Contrary to what I initially thought, the office Pascal showed us is inside the lab. It seems that the office in the mansion is being used as a decoy.
The Jordans entered first, inspecting the area for traps or monsters. Nothing happened, so I went in with Lisa and Pascal, leaving Steve and Zeus outside for safety.
Unlike the library-filled office in the mansion, this one looks more like a researcher's office. The walls are lined with blackboards covered in complex formulas and research diagrams. Vials of various chemicals are neatly arranged on steel shelves, reflecting the cold light of the neon lights on the ceiling. In the center, a large metal desk overloaded with papers, notebooks, and lab equipment takes up most of the space.
The walls are also adorned with detailed blueprints and strategic maps, likely sketches of the mountain and its surroundings. A large glass-fronted cabinet holds prototype medical equipment and biological samples, while a control panel, filled with buttons and switches, appears to monitor several functions of the underground laboratory.
The floor is covered in dark gray tiles, spotless, almost sterile. Metal chairs, clearly barely used, are arranged around a conference table at one end of the room. A large window overlooks an adjacent room, filled with tanks containing creatures in various states of mutation.
The Jordans have already searched part of the office, carefully stacking documents and checking drawers for additional clues. There is no sign of traps or monsters so far, but we all remain on guard.
Lisa squeezes my hand tighter, clearly intimidated by the oppressive atmosphere of the place. "Dad, this place is scary," she whispers.
"I know, sweetheart. But we're together and nothing will happen to us," I said, hugging her reassuringly. "Pascal, show me where the deed is."
"The document is in the office. If they haven't changed the code, I should be able to open it," Pascal said, approaching the desk with undisguised determination.
"How is it possible that a security guard has the code to unlock his boss's office?" I asked, my suspicion reflected in my voice.
"It's simple. I was supposed to fill out the documents in my name if something went wrong and in exchange, my family would receive compensation," he said, managing to open the desk after a few manipulations.
"So you were the expendable pawn. Aren't you worried about your family if you give me the document?" I asked, as Pascal handed me the deeds.
Pascal sighed deeply, his face marked with the pain of memories. "Unlike many of the idiots who work here, I heard about what happened to the architect and his family for helping Spencer. So, I filed for divorce, leaving her all my assets so she could go with our little boy."
The sadness in his voice was palpable. "If I succeed, and Umbrella falls, you could try to get back with your family," I replied, as I filled out the property deeds in my name before discreetly putting them away in my inventory.
Lisa, who had been listening attentively, approached Pascal and took his hand gently. "Don't worry, Mister Pascal. Papa will succeed and you will be able to see your family again. You must miss your little boy very much."
Pascal smiled sadly at Lisa, touched by her kindness. "Yes, I miss him terribly. He must be about your age, maybe a little younger."
"What's his name?" Lisa asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"His name is Gauthier," Pascal replied, a glint of pride in his eyes. "He's a brave little boy, just like you."
Lisa squeezed Pascal's hand a little tighter. "I'm sure Gauthier would be very proud of his dad. And when this is all over, you can hug him."
Pascal nodded, his eyes shining with emotion. "Thank you, Lisa. Thank you, Gerald. You don't know how much this means to me."
I smiled at Pascal before glancing around the room, making sure we hadn't forgotten anything. "You might want to buy a wig since you told me you lost your hair, though," I teased him as we walked further into the lab.
Thanks to the various orders in Spencer's office and Pascal's information, I was able to pinpoint three places in the lab that I needed to visit. We headed to the first one, a break room filled with various vending machines, a few arcade machines, and a pool table.
"Lisa, you're going to stay here to have fun with Zeus, Steve, and Pascal while I finish my work here. I shouldn't be long and if you take a nap, the time will go by even faster," I say, lightly ruffling her hair, causing her to laugh.
"Okay, Dad," she says happily, going straight to Zeus, who is having fun picking her up on his back. Pascal heads towards the vending machines before comically searching his pants.
"Um, Gerald. Do you have any money? I'd like to buy myself some snacks," he says a little embarrassed.
I smile before subtly breaking the door of the two vending machines, giving them access to their contents.
"No need, Pascal. You can help yourself," I say, smiling before giving Lisa a final wave, who enthusiastically returns it.
"Dad, be careful, okay?" she said with a serious look, her eyes shining with childish concern.
"I promise, I'll be careful. You have fun here and take care of Zeus and Steve for me," I replied, winking at her.
"I'm going to be a great babysitter, you'll see!" Lisa declared proudly, patting Zeus on the back.
Pascal, already unwrapping a bag of chips, added, "Don't worry, Gerald. We'll make sure she's safe and having fun."
I nod, reassured, and leave the room with the Jordans to go straight to the storage of the test subjects.
We quickly reach the storage area, crossing dark and oppressive corridors, not without coming across several flymen (chimeras) that I quickly capture with my vines. The smell of fear and death hangs in the air, adding a macabre note to our progress.
The door poses the room bothers me for a few minutes before I decide to force it by creating an entrance in these enormous metal doors.
As I enter the room, the light of the flashing neon lights reveals a scene worthy of a horror film. The walls are covered with glass tanks filled with grotesque and mutilated creatures. The dim lighting projects disturbing shadows on the walls, accentuating the sinister atmosphere of the place.
