Chapter Two 

Exactly nine years later, on August 2nd, 2025, in Wellington, we meet Detective Carl Johnson, sipping his morning coffee with his family. He was pondering their lengthy discussion from the night before about his over-involvement in work and neglect of his family.

Carl thought to himself, "She doesn't understand. It's all for our children, for justice. I can't let them grow up in this corrupt world and become monsters themselves. I'm investigating their crimes to prevent it."

His reverie was interrupted by a call from the police station informing him he had been assigned to interrogate a series of random murders plaguing the capital. The victims had no apparent connection. Initially, the detectives believed the killer was targeting corporate heads and prominent political figures, but the presence of children, women, and the poor, all killed in the same manner - crucified on an inverted cross with strange English symbols and ciphers - baffled them. There was no physical evidence that the killer was a ghost.

However, the authorities could no longer ignore the situation after the recent assassination of the American ambassador during his visit to the capital. This created tension in relations with America and forced them to take these cases seriously.

Carl Johnson, the world's most renowned detective at the time, was summoned and sent to the last three crime scenes, hoping to find something.

Carl said, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "Finally, some excitement, some mystery, some horror."

The first scene was the Washington family home, where the son and mother, Maria and James Washington, were found crucified and decapitated. The heads had been neatly severed at the base, and their fingers had been cut off. Overcome by the horror of the scene, one of the police officers vomited.

Written on the wall beside the bodies, in blood, was the phrase "J.W.M IS legend." The window was open, and there were no footprints near it, but at the bottom of the hill, there were some footprints and the tracks of a motorcycle that stopped at the end of the icy road.

The other crime scenes were similar, but the words differed. At the Hudson household, the scene was even more gruesome. The bodies of the children and their father were completely dismembered, as if the killer had used an axe or an electric saw, or had had time to dissect the corpses.

Detective Carl said, "A massacre is like a battlefield." In that apartment, the Spanish phrase "¿Es la muerte su salvación?" was painted on the wall, meaning "Is death their salvation?"

The Hudson and Washington families did not have significant power or political connections, unlike the other prominent figures the killer had murdered suspiciously. This killer later became known as the "Reaper of Wellington."

Detective Carl went to the third crime scene, where a member of the New Zealand Senate was found. The man's body was mutilated like the others, crucified on a cross that was not inverted this time. Written on the wall beside him was the Japanese phrase 死んでもいい,神々の怒りがあなたを貫くかもしれないから, meaning "You may as well die, for the wrath of the gods may pierce you."

Detective Carl found a connection between these crimes and a political organization that had been wiped out some time ago. Detective Carl said, "Perhaps this is the work of the Zero Phantom."

Officer Marcus: "But, detective, this organization was eradicated a year and a half ago, and its leader is now imprisoned on Skull Devil Island under heavy guard."

Detective Carl: "Perhaps you should verify that."

Detective Carl: "The first symbol points to James William Moriarty, and wasn't the leader of that organization obsessed with Moriarty?"

Officer Marcus: "You're correct, but that alone is not definitive proof of his involvement."

Detective Carl: "Just grant me some time."

We now shift the narrative to Waikato, two years prior, to glimpse Gabriel, who has since become a cybersecurity officer, and Rose, who now serves as a member of the board of directors for a company named Nexus Corp. Both of them work for the same company.

As for this company, Nexus Corp stands among the most renowned pharmaceutical and cosmetics firms worldwide. They developed a drug that is celebrated globally, said to cure aging, most diseases, and even viruses originating from animals. Yet, the side effects of this miracle drug led to the death of 9% of its users.

We transition to Gabriel, for whom this marks his third day at the company, while Rose is considered a seasoned veteran in the workplace. Gabriel attempts to hack into the company's systems to uncover information, but Rose swiftly shuts his laptop and says:

Rose: "Oh no, no. Steady there, cowboy. You'll end up getting yourself fired."

Gabriel: What? Are you with them now?

Rose: It's not like that, you idiot. Don't imagine it's that simple.

Gabriel: But it seems you're thinking like me.

Rose: Yes, you buffoon. The only difference between us is impulsiveness. Meet me at 9 p.m. at The Grill Court restaurant, and I'll tell you everything I know.

Gabriel: Alright, boss.

Gabriel was excited about it; it was his first date with Rose. He put on a red suit with a white shirt and got ready to go. Gabriel left his apartment, and we noticed a picture of Mason. When Gabriel closed his room door, he went out and took the bus to the restaurant. He arrived at the restaurant, which looked as elegant as the restaurants he had seen in stories and series about the Victorian era, which he was obsessed with. Upon entering the restaurant, the scene was like a vibrant painting. The crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling scattered their warm light on the walls decorated with intricate gold carvings. The polished oak floor reflected the shine of the gentlemen's and ladies' polished shoes. In every corner, white marble columns held arches adorned with

In every corner, white marble columns held arches adorned with exquisite sculptures.

The tables, covered in pristine white cloths, were adorned with silver candelabra holding candles that cast soft shadows on the fine porcelain dishes. The plates were decorated with gold rims, and the spoons and forks were inlaid with intricate engravings that reflected the mastery of hand craftsmanship.

Gabriel found Rose at one of the tables, wearing a dress that resembled Cinderella's. Rose stood like a marble statue, exuding confidence and elegance. Her soft, white skin, almost like porcelain, shimmered in the dim candlelight as if lit from within. Her cheeks had a light blush as if she had just taken a sip of cherry liquor. Her deep, gray-blue eyes shone with an intelligent and mysterious look, framed by thick black lashes that added a touch of magic to every blink.

Her hair, styled with exquisite care, was twisted into an ornate bun adorned with small silver combs encrusted with gemstones, while strands of it flowed gently down her long neck like silk. Gabriel was very impressed with Rose; she resembled his favorite character, Vanessa Ives, from the series "Penny Dreadful," not only in appearance but also in personality. Gabriel reached the table and said to Rose:

Gabriel: I'm sorry, my lady, but have you seen a girl named Rose pass by here?

Rose said with a smile, "Sit down, you silly man."

Rose: "You must think this is a date, but I'm here to tell you a rather gruesome tale."

Gabriel: "I love your gruesome tales."

Rose: "Very clever. I'm here to tell you about our company. You've certainly heard of the drug 'Neuralis'."

Gabriel: "Yes, I did a lot of research on them before joining the company."

Rose: "That's not all. I'll make it short for you. The name of the CEO of this company is Mikhail Tchevenkov."

Gabriel said, after freezing in shock, "You must be joking. This can't be real!"

Rose: "Yes, it is real."

Gabriel: "From that family?"

Rose: "The Tchevenkov family descends from a noble lineage that originated in the Siberian region of Russia during the thirteenth century. Their ancestor, Ivanov Tchevenkov, was a military commander in the Russian Tsar's army, but he was known for his mysterious behavior and the strange rituals he practiced in secret.