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[email protected]/Heroicverse
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Wesker's tension stemmed from the fact that Frederick Downing was a hidden chess piece he had planted seven years ago.
Frederick Downing used to be a senior researcher at Umbrella, specializing in the T-Virus.
However, when the biochemical crisis erupted in Raccoon City, Frederick Downing, under Wesker's covert instruction, successfully carried a certain amount of T-Virus and G-Virus samples and voluntarily left Umbrella Corporation.
He then joined a new pharmaceutical company, Wilpharma, and leveraged his research in virology to climb to the position of Chief Researcher.
Out of caution, Wesker had almost never proactively contacted Frederick Downing over the years.
But who would have thought?
A few days ago, Frederick Downing suddenly called, saying that someone wanted to meet Wesker and was willing to exchange important information for the Progenitor Virus in Wesker's possession.
Originally, Wesker intended to refuse.
But when Frederick Downing mentioned that it was about Oswell E. Spencer's whereabouts, Wesker immediately changed his mind.
He couldn't help it.
Even though Oswell E. Spencer was already in his twilight years, he remained an unshakeable shadow in Wesker's heart.
That old man blocked his path forward.
Therefore, even if this transaction was likely a trap set by hostile forces, Wesker had to personally verify it.
Even if there was a one in ten thousand chance to eliminate Oswell E. Spencer, he was willing to try.
"For us, HYDRA... S.H.I.E.L.D., there are no secrets in this World."
Dr. Fritz smiled brightly and said without reservation:
"We even know that three years ago, you anonymously submitted evidence of Umbrella Group's development of illegal biochemical weapons and its responsibility for the Raccoon City incident to the court handling the case, which led to Umbrella Group being formally convicted and completely dissolved..."
"But don't worry, we don't care what you did before or what you want to do in the future... Our only purpose here is to obtain the Progenitor Virus in your hands!"
Upon hearing this, Wesker's sturdy frame trembled slightly.
As a former high-ranking member of Umbrella Group, he was naturally familiar with an organization like S.H.I.E.L.D.
However, he had never formally dealt with them before.
However.
The opponent's few short sentences just now sent a chill down his spine.
This made him re-realize the terrifying nature of this organization.
Whether it was the Umbrella Group he used to work for, or TRICELL (Tri-Cell Pharmaceuticals) with whom he was secretly colluding now.
In front of the behemoth that is S.H.I.E.L.D., they all seemed so small and ridiculous.
Putting aside other things.
In the field of intelligence alone, the difference was enormous.
But fortunately, the other party seemed to have no intention of interfering in the biochemical pharmaceutical field.
This not only made Wesker secretly rejoice, but his sensitive self-esteem also suffered a considerable blow.
Because he felt that he had been severely underestimated!
"May I ask, what do you want the Progenitor Virus for... Never mind, let's start the transaction."
Wesker originally wanted to ask if the other party intended to use the Progenitor Virus to develop vaccines or other new viruses after obtaining it.
But he figured asking would be pointless.
He was at an absolute disadvantage in this transaction, so the other party had no need to answer his questions.
It was better to complete this transaction as soon as possible and leave these dangerous individuals.
So he directly handed over the briefcase containing the Progenitor Virus.
Dr. Fritz took the briefcase, opened it, and glanced at the Progenitor Virus reagents inside, without any suspicion.
He immediately gave a look to his subordinate.
The latter immediately handed Wesker a slip of paper with Oswell E. Spencer's address written on it.
Wesker eagerly glanced at it.
The location was in a small European country.
And this estate was clearly not among the relevant records of Oswell E. Spencer collected internally by Umbrella Group.
No wonder he had spent so much time before and still hadn't been able to find the exact location.
However.
Just as Wesker turned to leave.
He heard Dr. Fritz speak again from behind him:
"Neither you, nor Umbrella, nor any other pharmaceutical company, truly realize how precious the power contained within the Progenitor Virus is."
"In my opinion, using the Progenitor Virus to develop those inferior variant viruses is simply a waste of a precious resource, the greatest waste..."
Wesker slowly turned around, looking at Dr. Fritz with a puzzled expression, who was holding a Progenitor Virus reagent and fiddling with it adoringly in front of his eyes.
"Sir, what do you mean by that?"
"Of course... I mean it literally."
Dr. Fritz sneered indifferently:
"The Progenitor Virus is clearly the most powerful one, yet you short-sighted fools insist on using it to develop those ugly and inferior mutations."
"In my opinion, this is not only the greatest incompetence, but also the greatest insult to biological science!"
Wesker's face showed a hint of anger, but he was powerless to retort.
Because, from a certain perspective, Dr. Fritz was absolutely right.
This RNA virus substance (Progenitor Virus) extracted from the Sun Ladder Flower.
The "toxin (superantigen toxin)" potency it exhibited in experiments was simply too strong.
This was extremely lethal to any host.
If used directly without "dilution (reducing viral activity)".
Often, the host would die before even beginning to "evolve."
That's why Umbrella Group had tried various methods over the years to combine the Progenitor Virus with the DNA of various animals, and even humans.
But before he could ask the other party if they had the ability to break this curse?
Dr. Fritz, as if he had already guessed his thoughts, then drew a pistol from a soldier's waist and pulled the trigger, aiming at the soldier's head.
Bang—
The bullet directly blew a hole through the Hydra Soldiers' head.
This sudden scene startled Wesker.
He couldn't quite understand what madness the other party was indulging in, to actually attack his own subordinate?
However.
Soon he noticed something unusual.
