Chapter 36: Shrewdness

Jimmy meticulously retraced his entry into the factory, refusing to overlook a single detail. From the moment he stepped inside to hearing the noise, entering the workshop, spotting the suspect, firing his weapon, Sam’s subsequent entry and gunfire, to his own flanking maneuver and final shots—he replayed the entire sequence over and over in his mind. Finally, he identified the specific conditions that triggered that mysterious sensation.

The first instance occurred while he was hiding with his back to the suspect; his eyes caught a glimpse of the suspect’s weapon, and he fired while diving for cover. It was only when that premonition struck that he was able to spot the small target of the gun barrel in time to react and shoot.

The second instance took place just before he killed the suspect. By then, he had switched to his revolver. Having already determined the suspect’s approximate location, he had focused his mind intensely, closing his eyes to simulate the perspective structure of the scene in his head.

The first experience was likely a manifestation of a "sixth sense"—something many people experience, that sudden jolt that helps one evade danger. He decided to set that aside; it lacked any real reference value.

The second experience, however, was significant. It began with intense concentration to construct a spatial model in his mind, followed by the emergence of a "perspective" effect that allowed him to locate the suspect’s position and outline behind obstacles. Then came the aiming process. He hadn't used his eyes for assistance; instead, his brain, having mapped the space, directed his arm to lock onto the target's position before he fired, resulting in a clean kill.

Now, there were two variables: first, was it necessary to close his eyes? Second, was a revolver required? Because he had kept his eyes open and used a 92F pistol during the first evasion, it provided no basis for comparison. This would require further testing.

This ability could undoubtedly be called a "superpower" for a police officer. In standoffs, officers are usually in a passive position, with suspects hiding wherever they please while officers remain exposed. When clearing rooms, officers are highly vulnerable to ambushes. If he could pinpoint a suspect's location directly, he could strike first and gain the upper hand.

As for accuracy, his six-round revolver burst had hit the head and neck area almost exclusively, even through the obstruction of wooden crates. It was incredibly precise.

Pondering this ability, Jimmy realized it felt like the "cheat" one might find in a novel. He had initially thought his rebirth was simply a chance to experience life again, having noticed nothing unusual for months. It seemed he had simply lived too comfortably; it took the life-and-death pressure of a gunfight to force his mental focus to its peak, triggering this "mind's eye" cheat. Whether this gift was brought with his soul or inherent to the original owner's body remained a mystery.

The most suspicious factor was his proficiency with a revolver. His past self had never handled firearms; the most "weaponry" he had ever used was a water gun—or perhaps a fire hose, if one counted that.

The newly discovered "mind's eye" might be tied to his soul, but his adaptability with the revolver was clearly a matter of physical capability. That couldn't have come from his previous life. He had no memories of the original Jimmy, which suggested a strong possibility: the original Jimmy had possessed some innate firearm skills.

Bolstered by this cheat, Jimmy felt a surge of confidence. His previous plan—to be a simple cop and live a quiet life—now seemed far too modest; he was capable of much more. Furthermore, if the Frank Moses he had encountered earlier was indeed who he suspected, trouble was inevitable. With these abilities, he would have the power to protect himself or resolve the situation.

Jimmy's administrative leave lasted only two days before Chief James called him into the station.

At the station, Jimmy met the Internal Affairs officer again. The man, who had been stern during their last encounter, appeared much more amiable today.

"Jimmy, the investigation has reached a temporary conclusion. We have preliminary results regarding the shooting."

"With the joint investigation by the department, Internal Affairs, and the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office, and based on the arrest report filed by Sheriff Sam of Addy Town, it has been confirmed that Sheriff Sam was already engaged in a firefight with the suspect before you entered the factory. Given that you were facing a highly dangerous armed criminal and matched their level of force, your actions were lawful. Your conduct in surrendering your weapon afterward and following department protocol has been verified."

"Based on these findings, I am formally notifying you that your administrative leave is over. You may return to duty tomorrow. Please sign this report."

After Jimmy signed the document, the officer left; the report needed to be filed with the Prosecutor's Office. Shooting investigations take time, and the prosecutor’s office would continue its review, but due to the small size of the county sheriff's department, long-term leave could lead to severe understaffing. Thus, a preliminary opinion was enough to reinstate an officer.

Jimmy left the Chief's office and headed straight to the evidence locker, where his gun was being held. He was relieved to retrieve his revolver, ammunition, and speed loaders. After stopping by the breakroom to strap on his shoulder holster, he headed home.

He bought groceries to cook his own meal, celebrating the end of his leave; he was tired of fast food, burgers, and pizza.

Over the past few months, Jimmy’s weight had climbed from the 60-kilogram frame he had as a drifter to over 80 kilograms. He looked sturdy, not yet obese, but he needed to be careful. As a patrol officer spending most of his time in a cruiser, coupled with a high-fat, high-sugar diet, he was starting to show the telltale signs of the "cop gut" he saw in his colleagues.

With a bit of free time remaining, Jimmy went to the shooting range to test his theory about his "cheat."

First, he tested his "mind's eye." With his eyes closed, he could map the targets and the surrounding environment—including distances, obstacles, and spatial positioning. It was like having a sonar scan; he could precisely locate everything outside his visual field within a range of about ten to fifteen meters. The only drawback was that everything in this state appeared in shades of gray, lacking the vibrant colors of his natural vision.

He fired in this state, and the results were stellar: six hits out of six.

Next, he practiced rapid reloading. With the benefit of his newfound ability, Jimmy paid close attention to his muscle memory. He was incredibly proficient at ejecting and loading the revolver. With a speed loader, he could empty a cylinder in under two seconds and complete two full reloads (12 rounds) in under eight seconds. Such speed was far beyond the capability of a novice.

It appeared he had two distinct abilities: the "mind's eye" from his soul, which functioned like a spatial-analytical perspective, and the physical muscle memory for revolvers, which provided him with rapid-fire and reloading skills.