CONNECT: Rise Of The Undead King

In a completely dark room, the only source of light poured from the single lamp that hung in the corner of the room. A square table stood beneath it, with two chairs placed side by side. Two men sat on the chairs, their attention fixed on the video playing on the computer resting gently on the table.

Both Sergeant Kim and Inspector Ray were watching CCTV footage from the company where a sudden death had occurred earlier. They observed with maximum focus, not wishing to miss a single detail.

After their investigation, they concluded that the young woman had been killed by none other than the elusive Snowflake. Determined to find a loophole in the killer's movements, their eyes remained locked on the CCTV footage.

At a certain scene, Sergeant Kim paused the video and turned to his companion.

"Now, if you think about it, don't you see the time doesn't match?"

Sergeant Kim said.

"You mean the eye-patched man?" Inspector Ray asked.

"Yeah. He entered the building after the lady was killed, and it's strange that he seemed to be in a rush. He went straight to the elevator, stopped at the 45th floor, and then headed to the restroom."

Sergeant Kim explained.

Inspector Ray replayed the video, trying to spot anything unusual. The footage ended when the eye-patched man entered the restroom lobby. There weren't cameras there, but they had been told what had happened inside.

"So, are you saying he's not the main suspect?"

Inspector Ray asked.

"Don't get me wrong, I never said that. But if you think about it, he got into the building after the lady was killed, which means he can't be the culprit. He can't be in two places at the same time. Still, his urgency and behavior suggest he knows something." Sergeant Kim explained.

"Interesting… but what about the woman who came to his aid, knocking out two elite crime officers in an instant? How do you explain that?"

Inspector Ray pressed.

"I really don't know about that. But one thing I'm sure of is that these people are somehow connected to the lady's death. It can't be mere coincidence. Still, I'm more interested in the man called Kante."

Sergeant Kim declared.

Inspector Ray raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"Why?"

He asked.

"You probably didn't pay much attention, but that man seemed far too detached. Even if they were nothing more than colleagues, there should have been some hint of emotion in his voice—or in his face—when we questioned him. But his answers were completely devoid of feeling."

"So you're suspecting him now?"

Inspector Ray asked.

"Not just suspecting. Look closely—he looks like a criminal. Didn't you notice his dress?"

Sergeant Kim asked.

Inspector Ray thought for a moment. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he looked at Kim in disbelief.

"Polished brown shoes and a black suit… Don't tell me you're following that madman's words."

"Not really,"

Sergeant Kim said with a smile.

"But I think we should dig into his background, as well as the main suspect's."

---

Uche stared at the young woman who claimed to be Mira for several seconds. With each passing moment, his confidence slowly began to return. For some reason, her demeanor didn't feel threatening. Her aura was strangely inviting—almost comforting—so he started regaining his composure.

But Uche never truly let his guard down. He didn't trust her.

If worse came to worst, he would have no choice but to flee the city and never return—a decision he found hard to make.

"It seems you're finally gaining your composure back,"

Mira interrupted his thoughts.

Uche shot her a confident glance but said nothing. The woman looked away and asked,

"So, what do you wish to know?"

"Your motives. Tell me why you saved me, and your connection to that organ trafficking ring."

Uche said, his single eye locked firmly on her.

"You know, staring at me like that is making me nervous. Could you move your gaze down?"

Mira said with a shrug.

Uche obeyed, shifting his gaze away.

'Do I look that scary?'

He wondered.

"Well, how should I put it? I got to know those people because of you. And I got to know about you through them,"

Mira said, smiling.

Uche frowned, uneasy with her words. Meanwhile, Mira stood up and walked into his kitchen. Not knowing what she was up to—and not trusting her—Uche followed her. But the moment he stepped inside, a crescent knife came flying at his throat.

He dodged at the last second, barely avoiding the blade thanks to the fact that he hadn't lowered his guard. Rolling back into the dining room, he snatched the knife off the floor and glared at Mira as she walked out of the kitchen.

"What are you doing?"

Uche demanded, his voice trembling slightly as Mira approached, her demeanor now entirely different.

Without hesitation, she rushed at him with a punch. Uche parried with relative ease.

"I knew you were up to something! Just tell me what you want. You couldn't have saved me twice if your goal was to kill me!"

Uche shouted.

But instead of answering, Mira attacked again, throwing a crescent kick. Uche rolled aside, dodging, and rose swiftly to his feet.

'Why are her attacks sluggish?'

He thought.

'They're nothing like when she knocked those cops out. If she came at me with that same speed, I wouldn't last a second.'

His thoughts were cut short when a brutal kick struck his stomach, sending him crashing against the wall. Blood spilled from his mouth as he fell to one knee.

"Weak,"

Mira spat, already charging again.

'Damn it… why am I so stupid? Why did I trust this bitch in the first place? I've made the wrong decision again,'

Uche cursed inwardly, struggling to rise.

As he stood, Mira's fist smashed into his nose, crushing it.

"Argh!"

He screamed in pain. Yet, a strange smile crept onto his face, his lips curling upward.

'I didn't even see her coming… but at least I can predict her now.'

At the same time, Mira's lips curled as Uche's broken nose began healing, bloody tendrils knitting it back together.

"At least that confirms it—you really are a strange one,"

Mira said, stepping back. But suddenly, she felt something pulling her in.

Looking down, she saw Uche's fist buried in her stomach, blood pooling around it.

'Well, that's surprising,'

She thought.

"I wasn't going to do this, but my life is on the line. I don't know what you're after, I don't know your goal, and I don't know why you saved me. Whatever it is you're looking for… go to hell and find it there,"

Uche said coldly as he twisted the knife in his hand.

The crescent blade slid through her body like butter, shredding several organs in its path.