Chapter 37: The Hunter α

"Well done, Zhang Fan. Everyone, stay alert. Who knows what other monsters might lurk in this forest," Captain Enrico patted Zhang Fan's shoulder, exhaling a sigh of relief. His praise was not only for saving Rebecca but also for eliminating the monstrous creature. Had it reached Raccoon City, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Captain, should we continue our search?" Kenneth, having scoured the nearby area, approached Captain Enrico with a hint of trepidation. Everyone was understandably anxious about encountering another beast like the one they had just faced. Kenneth, being the oldest and most cautious, was especially concerned.

"Cease the search. We need to call for backup," Captain Enrico decided, signaling for the Bravo team to head back to the helicopter's landing site.

"Gunshots?" On their way back, Zhang Fan faintly heard two gunshots. His senses, now more acute than average due to his enhancements, picked up the sound that even Captain Enrico and the others failed to notice.

"What gunshots?" Forrest was confused, but Zhang Fan had already hastened towards the source of the sound, towards the direction of the helicopter.

Arriving at the scene, Zhang Fan was shocked to find it overrun with zombies. Edward, the pilot, was inside the helicopter, frantically shooting at the zombies through the window. However, in his panic, he had forgotten that shooting the zombies in the head was the only way to kill them. His haphazard gunfire was ineffective.

Zhang Fan estimated there were more than twenty zombies - an alarming number that had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. With no time to ponder this mystery, he readied his P5K and shot the nearest zombie in the head.

With each gunshot, a zombie fell. By the time the rest of the team arrived, only a handful of zombies remained.

"Open fire!" Despite his surprise at the young graduate's composure, Captain Enrico set aside his doubts and ordered the team to shoot. The sudden appearance of so many zombies gave him a bad feeling.

Soon, the zombies were all eliminated, leaving behind a scene of carnage and a foul stench. The team gathered around the helicopter, and only then did Edward emerge, still visibly shaken.

"What happened?" Captain Enrico asked, furrowing his brow.

"I don't know. They came from all around, as if out of nowhere!" Edward shook his head in disbelief.

"Any injuries or bites?" Zhang Fan asked, knowing the urgency of treating any wounds to prevent infection.

"No," Edward replied, his pale face the only sign of his ordeal.

With the helicopter now inoperable and the situation requiring police assistance, Captain Enrico ordered the team to stay put and keep watch while Richard contacted headquarters.

During this time, Zhang Fan checked his attributes panel. His skill enhancement, Firepower, had reached V2, increasing his weapon's power by 50%. He had also completed a task - "Rescue Rebecca: Kill the Hunter α and prevent Rebecca's death." So that creature was a Hunter α? No wonder it was so formidable.

Zhang Fan realized that he had killed eighteen zombies in total, earning 390 game points in addition to the task reward. The zombie outbreak was indeed a boon for earning points.

"Still nervous, Rebecca?" Zhang Fan turned his attention to her. She was still on high alert, her grip on her P5 pistol unwavering.

"Oh, Zhang Fan... Yes, I'm just being vigilant as the captain ordered," Rebecca responded, her cheeks flushing slightly as she relaxed her tense posture.

"Relax a bit," Zhang Fan advised, "Being too tense can lead to mental fatigue."

"I understand. Thanks, Zhang Fan," Rebecca said, her gaze lingering on him with a hint of admiration.