A group of officers and hunters rushed to the location of the explosion, a small diner located in a back alley.
The place was far from the city center and usually didn't have many customers, but due to a tip-off call, they quickly headed in that direction.
A small crowd had already gathered at the scene, their faces filled with worry and curiosity.
Some onlookers were whispering, speculating about the cause of the explosion.
"Please step aside."
The officers quickly dispersed the crowd, cordoned off the area, and moved swiftly through.
Given that this was a crime scene, they needed to proceed with caution.
With the arrival of his subordinates, controlling the situation wouldn't take long.
"Margarita, come with me."
He signaled to the officer beside him and slowly walked towards the scene.
"Received, Captain."
He had told her not to call him that, but due to the urgency of the current situation, he decided not to dwell on it.
As they approached the scene, thick smoke billowed from the damaged building, distorting in the air.
The acrid smell of burnt matter stung their nostrils, assaulting their senses.
What first caught their attention were the three bodies lying on the ground, limbs splayed in unnatural positions.
"What happened here?"
The leading officer narrowed his eyes, examining the scene.
The obvious wounds on the bodies indicated that death had been swift and brutal, each killed with a single blow.
His eyes focused, able to sense the flow of mana.
"Three Demon Followers, all killed with a single blow."
Margarita interjected, her eyes fixed on the scene.
"Three precise attacks, each capable of delivering a fatal blow."
A sense of unease washed over him, and his hand instinctively went to the weapon at his waist, not ruling out the danger lurking within the diner.
If it was the work of one person, then the enemy would be powerful.
If it was multiple people, their numbers would also make the situation dangerous.
【This is Captain Harlan, we have encountered a situation at a local diner, three confirmed dead Demon Followers.
We have not yet investigated further, but suspect that more Demon Followers may be hiding inside the diner, requesting immediate support from the Demon Affairs Bureau. Over.】
A few seconds later, a response came from the communicator.
【Received, Captain Harlan.
Your Demon Investigation Team request is being processed.
Please proceed with caution.】
"Tch, those guys, always late," he muttered under his breath.
"Did they refuse?"
"No, but they didn't accept either.
Looks like we have to act alone for now."
"The Demon Affairs Bureau... no one keeps those guys in check."
"Stay alert," he reminded her in a low, serious voice.
The two carefully approached the entrance of the diner, stepping over scattered debris.
Broken glass and charred walls hinted at the force of the explosion.
Entering the diner, they found the interior in a state of chaos.
Tables and chairs were overturned, and what was once a diner was now just ruins.
The lingering echoes of magical energy permeated the air, leaving an indelible mark on the surroundings.
"The demonic energy is stronger here," Harlan said.
Clearly, a battle had taken place here, and demonic energy had been used in the fight.
As they cautiously navigated through the wreckage, the captain, with his mana-enhanced eyes, spotted another body lying on the ground.
Margarita narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the scene, her training and instincts kicking in.
"So, Captain, who do you think did this?"
Captain Harlan remained silent for a moment, pondering.
The complexity of the situation gradually became apparent, and the mysterious atmosphere surrounding them heightened their sense of urgency.
"Whoever did this, the priority is to secure the area until the Demon Investigation Team arrives.
We have to be prepared for anything," he declared, his fingers tightening on the grip of his weapon.
With years of experience, he knew very well that some things were dangerous just to hear about.
If he crossed the line and learned what he shouldn't, the consequences would be unimaginable.
As they continued forward, the tension in the air grew thicker, and the mystery surrounding the incident deepened.
"Let's keep going."
After confirming the body was dead, the two continued forward.
"There's a basement here."
Harlan's keen eyes, acutely aware of the flow of mana, noticed another lingering energy source in the basement, indicating that there were others down there.
The two cautiously walked towards the entrance of the basement, their senses heightened, weapons ready to respond.
The broken door indicated that someone had forced their way in, making them even more vigilant.
"Someone went in here, and they weren't subtle about it," Captain Harlan said, his eyes narrowed as he observed the shattered door.
Margarita nodded silently, her eyes scanning the surroundings, alert for any potential threats.
As they stepped into the dimly lit basement, a stench of blood and an unidentifiable odor assaulted their nostrils.
The smell of blood was stronger and more nauseating than usual, making Margarita feel uneasy; she couldn't accurately identify the scent.
