Author Note:
Side Note: I am starting a second book set in the same universe. If you've read this far, you've probably noticed how significantly my writing has evolved. As a result, I feel the need to reboot my series to make it even better. Thank you for sticking with me! Please leave a comment, review, or add the story to your collection. Have a wonderful day!
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The pieces clicked into place like a deadly puzzle. The ringleader was not merely a petty criminal; he was a pawn in a much larger game orchestrated by a woman who thrived in darkness and deceit.
Asher felt a surge of anger rising within him as he processed this new information. The ringleader had preyed on the desperate, exploiting their need for work and turning them into commodities for a dark purpose. He gripped the table, feeling the wood splinter beneath his fingers as the weight of his mission settled heavily on his shoulders.
This was no longer just about revenge; it was about saving those who had been taken—those still trapped in the clutches of this vile operation. Asher's resolve hardened like steel. He would dismantle this network piece by piece, starting with the woman lurking behind the curtain.
Unable to resist the urge, Asher counted the banknotes before him. His eyes widened as he realized the total—5,928 pounds. It was a substantial amount, a small fortune that could finance his next steps in this dangerous game. He stashed the money away in his ring, keeping only 20 pounds in his wallet for immediate expenses.
With the letters clutched tightly in his hand, he knew he had a lead. He had to find Lotta Langry and unravel the web of darkness surrounding her. But first, he needed to prepare himself for what lay ahead.
Once he finished securing the items, he took a deep breath. As he slipped the letters into his satchel, Asher couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that he was being watched, that the walls themselves might have ears. But he refused to let fear dictate his actions. He craved power—power enough to never be defenseless in the face of would-be tyrants like the ringleader. This case had illuminated the limitations of the firm. He would need to take matters into his own hands. The amount of essence his Dark Knight had absorbed was no small feat; Asher estimated it was at least 30 souls. She was likely twice as strong now—twice as deadly.
Asher quickly made his way back to Colloway Street, slipping into bed next to Renee quietly.
He awoke to the mouthwatering smell of roasted potatoes and sausage wafting through the air. Yet, shamelessly, he rolled over, burying his face in the pillow.
Soon, he felt something warm and moist touch his lips. Opening his eyes, he saw Renee's picturesque face hovering above him, a teasing smile on her lips.
"So? When are you going to stop pretending to be asleep?" she asked playfully.
"Do not disturb my rest, cruel temptress!" Asher protested, still half-asleep.
"Oh? Temptress, huh? If I'm being judged for the crime, I may as well—"
"Okay, okay, I'm up!"
Asher smiled and rolled out of bed, making his way to the bathroom.
He felt content—happy. He had come so far from his days of starving as a university student, wearing secondhand clothes and saving every penny just to eat meat each week. Now, he had a small fortune, courtesy of the Denask Mafia. He was grateful for the progress he had made with Renee; she was his only solace amid the chaos of his stressful life. Maybe, he thought, I can inquire about the clown potion today...
After dressing and shaving, Asher enjoyed a lovely morning with Renee before giving her his spare key.
He didn't believe for a second that she had waited two days in his apartment. Regardless of what had actually occurred, he didn't care.
"I'll see you after work?" he asked, hoping to gauge her mood.
"Yes, I hope so! Unless you're as late as last night; in which case, don't come back at all! I need my beauty sleep, after all!" Renee pouted, crossing her arms and turning away from him.
Asher laughed, leaning over to peck her cheek.
Renee feigned mock rejection before hugging him tightly and kissing his cheek.
"I left a few crowns on my nightstand; it isn't right that you've been buying the groceries and cooking by yourself. Uhh, if I could, I'd like to request that the chef makes pot roast tonight!" He quickly ran out the door before Renee could react.
Renee stood still after Asher left, watching the door close behind him before walking back upstairs. She glanced at Asher's pillow, then hugged it tightly, inhaling deeply with a frantic expression on her face. She had fallen asleep after all—she had been up all night admiring Asher's peaceful sleeping face.
Asher stepped out of his apartment on Colloway, a giddy smile plastered across his face, the kind that felt foreign after so much darkness. The thrill of the night's success surged through him like electricity, igniting a fire in his chest. He had dismantled the Denask Mafia's operation, leaving chaos in his wake, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of triumph.
The streets of Menthil City were awakening around him, the morning light creeping over the rooftops, illuminating the cobblestones. As he walked, he couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself, recalling the panic in the ringleader's eyes as he confronted him. "You dare scheme against the mother?" he mimicked, a smirk tugging at his lips.
But the joy was short-lived. As he approached the office, the weight of reality settled back into his gut. He remembered the letters and the human suffering hidden beneath the surface of his victory. The exhilaration that had buoyed him dissipated like mist in the sunlight, replaced by a gnawing sense of urgency.
Pushing open the door to the office, Asher paused, allowing the familiar scent of stale coffee and ink to wash over him. He stepped inside, the hum of activity immediately grounding him. Papers shuffled, and the low murmur of conversations filled the air, but there was a heaviness he could feel lurking beneath the surface.
"Asher!" Clarissa called out, her voice bright and cheerful as she bounced over to him. Her energy was infectious, her smile wide and radiant. "You look like you just won the lottery! What's going on?"
Asher shrugged, forcing a grin. "Just got a good night's rest, that's all."