NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Chapter 14
Sorry for the small break, got dragged for family holidays. As an apology, here's some bonus chapters!
For more chapters (10+) or if you want to support me, visit https://www.patreon.com/FFAddict. Thank you!
Chapter Fourteen: Madman and Genius
The shot didn't injure Musk, but it broke the shackles that bound him. The sheriff staggered to his feet, having already been bandaged by a doctor earlier. The firearm technology in this world wasn't very advanced; the bullets had sufficient penetration but lacked lethality, allowing him to move with difficulty.
"What do you want me to do?" Perhaps due to the pain, or maybe out of unease, beads of cold sweat formed on Sheriff Musk's forehead. Despite this, he insisted on standing firm and meeting Jinx's gaze.
"Just want you to do me a little favor."
Musk lowered his head, appearing to be pondering something. Suddenly, he exerted force, lunging toward his desk and drawing the handgun from his belt! Yet, Jinx didn't react at all, not even sparing him a glance. She blew her bangs lightly, as if unbothered by the prospect of Musk shooting her.
"Hey, you wanna outgun me? I'm the toughest cowgirl in the undercity!" Jinx crossed her arms, her expression as relaxed as if she were playing a game.
"Boo hoo, don't give up so easily, Sheriff."
"There's no one waiting for me at home anymore, but you have folks waiting for you to return, right?" Musk lowered his head, loosening his grip. The handgun thudded heavily to the ground.
"What a good child~"
——————————
"What a good child, here, let your brother give you some candy."
"Thank you, brother!"
Justin's smile seemed naturally endearing, and this little girl from the wealthy district didn't hesitate to share what she knew. Thankfully, they ran into this kid who was out wandering at night, or they would have been lost in this desolate place.
"What a cute little girl, go home early; there are bad people outside, it's not safe." Under usual circumstances, Justin, being a lolicon, might have teased her a bit more. However, they still hadn't found Jinx...
"It's okay! My dad is the sheriff, and he'll protect me."
"Hmm?" Justin's eyes narrowed as he turned back and crouched down to face the child again: "Your dad is the sheriff? That's impressive."
"Yeah, my dad is amazing!" The little girl praised her father while munching on candy: "He can capture the criminals in the lower city with one hand!"
"Your dad isn't home now?"
"He isn't…" The child's mood shifted quickly; one moment she was cheerful, the next she was downcast: "Dad is always busy, gets home very late, and has no time to play with me…"
"Then, how about I accompany you to find your dad, okay?" Justin, squinting, smiled like a big bad wolf.
"Okay, okay!"
"Do you know where the police station is?"
"Your name is Erin, huh? What a lovely name. Come on, your brother will take you to the police station to find your dad." Justin naturally held Erin's hand, and the little girl didn't resist at all. Such innocence could only be found in Piltover's affluent district, right? If it were a kid from the lower city, Justin would've probably been punched already.
"What are you trying to do?" Vi lurked in the shadows, wearing a long-sleeved hooded garment with a jacket over it. Though her tattoos were concealed, her ferocious aura still frightened the little girl, making her hide behind Justin.
"I just want to take this adorable little girl to the station to find her dad." Justin smiled, winking at Vi. Vi understood his meaning, feeling a bit uneasy. Although she was a violent person and greatly disliked those from the upper city, such underhanded tactics…
"This is for Jinx." Justin's expression suddenly turned cold, and in the evening breeze, Vi felt a chill. Usually, she found Justin's meaningless smile annoying, but now that cold face made her feel a trace of fear. Little Erin was hiding behind Justin's leg, unable to see his face. From her perspective, the big sister with the hood was the strange one—she didn't even have a face like a girl.
"Ugh, your face is so rough." Jinx used her index finger to lift Caitlyn's chin, their faces almost touching as she observed closely. "You look like a man! Are you really the daughter of a noble family?" "I'm an Enforcer, not a lady of the house," Caitlyn replied weakly. Despite having received the best treatment, the massive blood loss was not something she could recover from quickly.
"How interesting! I thought I was just kidnapping the sheriff, and I accidentally caught a big fish left aside!" Jinx sat on a swivel chair, spinning around Caitlyn. Caitlyn was already dizzy, and this made her vision even blurrier. Exhausted, she asked, "What exactly do you want?" "What exactly do you want? What exactly do you want, what do you want..." Jinx repeatedly asked in a strange tone, suddenly crashing over and pinning Caitlyn down, gripping her face with long nails digging into her flesh. "How many times have you asked? How many times have I said it!"
"I only want Justin! I only want Justin! I only want Justin!" Jinx screamed hysterically, her voice sharp and piercing, like nails being dragged across a chalkboard. Her sky-blue eyes seemed like shattered glass, bloodshot and wild. "I told you we don't know who he is..." Caitlyn spoke with difficulty. "No! You know! You must know!" Jinx snarled at her, her breath hitting Caitlyn's face with even a hint of iron from the blood in her shredded vocal cords.
"Maybe he's an inmate from Stillwater Hold..." Caitlyn turned her head, not even daring to look at her. "But they've already broken out!" "If brother Justin escaped, he would definitely come back for me." Jinx sat on the ground, suddenly appearing pitiful. "Could it be he abandoned me? No, no way, I'm very obedient..." Jinx teared up again, and Caitlyn couldn't tell if those tears were real or fake. This criminal's actions seemed entirely illogical, yet somehow followed a pattern.
"You're not really crazy, are you?" Caitlyn suddenly looked up, her criminal psychology course having earned her an A+. "Everything you've done has a purpose—from the start, you planned to take hostages, choosing the last and best moment to act once guards were down; shooting multiple rounds into a negotiator's wig to show your marksmanship so outsiders wouldn't act rashly; constantly acting manic to prevent the officers from engaging in a normal psychological battle with you, forcing them to meet your demands."
"No! I am indeed a lunatic, see, I have a doctor's certificate!" Jinx's expression changed again, tears still on her face, yet she earnestly told Caitlyn, "I'm a madwoman and a genius! Haven't you heard the joke about a guy fixing his car parked outside a mental hospital, and accidentally dropping the four bolts securing his wheels..."