Hunters, their murderous claws still locked in frozen positions, float in a greenish liquid, their glassy eyes following our movements. Beside them, Cerberus with gaping jaws seem to want to escape their confinement, their bodies deformed by the experiments.
A Stinger, slightly different from mine, rests in a larger tank, its clawed paws folded against its massive body. Its antennae quiver slightly, as if sensing our presence, adding a note of latent menace to the already heavy atmosphere.
The floor is covered with cables and pipes, snaking between the tanks and emitting soft hisses and clicks, as if the laboratory itself were alive and monitoring our every move. Rusty shelves and messy tables are filled with vials, syringes and surgical instruments stained with dried blood.
I sense the Jordans' concern behind me, their gazes darting from tank to tank, as if they're expecting one of the creatures to suddenly escape its confinement. The tension is palpable, every movement echoing in the oppressive silence, like a warning of impending danger.
"Don't worry, guys. Most of them can be captured quickly, and if needed, I can call for backup," I say confidently, heading toward a locked cabinet that I force open with a well-placed vine.
"Finally, a complete file of every experiment conducted here, as well as some of the names of the researchers who participated," I say, flipping through a report listing the names of Birkins, Sera, Wesker, Ashford, and Spencer.
I take all the documents before tossing them into my inventory. Fortunately, they don't take up any slots, which is a relief. Now that I have these tokens in hand, my gaze falls on the creatures bathing in the greenish liquid.
I stand in front of the vat containing a Cerberus that sticks to the glass as if it wants to bite me. My hand turns into a claw and I pierce the vat, recovering the dog in an instant. The creature is sucked into my factory before it has time to understand what is happening to it.
The other vats stir, their occupants becoming frantic. Claws and paws strike against the glass, creating a deafening din. I smirk before continuing to harvest these creatures.
A particularly aggressive Hunter breaks its vat and rushes towards me. Wasting no time, I deploy my vines, wrapping them around its powerful limbs. The creature struggles furiously, but my vines hold it firmly, immobilizing it just long enough for me to capture it. Too bad, wool cannot be used to capture, that still requires direct contact with me.
Soon after, I face the Giant Scorpion, which appears to be a variant of my Stingers. Its tank is the largest, and the creature slams itself against the glass, its pincers snapping with force. The glass shatters under its blows.
My vines unfurl again, wrapping around its legs and stinger. I feel the strength of its muscles under the pressure, but I maintain my grip. In one swift movement, I pull it towards me and capture it.
Ding
Stinger variation detected. Reinforced chitin and improved strength.
Do you wish to upgrade the Stinger in the factory?
"No" I replied after understanding the process thanks to the eel
DING
Stinger variant detected, absorption will take 30 seconds.
Time will be decreased by 20 seconds due to the T-virus mutation bonus.
30,10,9 ...2,1,0
Stinger variant successfully absorbed available in the factory
Please name the Stinger variant.
"Call the Metalsting" I said as I looked at the shine of this scorpion's armor.
1 Metalsting will be produced every 17 days. You have 2 Metalsting directly in the factory.
You will be able to instantly subdue any Metalsting that is not under your control with a simple touch.
I smile at this new addition before turning to the Jordans
Guys, with these specimens and the documents, we have a solid case against Umbrella," I say as I straighten up. The Jordans nod, clearly impressed by the effectiveness of my vines.
"Keep searching the room, we need to make sure there's nothing important left," I order as I take one last look at the empty vats, satisfied with our haul.
After a few minutes of searching, one of the Jordans calls out to me.
"Chief, look what I found here," he says as he opens a refrigerator hidden behind a shelf. Inside, a large quantity of T-Virus as well as various other untested reagents sit in carefully labeled vials.
I place my hand on one of the vials as the system reacts.
Ding
Large quantity of T-Virus discovered by host, delivery process in progress run.
I see the bottles disappearing quickly as my gaze freezes at the moment the last one disappears.
Routing completed
You have halved the upgrade requirements for creatures from Virus T
"System, make me a concise list of my elements and their needs to improve"
- Cerberus: 212/500
- Perfect Zombie T: 324 /500
- Zombie G: 34/1000
- Crimson Head: 34/500
- Leech V2: 3684/5000
- Various birds: 96/500
- Bats: 76/500
- Crawler (giant cricket): 48/500
- Spider: 18/500
- Eliminators: 9/500
- Plant zombie (T and G): 124/1000
- Hunters: 11/500
- Flyman: 12/500
- Lurker : 6/500
- Aquila : 11/500
- Wasp : 324/500
- Shark : 4/500
- Zap : 10/500
Boss monsters are not upgradeable but you will have another proposal later to strengthen them.
The reinforcement option is now the only one available, you can no longer improve the production speed.
"Okay, I have a lot that will soon go V2 since the production speed is no longer available. I only have the Tyrant left here but I have a feeling of unease in the pit of my stomach.
As a precaution, I go to the break room to take a look.
(Editor's note: Thank you for your interest, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I inserted a recap of the monsters but it's not something I would do often to avoid mistakes as much as possible, ^^)