"I'll fucking...kill...you..." Wade Rivers tensed up and roared like a beast.

I simply slapped his face with the scabbard, the sharp crack of impact momentarily stunning him.

"Pick up the knife and stand up. Harsh words are useless after defeat. Do you have some powerful figure to speak for you?"

Seeing his knife kicked to him, Wade was utterly dumbfounded.

I had already put back the scabbard and turned away, a clear indication that I no longer saw him as a threat.

Wade had always believed himself the most skilled fighter in the entire police force. After the private training with the H.A.R.M. captain, his abilities had surpassed those of countless colleagues.

The only reason I still held power over him was because he lacked time to grow stronger.

But given time...

Reality had dealt him a harsh blow. My seemingly casual movements had clearly demonstrated mastery of Shadowstrike, honed to a level of instinctual perfection.

My dagger was faster, stronger, and more attuned to the technique than his own. That was how I had so easily broken his attack.

"But... it's only been three years since the captain taught us these techniques. How could he have reached such perfect mastery?" Wade muttered to himself, picking up his weapon.

I approached the group of officers sprawled on the floor. "Where are they?"

Babar Khan stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence. "They... they..."

In his mind, the boss was very good at drinking, punching and womanizing. When had he learned to fight like this?

I sighed and kicked him a few feet away. "Where are the girls?"

I had truly dug myself a deep hole.

Essentially, I had been a broker, drawing a salary from the police force while catering to the whims of various vampiric fauna.

Unlike the jackalvamps under Golden Chief's command, who were simple-minded with a singular desire for human flesh and blood, there was another group of old apevamps who craved beauty, particularly that of young women. However, these creatures were violent by nature, often toying with their victims to death. Their demand for fresh prey was high.

This time, there had been a conflict of interest between the two factions.

I had initially prepared six girls for the old apes, all young and beautiful, including one from the mother-daughter Velvet Pleasure brothel.

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Unfortunately, the jackalvamp had also taken a fancy to her.

In desperation, Babar had substituted Wade's sister. Though slightly older, she was far more attractive than the other malnourished girls.

"What a mess," I muttered, shaking my head, my eyes hardening.

Babar Khan realized that I wasn't merely putting on a show for Wade – I was genuinely furious.

He scrambled to his feet, leading the way out of the station and down several streets, before turning into a non descriptive building on the corner. In a hidden yard behind the building, several girls lay bound and covered in mud in a vegetable garden, their breathing shallow. They had clearly been starved.

"The brothel madams haven't had time to clean them up, so they look a bit rough. But with a little makeup, they'll be presentable," a punk explained, fearing reprimand for their disheveled state.

Before he could finish, Babar shoved him aside. "Boss, here are the deeds of sale, signed with their parents' thumbprints. They're all accounted for. They were raised by their parents, we feel terrible about this too. There was simply no other choice..."

I took the stack of papers, remaining silent for a moment before speaking. "Go buy some rice, flour, salt, and plenty of beef. Quickly."

"Yes, sir!"

Babar turned to leave. Having worked for me for a couple of years, he knew my ruthlessness. Officers who had doubted me in the past had ended up as vamp fodder.

"I said... buy it," I repeated, my voice cold.

Babar froze, turning to meet my gaze. My eyes were neither cruel nor threatening, yet he felt an uncontrollable urge to urinate, his legs trembling. "Of course, sir. I'll buy it with my own money, don't worry."

I turned my attention back to the girls.

Wade's face was grim as he silently untied his sister.

Beauty, as they say, is relative.

Amist the group of gaunt and grimy girls, Jade Rivers was a starking contrast. Though slender, her frame held a quiet resilience, untouched by the hardship around her. Even coated in mud, her dark, delicate skin glowed with a subtle warmth. still stood out. And since she had only recently been abducted, her face lacked the gauntness of the others.

There was an air of intelligence in her delicate features, a subtle charm that was hard to ignore.

It was no wonder she had caught my attention.

With a police officer brother looking out for her, her life had been easier than that of the other girls.

Wade gritted his teeth as he helped his sister up and seated her on a stone. Normally, anyone who dared lay a finger on her would face his wrath.

But now, he could only silently clench his fists in frustration.

I averted my gaze and knelt to untie the remaining girls. As they watched in terror, I gently touched each of their foreheads.

The weather had turned cold, and I didn't want them catching a chill.

Thankfully, they were simply dehydrated and malnourished, but otherwise unharmed.

"Sergeant Kane..." The youngest, a girl of twelve or thirteen, spoke in a trembling voice.

I couldn't help but scoff. Even a child so young knew of my reputation.

I wiped the mud from her face with my thumb and patted her head gently. "Rest for a while. I'll take you home."

Soon, the officers returned with bags of supplies.

I stood, glancing at Wade who was still squatting, his fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. "It's still early, not even off-duty yet," I said with a sigh.

Then, I led the girls out of the building.

"Everyone else, back to the station. Leave the supplies for him to carry." I pointed at Wade.

Wade almost laughed out loud in anger. How dare I order him to act as a pack mule after treating his sister this way?

Jade Rivers bit her lip, weakened but clear minded. Perhaps due to her age, she seemed calmer than the other girls. "Brother, I'm fine. You go ahead with your work."

She knew her brother's temper well. In this situation, even she would struggle to placate him. It was best not to panic, as that would only worsen the situation.

"Hurry up, it'll be dark soon," my voice called from the street.

The impatient tone made Jade's heart tighten, and she looked at Wade with increased worry.

To her surprise, her brother stood and gathered the bags. "Come with me, and I'll take you home when we're done."

Jade was taken aback. She couldn't help but glance at me, curiosity piqued.