In the warmth of his office despite the cold outside, the sheriff was preparing to address his team. The officers were already gathered in the briefing room, chatting among themselves. After a short while, Sheriff Marco entered the room briskly, walked straight to the board without saying a word, and projected a map of eastern Washington D.C. onto the wall. He picked up a marker and circled several abandoned houses near the bridges in Anacostia. Then, in a serious tone, he spoke.
"I won't drag this out and waste your time. One of the areas I marked is where the two kidnapped sisters were taken."
"So why does this concern us?" one of the officers asked. "This investigation belonged to Sheriff Nathan."
"Because the person we're looking for most likely carried out a major massacre in that house. What I want from you is to search these locations one by one. Arthur, I'm leaving the team assignments to you."
"Understood, Sheriff. I'm sure we'll find that killer as soon as possible."
As Sheriff Marco opened the door to leave the meeting room, he ran into Sheriff Nathan. Compared to Marco, Nathan was more careless, relaxed, yet extremely cunning. He had clearly been listening in.
"Good morning, Marco. You look tired."
"Morning. Where are you heading?"
"I just closed the latest file. Taking it to the archive room."
"Don't you find it strange?"
"What do you mean, strange?"
"The way those two girls were released. Almost like they were just let go."
"Yeah… but it's not my concern. In the end, both girls are alive and back at home."
Nathan continued walking toward the archive room. Marco returned to his office, lost in thought, and slumped tiredly onto the couch near the wall. Nathan placed the file in the archive and went back to his office.
(Two hours later)
Nathan noticed one of Marco's men carrying a tape. He immediately stood up, opened the door, and called out.
"Hey! Come here."
The officer approached him.
"Yes, Sheriff Nathan?"
"I want to see that tape too."
"But Sheriff—"
"This isn't a request."
Under pressure, the officer reluctantly brought the tape player and started the footage. Nathan watched calmly. The video showed the house where the sisters had been kidnapped. Then, something entered the house at incredible speed, humanoid in shape, larger than average, with three claw-like scars across its back. Muzzle flashes followed, accompanied by gunshots.
Nathan was about to stop the tape when a black BMW appeared on screen. A very familiar face stepped out, raised his weapon, entered the house, and after a single gunshot, carried the humanoid creature on his back, placed it in the car, and drove away.
Nathan froze. An old mission resurfaced in his mind.
YEAR 2004
At the time, Sheriff Nathan was struggling financially and had just divorced his wife. He was also chasing a case involving historical artifact smuggling. One day, an informant from a criminal organization tipped him off: a valuable artifact was going to be exchanged with another group in return for money. The meeting would take place in an abandoned factory.
That was the day a thought crossed Nathan's mind, something completely against his badge.
He went alone. Parking at a distance from the factory, he put on black gloves and sabotaged the security cameras around the building. He drew his weapon and entered calmly, aiming at the heads of three men, sparing only one.
(PAT! PAT! PAT!)
He stared at the survivor's face, lowered his gun, and stepped closer. He took all the money and the artifact, a talisman, from the man's hands.
"In exchange for these, I won't turn you in. What happened here stays here. Understood?"
"Why… why are you doing this?"
"Do you understand? Otherwise this money goes to the state treasury, and you rot in prison. Got it?"
"I-I understand, Sheriff…"
Nathan glanced at the name tag on his uniform.
"…Sheriff Nathan."
"Good. Now get out of here. I still have things to take care of."
The man got into his BMW with half the money and drove away. To avoid suspicion, Nathan staged the scene, then pressed the gun to his own shoulder without hesitation.
(BAM!)
"Ahh!"
The setup was complete. At least, it wouldn't raise suspicion. Nathan kept half the money for himself, returned to the police department, handed over the artifact and the remaining cash, and closed the case with an open report.
YEAR 2010
Nathan snapped back to the present. The officer beside him calmly took the tape and left the room. Nathan couldn't stop questioning why that man was on the tape. Because of him, an old case could be reopened, dragging Nathan into serious trouble. Years of money laundering had never caused him problems. This, however, was an unexpected coincidence.
Meanwhile, Ethan's Experience
"Wake up…"
Ethan slowly opened his eyes. Standing before him was the King of Gluttony. He got to his feet and looked around. He was inside a chamber within a pyramid, lying in a stone sarcophagus.
"You remind me of my younger self…"
Ethan stepped out of the sarcophagus and faced the King of Gluttony.
"What do you mean? Why am I inside this thing?"
"The best part of my power, do you know what it is, Ethaan?"
"That you're fast and deadly?"
"Hah… compared to the others, I'm still lacking in that regard… for now."
Ethan leaned against the sarcophagus, folding his arms.
"Then what?"
"That it grows stronger forever…"
"How?"
"Death. Every victim you kill strengthens us."
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
"When we are strong enough… I will have my revenge. Don't forget our agreement."
Ethan stepped forward boldly, staring into the creature's red eyes without fear.
"Or what?"
The King of Gluttony smirked, then grabbed Ethan by the neck and lifted him into the air. Ethan struggled, clutching at its arm, choking.
"Grrh… kkh…"
"Eternal pain!"
With brutal force, it slammed Ethan back into the stone sarcophagus. He felt every bone in his spine shatter in excruciating pain.
Ethan opened his eyes to find himself choking Rami with one hand. He immediately pulled back and jumped off the couch.
"N-No…"
"You almost killed me! Is that how you say thank you?"
"That wasn't me. And I don't owe you any thanks. This is because of your negligence."
"Are you serious? You think I don't see that hunger inside you? That need for more?"
"What are you talking about? Why am I here?!"
Rami cleared his throat and sat down.
"You were about to die, idiot. If it weren't for me, that fake god wouldn't have done a damn thing."
Ethan snapped back angrily.
"What do you want? I know you want something."
"You're my son. That's the main reason I saved you."
"Hah. And the second reason?"
"I didn't want to say this, but… an organization is after me. Years ago, I stole a valuable talisman from a pyramid and sold it to them."
That caught Ethan's attention. He sat beside Rami.
"And then?"
"I took the money, but just as I was about to hand over the talisman, a cop stormed in and shot three of the men."
"For no reason? Interesting…"
"He walked up to me, took the talisman and all the money, and said, 'In exchange for these, I won't send you to prison. As long as you never mention me.' I had no choice."
"So the organization thinks you betrayed them and now they want you dead. Right, Dad?"
"Exactly. Will you help me?"
A cold whisper echoed in Ethan's ear.
"More victims…"
"O-Okay, Dad. I'll help you."
Rami turned to his son, smiled with pride, and hugged him.
"But on one condition. After this, you leave me and my life alone."
"O-Okay, son…"
End of Chapter 8.