The group quickly turned their attention toward the source of the sound.
From the cabinet, a young girl in a school uniform carrying a backpack cautiously stepped out.
"Are you Angela?" Alice asked, moving toward her.
"Yes, I'm Angela," the girl replied softly.
Angela had overheard their conversation and realized they were searching for her. Confident it was safe, she finally emerged from her hiding spot.
"Now that we've found our target, there's no time to waste. Let's retreat immediately," Wang Ye instructed decisively.
In the original timeline, the Tyrant had been a mutation of Matt after he was infected with the T-virus.
But in this altered reality, Matt was unharmed, and this Tyrant had suddenly appeared outside the school.
Wang Ye surmised it must be a new, stronger model—likely a response to Umbrella Corporation's recent losses against him. They wouldn't send weak fodder this time.
The group, now escorting Angela, began retracing their steps toward the armored vehicle.
The hallways were littered with undead corpses, their putrid stench permeating the air.
Oddly, no new zombies appeared along their path, nor were any Lickers sighted. The eerie stillness wasn't just unusual—it was deeply unsettling.
Zombies are known for their acute hearing, even in their decayed state, making the silence inexplicable.
The group's unease grew when the heavy footsteps trailing them suddenly ceased altogether, heightening their tension.
"Ah! Behind us! What is that thing?"
Maurice, the broadcast reporter, had been filming their surroundings. She screamed in terror, pointing at the staircase corner.
Before anyone could react, the sound of a rotary machine gun revving up filled the air.
Wang Ye immediately shouted, "Everyone down! Find cover now! It's armed with heavy weapons!"
The group, already on edge, instinctively dropped to the ground.
But Maurice froze, paralyzed by fear. Her wide eyes were fixed on the Tyrant as it emerged from the shadows. A hail of bullets from its machine gun tore through her, reducing her to shreds. Her camera was obliterated in the process.
Wang Ye, crouched low, saw an opportunity. He leaped up and hurled a high-explosive grenade at the Tyrant.
"Find cover! You can't fight this head-on!" he ordered.
Despite his warning, Wang Ye charged forward, wielding his energy-enhanced AK assault rifle.
The Tyrant, noticing Wang Ye's bold advance, directed its full firepower toward him.
Using nearby pillars and debris for cover, Wang Ye skillfully dodged the onslaught while firing precise shots at the Tyrant's head. Yet, its incredible regenerative ability made his attacks nearly ineffective. The bullets pierced its decayed flesh but caused only minor stumbles before it quickly healed.
Seeing the Tyrant's resilience, Rain drew her energy pistol to support Wang Ye.
The others followed suit, aiming for the Tyrant's head while staying behind cover.
Their combined firepower began to force the Tyrant to retreat. Its machine gun fell silent, and blood streamed from its head, though it showed no signs of succumbing.
"Its regeneration must have limits," Wang Ye observed. "It can't keep healing at this rate without exhausting its energy!"
He noticed the creature's recovery was slowing.
"Focus your attacks! Keep your distance and be ready for any sudden moves!"
Under the group's relentless assault, even the Tyrant's formidable regeneration faltered. Depleted of energy, it eventually collapsed, unwilling to accept its defeat.
As the Tyrant fell, zombies from nearby streets began swarming the school.
The group realized the ordinary zombies had likely been intimidated by the Tyrant's presence or aura. Now, with it gone, the horde flooded in.
Cautiously, Wang Ye approached the fallen Tyrant and fired several shots into its half-destroyed head to ensure it was truly dead. Only then did he call for the group to retreat.
On the Streets
The armored vehicle sped toward the heavily guarded gates, dodging the encroaching undead.
"Beep... beep-beep!"
The communicator rang. Alice answered it. Before she could speak, a panicked voice came through.
"Let me speak to my daughter!" demanded Dr. Charles.
"You can, but first, tell us how to get out of here," Alice replied, glancing at Wang Ye.
"A helicopter is on standby. It will take off in 47 minutes—the last flight before the nuclear strike," Charles explained.
"I assume it's heavily guarded," Alice remarked.
"It's on another mission and isn't guarded," Charles clarified.
"Where is it?" Alice pressed.
"Let me speak to my daughter first!" Charles insisted.
Wang Ye nodded, and Alice handed the communicator to Angela, who had moved to the driver's cabin.
"Daddy?" Angela said hesitantly, her face lighting up with joy.
"It's me, sweetheart. Are you okay?"
"When will I see you?" Angela asked eagerly.
"Soon. These people will bring you to me. Now, let me speak to the lady again."
Reluctantly, Angela handed the communicator back to Alice.
"Where should we go?" Alice asked.
"The helicopter is at City Hall. I suggest you move quickly," Charles replied.
After the call ended, Alice turned to Wang Ye. "We're not going there. Why did you ask?"
Wang Ye pulled over, turned off the vehicle, destroyed the communicator, and restarted the engine with a smile.
"Charles is using Umbrella's computers, which are monitored. Our conversation tipped them off. That's how the Tyrant found us at the school."
"This time, the helicopter site will be a trap. I told you to mention City Hall to mislead them and increase our chances of breaking through the gates."
The group realized his plan: misdirect Umbrella and lower their defenses at the gates.
Wang Ye turned to Angela.
"Your dad is a high-ranking Umbrella employee. He'll be fine. But if we went to him, Umbrella could use him to control us. For everyone's safety, we had to do this."
Angela, mature beyond her years, nodded.
"I understand. Daddy is strong and will be protected. I just need to stay safe, and we'll meet again."
Alice gently patted Angela's head, her heart aching for the brave child.
Meanwhile, only 40 minutes remained until the nuclear strike!
(End of Chapter)
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