A black sedan, emblazoned with the Umbrella Corporation logo, slowly pulled into the bustling street traffic. Inside, Matthew, seated in the back, meticulously examined his perfectly tailored suit.
Eleanor had provided it. The delicate stitching and luxurious feel made even an amateur like him realize its significant cost.
"Ross, does an assistant's job also include pre-ordering suits for me?" Matthew asked, a hint of humor in his voice.
Eleanor, behind the wheel, paused briefly before responding. "More accurately, from now on, I'll be responsible for managing your food, clothing, housing, and transportation. It's part of my job."
"Then you'll be quite busy with your work from now on." Matthew reopened his laptop, resuming the document he had yet to finish.
The first half detailed his father's entry into the Umbrella Corporation, a section Matthew felt could be entirely skipped. The latter half, however, outlined the specific responsibilities of the Security Department.
[The Security Department is primarily responsible for internal company security, destroying all evidence detrimental to the company, responding to biohazard leaks, protecting important company personnel, deploying BOWs...]
In essence, it handled all the dirty and arduous tasks for the Umbrella Corporation. While Matthew wouldn't perform these jobs himself, he still needed to understand their execution.
After reviewing Eleanor's document, Matthew grasped his true role: personnel transfers, mission approvals, and requesting operational funds from the main company. 'Hmm, that last one was particularly important.'
It perfectly exemplified the saying, 'Money makes the mare go.' Without money, who would work for you?
Soon after, the car smoothly stopped before the Umbrella Building. Matthew and Eleanor stepped out in turn.
The Umbrella Corporation's Security Department was located in Manhattan, New York. It was the same building Matthew had observed from his hotel room the previous night.
The skyscraper stood prominently in the heart of Manhattan, directly opposite Stark Tower. Matthew gazed up at the one hundred-meter-tall structure, took a deep breath, and entered.
Meanwhile, at the nearby Stark Tower, Tony Stark emerged from his sports car, a freshly made cheeseburger in hand. He glanced at Matthew's receding figure, then turned to Happy Hogan beside him.
"Happy, it looks like I need a better-looking bodyguard and driver," Tony quipped. "See, even a random guy's driver looks better than you."
Happy cast a look in Matthew's direction, a noncommittal smile playing on his slightly plump face. "That's not just 'a random guy,' that's the newly appointed 'head' of the Umbrella Corporation's Security Department."
"And the one accompanying him is Eleanor Ross, the assistant to the previous head, Theodore Lawrence." Happy continued. "Also..." He raised an arm, patting his bicep playfully. "I don't think that delicate little frame could protect anyone."
Tony Stark scanned Happy up and down. After two seconds of silence, he took a bite of his cheeseburger, said nothing, and turned towards the company building.
Seeing this, Happy, still by the car, quickly followed, attempting to 'sell' his 'flabby biceps' to Tony Stark.
Inside the company building, people moved in an endless stream, each absorbed in their tasks. Matthew and Eleanor navigated the busy crowd, boarding an elevator requiring [Level 3] clearance.
Inside the elevator, Matthew noticed the clearance bracelet on Eleanor's wrist. It triggered a strange sense of déjà vu, reminding him of his pre-transmigration days, searching for clearance cards in games.
"Ross, who designed the bracelet on your wrist?" Matthew asked curiously in the confined space.
"...This?" Eleanor raised her hand, displaying the bracelet. "This was designed at the request of Spencer, one of the Board of Directors."
"My company clearance is [Level 4], and yours is [Level 5], the highest clearance within the department."
"So I actually have one of these bracelets too?" Matthew inquired.
"No, I had headquarters process your clearance before you even arrived," Eleanor explained. "From now on, you just need to use facial recognition."
As they spoke, the elevator reached its designated underground floor. Matthew stepped out, looking at the weapon display racks lining the walls.
The area was incredibly spacious, showcasing everything from small daggers to large grenade launchers. He felt a little confused about why Eleanor had brought him here.
"Mr. Lawrence, according to the work your father left for me before his passing, this is currently the task you need to complete," Eleanor stated. "Learn a series of military skills."
"Subordinates might betray you for profit, and bodyguards can die in combat," she continued. "Besides, I think you should understand, the head of a Security Department shouldn't be someone who can't even tie a chicken."
Eleanor took a stack of documents from her bag. "This is a list I prepared in advance. You can choose any of these individuals to be your instructors."
"Of course, you don't need to worry about the upcoming training causing any damage to the facility. This is the [twenty-fifth] underground floor, specially treated, and all the weapons displayed here are within safe parameters."
Matthew simply responded, "..." 'This was forcing him to become stronger.'
It was perfect, though. He had already considered finding someone to train him after joining the Umbrella Corporation, so now he didn't even need to bring it up himself.
He took the documents Eleanor handed him. After flipping through them for a moment, Matthew's gaze suddenly sharpened.
Then he said decisively, "He's the one!"
Eleanor leaned closer, following Matthew's gaze. Soon, a photo came into view.
In the picture, the person wore a Gas Mask, a black military helmet, and a black protective suit covering their entire body. A tactical vest completed the ensemble, with items like a submachine gun, tactical grenades, and flashbangs strapped to their waist.
Shifting her gaze to the personal resume next to the photo, Eleanor couldn't help but read out the person's codename. "Hunk...?"
"Mm." Matthew nodded, then pointed to the annual salary of [one point two million] US dollars marked below Hunk's resume. "And give him a [twenty percent] raise."
"A [twenty percent] raise? This..." Eleanor began, but Matthew interrupted before she could finish.
"Your salary will also be increased by [twenty percent]."
"Understood!" Eleanor responded immediately.
[System Points +20, Eleanor Ross is extremely grateful to you.]
[Accumulated System Points are thirty points. Pass reward – 5 Junior Zombie Dogs (already stored in System Space).]
[The next stage reward is for accumulating one hundred points. Please make good use of System rewards to benefit the people.]
Matthew simply responded, "..." 'He was now beyond complaining about the System rewards.'
Cold white lights illuminated the entire area, leaving no shadows. Soon after, the closed elevator doors slowly opened.
A figure, exuding coldness and an oppressive aura, slowly stepped out of the elevator car. "Sir, Hunk reporting for duty."