RE: Evolution System

Just as Javier was about to steer the boat, the water in the lake began to ripple as the shadow of a figure swam beneath it. Then, a massive salamander leapt out of the lake, creating huge waves before plunging back into the depths.

It was one of the iconic bosses from Resident Evil 4: Del Lago.

"Sir, our boat won't hold if that monster hits us."

"Then let's kill it," Javier replied, steering the boat toward the center of the lake.

Once he stopped, Javier pulled out a rifle — a Barrett XM109. This weapon had passed the rigorous testing of the U.S. military in 2004 with excellent performance. Its caliber was 25mm, and it was infamous for its devastating firepower. It could accurately destroy multiple high-value military targets within a range of 2,000 meters and penetrate 5 cm thick steel plates with ease.

On future battlefields, it might even be possible to use this sniper rifle to stop or destroy an advancing armored unit. However, the rifle had intense recoil and was very heavy, weighing 20.9 kg. Despite its power, the risk of exposure for the shooter was enormous.

Javier quietly took aim with the sniper rifle, waiting. Soon, Del Lago resurfaced, swimming just beneath the boat.

The giant salamander suddenly leapt from the water near the speedboat, its massive body soaring over Javier. Without hesitation, Javier aimed and fired directly at the creature's belly, blowing open a large wound.

The beast crashed back into the lake, creating massive waves that rocked the boat violently as Javier and his team struggled to stay balanced.

Moments later, the salamander emerged once again. This time, it opened its massive jaws and charged toward the boat, trying to swallow Javier and the vessel whole.

Javier fired straight into its open mouth, blasting out a chunk of flesh and blood. The monster screamed and dove underwater once again.

Javier then grabbed a harpoon from the boat and plunged it into the creature's body. Del Lago submerged with the harpoon still lodged in it, and the rope tied to the boat began to slacken.

Suddenly, the rope stretched taut — the monster had hooked the speedboat and began dragging it across the lake at high speed. Javier stood at the bow, gripping his sniper rifle, firing at the beast whenever it broke the surface.

The Wolves team, trailing behind, watched the battle unfold. By now, the salamander's body was riddled with wounds, and its blood colored the water red.

It was clear the fight was nearing its end. Javier took aim at the monster's head and fired, finally killing Del Lago.

As the massive corpse floated lifelessly in the water, Javier navigated the speedboat past it and returned to shore, where the Wolves team was waiting.

Everyone boarded the boat and headed to the other side of the lake. After separating from Javier, Ada met her informant: Luis Serra, the researcher responsible for the study of Las Plagas.

This man had lost the vaccine and all the samples during his escape, much to Ada's displeasure. As the two were speaking, they were ambushed by the village chief and several residents.

Realizing the danger, Luis fled, leaving Ada to fight alone. Unfortunately, the village chief had a large number of followers, and Ada was struck by a tranquilizer dart and collapsed.

The chief didn't kill her immediately. Instead, he ordered his men to take her to the altar. She would be executed later. Watching from a distance, Krauser observed everything, aware that Ada was Javier's wife.

Meanwhile, the fugitive Luis encountered Leon on the road. Both were captured, injected with Las Plagas, and imprisoned.

Javier and his team had already reached the opposite side of the lake. According to intel from Krauser, there was a castle nearby, home to the local lord: Ramón Salazar.

Salazar was a young and deranged nobleman. Long ago, his ancestors discovered a terrible parasite known as Las Plagas and sealed it deep in an underground cave.

Salazar, deceived by Sadler, believed he needed to atone for his ancestors' "sins" against the "Illuminados." Together, he and Sadler released the parasite from its prison.

Salazar believed he was in full control, but in reality, he was just a puppet. He always wore the attire of a medieval European nobleman.

Ashley was being held in the castle. Krauser had previously encountered her there and wanted to infiltrate the stronghold, but too many villagers guarded the entrance.

Javier led his team down a narrow path toward the mountain castle. Villagers patrolled the road, and Javier's team killed them all.

Upon reaching a gorge, they found a large square. As they entered, the villagers lowered the gates behind them, trapping them inside.

While the group tried to figure out what was happening, the main gate slowly opened, revealing a dozen villagers pulling on a thick rope. Something enormous lurked behind it.

Suddenly, the massive wooden gate shattered, and a giant stormed in. The villagers, terrified, scattered in panic.

The giant removed the rope tied around its neck and killed all twelve villagers in a fit of rage. Then it turned to Javier and his team, letting out a furious roar.

"Spread out and shoot to kill," Javier commanded. The group scattered across the square, opening fire. The giant slammed its fists into the ground and advanced.

Each of its steps sounded like thunder. Vector activated his cloaking device, silently running behind the giant and planting landmines around it.

The rest of the team focused on containing the creature. Javier approached the mines and launched a rocket from his launcher. The blast enraged the giant, who charged directly at Javier.

(End of chapter)

"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."