In truth, the strength of the female Samsara wasn't weak—her overall combat evaluation was at least C-level.
Just moments ago, the heavily armed security personnel had been completely overwhelmed. The ground was littered with their dismembered corpses—each one the handiwork of that female Samsara.
Against ordinary humans, she was overwhelmingly powerful.
However…
Against Fenric, she was the one utterly outclassed.
In every aspect—speed, strength, technique—Fenric surpassed her. Taking her down in a single second was well within his ability.
"Well done!"
Seeing the symbiote successfully secured, Drake was overjoyed and couldn't help but express his admiration for Fenric.
"Quick! Send it to my lab immediately!" Drake urged anxiously, fearful that another accident might occur.
After personally witnessing the three symbiotes delivered safely into the research lab, Drake finally let out a sigh of relief.
He walked over to Fenric, gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder, and said with a grin, "Excellent work. You've earned double your bonus this month!"
"Thank you, sir," Fenric replied calmly.
His performance just now was calculated—he had done just enough to showcase his strength without going overboard.
Had he displayed his true power—say, stopping the lighter mid-air or instantly killing the female Samsara using telekinesis—Drake might've still been grateful, but also wary. It would've made him see Fenric as a monster, not a man.
"Your name is Ronan, right? Former Delta Force? Retired?" Drake asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Yes, sir."
"Good. From now on, you'll stay by my side and protect me. Don't worry—I take good care of my people."
"Understood."
Fenric responded with stoic professionalism, like a quiet, reliable soldier.
Drake, seeing this, was even more satisfied.
What's the use of a bodyguard who's all talk? Loyalty and strength—that's what mattered.
His gaze then shifted to the female Samsara's corpse lying on the floor.
His eyes gleamed with interest.
He had been observing her during the earlier confrontation—those transforming arms that turned into blades had deeply intrigued him.
"Don't touch the body. Bring it into my lab," Drake ordered, clearly planning to dissect and study the unique physiology of the female Samsara.
Fenric remained unmoved.
This was the cruel law of the Samsara world—the weak die, the strong survive. He felt no pity.
At that moment, Fenric's calm gaze swept across the area.
He remembered there were four Samsara who entered this dungeon.
Including himself and Belle Morwyn, there should be two others—one male, one female.
The female was already dead by his hands.
But where was the male?
Fenric speculated that the other Samsara player had likely infiltrated the Life Foundation as well.
Online strategy forums had made it clear: the only way to get close to the symbiotes was to embed yourself within the Life Foundation.
The next day.
Fenric continued to follow Drake closely.
The plot progressed in line with the original storyline. Drake began researching the symbiotes and used live human test subjects in hopes of discovering a safe method of symbiotic integration.
Unfortunately, all attempts ended in failure—and many test subjects died.
A female doctor, unable to bear the horrors any longer, secretly contacted a reporter named Eddie, hoping to expose Drake's atrocities.
Soon, Eddie sneaked into the facility and was infected by Venom, becoming its host.
Fenric observed everything silently, showing no intention of interfering.
Whether it was Venom or the other symbiotes, he wasn't particularly interested.
His goal was simple: protect Drake, let him finish building the spacecraft, and catch a ride to the symbiotes' home planet.
Once there… that was where Fenric would truly begin to shine.
As for the remaining Samsara player, he still hadn't shown himself. His whereabouts remained unknown.
A few days later.
While accompanying Drake to the research facility, a security guard stopped Fenric at the entrance.
"Mr. Anderson, this package is for you."
"Oh? Thanks."
Fenric opened it. Inside was a simple mobile phone.
Only one number was saved on it.
Seeing this, Fenric smiled faintly.
He knew who sent it.
Belle Morwyn.
While Drake entered the lab, Fenric stood outside and dialed the number.
"Hello?"
"Great Shura, it's me." Belle Morwyn's voice came from the other end.
"Mm. I figured. Did you complete the task I gave you?"
"Done!"
Fenric didn't ask how she managed it and simply followed up, "Good. Where are you now?"
"Los Angeles."
"You have one week. Bring the weapons and come to San Francisco."
Without another word, Fenric ended the call.
The Life Foundation was based in San Francisco.
During this time, Fenric had kept a low profile, quietly monitoring Drake's activities.
At the very least, he knew Drake had spent a fortune constructing a spacecraft—preparations for another trip to space.
Based on his understanding of the timeline, the launch would happen within a week.
Just as he ended the call, Fenric noticed something unusual.
A small, blonde-haired girl walked alone into the research facility.
His eyes gleamed sharply.
He recognized her instantly.
According to the plot, this little girl was the temporary host of Riot. She had come to the facility to merge with Drake.
The symbiotes were intelligent. Riot must've learned through various channels that Drake was the ideal candidate to help execute its plan.
That's why it had traveled all this way to possess him.
When the girl saw Fenric, he also locked eyes with her.
Fenric immediately stepped aside, making way.
Not because he feared Riot.
In fact, he had already learned the symbiotes' weaknesses. Taking down Riot wouldn't be hard.
But now wasn't the time.
He needed Riot to bond with Drake.
So, he let it pass.
The little girl entered the research room without resistance.
Two hours later.
Drake emerged.
No one else came out with him.
With his keen senses, Fenric immediately noticed something had changed.
Drake was no longer the same.
Clearly, Riot had taken over.
"Ronan, let's go."
"Yes, sir."
Fenric responded as usual, his face calm and composed.