Lear's conversation with Ada was just a brief interlude, and the group quickly prepared to depart. Ada led the way at the front, with Leon, Claire, and Alyssa following closely behind. Lear, accompanied by Friday, stayed at the rear of the group to secure the formation. The five-member team and one pet headed straight toward the Underground Laboratory of the Umbrella Corporation.
When they passed by the Kendo Gun Shop on the way, it could no longer be described as deserted. Several Zombie Dogs that Lear had crushed earlier—two headless Zombie Dogs lay sprawled in the backyard—their brains and blood splattered throughout the entire room. The bodies had already swollen and decayed, emitting a nauseating foul odor. As soon the group pushed open the door and entered, the intense, fishy stench hit them face-first, assaulting their nostrils.
The brutal and disgusting scene before their eyes left Leon and Claire somewhat stunned. Even Ada, the seasoned spy accustomed to bloodshed, couldn't help but frown tightly.
"What... exactly happened here?" Leon gazed at the mess scattered across the floor and murmured involuntarily. Alyssa, meanwhile, forced herself to suppress the turmoil in her stomach, walked over to the Zombie Dog corpses, and quickly took photographs for evidence with her camera.
Claire stared at the headless dog corpses on the ground, brow furrowed, and answered Leon.
"These Zombie Dogs were crushed outright. The person who did this possesses terrifying strength—at least capable of lifting and firmly controlling a Doberman zombie weighing over thirty kilograms single-handed. It's definitely not something an ordinary person could do."
Ada seamlessly continued, "Just whether this person is friend or foe remains unknown."
Right after she spoke, Lear, who had been standing at the back of the group, quietly raised his hand and softly said, "Um... I handled these Zombie Dogs."
The others immediately turned to look at him, all eyes focusing on him, the straightforward gazes making Lear feel utterly uncomfortable.
After a moment of silence, Ada slowly spoke, her eyes sizing up Lear with a mix of teasing and puzzlement: "That makes sense. Even the Tyrant was dealt with by you, so these Zombie Dogs naturally wouldn't be a problem. But I have a question, Officer Lear—does the Raccoon City Police Department not conduct annual health checkups? Are you sure... you're a normal human?"
Lear's face instantly darkened with exasperation. What made him even more speechless was that Leon and Claire, after hearing this, actually nodded in agreement. Only Alyssa remained focused on taking photos, completely oblivious to the conversation here.
"I'm absolutely certain I'm perfectly normal. And, Claire, your brother Chris can also achieve this level," Lear helplessly rolled his eyes and replied.
At this point, Alyssa finally finished her photography, put away her camera, and walked back to the group. Her face was pale and devoid of color; even though she tried hard to conceal it, it was obvious she was suppressing discomfort.
"Done. Let's go," she said calmly.
"Alyssa, you don't have to force yourself. The existing evidence is already enough to bring down the Umbrella Corporation," Claire stepped forward, handing her a bottle of water, and spoke worriedly.
Alyssa gently shook her head, took the water and sipped a little, then whispered, "I know, but I can't ignore such things." Seeing her firm stance, Claire didn't try to persuade her further, simply patted her shoulder lightly to express her support through action.
The group left the Kendo Gun Shop, and not far along, they saw a pipe—a deep one. Just as Leon was about to continue downward, Ada grabbed him.
"Leon, think carefully. It's still possible to regret now. Once you enter the laboratory, there's no turning back. The dangers down there are far beyond your imagination." Ada looked at him, her tone serious.
Leon smiled, his gaze firm and pure: "Miss Ada, when I saw the state of Raccoon City, I couldn't just stand by. I became a police officer to protect these ordinary people—it's my duty and my dream."
Seeing this straightforward and unwavering kindness, Ada's expression momentarily grew complex.
Lear quietly observed Ada's demeanor, knowing in his heart that Leon's sincere heart had already moved her.
As the atmosphere fell silent, Claire stepped forward, smiling as she looked at Ada: "Miss Ada, since we've come here, we won't retreat. We won't let you face the danger alone either. Let's go, whatever's down there, we'll face it together."
Though Alyssa didn't speak, her resolute gaze said everything.
Then Leon led the way into the pipe. Watching their backs, Ada remained silent for a moment. Lear then walked up beside her, lowering his voice to tease: "Find him quite adorable?"
Ada unconsciously nodded, then suddenly realized and turned to Lear, curling her lips into a sly smile: "What, Officer Lear, are you jealous?"
Lear shook his head, said nothing more, turned and followed Leon and the others ahead, descending along the pipe.
"Adorable? Indeed quite adorable." Ada murmured softly, shook her head and quickly chased after them. Even she didn't notice, the smile on her face now was genuinely relaxed.
Following the pipe, they soon entered Raccoon City's underground sewage discharge system. This city's sewer system was unusually developed—different from other cities' aging drainage facilities, decades or even centuries old without repair, Raccoon City's sewers were maintained and updated yearly, extensive and interconnected.
"Raccoon City's sewage system is pretty advanced, at least compared to where I'm from." Claire glanced around, couldn't help but casually remark.
"That's because the Umbrella Corporation needs this system to hide their shady dealings." Ada explained to Claire a few sentences, "Down below is Umbrella's Underground Laboratory. Zombies might still roam the sewers, abandoned Bio Organic Weapons. Everyone must be careful."
"Miss Ada, these abandoned Bio Organic Weapons you mentioned... what size are they generally... as big as two buses?" Alyssa, who had been silent, suddenly spoke stiffly.
"Buses? What do you mean?" Ada looked puzzled, turning to her questioningly.
Alyssa didn't answer, just raised her hand pointing to the drainage channel behind them.
"About... a crocodile as big as a bus."
Leon, Claire, and Ada sharply turned to look. Behind them, a few meters away, behind the iron barrier mesh, a roughly 20-meter mutated crocodile lay across the center of the water channel, radiating an oppressive aura that chilled the heart.
"So, Miss Ada, these abandoned Bio Organic Weapons you mentioned... are all monsters like this?" Claire looked at the colossal creature, her voice dry as she asked.
Ada's eyes were full of shock, then she shrugged helplessly: "Would you believe me if I said I didn't know either?"
After the brief shock, Ada quickly regained composure, even joking with the group: "Well, Officer Leon, Miss Alyssa, leaving now is still an option." She looked at Claire, teasing, "Miss Claire, university probably didn't teach how to deal with giant crocodiles, right?"
Jokes aside, facing this giant mutated crocodile, the only person in the entire scene not even slightly surprised was Lear, who remained silent.
Sewer crocodile, one of childhood traumas, second only to mutated giant bugs. Lear complained inwardly.
After the jokes, everyone quickly calmed down, adjusted their state and continued toward the laboratory. This time, Lear proactively walked to the front of the team to lead, reasoning he had more experience dealing with Bio Organic Weapons. Leon closely followed behind him, ready to handle any sudden situations.
(Translated by yourtl.app)