung over her shoulder, looked at me skeptically. "You don't seem too worried about them."
I shrugged. "Leon's stubborn. That's enough to keep him alive for now."
Betty crossed her arms, glancing at the scattered carnage around us. "And what about you? Are you always this cold, or is it just for show?"
"People who get too attached don't last long," I replied without hesitation. Then, with a softer tone, I added, "But you don't need to worry. You're my woman, and I'll always protect you."
The silence that followed was awkward, punctuated only by K-Mart's hesitant glances.
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Meanwhile, Leon and the others stormed the building Chase had indicated. The decaying structure groaned under their boots as they climbed the stairs, their weapons raised and adrenaline surging.
Reaching the terrace, after killing a few Umbrella soldiers, they found a hastily abandoned setup. Surveillance equipment was still running, and screens displayed live footage of the convoy and the aftermath of the battle. Documents and maps were scattered across a table, detailing the movements of the survivors and data on me—notes scrawled about "anomalous energy readings" and "unprecedented compatibility."
"It's him," Barry muttered, his voice grim as he pointed to a screen displaying footage of me mid-battle, my sword glowing faintly blue. "They're tracking Ryan."
They spotted a helicopter rising into the sky. Inside was Dr. Isaacs, his expression panicked from getting bitten by his test subject yet calculating. Barry raised his weapon, aiming for the tail rotor, but Leon grabbed his arm.
"Don't," Leon growled. "We'll need that chopper if we're going to escape this place."
Barry cursed but lowered his gun, watching helplessly as the helicopter disappeared into the horizon.
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Back at the convoy, Claire finally pulled away from me, her composure somewhat restored. "Do you think they'll find who's responsible?" she asked quietly.
"They'll find what they're meant to find," I replied cryptically, watching the building in the distance.
Moments later, Leon and the others returned, their expressions a mix of anger and frustration. "They got away," Leon growled, tossing his weapon onto the ground. "Umbrella's always one step ahead."
Mikey held up a hard drive and laptop he'd swiped from the surveillance setup. "Not entirely. I grabbed this before we left. If we can decrypt it, we might find out what they're planning—and why they're so interested in Ryan."
All eyes turned to me, but I maintained my calm demeanor. "Let me know when you find something useful," I said, turning away to check on finding any remaining supplies.
The group's resolve hardened despite their losses. They knew this wasn't the end—Umbrella wasn't done with them, and neither were the survivors.
Night had fallen by the time the convoy moved again, after dealing with the dead and setting up camp a few miles from the desolate battlefield. The survivors were quiet, their earlier losses weighing heavily on their minds. The fire crackled in the center of the group, casting flickering shadows on their tired faces.
As the survivors gathered around the campfire, Mikey worked tirelessly on the hard drive he had taken from the surveillance setup. His face was illuminated by the faint glow of his laptop screen, his expression a mix of determination and frustration. Claire, Leon, and K-Mart sat nearby, their weapons within reach as they kept watch. The tension was palpable; everyone knew this hard drive could hold the key to understanding Umbrella's plans—and their next move.
I leaned against a nearby vehicle, keeping my distance from the group with Betty in my arms, her intimate actions drawing my attention. My enhanced senses picked up the faint hum of Mikey's laptop and the occasional murmured conversation, but I stayed silent, watching them from the shadows.
"Anything yet, Mikey?" Claire asked, breaking the silence.
"Almost," he replied, his fingers never stopping. "This thing's got layers of encryption, but I've cracked enough to get into the surface files. Give me a bit more time, and I'll have something concrete."
Leon shifted impatiently. "We need answers now. We can't keep getting blindsided by Umbrella."
"Rushing him won't help," I said coolly, drawing their attention. "If it's important, it'll be buried deep. Let him work."
Leon gave me a sharp look but didn't argue. He knew I wasn't wrong.
After nearly an hour, Mikey's face lit up with excitement. "Got it!" he exclaimed, drawing everyone closer. "There's a ton of data here, but this file stands out—logs and reports about... you, Ryan."
The group turned to me, suspicion and curiosity in their eyes. I walked over casually, glancing at the screen.
"What does it say?" Claire asked.
Mikey scrolled through the document. "They've been tracking you for months—energy readings, battles you've been involved in, even your abilities. They refer to you as 'Project Apex.'"
"Project Apex?" K-Mart echoed, her brow furrowing. "Why would they call him that?"
Mikey nodded. "There's more. Dr. Isaacs—the guy we saw in the helicopter—seems to be running this operation. He's obsessed with you, Ryan. There's a whole section about using your abilities to stabilize their mutations."
Leon's fists clenched. "So this was all about drawing you out. That ambush wasn't random."
Mikey continued digging through the files, uncovering more disturbing information. Umbrella was experimenting with a new type of bioweapon—a fusion of evolved zombies and human traits to create soldiers that were faster, smarter, and deadlier. The reports hinted at a testing facility not far from their location, where Isaacs was likely refining his creations.
"We need to hit that facility," Leon said, his voice resolute. "We can't let them keep making those things."
Claire hesitated. "We've lost too many already. We can't afford another ambush like today."
I stepped forward, my gaze cold and unyielding. "We don't need to hit the whole base. According to my knowledge all of Umbrella's bases are underground so we just need to hit the top level and get that helicopter from morning to escape this place. First, you head over to Alaska I'll stay behind to attract their attention while you escape."
"Why you?" Claire challenged, her frustration bubbling over.
"Because they're after me," I replied, meeting her glare. "And because I'm the only one who is capable enough without being overwhelmed by zombies and other mutations."
Claire looked at me, torn. Finally, she nodded. "Fine. But don't die on us, Ryan. Ryan will lead the attack tomorrow and the rest of us will stay further back and follow him and once the path I cleared we will leave with the helicopter."
The plan was set. As the camp settled for the night, my tent was filled with moans of pleasure from both Claire and Betty. This scene is the result of their demand for sex from me before they depart tomorrow. After a long battle with the girls, they fell asleep satisfied. "Let's see if Dr.Issacs survives this mutation caused by his own creation," I muttered to myself before drifting off to sleep embraced by both my women.