RE - Chapter 308: To Survive Out There, You Need Influence, Allies, and Connections (Patreon)

“Alan.”

“Yes, Elder Shen?”

“How have you been feeling lately?”

Alan took a sip of tea and smiled.

“Much better. I owe a lot of that to Luis, and to you for letting us use all that expensive equipment for free.”

Elder Shen nodded and gently set down the calligraphy brush in his hand.

“I heard you’re heading back. You’re not planning to stay?”

As he spoke, he looked quietly at the young man sitting across from him.

“If you stayed in China, with your experience dealing with bioweapons, people higher up would eventually approach you, just like they did with Shen May. You certainly wouldn’t be left with nothing to do.

“And you wouldn’t have to struggle through all the twists and turns of American politics. Take Simmons, for example. From what little I know, the forces behind him must be incredibly complicated.”

“Thanks for worrying about me... but after all these years, I don’t think I could get used to such a peaceful life here anymore.”

Alan picked up the teapot and poured himself another cup.

“Besides, Leon would never run away from all of this. If he’s staying in the fight, there’s no way I could remain here in my hometown by myself.”

“...You’re young, after all. Still, I admire that resolve.”

Elder Shen sighed and looked beyond the tea room toward Jun See, who was sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window enjoying the sunlight.

“Ever since Jun See became like this, I’ve truly felt old. I spent my youth building everything I had, then my later years managing it all. By the time I finally looked around, my grandson had ended up like this, and there was nothing I could do for him.”

Alan turned to look as well.

Jun See sat in a wheelchair with his eyes closed. Large areas of his skin shimmered silver, while his entire skull had been removed and was now protected by a specially designed helmet.

“That’s exactly why I need to go back. If I stay here, I can’t stop ordinary people from being subjected to things like this.”

“Mm. Do what you believe you should. The only thing I can do now is remain here and take care of Jun See.

“Oh, and one more thing. Even if you’re returning to the United States, remember this. Your homeland will always have your back. Don’t think you have to shoulder everything alone.”

“...Yeah. I’ve never forgotten.”

“There’s one more thing.”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for bringing Luis here. He didn’t just save Jun See’s life and free him from his suffering. He’s also contributed to our medical research.”

“Haha, you really can’t thank me for that. He came here because he wanted to make amends.”

“Make amends?”

Elder Shen paused.

Apparently, there were still things he didn’t know.

Alan stood and prepared to say goodbye.

“All right, I shouldn’t stay any longer. If I keep resting here, I might miss my flight.”

“Do you want me to have someone drive you?”

“Ah, no need. Ashley said she’d take me.”

...

A short while later, in the airport departure lounge.

“You didn’t forget any luggage, did you?”

“It’s just a few changes of clothes. I’ve got everything.”

“Your documents?”

“In my bag. Relax.”

“Think again. Sure there’s nothing else you forgot?”

“...You’re not waiting for me to say something like, ‘I forgot to take you with me,’ are you?”

Under Alan’s stare, Ashley grinned.

He helplessly gave her shoulder a light pat.

“Take care of yourself while you’re here. Who knows, your dad might end up coming over one day too. Then you’ll have to support him.”

“Seriously? You’re already putting that kind of pressure on me?!”

Ashley planted her hands on her hips, looking thoroughly exhausted.

“I’m kidding... Anyway, don’t you have some reporting work today?”

“You’re already trying to get rid of me?”

“Don’t miss me too much.”

“Who’s going to miss you? I can’t wait for you to leave. You’ve been freeloading at my place every day. Utilities cost money, you know, and you leave your computer running all the time.”

Listening to Ashley speak to him fluently in the local language, Alan smiled.

He almost reached out to ruffle her hair, but ultimately stopped himself.

“I’m off. Take care of yourself, and stay safe.”

“...Yeah. You too. Don’t get yourself into anything dangerous.”

Ashley remained where she was, watching Alan walk farther and farther away.

Only after he vanished from sight did she finally snap out of it and turn to leave.

“Getting a little sentimental there, kid.”

Hearing Krauser’s teasing voice through his headset, Alan cleared his throat twice.

“Were you spying on us?”

“Don’t accuse me of things. I’m working.”

“Then I’ll leave things here to you.”

“Don’t worry. Though it might only be temporary. I’ve already spoken with the President. Someone will be sent to replace me, but we don’t know exactly when yet.”

“Huh? You’re going back?”

“Of course. Things here aren’t as dangerous as they are back home, so there’s no reason for me to remain stationed here indefinitely.

“Besides, you guys need me.”

Alan couldn’t help smiling.

“All right. You haven’t gotten rusty, have you? I’d hate for you to come back and immediately get bitten by a zombie.”

“You think a zombie can bite through these muscles?”

...

United States, New York. Washington, D.C. Safe House.

When Alan unlocked the door and pushed it open, he found Grace sitting on the sofa, looking at her phone.

“Don’t tell me you’ve spent the last six months living in the safe house.”

“No. I’m staying next door. You guys always have a few empty rooms around here anyway, and I couldn’t be bothered looking for another place.”

“I was worried you wouldn’t keep the place clean.”

“Well, prepare to be disappointed. I’m not the one who doesn’t clean up after themselves. That would be...”

Alan immediately understood.

“All right, my mistake. Here, have some candy.”

Grace caught the White Rabbit candy he tossed her, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth.

“Pretty sweet... There’s egg fried rice in the pot. Help yourself if you want some. Leon’s out on a mission, so he won’t be back for a while.”

“Got it.”

Alan went into his room, put away his luggage, then came back out.

“How’s your treatment going?”

Alan answered while serving himself some rice.

“I’m basically back to normal. I just need to avoid taking too much serious damage. Luis said if I end up on the verge of death too many times, it could trigger some kind of genetic defense mechanism and turn me into a boss monster.”

“Oh God... Still, there probably isn’t any mission that would make you...”

“Stop. Don’t finish that sentence. I can’t afford that kind of flag.”

Grace shrugged.

“Fine. Eat your dinner.”

“...So you’ve completely gone back to being a normal person?”

Alan asked while shoveling down his food.

After all, six months ago she had gone with Leon to rescue him. Now she had somehow turned into a homebody.

Grace pouted.

“It’s not like I wanted to. After that last mission, Rebecca found out I have osteoporosis. That pretty much rules out intense physical activity for good.

“So I decided to become a hacker instead. I already have memories related to that stuff in my head, so I might as well use them.”

Alan found that slightly depressing.

“It took me forever to learn all that back then...”

“So thanks for doing the hard part for me... Oh, right. If there’s ever anything you need looked into, just tell me. I’ve been studying for six months now, so I’m already better than the version of you in my memories.”

Alan continued eating, but that made him feel a little better.

At least he had gained another useful ally.

Not a bad trade.

“...Look into whether anything unusual has been happening on the African black market lately.”

“You’re seriously asking me already...? Did you find another lead?!”

“Smart. But right now it’s only a hunch. I need you to confirm it.”

Grace looked down at the laptop resting on her legs and nodded.

“That’s easy. I might have something by the time you finish eating.”