Chapter 6: The Vanishing Symbol

After a perplexing discovery, Max stood before a transparent glass brainstorming board. With a black marker, he carefully jotted down the clues they had uncovered—one by one. The sharp scratch of the marker tip against the glass echoed loudly in the stillness of the room. Slowly, the notes took shape into a grim listicle—the thread tying together this terrifying case.

The Capture of Ming. Ming arrest.

Villa Location: Mountainous Peak.

Kao and Jos are found dead.

Suspected that Ming intended to move both bodies.**

Max paused, staring at the marker in his hand, as if the ink itself could unravel the confusion choking his mind. Then, he added a striking note—a large question mark, beside it the words: Suspected third victim.

The villa owner is known to be D’Kingdom.

Photos of Kao and Ming found, confirming their relationship as lovers.

A mysterious flash drive was discovered at Kao and Jos’s residence.

A diary found at Kao’s house, containing cryptic writings. Kao was terrified. Of what?

Jos’s flash drive contained footage resembling a three-soul ritual. Why was it there? Just movie clips? Where did Jos get it?

There’s a mysterious observer.**

A subtle hint of coffee drifted through the air, tangled with an almost tangible tension that weighed down the room. Silence filled the space as everyone stood still, their eyes locked on the list, minds racing yet unable to grasp the full meaning.

Yeri bit her lower lip, a cold shiver running down her neck at the mention of "D’Kingdom."

“This feeling... it’s like déjà vu,” she murmured quietly. No one noticed her unease.

“The footage from Jos’s house could be just a film or drama scene,” Wantar offered, trying to stay rational, though her eyes darted away nervously.

“If that’s true, why keep it?” Teguh shot back sharply, his tone almost accusatory.

Jason appeared silently, cutting through the tension like a knife.

“We need to find out their connections through Davis.”

Jason carried a plastic bag containing instant coffee and snacks. Max gratefully took them, a brief escape from the mounting mental pressure.

“I can’t let my team pull all-nighters without their captain,” Jason said flatly but firmly. “Especially when the case is spiraling into uncertainty like this.”

Max knew Jason was lying. He knew his captain just needed fresh air and space to think. Still, he appreciated the gesture.

An impromptu meeting began. The steam of hot coffee rose and warmed their bodies, but nothing could thaw the cold dread clinging to their souls.

Teguh spoke slowly but firmly.

“There are too many suspicious elements. Kao is scared—but of what? Ming’s hiding something—but what? Who really is Jos? Are the recordings truly of a demon ritual? And the third victim... Why must there be a third? And who?”

Jason tapped the table rhythmically, unnerving the silence.

“Tomorrow we start with Ming. We’ll dig into her personal ties with Kao.”

When Jason mentioned Davis’s name, Max glanced at the board, uncertain Davis would speak honestly. But he was the only witness who could piece together the tangled threads.

Yeri and Wantar reported: Jos’s manager claimed ignorance.

“Lies might be the key,” Jason said firmly. “Keep digging. Don’t settle for the first answer.”

Jason closed the meeting with a warning.

“Looks like someone’s watching us. Maybe someone from D’Kingdom. Stay alert.”

Before leaving, Teguh noticed Max hadn’t moved from his seat. He said nothing. Jason caught the glance Teguh gave Max from behind his glasses.

Everyone had gone. Only Max and Jason remained.

Jason sent an update report to his superiors, then shut down his computer. He noticed Max was still seated, eyes fixed on the three-soul ritual document open on the desk.

“You’re not going home?”

Max shook his head, eyes deep in the pages.

“I need to study this more.”

Jason paused, then quietly asked, “You hardly ever leave early. Just twice. Someone, right? Melianor?”

Max nodded, unable to deny it. He was surprised Jason remembered his rare early departures.

“Not going to see her tonight?” Jason asked softly, no hint of teasing.

“No.” Max answered honestly.

Jason seemed to consider before cautiously asking,

“Don’t you want to marry her?”

Max bowed his head, weighted by centuries of burden. His voice was almost a whisper,

“That’s not my purpose.”

Jason nodded in understanding. No judgment, only comprehension.

“Okay then. I’m off.”

As Jason turned, Max stopped him.

“Wait!”

Jason halted.

“There’s something different about Ming’s crime scene.”

Jason came closer.

