Chapter 21: Solo Action
"..."
"What is this?"
Rebecca leaned in, her small face filled with curiosity, as she looked at the black statue Javier held.
This statue didn't seem like anything valuable; could it be that they had worked so hard fighting monsters just to find this worthless thing?
And the owner of the Institute was too stingy.
They set up a whole bunch of traps, and the keys needed to open the rooms were not only strange but also looked so cheap.
If she had known, she might as well have put two random stones on the Scales of Justice statue.
"It's pretty much this thing…"
"There should be one last one left; besides the black statue, there's also a white statue.
If we search carefully, we should find some clues."
Facing Rebecca's complaints,
Javier could only nod helplessly.
Although he wanted to say the same thing, there was no other way; things didn't always go as planned.
To leave this broken Institute, finding these items was a necessary task.
However, if there was a next time, Javier would definitely go find the lock-picking master in Raccoon City to learn some lock-picking skills, preferably getting himself a universal key or something.
After all, solving puzzles was too frustrating.
If possible,
Javier would prefer the simple and brutal method of prying locks.
Even if he couldn't learn lock-picking skills, Javier's tactical backpack would definitely include a chainsaw or hydraulic pliers in the future, specifically to break through these annoying traps and locked room doors.
Why have doors if you can't open them without finding strange items?
"Wait…"
"We seem to have missed a spot.
I remember there was an open room with an elevator inside.
If we use it well, we might be able to reach the second floor from the Institute Hall."
Just as Javier and Rebecca were racking their brains on how to find the second statue, Billy Coen suddenly spoke up to remind them.
After all, letting them fight zombies might be fine, but puzzles… Heh heh.
Rebecca, that little girl, was very agile, but she had been spoiled by Javier.
The two were typical examples of people who wouldn't use their brains if they didn't have to.
Therefore, finding things was really difficult for them.
Hearing Billy's reminder,
Javier and Rebecca both had big question marks appear above their heads.
There were other open rooms; how come they didn't remember?
Seeing this,
Billy Coen helplessly rubbed his forehead and explained calmly:
"It wasn't something you two found; it was something I found.
I wanted to report it at the time, but unfortunately, Rebecca got there first.
Plus, after that whole Plague Crawler incident, I almost forgot about it.
I only just managed to recall it now."
"Here, this is what I found, a retro crank, like something used to turn a mechanical device.
Now that I think about it… it makes sense.
This thing should be used to turn the elevator's chain.
I thought it was for winding a clock before, seems I was slightly wrong."
While explaining,
Billy Coen quickly pulled out a retro metal crank from his pocket.
Although it was a bit rusty, the wooden pattern on the handle was particularly clear, and the grip itself was quite smooth, as if it had developed a patina, looking very old.
Coupled with the notch at the front of the crank,
It was indeed as Billy Coen said, this was very likely a key used to turn some kind of mechanical device.
And after taking out this item,
Billy Coen also let out a slight sigh of relief.
This thing was too heavy; it was no different from carrying a brick in his pocket.
Now he had to be glad it was useful, because Billy Coen didn't want to keep carrying this thing around.
It was too cumbersome to move with, and its protruding parts made him look like some kind of "big bird man" if people didn't know what it was.
He certainly didn't have a hobby of adjusting throttle handles, nor would he casually carry a thick electric baton to show off.
Listening to Billy Coen's words,
Javier and Rebecca exchanged glances,
And quickly walked towards the so-called new room.
This time, they weren't overly cautious.
As expected, under Billy Coen's guidance, the three quickly arrived at the new scene.
There really was an elevator as Billy Coen had described, but its style was very retro.
They could have installed an electric elevator in the Institute, but they insisted on using an old-fashioned lift.
Javier was increasingly unable to understand the thinking of the Umbrella Corporation scientists.
Or did they think that a retro elevator was safer and more secure?
At least it wouldn't be like an electric elevator, where once someone broke in, they could roam freely throughout the Institute.
After much thought,
Javier didn't bother to dwell on these things anymore.
He quickly had Rebecca and Billy Coen get onto the elevator.
He, by himself, took the retro crank and immediately inserted it into the elevator mechanism beside them.
This old antique was not only troublesome but also very laborious.
Its operation method was the oldest chain lift.
No… chain lifts weren't ancient; what was truly ancient was that it required human power to operate.
This was the most frustrating part—
Rebecca and Billy Coen's combined weight wasn't much,
But Javier still had to exert all his strength to vigorously turn the crank.
As the gears and chains continuously operated, this old antique elevator slowly ascended, making Javier's face under his gas mask turn red from the effort.
