The sun was rising, casting faint, golden rays through the thick fog that blanketed Woodsblack Street.
The early dawn was eerily quiet, with the road completely empty—no cars, no pedestrians, only silence.
A tall, sturdy man in a police uniform walked steadily through the haze, his face obscured by the dense fog.
He seemed determined, his eyes scanning the houses until he stopped in front of a two-story home painted red.
The house stood out in the muted surroundings, its vibrant color almost defiant against the dull morning gloom.
He approached the front door, his footsteps echoing faintly on the empty street. Raising his hand, he knocked firmly once.
No response. He tried again, louder this time, but still nothing. On the third knock, a groggy voice called out from inside.
"Wait a moment," came the muffled reply, tinged with sleepy irritation.
The officer waited, standing still and composed. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man.
He looked disheveled, his eyes half-closed, his hair unkempt from sleep. He studied the officer's balanced frame and calm demeanor with faint curiosity.
"I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour, sir," the officer said in a polite but steady tone.
The man blinked, shaking off his drowsiness. "Ah, no problem," he replied, stifling a yawn. "But... why are you here?
I don't think I've done anything wrong."
The officer nodded slightly. "We received a report about someone being excessively loud in this area last night—shouting or causing a disturbance.
I've been sent to investigate."
The man frowned, a hint of confusion and annoyance flashing across his face. "That's strange. There must be some mistake.
I didn't do anything like that last night. In fact, I went to bed quite early. Are you sure you have the right address?"
The officer hesitated, his expression thoughtful. "It's possible there's been a mix-up. If that's the case, I apologize for the trouble, sir."
The man let out a small, tired sigh, leaning against the doorframe. "Well, mistakes happen. Just make sure this doesn't become a habit, officer."
The policeman gave a slight bow of acknowledgment. "Thank you for your cooperation. I'll follow up on this. Have a good morning, sir."
As the middle-aged man began to close the door, a sudden blur of movement broke the quiet. The officer lunged forward, his gloved hand clamping tightly over the man's mouth, muffling any sound he might make.
In one swift, calculated motion, the officer plunged a knife into the man's abdomen. The blade slid in with a sickening precision, cutting through flesh and fabric alike.
The man's eyes widened in shock and pain, his muffled screams lost behind the officer's unyielding grip. He tried to resist, his hands clawing weakly at his attacker, but his strength ebbed quickly.
Blood seeped through the man's shirt, pooling on the floor in dark, glistening rivulets. The officer leaned in close, his face still veiled by the fog drifting in through the open door, and whispered coldly, "You should have stayed quiet."
The man's struggles slowed, his body sagging as life drained from him. The officer stepped back, letting the limp form collapse onto the floor.
The house, once peaceful, now reeked of iron and death.
With measured calm, the officer wiped the blade clean, tucking it back into his belt before vanishing into the mist, leaving no trace of his visit—except the lifeless body sprawled in the crimson-stained doorway.
---
A few hours later, at YBI Headquarters
In the homicide division office, an old man sat across from a young woman, the newly promoted captain. The room was simple yet dignified, with rows of case files neatly stacked on shelves and a faint smell of coffee lingering in the air. The weight of responsibility seemed to hover in the room, but there was also a sense of pride.
"Congratulations, Laura. I believe you'll do a great job," the old man said warmly, his voice steady with encouragement.
Laura, sitting straight-backed and composed, offered him a grateful smile. "Thank you, sir. I wouldn't be here without your guidance and support. It means a lot to me."
The old man chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "Well, you've earned it, Laura. Hard work always pays off."
He reached for a file on his desk and slid it across to her. "This is your new team. They're all highly experienced and have seen their share of tough cases.
You'll learn a lot from them—and I trust they'll learn something from you, too."
Laura picked up the file, her fingers brushing over the cover before opening it to glance at the profiles inside.
Her expression remained calm as she scanned the files. There were four in total—two women and two men. The first three had impressive records, filled with commendations and solved cases. Laura felt reassured. These were experienced professionals who would be valuable allies.
Finally, she opened the fourth file.
Name: Caden Thorn Occupation: Detective Rank: Senior Investigator Notes: [Confidential]
Laura's brow furrowed slightly as she read through his profile. Unlike the others, Caden's file stood out—not only for its content but for the sheer volume of cases and accolades. His record was extraordinary, almost unbelievable.
"Sir," she said, looking up from the file, her curiosity piqued, "who is Caden Thorn? His record is... remarkable."
The old man leaned forward, his expression shifting from warm pride to a mix of respect and caution.
"Caden," he began, his tone quieter now, "is the pillar of our division. Without him, there'd be far more killers roaming our streets. He's sharp, resourceful, and relentless. There's no one who can outplay that devil."
Laura tilted her head, intrigued by the choice of words. "Devil?" she asked, her voice measured but curious.
The old man nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "Oh, yes. Caden's a brilliant detective, but his methods... well, let's just say he doesn't always play by the book. Some call him a genius. Others—" he paused for effect, "—a necessary evil."
Laura's grip on the file tightened slightly as her eyes lingered on Caden's photo. A man with sharp, piercing eyes stared back at her, his face calm yet carrying an air of unpredictability.
"Do I need to worry about him, sir?" she asked cautiously.
The old man chuckled, shaking his head. "Not unless you're a killer, Laura. Caden gets results, and as long as you work with him, not against him, you'll be just fine. Consider him your greatest asset—and maybe your biggest challenge."
Laura closed the file thoughtfully and nodded. "Understood, sir. I'll make sure we work together effectively."
"Good." The old man leaned back again, his warm smile returning. "Welcome to the team, Captain. I'm counting on you to lead them well."
Laura stood, file in hand, her resolve firm. "I won't let you down, sir."
As she left the room, she glanced at Caden's file again. A devil, huh? she thought, her curiosity only growing