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  As soon as I hear the deathly silence following the revelation of the Officer's body, I stop feigning my catatonic state and slowly raise my gaze toward the Detective.

  For a few seconds, I watch her. I observe each and every one of her body movements. Although she remains admirably calm on the outside at the sight of her lifeless father, I am certain that a whirlwind of conflicting emotions is invading her on the inside at this moment.

  However, I decide to remain silent, watching her, waiting for her to be the one to eventually re-engage in conversation with me. After all, I am sure that will happen. Just as everyone here must think, I am the only suspect at the scene.

  When they arrived, I was cradling Officer Montenegro's body in my lap, staring at the sunrise with a lost gaze. The officers, seeing me after passing through wreckage and two corpses, naturally believed it had been me. However, a blonde-haired officer stopped them and allowed me to sit on a bench to wait for questioning. The others were angry, but upon seeing the body, they instantly stopped paying attention to me and concentrated on him.

  That is why I am sure everyone will point at me now that there are no more answers. And this will lead Detective Montenegro to come to extract information from me.

  —Hey–

  Something that, after a few seconds and just as I expected, finally happens. Her scarlet eyes—now devoid of the previous warmth of our first encounter due to the pain of loss—fix on mine as she walks quickly toward me.

  —I need you to tell me everything that just happened, without missing a single detail –Her tone now shows a hint of contained desperation. It is not a request or a plea. It is a direct order: firm, serious, and coming from someone seeking answers in the midst of chaos and pain.–

  I sigh. The task is impossible to believe, yet completely necessary for her to understand what occurred. I only hope she doesn't take me for a madman. Though I obviously know she will. After all, no one would believe anything I’m about to tell her.

  So, after sighing, I begin to summarize the events, recounting everything from the moment I opened my eyes the previous day around 8 p.m. in that underground cell located in a small town an hour from the City of Melbury but within the same state—which, ironically, turned out to be a demon-trap. Also, the conversation with Officer Montenegro about why I appeared there, the loss of my sister Elaine at the hands of the three who set a trap for us, the arrival of Lumen, Zakech, and Aren—minions of Luciel, the Regent of Gehenna—to kill me, our desperate flight from the underground complex located within a sewer system, stopping elsewhere to stock up on weapons, and the final confrontation here between Lumen, Officer Montenegro, and me, in this recreational center—first on the soccer field next to us, and then on the basketball court where we are now.

  Of course, I also had to omit certain things, such as the matter of the Sehwert Base: the place where all people with the same special constitution as Officer Montenegro go to inform and prepare themselves for any confrontation.

  —Unfortunately, when I was about to be eliminated by Lumen, Officer Montenegro took the hit for me, being mortally wounded by him –I pause. The memory of the shadow spear piercing the Officer’s chest is still fresh and painful in my mind– I couldn't do anything to save him due to the 99.9% seal on my true power, a result of the poison they injected into me before I appeared in that prison on the outskirts of Melbury…–

  The Detective’s brow furrows visibly as she listens to me. Every word only infuriates her more. Of course, only a keen observer could see this. To most others, it would seem she is looking at me with the typical coldness of a police officer who has heard every kind of excuse and is completely fed up with them.

  Yes, it is obvious she has no idea what I am talking about and that everything I say is the absolute truth. Furthermore, from the expression now hardening her features, she likely believes—just as I thought—that I am lying shamelessly or talking nonsense to evade responsibility. In other words, she has effectively taken me for a madman.

  But well. That’s how humans are. They don’t believe until they see. The Detective standing before me right now is practically a virgin in the supernatural realm. Her Father protected her too much from all the horrors that other world can offer. He did everything possible to keep her blind so she wouldn't experience the same terrors and pain he went through. That is why, as incredible as it may seem, she remains just another ordinary mortal.

  —You know that lying to the police is a serious crime, right? –Her voice is cold, cutting, without a trace of cordiality. Gone was the softness her voice held when we first met.–

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  I sigh again, this time with a hint of resignation. As I said before, I cannot blame her for her current skepticism. Currently, in the year 2025 according to the New World Calendar—created after the arrival of Lan, the Emperor of the Central Republic, to this world, Astel, 2,030 years ago, and used since the founding of this country 2,025 years ago—demons, Surnaturels like Wesnaf or Wesion, and other supernatural entities are nothing more than fairy tales or horror legends for the vast majority of humans.

