Chapter 123 – The Mirror World, A Divine Artifact from 2000 Years in the Future!

Chapter 123 – The Mirror World, A Divine Artifact from 2000 Years in the Future!

"So… was I just too naive after all?"

A bitter smile appeared on Jill's face. She'd thought she was on the side of justice. When she refused Renji before, she had truly believed she was doing the right thing—even imagining that one day, she might stand against him to fulfill her ideals.

But after experiencing the Tyrant's pursuit firsthand, and recalling Renji's words, her confidence wavered. Could she really stop this apocalypse on her own?

"That's right, you were way too naive. If you ever have free time, feel free to come to my room. I'll give you some proper lessons. Relax—they'll be totally professional."

The way you said that makes it sound anything but proper...

Jill grumbled inwardly, but before she could reply, Ada Wong's voice came through Renji's communicator: "Renji, we've secured the goods and are preparing to move. Annette wants to hear Sherry's voice."

"Mom?"

Sherry leaned in quickly at the mention of her mother. She got close to the device just as Annette responded on the other end: "Sherry, it's me! Are you safe right now?"

Hearing that Renji had found Sherry, Annette finally exhaled. She'd witnessed Renji's power firsthand. Her greatest fear had been that her daughter would die or become infected before reaching him.

If not, then she was safe.

"I'm safe! I'm with big brother now, and we're coming to you, Mom!"

Hearing Sherry's voice, Annette breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to Ada Wong beside her.

Now that Sherry was confirmed safe, she and Ada could begin retreating.

"You don't need to come here. Get out of Raccoon City right away. It's going to be blown off the map."

Ada warned them—they were preparing to evacuate. Though there was still time, she had no intention of cutting it close.

Especially now that she'd broken ties with Simmons—she couldn't use his helicopter anymore.

"They're going to bomb it?"

Jill looked at Renji in disbelief. Raccoon City might've been overrun, but many survivors were still inside.

Once that missile hit, everyone here would be gone.

"Yeah. Umbrella's wiping it clean to hide their crimes."

Too bad it wouldn't work. The truth would leak out eventually.

"Bastards!!"

Jill clenched her teeth, her face full of fury. She hadn't expected Umbrella to be this inhumane.

To bury their secrets, they were ready to bury everyone else too.

"Oh? Picking up another girl, huh?"

"Ada, don't say it like that. Maybe I got picked up."

"We're done here."

Ada left a coordinate and cut the transmission.

That woman was clearly still bitter about earlier.

"Your girlfriend?"

Jill looked at Renji with interest. Had she just caused some tension between them?

"You sound a little too happy about that."

"Not really. I just feel a bit guilty for triggering a misunderstanding."

Then could you maybe not smile while saying that?

Renji sighed inwardly. Not even pretending anymore, huh?

"So fine, I admit it. But I didn't mean harm. Don't worry, I'll clear things up for you."

Jill explained. She had been curious about Renji's reaction, but she wouldn't put him in a tough spot—she'd explain things later.

"No need. She's not my girlfriend. Just someone I knew before. She's second-in-command of my group."

Renji didn't need any explanation. There wasn't that kind of relationship between him and Ada.

"So this organization of yours is pretty new?"

"Yup. You were supposed to be my first recruit."

"And then you casually handed out the second-in-command title. Now I'm third? What kind of organization is this…"

Jill was at a loss for words.

Was he seriously just handing out ranks?

Anyone could become number two, number three… Would four and five be next?

She suddenly realized—these titles probably just reflected the order in which people joined, not actual responsibilities.

"My group uses a flat hierarchy. Feels more welcoming, right? And if you're thinking about reminiscing, save it. Let's deal with the current mess first."

"Alright."

Following Renji, they made their way out of the station. Just as the three were about to leave, they ran into Claire entering from the other side.

"Who are you?"

Claire held her pistol firmly, eyes cautious as she looked at the group. They looked like a family of three, but coming out of the station didn't bode well.

Claire had been through too much already. If she wasn't alert, she'd be long dead.

"Five-star citizen. You?"

"…"

Jill rolled her eyes, her face showing utter helplessness.

She was speechless.

But somehow… she couldn't refute it. And Claire didn't know how to respond either.

"I'm a college student. Came here to find my brother, Chris."

Sure, sure.

So now you're playing along too?

A college girl made it all the way to Raccoon City's police station? Just a "normal" student?

Wait—Chris?

Jill suddenly looked at her. "Your brother is Chris Redfield?"

"You know him?"

Claire lit up. She had come all this way looking for him. Meeting someone who knew her brother was a stroke of luck.

"We used to be teammates. But he's not here."

Jill nodded. After a quick exchange, they confirmed each other's identities. This also made Claire abandon her plan to search the station.

"Raccoon City's going to be bombed. If you're just here for Chris, I suggest leaving. He's not in the city."

Jill advised seriously.

Now that she'd found Chris's sister, she couldn't just let her get blown up along with the city.

She couldn't stop the destruction of Raccoon City, but she could save at least one more life.

"I understand."

"Oh right, want to join my organization? We can help you find your brother. Join now and I'll make you number four. Jill's already number three. How about it?"

Of course.

He's just handing out positions like flyers.

Jill could only sigh inwardly. What kind of recruiting strategy was this?

Why invite a random college girl?

Was Renji that desperate for members? Or was there something else behind this?

"I don't have a problem with it, but can I really become the fourth-in-command just by joining?"

Claire was curious. At first, she had rejected the idea of joining this organization. But after learning that Jill was already part of it, she agreed. After all, Jill had been her brother's old teammate—someone she could trust.