“What?”

“No symbols. None of the ritual marks described in the documents.”

Jason was silent, pondering.

“So, two different cases?”

Max nodded.

Jason patted his shoulder.

“Get some rest.”

After Jason left, silence took over the office. Only the hum of the air conditioner filled the space. Max still stared at the report. Something was off, but he couldn’t yet name it.

“The symbols... missing. But why...?” he muttered.

He leaned back and closed his eyes.

Then…

COLD.

The temperature dropped sharply, as if time itself froze. Max jumped to his feet, his eyes glowing bright blue. He sensed an unnatural presence. An ancient power.

Max tensed.

“Impossible...”

Then...

CRASH!

Something fast passed him, smashing the desk, jumping to the window and vanishing into the night. Max chased, but stopped. The creature disappeared into the city’s darkness.

“Damn!” he shouted.

Returning, he inspected the desk— the ritual document was gone. STOLEN.

Max mapped out his next move. He made a decision.

The night air bit cold as Max drew a deep breath. Raising his hand, he restored the shattered glass. The process drained his energy, but he didn’t care. He had to fix the scene—to keep his cover intact. Broken glass would only raise questions and complicate things further.

Before the now whole glass, Max stood tall. His sharp blue eyes pierced the silent, cold darkness.

His heart pounded—not with fear, but with fury. That mysterious creature had dared mock him.

Outside, the city flickered with streetlights unaware of the chaos lurking in shadows. Inside Max, a storm was rising.

He closed his eyes and let his memory drift back—to one moment, one time—centuries ago. That’s where it all began.

The creature.

Fleeing a war.

Max clenched his fists. He walked to the desk, switched on the monitor, and reopened the digital archive he had copied from the ritual manuscript. Though the original was lost, he was fortunate to have a digital backup.

The three-soul ritual…

One must surrender the body.

One must surrender the blood.

One must surrender the memory.

Max stared at the screen like it was a cursed scripture. He knew each line was more than information—it was a binding chain, an invisible link tying him to a responsibility.

Suddenly… Max rushed out.

The office corridor was empty. Emergency lights flickered dimly. No sign of anyone. But his instincts screamed: someone—or something—left a mark.

Max moved slowly. His footsteps echoed on the cold tile floor. At the end of the hall, the archive door was ajar. Unlocked. Suspicious. Had the guard forgotten?

Max approached. Confused, but still wanna know what happened inside. Is there someone hiding?

Max pushes the door softly. Dark inside.

Max snapped his fingers, conjuring a small orb of light. A gentle blue glow danced between his thumb and forefinger.

The light revealed rows of silent archive cabinets—still as ancient tombstones.

In the corner, something moved.

Max aimed the light—and found a scrap of paper. Not from their archives. Not a modern format.

He picked it up. The paper was old, torn at the edges. Dark red ink—no, blood—formed a circle of ancient symbols.

He swallowed hard. This was no ordinary paper. It was a shard from a forbidden book he had once burned himself.

“Who brought it back...?”

In the silence, Max realized: this case wasn’t just about Ming, Jos, or even the ritual. It was about an old battle—resurfacing, creeping into the modern world with a new face. And he, once again, was both pawn and guardian.

As he left the archive room, the desk phone rang.

Max answered immediately.

Someone whispers, “You can’t stop it, Max. Unless...”

Click. The line went dead.

Max froze.

Outside, sirens wailed, cutting through the city’s night.

Max thought of Ming. He checked the prison through the security team’s monitor. Ming appeared asleep, curled up in the cold cell. His blanket had slipped to the floor.

“Can I help you?” a guard’s voice interrupted.

Max turned.

“Nothing.”

“Are you watching alone?”

Max studied the guard—strong, well-trained muscles.

“Yes, I’m alone here. My partner’s on patrol.”

Max nodded.

“I’m on duty here tonight,” Max said, confusing the guard.

“I’m bored at my office. Besides, she’s a suspect in my case. I’m watching her.”

The guard glanced at the screen. Ming remained still.

“Alright, if there’s company it feels less lonely. Want some coffee?”

Max nodded.

Max suspected the strange event was connected to Ming. Worried for her safety, he resolved to watch over her until dawn.

Though the official guard had fallen asleep, Max kept his eyes on the monitor. He stayed awake until morning.