Nest of Monsters

The sun had reached its highest point just an hour ago, but the heat was still at its peak. Mojave desert was a complete wasteland with no greeneries anywhere the eye could see.

The only plants that could be found there were dried shrubberies or cactus plants. You would be lucky to find a tree where you could rest your hot pants. The burning asphalt made it even worse, reflecting the heat to everything around it.

However, through these multiple trials, a single car was speeding on the hot asphalt. Destination, Dryfield.

Bang!

Kacha!

A single bullet, the size of a human finger, flew out of the shattered back window, while the car was desperately maintaining its speed.

That was the second bullet I shot. It flew about 800 meters away, puncturing a hole at one of the chasing alpacas' hearts. It rolled a few times over, twisting its limbs before it got stampeded by the multiple hoofs of the weird NMCs. They were right behind us.

Even after reinforcing the rifle, I could still feel the recoil pushing me. As one of the best sniper rifles, this one was really powerful.

I used the dashboard in front of my seat to hold my back while using the lowered headrest to hold the barrel. At the same time, Aya's attention was focused on the straight road, trying to maintain the distance between them and us. She was very nervous at the moment.

Seeing that they were still far away, I glanced over the information of the rifle.

<Barret M82a1 (Reinforced)>

<Durability: 40/20>

<Grants Moderate improvement on the rifle's recoil, reload speed, bullet travel speed, and trajectory.>

<Grants Item Abilities: Optical Scope (Passive), Impact Shock (Active).

===

<Optical Scope (Passive)>

<Upon equipping the weapon, form a circle of light around the user's left/right eye which is capable of working as a primary scope with a targeting reticule (crosshairs). The targeting reticule will automatically adjust to the movement speed of the wind, and helps in predicting the target's next movement.>

===

<Impact Shoot (Active)>

<Upon hit, sent a wave of powerful sonic blast around the point of impact.>

===

"How many are coming, Regina?" I whispered without alarming Aya.

[15, and it's still increasing.] replied Regina, immediately.

Just as she has done replying, several shadows came out from the hidden spot behind a nearby cliff and fissure. In an instant, around 20 or so NMCs, the same type as the group chasing me, were right behind our tail.

Despite the limited ammo of the Barret M82a1, I still used it to gather the attention of the surrounding NMCs. The loud noise caused by this weapon would act as some kind of an alarm to announce our arrival.

I pointed the muzzle of the rifle toward the approaching group. The circle of white light in front of my right retina started spinning before focusing, looking for the target.

"Impact Shock," I muttered, before pulling the trigger.

BAM!

The sound was completely different than before, it was louder and thicker. It traveled the 300m points mark in under a 1/10th of a second, maybe faster. It flew through the front most Chaser, brushing its swaying hair, before hitting the poor Chaser in the middle of the pack. The bullet crushed its eyeball and a disk of pressured air expanded with the eye socket as the center, blasting everything within the 10m sphere.

The main target immediately died with its bones and fleshes crushed over and over again, while the other around it blasted up in the air or just fell down on the ground, tumbling for a few meters, breaking their neck or leg in the process.

While some immediately died, the lucky ones were only rendered stunned on the ground, having difficulty to even move their eyelids. Still, they were ignored as the further monsters, who weren't affected at all, trampled over them. It was pure chaos... for them, of course.

<+7500 EXP>

<+7800 EXP>

<+7000 EXP>

...

...

After that third shot, I immediately changed my approach, and that is to use normal guns. The power of the skill, combined with the rifle's firepower, was far more destructive than I thought it would be. It wouldn't be good if I used it recklessly, might as well save it for a Boss Battle.

"How long until we reached the town?" I asked.

"It won't be long, I see it," replied Aya immediately, noticing the landmark on the horizon.

"Tsk...!" I intentionally clicked my tongue at the answer. Aya thought that I was troubled as the enemy keep coming over and we were still hadn't made it to the city yet. Little did she know that I was a bit disappointed at the lack of enemy and time.

"Hold on, I'll find a place to hide later inside the town," said Aya, trying to console me.

I threw the sniper rifle at the back seat, switching it with an M4A1. After reinforcement, it had three Item Abilities; Aim-Assist, Silent Strike, Electric Shock.