This was truly strenuous.
"..."
"Clack, clack, clack—!!!"
Accompanied by the crisp sound of gears and chains,
The entire elevator finally reached the second floor.
Because of its unique design, the elevator's purpose was probably for solo operation, as it required human power to turn.
The elevator couldn't take all three to the second floor at once; one person had to stay behind to turn it.
And now,
Javier, Rebecca, and Billy Coen were splitting up.
The rest of the matter would require Javier to find another way to meet up with them.
At least for now, he couldn't secretly eat a rubber fruit and turn into a rubber man, standing in the elevator and extending his arm to the crank to send himself up to the second floor.
"..."
"Billy, protect Rebecca.
I'll meet up with you two right away!"
Looking at the gap of the second-floor elevator, Javier knew that the two hadn't gone far and were still concerned about how he would get up.
But Javier didn't care at all; instead, he earnestly instructed Billy Coen to protect Rebecca well.
As for Javier himself,
He began to continue searching for clues in the Institute Hall on the first floor.
Although this first time splitting up with Rebecca made Javier feel very uneasy, it wasn't his own unease, but rather unease for Rebecca, that little girl.
Because without the burden of Rebecca and Billy Coen, Javier felt much relieved after acting alone.
Moreover,
This also gave Javier more time to thoroughly search everything in the Institute.
What's more, there were quite a few zombies and Plague Crawlers that hadn't been cleared on the first floor of the Institute, which was just right for Javier to earn more points.
He was just worried about not having a place to earn money!
Chapter 22: The Drain Gentleman
Cadre Training Institute —
[Ding—]
[Accumulated kills: 50 zombies, 20 Plague Bats, 2 Zombie Hellhounds, 8 Plague Crawlers, 20 Mutated Leeches.
Total accumulated reward: 100 points.
The entire Cadre Training Institute Hall has been cleared.]
[Congratulations! You have initially obtained the title "Bio-Hunter."
Effect: Increases the chance of encountering zombies by 2%, increases the chance of finding item supplies by 1%.
Please continue to work hard—]
In the Institute Hall on the first floor,
Javier found a tattered rag to wipe the bloodstains off his gas mask, then let out a satisfied sigh before leaning against the wall.
At this moment, Javier was covered in blood and viscous fluids from head to toe, the smell incredibly foul, all from the dirty blood of zombies and Plague Crawlers.
His entire body was sore and numb, and his bulletproof vest had a tear in it.
It seemed easy… but only Javier knew the actual process; he almost died there.
Just now,
After splitting up with Rebecca and Billy Coen, Javier began his cleanup operation in the Cadre Training Institute.
Every open door in the 1F Institute Hall, Javier had thoroughly cleared from inside out, leaving no zombies alive; all of them had become true corpses lying on the ground.
Because of this action,
The electronic mechanical female voice of the Golden Finger in Javier's mind sounded again.
From the Zodiac Train in the Akeley Mountains to the current Cadre Training Institute, Javier had eliminated a total of about 100 Bio-weapons.
Therefore, he received an achievement reward.
However, listening to the reward in his mind,
Javier rolled his eyes speechlessly.
What kind of "Bio-Hunter" was this?
Was this CrossFire?
Why not a Ghost Hunter or an Ultimate Hunter!
Moreover, the effect of this title was also very frustrating, practically more disadvantageous than advantageous, completely useless.
The probability of encountering zombies increased by 2%, while the attribute for obtaining item supplies only increased by 1%?
This was too stingy.
So, to pick up an item, he had to kill more zombies, right?
What a lousy title, it was completely a beginner's disaster.
Trading the probability of killing zombies for supplies, and only 1%, was too much of a loss.
Javier unhesitatingly cast this title aside in disdain; it was completely unusable right now.
After all—
"..."
"I've used too many bullets; I need to conserve them from now on…"
Taking off the tactical backpack he was carrying, Javier could clearly feel the weight of his backpack getting lighter.
Because of the recent cleanup operation, Javier had already expended quite a few bullets.
If he didn't conserve them, he would truly run out of ammunition when it came time to fight the boss.
So Javier didn't want to encounter large numbers of zombies anymore; his bullets were almost gone, so what supplies would he exchange for?
He was still too complacent.
Javier hadn't encountered an inventory crisis in Resident Evil, but rather a supply shortage crisis, which was truly embarrassing.
But there was no way around it… he wasn't a hoarder player who always thought about stockpiling supplies, only to find later that he couldn't use all the bullets and it was a waste to keep them.
But now,
He really had to conserve some.
His tactical backpack, which could hold 30 kilograms, only had Magnum bullets and green large bananas left unused inside.
