New chapter is out! Sending out some comment red envelopes for everyone, mwah~
Chapter 4: Seal of Osiris (4)
After a full night of a shameful yet sacred, solemn, complex Eastern ritual, Wood, with sore waist and weak legs, assisted by the Boss, draped himself in clothes, leaned against the wall, walked into the washroom with full confidence.
You cannot bathe before noon today; ensure that the power infused into your body is fully absorbed.
Master gave his earnest instructions.
Wood nodded obediently time and again, "I understand. I will wait until the power infused into my body is fully absorbed before I take a bath; I will never waste Boss's kindness."
Good boy.
Master smiled and kissed his forehead.
It was an action that evoked the warmth and care shared between family members.
The moment his lips lingered on his forehead, a wave of sweetness and tenderness surged through Wood's entire body, his cheeks grew inexplicably hot. "Boss.."
Don't worry, all the difficulties will be easily resolved, I swear—
Notes as soft and sacred as an ancient oath slid into his ear, confidence gradually filled Wood's eyes.
Yes, I believe.
..
..
“Wood?”
Yes.
Wood stood before Jason's desk, looking somewhat constrained; the latter had cast aside the trepidation he showed before Master, becoming assertive and imposing.
Do you know why you were chosen?
The Boss said the truck driver who nearly killed me is the victim in the bizarre incident you are investigating..
And what else?
I was lucky enough not to be injured in the accident, which is why you believe I am a special ability user.
From the day you were taken in by Mister Master, you have been a subject of special interest for the Special Events Investigation Department.
Jason looked sternly at Wood, as if the being standing before him was a monster more terrifying, incomprehensible, uncontrollable than a super-dangerous serial killer.
Mister Master is a very special person—
The Boss certainly has peculiar tastes; the Museum houses all sorts of strange things.
Wood blurted out.
The words, which sounded much like a complaint, made Jason's eyes light up. He stood up, walked to Wood's side, whispered, ".. If you cooperate with us and become our informant, you will quickly have legal status and a stable income."
—I don't know what you mean.
I don't think you are with him of your own free will, after all..
He.. he..
Wood subconsciously took a step back: "Mister Jason, I hope to get into the work as soon as possible—"
Alright.
Jason turned around and opened the office door: "Peterson, come here for a moment."
Alright, Boss.
The Black Man Agent, who had been kicked out by Master yesterday for his insolent words, quickly entered the room.
Boss, you were looking for me?
Let me introduce you. This is Wood, a night shift security guard at the Master Private Art Museum, your temporary field partner and special consultant.
Jason introduced Wood to Peterson.
Peterson glanced at Wood, who had the appearance of a standard white man, his sharp black and white eyes flashing with obvious hostility. After a moment of hesitation, he finally reached out his hand: "Hello, I'm Peterson, an Agent from the New York Branch of the Special Events Investigation Department."
“Nice to meet you.”
Wood's face was full of smiles as he gripped Peterson's hand tightly. "Here's to a pleasant time together."
I hope so.
Peterson coldly withdrew his right hand.
..
..
Is this the crime scene?
Wood, holding a cup of coffee, followed excitedly behind Peterson, stepping over the distinct yellow and black caution tape, while talking incessantly: "I've only ever seen this on TV; I never thought that one day I'd be here with the Federal Government's elite as a special advisor—"
Shut up!
Peterson interrupted Wood, turned around, looked at him sternly: "Accepting you as your temporary partner and bringing you to the scene was an order from the Boss. Personally, I despise you, especially your ignorance, idiocy, stupidity, imbecility, self-righteousness, arrogance! Do you understand, you white gay bastard!"
But..
What else do you want to say?
“..”
Wood decisively covered his mouth.
Peterson showed a satisfied smile.
..
After taking Wood around the crime scene for a routine walkthrough, Peterson turned into a Logistics Vehicle parked near the police line, which belonged to the Special Events Investigation Department and was loaded with various testing equipment.
These things.. they're amazing..
Wood looked curiously at the equipment in the carriage.
Peterson gave him a cold glance and tossed over an earpiece: "Put it on."
Oh.
Wood obediently put on the headset and sat in front of the screen with Peterson.
The following is the footage of Mike's death captured by the parking lot surveillance. The images may be somewhat bloody; if you feel like vomiting when you see the headshot, you must restrain yourself immediately! Otherwise, you will be held liable for any damage or stains caused to the equipment.
—Then I'm going out right now!
Hearing that he would have to pay for any damaged equipment, Wood was shocked and prepared to take off his headset and leave the carriage.
Shut up!
The muscular Peterson grabbed Wood, forcing him to stay and watch with him.
The footage is about to start!
Wood quickly widened his eyes to look at the screen. He saw the deceased Mike pull the truck to a stop, step out of the driver's cabin, open the cargo doors, bow respectfully toward the darkness.
——Great Almighty Master, I have completed the task you assigned.
[Hmm..]
In the darkness, a low and suppressed response sounded.
I pray that You grant me eternal peace..
Having finished speaking, Mike turned his body and lowered his head.
In the dark carriage, a humanoid monster, charred black and shriveled like a mummy, slowly stepped down. Its face was pitted and uneven, its head incomplete, deep red flames hissed from various parts of its broken body, as if its interior had long since been hollow. The only thing that left a deep impression on Wood was the shimmering, Ancient Egyptian-style golden Seal of Osiris worn on its right middle finger.
The monster stepped out of the carriage, raising its withered right hand adorned with the Golden Seal Ring, brushed its hand through the air toward Mike's head.
I grant you my blessing in the name of **—
It is my honor to receive your blessing, my great and almighty Master.
Mike replied in this manner, bowing his head as he watched the monster walk away with its flaming footsteps, then—
Return to the cockpit.
Fire.
A headshot.
Death.
Not a single moment of hesitation or stuttering throughout the entire process.
Bang!
The intense sound of gunfire pulled Wood's consciousness back to reality.
.. All the equipment in this parking lot is incredibly outdated; the footage captured and the audio recorded are very unclear, the deceased had their back to the camera the entire time.. So far, we can only confirm that there is a supernatural, mysterious entity in the vehicle, that the language Mike used when speaking to that thing was not English. —Are you listening to me?
Peterson looked at the dazed Wood with a look of impatience.
Wood nodded hurriedly. "I'm listening, I've been listening all along—"
What did I just say to you? Repeat it!
You.. I.. I saw.. I..
A sudden, inexplicable irritability surged in Wood's heart. He pushed open the car door, crossed the cordon, strode quickly to the side of the staff member who was repeatedly scanning the area around the truck with an instrument, searching for something. "Can you give me some chalk?"
Chalk?
I need chalk, or Lime Powder will do.
“..”
The staff member looked at Peterson, who was following closely behind Wood, in confusion: "Agent Peterson, I—"
“—Give him some Lime Powder.”
Alright.