But what Ben said didn't happen.
When the team reached the location given by Kairen, what they found was 5 corpses in an abandoned building and nothing more. Mages couldn't find any traces of the murderer. No fingerprint, no weapons, no trace, there was nothing that could help them identify the murderer.
Finding 5 corpses there meant there wasn't going to be another corpse-dropping night anymore, the only time that the murderer showed their face. With even the tracker that was their only means to locate the murderer gone, it was really a dead end.
What added up to thing was the news about Brett's daughter. The 15-year-old girl who was supposed to live in her school dormitory wasn't seen for the past two days. When asked her mom, she said that her daughter would normally ignore her calls and not answer them so she didn't have the slightest idea about what might have happened to her.
The mood in the police department wasn't really good. 10 deaths and one missing girl. That wasn't something easy to deal with. They couldn't find the culprit, set aside capturing them. They couldn't save anyone.
What they expected and actually wished was that the kidnapped people were killed in order. Because that was true until now, after examining the dead bodies, it was proven that the victims were killed the exact day when their bodies were found.
Well, it was their fault for assuming that a crazy murderer would continue acting as before after that night. But then again, what else could they do? Dealing with a Space ability user wasn't easy, not easy at all. It was something that would give a headache to even the Special Military Forces, how were the police going find such a person?
But ordinary people didn't think that way. The police were criticized in the news and social media. Everyone was telling how useless they were and how people couldn't feel safe with this kind of people working as their protectors.
Kairen's mood wasn't any better. He probably felt guilty more than anyone else. If there was anyone who had the ability and opportunity of capturing the murderer, it was surely Kairen. But he failed and couldn't do anything.
[Citizens' dissatisfaction about the police's performance is rising rapidly. Recently, there were many cases where the police couldn't perform as they were supposed to and the people's anger is rising due to these continuous flaws. The police are keeping silent about this and there was no news about how are they going to react and solve these recent issues-]
Now sitting in the cafeteria, he was watching the big TV that was showing the news. As usual, Serria was sticking to his side. The cafeteria seemed like a place to gather and talk more than a place to eat these days.
"Well, I guess the police won't have an easy time for a while."
"I agree."
Serria placed the cake she was eating on the table and leaned closer to Kairen.
"Come on! What's with that sullen face? Are you still sad about that tracker?"
Kairen distanced himself from the annoying girl.
"It's not only a tracker. I... messed up everything."
"That's right. You really fucked up this time."
"...."
'No, that wasn't what you were supposed to say...'
"Well not this time, you screw up everything all the time, I am not surprised anymore."
"...."
Serria folded her arms as she continued.
"What surprises me is that you get surprised by your mistakes! Come on, it's not something new."
Stop it! Your words hurt in so many ways!
"...Thank you. Your kind words helped me a lot.."
"Hehe."
Serria smiled brightly as if she really believed that she helped Kairen calm down and leaned back again.
The newsreader moved on to the next topic at that moment.
[The next news is regarding an accident that occurred in the Central Prison a few hours ago. Everything started with a small argument a few days ago but apparently, the two sides of the argument couldn't calm their anger even after several days.]
The TV then showed a video. A bunch of people was gathered in a place and in the center of the crowd, two people were visible who were both engulfed in a fierce fight. It was actually a one-sided beating where a man wearing a prison uniform was being beaten by a man in guards clothing. Some people were trying to separate them while some just stood there, watching. Then the video was zoomed in and the two men's faces could be seen to some extent.
"...."
"...."
[One side of the fight was a prisoner and the other a temporary guard. The cadet who was sent to spend his experience-gaining program as a guard at the prison finally lost his temper and started a fight with the prisoner who had been bothering him for a few days.]
There, they could see a blondie who was just too familiar, beating the crap out of a prisoner with a big build.
"...."
"...."
[Accordint to the academy, the said cadet will take responsibility for his actions and will be dealt with accordingly. There were no explanations given about the cause-]
Tap
Serria placed her hand on Kairen's shoulder.
"I guess you aren't the only one who fucked up."
"...."
'Am I supposed to feel better now?'
***
Tap Tap Tap
The sound of footsteps echoed in the long hallway.
"I still think it was unnecessary to kill them all."
A young girl's voice broke the silence.
"Why? Didn't you want to get revenge? I helped you as you wanted."
A man answered the girl in a playful manner.
"But still... Not all of them deserved death..."
"Hmm? What now? You feel guilty after everything is over?"
"...."
"You were nearly caught. You would be behind the bars now if not for my help, and instead of thanking me, you are complaining about killing some people."
"I wouldn't get caught that easily."
The girl pouted and replied to the man's teasing with a sharp tone.
"Really? You jumped in our hideout after confronting a policeman while carrying a tracker with you."
"I-I got startled. I thought of running back to the dorm... but I thought they would find me there. So... I went to the hideout you mentioned... Since I couldn't change the portal's direction after it was set..."
"Hahahaha!"
The man burst into laughter after hearing the girl's answer.
"Don't laugh at me! It was my first time doing things like that. I am not a criminal like you!"
"Oh? But you kidnapped and killed 10 people?"
"You killed them, not me!"
"Ok Ok!"
The man waved his hand and said in a voice that was still full of teasing. They continued to walk forward in the empty hall.
"But where are you taking me now?"
The girl asked, slightly nervous.
"I want you to meet an interesting guy."
"An interesting guy?"
The girl tilted her head at the man's answer. They arrived in front of a door as they were talking. The man grabbed the handle of the door and opened it.
"He is the one you are going to work with from now on."
The girl could see a man sitting on a chair in the empty room. She couldn't see his face as it was covered with a hood. The man turned his head and looked at them.
"Who is he?"
"My new friend!"
The man who brought the girl here smiled and said in a joyful voice. His face was covered with a mask but the young girl thought she could still see his sparkling eyes.
"...."
The hooded man just silently looked at both of them. The girl looked closer at him. He had a good built and a muscular body. Broad shoulders and a straight back.
"Well then, my friend. This little girl here will be your assistant from now on. Her name is...."
The man stopped and looked back at the teenager.
'Did he forget my name again?'
She stepped forward and reached out her hand for a handshake.
"It is Claire. Claire Reid."
"...."
The hooded man silently looked at her, then stood up and grabbed her hand. They silently shook hands.
Claire could see his hand that was full of old scars. He was giving out a weird aura even though he wasn't doing anything.
'Who is this person?'
The masked man clapped his hands and said happily.
"Be good friends and get along well, ok?"
Claire turned to the man with a smile.
"Let's work hard."
In her response, the man only nodded his head.
"Right! You will get paid and be given a shelter until you do what I say."
The hooded man turned to the masked one and opened his mouth for the first time.
"I never agreed to cooperate with you."
"I know I know! You can do what you want as long as you do me a few favors."
"Favors you say..."
The man took a deep breath and didn't say anything more. Claire glanced at the two of them nervously. These guys were going to be her bosses from now on.