It was around noon; all the members of the unit were gathered in the VIP room as Karl was getting ready to give us the detailed about the job that was assigned to us.
"Now that everyone is there, we can finally start our strategy meeting", he said.
"So, what exactly is the problem ?" Bert asked.
"If you've been in town recently, you must have probably already noticed that there have been several cases of demihuman murders lately. Of course, this doesn't bother the human population since for them they are only evil monsters, and to tell you the truth... Some of them think this is a great way to get rid of demihumans..."
"Tch ! Those bastards", Lore said angrily, punching the table, while Shaylee looked worried with her face downcast and her hands on her thighs.
"But we can't turn a blind eye on it. It might give some people ideas and other innocents would die. Moreover, demihumans are part of our population so, it's inappropriate to treat them like that. In short, our job is to stop this series of murders before there're more casualties. ", Karl said seriously.
"Inappropriate you said ? It's far more than that ! It's inhuman ! How can anyone take pleasure in the sight of the death of innocent people ?! Those damn human... One day I'll show them...", Lore said with rage as she jumped up from the couch.
Does she hate humans that much ? Why does she work for the army in the first place then ? I thought, before correcting her on a point which I didn't agree with.
"I think, just taking pleasure in someone's death, no matter what they've done, is inherently wrong."
"Huh ? What do you mean ? That we should be considerate over evil people ?" She said, being confused by what I just said.
"I mean that they are just like us. They have family, friends, dreams, goals and the instant they die there's broken hearts, unfinished dreams, regrets so... I don't see what's pleasant about it", I said firmly while staring at her.
"Personally, I don't care about other people death except for those who are dear to me. I can hate on their of living, but I can't hate on them, because they lived just like us", I added.
"Shut up ! Don't compare me to these twisted-minded people ! They are just being punished for what they did by going to hell ! The people they have made suffer have all the rights to enjoy their death, otherwise what was the point of all these years built of hatred then ?! " She shouted while waving all over the place.
"I can't answer it since I don't know the answer, however, I can tell you that It's ok to feel hurt when you've been through something painful. Everyone make mistakes. The sad part is that most of us die without realizing it, and in the end, we no longer have the possibility of correcting them", I said.
"You really don't know what you're talking about, huh ? Tell me Jemuel... Have you ever seen someone die in front of your eyes ?" She asked with a creepy look.
"N-no...", I replied, being a little scared.
"Then you can't understand. You can't understand how it feels like knowing someone is dying, but not being able to save them. You just feel so helpless... " She said pitifully.
"But neither you can understand what it feels like to see someone dying begging for your help, as if he had forgotten all the atrocities he had done. Those few seconds of watching them scream in pain bathing in his blood are more valuable than gold, because it will never be enough compared to the years of suffering it has put you through !" She said, looking at the palms of her hands trembling in a frightening way, making me wonder if she doesn't have some mental issues.
*Clap*Clap*
"Alright, that's enough. You'll finish your little debate later", Karl said after clapping his hands.
"Uh... Sorry to interrupt you guys, but I won't be taking part to this operation", Erna said nonchalantly raising her hand.
"Huh ?! Why ?" I asked.
"Why ? Because this case is boring, of course. Murders ? Even you can easily solve it", she replied extravagantly.
"I'm not sure about that", I said, doubting what she just said.
"Moreover, I'm sure that Karl already has some clues about it, right ?", she said.
"Y-yes...", Karl answered.
"See ? It'll be a piece of cake for you", Erna said with conviction.
"Aren't you underestimating our enemy ? Do you mean you could take care of it all by yourself ?" Bert said seriously.
"Of course, but only if you don't mind seeing the entire capital and its people frozen in ice for eternity", she answered sarcastically.
"No ! No ! No ! It really bothers me !" I exclaimed with concern.
"Anyway, have fun with it- Oups ! I mean, good luck", she said after sighing, as she was leaving the room waving at us, with her back turned.
"Is it really okay to let her go ?" I asked.
"Don't worry, it isn't the first time she behaves like that", Shaylee said calmly.
So, it happens often ! I'm starting to have doubts about their teamwork, I thought.
"Well, well ! Now, let's see what clues we have about this case", Karl said, to regain our attention.
"All the victims were demihuman with low social status and lived in the poor district since that's where the majority of them stay. Additionally, all of the corpses were found without their eyeballs", he said while amplifying his last words.
What ?! Really ?! Who can do such a thing ? I thought, shocked after hearing Karl's last sentence.
"Hum... I'm sure I've heard of a similar case before, but strangely enough, I can't remember the details of it..." Bert said, thinking deeply.
"Don't push yourself to remember that now. The information we have is more than enough", Karl said.
"Ok captain !", Bert replied.
"Our assassin seems to spend a lot of time in the poor district, so we'll start looking there at nightfall. Since it's a large area, and there are four of you, you'll be split into pairs. Bert with Lore, and Jemuel with Shaylee", Karl said.
I'm gonna be teamed up with up with Shaylee ?! Well done Karl ! I shouted in my head with satisfaction.
"Any question ?" Karl asked before an instant of silence.
"Great. Let's wrap this up quickly !" He said.
"Roger !" We replied before leaving the room.
As I thought, he's really my ray of hope after all, Karl thought, smirking with satisfaction as he faced one of the windows.
Night had fallen then it was time for us to begin our operation to root out this series of demihuman murders.
When we got to the poor district, we decided that my pair would take the south side while the other one would take the north side of it, but before leaving, Lore said "Don't go messing up your first official job or you'll bring shame to our unit ! Understood ?!" Energetically, pointing her finger at me.
Aren't they already hate by the people of the town ? I thought, annoyed by what she just said.
"Well, since you're with Shaylee you should be okay", she said calmly, shouting afterwards "Let's go Bert !"
"In case you forgot, I'm the lieutenant you know !" He replied to her before telling me "Don't worry, you'll be fine bro !" with confidence as he left, waving at me.
Bro ? I don't remember us becoming that close but I don't mind, I thought.
"I guess we're ready to go now", I said after sighing.
Then, I turned around and saw Shaylee, standing on this dusty road, in a a state of deep concentration with her eyes close and lips moving. Suddenly, several small floating lights of different colors appeared, gathering around her. I was speechless at the sight of this magnificent spectacle. It was as if the stars had descended from the sky and decided to shine for her sake only.
"What were you doing ?" I asked after the lights disappeared.
"To speed up our research, I was asking the lower spirits for help", she answered. Then, she explained to me that these are spirits who haven't fully matured yet. Therefore, they don't have a form of their own. Moreover, she's able to contact them because she's a spirit user.
"If they find anything suspicious, they'll let me know", she said.
"Wow, that's a very useful ability", I said.
"Yeah. Now, let's go", she said, setting off.