A new chapter is up.
Come in, get comfortable, and let’s see what kind of trouble waits this time ❤️ ✦ “Laser corridor?” “A new side mission?” Natasha’s eyes sharpened, surprise and excitement rising together.
Tony had taken first place in the previous side mission and claimed the special reward for himself.
The rest of them had only gained points.
Natasha had wanted the T-virus Enhancement from the moment she saw its effect.
Turning an ordinary person into an entry-level superhuman was wasted on that playboy.
With her skills, that kind of power could be used properly.
And more importantly…
Her gaze shifted to the Speedrun Ranking on the virtual panel.
Iron Man still held the top position.
If a single side mission could bring such a transformation, what kind of reward would first place on the overall ranking grant?
Tony had already taken the first step.
Fortunately, this mission happened to fall directly within her specialty.
“I’m taking this one.” Natasha’s focus sharpened.
Rare excitement surfaced on her cold face.
“Careful up ahead.” Shade kept talking, unaware that the group’s priorities had already shifted.
His attention was fixed on the corridor ahead.
“That’s a company security passage.
It has a sensor grid, high-voltage defenses, and laser beams.” “Normally, we would enter with a master key from headquarters, but the company suspects the Red Queen has gone rogue.
Digital keys may no longer be safe.
We have to assume she can interfere, so we force our way through.” “The security grid and laser beams can change position at any time.
Stay close to me.
Do not move on your own.
Those lasers burn hot enough to cut through a Licker.” Shade stared at the passage with obvious caution.
It had once been a defense system meant to protect the underground base from intruders.
Now it stood in their way.
Especially when they could not use a key to shut the lasers down.
They had no choice but to break through, and the danger was beyond ordinary.
Even battle-hardened mercenaries would be dancing on a knife’s edge.
Still, beneath Shade’s caution and tension, a small sense of superiority returned.
After being humbled for so long, he finally had a chance to regain a little pride.
Tony and the others had looked impressive against zombies.
They had cut through the infected like a one-sided slaughter.
But now?
They still needed Shade’s team.
The laser corridor was not something brute force could solve.
Only agile movement, practiced technique, and special training could get someone through.
Otherwise, the floor around the entrance would not be covered in scraps of dead infected.
Finally, Shade felt as if he could recover some ground.
He lifted his head and glanced toward Tony’s group.
Then froze.
“Bitch, what are you doing?” “That’s the laser corridor.
If you trigger the grid, the beams will cut you apart.” Shade’s eyes widened.
Before he could enjoy his brief moment of confidence, he saw Black Widow sprint straight toward the corridor.
Her muscles tightened like springs as she drove forward, her body carrying a wild, controlled beauty.
She moved like an elegant cat and a hunting panther at the same time.
Grace and force reached a perfect balance.
Shade had to admit that even he could not match that movement.
But so what?
This was Umbrella’s laser grid.
Without special training, raw physical ability could not carry someone through.
If she did not understand the layout and patterns, only the absolute best field agents would have any chance of cracking it.
“Damn it.
Stop her!” “The lower system is completely different from the upper defenses.
She doesn’t think they’re the same, does she?” “Stupid bitch.
Who does she think she is?
Some top-tier agent?” “We’re finished.
If she triggers the alarm and destroys the entrance, even we won’t be able to get in.” “Fuck.
She’s going to ruin the mission.” The mercenaries shouted over one another, their eyes almost bloodshot.
The quiet corridor instantly erupted into noise.
Shade was just as tense.
He rushed to Tony’s side.
Right now, only this powerful man could stop her.
“Quick.
Stop her.” “She’s being reckless.
The mechanisms on the lower level don’t follow the same access patterns as the ones above.” “Speed alone won’t get her through.” Shade’s voice was raw with urgency.
“Stop her?” “Why?” Tony’s mouth twitched.
Natasha might be his competition, but he was not petty enough to sabotage a teammate.
Their main mission was the same.
Shut down the Red Queen.
Stop the apocalypse.
He was not so short-sighted that he would drag an ally down just to win a side mission.
“Why?” “If you don’t stop her, she’ll trigger the laser guards.
Whether she dies or not is one thing, but if the entrance is destroyed, the mission fails.
The world ends.
Damn it, move!” Shade shouted, his eyes going bloodshot.
Tony only gave him a strange look.
“Hm.” “You’re saying this corridor is terrifying, she’ll die if she goes in, and the lasers will destroy the entrance?” His tone was oddly amused.
“Exactly.” Shade did not hear the odd note in Tony’s voice.
He answered with absolute certainty.
“If the entrance is destroyed, our mission is over.
She’ll be the one who causes the apocalypse.” “Stop her!” Tony looked even more amused.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he pointed behind Shade.
“The apocalypse part might be a little dramatic.
Hard to say.” “But the corridor?” “I think she already made it through.” Tony clicked his tongue, a strange smile on his face.
“What?” Shade froze.
Then he turned, stiff and disbelieving.
All the words that had been pouring out of him stuck in his throat.
His face flushed bright red.
Then Tony’s teasing voice came from behind him again.
“Actually…” “Not just made it through.” “Looks like she shut down the laser traps on the way.”
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS AuroraVale Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter pulled you a little deeper into the story.
Stay close, because things are only getting more interesting.