Besides, one person searching alone would never be as effective as a team.

"Of course!"

"Alright. But if I ever fall short, you can replace me anytime."

Claire nodded and accepted Renji's invitation.

The two of them shook hands lightly, then let go. Watching this, Jill came to a realization.

So people really could be convinced to join an organization like this so easily.

Still, considering Claire was just a sheltered college girl, Jill could understand.

She hadn't seen the world yet—but maybe that was fine. Now that she had joined, Jill could help protect Chris's little sister. Back in the team, Chris had always looked out for her, so naturally she wouldn't let his sister die.

Like Renji had said—this world was already in chaos. Who even knew if college would reopen.

As they left the police station, a handsome rookie stood at the front gate, preparing to check if his internship had begun.

A modified car sped recklessly through Raccoon City, heading toward the rendezvous point set with Ada Wong.

Claire looked at Renji with curiosity and asked, "Are you from the East?"

"Mm."

Renji nodded. Claire smiled slightly with interest. "You're the most handsome Eastern man I've ever seen. There's something uniquely beautiful about your eyes."

People around here were naturally expressive, and she had liked him from the first glance.

He truly was the most handsome Eastern guy she had met. And for some reason, his presence gave her a strong sense of security.

"Really?"

Renji felt like he'd heard this line before. Was Claire about to tell him soon that she had to leave for a while...?

"Mm. By the way, how many people are in our organization right now?"

Claire was already preparing herself to lead a small team. Though she didn't think she was all that capable, she still felt a sense of responsibility and was willing to undergo some training.

All of it—for the sake of finding her brother.

"Sherry doesn't count. Her mom's our research officer. Then there's another guy. Including the three of us, that makes five!"

Can you not sound so proud when you say that?

Jill nearly lost her grip on the steering wheel. The car almost went off the road. Only Renji could speak so proudly about a five-person organization.

And when Claire heard Renji's words, her expression instantly froze. She had been ready to go all in, to prove herself—but the organization only had five people?

No wonder she was the fourth-in-command!

So the researcher doesn't count, that guy's the second-in-command, Jill's third, and she's fourth—what a scam!

"I think I've boarded a pirate ship. Let me off!! Let me off!!"

Claire held her forehead, her expression full of despair. Fresh out of school, and she'd already been taught a harsh lesson by society. She finally understood how cruel it could be.

Naive!

She had been way too naive. Why did she believe a man's sweet talk? A man's mouth is full of lies.

"Alright, stop wallowing. We're all founding members here. Once more people join, your responsibilities will grow too. Don't look so defeated—we'll build this up big. Aim high and shine bright!"

Yup. He's the type of boss who loves selling dreams.

Jill turned to glance at Renji but said nothing. She had definitely heard that kind of promise before somewhere.

Claire, though, perked up slightly from her earlier hopelessness.

True, if it were a large organization, she never would've been made fourth-in-command right away.

To earn the others' respect in the future, she had to work hard—train, fight, and make Renji see her differently!

As they drove out of Raccoon City, Claire was still imagining how she'd prove herself and become a worthy fourth-in-command.

She didn't even notice as Jill drove past a road sign—one that read: Silent Hill.

[Ding! You have changed Jill's fate. One draw awarded.]

[Ding! You have changed Claire's fate. One draw awarded.]

What a shame.

William hadn't given him the chance to earn a third one.

Renji felt a bit regretful.

Still, two was good enough.

He silently muttered: "Use."

[Ding! Two draws used. Congratulations—you have obtained: Mirror World (item), and Raijin.]

[Mirror World] (Item): From the Silent Hill universe, originally controlled by Alessa. This world transforms based on the user's inner thoughts and creations.

Unlike Alessa's mirror world, Renji's version was pitch black and unformed—like a blank slate. How it develops will depend entirely on what Renji chooses to shape it into.

This thing could prove incredibly useful for his future plans. And in his Mirror World—there was no church.

It was a world entirely under his control.

Alessa had exchanged her soul with a demon to gain this power.

Next, Renji looked at the other item.

[Raijin]: From CSOL, a railgun sniper rifle enhanced by electromagnetic launch technology.

A weapon from 2000 years in the future?

Still lacking a bit—if only it had been something more absurd. Maybe even a cultivation weapon—that would've been perfect.

But Renji wasn't in a hurry. Now that he had this gun, he could have Red Queen study and replicate it. He'd keep pushing tech toward the frontier.

[Resident Evil Renji] : The Raccoon City arc is finished. Mirror World was my biggest gain!

[Resident Evil Renji] : The Resident Evil storyline is partly wrapped up for now.

[Resident Evil Renji] : Experiments in the Mirror World will be way easier than doing them in this reality.

[Resident Evil Renji] : With this, I can create all sorts of test subjects. And come on, what kind of experiment doesn't need test subjects?

[Mundane Renji] : Mirror World, huh? Why is it just an item?

[Mundane Renji] : If it were a skill, everyone could've had their own Mirror World.

[Resident Evil Renji] : Maybe because I didn't make a pact with a demon?

[Resident Evil Renji] : Alessa traded part of her soul for it, after all. That might be why it's different.

[One Piece Renji] : So if that's the case, your world's got some pretty sweet loot, huh?

[Resident Evil Renji] : No doubt. I've even finished the refined version of the T-virus. I'll distribute it to everyone soon.

[Resident Evil Renji] : Just a bit of a shame... the Resident Evil 2 and 3 storylines are pretty much done for now.

(End of Chapter)

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