Chapter 6 – Yumi Awakens
Lightning still danced across Kuro's arms as he and Yumi stepped out of the ravaged nightclub. The air was thick with smoke and ash, the lingering scent of ozone clinging to their clothes. The Slayer Threshold was still burning in his veins like liquid fire, but his mind had shifted.
He glanced at Yumi, who was scanning the area, tired but focused. Her support had been invaluable. Her syringes and field aid had saved him multiple times during the last five nests. They had been hunting through the city for nearly eight hours now—grinding through infected clusters, looting Umbrella caches, and trying to stay a step ahead of the chaos slowly consuming Raccoon City.
"System," he said quietly, "is there a way for Yumi to start leveling up? Maybe access abilities — something more permanent?"
The reply was immediate.
"Inquiry registered. Companion: Yumi Aoyama. Support Class potential confirmed."
"Companion system access denied. However, side-linked progression is possible."
"Side Quest Unlocked – Plot-Tethered Advancement"
"Quest: Save Resident Evil key character Jill Valentine from death. Location: Umbrella detainment compound, District 9. Time sensitivity: High."
"Reward: Yumi Aoyama will gain leveling capability and link with Kuro as a combat companion. Skills and abilities must be purchased by system holder."
Kuro nodded slowly. "So she won't get a full system… but I can upgrade her manually?"
"Affirmative. Leveling unlocked post-quest. Skills and gear can be shared or purchased by host."
He turned to Yumi. "Feel like becoming something more?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"You help me save someone, and you'll be able to level up — actually grow stronger. I'll even buy you powers. Think of it like... my party healer."
Yumi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I'm in. Let's go."
Kuro opened the map and locked on to District 9. The compound was heavily fortified, buried deep beneath a hospital marked for quarantine. A small notification blinked at the corner of his vision.
"Warning: Area protected by advanced Umbrella security and elite B.O.W. units. Recommended level: 30+."
He smirked. "Bring it on."
They reached the hospital in less than twenty minutes using side streets and Kuro's lightning-powered speed. Smoke and debris littered the front entrance, but there was no sign of battle.
Too quiet.
Kuro blasted the elevator doors open, overriding the security with an EMP spark. They descended in silence. As they dropped deeper, a presence made itself known.
The lights flickered. And then the elevator stopped.
The doors opened slowly.
Standing in the hallway, two glowing eyes met his — fierce, alert, calculating.
"...You're not with Umbrella," the woman said.
Kuro grinned. "You must be Alice."
She lowered her pistol but didn't drop it. "You're not infected."
"Because I can't be." He raised his hand. A soft arc of lightning danced between his fingers. "Let's just say... I've got help."
Yumi stepped forward. "We're here for Jill Valentine."
Alice's eyes narrowed. "Then we've got a common goal. They moved her to a lower lab for something called Project Resurrection."
Kuro cracked his neck. "Then let's resurrect some justice."
The trio advanced.
Armed guards. Automated drones. A new kind of mutant — thin-skinned, fast, twitchy. Alice handled the first wave like a pro, dual pistols blazing. Yumi stayed back, coordinating buffs and keeping Kuro's adrenaline surging.
They breached the inner lab after fifteen brutal minutes. Jill lay unconscious in a stasis chamber, machinery pumping something ominous into her veins.
"System Alert: Target located. Viral conversion in progress. 12% and rising."
Kuro didn't wait. He slammed his fist into the side of the chamber, discharged a focused "Pulse Breaker", and ripped the control panel clean out.
The machinery screamed. Then it died.
Jill fell into his arms, unconscious but alive.
"Side Quest Complete: Yumi Aoyama has fulfilled conditions for Combat Companion Advancement."
"New Link: Combat Companion – Healer Class. Yumi can now level up. Abilities and gear must be acquired by the host."
Yumi gasped as she felt the shift — not a system screen, but something like a passive connection forming between her and Kuro. She blinked, swaying slightly.
"I... I feel it. Like something opened up."
Kuro smiled. "That's the start. I'll handle the rest."
"System Notification: Yumi Aoyama – Level 1. Class: Healer."
"Default Ability Slot Available. Would you like to equip: Basic Healing Pulse (Cost: 1,000 AP)?"
Kuro hesitated only a second before confirming.
"Basic Healing Pulse equipped to Yumi Aoyama. Cooldown: 10 seconds. Effective radius: 3 meters. Initial heal: Moderate."
Yumi flinched slightly as power surged through her chest and hands. She looked at her palm, where a faint blue glow now shimmered.
"I... I can feel it. Like warm energy, waiting to be used."
Kuro grinned. "We're just getting started."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "And what the hell did I just get myself into?"
Kuro looked at her, eyes crackling.
"Something fun."
They weren't out of danger yet. The compound trembled as Umbrella's auto-defense protocols activated. Red warning lights flared across the walls.
"System Notice: Hostile reinforcement approaching in 4 minutes. Extraction recommended."
"Grab Jill. Let's move!"
Alice kicked open a side hallway, leading the way. Kuro carried Jill, and Yumi ran beside them, scanning for exits on a digital tablet. Gunfire barked behind them as Umbrella's elite squads closed in.
They reached a side entrance, only to find a full platoon blocking the route.
Kuro growled and activated Slayer Mode for five seconds — enough to burn through the first half of the squad with a searing lightning arc that tore the hallway apart.
They escaped into the night.
And the grind… was just beginning.