Chapter 7, Dressing Up
Although based on some knowledge from his memory, he could determine that there was at least an 80% chance that there were no active corpses, he still retrieved two arrows just to be safe. The already damaged handmade crossbow was also held in his left hand, serving as a blocking device.
The knowledge within the fragments of memory provides the most direct assistance to Yang Xiaoyou; at this moment, if one were to ask who in the world has the greatest understanding of corpses, there is no doubt that it would be him
At this moment, Yang Xiaoyou had no thoughts of celebration; before the arrow had even hit its target, he had already focused all his attention on the other corpse.
These handguns, even if needed, only require one; bringing these along is merely a precaution. At that time, find a safe and convenient place outside to set them down, in preparation for what lies ahead
If it were not for that unexpected deviation, this arrow would likely have been shot out, grazing the head of the corpse, due to the movement of the opponent
As she quietly changed into her combat uniform, followed by putting on a bulletproof vest and donning a helmet, Yang Xiaoyou felt extremely exasperated by the stifling heat. It was now June, and in a place like the Hawaiian Islands, wearing such gear was truly a dilemma
Noticing the other corpses around, he seized the opportunity and slipped into the gun shop like a weasel. Once inside, he pressed his back against the wall, alertly surveying his surroundings
"Hoo, I didn't expect to be in this state so soon. It seems that the food prepared in advance has quite a significant effect. In this case, I wonder what impact injecting Antibody No. 7 will have before the virus undergoes a second mutation." While slowly recovering from the recent exhaustion under the chair, Yang Xiaoyou pondered.
After all, that technique in my memory was born out of a state of being forced, during countless times when the world was against me, in life-and-death situations. The number of such periods is innumerable. The potential within my own body has erupted countless times as well. In this lifetime, I am determined to change this situation. Under normal circumstances, it is almost impossible to catch up to my previous life, even if I had possessed unparalleled training skills in advance.
It is unwise to open fire here, and outside he has already seen the weapons that satisfy him the most: a military sniper crossbow lying on the ground, along with several sets of police tactical bulletproof vests and helmets hanging behind the counter.
However, at such times, Yang Xiaoyou's mind is exceptionally clear
Regarding the state that is both unfamiliar and familiar, it has been mentioned in his fragmented memories. This is due to the ability of his nerve cells to undergo self-replicating memory division, which produces a concomitant capability. In the face of crises and extreme tension, there is a significant likelihood that the speed of thought will surge.
For instance, the initial occasion when the corpse's attack was forcibly intercepted by oneself using a handmade crossbow
It was precisely because of the instinctive turning of the corpse that the originally deviated trajectory of the spiral arrow caused it to penetrate directly into the mouth of the deceased Black police officer, unambiguously fixing itself in his head
In such cases, the consumption caused by cerebral congestion is indeed alarming. Under normal circumstances, the brain, which accounts for less than 2% of body weight, consumes 20% of the body's energy, which is already a frightening ratio. However, the accelerated state of thinking can geometrically increase this consumption.
The current equipment is nearly sufficient. He pulled a black backpack from a shattered corpse, stuffing in several handguns and a few boxes of ammunition. Then, from the nearly devoured body, he took a climbing rope that was attached, and Yang Xiaoyou quietly made his way out of this place.
The soaring arrow seemed to be deviating to a certain extent from its original target, yet for some reason, a feeling of certainty that it would hit the mark flashed through Yang Xiao's mind.
Seeing the nearly devoured corpse at the cash register in the store, Yang Xiaoyou felt quite disgusted, but also breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, there were no fresh corpses here. Even if there were dead bodies inside, as long as she did not make any noise, there was little chance of being discovered in this place filled with the stench of blood and decay.
Fortunately, the most dangerous hurdle has been overcome at this moment. Although the interior of the half-open gun shop is somewhat dark, Yang Xiaoyou, who understands the habits of corpses, knows that even if there are corpses inside, they should be entities that have lost their ability to move.
"My bodyguard, I hope you can be a bit more punctual." Stepping out of the firearms supermarket, looking at the chaotic and perilous street, listening to the sporadic gunfire echoing from a distance... Yang Xiaoyou also tightened her grip on the strap of her backpack with one hand as she pulled it forward.
"Well, perhaps there really is a possibility of surpassing the memories of that lifetime." While taking a moment to catch her breath, Yang Xiaoyou pondered in her heart.
Thinking of this, Yang Xiaoyou felt a bit moved. At this stage of high school, he harbored many dreams common among boys. However, in the past, those dreams seemed too distant. Now, he found himself with considerable opportunities. Moreover, if he wanted to ensure the safety and stability of himself, his family, and his friends, his exceptional individual combat ability was also an important asset.
At the cost of the destruction of the handmade crossbow, Yang Xiaoyou thrust the spare arrow she held in her right hand fiercely into the corpse's eye, directly penetrating its brain, cleanly and decisively without the slightest hesitation
After all, there are quite a few corpses near this firearms supermarket. If one wishes to enter after some time, it may not be so simple.
However, he still carefully swept the area with a standard electric baton that had fallen to one side, and after spotting a corpse trapped under a shelf, its hands still struggling, he retreated. There might be other bodies trapped inside that shelf, and even if the weapons inside were more sophisticated, there was no need to take the risk of going in.
