Twenty more years to live might not seem like a generous amount of time, insignificant to some, but for me, it was a revelation.

Just yesterday, before I gambled with it, my projected lifespan was a meager 34 years, condemning me to an early grave in my fifties.

The Astral Fortification had granted me physical perfection, but I remained bound to the mortality of an ordinary human. Extending my life, even slightly, had seemed an insurmountable challenge.

The knowledge that I wouldn't be facing death next year brought a sense of relief. However, it also underscored the gravity of the approaching H.A.R.M. inspection. If the current situation persisted, the police force's corruption would soon be laid bare.

When the H.A.R.M. captain arrived in Pinewood County, his first action wouldn't be hunting beastvamps, but arresting the "infamous" Sergeant Kane. Only by slaying enough beastvamps could I hope to salvage my reputation.

Yet, hunting them was no simple task. My network of contacts had provided opportunities to isolate and eliminate them, but as their numbers dwindled, the trust I had built over the years would quickly erode.

To strike, I needed to be strong. I had to amass enough power to withstand the beastvamps' inevitable backlash when they discovered my betrayal.

Lost in thought, I was interrupted by two officers rushing up the stairs, panting. "Sergeant Kane, there you are! Lieutenant Patel requests your presence for a debriefing."

"Debriefing?" Wade, who was clearing the dishes, emerged from the apartment with a frown.

The Lieutenant Patel they mentioned was none other than Anil Patel, head of Homicide.

Logically, it was normal for subordinates to report to their superiors.

But this wasn't the norm for me.

Lieutenant Patel, in his forties and at the prime of his career, had been sidelined due to his stance against the corruption surrounding the vampiric fauna issue. He had long since lost control of his subordinates, especially me.

While a decent man at heart, he lacked the necessary ruthlessness. He watched Pinewood County sink deeper into the mire, his anger simmering but never boiling over into open defiance.

Under constant pressure, his spirit had gradually eroded.

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He had become an absentee manager, idling away his days with a cup of tea, avoiding me whenever possible to spare himself further humiliation.

Why would he suddenly call me in for a debriefing? Before I could ask, Wade grabbed his blade. "I'm heading to the station. Get some rest. No need to leave the light on."

Jade nodded obediently. She had always worried that her brother's stubbornness and lack of tact would lead to conflicts with his colleagues. Now, it seemed he had found a trustworthy leader.

She glanced curiously at the tall figure at the door, wondering what kind of person could command such respect from her usually defiant brother.

I turned back, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing? Put that knife down and wash your dishes."

"..." Wade silently returned the blade to its sheath.

I turned my attention to the two officers, both under my command.

They avoided my gaze, clearly harboring some unspoken fear. Whoever had sent them was likely someone far more intimidating than Anil Patel.

"Let's go," I said, not bothering to ask any questions.

The two officers, their apprehension evident, led the way back to the station.

Entering the homicide squad room, the heavier of the two risked a glance back, whispering, "Be careful..." before quickly turning away again.

The two officers stopped before the closed door of Patel's office. One of them called out, "Lieutenant, Sergeant Kane reporting!”

Hearing this, I felt a flicker of confusion. Maybe it was truly Anil Patel who had summoned me?

Before I could dwell on it, a response came from behind the door, not in words, but in action...

Boom! Boom!

Two massive holes erupted in the wooden door, and two black shadows pierced the chests of the officers simultaneously.

I stared at the dark appendages protruding from their backs – a pair of gnarled, hairy palms.

Each palm clutched a still-beating heart. The palms slowly withdrew, sharp claws mercilessly puncturing the organs.

"Brother Kane, why don't you come in?" a voice taunted from within.

I closed my eyes, inhaling the warm, fetid air.

Then, with a powerful kick, I shattered the door. A startled cry erupted from inside, followed by the sound of a shadowy figure retreating to the back of the office.

I stepped into the room, my eyes scanning the scene.

The first thing I saw was Anil Patel, his face contorted in agony, kneeling before a reclining chair. His body slumped like a broken doll, not entirely from fear, but due to the weight of a pair of thick, hairy legs resting on his shoulders.

A single shift of those legs could crush him. Sweat poured down Anil's face.

The owner of the legs, a hulking ape-like creature, reclined in the office chair, an army ceremonial greatcoat draped over its massive frame. It propped itself up on its elbows, revealing an ugly, simian face twisted into a sneer. "Brother, take a seat."

Two more ape vampires lurked in the shadows of the room.

One was hunched over, its long arms nearly touching the floor, its face contorted with rage. Blood dripped from its fingertips, a testament to the brutal display of power I had witnessed moments ago.

"Look at what you've done." Anil Patel's face twitched, his composure crumbling. "This is how you deal with monsters? Bringing them into the station..."

I didn't know the full story, but the grown man was now sobbing uncontrollably.

On the table, three bloodied jackal heads were arranged neatly.

The old ape in greatcoat smacked its lips, reaching out a hand to stroke Anil's head. "There's another one right here," it purred.

As it spoke, the other two ape vampires silently moved to block the exit.