The taxi continued to tail the white van until we noticed it slowing down and eventually pulling into an abandoned schoolyard. The place looked decrepit, with broken windows and overgrown weeds surrounding the perimeter—a perfect hideout for something sinister.
Once it became clear where the van was headed, I signaled the driver to stop a safe distance away. "We'll get off here," I said, careful not to arouse suspicion.
Katherine, always perceptive, left a generous wad of cash on the seat before the driver could question anything. He gave us a brief nod and drove off, leaving us standing in the shadows.
We crouched near some overgrown bushes, our eyes fixed on the van as it parked near the school's entrance. A few figures emerged, their faces obscured, dragging along what appeared to be bound individuals—likely women. I clenched my fists, a surge of anger building within me, but Katherine put a calming hand on my shoulder.
"Steady," she whispered. "We need to observe first. Rushing in will ruin everything."
I nodded, forcing myself to breathe. She gestured toward her bag and whispered again, "Put these on. It's time to disappear."
I reached into the bag, pulling out the crow-like masks and the long, dark jackets she had prepared. Within moments, our identities were concealed. The sleek, ominous look of the mask felt fitting for what we were about to do.
From our hidden spot, we observed the men unload more individuals from the van. My gut twisted, and I knew we were in the right place—this was the infamous "celebration" we had been tracking. My anger flared again, but I reminded myself to focus.
"Katherine," I whispered, my voice low but firm, "I'm relying on your ability now. I've used mine enough tonight, and I can't risk burning out. If things get out of hand, we'll need your talent to turn the tide."
She gave a curt nod, her eyes glinting with determination behind her mask. "I've got this, Daniel. Let's stay close, stick to the shadows, and gather everything we can before we make a move."
We began to creep closer, using the darkness and the school's derelict state to our advantage.
As we spotted a VIP lingering outside the venue, I immediately formed a quick plan to use one of my lesser-known abilities. The man seemed to be waiting for someone, scanning his surroundings as if expecting their arrival. It was a risky move, but this was the perfect opportunity to gather intel without arousing suspicion inside the venue.
Turning to Katherine, I explained my ability. "I can take control of someone's body for a full minute," I said, keeping my voice low. "But the catch is, my own body will become lifeless while I'm controlling them. I need you to stay with me and guard my body while I handle this."
Her eyes widened in awe, a mix of admiration and curiosity flashing across her face. "I didn't know you could do that," she whispered, impressed. "Alright, I've got your back. Just bring him here, and I'll handle the rest."
I nodded, focusing my thoughts on the task ahead. Taking a deep breath, I activated the effect of my Tarot card:
Crows Count: 5
Effect: You can take over someone's body for a limit of 1 minute, but you must always carry this card."
The next moment, I felt my consciousness slip into the VIP's body. I saw through his eyes, felt the weight of his limbs, and instinctively adjusted to the foreign sensation of controlling someone else. I glanced around quickly, ensuring no one else was nearby. Satisfied that the coast was clear, I sprinted toward the hiding spot where Katherine was waiting.
As soon as I reached the spot, Katherine was ready. She had already propped my limp body against the wall, a determined look in her eyes.
"Here's your target," I said, using the VIP's voice as I guided his body into position. "Tie him up. We don't have much time."
Without hesitation, Katherine pulled out a set of thick cords she had prepared earlier and expertly restrained the man's body. She worked swiftly, ensuring he wouldn't be able to move once the possession ended.
As the minute drew to a close, I felt myself being pulled back into my own body. The sensation of snapping back into myself was jarring, but I shook it off quickly and glanced at Katherine.
"He's all yours," I said, still catching my breath.
Katherine smirked, crouching beside the restrained VIP, her mask giving her an eerie, commanding presence. "Let's find out what secrets you're hiding," she said, her voice low and menacing.
It was time to get answers.
As soon as we secured the VIP, Katherine and I slipped on our masks, ensuring our identities were concealed. When the man regained consciousness, his confused expression quickly turned to alarm as he realized he was tied up and in an unfamiliar location. Before he could utter a single word, Katherine silenced him with a cold, commanding voice.
"Shhh. We're the ones asking questions here. Look at me—and only me." The chilling tone in her voice immediately caught his attention, and the air around us seemed to freeze. Katherine's presence was dominating, her confidence unshakable as she crouched in front of the restrained man.
"Let's start, shall we?" she said, her voice low but razor-sharp.
"Tell me everything—what's happening inside that venue, who's in there, and why you're all gathered." The man hesitated for only a second before Katherine's ability took hold.
He began to speak, his words flowing as if compelled by some unseen force. Katherine's power made it impossible for him to lie or withhold information. He revealed everything. The event inside was a secret gathering of influential individuals—politicians, businessmen, and even law enforcement officials.
They were all there to show their unwavering support for Pastor Jun, a man whose corruption and depravity had allowed him to remain untouchable for years.
The pastor had been organizing these gatherings for a long time, even before his candidacy. The main attraction? He trafficked underage girls, offering them as twisted "gifts" to his VIPs to secure their loyalty.
As the man continued, he let slip the names of key players inside the venue, exposing a web of illegal dealings and shady connections. His confession painted a horrifying picture of how deeply rooted this corruption was. Katherine's grip on her anger was visibly slipping. Her breathing grew heavier, her hands trembling slightly as she clenched her fists.
"He's been doing this for years?" she hissed, her voice sharp with rage. The man nodded, fear evident in his eyes.
"He's protected by his connections. The police, local officials—everyone is in on it. No one will touch him." Hearing this, I felt a fire ignite within me. My hands tightened into fists, my knuckles turning white under the strain.
"They think they're untouchable," I muttered, my voice low and filled with venom.
"Not anymore." Katherine turned to me, her eyes burning with determination even behind her mask. "We can't let this continue, Daniel. Tonight, we end this."