Raccoon City.
Cain looked at the police uniform on his body and let out a slight smile. Ten years—it hadn't been easy to reach this position.
This was a world full of danger, the world of Resident Evil. When he first arrived, he discovered that he had a system. But when he tried to use it, he found out it was inactive.
That realization had made him curse out loud. He had never seen something so ridiculous.
Ten years had passed, and relying on his wits, Cain managed to get what he wanted through deception and manipulation.
By bribing the right people, he became a patrol officer. By colluding with local gangs, he made dirty money.
This place was far more chaotic than he had expected. Without money or power, there was no respect. If he wanted to rise above, he needed real skills.
As he glanced at the gray, inactive system interface, Cain couldn't figure it out—what exactly was the method to activate it?
The car suddenly dipped as someone got into the passenger seat. A young man sat down, grinning.
"Hey, Cain. How about giving me a ride? Take me to Baker Street."
It was Chris, a member of Raccoon City's special police squad. What was the full name again? Oh right—Special Tactics and Rescue Service. Even the name sounded impressive, clearly no ordinary unit.
The team had just been reformed last month, with an open recruitment process across the police department. Umbrella Corporation provided the funding, the salary was good, and the benefits were even better.
They had dedicated dorms, free meals, and a high paycheck.
"Of course. I've got nothing better to do anyway."
Cain smiled. He knew Chris and had a decent relationship with him, but he rarely went on missions with him.
The reason was simple—Chris had a reputation for getting his teammates killed. Cain wasn't eager to be another casualty. Keeping some distance was the safest bet.
Just then, the car door opened again, and a wave of perfume filled the air.
A woman with short hair slid into the back seat. Her delicate features, symmetrical face, and sharp gaze exuded confidence.
She was the kind of woman that left a lasting impression at first glance—elegant, capable, and with an undeniable allure.
"Hey, Jill. Nice to see you again. You're as beautiful as ever."
Cain greeted her with a grin. Seeing Jill, he felt a rush of excitement.
His pants tightened—his body's reaction was undeniable proof of his strong interest.
Jill noticed. Her eyes flickered to his reaction, a mix of pride and mild disgust flashing across her face.
"Yeah, we're working on a case. Mind if we hitch a ride?"
"Of course. If you crack the case, let's grab dinner tonight. It's been a while since I treated anyone from the Major Crimes Unit. My treat."
Cain's voice was bold and carefree—he was a natural at socializing.
His money didn't come from honest work. An honest man couldn't make real money.
But even without an active system, Cain knew how to build relationships.
At first, his colleagues saw him as an easy mark.
But over time, things changed. After enough free meals and favors, they warmed up to him. No one was truly clean in this city.
"Sounds good. A free meal is always welcome." Chris chuckled, not looking down on Cain at all.
Jill narrowed her eyes slightly. "Sure."
With a press of the gas pedal, Cain sped through the streets, weaving between cars. In no time, they arrived at Baker Street—a rundown area bordering the slums.
"Good luck with your case. I have some things to take care of. Call me if you need anything." Cain mimed a phone call gesture.
"Got it."
Chris and Jill got out of the car and joined their team, heading toward an old factory.
Cain, meanwhile, made his way to a bar near the slums—a place sitting between the poverty-stricken district and the residential area.
The bar was under his control, a front for underground gambling and black-market dealings. If you had money, you could get anything here—including illegal firearms.
Cain becoming a patrol officer in Raccoon City wasn't luck or fate. It was cold, hard cash.
"What happened at the West Street warehouse?"
Cain sat down at a table, placing a glass of whiskey in front of a woman.
She was a striking blonde in a crimson blazer, her sleek golden hair falling over one eye, giving her a mysterious air.
Her pale, flawless face and sharp gaze radiated determination. It was obvious—this was a strong, independent woman.
"How would I know? Aren't you the cop here?"
Alyssa didn't even look up, still focused on writing her article. She was clearly familiar with Cain.
Cain knew her well too.
She wasn't just some random background character in this world. Only hardcore fans of the Resident Evil series would recognize her.
Alyssa Ashcroft was one of the survivors of the Raccoon City outbreak, a playable character in the Outbreak series.
She had managed to make it through everything alive, even getting referenced in later games.
That made her interesting.
She didn't like Cain—she saw him as a scumbag, a corrupt officer working with gangs.
But the two had an understanding.
Cain provided dirt on rival gangs and corrupt officials, giving Alyssa material for her exposés.
In return, Alyssa shared valuable information with Cain.
It was a mutually beneficial relationship.
Her reports helped Cain take out his competition, and she got the exclusive stories she wanted.
"I'm asking because I don't know. And stay here for a while—don't wander around. Barkov's men are looking for you. It's safer here."
Cain lowered his voice. That was one of the reasons he had come.
Getting close to a woman in this world wasn't easy.
Opening a harem straight away? Unrealistic.
Especially when his system wasn't even active yet.
For now, he had to do things the old-fashioned way—using charm and sincerity.
"I'm not scared of them," Alyssa scoffed. She was a war reporter—getting into trouble came with the job.
"You might not be, but I am. I don't want anything happening to you. Keeping you safe is my responsibility."
Cain's voice was steady as he locked eyes with her.
Alyssa wasn't naive. She looked up and gave him a side glance.
"I appreciate the concern."
"I mean it. This time, just listen to me. Things are different."
Cain reached out, stopping her from brushing off his warning. His gaze softened.
"I like you. That's why I want to protect you."