CATMAN - 22 7 Days Till Nex

“M-me…kill her?” Auden said pointing his index finger at himself confused.

“Don’t act innocent…You are the only one who would do it.” She said as she stood up revealing the back of the body of another girl wearing the uniform of a Perfect which was sullied by blood.

Grabbing Auden by the collar with blood-covered hands, She looked him into eyes and said, “You are the only one who can do it… so don’t act innocent!”

Auden was confused about the situation and the girl blaming him made it even worse. He couldn’t even understand what was happening.

The crowd was already looking at him when she said that. Auden gulped as a bead of sweat dropped off his forehead.

“He is the one who killed the girl?”

“No way, look at his clothes…he’s trash and killing a Perfect is out of the question.”

“So, he’s just being framed? But what would a Perfect be hoping to achieve by framing trash?”

“I don’t know as well…Let’s just stand and watch.” The crowd was talking among themselves in low voice.

I am getting blamed? For killing someone?

Everything was happening so fast that he couldn’t even keep track of what was happening. He slowly moved his eyes and looked at the dead body of the girl lying on the ground and noticed that the girl was actually Perfect.

I might have several demon beasts of lower than lower classes… I might have fought several weak people engaging themselves in crime but…

“I didn’t kill her…And that’s the truth!” I said looking into her eyes.

I haven’t killed anybody in my entire life!

He slowly breathed and calmed his mind slowly taking in all that was happening in the surrounding. He then realized what was happening said without losing nerve said,

“Can’t you see that the girl who is dead is Perfect…and how can a person like me without any magical abilities kill such person? At least think rationally before blaming someone.” Auden said.

As he said that, seven more people squeezed through the crowd and came to the front.

“I have brought the Peace Keepers like you asked the little girl. Did you find out the person who did it?” Principal Mark said.

Est and W stood behind Principal Mark with a lady who seemed to be in her mid-twenties. Beside them were three officers wearing blue uniforms with sword badges on it clearly showing that they were peace keepers.

Peace keepers were like normal police officers but one who could use magic.

“Principal Mark, this bastard is the one who killed her.” The girl said as she grabbed Auden’s collar even tightly.

“This boy…” Principal mark muttered as he stroked his beard. He remembered Auden from the hospital. He was said to have some weird ability but Talent was one thing and Perfect was a totally different matter.

“Are you sure you have the right guy? Do you have any evidence to support your claim, little girl?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. It was when he rushed to the rooftop. He was the only one who went to the rooftop at that time and she had followed after him. I was waiting here for her but after some moment she went to the rooftop, I heard a sharp scream.”

“When I tried to figure out the origin of the scream…her body lifelessly fell to the ground right in front of me. And when I looked at the terrace, I saw a face smiling heinously as if satisfied.” She said.

One of the Peace Officer then walked forward and looked at Auden who was being grabbed the girl.

“She is telling the truth. Is there anything you want to say before we take you…? Do you want to plead for mercy?” The officer asked.

“Do I want to plead for mercy?… Why should I plead for mercy for the crime I haven’t even committed? As a matter of fact, I wasn’t even on the terrace when it happened. I was in the old school building when it happened… if what she is saying is the truth then she must either have mistaken someone for me…or she is just trying to frame me for someone else’s crime.” Auden said.

“And he isn’t lying either…,” The officer sighed.

“What do you mean he’s not lying? I clearly saw him at the rooftop.” She said.

“Yes, I might agree with her in this case,” Est spoke from behind.

“Oh?” The officer turned to Est and asked, “Why do you think so?”

“It’s because that this trashy bastard was able to defeat three Talents one after another…and I clearly think that this bastard is hiding something. If this trash has something up his sleeve then it wouldn’t be difficult for him to kill a perfect and hide the truth from your vision.” Est said.

“I see. You also speak the truth.” The officer said.

“But I clearly disagree with that.” W said, “When I checked his body, I didn’t find anything and Franz, you also know how skilled I’m at searching even than you, don’t you?”

“Besides this bastard always lies. Because of his lies, he’s been given the title of ‘King of Liars’ by the principal. So, don’t trust what he says. He’s just trying to distract you and is using you to ruin the life of an innocent lad.”

“And you’re telling the truth as well W. This surely has become a confusion.” officer said.

“Little girl…do you have any other evidence to support your claim?” He turned to Tresa and asked.

“Other proof?” She glanced at Auden’s body and noticed his hand, “If you didn’t get involved in a fight then how did you get that wound?”

“It’s because I punched the floor of the old building to vent my anger,” Auden replied.

“Sigh~” Franz sighed again, “Let’s first check out the old building.”

…

After checking out the old building they confirmed that Auden was indeed telling the truth and there was Rebecca as well who supported his claim by saying that it was her who teleported him there.

The questions were only rose with next to no sign for an answer. Everyone was telling the truth.

“It’s the same with other cases…Tsk, cunning bastard did it again.” One of the officers sighed.

Listening to the officer, Tresa asked as if confused, “What do you mean officer?”

The officer looked at Franz as Franz sighed, “There is no point in hiding it any longer.”

“The truth is…this little guy isn’t a killer. We had already figured it out but we were still hoping to find the criminal so we tried to find every reason he could be the killer.” Franz said.

“Actually, there’s a serial killer roaming in the city. The killer has killed about six people till now but we still haven’t found a single clue about the killer. The killer leaves no trace behind and what’s worse is that the killer frames some else by making someone witness the scene.”

“Because of that, the killer hasn’t been caught until now. No matter who we interrogate, everyone tells the truth making the case even more puzzling to solve. That bastard even mocks the Peace Officers by leaving the time when that killer would kill next.”

“From what you all said, we had already figured it out that it was the case where the same serial killer was involved. And from what you said little girl…it’s obvious that the killer used you for this act.” Franz said.

“Used me? I was being used to frame someone else? But how is the killer able to copy other’s face…?” Tresa said.

“In this era of magic, copying others face is easy…but that killer not only copies the person’s face but also copies the person’s aura because of which no one can say that the killer is using a fake identity,” Franz said.

“Such useful ability and using it to kill others? This guy must be someone who enjoys killing.” W said.

“We also think that this is the case. And we are searching for the killer with all we have. If we let that bastard make fun of us then how can we keep on protecting the peace? Don’t worry we’ll find the killer very soon.” Franz said.

“Using me as a pawn?” With a fuming face, Tresa clenched her fist, “If that killer ever crosses my path…I’ll slaughter that bastard.”

“No, you shouldn’t do that, little girl. If you ever come across the killer then contact us right away. Not only is the bastard good at deception… that bastard is quite skilled as well.”

“Before this, the bastard has already killed five Royals easily and there were no signs of resisting at all. You should always be on guard if you face that serial killer.” Franz said.

Listening to Franz, Auden was relieved, “So, am I out of the suspicion now?”

“Yes, but we might call you at any time so answer us when we do,” Franz said.

One of the officers then walked to Franz and gave him a piece of paper covered in blood and whispered in his ears,

“Like other cases, her heart is missing and I found the paper in the cavity.”

“Tsk…” Franz with blue veins bulging on his forehead clicked his tongue and unfolded the paper.

Franz squinted his eyes as he tore the paper. Principal Mark seeing Franz do it asked,

“What was written in the paper, officer?”

“It’s…that bastard is mocking us again,” Franz said, “It says…”

“7 Days Till Next!”