“Everything’s normal here.”
After patrolling the block he was responsible for, Carl pulled the radio on his vest and spoke into it to report.
On the surface, he was going about his work as usual, but inside, he couldn’t find peace.
Yesterday afternoon, a detective had called him to the office, saying it was to discuss work matters. But as soon as he arrived, he saw the detective pull the curtains closed.
As the detective spoke, Carl’s eyes gradually widened.
He hadn’t imagined that the cult group he and Joe had stumbled upon that day could wield such power.
They had actually managed to plant their mole inside the police station.
Carl had originally thought that he just needed to wait as usual for Su to make a move, and the problem would be solved.
But the situation had developed to this point; it was no longer just Su’s problem.
“Coffee?”
Sitting in the passenger seat, Carl asked his patrol partner beside him.
“A latte, thanks.”
The other’s tone was natural as he handed Carl a banknote.
After carefully looking at the denomination, Carl was slightly surprised.
“Elliot, you son of a bitch, where’d you get all this money?”
Elliot was an officer from the same intake as him.
He was notoriously stingy around the station.
Yet today, just for buying a coffee, he’d handed over a hundred-dollar bill.
“Bought a lottery ticket before, made a small profit.”
Elliot looked pleased with himself.
“Lucky bastard.”
Carl laughed and cursed, then turned and took the money into the coffee shop.
But the moment he stepped through the door and joined the queue, the expression on Carl’s face turned serious.
He didn’t know Elliot had a habit of buying lottery tickets.
While queuing, Carl occasionally glanced casually in Elliot’s direction.
Then, he suddenly received a phone call.
“Who’s this?”
“Officer Carl? My name is Dean Winchester, I’m a demon hunter.”
The person on the other end of the line quickly revealed their name, clearly wanting to gain Carl’s trust as soon as possible.
“Invited by Su, we’re currently at the antique shop researching information about the demon. I’m going to tell you some of it now to help with your investigation.”
“I trust you. Go ahead.”
Carl didn’t hesitate, immediately stating his position.
“Our enemy this time is named Paimon. He’s a demon prince ruling the northwest corner of Hell, so his followers will have a special obsession with the northwest direction.
He also possesses extraordinary knowledge of science, technology, art, and the occult. The believer who serve him use these to gain profit.”
Dean’s speaking pace was fast, but Carl committed every word to memory.
“Remember, there’s a demon in the northwest!”
As soon as he finished speaking, static suddenly began crackling through the phone.
This wasn’t Carl’s first encounter with supernatural events; he immediately thought that a demon, somewhere unknown, was interfering with their call.
Without changing his expression, he hung up the phone and took the two coffees from the shop assistant.
The moment he got back into the passenger seat, he heard Elliot beside him speak up.
“Just got a report about a violent assault incident in some community in the northwest. They’re sending us to handle it.”
Northwest.
The corner of Carl’s eye twitched slightly.
“Why didn’t I get that message on my radio?”
He tried to use it, but found the previously working device had no response.
“The answer’s pretty obvious, isn’t it?”
As Elliot’s words faded, his own radio crackled with a message.
“Reports of a violent assault at XXX residence in the northwestern residential community. Proceed immediately to handle the case.”
Carl said no more. He got into the passenger seat, and the two drove towards the target community.
The target community was a newly developed area; many homes weren’t even occupied yet.
Carl pretended to casually look out the window, but the vigilance in his heart grew heavier.
“This is it.”
Elliot stopped the car. They both checked their firearms, then their tasers, and got out.
If the suspect wasn’t armed but showed a tendency for violence, Carl preferred using the taser to subdue them.
This weapon could discharge a powerful electric current in a short time, quickly incapacitating an opponent.
“Anyone in there?!”
Elliot and Carl went in one after the other, but as they knocked, they found the door wasn’t locked.
“Help… help…”
Faint cries for help came from inside the house. Carl and Elliot exchanged a glance and pushed the door open.