The sound "da" seemed to be a result of Yang Xiaoyou's sudden outburst; immediately after the gunfire was heard, the two corpses blocking the door also began to turn towards this direction
By then, adding the conclusion drawn earlier about the injection of Antibody No. 7 prior to the virus's secondary mutation, it is likely that the inherent advantages gained this time will be even greater than those remembered.
The higher the practical ability, the greater the assistance it will provide in formulating subsequent goals for oneself
Combat capability cannot be fully enhanced merely through isolated practice; real combat is the best teacher. However, with inherent advantages, it is indeed possible to surpass the physical qualities remembered from a past life.
Originally, in his own memory, the first appearance of this ability occurred when he escaped from the laboratory. It now seems that due to the substantial nutrients supplemented during the recent fusion, his fusion process has become even more perfect this time.
The sound of the fierce wind by his ear became slower, taking on a somewhat eerie quality, while the intense beating of his heart and the faintly throbbing sensation in his head constantly reminded Yang Xiaoyou that he was sprinting at full speed towards two corpses that had yet to regain their senses.
After resting for about ten minutes and feeling that her body had nearly recovered, Yang Xiaoyou was also preparing to begin her infiltration of the intended destination
In just those brief few seconds, the current Yang Xiaoyou has experienced a feeling of complete fatigue throughout her body
The only difference is that, due to the uninterrupted speed of thought, Yang Xiaoyou is able to clearly discern the movements and trajectory of the corpse
The outside is littered with corpses, which have only recently lost their freshness. If it were not for these bodies anchoring the footsteps of the dead, the commotion in the distance would attract even more corpses away. In such a scenario, aside from being unable to move, there is over an 80% probability that the corpses inside will walk out through the door that has never been closed. If there were fresher corpses inside to attract them, the two corpses at the entrance would not linger here. Even if there are corpses inside, they would be deep within and not at the entrance. The entrance of this firearms supermarket provides Yang Xiaoyou with enough weapons, as long as he does not disturb the potential corpses that may appear deeper inside.
After completing all of this, he endured the tingling sensation in his left hand and grabbed the clothing of the falling Black police officer with his other hand, while his right hand released the arrow and embraced the waist of the woman who had just been fatally stabbed, slowing their descent and gently laying them down.
The sweat dripping from the forehead slowly falls before the eyes, the trajectory of the arrow spinning as it flies is clearly captured, and one's own movements along with everything around seem to have entered a slow-motion replay, with the only constant being one's own thoughts
A distance of ten meters is not long; for an ordinary person, it takes less than two seconds. However, for Yang Xiaoyou at this moment, this distance is crucial. What originally took less than two seconds now feels as if it has been delayed by a factor of two in his perception. Everything around him has slowed down, and his own movements seem slow and clumsy, but the same applies to the corpse as well
As soon as the two fell to the ground, Yang Xiaoyou seemed to shrink like a ghost beneath a nearby public bench, observing the other nearby corpses through the gap created by the car tires. After confirming that no one was approaching from that direction, he finally let out a sigh of relief
Once the effects of adrenaline subside, the accompanying side effects also become apparent
Aside from the bulletproof vest, the combat uniform offers limited protection in other areas. However, it is long-sleeved and of significantly better quality than ordinary clothing or uniforms, effectively preventing scratches. In this regard, even if it is hot, one must wear it.
He picked up the military crossbow, hung a police electric baton at his waist, and then pulled out a dagger to insert into the pair of combat boots. After hesitating and glancing at the corpse pinned under the shelf, Yang Xiaoyou ultimately chose not to go in and search.
Firearms originally equipped with silencers should be the best; however, the latest gun control legislation in the United States has just been implemented. In order to reduce the likelihood of "sneaky" gun use, inspections of civilian store silencers are even stricter than those for military firearms. Perhaps there are also stocks intended for sale to the police in this store, but they will not be left out in the open
With a loud "bang," the corpse's hands lunged forward violently. Yang Xiaoyou used her left hand to hold the handmade crossbow as a shield, blocking the attack. The numbness in her left arm indicated the tremendous force behind the grab, which was far from the kind of attack one would expect from a seemingly frail blonde woman. Moreover, the handmade crossbow, which had taken a considerable amount of time and effort to create, also showed signs of damage from this impact.
As soon as the tense atmosphere was lifted, Yang Xiaoyou felt the overwhelming fatigue and soreness throughout her body, and her mind seemed somewhat dazed. Although she had just performed beyond her usual level, executing a series of movements to the limits currently achievable, her performance was nearly perfect. However, the brief few seconds had taken a significant toll on her.
The most intuitive manifestation is that, due to the acceleration of thought processes, one perceives all things at a slower pace, almost as if time has slowed down. However, at present, one's physical strength has not yet been able to keep up with this explosive speed, at most allowing sufficient time for thought and reaction when under attack
This sniper crossbow is a military model, which should not be sold in civilian weapon stores. It is likely a collectible from a supermarket. Its owner probably considered the issue of sound... Unfortunately, they were tragically killed here due to the actions of a temporary teammate