Chapter 44 Moriarty [4]
44 Moriarty [4]
Weeooo… Weeeooo…
Arriving at the hotel, Raven, Reina, and the rest of Special Force quickly made it onto the scene.
What met their sight was a crowd of police. Police cars encircled the entire area, their sirens echoing throughout the street.
While the rest of the police officers hid behind the cars, peering at the entrance. It seemed like they were waiting for more reinforcements.
At that, Raven turned his gaze to the hotel.
Scanning the entrance, there were two guards that laid on the ground, dead.
The hotel's window had several cracks while blood splattered the entire window.
'No wonder they didn't rush inside.'
It was a gruesome sight.
Whatever happened inside would terrify even Raven.
But regardless, this was his 'job', or rather—the job of a future Special Force member.
He then switched his gaze to an officer who seemed to be on standby.
For some reason, the officers had arrived at the scene before them.
'Did someone tip them off?'
He had to ask.
"You."
The officer was jolted, turning around to meet Raven's eyes.
"Ah, a Special Force Officer, I'm so glad all of you are here."
"Mhm, what's the situation?"
"We've received a call for help in this location. Yet we couldn't see where the caller was."
"Have you traced the number?"
"Yes, the number belongs to a Brandon Locke–"
Instantly, Raven bolted past the officer, shoving him to the side.
"Hey, Sherly! Where are you going?!"
Reina's voice reached him. But Raven paid no heed to it, letting out the other ear.
'Brandon…'
He knew Brandon's personality. He'd seen it during their fight.
Despite the stoic personality–Brandon had recently shown, Raven could see it in his eyes.
After all, they were the same.
They were both battle maniacs.
And Brandon seemed to be the one to call the police.
That meant…
Brandon…
Was inside the hotel.
There was no doubt within Raven's mind.
Slam—!
The door abruptly opened and the rest of the Special Force members followed him.
What met their sight was…
Chaos.
"What the fuck happened here?"
Drake walked ahead, scanning the entire lobby.
The entire lobby was a bloodbath.
Mages lay dead on the ground. Some were torn in half, while some seemed to be struck with ice spears. There seemed to be bodies that were burnt as well.
But despite the gruesome sight, what caught Raven's attention was a familiar figure that lay on a broken pillar, the figure's back leaning on it.
At that moment, Raven abruptly rushed towards the seemingly unconscious Brandon.
"Brandon!"
"Hey, don't forget the protocols!"
Reina's voice once again. Yet Raven paid no heed to it once more.
His friend was in a critical situation.
Ba…. Thump! Ba… Thump!
Raven could feel his heart race in the off chance that Brandon was dead.
As he made his way towards the unconscious Brandon, the first thing he did was gave Brandon's face a slap.
Tak– Tak—
"Hey! Brandon!"
Drake seemed to have followed him, ignoring the protocols as well.
"You know this kid?"
"He's my friend."
Drake didn't pursue the matter. He seemed to have taken the hint that Raven was not in the right state of mind since Brandon was in a dire state.
From behind Raven, someone placed their hand on his shoulder, and her voice reached him.
"Move."
It was Alexandra, her blue eyes stared deep within his.
At her instructions, Raven pulled away from Brandon.
Then, Alexandra kneeled down before Brandon, placing both of her palms on Brandon's chest.
Suddenly, a bright hollow light emerged from her palms.
At that moment, most of Brandon's minor injuries started to disappear.
This was possible because Alexandra was a mage of a special affinity.
[Life]
She had the abilities to heal most injuries instantly. While major injuries took quite a while and a lot of mana.
This power made her eligible to join the Special Force.
Each and every one of the Special Force had special affinities. While some of them were Deviants.
The reason for this was due to the qualifications of being a Special Force member.
Raven was scouted due to his astonishing deductive skills, and his special affinity.
[Shadow]
After Brandon was healed, his eyes gradually twitched.
He then woke up, slowly opening his eyes.
***
"Huaa…?"
As he opened his eyes, what met his blurry sight were several figures encircling him.
"Brandon?"
"Ah…"
To his surprise, Raven had already arrived, giving him a worried look.
"Brandon? Can you hear me?"
"...Yes." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Raven then nodded and lifted his hand up, flexing two of his fingers.
"Seriously…?"
"Okay, it seems like you're fine."
"..."
Brandon then scanned the rest of the figures surrounding him. What caught his attention was a beautiful woman with pale wheat hair and dark eyes.
'Reina, huh?'
The descriptions from the Path to Ascension novel were accurate. He was familiar with her features since…
Reina was his favorite character.
Not realizing that he was staring at her, Reina pursed her lips and said,
"Kid, we've got a lot of questions for you. But for now, go recuperate. There are ambulances outside. Leave the rest to us."
"...Okay."
Raven seemed like he didn't listen to Reina at all as he asked Brandon with a worried tone.
"Brandon, why are you here? How did you even know this place?"
"...To save Amy."
"..."
Raven's eyes shot wide open.
This was the perfect chance to clear any connection between him and Moriarty.
"Me and Miss Evelyn are working together to save Amy."
He had to mention her.
After all…
Reina and Evelyn were guildmates. The latter being the superior.
"Miss Evelyn?! She's here?!"
Reina's voice raised loudly.
"No, but she's coming."
"I see… But what happened here?"
Reina tilted her head. She seemed to have forgotten her protocols as well…
Though, it didn't matter. It would save Brandon time.
"I fought with all these mages and almost lost."
Reina turned around to sneak a glance at the area. Then turned back around and looked at Brandon.
"So you're saying you killed everyone here?"
"No… There was someone else. A masked man. I had to pretend to be dead or he would've killed me as well."
At that, Reina turned around once again and glanced at the officers.
Their discussion reached Brandon's ears since they were quite close.
"It's that man, isn't it?"
"There's no one else."
"Haa…"
They then once again glanced at Brandon.
"Thank you for the tip. Please rest now and leave everything to us."
Brandon then nodded at her words.
Raven kneeled down and offered his shoulder. Brandon accepted the gesture as the two beckoned at the entrance.
As they arrived at the entrance, a familiar figure once again emerged.
Her long dark purple hair fluttered from the breeze, and the moonlight highlighted her flawless facial features.
It was none other than Evelyn.
"..."