The moment they entered, the heavy stench of blood hit them.
It instantly reminded Carl of the day he and Su Fan had rescued Ms. Kate at the suburban villa.
But this time, things were noticeably different.
He moved forward step by step, staying alert not only to his surroundings but also keeping an eye on Elliot’s movements beside him, careful not to leave his blind spots exposed.
The cries for help grew closer, but Carl didn’t let his guard down.
“Go check what’s happening up there.”
He said quietly.
Elliot didn’t hesitate upon hearing this. He moved past Carl and entered the side room.
“I’ve found a victim here. Still alive, but bleeding badly. Needs immediate hospital treatment… Damn it, I don’t know how to bandage this, Carl!”
Elliot’s shouts were mixed with the victim’s faint moans.
Carl put his gun down and stepped forward, indeed seeing Elliot cradling a female body.
The floor was covered in chaotic bloodstains, bedding and various items scattered everywhere.
After a quick glance, Carl suddenly spun around and dashed towards the door!
The next second, a bullet pierced the spot where he had just been standing.
Seeing Carl dodge his surprise shot, Elliot looked somewhat surprised.
He raised his hand, revealing a tattoo on his forearm.
It was identical to the pattern on the lamppost.
“Didn’t manage to fool you after all. But I’m curious, how did you figure it out?”
“Your act was full of holes, Elliot.”
From the moment he entered, Carl had noticed the ashtray and cigarette butts in the living room.
Having done all sorts of odd jobs as a kid, he knew his tobacco.
That brand of cigarettes had a harsh taste, favored only by men; women wouldn’t smoke them.
Secondly, the cries for help were growing weaker. How did Elliot know the victim was in the side room? Guessed by sound?
Finally, the bloodstains on the floor showed clear signs of dragging, and the color was dark…
The victim was likely beyond saving.
As for the cries and moans just now, they were probably just a recording.
“I never thought you’d sink to worshipping some evil god.”
Carl spoke, all the while assessing his surroundings.
“Sinking? Heh heh… And you’re any better, Carl?”
Elliot responded with a cold laugh.
“Promoted not long after joining the station, relying on that guy to climb up.”
“You rely on connections, I rely on faith. Just different methods.”
“We’re the same kind of people.”
“Shut your filthy mouth, you son of a bitch!”
Carl’s heart burned with rage.
Sacrificing others’ lives for personal gain.
A monster like that dared to say they were the same kind?!
“You’re the hopeless one! Idiot! Haven’t you seen the power those people have?”
“Magic, a world where ghosts exist—seeking power is the right move.”
“Demon, evil god, God—it doesn’t matter. Whoever brings me wealth and power, that’s who I follow!”
“What’s so great about that Asian kid? If I got that power, I’d be stronger! Better!!”
Before he finished, a dark shape flew in from the doorway.
On edge, Carl fired immediately, multiple shots sending feathers flying!
Before the pillow even hit the ground, Carl realized he’d been tricked and immediately dove sideways!
At almost the same instant, Elliot lunged from below, firing at Carl!
Carl dropped low, rolled, and took cover behind the sofa he’d previously identified as a potential shield.
Just then, Elliot’s voice came again.
“Don’t count on any backup.”
“There should be chaos breaking out all over the city by now. The detective’s probably got his hands full dealing with that, huh huh huh huh…”
“By the time he realizes something’s wrong, you’ll already be a corpse.”
“As for that community, it’ll be that Asian kid’s grave.”
“Guess if he’ll have the nerve to kill someone?”
“Those people aren’t like me; they’re utter fanatics, happy to die for Paimon.”
“Personally, I hope he does it. Otherwise, how do we get him thrown in prison?
But after a murder charge, would he just serve his time quietly?”
“As long as he’s not strong enough to take on an army alone, he’s destined to live on the run, hiding for the rest of his life.”
“As for you, Carl, you can crawl back to whatever low-class neighborhood you grew up in and rot there for good!”
