Letran City.
The sun was just beginning to rise, yet the streets were already brimming with life as people headed to work.
The coolness of last winter still wafted in the air, forcing many to wear thick clothes.
Local train stations recently opened up to the public again, filling each train with passengers. Cars could now be seen on the road, driving up to the highway.
Even though the world had changed massively in the past week, some people's lives were barely affected.
Perhaps this was the truth of the world; only a few lucky people could truly rise, but the majority would still be the same, painfully ordinary and always unseen.
Wearing a long trench coat, Zold knocked twice before walking inside the Mayor's office.
Click!
Inside the office, the mayor was sitting on his desk with a deep frown, his brows furrowing harshly. In contrast, an unfamiliar middle-aged man sat down across from him with a calm, and indifferent expression.
When the door opened, the two immediately turned their heads, noticing Zold.
"Mr Starks!"
Upon seeing Zold arrive, the mayor's troubled face instantly broke out into a smile. He pointed at one of the chairs in front of his desk, then spoke sincerely.
"Please have a seat. I appreciate you taking your time to help with this case, truly! You don't know how much—"
But a strong pressure suddenly landed on him, causing him to stiffen up and pause awkwardly.
Zold glared at him and spoke harshly.
"Get to the point."
The mayor nodded rapidly, inwardly clenching his teeth.
"Absolutely! B-but please take a seat!"
Zold took a seat on the other chair indifferently, just right in front of the quiet middle-aged man.
He glanced at him briefly, searching his memory, but found no familiar face from his previous life.
He turned to the mayor with an inquisitive gaze.
The mayor quickly introduced them.
"This is Detective Namita, one of the best detectives in the city. He's in charge of investigating this case."
Detective Namita nodded briefly. "Namita Hajin. Nice to meet you."
While he spoke, he openly sized up Zold, showing no fear or arrogance.
Namita's eyes were dark and broody, utterly lifeless.
Coupled with his mature and indifferent appearance, it was hard for people to tell if he was still alive, or simply pretending to be alive.
Seeing his lack of respect, The mayor felt his heart skip a beat and quickly added:
"Detective Namita, this is Mr. Zold Starks. The Awakener Association's Grand Awakener, second only to the President of the Association! He would be helping you in this case, please mind your manners.."
But Namita simply ignored him, his gaze locked on Zold.
Zold nodded briefly as well.
"Just Zold."
Then, as though his curiosity was satisfied, Namita closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair.
Zold glanced at Namita, curious.
But to the mayor's eyes, it seemed like he was angry.
The mayor's heart threatened to explode. He knew of Namita's "quirky" personality, but he didn't know the man would be this unruly, disregarding even the Grand Awakener.
'I shouldn't have assigned him to this case… but it's too late now!'
But in reality, he was worrying over nothing.
The mayor's perception of Zold came only from his meeting with him in the city hall, thus he had developed an impression that Zold was arrogant and ruthless.
However, Zold could hardly care about such petty and superficial things.
When Zold and Namita's gazes met earlier, a tacit understanding was instantly formed between the two of them, as though recognizing a kindred soul.
Ignoring the mayor's anxious glare, Detective Namita opened his eyes and spoke casually. "The victim is Fredrich Bolard, a local tycoon in the city. He was found dead along with his five bodyguards in his own room last night."
Zold leaned against the chair, seemingly disinterested. He asked calmly. "What's the reason for believing the suspect has a B-rank talent?"
"All of his bodyguards were at least enhanced individuals, with the strongest one being an advanced individual." Namita explained concisely. "As a local tycoon, security was one expense he never skimped on."
Afterwards, he paused, tapping the armrest, as though curious.
"Yet, from the crime scene… there was no struggle. No signs of fighting. It was as if all of them died instantly. The autopsy also supports this. Someone capable of killing six people in a room silently, and one of the casualties is an advanced individual…"
Zold didn't need him to continue, instead he asked. "As a rich man, doesn't his house have cameras?"
"Yes," Namita shrugged. "But it's useless. All the files were deleted."
Zold wasn't surprised. "Any clues or traces left in the crime scene?"
Namita shook his head. "None. The killer is a ninja, I suppose."
"No leads. No clues." Zold glanced at the mayor, his gaze sharp. "You didn't call me here to help with finding the killer, did you?"
"N-no!" The mayor straightened up and shook his head. "Namita, speak clearly! Get to the point!"
"If you're asking about the killer, we already found him." Namita said casually. "His name is Juzi Harves, a local gang leader. According to the intel I received, Juzi Harves awakened a B-rank talent that allows him to erase his presence entirely."
