Lynn sat there for several uninterrupted hours, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the puzzle that had consumed his every thought since he arrived in this peculiar town. The mysteries and questions churned endlessly until everything finally clicked into place.
The events that had unfolded were not a series of random occurrences but a carefully orchestrated scheme conceived by a cunning and elusive adversary.
"From the beginning to now, these attacks happened every third day without fail, it never changed." Lynn continued thinking aloud. The attacks had indeed occurred in a consistent pattern. Too consistent to be random, he remarked.
Starting from June 3rd, the first incident occurred, followed by the second on June 6th, the third on June 9th, and now, on June 12th, the fourth occurrence has taken place.
"Even, for the sake of today's smoothness, the other side made a stunt," Lynn muttered to himself, recognizing that the attack from the previous night had likely been staged. It was a calculated move to create a diversion, preparing the scene at the tower and setting the perfect trap.
"June 15th..." He whispered the date, his voice filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Based on the established pattern, another attack would undoubtedly occur three days from now.
But why had the perpetrator gone through such an elaborate charade? What was the end goal? These were the questions occupying Lynn's mind now.
"The reason patrol officers were chosen to be attacked..." Lynn muttered. Clearly, it was a strategic choice, aiming to spread terror and panic throughout the town by targeting the law enforcement force. Chaos would give the hidden enemy more room to operate unchecked.
Unfortunately, there was so little information that he couldn't figure out the antagonist's ultimate end goal.
However, that didn't stop him from offering the sheriff some of his own opinions and suggestions. He believed that bolstering the number of people and firepower of the night patrols could have a positive impact on the current unfavorable situation.
Two confrontations were enough for Lynn to understand that despite their bizarre form and unconventional attack methods, these monsters were still vulnerable when faced with firearms and explosives.
He was certain that as long as a well-prepared and armed group of officers could set aside their fear, they would have a reasonable chance of emerging victorious in the face of these creatures.
The primary motive behind the assailant's decision to carry out the attacks under cover of darkness was to capitalize on the element of surprise and exploit the psychological impact of reduced visibility. By striking in the dark, the attacker aimed to create a sense of fear, uncertainty, and panic among the targeted, thereby increasing the likelihood of success.
Otherwise, if the opposing party had possessed a monster that was impervious to guns and explosives, they would probably have already achieved their objectives in a more conspicuous and grandiose manner.
Suddenly, a speculation sprouted in Lynn's mind. Could it be that this mysterious enemy was engaging in some sort of ritual every three days to enhance the monster's powers?
At that instant, Lynn's face changed slightly. Although he lacked knowledge of the extraordinary, a certain intuition led him to believe that his hypothesis was the most likely.
His expression turned solemn as the weight of his realization sank in. If his speculation proved to be correct, then the creatures would continue to grow in power with each passing attack, becoming an unstoppable force that would leave the sheriff's men as nothing more than hapless prey, trapped in an unending cycle of violence.
Lynn abruptly stood up, shaking off the grip of his pessimistic thoughts. He quietly uttered, "Three days remain until the next attack."
Taking a step towards the window beside the desk, he pulled back the black curtains. The sun had already reached its zenith, casting its golden glow upon the vast expanse of the world below.
"It is not yet unstoppable," Lynn whispered to himself.
He decided to take a refreshing shower to clear his mind and relieve stress. After the intense confrontations and using his abilities to their limit, the shower was a welcome chance to unwind.
The steam-filled bathroom created an ethereal atmosphere, adding to the calming ambiance. Lynn closed his eyes, allowing the warm water to cascade over him, releasing the tension that had built up within his muscles.
Emerging from the shower refreshed, Lynn toweled off and changed into a comfortable set of clothes from his inventory. His previous outfit was in bad shape after the intense fight in the bell tower.
Dressed in fresh attire, he prepared a simple and satisfying meal, using the supplies from his storage. As he cleaned his plate, he took a moment to collect his thoughts and strategize his next move.
Caught in the depths of his contemplation, a sudden knock echoed through the room, abruptly interrupting him. Taken aback, he immediately recognized the familiar voice that emanated from beyond the door.
"It's me, Cooper," the sheriff's gruff voice responded from the other side of the door.
"Come in," Lynn replied, welcoming the visitor.
The door swung open, revealing the sheriff. His blood-stained clothes had long since been replaced, and his gaze was firm and tenacious. Though a faint pallor lingered, a casual observer would never suspect that he had been shot just a few hours earlier.
Lynn stared at the sheriff, his brow furrowed with confusion and curiosity. Thoughts raced through his mind, contemplating the purpose behind this unexpected visit. Unable to restrain his curiosity, he asked "Has there been any new developments in the investigation?"
The sheriff's face betrayed a hint of exhaustion as he let out a weary sigh. Shaking his head, he replied, "Unfortunately, there haven't been any significant breakthroughs yet. My men are still combing the area for clues, but so far we've turned up nothing useful."
Lynn's hopeful anticipation dwindled as the sheriff's somber response reached his ears. However, rather than discouraging him, this response only deepened his intrigue about the purpose behind the sheriff's visit.
"I actually came by to inform you that the remains of the bell monster are ready for inspection," the sheriff's words hung in the air, finally revealing the purpose of his visit.
"And... I am also here to express my heartfelt gratitude for saving Ritz," Cooper added, breaking the brief pause. The sheriff's typically stern face softened with a genuine display of appreciation. Lynn's memory flashed back to the young patrol officer he had rescued from the monster's suffocating grip.
"So, his name was Ritz," Lynn mused silently.
He gave a small nod. "I'm glad he wasn't gravely harmed. We were fortunate the ambush was thwarted in time."
"More than fortunate - we owe it to your abilities and quick thinking," Cooper expressed his sincere appreciation. "Without your presence and actions, I fear that the entire incident would have unfolded in a drastically different and potentially dangerous manner."
As the conversation shifted towards discussing the incident at hand, Lynn chimed in. "Speaking of the incident," he continued, "I've been pondering the pattern of the attack, and I have a theory."
The sheriff looked at him intently, his attention fully focused, prompting Lynn to continue sharing his thoughts on the matter at hand.