The police station was silent, filled only with Marvin's labored breathing.
After organizing his equipment, Ryan sat quietly, waiting for Leon.
Although he had altered Leon's original route, he believed Leon would make it back safely.
Exhaustion weighed on him. After everything he had experienced, his mind was close to its limit. Leaning against the sofa, he almost fell asleep.
But he knew he couldn't relax—not even here.
If he could develop constant vigilance, it might save his life later.
Just as his vision blurred—
BOOM!
A violent crash shook the entire building.
Ryan jumped to his feet.
"That must be the helicopter…"
In the original timeline, this was the moment Leon reunited with Claire.
---
On the fire escape, Leon stared in shock at the helicopter embedded in the wall.
"Leon? I'm here!"
Claire's voice came from below.
Leon rushed to the railing.
"Wait! I'm coming!"
He hurried downstairs.
Through the fence, they smiled at each other.
"Claire… it's really good to see you."
"You too. Are you okay?"
"Yeah… I'm fine."
Despite everything, there was a strange awkwardness between them.
Claire tugged at the locked gate.
"You don't happen to have a key, do you?"
Leon sighed.
If she could get inside, things would be much easier.
He briefly told her about Ryan.
Claire smiled.
"I'm glad you're not alone."
---
Then—
The helicopter above ignited.
Flames erupted.
BOOM!
The explosion shook everything.
Zombies in the courtyard began to rise.
Leon's expression changed.
"You need to go!"
Claire turned back.
"We'll escape. All of us."
"Go, Claire! Now!"
She hesitated—
Then ran.
Leon watched until she disappeared.
---
The zombies turned toward him.
The fence rattled under their weight.
Leon quickly grabbed his radio.
"Ryan, do you copy? I'm surrounded!"
Ryan responded immediately.
"I hear you. You're at the fire escape, right?"
"Yeah—and this gate won't hold much longer!"
Ryan thought quickly.
"Enter through the first floor. Find the east office near the guard room—there should be a fuse there."
"Install it at the east shutter. I'll meet you there."
"Got it."
---
Ryan prepared to move—
But suddenly—
A hand grabbed him.
Marvin.
He was awake.
Ryan forced a smile.
"Did I wake you?"
Marvin shook his head and struggled to sit up.
"You need rest—"
"No…"
Marvin's voice was weak.
"Ryan… I won't make it."
Ryan froze.
"Put me out of my misery."
Ryan shook his head.
"No… I can't…"
This wasn't just a character anymore.
This was someone who had cared for him.
Someone real.
Marvin's voice grew strained.
"I believe in you… but I can't go on."
"When I look at you… I see food."
Ryan's vision blurred with tears.
"Please… don't make me do this…"
Marvin gasped.
"You wouldn't let me suffer… would you?"
Ryan stepped back.
He couldn't do it.
He just couldn't.
Then—
Suddenly—
Marvin grabbed his hand.
Pressed the gun to his own mouth—
Bang.
---
When Leon arrived—
He stopped.
Ryan stood silently.
Marvin lay on the ground.
Blood spread beneath him.
Leon walked closer.
"…Are you okay?"
Ryan didn't respond.
His eyes were empty.
Leon's expression hardened—
SLAP!
The sound echoed.
"Are you just going to give up and die too?! Live—for him!"
Ryan snapped back.
"That hurt, you idiot! I wasn't even saying anything!"
Leon blinked.
"…Sorry."
---
Ryan walked over slowly.
He looked at Marvin.
Then spoke quietly:
"I'll live… for both of us."
He took Marvin's badge.
Held it tightly.
"Wang Quan is gone."
"I am Ryan Smith."
"I'll survive."
He placed the badge in his vest.
Then turned.
"Let's go."
---
They entered the hidden passage.
Through a small office.
Down the elevator.
Through a long underground corridor.
Finally—
They reached a machine room.
Then—
A loud metallic sound echoed above them.
Something massive moved across the ceiling.
A low, inhuman howl followed.
Leon tensed.
"What the hell was that?!"
Ryan tightened his grip on his Matilda.
"…Whatever it is…"
"It means things are about to get worse."
---
New Creature (Unknown / Large Mutant)
A massive entity moving through the underground area.
Fast, heavy, and produces loud metallic sounds.
Likely a high-level bioweapon.
Underground Area (RPD Basement)
Hidden passage beneath the Goddess Statue.
Leads to mechanical and industrial zones.
More dangerous than the police station above.
---