"Do you not need to continue your work in Europe? If you become my bodyguard, you won't be able to leave for a long time." Eddie picked up his coffee and tasted it. It was serious, completely sugar-free, and very refreshing and mellow.
"My homeland is in a civil war, and there's nothing I can do if I go back. Alex is my good friend and we were university classmates. She said you are very interesting and asked me to look after you for a while." Svetlana did not hide anything. After some investigation, she found her current employer to be very mysterious.
"I can only say that sometimes man proposes, God disposes, but if you don't try, how can you be reconciled?" Eddie said thoughtfully. He wouldn't say that the beautiful woman in front of him would later be schemed against by the Eastern Slav Republic and the Federation and be overthrown. Such a thing was too absurd, and no one would believe it if he said it.
"When you say that, you seem to have a hidden meaning." Svetlana held her coffee cup, her eyes calmly fixed on the man.
"No, it's just a lament. Is it true that women who are successful in their careers tend to marry late?" Eddie suddenly asked.
"There's no need for that. A woman can live without a man, but a man cannot necessarily live without a woman. Do you need to learn combat skills? This is a very difficult thing, and you might suffer a lot." Svetlana did not hold anything back; how much one could learn depended entirely on their talent.
"It's best to learn more things, and this world is very unsafe." Eddie looked out the window. How many bio-weapons capable of instant death were hidden in the Arklay Mountains? Could one rely solely on a T-Virus to roam the world? He would not even know how he died sooner or later.
Svetlana could sense what the other person was thinking when he said this. "Indeed, good skills can make a person more focused. Sometimes too much power is not a good thing."
"Then let's start, right now." Eddie stood up and said, he was already a bit impatient. The T-Virus had given him great strength, but his combat skills were still terrible. If he could improve this weakness, he could certainly do more.
Although luck was also a part of strength, it was too ethereal, especially during the T-Virus modification, when his luck was basically used up.
Svetlana began to examine Eddie and tested various physical indicators through one or two sets of movement demonstrations: a split, a spinning ground kick.
Ten minutes later, Svetlana said in surprise, "All your metrics are very good, and your ligaments are opened. Did you used to study dance or martial arts?"
Eddie shook his head, "No." He wouldn't say that this was the effect of the T-Virus enhancement. If a small amount of diluted T-Virus could bring so many benefits, then how strong was Sergei, who was perfectly adapted to the T-Virus?
Svetlana's beautiful eyes flickered with a hint of suspicion. "Your physical quality is very good. So, what aspect do you want to start learning from?"
"Killing moves, one-hit kills!" Eddie said without thinking.
Svetlana curved her lips into a smile. As an instructor, she also hoped to train a special talent. "Alright, then I'll start teaching you. This is a unique Eastern Slav Republic fighting technique, very difficult for others to learn, very powerful, and requires special physical and psychological qualities."
A day passed, and Svetlana's training was hellish. There was no need for running; they went straight into practicing moves. Eddie had to attack cement-pillar-sized wooden stakes with his elbows, always hitting the marked red dot accurately.
If he made a mistake, he had to endure Svetlana's beating, only allowed to defend and not retaliate. In Svetlana's words, "To learn how to kill, you must first learn how to survive. To survive, you must first be able to endure a beating!"
Don't let Svetlana's appearance as a quiet city lady fool you; when she really fought, her demeanor instantly became incredibly sharp. Her fists always landed on Eddie's body from incredible angles. If she hadn't deliberately held back, she would have probably aimed directly for his forehead and throat.
Only after experiencing it firsthand did Eddie realize how outstanding Ada's combat skills were when she fought Svetlana.
"Your technique is simply terrible, besides being a bit strong, you're not even as good as a woman in other aspects." Svetlana scolded him unceremoniously. As an instructor, she would not show any mercy.
"I will defeat you sooner or later." Eddie rubbed his injured areas. His bruised and swollen face was the result of Svetlana holding back. The six words'special forces instructor' were no joke; they were earned through real combat.
"Talk when you've done it." Svetlana chuckled, looking very smug.
"You don't have some strange vow, do you?" Eddie's expression was strange. Was it as melodramatic as in a TV show?
"What strange vow?" Svetlana's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, with a hint of confusion.
"Like, whichever man defeats you gets to marry you and take you home—that kind of strange vow." Eddie said very seriously.
Svetlana scoffed, "You're really overthinking it. As long as you are outstanding enough, anything is possible. A good-for-nothing has no right to discuss these matters."
"Alright, let's talk business. If I go on a mission with the S.T.A.R.S., can you come along? Or do you have to stay in Raccoon City?" Eddie asked.
