Chapter 181
Chapter 181
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The police officers pulled their triggers all at once.
'In an instant.'
The bullets flying toward me looked like they were moving in slow motion.
I shifted behind the police and pulled the trigger on my Desert Eagle. I put a bullet right into each of their heads.
The bodies of the six police officers crumpled to the ground.
'Whew. I've really done it now. This will bring out the special police.'
Special police.
They were the cops who dealt with criminals too much for regular police to handle. Think of them as officers equipped to face opponents with exceptional combat abilities.
'Up until now, the worst I'd done was sexual assault, so regular cops were the ones chasing me...'
The reason this brutal world still had some semblance of order in the city was the existence of the special police.
'The special police are beyond what I can ignore right now.'
Continentals fundamentally didn't have status windows or unique traits. That's why they were weaker than exiles.
'But continentals can awaken to status windows and unique traits if they meet certain conditions.'
The first was contracting with a divine seat. If a continental made a pact with one, they'd naturally awaken their status window and unique trait.
The second was training. Through rigorous physical conditioning, awakening would come at some point.
The third was monster hunting. It was faster than training, but far more dangerous.
'This city's special police are continentals who've awakened their status windows.'
One thing was certain: they were stronger than the rookie exiles at the Cathedral of Beginnings.
'Damn. No more openly wandering the city groping beauties.'
I glanced at the police car parked in front of the alley. I considered hijacking it but decided against it.
'Hobson's mansion is just a short walk away. No need to take that.'
I cloaked myself with Deception (SS) and headed for Hobson's mansion.
???
"What the hell..."
Benjamin spat curses as he stormed into the police station.
The surrounding officers looked at him curiously. Benjamin was the chief of the central station in Etin, District 57. He was the top authority in the district's police force.
The burly Benjamin marched irritably toward the chief's office.
"Jessica! Natalia! Get to the chief's office now! It's urgent!"
He bellowed once, then slammed the door shut. He looked thoroughly pissed.
Benjamin slumped into his chair, tapping the desk impatiently with his index finger. His face, now in his fifties, was as crumpled as discarded tissue paper.
Soon, the door opened, and two women entered.
"Benjamin, what's going on? Why are you so mad?"
The blonde with her hair tied up, Jessica, strode casually into the office and crossed her legs on the sofa. Known as District 57's top beauty cop, she had the looks and the body—nothing lacking.
"Something must've blown up."
The tall woman who followed Jessica was just as stunning. With red hair and brown eyes, she plopped down next to Jessica. If Jessica was elegant, Natalia exuded a tough, cool vibe.
Jessica and Natalia.
They were the hottest special police duo in Etin, the City of Lights in District 57.
Benjamin looked at them and spoke. His excited voice was rough.
"You both know there's a crazy clown bastard running around the city right now, right?"
Jessica nodded. The station was already buzzing about that clown. She'd seen plenty of criminals, but this one was a first.
"The pervert in the black outfit and clown mask groping women's breasts and asses? Someone should cut that thing off to shut him up."
Jessica didn't take it seriously. She'd heard he'd assaulted men too, but it was still just sexual assault. For special police like her and Natalia, who focused on real threats, a groping clown wasn't their problem.
"That damn clown bastard killed six cops."
"...What?"
Jessica's eyes widened at the unexpected words.
"The clown shot our police! Six headshots! Damn it! That punk's treating us like idiots!"
"The guy who was just groping suddenly killed cops?! Why?!"
"I don't know! Must've snapped. The guy's ranting about being a demon from the heavens, so he's clearly got mental issues!"
"......"
Jessica shut her mouth. Her face turned serious.
Six cops murdered was no small matter. Forget honor—it was a declaration of war on the police.
"The clown killed 'Black Knife Jack' too. There was a woman's body nearby... but that's Jack's doing."
Black Knife Jack.
He showed up periodically in Josie, killed a woman, and vanished. Cops had shot him dead multiple times, but like he'd resurrected, he'd reappear months later to kill again.
Jack never killed police. He always fled on sight.
"Clown. This bastard's crazier than Jack. He killed six cops at once, so now he'll kill without hesitation. He won't stop at groping women—he'll start raping indiscriminately. We need to catch him before the city drowns in fear."
"You want us to take the clown, Benjamin."
"This is critical. I need your strength. Especially you, Natalia. Previous plan's canceled. Use prophecy on the clown."
Natalia had contracted with the divine seat 'Prophet of 66' two weeks ago. Her divine skill, Prophecy (A), let her foresee events within three days for a target, once a month.
The original plan was to use it on Black Knife Jack to uncover why he kept coming back even after death.
"What about Black Knife Jack? You were waiting for him to show."