I immediately activate Electric Shock, giving a paralyzing effect on the bullets.

Papapapapapa!!

Coated with electric charges, the bullets flashed toward the group, immobilizing them upon hit. It wasn't over yet. As they tumbled, they got extra damage from falling and were crushed by their own group.

I wickedly sneered, welcoming, with open hands, "Come to me, you ugly bastards!"

As if knowing that I was mocking them, the group of Chasers that was still on their feet, madly howled. The first massacre... started, just like that.

======

At the same time, somewhere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Deep inside the VIP room of a luxurious Casino for the riches, An old man, wearing a white tuxedo and black ribbon tie, was sitting on the Blackjack table. On his hand were two cards, a ten of heart and a six of spade. The dealer was waiting for him to choose hit or stand.

The room he was in was very dim, compared to the other rooms. The only light illuminating them was the one on top of the table. However, silhouettes of huge men could be seen surrounding the two in the middle, like a guard.

The old man and the dealer never shared a word during their play. But still, traces of sweat could be seen drenching the young dealer's back. Clearly, he was very frightened of the old man in front of him.

Suddenly, the door leading to this room was opened, alerting the huge men guarding inside. Yet, the odd thing was, they didn't reach for a weapon, but it still appeared in their hands. Hammers, swords, knives, etc. In this dimmed room, their eyes shone ominously.

It was eerily silent, with only the sound of high heels trotting inside. A long-haired blonde woman, wearing a plain purple dress walked toward the dealer. Her eyes strangely hypnotizing, causing the dealer to leave the room immediately, sparing him from what was about to come.

"You're intruding my free time, Alexia." said the old man, doubling his chips on the table.

Alexia, who was now taking the role of the dealer, draw a new card for him, a four of spade.

"Don't be stingy, I help you to become what you are today. Sparing a few minutes for me wouldn't hurt, isn't it?" replied Alexia Ashford. She then smirked before adding, "besides, I'm here to deliver good news."

Just like the old man said, the woman before him was Alexia Ashford. After her mysterious disappearance two years ago, she was invited by the old man to help fulfilling his destiny.

Even though he already had an incomparable genius standing by his side, it was still not enough. His dream was just that hard. And then, Alexia became the core nail in his grand plan.

And then, two years later, they finally succeeded. With the help of two geniuses, he transcended. And so, the huge men around him became the living proof of his accomplishment.

"A good news? What is it?" Asked the old man, after counting that he had 20 on his card.

Alexia, as a dealer revealed her card. The exposed first card was a 2 of diamond, and the second one was a Queen of Heart, totaling 12. She then drew another card, a 9 of spade. Now totaling 21, she won over the old man's 20.

"Aren't you a little boring? I thought you would be a bit more interested," muttered Alexia, taking all of the old man's chips.

"Well, if you're as old as me, you might have found everything rather boring as well." replied the old man, throwing the card away, which suddenly combusted into ashes.

"Is it because you already gain your wish?" sneered Alexia. Although she felt a bit envious of the old man's newfound power, it wasn't flawless.

"Probably." muttered the old man while staring at the old wrinkles on his hand.

Realizing that the old man was rather reluctant to talk with, Alexia then "Fine. I'll tell you. I found the secret lab."

Suddenly, the old man's eye glimmered with fervor. The mere mention of the secret lab immediately snapped him awake. His "special" transformation to the current him couldn't reach a satisfactory result. No matter what they did, no matter how many resources they spent, they just couldn't replicate the relic of the past.

Although he was much healthier compared to the past, he was still weak. The Genma cells gave him immortality and access to life creation, but without combat power, it would be hard to survive for long. Not to mention, he hadn't made a pact yet, with the Demon God, Fortinbras, the true creator of the Genma. His current ability, albeit magically wonderful, was still limited.

However, one day, Alexia Ashford, propose an idea. Triggering the Genma cells inside his body, with the help of Neo-Mitochondria Cells, to fully awaken. Once again, they found a new light. But the question is, where could they find a Neo-Mitochondrian Creature? Nevertheless, a living one?

