Deep beneath the Hive, in an area not shown on the map, lay a vast, stadium-like circular structure filled with tiered platforms.
Each platform was densely packed with hundreds of black, box-like cryogenic pods, neatly arranged. The temperature was frigid, with cold air pouring from massive cooling systems essential for maintaining these cryo-chambers.
As the platform continued descending, identical tiers came into view—ten, perhaps more—each one mirroring the last. In total, there appeared to be over ten thousand pods.
It was at this moment that Wang Ye understood the Hive's true purpose.
This immense structure wasn't just a base; it was the Hive. These black pods were its "cocoons," holding those who awaited their eventual "hatching."
So this was why the Hive had earned its name.
"It seems these are Umbrella's elites," Wang Ye said, his deep, magnetic voice laced with disdain. "Hiding here comfortably while the world burns, waiting for the apocalypse to pass. Truly luxurious."
Alice stood silently beside him, her eyes blazing with fury as she took in the scene.
Billions of lives had been lost to the T-virus, yet Umbrella's executives had sealed themselves away, safe and sound, ready to emerge as "saviors" once the surface was cleansed of all life.
It was unforgivable.
Even Rain, momentarily stunned, quickly composed herself, though her clenched fists betrayed her anger.
The platform finally reached the bottom.
With a wave of spatial energy, Wang Ye dispelled the final barrier blocking their path, and he and Alice stepped forward.
What lay beyond the gate was a cavernous underground grotto—natural, not manmade, but adapted for Umbrella's purposes.
The dim lighting barely illuminated the jagged contours of the cave, its walls lined with stalactites of various shapes and sizes.
The grotto was enormous, roughly 50 meters high, with a dark underground lake dominating its base. The lake's surface was unnervingly calm, its depths concealing unknown dangers.
The trio followed a glass walkway lit from below, which led to the lake's edge. As they approached, the water began to ripple. Two beams of white light shot from beneath the surface, racing toward them before connecting at the far side of the lake.
Moments later, illuminated walkways rose from the water, forming a path that stretched across the lake to the opposite shore.
Wang Ye and Alice exchanged a glance before stepping onto the glowing path.
The walkway wasn't long. Before they knew it, they had reached its end—a moderately sized chamber awaited them.
The details of the room were difficult to discern in the dim light, but near the entrance stood two ornate cryogenic pods. One was open, its occupant clearly already awake.
The chamber's walls were lined with massive screens, all glowing with an eerie blue light. At the center of it all stood Ham's hologram, bowing politely to Wang Ye like a butler greeting his master.
"Our naughty child has returned!"
A mocking voice echoed through the room.
The trio froze. Rain immediately raised her gun, her sharp eyes scanning for the speaker.
"Don't just stand there. Come on over."
Isaacs' voice came from the shadows. He lounged on a sofa, his posture relaxed, waving casually as though welcoming old friends.
The trio cautiously moved closer, stopping a few meters from the sofa. Isaacs, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his slicked-back hair gleaming under the faint light, regarded them with a smug smile.
"So, you're the boss of Umbrella?"
Rain's voice was cold, her gun trained steadily on Isaacs, who remained unnervingly calm.
"Let's take things one step at a time," he replied smoothly. "But first, tell your subordinate to lower her weapon."
Rain's finger tightened on the trigger, her instincts screaming that Isaacs couldn't be trusted.
"Wait, Rain!" Wang Ye ordered.
Reluctantly, Rain lowered her weapon, though her stance made it clear she was ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Unbothered, Isaacs reached into his suit and pulled out a metallic-glass vial. Inside, two spiraling streams of green liquid glowed faintly.
"This is what you've been looking for, isn't it?" he said, holding the vial between his fingers. "The antivirus serum—a cure that can end all of this. But, unfortunately, there's only one vial."
He smirked, his tone dripping with mockery.
"My nerves are a bit fragile. If I'm startled, I might just drop it. And then? No more cure!
Remember, we're 800 meters underground in a sealed facility. Treat me poorly, and your mission will end in failure."
Rain glanced at Wang Ye, seeking his guidance. At his nod, she begrudgingly set her weapon on the floor, her frustration evident.
Satisfied, Isaacs pocketed the vial and strolled to the far side of the room, ignoring Rain's burning glare.
Wang Ye and Alice followed him, their eyes scanning the table he approached. Alice's mind raced as she considered possible weapons among the items scattered there.
"I wouldn't bother," Isaacs said, his voice cutting through her thoughts. He turned to Alice, his sharp gaze almost playful.
"You won't succeed."
Seeing her surprise, Isaacs chuckled.
"Ice picks, bottles, pens… I must say, you're quite resourceful," he added, his smirk widening.
Alice stiffened. Those were precisely the items she'd been eyeing.
Wang Ye, however, remained unfazed.
He understood. Isaacs was equipped with advanced contact lenses—Umbrella's cutting-edge technology. These lenses acted as a battle prediction system, analyzing opponents and their surroundings to anticipate and counter their strategies.
Against most opponents, Isaacs would have been untouchable.
But now, he faced Wang Ye, a Level 7 Alice, and Rain—whose simmering fury promised swift, decisive action.
(Chapter End)
Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon
https://patreon.com/Glimmer09