  Only a few, such as the Mehr-Wissen—humans who have obtained powers from divine entities—Enial Users—humans capable of using some of the five Primordial Energies: Mana, Aura, Divine Power, Qi, or Spiritual Energy—or those who have had unfortunate encounters with such beings and managed to pass their trials, have access to this alternate world and can see and even fight these creatures.

  For the rest, for anyone who narrates or hears and fully believes these kinds of stories and isn't dedicated to it—like a writer—they would, at best, be labeled as crazy. If they continued to insist, they would likely be taken for someone mentally ill, ending their days in an asylum.

  —I know it sounds hard to believe, but Detective, what I am saying is entirely real –I affirm, maintaining a serious gaze on her so she knows that what I say is completely true.–

  However, something catches my attention: the 30-year-old woman with straight blonde hair, fair skin, and standing one meter seventy-five tall, who is standing next to Detective Montenegro. Upon feeling my direct gaze on her, she flinches visibly and takes a small, involuntary step back, her blue-green eyes widening for an instant.

  —Is something wrong? –The Detective, noticing her subordinate's reaction, asks quickly–

  —No, no –The agent responds much too fast, making it seem unnatural. However, this allows her to compose herself and return to her professional mode– It’s nothing, Detective–

  A faint, almost imperceptible smile forms on my lips. Clearly, something is going on with this policewoman—or rather, she hides a secret that my simple gaze seems to have disturbed. Something very… interesting that does not belong to the Erden, the earthly plane where we find ourselves. Something that only the Mehr-Wissen, Enial Users, those like her, or I when I possessed my powers, would be capable of seeing.

  —Officers –The Detective signals with her hand, calling over two uniformed men who approach with a mixture of respect and caution– Take this person to the Police Station and prepare the interrogation room –She orders, her tone now full of coldness– Watch him closely. Do not let him escape–

  —Understood –Both nod in unison– But which Station?–

  The Detective makes a gesture, bringing a hand to her chin as if weighing the options. Although I don’t know this country very well, as I haven't been here for 50 years, there are surely many, so she has plenty to choose from.

  —Detective –The Agent who previously showed surprise at my gaze interjects. The same one I know is keeping a secret. This time her voice is respectful but firm– If I may, I can offer a suggestion–

  —Go ahead –The Detective concedes, turning slightly toward her–

  —Why not take him to the Station where your Father worked? The Morian District Police Station –The Agent suggests, and her gaze briefly crosses mine, indecipherable– I’m sure he’ll feel more comfortable there and will be able to tell you everything without as much pressure–

  —The Detective furrows her brow, a shadow of pain crossing her features at the mention of her father– Does it have to be there? It’s quite far from the center–

  —The Agent nods with conviction– Of course. Given the nature of this case, I feel it would be best to send him there. Besides, the fact that it’s away from the hustle and bustle will give us more room to maneuver regarding the press and other busybodies–

  —Fine –Seeing the look of confidence and perhaps something more in the Agent's eyes, the Detective finally nods, though with clear reluctance. She immediately looks at the two uniformed men from before– Take him to the Morian District Station, and inform me of any developments–

  —Understood, Detective –The two officers respond–

  Quickly, one of them handcuffs me, the cold metal closing over my wrists. After that, they lead me firmly toward one of the patrol cars parked inside the recreational center, about 30 meters from where we are.

  However, as they lead me away from the epicenter of the tragedy, amidst the coming and going of forensics and other officers, my eyes meet one last time with those of the blonde Agent who suggested the change of station.

  Subtly, and making sure no one else sees her, she flashes a mischievous smile, makes a peace sign with two fingers, and winks at me.

  —Ha –A fleeting smile, the first in a long time that isn't made of sarcasm or bitterness, forms on my lips– If I ever see her again, I will reward her for this, Agent –I say to myself, appreciating her unexpected and discreet intervention.–