"How close were you to Sophia?", Lyra asked breaking the silence on the ride to the department.
"Just work-related matters, I barely had conversations with her", I replied.
"You don't seem like a 'shut-in' personality", she said.
"Well…I couldn't trust anyone around me so I thought why not just let it be and mind my own business", I replied.
"What do you mean?", she asked curious.
"C'mon, you're an investigating officer…you can find out about my situation easily and somethings are better kept quiet about", I said.
"I see, how old are you?", she asked.
"That's an unexpected question…I am twenty-one years old", I replied.
"What about you officer?", I asked.
"Twenty-Six", She replied.
"A chief that young? Quiet the impressive feat", I commented.
"You're one to talk, owning a company with net worth of approximately 500 billion Aurums at the age of 21. You are aware that you're the youngest billionaire of the country, right?", she said.
"Being a billionaire wasn't something I aimed for. It's just the result of circumstances and opportunities," I said.
"Then what was your aim?", she asked.
'My aim…Did I ever have a purpose in my life…with no one to guide me I wasn't even aware there were paths in life', I thought.
"I- My aim is to help you in investigation and help you catch the killer" I said.
"...", the silent stare of her made me feel like an idiot.
"Quite the unusual weather, don't you think so?", I muttered as dark clouds surrounded the sky with the rumbling sound of thunder in complete different contrast to a hot sunny day with no moist a few moments ago. The atmosphere had become dark and this definitely was not a natural phenomenon.
'This ain't the first time I am feeling something wrong…!', I let out a tired thought.
"Here we are", I said as the car stopped in front of OPD department.
"Thanks for the ride", she said opening the gate of the car and getting up.
"By the way, at what time are we meeting at the auction officer?", I asked.
"I told you before…you are not coming", she said slamming the gate of the car and leaving towards the department.
"Well, looks like I'll have to crash that party solo," I muttered to myself, revving the engine of my car with a smirk on my face.
As I continued driving, the sky grew ominously darker, and a peculiar stillness settled upon the once bustling highway. There seemed to be no soul present on the highway and the towering buildings on either side.
I reached for my phone, only to discover its lifeless screen. Panic crept in as I noticed that even the electronic devices within the car had ceased to function, including the dependable speedometer.
I slammed on the brakes, bringing my vehicle to a sudden halt in the very centre of the road. The screeching of tires echoed through the stillness, merging with the crescendo of thunder rolling ominously overhead.
Raindrops, as delicate as shards of glass, began to fall, mingling with the gusts of wind that whipped through my hair.
The air crackled with electricity, and each bolt of lightning illuminated the surroundings
The rhythmic drumming of raindrops joined forces with the howling wind, creating a symphony as I stood at the epicentre of this extraordinary convergence.
"Nice car you've got here," a voice remarked behind me, breaking the silence with an air of confidence.
Aware of his presence but unperturbed, I turned calmly to face the figure.
"Hard earned money you know?", I said as I slowly turned around to face the figure.
The man, seemingly in his twenties, donned a black long coat that billowed in the wind, his face concealed by a full-face black mask. His piercing blue eyes burned like flames, adding an eerie contrast to his dark attire.
"Hard-earned money, you say?" he muttered, his voice dripping with a mixture of amusement and disdain..
"Tell me something…",
"What do you think Ankarath truly is?" he questioned, a challenging tone in his voice.
"A supernatural organization fighting murks," I offered, my voice steady.
He scoffed, a sound that carried a hint of superiority.
"You know nothing," he sneered. "Ankarath is far more than that."
I tilted my head slightly, curiosity piqued by his cryptic words.
"There's no such place as protector of humanity," he continued, taking a measured step forward. A powerful energy emanated from him.
Before his foot could touch the ground, he vanished from my sight, moving with astonishing speed. Time seemed to stretch as I calmly anticipated his next move.
In an instant, he reappeared before me, his fist aimed at my face.
"It's a fucking warzone," he stated, his voice laced with intensity.
Maintaining my focus, I swiftly assumed a defensive stance, bringing my hands closer to shield my face.
His fist collided with the back of my hands, unleashing a forceful impact. I maintained my balance, absorbing the blow without flinching.
"
Adapting quickly, I gracefully sidestepped his subsequent attack, evading his strikes with poise and agility.
"That was cowardly," he sneered, his voice tinged with frustration.
"You don't seem surprised I broke free from your domain," he remarked, his masked face betraying a hint of curiosity.
"You have commendable talent...but," I replied, my right foot and hand moving forward into a defensive stance, my fingers pointing down and my palm facing him.
"You chose the wrong guy to confront with that level," I stated, my golden iris transforming into a vertical slit.
"Tch..." he muttered, vanishing once again. Remaining steadfast in my stance, I extended my hand to the right, keeping it poised and ready.
In an instant, he reappeared, his fist hurtling toward my outstretched palm. However, this time, there was no impact. The energy focused within his fist dissipated into nothingness, neutralized by my countermeasure.
A flicker of surprise flashed across his eyes, barely visible beneath his mask.
As the masked figure hastily retreated a few steps, his eyes widening with a mix of surprise and unease, I closed my eyes, immersing myself in the moment. The world around me seemed to fade away as I focused every fiber of my being on my surroundings.
"Now you're underestimating me, offering me a handicap?" he growled, his voice filled with a mix of defiance and apprehension.
The air crackled with anticipation as I heard the distinct sound of heavy chains being unfurled. The metallic links clinked ominously.
A chuckle escaped my lips, laced with a hint of amusement. His choice of weapon was fascinating.
"It's never merely about the dormant energy within oneself," With each word, I channeled the latent power inside me, a cascade of energy coursing through my veins.
Ancient runes materialized beneath my feet, pulsating with an ethereal glow. The atmosphere responded in kind, as the distant rumblings of thunder grew more menacing, and the wind howled with heightened intensity.
The very glass of the car shattered, an outward manifestation of the energy gathering around us.
"You will now see one of the rare demonstrations of Huaquan... Perhaps a tale you've encountered before."
A shadowy silhouette materialized against the darkened sky, taking the form of a majestic cloud dragon. The thunder crashed with a renewed ferocity, splitting the air and sending tremors through the earth, causing hairline fractures to spread across the ground.
"
[A/N: The Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong, is a legendary character from the Chinese novel "Journey to the West." He is known for his incredible martial arts skills.]