They were stuck for months and months without any result or finding. And now, Alexia had offered him the best gift he ever wanted. He unknowingly smiled.

"Now that's the expression I want to see." smiled Alexia, bewitchingly.

Unaffected by Alexia's temptation, the old man then asked, "How is it?"

"It's still intact, but some bugs lingered inside it, I think you need to sign for pest control," explained Alexia, starting a new round of Blackjack by drawing the cards for both of them.

"It won't be a problem." replied the old man, shortly, while glancing at his cards, a king of spade and a six of heart, with a total of 16 points.

"But first, before I lead you there, you'll need to grant me a reward," said Alexia, a queen of diamonds and a face-down card.

"What is it that you want, Alexia? Aren't you powerful enough to take everything by force?" asked the old man.

"I want the Wesker Project," announced Alexia, after finding out that she had a ten of clovers, which meant she had 20 points.

"..."

Thinking that the old man was reluctant to agree, Alexia asked, "Is it impossible? Then, forget it."

The old man just sighed. The Wesker Project was and always is his greatest achievement after all. Handing it out to someone tore a piece of his heart.

Reluctantly yielding, he then said, "Fine, I'll assign some people to pass everything to you. But you'll need to convince Alex by yourself."

(Note: Alex Wesker and Alexia Ashford are two different characters. Alex is the crazy Wesker wonderchild who wanted to take Edward for herself. And Alexia is the main boss of RE: Code Veronica, which in this novel, disappeared after SHIELD attacked the Ashford's Antarctic Base several tens of chapters before.)

As the current leader and the only survivor of the Wesker Project, Alex would strongly refuse the transfer. If he told her directly, it would be the same as if Spencer was slapping Alex's cheek with the word "incompetent" written on it. It would be the biggest disgrace she would ever get, and she would resist it, even if she had to bite the hand that fed her. That was why Spencer wanted Alexia to deal with her by herself.

"Then, we have a deal," said Alexia.

"I know you are a wonderful genius, but that girl... she has a sinister brain." warned the old man while doubling the chips he threw in earlier. It became the same game as before. While Alexia drew a card for him, he then added, "Everything you've seen is not everything that is."

The card was a five of diamond, totaling 21 points for him. It was the old man's win, this time.

Alexia unbothered by the result of the game dismissed the old man's warning as nonsense rambling. She walked away and left the room. Of course, not before telling the old man where to go next. After she disappeared on the other side of the door, the old man stood as well, intending to leave.

A butler then walked next to him. Offering a tea, the butler asked, "Where do you want to go next, Lord Spencer?"

Under the shadowy light caused by the dim lighting, Oswell E. Spencer, the founder of Umbrella Corporation, turned his head to the butler. His eyes glowed old, frighteningly captivating. He had no expression as he started to imagine the far future, where he grasped the world in his hand, along with his loyal followers.

If the light wasn't dimmed, someone would have noticed that the only living people inside were only Lord Spencer and his butler. The huge men that were standing, shoulder to shoulder, around them were all a living dead. Cold breath could be seen forming near their mouth, and their eyes were so cold that it would freeze anyone who seen them.

However, unlike the mindless zombies that roamed Raccoon City two years ago, they all retained a little bit of their former Intelligent. Though it was only their carnal desire to consume the soul of the living, they wouldn't move if Lord Spencer didn't order them to.

They were all the new Genmas that Lord Spencer had created after his coronation as the new Genma Lord. Or so he thought...

The space next to Lord Spencer ruptured. A dreadful staff appeared on his hand. If Edward saw it, he would've immediately recognized it as the staff that Guildenstern, who he faced back then in Paris, used.

"Let's go. It will be our first step to conquer this world," muttered Lord Spencer with all of his Genmas standing behind him, howling and craving for the living souls.

======

At the same time, X-Mansion.

A blonde girl was sitting, naked, with her arms wrapping her knees under the showers. The water was still raining on her, drenching her head, and flowed through her delicate body.

Sherry was in pain. She bit her lips until it bleeds. Her nails could be seen digging into her pale flesh. Her eyes would glow bright gold a few times over, while she tried to suppress her own emotion and bloodlust.

And her back... something was moving inside her back...