"Sigh... What a huge loss."
Evan Stone walked along the mountain road back home, his gaze fixed on his cotton coat, now ruined with two gaping holes. His eyes were filled with regret.
As a reserve officer during the exam period, Evan wasn't paid, and with his clothes torn, there would be no compensation. Thinking about it, losing a coat during his work was an added burden for a family already struggling financially.
Of course, today wasn't without its rewards.
Current Viewer Expectancy: 40%
Since being instructed by Quentin Farr to replace William Young in the investigation, his viewer expectancy had been steadily increasing. It went up by 5% during the trip to the teahouse to find the enforcers, and by another 10% when he stormed the tavern.
Initially, Evan had thought that returning to the tavern with the enforcers would help him gain more expectancy, but that didn't happen. It seemed only when he was physically present and witnessed events firsthand could the expectancy increase.
Evan Stone felt that he had figured out a way to quickly increase his expectancy.
After walking for over two hours, he finally returned to Cold Frost Street. Before he could even enter the house, he heard a clear, melodious voice singing an aria from inside.
"Ah, he's back!"
Maxe Stone suddenly jumped up from his seat and waved excitedly at the figure approaching in the distance.
Evan Stone, exhausted and dragging his feet, squinted slightly but still waved back immediately.
Charles Moore, who had been sitting quietly, stood up and greeted Evan with a polite smile.
"You must be... Evan Stone?" Charles Moore adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses as he spoke.
"Yes, that's me." Evan extended his hand for a handshake. "Have you been waiting long?"
"Not too long."
Maxe Stone eagerly chimed in. "Yes, he got here earlier today. I thought he'd be tired, but he stayed right here, reading in the living room, waiting for you."
Evan Stone was taken aback. "You didn't offer him a drink?"
"I did... but he didn't drink."
Evan Stone looked at Charles Moore with a somewhat apologetic smile. "I really appreciate you coming all this way, but I'm fine now. You don't need to examine me; it's not necessary."
At first, Evan had been scared by the idea of being examined by a doctor, but now he didn't consider himself sick. How could a "world-ending" disaster be something a doctor could fix?
Even more so, how could someone stop something like that with a medical treatment?
Charles Moore paused, considering Evan's words for a moment.
"Well, I can understand that. But... I might still suggest a full check-up."
"No, I don't need one."
Evan's response was firm, as he knew that if Charles Moore examined him, it could reveal things that should remain hidden.
"Alright." Charles Moore sighed but agreed. "However, I can't go back for the moment."
"Why not?"
"The entire third district has been sealed off. No one can enter or leave."
"Then how did you get in?"
"I have a friend in the law enforcement. I got in with his help." Charles Moore gave a helpless smile. "But it's easier to get in than out."
Evan knew well that the enforcement officers' lockdown was to prevent any disasters from escaping—especially since some disasters could hide in human bodies or backpacks and sneak out.
"So…" Evan Stone sighed, feeling conflicted.
Charles Moore was a doctor from Aurora City, and Evan didn't want to kick him out, especially with no other options for him to return.
Maxe Stone, sensing the tension, spoke up. "I don't think he's a bad person."
"Yes, that Victor Hale was tough, but it was him who made sure Charles Moore stayed."
Upon hearing this, Evan Stone's expression softened.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"How did you get Victor Hale to leave today?"
"Oh, I told him the house was empty. I also reminded him that just walking into someone's house uninvited is disrespectful."
"But he's an enforcer. Doesn't he have the right to search houses?" Evan Stone couldn't believe it.
"Well, he listened to me." Charles Moore gave a calm smile. "I saved his life... twice... years ago."
Evan blinked in surprise.
"…I see."
Evan then sat back down and let the conversation flow, feeling reassured. He was glad to have Charles Moore around.
"By the way, where's Maxe going with that costume on?"
"He's preparing for school. He's a high school freshman, actually. He's been through some illness, but now that he's better, he'll join the next cohort of new students."
"Ah, I see. But he has such a good voice, I'm sure he could perform at the New Year's celebration at school."
"Of course he can. He's the only one in the entire district who can sing opera like that."
"He's only fifteen, so a performance like Thoughts of a Nun would be a great fit for him."
"I'll practice it more!" Maxe Stone replied eagerly, then ran back to his room.
Evan Stone knew that Maxe was just a fifteen-year-old boy, someone eager for friends and attention. It reminded him of when he was young, dreaming of stepping on stage, impressing teachers and classmates. Sadly, he never learned to play an instrument.
But for Maxe Stone, combining his interests with performance was something truly exciting.
"Wait."
Evan Stone helplessly smiled. "Let's not rush. Clean up first, and then we can prepare dinner."
Maxe Stone obediently came over to help Evan wash the vegetables. Just then, his gaze fell on the two large holes in Evan's coat. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Bro, what happened to your coat?" His tone suddenly turned serious.
"It's nothing, just scratched it."
Charles Moore, who was reading a book, looked up upon hearing the conversation. His eyes behind his glasses narrowed slightly.
"Did you get shot?"
Maxe Stone looked up sharply.
"No, I wasn't hit." Evan Stone immediately explained when he felt Maxe's gaze, "They shot too slowly, and I dodged… I wasn't injured."
Charles Moore observed him for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Indeed, you're not hurt."
"Who shot you?" Maxe Stone asked coldly.
"It was…"
Evan Stone hesitated for a moment, and seeing the chilling glint in Maxe's eyes, he spoke carefully, "It was just two thugs… they've already been taken by the enforcers."
He knew Maxe Stone was a "fused one," and was aware that Maxe had gone on a killing spree on Ice Spring Street that night... If he mentioned Ice Spring Street, he feared Maxe would go on another killing spree there that very night.
After all, that street had most likely been seized by the enforcers, and if Maxe went back, he might run into a Judgment Officer.
Hearing this, Maxe Stone's expression softened. He quietly picked up the torn coat.
"…I'll sew it up for you."
Maxe Stone had made all his opera costumes himself, so fixing a coat was nothing difficult for him.
"They had guns… how did you beat them?" Charles Moore looked at Evan Stone's eyes, seemingly trying to see through him.
"They had guns but didn't know how to use them. They shot several times but all hit my clothes… Why are you asking about this?"
Evan Stone naturally couldn't reveal he had the "Slaughter Dance," as it involved the theater and the "audience."
"…Nothing."
Charles Moore withdrew his gaze, focusing on the book cover, deep in thought.
After dinner, the three of them went to their respective rooms. The night sky covered the entire horizon, only the blue aurora drifting silently.
As Evan Stone fell asleep, his consciousness floated into the theater,
In the dead silence of the dim room,
A figure slowly walked toward him.
It was Charles Moore.
The reflection of pale light from the glasses flashed under the aurora, and his cold gaze fixed on the sleeping Evan Stone, with a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.
He slowly raised his right hand, holding a short blade like a cold moon...