Boom!
The sound of gunfire shattered the silence in the bedroom. Sawdust flew from the wardrobe door as a bullet blasted a round hole through it. A scream echoed from the shadows from the other side of the hole, followed by tearing clothes and furniture crashing to the floor.
Without looking, Seth pinpointed the enemy's movements by sound alone and attacked again.
He raised the snake-scale revolver precisely, predicting the opponent's next move, and fired.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Unfortunately, Seth missed, hitting only the room's tables, chairs, lampshades, and oil paintings.
Faint footsteps echoed outside the door—others in the mansion were awake and rushing over.
If Mother arrived, this monster would surely be contained. With that thought, Seth accelerated his shooting, hoping to inflict more damage and prevent the creature from escaping.
Click.
The revolver ran out of bullets just as Seth heard an incomprehensible, malevolent, and foul voice in the room.
The words filled him with dread; his heart raced, his palms grew sweaty, and instinct drove him toward the window.
Streetlamps in the courtyard cast a faint light, slightly easing his fear as he moved into the illumination.
But then, a dark figure surged from the shadows, leaping into the light. Seth couldn't make out its face, only the sharp teeth bared as it lunged for his throat.
Like a beast!
Reacting instinctually, Seth dodged, discarded the empty revolver, and clenched his fist wrapped in the shadow glove. He drove an upward punch with all his might.
His clothes seemed to cling to the air with a sharp crack, and his punch connected with the creature's chin, sending it flying.
Luck was on Seth's side—the Shadow Fist's effect triggered. The shadows in the room "boiled," pulling forth a fist formed from darkness. Strange patterns covered this fist, with a three-dimensional symbol emerging that struck the monster at incredible speed.
With a scream, the creature was blasted out of the window like a cannonball, scattering fragments of the window frame and glass into the courtyard's lamplight.
Seth finally saw it clearly: the creature wore a tattered cloak from which two disproportionately large arms extended.
Thick, black veins like earthworms crawled across its arms, sprouting rows of bristly hair. One arm was grotesquely deformed, likely from the impact of the Shadow Fist.
The creature crashed into the courtyard alongside the window fragments, where two hounds barked and pounced on it.
It quickly scrambled up, moving unnaturally as it leaped into the flowerbeds and vanished into the courtyard shadows.
The door burst open then, and the room flooded with light. Seth heard gasps, followed by his father Byson's voice.
"What happened here?"
-----
Study.
Seth sipped black tea, having already recounted the incident—though he omitted his visit to the Kraken Bar as the 'Duke.'
After listening, Byson snorted. "Whatever it was, it's too arrogant to come to our doorstep!"
Anilu spoke softly, "I found some of its blood in Seth's room. I can divine its location using that."
"If the experts can't handle it, I'll do it myself. I won't let anything that threatens our children roam free in this town." Byson frowned.
Anilu shook her head with a gentle smile.
"It's alright, it won't trouble me."
Is Mother in trouble? Seth wondered. Can she not act freely because of Abraham's name?
As he pondered, the light dimmed, and Anilu stood before him.
"Alright, Seth. You're tired; it's time to rest. You did well tonight, but don't face such danger alone next time."
"You don't have to face it alone, understand?"
"I understand, Mother." Seth set down his cup and stood, smiling.
With his bedroom out of commission due to the battle, Seth moved to another room to sleep.
Soon, he drifted off.
["Stop sleeping, Li Zexi. You have a guest."]
Boom, boom, boom.
Seth woke to a knock on the door, yawning. He looked out the window—the red moon hung high; it was still night.
In the corner of the room, a figure stood with its back to Seth, dressed in a white shirt and dark pants. It pointed at the door while letting out a deliberately low laugh.
The door creaked open, and someone stepped in—a policeman in a black-and-white checkered uniform and badge-adorned hat. His epaulets bore three silver six-pointed stars, the insignia of an inspector.
"Good evening, Mr. Seth. My apologies for the late hour—Inspector Lewis at your service."
The officer stepped into the crimson moonlight, removing his soft cap to reveal neatly parted brown hair.
His forehead was deeply lined, his eyes sunken, and he wore black-rimmed glasses.
He had a square face with a prominent nose and large ears, and nasolabial folds began forming.
"May I sit here?"
Holding his soft hat, the officer gestured toward the sofa in the room.
Seth nodded and walked over, taking a seat across from the officer.
Once seated, Lewis fixed his azure eyes on Seth through the thick lenses of his glasses. You went hunting with some townspeople not long ago.
"I heard that you went hunting with some townspeople not long ago."
His voice was measured.
"You encountered wolves and... some inhuman things. Could you tell me how you managed to escape?"
The man standing in the corner, dressed in a white shirt and dark trousers, moved closer, positioning himself behind Seth. Throughout this, Lewis remained oblivious, as if there was nothing unusual behind Seth.
The man leaned down, whispering in Seth's ear.
["Don't tell the truth. He's testing you."]
Seth maintained his composure.
"I was lucky. I thought I had used all the bullets, but one was left. That bullet saved my life."
"Sounds like you were very fortunate," Lewis replied softly.
"But could you explain why you're so skilled? Even an experienced hunter like Leon might struggle to wound such a creature."
Seth's expression remained unchanged.
"I've received training in combat and marksmanship. I've learned quite well. You can ask my teacher, Mr. Siri; he can vouch for me."
Lewis pulled out a notebook and began jotting down notes as if his memory was unreliable. Otherwise, why would he need to record such simple information?
The man in the white shirt moved behind Lewis, extending a pale, bloodless hand. His nails were dirty as if he had recently been digging in the earth. Gently, he placed both hands on Lewis's face, a low, sinister chuckle escaping his lips.
["Li Zexi, how about we pluck out his eyeballs? Or maybe cut out his tongue?"]
["No, no, breaking his neck sounds more fun. What do you think?"]
Lewis remained completely unaware throughout this disturbing exchange, finishing his notes before looking up.
"One last question, Mr. Seth. Are you an Extraordinary?"