Chapter 14: Regroup and Redemption

The Ambulance came to a screeching halt on the middle of Raccoon City, its doors hissing open to reveal a city in chaos. Smoke rose from distant fires, and the eerie silence was broken only by the occasional distant groan of the undead. The group stepped out cautiously, weapons at the ready.

Azizah's system chimed softly, signaling the completion of her overarching mission.

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System Update

Objective Completed: Officers Remaining: 14

Bonus Survivors Found: 5 (Kevin Ryman, Rita Phillips, Claire Redfield, Sherry Birkin, Annate Birkin)

Challenge Progress: 100%

Reward: 200 Points + 5 Gacha Spins

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She exhaled deeply, her exhaustion tempered by a flicker of satisfaction. The sight of the city, though, quickly reminded her that their journey was far from over.

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A City in Chaos

"Where do we go now?" Claire asked, holding Sherry tightly.

Azizah glanced at the others. "The RPD survivors should still be near the checkpoint we set up earlier. We regroup and find temporary shelter. From there, we plan our next steps."

Leon and Kevin nodded in agreement, and the group moved quickly, staying low and silent to avoid drawing attention. They wove through deserted streets littered with abandoned cars, overturned barricades, and signs of desperate last stands.

Eventually, they reached the designated checkpoint: a small, reinforced building that had once served as a storage depot. Inside, a handful of RPD officers, weary and battle-worn, looked up in surprise as the group entered.

"Lockhart?" Marvin Branagh's face lit up with relief. "You made it!"

"We all did," Azizah replied, glancing at her group. "And we brought help."

"Kevin?" Marvin's voice cracked slightly, his composure faltering. "You're alive?"

Kevin gave him a tired grin, gripping his shotgun tightly. "Barely. You didn't think a little apocalypse could take me down, did you?"

Marvin let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for hours. "I thought you were gone. We lost so many people… I just assumed…" He trailed off, shaking his head.

Azizah stepped forward, resting a hand on Marvin's shoulder. "We're here now, and we're getting everyone out. Where are the others?"

Marvin straightened, his professionalism returning. "Most of the survivors are holed up in the east wing. Supplies are running low, and morale isn't much better. But seeing you all here… it's a miracle."

The officers quickly brought them up to speed. The outbreak had escalated, but the checkpoint remained secure—at least for now. Azizah felt a grim satisfaction; they had reached a momentary sanctuary.

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System Rewards

As the group settled in, Azizah found a quiet corner to finally address her system rewards. She activated the interface, her fingers trembling slightly from fatigue.

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Points Available: 350

Gacha Spins Available: 6

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Azizah decided to use three of her spins, hoping for items or skills that could bolster their chances of survival.

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Spin 1: Herb (Healing Item - Resident Evil)

A green herb materialized in her inventory, its familiar glow offering a comforting reminder of its healing properties.

Spin 2: M-11 Suppressor (Mass Effect 3)

Her heart skipped a beat as a sleek, futuristic pistol appeared in her hand. Compact and deadly, the M-11 Suppressor felt balanced and precise, perfect for stealth combat.

Spin 3: Lara Croft's Skills (Tomb Raider)

Azizah grinned as the system infused her with knowledge and muscle memory. The skills of the iconic adventurer included advanced climbing, marksmanship, and survival instincts. She clenched her fists, feeling a surge of confidence. These skills would undoubtedly give her an edge.

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Sharing the Bounty

Azizah returned to the group, distributing her newfound resources. She handed the herb to Annate. "For Sherry, if she gets hurt," she said.

Annate accepted it gratefully. "Thank you."

She then showed the M-11 Suppressor to Leon and Kevin. "A new toy. If we need to go quiet, this should help."

Kevin whistled. "Where do you keep finding these things?"

Azizah smirked. "Let's just say I'm resourceful."

Finally, she demonstrated her enhanced agility and climbing skills by scaling a nearby structure with ease, earning a round of impressed looks. "Looks like the training's paid off," she quipped.

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A Temporary Plan

As night fell, the group huddled in the checkpoint. Marvin laid out a map of the city, marking key areas with a red marker.

"We can't stay here for long," he said. "The streets are crawling with infected, and supplies are running low."

Azizah nodded. "We need a long-term plan. We either find a way to evacuate or secure a permanent safe zone."

Annette spoke up, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "Umbrella's main headquarters has a communication hub. If we can reach it, we might be able to call for help—or at least learn more about their operations."

"That's risky," Kevin said. "But it might be our best shot."

Azizah leaned over the map, her system quietly offering potential routes. "We'll need to scout the area first. Let's rest tonight and move out at dawn."

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A Quiet Moment

Azizah sat apart from the others, her mind racing. The weight of leadership was heavy, but the system's guidance—and the trust of her companions—kept her grounded.

"Hey," Leon's voice broke her reverie. He handed her a cup of water. "You've been carrying us through all this. How are you holding up?"

Azizah managed a small smile. "Just doing what needs to be done."

"Well," Leon said, sitting beside her. "We wouldn't have made it this far without you. So, thanks."

Azizah nodded, her resolve strengthening. She glanced at the horizon, the faint glow of fires casting eerie shadows over the city. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, they had a moment of peace.

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To Be Continued...