nda: Today's chapter is a bit shorter because it's mostly a transition, anyway, I hope you'll still enjoy it. Thanks for the support and happy reading
With Captain Enrico's transformation and Edward's, I hoped I wouldn't have to turn another colleague into a Zombie in order to save them. I thought sadly, but at least both are stronger and will have a better chance of saving our friends. I reassured myself as I took the elevator.
The heavy silence of the underground depths envelops the elevator cabin where I stand. I stare determinedly at the surveillance camera that watches me, a constant reminder of Marcus' oppressive presence. With a sudden gesture, I destroy it, putting an end to his inquisitive gaze.
The fight against the Tyrant was tough. My swords are broken, and a few of my creatures have fallen in battle. The Crimson Heads are fierce fighters, but they can't compare to the Lickers. Unfortunately, I doubt there are any Lickers in this center.
I descend to the lowest level, finding myself on a footbridge overlooking the underground current. The tumultuous waters hide many secrets. I decide to throw a Zombie T into the agitated waters, hoping to discover new mutant creatures. Unfortunately, the current quickly carries the Zombie T away, leaving behind only eddies. My experiment is a failure.
Despite my disappointment, I know that I must continue. My goal is to find as many Leech nests as possible and to capture Marcus to obtain the most accomplished creature in this complex.
I go through the door and see a control room for the power supply but everything is functional. Surely Marcus, he would not have been able to use the surveillance network if the power was not activated in this part of the research center.
I descend even lower thanks to the small pod falling on three zombies that I capture after making sure that there is no camera. I preferred not to reveal my secrets to Marcus before the final confrontation.
Nothing useful in the room except maybe a huge wrench that I pick up to break zombies. I prefer to kill these weaklings because even if I get a bonus for them, they are not intelligent enough to be used as anything other than bait or maybe a human shield.
I go through that metal door before being grabbed by the neck by a Leech Zombie stuck to the wall. He is unlucky because when he touches me, he is immediately absorbed by my power adding 150 leeches to my army.
I turn forward and I am greeted by a vision that might seem nightmarish to some, but is a real blessing to me. A leech nest is nestled between the pipes, teeming with life. I hasten to harvest it and the aggressive leeches that try to resist me are quickly silenced, absorbed by my power as they try in vain to attack me. My army is enriched by this new acquisition, reinforcing my power.
I continue my exploration coming across a relaxation room with another bar, I smash the skulls of two zombies before recovering other bottles of alcohol.
I recover the first bottle but I can't store the second.
DING
Chest full. throw an object if you want to store others.
"System, detail my objects " I asked quickly understanding that the storage is only 100 slots.
Item Quantity
(editor's note: I don't think I take into account the inventory in real time so there could be anomalies, I'm putting it here once to show its limits)
First Aid Spray 1
Lock Pick Set 1
Glock 20
9mm Bullet 300
Shotgun 1
Shotgun Cartridge 200
Magnum 1
Magnum Bullet 75
Tonfa Baton 4
Telescopic Baton 1
Metal Bar 1
Armored Safe Door 1
Grenade 9
Assault Rifle 8
Machine Gun Bullets 1000
Manual Grapple (30m) 1
Strong Alcohol (Bottle) 26
Battery 1
Miscellaneous Jewelry 26
Adjustable Wrench 1
(Reminder: Bullets and grenades only take up one slot)
"System, can you tell me if the First Aid Spray is special?" I asked because I never needed to use it due to my increased regeneration.
The first aid spray is a parting gift given to the host to help with their survival. There is only one copy in this world and it is in the chest. As long as there is even a semblance of life left, the host can think of using it to return to an "OK" state
"Okay, so don't touch unless you are about to die." I said to myself.
I throw 17 Glocks out the window into the river as well as 6 assault rifles. I put the battery and 25 bottles of alcohol in a corner of the room before taking a piece of cloth and a lighter before preparing a Molotov cocktail just in case.
I quickly search the room, discovering barely 300 dollars in the hidden cash register of the bar. I continue my way towards the stairs, where I come across a forklift.
"Gerald!!" shouts a voice that I recognize as Rebecca's. Turning around, I see the young woman accompanied by Billy and, to my surprise, Captain Enrico.
"You're a tough guy, Officer King," Billy declares, giving me a little wave. My apprehension skyrockets at the thought of Enrico calling me "master" in front of the other two.
"Enrico, I'm glad to see you up," I say, putting a subtle emphasis on his name. "Rebecca, Billy, I'm relieved to see you safe and sound."
Enrico nods, catching my eye. "Yes, Gerald, it's thanks to you that I'm still here," he says, using my first name as I'd hoped.
"We've had our share of surprises," Rebecca adds with a weak smile. "But it looks like you found something interesting."
"Nothing worthwhile, unfortunately, except for a book about the experiments conducted here. Unfortunately, it's not admissible evidence because no names are mentioned," I say, showing them the book.
Rebecca quickly flips through it, frowning. "It's frustrating. We know they're responsible, but without hard evidence, it doesn't get us very far."
