Chapter One: First Arrival

“Are you awake?” A gentle voice echoed through the room, causing Wang Luo’s ears to ring incessantly.

He forced his eyes open and saw a man standing about five meters away.

Waking up to a man standing nearby… even at a distance, it was hardly a pleasant experience. With this thought, Wang Luo turned to his side and sat up.

The man was of average height but rather sturdy. Judging by his age, he seemed to be around thirty, wearing a brown jacket that was neither new nor old, open at the front, blue jeans, and black sneakers. He idly played with a pistol in his hand, watching him… them, with an indifferent gaze.

That’s right—there were others lying nearby.

This wasn’t home; it was out on the street. Cold, dirty, the wind chilling to the bone. An old street? No, there shouldn’t be anything like this in the city. Was it another city?

Three people lay sprawled in various places, and in front of them stood a man holding a gun. Was this a kidnapping? But he wasn’t someone worth ransoming… He needed to find a way to let the man know that.

A teenage boy, an adult woman, and an adult man were all lying on the ground, haphazard and exposed to the cold—an easy way to catch a cold, though this was hardly the time to worry about that.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, the three others seemed to hear something and stirred almost simultaneously. Wang Luo brushed the dust from his clothes and looked at the man who might be their kidnapper.

“Very well. Since you’re all awake, let me make a brief introduction. This is the Infinite World. You’ve been pulled in. This is America, and the setting is the first Resident Evil—a common scene in the Infinite World. I won’t bother explaining the details. If you survive, you’ll learn everything; if you don’t, there’s no point knowing.”

It sounded convincing, but Wang Luo couldn’t be sure, nor was it wise to argue. “Sounds cool, just like the infinite genre novels I’ve read,” he replied.

The man with the gun gave Wang Luo a surprised look. “In a few minutes, this damned space will issue your main tasks and achievements, so I won’t say much more. I’m not in a good mood lately, so don’t expect me to give you any pointers. If any of you want my protection later, hand over all your Universal Points. Fair trade—your points in exchange for your lives. It’s worth it…”

“What’s your name?” a firm voice interrupted.

Everyone, including the gunman, looked over in surprise.

The speaker was the thin, sharp-eyed teenager. He was about half a head shorter than the gunman, his gaze steely, jaw clenched, his angular face chiseled like a blade. Tense beneath his black clothes, his athletic body leaned forward slightly, one hand resting on his waist.

“Interesting.” After a pause, the gunman pointed his pistol at the boy and flipped off the safety. “A newcomer dares speak to me like that? Looks like we’ll be down one before the mission even begins.”

“You can’t do it,” the boy replied, staring straight into the man’s eyes. “This is the first act, a peaceful scenario. Mission participants can’t harm each other. You haven’t been through many worlds yourself, so stop pretending you’re a veteran. The more of us survive, the greater your reward, so step aside and do what you’re supposed to.”

The arrogance and coldness on the gunman’s face vanished, replaced by utter astonishment. He slowly lowered his weapon, his eyes full of disbelief. “How… how did you know…”

Apparently…

A surge of wild joy welled up in Wang Luo’s heart. But a moment later, he forcibly suppressed it.

It was just “possible.” He needed to observe more.

Soon, he received confirmation.

“Number 19572, you have accepted the contract and been granted entry to the Infinite World.”

“This is your first world—Mutant Crisis World.”

“If you need to learn about this world, simply think your question silently, and you will receive an appropriate answer.”

“Warning: You have automatically mastered the language: American English. You may interact with characters in this world and obtain certain things from them, but you are strictly forbidden from revealing any information about the world to them.”

“Note: Your appearance has been disguised. Local residents will not find you strange. You may also pay for any modifications you desire.”

“Warning: You must complete your objectives within the allotted time, or face the appropriate consequences.”

“Main Task: Resolve the issue within the Hive’s underground genetic research center.”

“Available time: 74 hours.”

“Current time: August 15, 1993, 7:49 AM.”

“Task Brief: Within the Umbrella Corporation’s stronghold—the Hive’s vast underground genetic research center—something terrible is hidden. Mysterious bioengineers gather here. In seventy-two hours, a deadly virus may break out and spread rapidly…”

“Task Difficulty: D-level (Easy)”

“Main Task Completion Reward: 500 Universal Points.”

“Main Task Failure Penalty: Erasure”

“Note: Your team composition… is rather unique. The rewards and penalties are appropriate.”

“Summary: There is more than one way to solve the issue, so do what needs to be done.”

“Note: Your body has been digitized. You will possess enhanced healing abilities in this world, and pain will be reduced to 70%. Once this world ends, your potential will begin to be unlocked. (If you survive, that is.)”

“Note: You can obtain the following achievements in this world.”

“Fame and Fortune: Complete the main task without any story characters dying.”

“Zombie Festival: Kill 1,000 zombies within one minute.”

“Irresistible Charm: Earn over 50 favor points from Alice.”

“Steel Will: Become infected with the T-virus and return to the space while retaining your consciousness.”

“Limitless Potential: Kill a Licker (this achievement can only be obtained on your first entry to the world).”

“Born Winner: Earn 30,000 Universal Points (this achievement can only be obtained on your first entry to the world).”

“You do not have permission to view the remaining achievements, but you can still obtain them if you meet the requirements.”

So it wasn’t a kidnapping, but a game. Wang Luo vaguely recalled a novel in which a nobleman, having grown bored of hunting beasts, began to hunt humans as prey…

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” the gunman was the first to shout. “That’s all we get? And if we fail, we’re erased?”

“It does seem a bit off,” the teenager agreed.

So, this time the hunter had set out less bait? As prey, should you really care how much the hunter has prepared?

“The first round shouldn’t be like this! And everyone said the newcomer’s guide mission is supposed to be the safest and easiest… The team is special? Does that mean…”

“I know some of you think none of this makes sense.” The teenager stepped in front of the gunman, addressing the rest. “I thought the same when I first arrived. But whoever brought us here must be extremely powerful.”

Yes, certainly, inevitably. But just how powerful? Like the difference between an ant and a man? Or between a legendary warrior and a player at their computer?

“It never hurts to show respect to the strong. I suggest you do as required for now. After all, we were each in our own place, and now we’ve all been brought here. Whatever did this, killing us would be effortless.”

“If you have questions, sort them out later. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Undeniable, reasonable… Whatever doubts one might have, this was the right course. Wang Luo nodded, and the other two indicated their agreement as well.

“Good, then let’s get going.” The teenager paused. “We have a few minutes before it starts. Take a moment to relax and get ready.” A faint smile played at the corner of his mouth. “To face a world entirely unlike any you’ve known.”