"And if we refuse?" Albert Wesker said. Edward's eyes moved to him. Umbrella's cybersecurity department was not a joke. During this brief conversation, they regained some control over their system, which is why Wesker was able to unmute himself. Edward casually checked on Morgana's operating system, ensuring he had nothing to worry about. This act by Umbrella was nothing but a temporary show of power.
"Many things could happen," Edward replied calmly. "The US government pays your company more than $300 billion yearly for your weapons and research, and that's not mentioning the secret agreements you have with other countries like the UK, France, Russia, and China.
"Now that I have your data, I only need to sell them to these countries. After all, why would they pay you if they can do the research themselves?" Edward smiled. "And you're lucky I'm in a good mood. If not, I only need to tap a few keys to create a problem in your boiler room's heat and pressure regulation. Then, boom! The entire building explodes." Edward's smile became sadistic. "Don't you love it when everything is manually controlled?"
A female senior official coughed to ease the situation. "There is no need for all that. We need to negotiate a whole, but your plan is convincing enough."
"I'm glad to hear that," Edward nodded. "I'll be waiting for your response, but you have two hours."
"That's a little short, isn't it? Such a major decision —-"
"Two hours are more than enough time to manufacture this cure and prepare the means of transportation. Be glad I'm giving you any time at all," Edward said before rudely closing the call. However, as soon as the conversation ended, Edward wiped the computer clean before slowly walking out of his hotel. He changed cars to head to a third hotel. This was a wise move because a team of Umbrella mercenaries showed up at this hotel less than an hour later.
For the next two hours, Umbrella utilized all its available resources to locate Edward, including its contacts at various departments of the US government. However, once the deadline arrived, their systems were once again invaded, but Edward only left a five-minute countdown. Without a choice, Umbrella ordered the antidote to be delivered to Raccoon City.
Edward was the first to receive notifications from his Samsara Watch. While his antidote was a cure for the zombies, it would also cause fatal wounds to all the zombies. So, the first notifications were about the missions for killing zombies. Unfortunately, the watch stopped counting after he killed 1000 zombies, so he only received 1550 points for all the zombie-killing missions. He also received an additional 2300 points for killing 23 lickers.
Edward continued to evade the law, and on the second day, he received 10,000 points for saving Raccoon City. However, Umbrella remained persistent in its efforts to find him. Edward remained low-key and hid until the three days were up, and a white light enveloped him as he disappeared from this world.
When he opened his eyes, Edward found himself in a white room with his team next to him — including William. However, there was an extra person —- the reporter, Terri Morales. Based on body language, he could tell she was close to William, and Edward's lips twitched as he thought of something.
Everyone was looking at William, who remained calm and composed. However, before anyone could say anything, a grand voice echoed in this empty room:
[You have passed the introduction mission. Welcome, soldiers, to the Samsara Hall.]
The voice had the innate ability to make everyone feel small and powerless. The strange thing is, it appeared effortlessly; it was not as if the voice was intently trying to do so, but that its power was so vast compared to mortals that they could not help but feel as such on a soul level.
'It's been a while,' Edward thought as he sensed the trembling of his soul.
[Does anybody need healing? Since this is your first time, no points are required.]
"We need healing," William said with a pale complexion.
{You need to pay 10 points for your companion]
"Fine by me," William said before looking at Terri with loving eyes, which made her face red for a brief second. A white light descended on them, and their complexion returned to normal.
[Reincarnator 3G699376565, you have made an outstanding achievement by accomplishing the Perfect Mission. Would you like to announce to the entire Samsara Wall of your great deed?]
Edward pondered. Fame was a significant aspect in the Samsara Hall, especially for the more powerful reincarnators. However, he did not want to reveal his information quite yet, even though it wouldn't be long before everybody found out. "Can I use a nickname?"
[Names are only granted to Lieutenant Rank Reincarnator, but given your special circumstance, you will be given an exception.]
"Good. I want to use the name Lord Doom."
[Congratulations to Lord Doom for completing a 1-Star Perfect Mission.]
These words reverberated throughout the entire Samsara, alarming every member, from the weakest member to the strongest team —- everybody knew. At first, nobody cared, as they thought it was probably some top team that used its overwhelming power to gain points in low-tier areas. However, when the reincarnators realized they had no idea who Lord Doom was, people started to piece together that someone new might have arrived on the scene. Numerous information brokers immediately began digging to find Lord Doom.
[Now that the mission is over, you can enter your private room or return to Earth. Here are the rules.]
A white light enveloped everyone, sending basic information about the Samsara Hall to everybody. Edward resisted the urge to show any expression as he did not like how this hall had direct access to his mind and possibly his soul. However, this was part of the risks involved in this mission.
Edward slowly checked his newly updated watch:
[Name: Edward Bones.
[Samsara Name: Lord Doom.
[Samsara ID: 3G699376565
[Rank: Soldier
[Tier: 0 (Subhealthy Mortal)
[Designated Area: UK
[Team: None
[Mission: None (Next Mission is 1 week Earth Time)
[Points: 13900]
Edward looked at his status, and everything appeared to be alright, except for the designated area column. Firstly, he was born in South Africa. Although he spent most of his time in the UK, this was not his designated area. Secondly, he did not understand the desire to separate everybody in the first place.
Edward shook his head, then focused on the team. "Congrats," Nate was the first to say. "Thanks," Edward nodded nonchalantly. He was thinking of bribing these people to keep their mouths shut about his identity, but he realized it was pointless. There is no way to bind them. Well, there is —- he could buy a magical contract from the Samsara List. However, the things his points can currently buy are cheap, meaning others can buy better means to remove whatever restriction Edward used.
"No need to worry. We will keep your identity a secret," Booth said.
"That's right," Nate nodded.
"No, I know one of you will sell the information, but it doesn't really matter," Edward said calmly, his gaze not leaving William.
"I like it when a person understands the situation. It makes the game a lot more fun," William smiled.
Edward ignored him and turned to Dr. Frey. "Do you want to add me as a friend?" The Samsara Watch allowed communication between reincarnators.
"I would love to."
"Good," Edward nodded. She was the only one he truly cared about in this team. He had read her published papers, and she's quite brilliant — albeit limited by her time. If she becomes a Bloodline Wizard, she will be on his recruiting list for the Empire. Nate and William are the kind of people who will thrive in the Samsara Hall, but Edward knew they would not be able to keep up with the speed at which he would grow.
As for Booth, well, he's useless. It's apparent he's been to at least 2 to 3 missions, but he's barely reached Tier 1. If nothing unexpected happens, he will die in the next few missions. So, after getting Evie's number, Edward teleported to his private room.