Javier had almost used up all his shotgun shells, with only about 20 left.
He had to save some things himself!
"Oh, right…"
"It seems the gasoline barrel brought from the storage room hasn't been used yet!
I can make some Molotov cocktails on the go.
Although Molotov cocktails aren't very effective against zombies, they are very effective against those Plague Crawlers.
I just hope I don't burn down this Institute."
Just as he was worrying about how to solve the supply shortage,
Javier suddenly remembered the gasoline barrel left in the storage room when they found the black statue.
He just needed to find some bottles or cans, pour the gasoline in, and then stuff a rag into the opening.
Making Molotov cocktails was very simple, but this type of weapon usually had very low safety and could easily burn himself.
But there was no other way… who made Molotov cocktails so cost-effective?
After all,
During the First and Second World Wars, Molotov cocktails were still the most practical weapon used by various countries against armored vehicles and tanks.
Even without strict chemical agents as fuel for Molotov cocktails, just mixing some ordinary strong liquor and gasoline could create them.
They were truly practical weapons that anyone, from old people to children, could use.
Therefore, when ammunition ran out,
Javier using Molotov cocktails as a backup weapon was a very good choice.
He just hoped he wouldn't actually burn down the Institute, that would be bad.
Besides that, Molotov cocktails also dealt significant extra damage to insect-type BOWs, making them suitable even for boss battles.
Soon—
Javier completed the production of Molotov cocktails.
He found a few broken liquor bottles, then used rags to tightly plug the bottle openings to prevent gasoline from leaking out.
If it really leaked out, flowed onto him, and then ignited, he would truly be finished, tantamount to self-immolation.
A full four Molotov cocktails,
Should be enough.
And just as Javier continued to search the 1F Institute Hall, whether it was the effect of the Bio-Hunter title or not, Javier suddenly found a new item in a missed room: a white microfilm, labeled with the letter A.
It was hidden very well and should be another crucial item.
Javier quickly put it away.
This made Javier couldn't help but exclaim,
This Bio-Hunter title seemed quite useful after all!
It only took a moment of complaining for it to show its effect.
The probability of encountering item supplies had increased significantly.
Although it was only 1%, it seemed very useful now.
As for that 2% increase in the chance of encountering zombies…
Hmph, what a broken setting, no need to mention it—
"Thump-thump-thump…"
After truly confirming that there was nothing valuable left in the 1F Institute Hall, Javier chose to leave.
The elevator that Rebecca and Billy had used earlier required two people to operate separately: one person standing on the elevator, and the other turning the gear chain.
But Javier thought for a long time,
And finally found his own method.
It was very simple… just roll a strip of cloth into a rope and wrap it around the crank of the chain lift.
Javier had just tried it.
As long as the cloth strip was long and thick enough, when he sat on the elevator later, he could still use the cloth strip to remotely pull the crank, sending himself up to the 2nd floor.
In addition…
Javier also wrapped an extra strip of cloth around his shoulder,
Just in case the elevator stopped working midway.
That way… even if it stopped halfway, Javier could use the cloth strip on his shoulder to play a Western cowboy for a bit, like a mighty horse-lassoing man, directly looping the cloth strip around the heavy object above, and then performing a Tarzan-like feat to instantly climb up.
Then he would be successful!
Javier would not allow himself to become an outsider.
Rebecca and Billy, the two with protagonist halos, had left, and if he stayed inside… wouldn't he just become an extra like the other Beta Team members?
How could he tolerate that?
Although Rebecca also had the attribute of causing trouble for teammates, at least it was better to be near her than far away.
Being close to Rebecca might bring trouble, but there was still a chance to survive.
But if he was far away… then it would truly be over!
...
Meanwhile—
Rebecca and Billy, working together as a team,
Indeed made progress twice as fast, quickly finding many clues and items, beginning to further unravel the mysteries of this Institute maze.
Even following the clues… Rebecca and Billy also found the location where the Institute keys were stored: in a huge, abandoned water pit.
The pit was covered in green moss, and the smell was incredibly foul.
Inside the pit was a huge iron gate.
This should be where the Institute discharged its wastewater, otherwise the environment wouldn't be so dirty.
Unfortunately,
Rebecca didn't know that this was actually the dwelling of an old gentleman.
This old gentleman was extremely perverted, and his "Embrace of the Maiden" technique was played to perfection.
If Rebecca, that little girl, were to lure him later, there's no guarantee she wouldn't be assaulted and taken advantage of by this old gentleman—!
Chapter 23: Embrace of the Maiden
"Hey… come here quickly!"