In front of me stood a door. All I had to do was open it, and I'd know all the answers. But something unsettled me. I had to be careful—after all, if this was another one of that bastard's schemes, there'd be one more death. Well, here we go.
Melissa knocked on the door. She was nervous, exhausted, unable to think straight. She heard the door being unlocked.
—Hello? What does the *"miss"* want?— His tone was sarcastic, clearly unhappy about her visit.
Melissa hesitated for a moment.
—Why did you hide all the documents related to the killer?
The detective's eyes widened, but he quickly regained his composure.
—What are you talking about? I don't know anything. If you're here to blame me and waste my time…
Melissa stared at him as he tried to shut the door. She quickly wedged her foot in, stopping it from closing, then gripped the door with her hands.
—Cut the crap. Every clue points to you. You really think I'd believe you?
He shoved her, desperately trying to force the door shut, but Luke yanked it open. Melissa lunged forward and grabbed him by the throat.
—Why? Why did you do all this?
The detective stayed silent, thinking for a moment before finally speaking.
—Drop this case. Leave this town. Forget everything. Do not, under any circumstances, let *that thing* take interest in you. Please, just take my daughter and go. That's all I ask.
—Just tell me—who is the killer? You've seen him, haven't you?
—I regret it… letting that monster take interest in me. I signed a contract with the devil himself. I never should've done it. I regret every death.— Suddenly, his eyes began to bleed.
—Melissa, please… give up on this case. That thing isn't something you can mess with. I'm begging you! At first, I tried to push you away, but you used your master's authority. I always admired him… I know he's dead. That's why I'm begging you—leave and live a normal life. That's what your master would've wanted! And one more thing… When you see my daughter, can you tell her I regret everything?— His face was completely red, his mouth bloody, his eyes pouring tears of blood. Then, his nose started bleeding too.
—I was a terrible father, wasn't I?
The detective reached into his pocket and handed something to Melissa.
—Listen… open it… far away… okay?
Then, his head exploded. Brains splattered everywhere. Luke just stared at the body.
—You idiot… till the very end. You always tried to do everything alone. Even in death, you're still trying to protect us.
Melissa felt sick, covered in blood.
—And yet… I'd forgotten this side of you, Melissa.
Melissa just watched.
—Call the others. Have them come here. Give him a proper burial.
Once again, they'd only uncovered one thing—that the detective had been manipulated the whole time. The killer had the entire police station in the palm of his hand. But the question was… why?
They returned to headquarters. Melissa took the paper in her hand, unfolded it, and began reading.
—Luke… gather all the officers. Tell them to start a search.
Luke was confused, but the look on Melissa's face told him something serious had happened.
—LUKE, NOW! WE DON'T HAVE TIME!
Somewhere dark, a person hummed. Screams echoed from every room. People banged on doors, desperate, begging to be let out. Walking through the halls was a man with white hair and yellow eyes. Then, as he entered a room, his hair turned brown, and his eyes darkened to a deep shade—it was Arthur.
He opened the door. A woman hung upside-down, chained, blindfolded, and gagged.
Arthur broke the chains and caught her in his arms, removing the restraints around her body. He sat down, cradling her in his lap, then took off her blindfold and gently stroked her hair.
—I have terrible news for you… Your father just died. My condolences. Unfortunately, you're no longer useful to me, so I'll have to kill you.
He peeled the tape off her mouth.
—Please… I'm begging you.— She was cut off.
—Just kidding! (Laughs) You know why you're still alive? Your father made a pact that forbade me from killing you. He did everything to keep you alive. Such beautiful fatherly love, isn't it?
Her eyes flickered with hope, but also grief for her father. But then Arthur spoke again.
—But… the pact only stops me from killing you.
Arthur grinned wickedly.
He lifted her hands, then snapped one of her fingers—and tore it off. She screamed in agony. Arthur repeated the process, finger by finger, ripping out all ten. Then he stood up and grabbed a knife. She tried to scramble away, but Arthur lunged, seizing her wrists. With the knife, he began cutting—first her left hand, then the right. He used mana to stop the bleeding.
—Please… I'm sorry, just let me go. I won't tell anyone, I swear!— She sobbed.
Arthur pondered, licking the bloodied knife.
—You talk too much.
He gripped her tongue and ripped it out, again using mana to stop the bleeding. Calmly, he placed her tongue beside her severed fingers. Next, he took her feet. Finally, he dug his fingers into her eye sockets, plucking out both eyes. She had long since passed out. He picked her up and carried her out of his hideout.
In the middle of a crowd, no one noticed them—it was as if they were invisible. He stopped in an alley and laid her against the wall.
—I really enjoyed these two years together! Now that I've kept my promise, have a nice life, okay, Alice?
*"What did I do to deserve this? Dad… why? Signing a deal with the devil just to save me? You were a fool to trust that monster. So this is where I die? How strange… it's cold. I can't see anything—not even blackness. It burns… Is this the end?"*
—Alice?
A sweet voice. I must be hallucinating. He left for another realm long ago. My chest aches. Even if I'm just imagining what I want most… it's just a foolish dream. To die in peace… that's all I wish for. I feel a touch on my body.
—Alice! My God, what happened to you?!
Alice tried to speak, but no sound came out. Luke's breathing was frantic, his desperation clear in every gasp. He quickly wrapped his coat around her, lifted her into his arms, and ran to the hospital. Tears streamed down his face. Nothing else mattered—just saving her.
When he reached the hospital, he handed her over, then collapsed into a seat, praying. All he could do now… was cry and pray.
End of chapter.
Thank you so much for reading!