This virus animated corpses, compelling them toward the body's most primal desire: to eat! Anyone infected would, within hours or even less, succumb to the virus, transforming into a mindless husk—a "table corpse"—and begin attacking and consuming those nearby. Worse still, any living thing harmed by them would soon turn into a zombie after death, continuing the cycle of attack until every last living creature had been converted.

Such research was underway beneath the Hive Laboratory, where one researcher foresaw humanity's imminent demise should this virus be weaponized. She collaborated with a security guard from her research wing—the female protagonist of the Resident Evil films, and a member of the Umbrella Corporation herself. They planned to steal the T-virus as undeniable evidence to expose Umbrella. However, their conversation was overheard by another guard who also intended to steal the T-virus, knowing its black market value could afford him a lifetime of absolute luxury. Seizing the opportunity, he raided the lab, stole the T-virus, and intentionally leaked it, intending to silence everyone. Yet, just as he exited the lab, the facility's entire defense system activated. Both he and the female protagonist were engulfed by a toxic gas, rendering them unconscious; upon waking, they suffered temporary amnesia.

This was the genesis of Resident Evil 1. To ascertain the lab incident's cause, Umbrella dispatched a mercenary squad into the facility, accompanied by two surviving security personnel and an outsider of unknown origin. They were promptly besieged by countless zombies. During their ordeal, they uncovered the truth of Umbrella's research project and gradually learned the male guard was the catalyst for the outbreak. The group then fought their way out, encountering the advanced bio-weapon, the Licker. By the conclusion of the first installment, only two figures from the original narrative remained alive: the heroine and the outsider.

What the group is experiencing now is Resident Evil 2. As the virus spread from the lab to the surface city of Raccoon City, Umbrella initiated an evacuation of vital scientific personnel and important figures. Meanwhile, the virus began its rampage across the city. The heroine awakened in a hospital, having been transformed into a superhuman with acute senses and enhanced reflexes. The story unfolds as Xiao Honglü tugs at his hair and speaks: "Setting aside how the plot characters leave the city, we will inevitably cross paths within this one. In fact, I suspect something: finding that doctor's daughter—was her name Anjie? When searching for her, Zhan Lan, your psychic scan likely won't locate her, otherwise, the 'Main God' setting this task would be too easy."

"We just need to avoid contact with her. We will focus our operations around the main plot characters, protecting them as they move toward the checkpoint. Only when they are about to arrive will we approach Anjie. Wouldn't that complete our mission effortlessly?"

"'The Main God' probably won't allow such simplicity. That's why I suspect Zhan Lan’s psychic scan won't 'see' that little girl; the probability of that is at least eighty or ninety percent. Otherwise, I'd be one hundred percent certain of not encountering the 'Devil' squad. So, we must prepare for the worst. If Zhan Lan’s scan fails to locate the girl, we must cooperate with the original characters, relying on plot inertia to find her. After that, a desperate flight will commence. Realistically, I hope we can commandeer a helicopter—remember the ones Umbrella deployed into the city? With our superior combat strength, we could easily eliminate those mercenaries and seize one of their choppers. That’s the most suitable escape plan, in my opinion. Once we have a helicopter, I highly doubt any 'Birdman' from the Devil Reincarnation Squad could stop us."

Everyone nodded in agreement. This plan sounded perfectly viable. With a helicopter, they could reach the checkpoint in mere minutes, rendering them fearless of the Devil Reincarnation Squad.

Zheng Zha affirmed, "That’s true. The Devil Reincarnation Squad might be formidable, but we don't necessarily have to confront them head-on. As long as we find a way to evade them, we can avoid direct conflict." He paused. "Alright, I'll start assigning team roles."

Xiao Honglü interjected, "Actually, confronting them is precisely what we should be doing. Because if they participate in the contest between reincarnation squads, they will only grow stronger. The 'Main God's' intent is simple: pit all squads against each other in mutual slaughter—the strong get stronger, the weak fall further. If we fail to eliminate the Devil Reincarnation Squad today, they will become increasingly powerful, and likely at a much faster rate than us, given that every member of their team possesses immense latent potential—a stark contrast to our reliance on random probability when finding newcomers. If our strength were even slightly superior, I truly wish we could wipe out the Devil Reincarnation Squad right here."