"It depends on whether you want me to come along. Generally speaking, if you have enough authority, it's fine for me to come." Svetlana was noncommittal.
"Then let's go together. I'll sort these things out." Eddie nodded.
The phone rang just as he finished speaking. Eddie answered the call and nodded. After hanging up, "Svetlana, I need to go back for a meeting. It should be a mission. Wait for my news. Also, the place we're going is very dangerous. Put on your gear. While a lady's suit suits you well, you're even more beautiful when you're dashing."
"Go to hell!" Svetlana snorted, turned, and left to pack her gear.
When they arrived at the police station, all off-duty Tactical Force members had returned. Whether it was Alpha Team or Bravo Team, all members were present. Captain Wesker was the last to arrive, obviously also confused.
Chapter 33: First Mission with Jill!
"Captain, do you know anything?" The steady Barry asked Wesker. Privately, their relationship was quite good, but this 'quite good' was limited to talking a lot and hadn't reached the level of friendship.
"I don't know, let's wait and see." Wesker shook his head. He was clearly confused. Even he, Umbrella's inside man, didn't know what was going on. And he had a strange premonition that ever since he decided to defect from Umbrella, the supreme military commander Sergei seemed to have been displeased with him everywhere.
Jill, on the other hand, walked over to check her boyfriend's injuries, smiling, "Does it hurt a lot? I was like this too when I first trained. It'll pass if you bear with it."
"I'm not that delicate; I'll also become a Tactical Elite!" Eddie shook his head. He was a real man, not those sissies who put on makeup and danced on stage.
Wesker looked at Eddie, feeling a hint of confusion in his heart. He also knew that Eddie had contact with Spencer, and he was also one of the accomplices in Marcus's murder. "Hmph, no matter who it is, no one can stop me from leaving this sinking ship called Umbrella!"
As everyone was chatting, Chief Brian and Chief Marvin walked in together. "Everyone, public sentiment regarding the recent disappearances and monster attacks in the Arklay Mountains is growing. Today, we will explore the Arklay Mountains for two days. We must find the culprit. You are all elites and must complete the most difficult challenge."
"Wesker, you're leading the team this time. Pay close attention and report any developments immediately. If there's anything you don't understand, ask Eddie. He has great achievements in medicine." Brian relayed Umbrella's original words. He didn't care about interpersonal relationships; he only cared about how much money he would receive.
"I understand." Wesker's eyes, hidden behind sunglasses, subtly glanced at Eddie. It was this man again. What was his identity? Was he sent by Spencer to monitor him? Mutual surveillance within Umbrella was no longer a secret.
"The lead for this mission came from a freelance journalist. I think she might know something. Take her with us. We can report our brave combat to the public, and it can also build some confidence among the citizens. With us here, they won't fear any danger." Eddie suggested.
Brian was contemplating, head down, but Chief Marvin frowned slightly, "Taking a journalist, won't she report indiscriminately?"
"No, she is a well-known freelance journalist in Raccoon City, Alyssa Ashcroft. I've seen her reports, and there have been no problems. She is trustworthy." Eddie explained.
"Alright, you can take her. To ensure safety, make full preparations. Is there anything else you want to say?" Brian asked again.
"We can bring Instructor Svetlana Belikova. She might be able to guide us." Eddie suggested again.
"Alright, that's all fine. Depart when you're ready." Brian waved his hand and left without further delay.
Chief Marvin paused for a step. "Hey, guys, be careful. I'll be waiting for you to come back."
"Alright, everyone, get ready. It's nine o'clock now; we depart at twelve." Wesker checked his watch.
Although going to the mountains at night wasn't ideal, since the captain had spoken, they could only proceed.
"I'm going to talk to Rebecca for a bit. It's her first mission, so she'll definitely be nervous. My dear, you also get your things ready." Jill greeted and left to look after Rebecca, who was also a woman, for better cooperation in the future.
As Eddie was packing his things, Wesker suddenly walked over. "Eddie, can we talk?"
"No problem." Eddie nodded. He wasn't afraid. At this time, Wesker's combat abilities were very high, even capable of contending with an Ivan-type Tyrant, but he hadn't gained superhuman strength yet, so there was nothing to fear.
The two arrived at the base's rooftop. Wesker was still wearing sunglasses late at night, whether to conceal something or to show off, it was probably more of the latter.
"Are you here to monitor me?" Wesker asked, gripping the railing.
"Part of my job is." Eddie nodded very openly.
"Hmph, it's that old man again, isn't it!" Wesker seemed to have already guessed.