For Vaelor, it was difficult to digest the fact that he was standing at a murder site at worse, that he was expected to help investigate it. The reality felt unreal, like stepping into a nightmare he hadn't prepared for.
As they stood near the chalk outline, Truman began the briefing.
"Last Wednesday night," he said, "neighbors reported hearing a scream. Just one. Short but enough to raise suspicion."
Vaelor listened closely.
"When the authorities investigated, they discovered this house belongs to Carter Han the man found dead here." Truman paused before continuing. "Further records confirmed it. Carter Han was the same serial killer responsible for five murders over the past two months."
Vaelor's chest tightened.
"He kidnapped his victims," Truman went on calmly, "removed their fingernails during prolonged torture, and then poisoned them. The poison was always the same. Afterward, he dumped the bodies in open areas at night places where people would find them easily by morning."
Vaelor felt nausea rise in his throat. His face paled, but he forced himself to stay composed.
After a moment, he asked, "Didn't the neighbors notice anything… before?"
Truman shook his head. "When the cops questioned them, they claimed they noticed nothing unusual. No sounds. No strange behavior."
He added one final detail, his voice lower now. "There's one more common pattern. The little fingers of all the victims were removed. He kept three in his basement stored inside a refrigerator and two are still missing."
Vaelor clenched his fists.
"Any questions?" Truman asked.
Vaelor exhaled slowly. "I need time to process this. But first… we should leave this place."
Truman understood. It was Vaelor's first assignment. Without another word, they stepped outside, leaving the house.
On the other side of the city, Perun stood in front of the Alpha Angel building. Men in black suits walked in and out with purpose.
Perun stopped one of them. "Excuse me. I joined today. Where should I go?"
The man pointed. "That way. Mr. Will's Edmund office."
Perun entered.
Inside, a middle-aged man with slightly white hair and a trimmed beard sat behind a desk. A old cut marked his right cheek. He wore a black suit and was busy handling calls through a landline.
"I'll send them," the man said into the phone, then ended the call.
Perun stepped forward. "Hello, sir. I'm Perun. Mr. Elane sent me here for the job."
The man nodded. "Yes. I'm Will Edmund."
He studied Perun briefly. "Do you have a driving license?"
Perun nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good." Edmund leaned back. "You'll be work as a bodyguard for someone… important."
Perun blinked, internally screaming. What the hell?
Edmund stood up, walked to a cabinet, and handed Perun a black box.
Perun looked at it. "What's this, Mr. Will?"
Edmund smirked. "A box. Can't you see?"
Then he chuckled. "Relax. It's your uniform and a surveillance earpiece."
He gestured toward a door. "Wear it. You can use my bathroom."
Perun swallowed and took the box.
Perun stood inside the bathroom, leaning against the sink, his shoulders shaking.
How can I guard someone? he thought. I want to live quietly… this isn't for me.
"I'll refuse," he whispered to himself. "I won't wear it."But another thought crept in.
What if they get offended? What will I do then?
He took a deep breath and slowly calmed himself.
They're paying more money…
Stared at his reflection.
"Okay," he muttered. "There isn't much risk. I'm not protecting the president or something. There will be other people with me. And if things get dangerous… I'll just run."
With that, Perun convinced himself.
He put on the black suit and adjusted the surveillance eyepiece that curved from his neck to his ear. It felt heavy.
Taking one last breath, he stepped out of the bathroom.
Mr. Will Edmund stood waiting. He looked Perun up and down, then smiled.
"Perfect fitting, my boy," Edmund said. "Now come with me."
Perun swallowed. "Where?"
"Your workplace," Edmund replied. "Come. My car is outside."
They exited the building and walked toward a white Dodge Challenger parked beside it. Edmund sat in the passenger seat and gestured for Perun to drive.
Perun hesitated, then sat in the driver's seat and fastened his seatbelt. The key was already in the ignition. As soon as he turned it, the engine roared to life.
It felt completely different from the supermarket supplier truck he sometimes drove. He remembered how hard he had worked to get his driving license and how the supermarket owner paid him extra for it.
Edmund guided him street by street. Perun was so focused on driving that he barely noticed the surroundings.
After a long time, Edmund said, "Stop here. We've arrived."
Perun parked and stepped out of the car.
A massive iron gate stood before them, guarding a huge mansion. Armed security stood alert at the entrance.
Perun swallowed hard.
Edmund spoke briefly with the guards, and the gate slowly opened. They drove inside along a long path lined with flowers, plants, and perfectly trimmed grass.
When they entered the mansion, Perun's breath caught.
Red carpets covered the marble floor. A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling like something from a royal palace. Maids stood silently along the walls, their heads slightly bowed.
A middle-aged man approached them. He wore a blue Windsor uniform with thin red lines. He had sharp blue eyes and blond hair.
Perun recognized him instantly.
The mayor of Norus… Michael Cooper.
Michael stared at Edmund with a serious expression. Edmund returned the look.
Then, suddenly, both of them smiled.They hugged like long-lost brothers."You almost forgot me," Edmund laughed.
Michael chuckled. "Nah. I'm just buried in work these days."
Edmund nodded. "You asked me for a reliable bodyguard. Well here he is."
He gestured toward Perun. "This is Perun."
Perun froze. Intimidated by their presence, he bowed slightly.
"H-Hello, sir."
Michael studied him, noticing his nervousness. He glanced at Edmund.
"Are you sure?" Michael asked.
Edmund nodded confidently. "Yes."
Michael smiled faintly. "If it's you who brought him, then I can trust him blindly."
Edmund checked his watch. "I should go now. I only came to see you. We'll drink together some other time."
With that, Edmund left.
Perun felt his chest tighten. He was alone now.
Michael gestured. "Come with me."
They walked through the mansion. Michael talked about how he and Edmund had been friends for over thirty years, but Perun barely listened.
He had never been inside a place like this. The walls were decorated with magnificent paintings, and the carpets felt too luxurious to step on.
Michael stopped in front of a door and knocked.
"It's me. Open the door."
From inside, a voice replied, "Wait a minute."
Michael felt slightly awkward. Even as mayor, he was being made to wait.
The door opened.
A girl stood there black hair flowing over her shoulders, ember-colored eyes glowing softly. She wore a light blue ruffled shirt.
Perun's heart skipped.
She's… beautiful.
"Melody," Michael said.
Then he turned to her. "This is Perun. He's your new bodyguard. He'll protect you."
Melody frowned. "Ah, Dad, there's no need. What danger could possibly come to me?"
Michael smiled gently. "You're still my cute little daughter. You don't understand the world yet. There are people ready to give or take life for you."
Perun felt uneasy.
Rich people are strange, he thought. Protecting loved ones by taking lives… that doesn't feel right.
But then he shrugged internally.
Who cares?
He bowed slightly. "Hello."
"There's no need for that," Melody said casually.
Michael turned to her. "Go back to your room. I need to show him the house."
Melody nodded and closed the door.
Michael walked with Perun, stopping at a quiet corner far from the maids and Melody's room. His voice dropped.
"Now listen carefully," Michael said. "There is danger on Melody, and on my entire family."
Michael cooper had a wife, one daughter and one son. His wife and young son are at their maternal grandparents home. After a conflict between Michael and his wife.
Perun stiffened. "From whom?"
"There isn't much information," Michael replied. "But I'm certain it's related to the parliament."
"Why only me?" Perun asked. "You could hire more guards."
Michael shook his head. "Yes. But don't you think it would be more dangerous if one of them was involved?"
He looked straight into Perun's eyes.
"From now on, protecting her is your duty.