Everyone stared at him blankly. The young boy let out a cold laugh, looking down as he continued, "Otherwise, what world do you think this is? It's a horror movie world! Only one team can leave this place. Do you really want us to end up as stepping stones for another team’s victory? I certainly don't! I want our team to be the last ones standing! Even if we have to defeat demons and gods, we must return alive! However..." Xiao Honglü sighed mournfully, "...based on my calculations, our probability of defeating the Devil Reincarnation Squad is less than ten percent. Phew. So, we should evade them for now, allow ourselves to survive a little longer, or find some opportunity to surpass them."

A shadow of dejection fell over the group. Just then, the two figures on the floor stirred slightly. A man, appearing to be in his mid-twenties, sat up. He first adjusted his glasses, then took a careful look around. After surveying everything, he addressed the others, "May I ask, where are we? Are you kidnappers?" The man stood up, gazing strangely out the window before meticulously examining his surroundings. After a long moment, he commented, "A foreign country? I was working on documents at home; why am I suddenly in a foreign land?" This newcomer's immediate composure, regardless of his actual capabilities, surpassed that of most ordinary people; he seemed to be a promising rookie. Zheng Zha nodded. He then looked at the girl still sitting on the floor. Dressed casually with hair just reaching her shoulders, she was a quiet, demure young woman whose stillness was as striking as the man's calm.

Zheng Zha remarked, "The new recruits this time show good quality. Zhan Lan, explain our current situation to them."

Zhan Lan smiled and nodded, then began detailing the specifics of the horror movie reincarnation cycle. Since the movie had not yet truly begun, she spoke with great thoroughness. When she finished, the two newcomers were still visibly stunned. However, their expressions suggested they had accepted the unbelievable narrative.

Zheng Zha smiled at them. He retrieved a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, and offered it to the man. "Let's start with introductions. The six of us form a team. If you have no serious objections, we can offer you protection until this horror movie concludes. Start by telling us your names and professions."

The man lit the cigarette, taking a drag, and praised the quality of the smoke before giving a wry smile. "Me? Jiang Zhe, a lawyer working in a certain city. I lived like a coward, frankly. According to what you've said, I probably felt my life was so worthless that dying seemed preferable, which is why I chose 'YES' to enter this world. Haha." Zheng Zha nodded in understanding and then looked toward the girl. She thought for a moment and replied, "Miao Ruoleng. I'm a painter. I wanted to be a painter, but my work didn't sell well, so..."

Zheng Zha smiled. "Forget what happened before. Entering this world means adhering to its rules. Let me outline the rules of our Central Continent Team. For newcomers, there are really only two: You are forbidden from dragging down the entire team, and you are forbidden from harming team members. Otherwise—death."

Jiang Zhe scoffed coldly. "I thought this place would be different, that things would be more straightforward. How is your declaration any different from what those people outside say? Why can't we drag down the team? Why isn't the team dragging us down? Why can't we harm team members, or we're killed? Are you saying if one of you wanted to assault her, I would have to stand by and watch? And if I resisted, I’d be classified as harming a team member, leading to my extermination, just like outside? Damn it, if that's the case, you might as well kill me now!"

Zheng Zha and the others were momentarily stunned. Zheng Zha quickly pieced things together; he understood why Jiang Zhe felt he had lived miserably. Being a lawyer with such a straightforward nature and voicing those sentiments suggested he must have experienced something in the real world that made these regulations seem profoundly unfair—perhaps they truly were unfair.

Zheng Zha considered the matter before replying, "As the captain of the Central Continent Team, I am responsible for their conduct. If my team were to unprovokedly harm you first, I would carve that member into a thousand pieces! Furthermore, you have the right to choose. If you do not require our team's protection, then do not burden us, or let us burden you—make your choice. In this world, there is only survival and death; it is not as complex as you imagine."

Jiang Zhe and Miao Ruoleng exchanged glances. Before they could speak, gunshots suddenly erupted from outside the office. Zheng Zha and his team exchanged looks; they knew the plot had officially begun!

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