And besides all that, Javier used his remaining points to upgrade his Desert Eagle handgun. Since he needed a weapon he could carry for a long time, he couldn't forget this gun. The M500 Revolver was powerful, but it wasn't a semi-automatic handgun. The difficult reloading, heavy weight, and inconvenience made him unable to consider it.
Therefore, the moderately powerful Desert Eagle was still the first choice for fighting zombies. Its power was slightly increased, and the ammunition capacity was changed from the original eight rounds to ten rounds. Don't ask how the capacity increased—it was "Dimensional Expansion."
Of course, besides the handgun, the necessary melee weapon was also essential. Considering the typical melee options—hand axe, military shovel, and military knife—Javier chose the cool military knife, specifically the Nepalese Kukri, which was often exaggerated in online games.
The Nepalese Kukri is also called the Ghurka knife or Dog-Leg knife. It's a classic recurve knife. Because the blade is wide and curves upward like a dog's leg, it's called the Dog-Leg knife. It is recognized as one of the most mechanically balanced recurve knives in the world.
However, all the introductions above are not true praises that elevate this famous knife to the heavens. In reality, the Nepalese Kukri has obvious pros and cons and is not as powerful as rumored.
First, the advantage: The spine of the knife is relatively thick and heavy, making it suitable for chopping. When swinging, the damage is greater and harder to defend against than other blades. If you chop a neck or an arm, it can usually cut deep into the bone or even break it, making it instantly lethal to the neck. The power is immense.
But the drawbacks are also obvious: It's very strenuous to use. This type of blade is heavy and takes a lot of effort to swing. It's larger than a normal knife, very inflexible, and specifically designed for chopping, so its stabbing and piercing ability is extremely weak. It also lacks a handguard, making it easy to slip out of your hand if it gets covered in blood and accidentally injure yourself.
Therefore, it really is not that godly. In fact, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.
But why was Javier so obsessed with the Dog-Leg knife? Mainly because it's convenient for chopping bone. Since zombies aren't brittle, they are still human flesh infected by a virus. Trying to kill one with a melee weapon is very difficult with a general tactical knife. The Kukri is much easier; one chop can sever a bone, which is why Javier chose it as his melee weapon.
The upgrades applied to his gear were:
Desert Eagle .50AE
Effect: Power increased by 0.8x (Maximum 2x)
Effect: Recoil reduced by 0.8x (Maximum 2x)
Effect: Ammunition capacity increased by 2 rounds (Maximum 15 rounds)
Nepalese Kukri
Effect: "Dog-Leg" strike to the joints of limbs or other areas deals double damage. Wear and tear can be repaired, and durability can be upgraded using points.
This small wave of upgrades significantly strengthened Javier, but he still hadn't completely broken out of the realm of an "ordinary human." He didn't know if he could survive the coming Raccoon City virus outbreak. Even though he looked like a max-level veteran, there's a big difference between playing a game and being in reality, where the Butterfly Effect means anything could happen.
But for now, let's look at another perspective.
Colorado, USA
The sun was bright and the weather was beautiful at a solemn police academy. Countless cadets stood in straight lines, chests puffed out, smiles radiating their hope for the future. Today was an important day: they had finished their training and were graduating from the police academy.
The scene was decorated with colorful flags, and trays of food and champagne towers were neatly arranged to celebrate their graduation. Among them, a fresh-faced young man with a center-parted haircut stood out—yes, the center-parted kid.
Leon Scott Kennedy was in his most naive and youthful years. He had no sharp eyes, no cold face, no handsome stubble, and no melancholy temperament. His eyes were slightly clear and innocent, and his expression was honest and dull—a totally youthful "puppy." But his handsome, center-parted hair had already earned him the admiring glances of many female cadets.
Although the ratio of men to women in American police academies was heavily skewed (like 9:1 or 7:3), it didn't stop these young people from seeking love, though in truth, they didn't really understand love; it was merely the hormonal excitement of youth, a desire for a passionate "mating season."
However, Leon didn't see things that way. As an ambitious young man, his goal was to become an excellent police officer, dedicated to helping the weak, punishing evil, and serving his country. Leon was quite well-known at the academy. He was handsome, had excellent grades, and was good at thinking outside the box, making him very popular with the instructors and female students. After all, many naive girls in America were drawn to the handsome, cool, and intelligent type of boy.
However, as Leon was lost in thought, a voice suddenly interrupted him:
"Leon, come over here…!"
"Kid, it's your turn. Do you have any thoughts about your posting? If not, I was planning to assign you to the police station in this town as a trainee officer. You've been at the academy for so many years and are familiar with the environment, so patrolling is easy, and the town is quiet with very little crime. What do you think?"
An overweight instructor with a beer belly, Instructor Paton, called Leon over. Paton was a common sight in American policing, and you shouldn't underestimate those big-bellied officers, as they can sometimes run surprisingly well.
Instructor Paton wanted to discuss the job assignment with Leon. Graduates are usually assigned to various police stations across the state, often staying at the station where their academy was located for convenience and familiarity. Of course, some ambitious ones choose to transfer to city headquarters. The difference between a small-town station and a city headquarters is huge. Paton favored Leon, who was smart and clever (though a bit sharp-tongued), and wanted to know his preference.