He saw that the Hydra Soldiers, who had been shot in the head, their once vibrant body, began to decay at a visible rate.
And emitted a nauseating stench of decay.
At the same time.
Numerous purple cadaveric spots appeared on the skin exposed outside the clothing.
"This... how is this possible?"
Wesker was practically dumbfounded by the scene before him.
As a veteran who frequently conducted live experiments on humans.
He could immediately tell, without even needing to conduct an analysis, that the soldier who had been shot in the head had been dead for at least 12 hours.
That's why there were such extensive cadaveric spots and signs of decay.
But this was precisely what sent shivers down his spine.
One had to know that less than a minute ago, this soldier was still standing alive in front of him!!
However.
The "miracle" did not stop there.
Before Wesker could recover from his previous shock.
The highly decomposed corpse on the ground actually began to regain vitality at a visible speed.
Even the bullet hole in his forehead healed completely.
Then the Hydra Soldiers, as if nothing had happened, calmly stood up from the ground and retreated behind Dr. Fritz.
Σ(⊙▽⊙"a???
WTF???
This bizarre scene almost caused Wesker's brain to crash.
He gaped, too stunned to utter a single word for a long time.
At the same time, he also felt a pang of lingering fear.
It was a good thing he had been wary of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s reputation and hadn't acted rashly.
Otherwise, he might have already fallen into the opponent's hands.
Although after being enhanced by the "Experimental Progenitor Virus Mutant Strain (Greatly Reduced Activity Version)".
His current speed, strength, reaction ability, and cell repair capability had all been greatly improved.
But he could still be killed — especially by a bullet to the head.
Moreover, due to the immense energy consumption during combat.
If he didn't replenish it in time, it would disrupt the delicate balance mechanism he had painstakingly established within his body.
This would lead to uncontrolled viral activity and massive, uncontrolled cell differentiation.
Resulting in irreversible mutations throughout his body.
Therefore, Wesker was currently unable to sustain long battles and always sought to end fights quickly.
If he were truly entangled by these "undead" warriors, the final outcome would be obvious.
Is this the powerful foundation of a top organization?
Indeed, it is incomparable to Umbrella and other pharmaceutical companies.
"How about it... Now you should understand what the gap is, right?"
Dr. Fritz was very satisfied with Wesker's shocked state.
The smile on his face grew wider.
Finally, he couldn't help but boast:
"Those biochemical zombies and B.O.W.s (Bio Organic Weapons) that your pharmaceutical companies secretly create are simply pathetic in front of my Living Dead Legion."
That's right.
The Living Dead Project, personally led by Dr. Fritz, had achieved initial success.
The Hydra Soldiers accompanying him this time were all revived by him using corpses.
And Dr. Fritz now loved to use this method to mock his self-important peers.
He couldn't help it.
Because before the completion of the Living Dead Project.
He had endured such mockery and skepticism for over a decade.
And for Dr. Fritz.
The "benefactor" who truly brought a huge turning point to his career was actually Karl!
Due to repeated failures in the operation to capture Karl.
Baron Strucker was finally forced to abandon the Sokovia Mountain Top Base and instead fully support Dr. Fritz's experiments.
This led to his subsequent series of research achievements.
And now, Dr. Fritz, finally able to hold his head high, what would be the point of living if he didn't boast freely?
However, what he regretted the most was that his old rival, Dr. Lister, was already dead.
Otherwise, Dr. Fritz would have certainly used this miraculous scene to thoroughly humiliate him.
It's just.
Although these soldiers could quickly recover, whether their heads were blown off or they were riddled with bullets.
However, once the "energy" in their bodies was depleted, this miraculous effect of resurrection would automatically disappear.
Of course.
How could Dr. Fritz mention such a "flaw" in front of Wesker?
Seeing that he had obtained the Progenitor Virus he wanted.
And had shown off enough.
Dr. Fritz left the warehouse with his subordinates, looking smug.
Leaving Wesker alone, still staring blankly.
...
"Baron, the Progenitor Virus is in hand. We can soon begin the next phase of the project."
While the car was driving, Dr. Fritz couldn't help but call Baron Strucker.
Reporting the good news immediately.
"Dr., are you sure this virus will have a positive effect in the God-Making Project, and not create some ugly and incompetent biochemical weapon?"
At this moment, Baron Strucker, located in a secret underground Base within Yosemite National Park, asked with a slight hint of doubt in his voice.
"Please rest assured, My Lord, I will certainly not let that happen..."
Dr. Fritz said with full confidence:
"This Progenitor Virus, extracted from the Stairway to the Sun Flower, possesses an extremely powerful evolutionary effect and is crucial for the success of the God-Making Project."
"According to relevant historical records, the Stairway to the Sun Flower was revered as a sacred object by the extinct Dibaya Tribe.
In their important ritual for choosing a king, all candidates had to swallow a juice made from this crushed flower.
Then, the one who neither died from the poison nor experienced physical mutation was qualified to inherit the throne of the Dibaya Tribe!"
"It is precisely because of the immense danger involved that every king of the Dibaya Tribe was considered by his people to be a legendary figure recognized by the gods."
"They possessed not only superhuman strength, speed, and extraordinary regenerative abilities, but also a long lifespan of several hundred years."
Towards the end.
Dr. Fritz did not forget to put down his peers.
"However, it's laughable that other pharmaceutical companies, including Umbrella, are using such a good thing to develop inferior viruses?"
After listening to his explanation, Baron Strucker said in a deep voice:
"If the history you just mentioned is real, then the effect of this Sun Ladder Flower seems to share many similarities with Wakanda's Heart-Shaped Herb?"