Interlude 1 - Murder Study

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*27 March, 2020. Allegedly the first murder committed by a serial killer codenamed "The Cultist". The victim was a twenty-two year old male, Benjamin Taylor, an office worker who had just graduated from university. He was allegedly attacked on his way home. The killer stunned him and carried him to an abandoned building where the murder took place. The blood of the murdered man was drawn on the wall with a pentagram, which did not belong to Satanists. After committing the murder, the assailant fled the scene without leaving any trace. The man's body was found hours after the murder by two homeless men*

- Hmmm, as much as I read his file, I can't figure out the pattern," I said, staring at the monitor. Each subsequent murder was exactly the same, but the victims were unrelated to each other. Completely random people of different ages, genders, wealth, and personalities. No connection at all.

I sighed heavily, getting up from my chair and moving toward the kitchen. I'd never had to be a detective, though I had the skills for it. Too bad the Chief was in San Francisco, and the rest of the squad wasn't really capable of investigating. So right now it's just me, and Adam can help.

- But still, I'm just a programmer," I sighed sadly, remembering my past life. In fact, I had died in my last world, so a new life had begun in this one. And this new life is much more interesting than the last one, and safer...

Although it depends on how you look at it. There aren't any huge threats in this world right now, but there are plenty of dangers, even for all of humanity. They just haven't shown themselves yet. But I think that under the Chief's leadership, we can handle them. He's very strong, and he never stops getting stronger.

- Woof, woof," I heard a dog bark, followed by quick footsteps.

- Really, how could I forget about you, Daisy," I said, stroking the puppy with a smile, "Now I'll give you something to eat.

I had no one in this world, so I decided to get a dog. For some reason, when I saw this puppy, the name popped into my head, and I liked the puppy immediately. Maybe it was fate, I don't know.

After feeding Daisy, I went back to work, but with a cup of coffee in my hand. At least I want to find something, otherwise it's going to be too hard. We'll have to patrol the approximate places where the maniac appears until we get lucky, which is already quite difficult.

So, in total, the maniac has committed 23 murders, although there may be more. But only 23 victims were actually found. Pentagrams were found at each crime scene, but one symbol changed each time. Analysts speculate that these symbols represent the number of victims.

Well, I know two reasons why this case was referred to us. Firstly, the killer was too subtle and too perfect. There was never any trace of him. No fingerprints, no footprints, no hair or anything like that. Nothing at all. It's like the killer is invisible and intangible.

Well, the second reason is one of his victims. To most people, it's a normal person. However, the government knew a little more. Daniel Roberts, a metahuman with the ability to control fire. And basically, it was perfectly possible for a normal person to stun him and kill him, given the surprise factor.

However, there are oddities here as well. Daniel's entire body was covered in burns that looked as if he had inflicted them on himself. And there was no sign of burns or anything like that at the supposed place where he was kidnapped or where he was killed.

And that's where it gets too weird, which is explained by the fact that the killer is a metahuman. And that's why we're on the case. Although there is actually a third reason. But this one explains why this maniac is so eager to be caught or killed.

One of his victims was no ordinary person of influence. She was the daughter of one of the Justice Minister's advisers, and that's why the case was given a huge priority.

- Maybe it was their birthdates after all. - I wondered again. Still, in this world, such rituals can be conducted not just by a crazy fanatic, but a real servant of demons. Because I wouldn't be surprised if magic, demons and gods existed here. At least the Amazons exist, as does Atlantis.

Checking the birthdates of all the dead again, I saw nothing in common. They had different birth dates, zodiac signs, months and numbers. There were matches, but only in a couple of individuals, not all of them. Very strange, and incomprehensible. So I must be wrong after all...

Whoa! I think I found something. Apparently, the first victim was born on a full moon, just like the second. All of the following victims were also born on a full moon. I only know their dates of birth, not their times, but I don't think I'd be wrong in assuming they were all born at night.

So there is a connection, and it's the full moon. That's a clue. But the variation in the victims is still huge. And where are we gonna get the birthdates of every single person in D.C.? While it's a lead, its usefulness is disappointing.

