Chapter 65: G-Virus.

"Everyone, stay close and stay alert."

Malrick called out as he floated steadily ahead.

To be honest, it looked a little odd—him flying in such a casual outfit. Like a high schooler juggling homework with world-saving on the side.

The sewer ran close to Umbrella's underground lab.

Along the way, through murky water and along damp, moss-covered walls, strange mutant creatures kept lunging out to attack them.

Some were infected half-humanoid corpses, the other half resembling giant leeches. Others were sewer bugs nearly a meter long. Even more terrifying were the massive, mutated crocodiles—some nearly twenty meters long.

God only knew how Umbrella had managed to turn a regular sewer into something more biodiverse than Japan's Rinkai aquarium.

These creatures weren't just freakish—they were numerous and lethal.

Normally, a small squad of special forces would be wiped out in minutes.

But with Malrick leading the way?

He bulldozed through everything—smashing through walls, flattening monsters with a punch. Nothing could stop him. Even reinforced concrete couldn't hold him back for more than a millisecond .

The group made it through without a scratch.

Aside from the absolutely revolting environment, it felt like a stroll through the park.

Even Ada Wong, who had been on constant high alert, only managed to take down a single zombie fish that tried to play dead.

"Mr. Malrick really makes a girl feel safe. I'll admit it—he's a true gentleman," Ada said, although she twisted the hem of her skirt in obvious disgust.

They finally arrived at a sewage treatment platform.

The area was lined with maintenance buildings and massive filtration machines that rumbled nonstop, processing the endless river of filth.

At least, for the moment, they were out of the sludge.

Marvin swept the area with a flashlight, revealing bloated corpses in some corners.

"Look at these people," he muttered. "Some are in lab coats, others in combat gear. Umbrella really had an entire base down here."

Elliot clenched his teeth. "This whole city is under their thumb. Bastards deserve everything that's coming to them."

"Capital controls power. Isn't that just how this country works?" Ada commented idly, then glanced at Malrick. "Don't you agree, Mr. Gentleman?"

Malrick didn't answer. He took a few steps forward—then suddenly snapped, "Get back!"

"What?" Ada blinked in surprise.

Before she could process what was happening, Malrick had already grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to his side.

A split second later, a massive mutant insect came flying past her with its jaws wide open.

It missed and tried to retreat—but Malrick spun mid-air and hit it with a whip-like kick, slamming it into the wall. The thing exploded in a shower of goo.

"…" Ada stood frozen, a little shaken.

"Thanks," she muttered, leaning slightly into him. Supported by his arm, she noticed how solid and smooth it felt—like polished stone.

She couldn't help but quip, "Nice physique."

Malrick raised a brow. "I think so too. But you owe me one."

"Girls don't like guys who brag," Ada replied with a sly smile.

"That's debatable," Malrick said casually, already moving forward again.

They followed him into the monitoring room.

Through the observation window, they saw a large platform on the other side—where an armored cable car waited.

"We're here," Malrick said. "That car leads to the institute."

"Thank God," Director Bard wheezed. He was clearly the weakest of the group and completely worn out.

He rushed to open the door—only to find it locked tight.

"It's locked," he announced.

Everyone turned to Malrick.

"I've got this," Ada said, stepping forward and pulling out her lockpicks. "You can't just smash everything open, Malrick—"

Before she could finish, Malrick casually shoved the door—along with the surrounding wall—down like cardboard.

They stared at each other.

He gave a helpless shrug. "Maybe next time give me a heads-up before you start lockpicking."

"Just… forget I said anything," Ada mumbled, putting away her tools.

"Let's get to the cable car," Malrick said, glancing toward a shadowy corner of the monitoring room. "And lady—if you want to catch a ride with us, you can come out now."

Everyone stiffened.

There was someone else here?

Guns were instantly raised, aiming at where Malrick was looking.

A thin, pale woman with hollow eyes stepped out slowly.

She wore a white lab coat and pointed a pistol at the group.

"Police? You don't belong here. Everyone left in that institute is either infected… or worse. Leave while you still can," she warned.

"Annette Birkin!" Ada stepped forward, both guns drawn. "You and your husband created the virus. You started all of this."

"There's no room for sympathy now. Hand over the G-Virus!"

She glanced at Malrick. "That's why I'm really here. The G-Virus is more dangerous than the T-Virus. It must be destroyed."

Everyone exchanged uneasy looks.

Director Bard hadn't even heard of the G-Virus.

Annette's expression shifted the moment Ada said it—her eyes narrowing, voice turning cold.

"So that's what you're after," she spat. "Forget it."

She hurled a grenade and raised her pistol to fire at Ada.

"No—watch out!" Marvin and the others dove toward Malrick, trying to shield him from the blast.

But he moved faster.

He snatched the grenade out of mid-air with one hand, and yanked Ada back with the other. The bullet skimmed Ada's arm.

Then—boom.

Smoke and shrapnel filled the air.

When it cleared, Malrick stood there, calmly opening his palm.

Black dust and fragments fell away. His hand was unscathed.

"Wha… what?" someone whispered.

Everyone stared. He just tanked a grenade—barehanded.

Even Annette Birkin, who had started to flee, froze in disbelief.

Not even her mutated husband could've done that.

Malrick didn't waste time. He strode over, grabbed her by the collar, and flung her at Marvin.

"Hold her. We're heading for the research institute."

The others hesitated but quickly followed him onto the platform.

Ada opened her mouth as if to speak—but then stopped. She remembered the grenade.

There was nothing left to say.

They arrived at the cable car.

But to operate it, they needed an authorized ID bracelet.

Annette, regaining her composure, gave a smug grin. "You won't get the access bracelet. Just give up."

"Uh… Mr. Malrick?" Marvin and the others glanced at him instinctively, half-expecting him to punch the armored door open.

Ada jumped in, panicked. "Wait, wait! Calm down, Malrick! Forcing it open could damage the system!"

She pointed at Annette. "Let's interrogate her. She has to have the bracelet."

For once, her usual cool façade cracked.

Before today, she never imagined she'd be talking to anyone in such a pleading tone.

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