September 24, 1998. Clear skies.
Even in September, the sunlight in Raccoon City didn't feel scorching.
For the residents of Raccoon City, the Umbrella Corporation, which dominated the city, was true to its name—a vast umbrella shielding every aspect of life here. It blocked out the searing rays of the outside world, but also concealed the filth lurking beneath that light.
Raccoon City was nestled in complex terrain: a semi-arid plain surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one route connecting it to the outside. This near-isolated environment was perfect for Umbrella's secretive research platform.
Roxas trudged along the highway toward Raccoon City, the sun beating down on him.
In his hand, he gripped a straight branch adorned with a couple of green leaves, using it as a makeshift walking stick for his long trek.
This endless road stretched on, and Roxas had no choice but to hurry. In a world like this—a world of biohazards—nightfall often spelled hopeless danger.
But danger also meant opportunity. Absolute risk came with absolute reward.
Roxas had been chasing one last thrill before his body gave out entirely. In that moment between life and death, he gained the ability to cross into other worlds.
His crossing system was passive, offering no missions. It simply activated in each new world, providing rewards from the void based on the world's timeline and fixed anchor points.
These rewards could be anything: special skills he could instantly master, characters from movies or games, even entire fantastical worlds—any of which the system might grant him.
Right now, though, Roxas just wanted a ride. Anything to avoid hoofing it on this endless road, the equivalent of riding the "number 11 bus"—his own two legs.
Enduring the September heat, Roxas finally spotted a gas station shimmering in the distance, the road warping under the sun's haze.
'Thank God, a place to catch my breath.'
He broke into a sprint toward the gas station, stopping beside a sedan parked nearby.
Standing next to the car, Roxas peered inside, waiting for its owner.
For a world-traveler like him, the biggest headaches were identity and money. Without the former, navigating advanced societies was nearly impossible. Without the latter, any world was a struggle.
Money wasn't an issue for Roxas. He'd already crossed through two worlds, and in the last one, he'd secured a generous benefactor. His personal gold reserves could probably destabilize global economies.
But in the world of Resident Evil, wealth offered little advantage. Firepower was the key to survival.
"Who are you?"
As Roxas examined the car, a voice cut through his thoughts. A woman stood beside him, arms crossed, her expression cold. She wore a red dress, black stockings, high heels, and sunglasses—an Asian woman exuding confidence.
Roxas recognized her instantly.
Ada Wong. Auntie Ada. A super-spy with no fixed loyalties, acting on her own whims. Even her name might not be real.
"You heading to Raccoon City? Mind giving me a lift?"
Roxas sidestepped her question, tossing one back instead.
It was a conversational trick, often used in high-pressure interviews: anchor the dialogue with an established fact, then pivot to your own question to seize control.
Ada studied the man before her. He was full of openings—armed with nothing but a backpack and a wooden stick that could barely pass as a weapon.
She uncrossed her arms, ignored his question, and pulled open the car door, sliding into the driver's seat.
Roxas sighed, leaning on his stick. With no response from Ada, he turned and continued toward Raccoon City.
A few steps later, he passed a "Welcome to Raccoon City" sign. Staring at the city still invisible on the horizon, he quickened his pace.
Before long, the roar of an engine approached from behind—Ada's car.
Her earlier rejection left Roxas unfazed. He had to reach the city before sunset. Otherwise, the "cute little critters" escaping from the mansion wouldn't pass up a meal like him.
The T-virus could spread through water sources, and by now, Raccoon City was a breeding ground for it.
Caught in the power struggle between the military and Umbrella, the city had been sealed off—entry allowed, but no one could leave. It had become a testing ground for bioweapons.
Lost in thoughts of *Resident Evil*'s plot, Roxas didn't notice Ada's car pulling up in front of him until her sharp voice snapped him out of it.
"Get in!"
Roxas bent down, peering through the passenger window. The woman in sunglasses was visibly impatient with his silence.
Not one to miss an opportunity, Roxas slung off his backpack, opened the door, and slid into the passenger seat.
The cool blast of the car's AC was a welcome relief in this desert-like world.
He rummaged through his backpack, pulled out a few oranges, peeled one, and offered it to Ada, who was focused on the road.
She didn't react, her voice as icy as before. "Who are you?"
This time, Roxas answered readily. "Name's Roxas. I'm a doctor. Heard about the cannibalism cases in Raccoon City on the news. Thought I'd check it out—maybe write a paper for The Lancet."
His response made Ada glance at him, her eyes hidden behind sunglasses, sizing him up.
Heading to Raccoon City now? Only covert operatives like her, Umbrella agents, or military personnel would dare. Or maybe clueless idiots.
Ada played dumb. "Cannibalism? What's that about?"
"From what I've pieced together, it's likely a variant of rabies," Roxas said. "Rabies attacks the nervous system, infecting the brain. Infected animals carry the virus in their saliva, spreading it through bites or scratches. It enters tissue, replicates minimally, then travels through nerve endings to the central nervous system."
He continued, "Something like mad cow disease could also cause agitation or violent behavior, but that's a prion, not a typical virus…"
His professional analysis eased Ada's initial suspicions. 'Maybe this guy really is just a clueless fool.'
With that, she said nothing more. She pulled the car up beside Raccoon City Hospital, dropping off her unlucky passenger.
Stepping out, Roxas gazed at the hospital, lost in thought, trying to recall the location of the underground lab.
He didn't notice that his open car door was blocking a path until a woman in a blue tank top stormed by, shoving him. He stumbled, hit his head on the car, and blacked out.
Just before he lost consciousness, Roxas caught a glimpse of a striking figure in blue, reaching out to him with an apologetic look.
(End of Chapter)