Unholy Player Chapter 509 The Dark Side of Humanity

Rhys stepped out of the elevator as it reached the main floor, the doors sliding open with a soft chime to reveal a heavily guarded, spacious hall.

"Commander." The STF soldiers on duty immediately snapped into a salute at the sight of him.

"At ease, at ease. I’m off the clock today." Rhys acknowledged their gesture without breaking his stride.

Despite his words, the soldiers’ respect did not waver. They moved closer, offering to carry his burden, but he declined their assistance, keeping a firm grip on the buckets in his hands.

From the moment he exited the headquarters until he arrived at the laboratory complex, STF members greeted him at every turn, their salutes following him like a shadow.

Some spotted him from a distance and rushed over to offer help, only for Rhys to brush them off with the same practiced line. "Leave me be. I'm enjoying my off day."

Though he appeared to be snapping at them or ignoring their presence, not a single soldier took offense.

Many simply chuckled at his bluntness. The reverence they showed him wasn't born merely from military code or discipline; it felt deeply personal, a genuine affection similar to what one might feel for a father.

If Adyr was their idol and role model—a figure who ignited their passion and duty toward their race—then Rhys represented something else entirely. He was a source of calm warmth and unshakable stability, a pillar of strength that was as authoritative as it was beloved.

He continued through the streets under their watchful, caring eyes, glancing briefly at each face he passed. He recognized names and histories instantly without needing to linger, maintaining a steady pace as if he were fighting the urge to let emotion slow him down.

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

Some had been his trainees within the safe zones. Others had stood beside him on perilous missions or shared rations in war-torn territories. Some owed their lives to him—bonds forged in blood that required no words to acknowledge.

To Rhys, these people were the family he never possessed during his youth. It was a family he lacked because he had been raised as a parentless orphan, and one he never formed because he never had the opportunity to raise children of his own through a traditional life.

But as he had stated, today was his day off. He didn't stop for pleasantries or small talk, having resolved to spend these hours away from the crowd. Carrying his buckets, his rhythmic footsteps eventually brought him to the entrance of another facility.

On the surface, it looked like any other building, but the density of the guards stationed around it told a different story. This place was just as vital as the headquarters or the training grounds.

He moved through the high-security checkpoints without being delayed, accompanied by a trail of salutes, until he passed through heavy double doors into a vast, sterile chamber. The air was thick with a sharp, clean chemical odor that stung the back of the throat.

This time, those who greeted him weren't clad in military fatigues, but in white lab coats.

"Mr. Rhys." A man and a woman hurried toward him, their identification badges bouncing against their chests.

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

"Of course!" With welcoming smiles, they led him deeper into the facility, their practiced movements suggesting this was a frequent routine.

Using the researcher keycards hanging from their necks, they activated the elevator and descended into the subterranean levels. The air grew noticeably colder as they reached the -5th floor.

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

Rhys stepped out, his eyes instinctively scanning the familiar laboratory he visited every day.

The most striking feature was the array of living creatures kept behind glass partitions. There were animals familiar to any citizen of Earth, like dogs and cats, alongside species that had vanished after the nuclear wars, such as monkeys and even pandas.

There were even numerous specimens brought back from the Beyond, creatures entirely alien to the human experience.

Some of the animals were full of energy, pacing restlessly and crying out against the confines of the glass.

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

Then there were those who looked utterly spent, lying motionless; their life was only evident by the slight movement of their chests or the desperate, focused stare of their open eyes.

The purpose of this floor was easy to discern: it was a hub for genetic mutation research.

"This way, Mr. Rhys." The researchers escorted him through hallways lined with exotic beasts, their white coats reflecting in the glass as they approached a reinforced, sealed door.

To grant entry, they stood on either side of the portal, scanning their cards and retinas in perfect synchronization. The door opened with a hiss of pressurized air, as if the room itself were trying to keep out any impurities.

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

The staff did not open the inner door immediately.

Familiar with the protocol, Rhys moved to a wall compartment and placed his buckets inside before being asked. The hatch clicked shut, sealing the items away. Suddenly, disinfecting steam flooded the small room, clinging to their skin and clothes and blurring the overhead lights. After a few moments, the mist cleared. The researchers scanned their credentials once more at the second door, finally allowing them into the heart of the facility.

This was the laboratory where the darkest secrets of the human race were guarded.