Unholy Player Chapter 509 The Dark Side of Humanity

Rhys descended via the elevator to the ground floor, where the doors slid open with a sharp chime into a guarded, spacious lobby.

"Commander." The STF personnel on duty immediately snapped into a salute upon his arrival.

"Easy now. It's my day off." Rhys acknowledged their greeting without breaking his stride.

Despite his words, the soldiers' respect didn't waver. They moved closer, offering to carry his burden, but he declined, keeping a firm grip on the buckets in his hands.

His journey from the headquarters to the laboratory building was marked by a continuous stream of salutes and welcomes from STF members. Every few steps, another greeting caught him as he passed by.

Some spotted him from a distance and rushed over to offer assistance, only for Rhys to deploy his usual defense. "Leave me alone. I'm enjoying my off day."

Though he appeared to be snapping at them or brushing them off, none of the soldiers took offense.

Many greeted his attitude with smiles and quiet laughter. The reverence they showed him wasn't born merely of military discipline or regulations; it felt deeply personal, a genuine affection similar to what one might feel for a father figure.

While Adyr served as their idol and role model—someone who ignited their passion and sense of duty to their race—Rhys represented something different. He provided a sense of calm warmth and unwavering stability, acting as a pillar that never shook, earning him just as much authority and love.

He continued through the streets under their watchful, caring eyes. He glanced briefly at each face he passed, recognizing names and personal histories without needing to pause, maintaining a steady pace as if he refused to be slowed down by sentiment.

Every face, whether new or old, held a sense of familiarity.

Some were former trainees from the safe grounds. Others had stood beside him on perilous missions or shared rations in war-torn conflict zones. Some owed him their lives—bonds of that nature required no words.

To Rhys, these people were the family he never possessed as a child. Having grown up as an orphan and never having the opportunity to raise his own children through a traditional family life, they were his kin.

However, as he had stated, today was his day off. He avoided small talk and soft words, intent on spending his time away from the crowd. He kept walking, buckets in hand, until his rhythmic steps brought him to the entrance of another facility.

At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary building, but the heavy guard presence made its true nature undeniable. This place was just as vital as the headquarters or the training grounds.

He moved through the high-security checkpoints without delay, followed by salutes and greetings, until he passed through heavy double doors into a vast, sterile hall. The air was thick with a sharp, clean chemical odor that lingered in the throat.

This time, those who met him weren't soldiers in uniform, but professionals in white coats.

"Mr. Rhys." A man and a woman hurried toward him, their ID badges swinging against their chests as they approached.

"I'm here for the regular check-up and to deliver these." Rhys gestured with the buckets, offering them as his reason for being there.

"Of course!" They greeted him warmly and led the way, their practiced movements showing that his visits were a common occurrence.

Using a researcher card, they activated the elevator and descended deep into the earth. As they reached the -5th floor, the air turned noticeably colder.

The doors opened to a space no larger than the lobby, but far more brilliant, filled with sterile white lighting and rows of equipment organized with the precision of a high-end workshop.

Rhys stepped out into the familiar laboratory, his eyes scanning the room out of pure habit.

The most striking sight was the array of animals held within glass enclosures. Some were common Earth creatures like cats and dogs, while others were species thought to be extinct since the nuclear war, such as monkeys and pandas.

There were also numerous specimens brought back from the Beyond, creatures entirely foreign to the human eye.

Some animals were full of energy, pacing their cells and crying out, their movements restricted by the glass walls.

Others lashed out in fury, slamming their heads and claws against the barriers in a desperate attempt to escape, leaving behind faint scratches.

A few appeared completely drained, lying motionless; the only signs of life were the rhythmic rise and fall of their chests or eyes that watched their surroundings with a hollow, desperate focus.

The purpose of this floor was easy to discern: genetic mutation research.

"This way, Mr. Rhys." The two researchers led him past the rows of exotic creatures, their white coats reflected in the glass as they approached a sealed doorway.

To grant entry, they stood on either side of the door, synchronizing their card scans and retinal checks. The door opened with a hiss of pressurized air, as if the room within were fighting to stay uncontaminated.

The trio entered a small transition chamber. An identical door stood ahead of them while the first one sealed shut with an airtight thud.

The staff did not open the inner door immediately.

Familiar with the protocol, Rhys placed the buckets into a wall compartment without being asked. The hatch shut with a soft click. Suddenly, disinfecting steam flooded the small room, clinging to their skin and clothes and blurring the bright lights for a few moments. Once the mist cleared, the researchers scanned their credentials at the second door, allowing them finally to enter the main laboratory.

This was the place where the darkest secrets of the human race were hidden.