Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Figure at the Heart of the Forbidden Zone

"There's one more thing. Brother Ye Hai, I hope you can introduce me to Mr. Raven," Nangong suddenly spoke after the group had reached an agreement regarding the safe airport.

At once, Ye Hai, Qiao, and Mr. Big Lung exchanged glances, wordless and uneasy. Seeing their silence, Tichy took up Nangong's request, voicing the same hope—to meet Raven in person.

Ye Hai pondered for a moment before replying, "Gentlemen, it's not that I don't wish to introduce you to our boss… It's just that for many years now, the boss has been wholly absorbed in research. All matters concerning the organization have been left in my hands. He’s a peculiar man; even we corpse catchers rarely see him, and entering his laboratory is far too dangerous."

In truth, both Tichy and Nangong had wondered whether Raven truly existed. Ye Hai wielded enormous power within the corpse catchers—so much so that he could oversee virus technologies and bioweapon trade without ever consulting the boss, making decisions as a mere agent. It was enough to make them suspicious. Both considered whether Ye Hai was, in fact, the shadowy Raven, and the corpse catcher was merely his public persona. Thus, their request was a subtle probe. But the outcome mattered little to them.

Ye Hai’s evasive response only strengthened their suspicions. Both shrewd men, they chose to see through the matter without revealing their insight.

Nangong replied, "I see. Since Mr. Raven is not inclined to meet, we won’t insist."

Just as it seemed the matter would be left at that, Qiao suddenly furrowed his brow and spoke, "The old man may have avoided people for years, but with two new corpse catchers among us, it’s only right that they pay their respects. Whether he wishes to see us or not is his affair. Let’s not wait until he emerges from the forbidden zone and scolds us—his tongue is sharp enough."

Mr. Big Lung nodded in agreement. "Qiao is right. Other matters aside, appointing two new corpse catchers is a significant event."

"We ought to inform the boss! Besides, it’s tradition among corpse catchers that after becoming one, you must study at the boss’s side for a time. They should receive systematic training, then learn in turn from each of us, until they truly master virus and gene technology. Only then are they qualified to handle something as terrifying as the 'Solar Staircase.'"

"Though Miss Liana and Mr. Javier are different from us—they fused with the virus and gained abilities before joining our organization—now that they are corpse catchers, they must become expert virus researchers. Otherwise, it goes against the founding purpose of the corpse catchers."

Hearing Qiao and Big Lung united in their stance, Ye Hai rolled his eyes. Strictly speaking, Ye Hai was only the second Raven in the corpse catchers’ history. He and Qiao had been taken in by the old man during their lowest days, before the organization had even been named—just a small survivor camp. The old man, its leader, was an expert in virology and genetics. List, Zero, and Big Lung were all his disciples, and even Ye Hai and Qiao, who joined later, were his students in a sense.

After Ye Hai and Qiao joined, they quickly expanded the camp into what would become the corpse catchers. Seeing their talent for management, the old man entrusted his disciples with the organization, dedicating himself entirely to research.

Over time, the old man and his three disciples—Ye Hai’s elder brothers and sister—showed special care for Ye Hai and Qiao. The old man had saved both their lives, so Ye Hai grew ever closer to the group. As a token of gratitude, he gave the old man a sample of the original Solar Staircase virus, hoping to see if this unknown master could discover something the Umbrella Corporation had missed.

But after encountering the Solar Staircase, the old man became obsessed, locking himself in his laboratory and never emerging again. Furthermore, his research didn’t focus on the original Solar Staircase virus, and he only dabbled in the T-virus. His main project revolved around zombie viruses, using the Solar Staircase as a catalyst to cultivate nightmare creations.

Currently, among corpse catchers, only List shares the old man's research direction. The others, after comparing the zombie virus and Solar Staircase virus, shifted their focus to deep development based on Solar Staircase or T-virus.

The old man's viruses often contained only trace amounts of Solar Staircase, or he used it solely as a catalyst. As a result, Ye Hai could only suppress the monsters his mentor created, never fully control them.

Sensing sincerity in Qiao and Big Lung's words, Tichy and Nangong exchanged surprised glances.

So, Raven truly existed.

Ye Hai spoke helplessly, "You’re right, Liana and Javier should meet the old man. But which of you will take them?"

At his words, Qiao and Big Lung’s faces changed at once. They stepped back, shaking their heads like rattles.

"Boss, the old man trusts you most. You should take Liana and Javier to see him! And if Commander Tichy and Chief Nangong still wish to meet the old man once inside the forbidden zone core… bring them along as well."

Qiao's voice was tinged with anxiety and uncertainty.

Ye Hai retorted irritably, "Do you want our two key partners killed? That cursed place—only List, that pervert, can come and go freely! Even I risk losing my skin if I’m careless. Thankfully, Liana and Javier are strong enough; otherwise, I wouldn’t dare enter the core. The monsters the old man has created frighten me too… How about the five of us go together? That should be safer."

Qiao and Big Lung were tempted. They hadn’t seen their mentor in years, and truth be told, missed him dearly. Normally, only List could enter the core zone to deliver supplies and check on the old man. No one else could enter alone.

If not for the spoils of this journey through the irradiated land, Ye Hai wouldn’t dare venture into the heart of the forbidden zone.

Hearing their discussion, Liana, Javier, Tichy, and Nangong all grew more interested in the forbidden zone core.

Finally, Mr. Big Lung nodded and said, "Ye Hai’s suggestion is the safest plan with List absent. So, let the five corpse catchers venture together into the teacher’s forbidden land. I just hope the mentor hasn’t had any major breakthroughs lately… Otherwise, people may truly die!"