Police detectives figured out the suspected neighbourhoods before I did. They're basically any neighbourhoods that have relatively deserted abandoned buildings around them.

Oh, and all those buildings don't add up to any pentagrams or anything like that. They're just random places where a "ritual" could be performed. It's all too weird though, I feel like I'm in this situation as a schoolboy trying to solve an example from higher maths using primary school knowledge.

I just don't get the feeling that I just don't have enough knowledge in this subject. You need some kind of expert in this whole magical subject. I'll have to search crime scenes with the Assassins, they're much better at this sort of thing. They seem to be magicians themselves, not just metal people.

But I don't know that for sure either, just from a couple of Chief's phrases and their abilities, which are too varied. Though on the other hand Edmont also has varied abilities. However, it would be silly to consider him as a mere metahuman as well, he's definitely someone else.

- Fuhhh, okay, I have to go to work soon, and I've been up all night," I said tiredly, glancing at the clock. 8:23. And the work day starts at nine. But we could all be pulled out in the middle of the night if the situation called for it.

Just as I was thinking that, my phone rang. It said "Miss S" and I knew it was the Chief's instructions. No offence to Miss Semilia, but she is still quite lazy and passive. She only formally fulfils her duties and is not much interested in the result. Although she does everything right and doesn't slack off, but she wouldn't just call before the working day....

- Yes, Miss Semilia, is something wrong? - I asked calmly, answering the phone.

- Yeah, Ed was back in Metropolis for a while, and with the news he brought two new members of the squad. Though more like one... Mmmm, you'd better meet them yourself and hear all about it when you meet them," she said.

- I see, so I should come to the base earlier? - I said.

- Yes, you will meet them there and show them the base. And talk to the second member of the squad, he will explain everything to you, - she answered.

- See you later, then," I said.

- Yeah, I'll see you later," she said and dropped the call.

So the Chief was here, and he'd even brought some new squad members. I didn't quite understand about the second one, though. Are the circumstances there similar to Mukuro's situation? Alright, I'll find out soon, there's no point in thinking too much.

I packed up pretty quickly and left my flat. It wasn't a long walk to the base. Counting passing all the checkpoints, it took about fifteen minutes. So soon I arrived at the place and immediately saw two rather unusual people.

The first was a man in a closed cloak, a strange mask and a hat, which did not allow outsiders to recognise his sex, age and appearance. The second was an already not-so-young man in ordinary clothes, yet he stood out strongly with his... aura... presence... presence... sensations surrounding him. In any case, looking at him, I immediately realised that he was far from simple.

Besides them, Adam and Mukuro were already here, and they weren't exactly glowing with vigour either.

- Greetings, everyone. I'm Thomas Anderson, or Neo, and I'm in charge of communications and information retrieval," I introduced myself calmly, stepping closer to the two strangers.

- Hello, Thomas. I'm Uther Lightbringer, Paladin," the old man said, straightening up and shaking my hand. His eyes even seemed to sparkle.

- Rorschach," the man introduced himself simply, turning his head slightly in my direction.

- I understand from the command report that you two are the new members of the squad. However, I was told that one of you has a special situation," I said, looking at them.

- Ha, special. It's just that someone's methods are too dark to represent justice. That's why he'll be lurking in the shadows," Starkey said with a chuckle, glancing at Rorschach with displeasure in his eyes.

- It is not for you to judge me. At least I can admit to myself that I do bad things instead of using hypocritical slogans," he answered Uther rather grimly.

- My slogans have never been hypocritical, I only say what I truly believe in," the paladin said.

- Ahem, this is not a good time to argue," I told them, hoping to stop it.

- Hmm, you're right, Thomas. Sorry for the interruption," Uther apologised, glancing at Rorschach with annoyance. He just turned away, not saying anything.

All right, then, let's get started. I want to know more about Rorschach's situation. And I'll tell you about the case we're working on now," I said, starting the briefing.

Hopefully, these two will be able to help us and get things moving....

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