The city news played on TV: the House of Qin Consortium had a new chairman. The outgoing chairman, Dorian, had personally appointed him — a young man who had returned from studying abroad, named Weekend.

Weekend took the reins of Qin Consortium with decisive reforms, launching public welfare initiatives and creating a corporate fund to help low-income citizens. His actions quickly mitigated the social harm previously caused by Vincent, and Qin Consortium’s stock prices soared. The political turbulence sparked by the family’s scandal gradually calmed.

“Any news on Damien?” a young police officer asked, staring at the TV screen.

“None,” replied a female officer wearing glasses. “But yesterday, the station received a strange audio tape.”

“Play it, I want to hear.”

The room fell silent for ten minutes. Not a single sound came out. The male officer frowned, puzzled.

Then, heavy, labored breathing emerged — the sound of someone digging, punctuated by the clash of a shovel against stone.

"All who dare confront the devil are heroes."

"Why did you choose me?"

"Because you were the only one I saw who, even under the influence of that hallucinogen, still thought to protect others. I trust that at the very end, you wouldn’t be corrupted by evil."

"I promise. No matter what I go through, I will always stand against the devil."

The tape finished. The male officer frowned. The first voice was unmistakably their former captain, Damien. But the second voice… it sounded familiar. Why did it ring so familiar?

“Keep investigating that experiment organization. See if there are any other recruitment channels. Damien might be in trouble. This time, I’ll go in,” the officer said, grabbing the tape and rushing out.

On the TV, Weekend, the acting chairman of the House of Qin Consortium, was being interviewed by reporters. He wore a bespoke suit and answered every question methodically, never smiling. His expression was one of unwavering resolve, a steadfastness beyond ordinary comprehension.

(The End)