Kirk reacted in a flash, darting to the entrance. He flung open the church doors and pulled Hermione inside!
Leon rushed in after them, slammed the doors shut, and dropped the heavy iron bar into place, blocking the Zombie Horde's attack.
Kirk flashed Hermione a V-sign. There was still a trace of something on his fingers.
A sharp smack!
A five-fingered handprint on his cheek, Kirk smiled at Leon and said, "Let's start searching."
After a thorough search, they found nothing but supplies. The church was completely deserted.
But Kirk knew the place well, and of course he noticed the enormous painting in the middle of the church.
It showed a sinister-looking man in priestly robes, wearing an evil grin.
"Why do I feel like I've seen this man somewhere before?" Leon asked, puzzled.
"You've seen him?" Kirk asked in surprise. At the beginning, he and Leon had teamed up with Luis to drive off the village chief, changing the course of events. Leon shouldn't have had a chance to meet Sadler.
"Oh, right. I saw him lying by the side of the road while I was driving here," Leon recalled. "I got out to ask if he was all right. Then he jabbed me with a needle and ran off."
Kirk was so shocked and angry he almost swore out loud.
What a devious trial designer!
Sadler had actually injected the Las Plagas Virus into Leon right from the start!
The rules clearly stated that he had to protect the protagonist, Leon. If Leon died, the mission would fail.
The Las Plagas Virus could lie dormant inside its host, then erupt without warning. The consequences would be unthinkable.
Kirk now had one more thing to worry about.
But Leon didn't seem too concerned. He patted Kirk on the shoulder,