Natalia said curtly.
She wanted to use it on Jack more than the clown. She'd become special police to avenge her friend he'd killed.
"Natalia, this guy's more dangerous than Jack. We suspect teleportation or invisibility. We stop him before he really starts killing. If we don't, it could be dozens... maybe hundreds of victims!"
Natalia closed her eyes, then opened them. Benjamin was right—clown was riskier than Jack.
"Fine. Benjamin. If the clown's more dangerous... taking him first is the right call."
"Good. Pinpoint his location with prophecy. I'm assigning you, but I'm not sending you alone. I promise maximum support."
"Shut up then. Benjamin. I'm using prophecy now. Got a picture of that clown?"
"Here."
Natalia took the paper he handed her. It showed a man in black clothes and a childish clown mask.
"Eww. He looks creepy up close. Clowns scare me."
Jessica grumbled at the sketch.
"......"
Natalia stared at it, then closed her eyes. A notification window popped up immediately. It was special—even with eyes closed, it was visible. Unavoidable.
Natalia mentally affirmed.
She felt her consciousness being sucked somewhere.
A few seconds later, Natalia snapped her eyes open. Her upper body swayed. Jessica, beside her, caught her in surprise.
"Natalia! You okay?!"
"...I'm fine. Just a brief disorientation."
Natalia said softly, gripping Jessica's hand.
"Natalia! What'd the prophecy say? Did it work?!"
"It worked, Benjamin."
"The clown?! Where and when does he show?!"
"Today. At Hobson's mansion. The clown was searching for something there."
Benjamin slapped his forehead in frustration at Natalia's words.
"Hobson's mansion? Damn it all!"
"...Benjamin. Why do you grovel to Hobson? You could arrest him and seize his assets!"
"No way. His wealth isn't all in the mansion. He's hidden it everywhere. Why grovel? Money, obviously! His support keeps our police in top shape. We need his cash to operate like this!"
Benjamin regained his cool and looked at Natalia.
"...Natalia. What exactly did you see at Hobson's mansion in the prophecy?"
"Just the clown rummaging through it."
"...You're sure it's Hobson's place?"
"Don't get too confident. Prophecy's only 70% accurate."
Natalia stood and headed for the door.
"Natalia?! Where are you going?!"
"Bathroom. Benjamin. Give me a minute to freshen up."
"Natalia, you don't look well... I'll come with!"
Jessica followed her.
Benjamin leaned back in his chair, muttering.
"Damn. Of all places, Hobson's mansion... He'll throw a fit."
???
Natalia entered the women's restroom and looked at the mirror on the wall. She saw Jessica's face behind her.
"Natalia, what's wrong? What'd you really see?"
"Jack was at Hobson's mansion."
"...Hobson is Jack?"
"Can't say for sure. There were three Jacks, not one. But... Hobson's definitely connected."
Jessica fell silent. She pondered, then seemed to resolve something.
"Natalia. I trust you. Even if Benjamin values Hobson... you're what matters to me."
Natalia turned, staring into Jessica's blue eyes.
"Jessica. I trust you too."
"Natalia..."
Jessica melted into Natalia's arms, tilting her chin up and closing her eyes.
Natalia wrapped her arms around her and kissed her. Tongues slipped between lips into each other's mouths.
"Mm... Nngh..."
Absorbed in the kiss, they soon began caressing each other.
Natalia's hand slid up Jessica's lower back into her skirt, Jessica's hand roamed Natalia's firm abs into her pants.
Just as their hands reached into each other's panties...
"Jessica! Natalia! Don't you know every minute counts right now?!"
Benjamin's bellow echoed.
Their deep kiss broke, lips and tongues parting.
"Haa. That clueless Benjamin..."
"Let's head back, Jessica. We can pick up later... after work."
"Natalia. Tonight, at your place? That okay?"
"My place always welcomes you, Jessica."
???
"Tch."
A five-story grand mansion.
My face twisted as I looked at Hobson's mansion.
My original plan was to sneak in after sunset, kill the guards and Hobson, then leisurely search for the red tree branch.
But before nightfall, police swarmed the mansion and started guarding it.
'Why are cops guarding the mansion?'
Did Hobson call them? Why?
After considering options, I reached one conclusion.
Hobson or the police—they knew I was targeting the mansion.
'Shit. How'd they know I was after Hobson's place? Pesica? Did that old hag leak it?'
I shook my head.
Pesica had no reason to sabotage after giving me the spellbook.
'Can't back out now. I have to return to the Cathedral of Beginnings by noon. Too long away, and it'll raise suspicions.'
I had no choice but to push forward. Luckily, I had Deception (SS), perfect for stealth infiltration and escape.