Chapter 304: Bloody Christmas
A Monster's Birth
The birth of a monster often means the death of mavny innocent people.
Kyle Dren was a Metropolis local who, like most of the American middle class, lived a respectable life without savings. Fortunately, he was a contented man and didn't worry about it.
On Christmas Day, he spent half a month's salary on wonderful gifts for his wife and child, and the family enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Eve. However, all that happiness came to an abrupt end the moment the clock struck midnight.
In the chaotic room, his elegantly dressed wife lay on the floor, her fair skin withering at a visible rate, like a mummy dried for hundreds of years.
Kyle Dren watched this scene in despair. He wanted to stop it, but his body was paralyzed, forcing him to howl in pain over and over again.
Perhaps God took pity on him; the couple living next door heard his screams for help and rushed in with a shotgun.
Bang! Bang!
Following the two gunshots, the monster hiding in the shadows slowly lifted its head. It was a terrifying creature covered in nodules, with skin of a strange purplish-brown color. Its eyes were red and pupil-less, and it radiated an extremely savage aura.
The neighbor was startled and, in his terror, fired a few more shots.
The bullets struck the monster, but sounded like they were hitting high-strength rubber.
The creature opened its sharp mouth and let out a roar.
A wave of murderous intent washed over them. The neighbor's face instantly went white. He grabbed his wife and bolted, but in the next second... a figure flashed past, and blood sprayed out like a fountain.
The horrific incident had begun. In just half an hour, the nearby residents were slaughtered. By the time the on-duty police arrived, the entire building had become a living hell.
Staring at the scattered limbs and shredded flesh on the floor, the two police officers exchanged glances and immediately called their precinct chief.
Something huge had happened in Metropolis.
The A.R.G.U.S. Investigation
The next morning, while those celebrating Christmas were still sleeping in their beds, reporters, catching wind of the tragedy, had already rushed to the scene, snapping blood-soaked pictures.
Police Chief Clement Webb personally directed the on-site investigation. Upon learning that the perpetrator was likely a metahuman monster, he didn't hesitate to call A.R.G.U.S.
Metahumans were not something the police could handle; they had to be handed over to the professionals.
Soon, Sam Lane arrived with his subordinates. His two daughters, Lois Lane and Lucy Lane, unable to contain their curiosity, also followed along.
The state of the building was horrific. Blood seeped down the stairwells, and every few steps revealed fragmented pieces of corpses—men, women, elderly, and children, none were spared.
Sam Lane's face was extremely grim. Suppressing his anger, he spoke quietly,
"What is the casualty count?"
Sergeant Green, temporarily in charge of the case, responded somberly, "All 113 residents in the building are dead. None survived."
"Are you certain this was a metahuman?"
Green nodded seriously. "We've surveyed the scene. There are no signs of a struggle; this was a one-sided slaughter. The perpetrator's time on the scene was very short, less than half an hour for the whole thing."
"We also have surveillance footage..."
Sergeant Green plugged the hallway security footage into a computer for everyone to view. "The blurry video shows a humanoid monster with purplish-brown skin and nodules all over its body rushing forward. It kicked open the steel alloy door with a single blow. Then came terrifying screams. Blood flowed out from under the door, like a writhing red snake."
Sam Lane's mouth twitched uncontrollably. The monster's speed and strength were unimaginable, far beyond anything a normal human could possess.
Sergeant Green continued, "Aside from the normal bodies, we found two unusual features."
The group moved to the third floor. Green pulled back a white sheet, revealing a nearly desiccated corpse. Seeing this, the expressions of the observers instantly changed.
The Coast City Desiccated Corpses case!
Hector Hammond!
The perpetrator who destroyed the Fourth Motorized Infantry Division.
"This... this... it can't be. Hector is already dead."
Someone buried their head in their hands, unable to believe it. The characteristics of the body were identical to the victims of the previous case: all internal fluids had been sucked dry, leaving behind a mummified husk.
Sam Lane tightened his fists and said gravely, "What other evidence is there?"
Green pointed to a purple bloodstain on the floor. "We speculate these two stains were left when the homeowner wounded the monster with a shotgun. I believe they might provide a clue."
"General, that monster is extremely dangerous. You must catch it. The precinct chief instructed us to cooperate with your work fully."
Sam Lane let out a slow breath and replied calmly, "Thank you for your assistance, Sergeant. We'll take it from here. Please have your people secure the perimeter and keep those reporters out."
Green gave a serious nod.
"I will handle it."
He then turned and left.
After the police evacuated the building, A.R.G.U.S. personnel began their reconnaissance. The research team extracted the purple bloodstain from the floor for analysis. Soon, a shocking result emerged: the cell samples contained in the blood almost perfectly matched the alien organism in the meteorite fragments.
Upon hearing this news, Sam Lane could no longer remain calm. He shot up from his chair.
"Are you certain?"
The research team member shook their head slightly. "It's a preliminary speculation; we cannot be absolutely certain."
Sam Lane ground his teeth. "Take the sample and return to the base immediately. Have Carmone perform the comparison. You are to notify me the moment you get the result. And..." He paused, then said sternly,
"Do not touch the sample!"
"Understood, General."
The research team member took a deep breath. After securing strict protective measures, they left the building with the sample.
The Press and the Daughters
The case was too horrific to hide. Soon, "Bloody Christmas" became the top headline across all news platforms. More and more media personnel appeared outside the building, demanding an explanation from the person in charge.
The Lane sisters and Clark Kent were among them.
Sam Lane had issued an extremely strict secrecy order, forbidding any unauthorized personnel from entering the building, including his own daughters. This greatly displeased Lois, who loudly scolded the agents blocking the entrance.
The A.R.G.U.S. agents were clearly aware of Lois's identity, but they refused to engage, simply standing there to block the way.
After the fruitless exchange, Lois angrily returned to the news van.
Her sister Lucy grumbled, "Dad is so unreasonable. And we even got him such a nice Christmas gift last night."
Lois took a sip of hot coffee and said quietly,
"The perpetrator in this case is not an ordinary person."
Lucy was surprised. "How do you know?"
Lois gave her a look.
"I'm the best reporter in Metropolis. Of course, I have my own sources of information."
She then turned her attention to her boyfriend. "What do you think?"
Clark, who had been quietly observing the surroundings, gently shook his head.
"I need to leave for a moment."
With that cryptic statement, Clark walked out of the crowd and vanished around the street corner.
Lucy looked confused. "Sister, what's with your boyfriend? He's so mysterious; he doesn't say a word."
Lois didn't respond. She looked up at the sky, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
🗒️NOTE:
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
Explore up to 20 chapters in advance!