"With his talent, it could explain how he killed Bolard and his bodyguards without them even putting up a struggle."
Hearing that, Zold paused for a moment.
He rubbed his chin, pondering quietly.
On the desk, the mayor silently watched the two of them, feeling tense.
After half a minute, Zold suddenly glanced at Namita.
Namita didn't shy away from his gaze, meeting it with his lifeless eyes.
At that moment, Zold's brows suddenly relaxed, suddenly standing up from his seat.
"Interesting."
As if his curiosity was suddenly piqued, he smiled slightly.
"Let's go. Take me to the crime scene."
***
Outside Fredrich Bolarn's estate, Namita was talking to the police chief while Zold stood behind them, sweeping his gaze at the courtyard.
The police chief pulled Namita closed, asking in a hushed tone. "... That's Zold Starks, right?"
Namita raised his brows. He nodded slightly. "You know him?"
"Are you retarded?" The police chief couldn't help but look at him in disdain. "He's the single most discussed person in the city right now."
"Oh." Namita said, although not appearing surprised whatsoever. "No wonder people on the road kept looking at my car."
"Otherwise?" The police chief sneered, then he sighed. "Anyways, you're in a tough position, huh. They pushed you in this case without even asking you. Good luck."
After patting Namita's shoulders, the police chief moved past ahead and bowed at Zold respectfully before leaving.
Soon, Namita and Zold entered the estate and found the local tycoon's room.
Zold opened the lights, seeing a clean, and seemingly untouched room.
"Spit out everything the mayor told you to keep from me."
Namita took a cigarette and leaned against the wall. "Fredrich Bolarn, one of Letran City's richest businessmen."
He lit up the cigarette, then puffed a smoke.
"He has a generous reputation, and he funds many charity organizations in the city. Bolarn's been around for so long that most of the upper class and elite in the nation are connected with him. His sudden murder made them all nervous, to say the least."
Zold wasn't much surprised. "I see."
In the first place, he didn't think the mayor would be that concerned with public safety at all.
Knowing that guy's reputation in his previous life, corrupt wouldn't even begin to describe him.
Zold would've killed him already if it wasn't a hassle to him right now/.
"Anything else?" He asked, walking around the crime scene.
"My lips are tight, villain," Namita said casually. He took out another cigarette, glancing at Zold. "You want one?"
"I don't smoke." Zold shook his head.
"Too bad. You're losing out on an early death." Namita said in regret as he put it back in his pocket. He puffed a smoke. "When Fredrich died, it wasn't just dead bodies left in the room. An envelope was also discovered on top of the drawer. They were graphic photos of children with Fredrich in them, compiled and uncensored."
"He was a child trafficker?" Zold's eyes narrowed.
Namita didn't seem fazed. "Probably."
"Making me investigate a child trafficker's murder…" Zold said casually, furrowing his brows. "Should I kill the Mayor now?"
Namita paused, the smoke wafting through the air. "The evidence is not confirmed to be true yet."
Zold mused. "What, you think someone who could kill six people silently would leave behind fake evidence?"
"Isn't it precisely because that person is a murderer that their evidence can't be trusted?" Namita said indifferently. "If they could kill six people silently, then maybe they can also create evidence out of thin air."
"They?" Zold hummed. "I thought that the murderer was already discovered to be a man, a local gang leader."
Namita paused, then nodded. "I didn't think you'd be sensitive to pronouns. You are a young man, after all."
Zold glanced at Namita.
After a brief pause, he spoke slowly. "... I killed people before."
Namita suddenly raised his eyes, looking at Zold's cold and emotionless pupils. When their eyes met, he felt his heart skip a beat. It was like looking at a reflection of himself.
"Is that so?" Then he lowered his head and puffed on his cigarette, seemingly unfazed. "That's illegal. I'll report you."
"You believe me?" Zold suddenly asked, then he clarified. "I was just joking."
Namita paused, then said in fake surprise. "I didn't think you'd have a funny bone in you."
"Why'd you believe me immediately though?" Zold asked interestedly.
"I didn't, really." Namita said. "Must've been the wind."
Zold shrugged. He suddenly stopped in front of the drawer. He lowered his eyes and brushed his finger.
There, he saw a couple of scorched marks on the wooden surface.
"... None of the bodyguards had any fire ability, right?"
Namita nodded. "None, as far as their registration goes."
Zold asked again. "How about the suspect or victim? Does he have any fire ability?"
"It wasn't mentioned in the intel, so no." Namita said, then he asked. "Why are you asking about this?"
Hearing that, Zold smiled slightly.
"Who said there weren't any struggles?"