To the experienced Harlan, the smell was not unfamiliar.
"It's a Demon Core explosion," he said calmly.
He had witnessed a Demon Follower being tortured firsthand; he was in the interrogation room at the time, and he knew that the smell came from that disgusting core.
"What?" Margarita asked in confusion.
Harlan only motioned for her to look to the side.
"Look."
Margarita turned as he instructed, and the sight before her made her unable to control her urge to vomit.
"Ugh!"
The flesh of the corpse had been ravaged to an unspeakable degree, limbs severed, the face smashed, and most horrifyingly, a gaping hole in the chest where the Demon Core had been.
Captain Harlan remained calm, his face stiffening at the sight before him.
"The Demon Core was removed; someone deliberately made this guy suffer," he said coldly, his experienced eyes scrutinizing the scene.
Harlan also harbored dissatisfaction towards the Demihumans, but he didn't condone this kind of behavior; such cruel acts made him nauseous.
"Huff…"
Just as Harlan continued to analyze the scene, an almost imperceptible sound of breathing caught his attention.
His instincts immediately put him on alert, and he quickly turned to find the source of the sound.
"Wait," he whispered to Margarita, signaling her to stay alert.
His eyes scanned the dimly lit basement, searching for any sign of movement.
The source of the sound had cleverly evaded his senses, hiding something in the shadows.
After a moment, he discovered the source of the sound.
A figure, originally obscured by the darkness, gradually came into view.
The girl was lying on the ground, handcuffed, with signs of abuse on her body, some bruises on her face, and her long golden hair a tangled mess.
Harlan immediately realized that the girl was a captive.
The handcuffs on her wrists were something he was very familiar with; they were tools specifically used to seal the mana of Awakened individuals.
"What exactly…" he muttered under his breath, his senses becoming more acute as he approached the girl.
The girl's hollow green eyes had no light, staring at everything before her as if she had already lost the will to live.
"Miss, can you hear me?"
Captain Harlan asked softly, breaking the heavy silence of the basement.
The girl's hollow eyes met Harlan's gaze, but she still didn't react.
Her eyes revealed a deep emptiness, as if all the fear and pain had drained her soul.
Harlan continued to try to communicate with her, attempting to learn her name and inquire about what had happened in the basement.
However, the girl remained silent, her gaze revealing the profound trauma she had experienced.
Everything that had happened in this place had not only left scars on her body but also trauma on her mind.
'This won't lead to anything this way.'
Harlan realized that he couldn't get answers just by asking questions; he needed to calm the girl down first.
"Margarita, let's go," Harlan frowned, signaling Margarita to prepare to leave.
The priority now was to take this captured girl to a safe place, away from this nightmarish scene.
As they carefully unlocked her handcuffs, Harlan reassured her: "You're safe now.
We're here to help you."
They gently helped the girl up, leading her out of the basement, away from this place filled with demonic energy.
As they emerged from the dimly lit basement, the outside light shone glaringly on them.
"Ah…"
Just as the light shone on her, the girl immediately collapsed to the ground, fainting.
"Careful."
Harlan quickly caught the girl, preventing her head from hitting the ground.
An ambulance was parked not far away, its blue and white lights casting an eerie glow in the night.
"Quick, get her to the hospital."
"Understood, leave it to us."
The paramedics quickly stepped forward to assist after understanding the situation, lifting the girl onto the ambulance.
Buzz!
The ambulance doors closed, and the vehicle quickly sped off into the night, heading towards the hospital.
Subsequently, Captain Harlan quickly reported the situation to his superiors, detailing everything that had happened in the hidden corners of the city.
Demonic energy, dismembered corpses, and a captured girl—these bizarre elements painted a disturbing picture.
Headquarters quickly responded, confirming the severity of the situation.
Shortly after the report, Harlan's device received a communication, a direct order from his superiors.
【Captain Harlan, you need to ensure the safety and well-being of the captured girl until further notice.
Hand her over to Margarita and follow the instructions of the Demon Affairs Bureau; this is a priority mission. Over.】
Harlan confirmed the order, realizing the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders. This girl might be the key to unraveling the mystery, and her safety was paramount.
He turned to Margarita, conveying the instructions: "Your task is to take care of this girl. Follow the Bureau's instructions; we need to find out how much she knows about this incident."
"Understood."
Margarita accepted the task, walked to the car, and drove to the hospital.