"I'm sorry, Instructor Paton," Leon said. "I don't want to stay in a small town. While it is peaceful, it doesn't suit me. I'm still young, and I prefer a place with bigger challenges. The city headquarters will allow me to spread my wings. I've already decided on where I want to go: the Raccoon City Police Department… I have a good feeling about that place!"
Unsurprisingly, Leon told Paton his honest thoughts. Paton was not surprised, as this was the kind of answer he expected from Leon.
"Alright, I respect your choice, Leon," Paton said, nodding. "But it's worth noting that Raccoon City is not peaceful right now. There was a sensational serial murder case not long ago; it's very messy, and it will be difficult for a rookie like you to handle. But I trust you. Fill out the paperwork and report there tomorrow. Chief Brian Irons will take care of everything for you."
"I also wish you all the best, Leon. I think highly of you, and I hope when I hear your name next year, you won't be a trainee officer anymore!" Paton said, handing over a blank form for Leon to fill out with his chosen police department.
"Thank you for the blessing, Instructor Paton…"
Leon took the form without hesitation. Just as he said, he liked a challenge, and the Raccoon City Police Department Headquarters in this state of Colorado was the perfect place for him to gain experience. The recent strange cases in Raccoon City were a great opportunity. If a rookie like him could solve multiple cases, he would be promoted quickly.
However, the overjoyed Leon had no idea that Raccoon City was waiting for him not with a promotion or a stepping stone to the peak of his life, but with an unforgettable nightmare.
After filling out the form, Leon quietly enjoyed a dessert by himself, looking unapproachable. His mind was filled with fantasies of joining the Raccoon City Police Department, solving cases quickly, getting promoted, marrying a rich and beautiful woman, and reaching the pinnacle of his life. He completely missed the approving glances from the female cadets in the distance.
This quiet atmosphere was broken when his best friend approached him.
"Hey!"
"Leon, what's going on? I heard Instructor Paton say you're transferring to the Raccoon City Headquarters? That place is far from here, and a city headquarters is completely different from a small-town police station. You don't actually think it's going to be easy, do you?"
"What's wrong with staying in the small town? The place is familiar, patrolling is easy, and the crime rate is low. We could just hang out all day! And the girls at the bar still give us the eye—being a police officer is a big deal in a small town! Hey, hey… are you even listening to me?"
A tall, skinny white man suddenly draped his arm around Leon's neck and started talking non-stop, his face close to Leon's. Leon, too lazy to deal with his friend, closed his eyes and let the words go in one ear and out the other.
This blonde-haired man was Ryan, Leon's only good friend at the academy. He was the local rich kid, whose parents ran a very profitable logistics business in the sparsely populated town. Ryan himself was a playboy who often partied until dawn. Leon felt a mix of affection and frustration for his "scoundrel" friend.
"Forget it, Ryan," Leon said, pushing away his friend's hand. "Don't end up in the ICU from excessive partying before you even start as a cop! You drink and chase women all day; your dark circles today looked like a panda's! You're lucky Instructor Paton didn't scold you, or you'd be in for it…"
Unfortunately, Leon's advice had no effect on the playboy Ryan, who immediately tried to rope Leon into a celebration.
"Pah! Don't mention that annoying stuff! I promise I'll start being disciplined tomorrow—tomorrow! But tonight, I'm organizing the graduation celebration, and you can't refuse! I've reserved the entire Misty Bar and invited many pretty girls from the town to celebrate. I spent a lot of money, you bastard, so don't you dare ditch me! You have to come!"
"Tonight is the last time we'll be together before we go our separate ways, so we have to drink until we drop! You promised, so no backing out!"
Faced with Ryan's badgering, a helpless Leon could only shake his head and reluctantly agree to go to the bar. It was indeed their last gathering; tomorrow they would go to their respective police departments.
Little did he know that this was a choice that would change his life. Leon had no idea that tomorrow he would be late because of that night of drinking, arriving just in time for the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City.
Meanwhile, Javier, after finishing his shift at the police station, strolled leisurely through the streets of Raccoon City, carrying a high-calorie KFC burger meal. His eyes were constantly checking for movement behind him, as he could clearly sense he was being followed, most likely by surveillance personnel sent by Police Chief Brian Irons.
This was the treatment the remaining S.T.A.R.S. members were getting. Except when they were hiding at home, they were monitored everywhere they went, with no personal freedom. Jill was one of the worst-monitored members; she couldn't leave her house at all. It was essentially house arrest, with licensed police officers outside, making it impossible for her to run. Jill had been going mad confined to her room for the last few weeks.
"Thump-thump-thump…"
"Thump-thump-thump…"
Javier's footsteps gradually slowed to a stop in front of a house. This thirty-square-meter apartment was Javier's residence—a small, cozy room.
Seeing Javier slowly enter the house, the hidden surveillance personnel cautiously showed their heads. Their mission was to monitor the every move of the S.T.A.R.S. members. Although they didn't know why, it was an order from the Police Chief and the Umbrella Corporation, and the work was steady with good pay, so they didn't bother to think too much about it.
"Clang—!"
"I'm back…" Javier twisted the doorknob, slowly opened the door, stepped inside, and spoke faintly to the seemingly empty room.
This was not the start of some Japanese harem anime; there was truly someone inside the room. It was a girl with long, disheveled hair, wearing a crooked slip dress. No… it should be a monster girl.