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Jack naturally understood what kind of danger lurked inside this church. His senses were sharp, and his experience with Umbrella's creations told him enough. There were three of them hiding here—three Lickers. Compared to the ordinary zombies, these creatures were something else entirely. They were faster, far stronger, and infinitely more grotesque. Zombies stumbled and groaned, but Lickers announced themselves with speed, claws, and a revolting appearance that made the stomach churn.
The Lickers had been born when the T-Virus was poured directly into human subjects. Those unfortunate enough to be chosen became unstable test pieces, experiments without any chance of survival. They were among the Hive's earliest attempts at creating living weapons. During their so-called "training" stages, the creatures were not only infected but were also force-fed living DNA, fresh organs, and flesh. They were monsters designed with one purpose—to kill and to terrify anyone unlucky enough to face them.
Jill Valentine made her choice without hesitation. She signaled to Peyton, gesturing for him to follow her, and together they began walking deeper into the shadowed heart of the church. Her steps were deliberate, fearless, the steps of a soldier who had already witnessed horrors and refused to be paralyzed by them.
Jack, however, didn't show a shred of worry. His expression remained calm, almost casual, as he watched Jill go forward. Jill Valentine was not the sort of woman who died easily. If she were to fall here, then she would not be the Jill he knew. That thought alone reassured him.
Teri, in contrast, was visibly anxious. Her hands trembled slightly, her lips pressed tight before she finally asked, "Do you think everything will really be all right?" Her tone betrayed the fear already crawling through her.
"It'll be fine," Jack said smoothly, his voice steady and unhurried. "Don't work yourself up. Just sit down and take a breath." With that, he lowered himself onto one of the church's old benches, as if to demonstrate his lack of fear.
Teri hesitated, then copied him, nodding faintly before taking her own seat. Her eyes shifted toward Wu Yang. "You really don't seem nervous at all," she said, surprised at his composure.
Wu Yang's expression grew serious. His features hardened as he looked up at the weathered statue of Jesus at the front of the church. A strange light filled his eyes—part calm, part fanatic, almost as though he were praying with absolute conviction. "Because I know," he began slowly, "that no matter how anxious I feel, what is destined to happen will still happen. Worrying won't change it. All I can do is face it calmly, live with all my strength, and keep moving forward. If death does come for me, then at least I will go without regret—because I fought with everything I had."
Teri was struck by his words. Her lips parted slightly, then curved into a faint smile. "Your mentality is… admirable," she whispered. She even gave a soft clap of her hands, a gesture of respect toward his outlook.
Jackchuckled, easing the tension in the air. "I used to hunt in the wilderness. Out there, I met every kind of danger you can imagine. Wolves, snakes, boars, even predators that could have torn me apart. I faced them all. There's nothing I haven't come across. Danger? It's just another companion walking alongside me."
"I can see it now," Teri admitted softly. "You're someone who truly carries courage in your heart."
Jacklaughed louder, scratching the back of his head. "Really? When you praise me like that, I almost feel embarrassed. Hahaha!" His laughter was open and free, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Teri couldn't help but smile with him. The fear she had felt moments ago seemed to loosen its grip. "Wu Yang, you've managed to calm me down a lot. Thank you."
Jack, watching the exchange, smirked faintly. "If you really want to thank me," he said in a lower tone, "then survive. As long as you live, then we can talk about life, about love, about everything else later." The last part, though, he kept to himself. Those words stayed locked in his heart.
"Yes!" Teri declared with sudden firmness, clenching her small fist tightly. "I have to live. I need to have courage!"
Jack leaned closer, his gaze locking on her eyes. His voice was steady, protective. "And I'll be there to protect you."
Teri felt the heat of his eyes burn into her. Her heartbeat sped up on its own, betraying her emotions. Flustered, she looked away quickly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I… I believe you."
From the side, Peyton let out a disdainful snort. "You two are seriously flirting at a time like this?"
Wu Yang's temper snapped instantly. His eyes narrowed, fists twitching. "What did you just say?" His glare could have burned through stone. This bastard dares to insult us at a moment like this? He's looking for death.
Peyton lifted his chin defiantly, his voice full of arrogance. "Kid, you want to fight me? I've taken down tougher punks than you. I could beat ten of your kind with ease."
Jack shook his head slowly, the word escaping his lips like a verdict. "Idiot."
Peyton's face darkened. "You've never killed anyone before, have you? You better watch your mouth," he threatened. His tone was heavy with menace.
"Jack, don't argue," Teri said quickly, stepping in, her voice tight with worry.
Jack gave her a gentle smile, his tone calm. "All right, I'll listen to you." Still, the look in his eyes was enough to say the truth: not worth the effort.
Before anything else could happen, a scream split through the air.
Jack tilted his head, his expression grim. "That perverted priest must've finally been bitten by his zombie sister," he muttered. He recalled the rumors—that the church priest's own sister had been infected, and instead of ending her suffering, he had tied her up and fed her corpses to keep her alive. A twisted, grotesque display of sibling affection.
Teri gasped, her nerves snapping tight again. "What was that?! Wu Yang, we need to leave! Let's get out of here right now!" Her eyes darted toward the church doors, desperate for escape.
Jack caught her trembling hand and squeezed gently. "It's all right. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you. Trust me." Inwardly, though, he added with a trace of irony: Trust your hammer.
Her fingers, cold and shaking, gradually absorbed the warmth of his grip. Her breathing steadied, and a blush spread faintly across her face. "Y-you can let go now…"
"Fine," Jack replied casually, releasing her hand.
"I'm leaving!" one of the male extras suddenly shouted. Panic overwhelmed him. He bolted toward the doors and shoved them open with both hands.
The sound of roaring zombies filled the church immediately. Rotting arms and clawing fingers forced their way through the gap.
"Ahhh!" the man shrieked, struggling to push back against the tide. "Help me! Quickly!"
Peyton rushed forward, bracing the door with his body. "What are you all standing there for? Help me shut it!" he roared.
Teri stumbled back in shock, nearly running in her panic.
"Move aside!" Jackbarked. With a single powerful kick, he slammed the heavy church doors shut. The entire building shuddered at the impact. The next instant, fists and claws hammered against the wood, desperate to break through.
Peyton's jaw dropped. Only moments ago, he had been straining with all his strength to keep the doors closed. Yet this boy had sealed them with a single strike.
"Brace it with a plank," Jack ordered calmly.
The panicked extra scrambled, seizing a wooden beam from the ground. He shoved it into the door's latch, locking it firmly in place. His chest heaved as he gasped, "I almost died…"
"Only a matter of time," Jack murmured under his breath as he stepped aside.
Above them, a guttural roar echoed, chilling the blood in their veins. Something fast scurried across the roof, claws scraping against stone. Its movements were quick, predatory, unnervingly precise.
"What the hell was that?!" the extra cried out, his voice trembling.
Peyton and Teri both glanced upward, their faces paling. A red, fleshy monster crept along the ceiling, its claws digging grooves into the stone. A Licker.
Almost instinctively, Teri moved closer to Wu Yang, holding up her camera with trembling hands, trying to capture the nightmare that moved above them.
"I can't take this anymore!" the extra screamed. Terror overtook him completely, and he bolted toward the deeper shadows of the church, abandoning the group.
"Get back here!" Peyton shouted after him, his voice echoing.
But within less than a minute, the sound of a pitiful scream rang out from the darkness. The answer was obvious—he had already been torn apart.