"So it's finally come to this. What do you plan to do?"
William's lips curled slightly as he spoke.
Wesker understood immediately and smiled as well.
"I think it's time to say goodbye to Umbrella."
"The bio-weapons created from the T-virus are nearly complete. All that's left is to gather real combat data."
"Already found your next employer?"
"That's not something I can tell you. Wouldn't be right to sell out my new boss before I even join."
"You don't trust me either? I'm not trying to dig for information."
"If you don't have anywhere to go, I could take you with me. I don't mind telling you where I'm heading."
Behind his sunglasses, Wesker's eyes flickered as he studied William.
"No need. I've already found my own path. It's just not time to leave yet."
William shook his head.
"I can't go. My research is at a critical stage."
"I've completed my work on the T-virus. What I need now is time to perfect something greater… the G-virus."
"Suit yourself." Wesker shrugged lightly. "I'll proceed with the original plan and lure the S.T.A.R.S. team into the mansion."
"They're elite. Highly trained. Perfect test subjects."
"And we've had an unexpected bonus. Our former colleague, Mero. His performance has been impressive."
"He took down the prototype Tyrant and gathered valuable combat data."
William's expression shifted instantly, a smile spreading across his face.
"He is impressive. If Spencer had handed that perfect specimen over to us, I would never have let him escape. My research would be far ahead by now."
Wesker patted William's shoulder, almost like encouraging an old friend.
"Spencer probably feared he'd end up like Lisa Trevor. That's why he kept him away from you. After all, Mero is far more valuable."
William snorted.
"Fine. I admit the experiments on Lisa Trevor were… excessive."
"But they weren't without results. She played a key role in the development of the G-virus."
"It's a shame Alexia died in Antarctica. I would have loved to see her face the day I unveil my G-virus."
A trace of regret flashed in William's eyes.
Compatible hosts were rare.
Mero and Lisa Trevor were among those rare few.
But William had injected Lisa with too many viral strains, stripping away her humanity and twisting her body beyond recognition.
"Still, while collecting combat data, we need to deal with our current problem."
"Our dear teacher who has returned from the dead."
"I remember every Umbrella facility has a self-destruct system installed underground, just in case of biohazard containment failure."
"Before things get worse, I'll find it and activate it. Level the entire facility. That should buy us time."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a syringe.
"And this is for you. What you've been waiting for."
"A mutated strain of the Progenitor virus."
Wesker's gaze locked onto the syringe.
...
In the ruined underground research center of the executive training facility, Mero finally washed the dried blood from his face as they passed through the viral production area.
Rebecca, walking behind him, stole a few glances.
He really should wear a mask during missions.
At first glance, the young man was unmistakably of Eastern origin.
His skin carried a clean, light bronze tone. His features were sharp but not harsh, his brow defined, his expression controlled.
His eyes held a casual, almost playful light, yet when he focused, there was something cutting beneath it.
A straight nose, a clean jawline, no excess angles.
Short, neat hair, a few loose strands falling over his forehead, adding a hint of wildness.
He felt like a blade still sheathed.
And what Rebecca remembered most… were those bright black eyes.
This was the first time she had truly looked at him.
Before, everything had been chaos and bloodshed. The darkness of battle had painted him in red.
She herself had been no better. Perhaps worse.
Only after entering the processing area had Mero casually washed himself with a handful of water.
Dried blood could interfere with combat performance.
"If I'm not mistaken, whoever's behind this is watching us right now."
Mero gave a faint scoff.
"Clever. But not enough."
He showed no concern.
The Tyrant T-001 had taken only minutes to deal with.
To him, these bio-weapons were nothing special.
One was easy.
Even several at once would not trouble him.
No matter how far genetic manipulation went, life on this planet was still carbon-based.
As long as it remained flesh, it could not stand against modern technology.
Mero walked forward, idly spinning his revolver in hand, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"The T-virus… I wonder if it's compatible with me."
Most people only knew Umbrella researched viruses.
They did not understand why.
Bio-weapons alone were not worth it.
Umbrella already had interests in military industries. From a financial standpoint, bio-weapons were inefficient.
And global opposition to biological weapons had long been established.
Mero, as a perfect Progenitor host, had once been deeply involved in Umbrella's research.
They had not told him everything.
But he knew far more than outsiders.
Even fragments of conversation had revealed enough.
Bio-weapons were merely byproducts.
Umbrella's true purpose had always been viral research.
The company's rise as a corporate giant was simply a means to fund that goal.
What the founders truly sought…
Was the Progenitor virus's ability to reconstruct DNA.
To strengthen the body.
To extend life for centuries.
The mortality rate was terrifyingly high.
But success was possible.
Their goal was simple.
Increase that success rate.
The T-virus was a continuation of that research, combining the Progenitor virus with leech DNA.
Unwanted outcomes were called mutation.
Desired outcomes were called evolution.
A stronger body.
A longer life.
And most importantly, retaining one's mind.
That was evolution.
Mero was a special case.
He had already achieved it.
His body had perfectly fused with the Progenitor virus, enhancing him without side effects.
Human in form.
Comparable to a bio-weapon in physical capability.
Fully capable of using human knowledge and technology.
That was the difference between him and the death row inmates turned into Tyrants.
And now, with the T-virus as a further development…
Even if flesh could never rival machines head-on, that did not stop ambition.
After walking for some time, Mero and Rebecca arrived at a heavy metal door.
Rebecca sought justice.
She wanted to save people.
Her reasons were simple.
Mero, on the other hand…
Wanted the money.
And the virus.
Greedy, in the most honest way.