Billy nods. "Umbrella knows how to cover her tracks. But this book could still hold some useful clues for us."
Enrico, still a little shaken but more determined than ever, looks at me with a mixture of gratitude and curiosity. "Gerald, how did you manage to retrieve all this? You always seem to be one step ahead."
I smile, trying to sound relaxed. "A good intuition and a bit of luck," I say.
Actually, another quirk of the system that I keep secret is that every document is archived in it and it provides me with a copy if I need it. But that's a detail I prefer to keep to myself.
Rebecca and Billy exchange a surprised but impressed look. "That's handy," Rebecca says. "We should keep moving. The more we know about this place, the more likely we are to find something actually useful."
"I think it's best if you focus on finding an escape route because this base has a self-destruct system," I say, looking at their frightened faces. "As for me, I'll continue collecting evidence and try to take care of whoever is responsible."
"I'll come with you," the captain says, looking at me, and I nod. "You two stick together, and Lieutenant Cohen, if we make it out alive, I'll have you declared dead so you'll be safe with the military," the captain finishes saying.
I'm impressed by how autonomous Captain Enrico is despite being infected with the G-Virus by me. While it's not as effective as the Plagas for remote control, it's still a valuable discovery.
Enrico still acts as before, combining his experience and intelligence with his new superhuman abilities, and all of this remains hidden from Rebecca and Billy. His ability to make strategic decisions and guide the team is intact, and he seems even more determined and resilient than before.
Rebecca looks at Enrico with admiration. "Captain, be careful."
"Don't worry about me, Rebecca," Enrico replies with a reassuring smile. "I'm stronger than ever."
Billy approaches me. "Thank you. Count on us to find a way out of here."
I nod, acknowledging their determination. "Good luck to you two. See you at the exit."
The two take the stairs they came from, while I turn to the captain who looks at me with a serious but grateful expression.
"Gerald, I want to thank you for saving my life. I'll follow you to the depths of hell if you want me to," he said, his eyes filled with respect, without any trace of fanaticism, which pleased me much more.
"Thank you, Captain. I'll do my best to get Bravo Team back to Raccoon City." I hand him my shotgun with some ammo. "I'll take care of most of the creatures here, but just in case, you better be able to tell the difference with that big caliber," I say with a smile.
The Captain reloads the shotgun like an expert before following me further into the facility. We quickly pass through the corridors, as I destroy the doors in my path with determined force.
As I turn a catwalk, my leg is suddenly caught by a pink filament that knocks me to the ground. I am dragged quickly towards a Lurker, a monstrous creature measuring 1.80 m tall and 4 m in wingspan.
My right hand turns into a claw as I plant it in the metal of the catwalk, slowing my progress towards the Lurker's gaping maw. Enrico runs towards the giant frog, firing three precise rifle shots that tear off one of its hind legs, splattering the area with viscous blood.
I grab the creature's tongue with my left hand and pull on it forcefully, causing the animal to slide towards me. Using its own tongue against it, I manage to immobilize it, blocking its movement with relentless force.
DING
T-Virus Mutation Detected or Lurker absorption will take 20 seconds.
The time will be reduced by 10 seconds due to the bonus on T-Virus mutations.
The time will be reduced by 10 seconds due to the injuries and heavy bleeding sustained.
20, 0
T-Virus Mutation or Lurker successfully absorbed available in the factory
1 Lurker will be produced every 12 hours. You have 5 Lurkers directly in the factory.
You will be able to instantly subdue any Lurker that is not under your control with a simple touch.
I smile at this new addition to my arsenal, thinking that the creatures in the mansion will surely be disconcertingly easy to capture with so many reducers. I see that the bridge is not up, but it does not matter.
I place Enrico in the factory after discreetly observing the surroundings. I leap over the water easily before calling the captain back and giving him back the rifle, which answers my question: I cannot place fully equipped zombies in the factory, except for what they had before their transformation.
We enter the building, but a horde of Plague Crawlers has settled in.
About twenty creatures are charging towards us. Even if I can capture these beasts with a simple touch, I am not fast enough to neutralize them all immediately. Plague Crawlers swarm around us, their mandibles snapping with ferocious aggression.
I begin to attack, my movements quick and precise. I catch the creatures one after the other, absorbing them into my factory.
A creature, hidden behind a vat, suddenly emerges and bites Enrico on the arm.
He growls at the interruption of his rifle fire, but before the creature can inflict more damage, I capture it as well. The battle is over and I see that the captain's arm is already as good as new. I see the console that allows the bridge to be raised and I activate it immediately so that Billy and Rebecca can join us more easily.
We advance further as I finally find a corridor filled with leech nests. I steal all of Marcus' children as I smile unconsciously.
DING
You have reduced the leech creation time to the maximum. 1 leech produced every minute.
The nests absorbed will provide a certain number of leeches.
"I only have the main course left" I say as the captain nods before we both move forward towards Marcus' lair.