Threat

Lara explained to me that the reason I was in her room was because she saw me faint on the road in the midst of heavy rain. During that time, she noticed that I had a high temperature and a severe fever.

Gradually, I began to recall the events. I remembered that Lara was the last person I saw before collapsing in the rain. She mentioned that she had to lift me up because my fever would worsen if I stayed exposed to the rain for too long.

The reason for my change of clothes, she said, was due to my soaked attire. Lara decided to replace my clothes since they were drenched. "Don't worry, I didn't look," she assured with a slightly embarrassed laugh. "Just a little, hehe," she added, teasingly, making my face even redder with embarrassment.

Shortly after, I noticed Lara blushing as well. I made an effort not to look at her and said, "Can you change too? I can't handle seeing you just wrapped in a towel like that."

She hadn't realized she was still in that attire. She explained that she hurriedly came out of her shower room when she heard me scream upon waking up. She excused herself and quickly grabbed some clothes from her cabinet.

I suggested that I should be the one to leave since it was her room and all her belongings were here, but she insisted that I should rest and she'd change downstairs. She jokingly warned me not to peek, teasing that she'd give me a good scolding if I did.

Lara is quite attractive—short-haired, a redhead, wearing glasses, fair-skinned, and just the right height. I only really noticed her overall appearance now because, more often than not, I don't pay much attention to my colleagues. After finishing work, I usually head straight home without engaging much with them.

Thinking about it, I'm not too bad myself. I have a kind face, I'm tall at 5'11", and I maintain a decent physique with some exercises I do in my apartment, plus the regular walks home.

"You can come down now! I'm done changing!" Lara shouted, calling me to come out of the room. I learned that she had prepared some hot soup, and I could smell the delicious aroma, making me quite hungry.

I noticed that with the size of her house, it seemed like there was no one else around. Lara observed my constant glances around and assured me, "Don't worry. I'm the only person here. No one will be mad that you're here," she added, laughing as if teasing.

As I descended the stairs, a bowl was already prepared on the table. I didn't hold back since I was really hungry at that time. While we were eating, I suddenly remembered my tarot card. "Oh no!" was a sudden exclamation that escaped my lips, and I began to pat myself down. I recalled that I was wearing different clothes because Lara had replaced them.

"Lara! Did you see where the card inside my pocket went?" I hurriedly asked her.

She promptly stood up, left briefly, and returned holding my tarot card. "Is this it? This blank card?" she asked.

"Yes, that's it! Thank you," I sighed with relief, thinking I had lost the card.

"What's with that? You seem really worried about it. It's just a blank black card," Lara commented.

And then it hit me. Wait? A blank card? Can't she see the image on this card? Because, from my perspective, the vivid picture of me lying on it, on the brink of death, was crystal clear. However, she said she couldn't see anything.

A new mystery had unlocked for me once again. Perhaps, in the eyes of other people, it's just a blank card. It's probably for the best that way, sparing me the need to explain it if someone accidentally gets hold of the card. Lara didn't pay much attention to it and maybe just considered me a peculiar person.

I asked her about my other clothes, and she mentioned that they were currently inside her washing machine. She had washed them because they seemed a bit dirty when she saw them.

After we ate, I sincerely thanked Lara for her help. I quickly recovered, and my high fever disappeared. It might be due to my ability to heal rapidly.

Lara was surprised when she checked my temperature again, and I instantly returned to normal.

"Wow. Is my soup that effective? Your fever vanished quickly," she remarked, thinking that her cooking had cured me. Since I was grateful for her assistance, I let her believe that, and I agreed with her.

However, I told her that I couldn't go home wearing the clothes she gave me. It was too embarrassing to have a hello kitty logo on my pink shirt and wear women's shorts. She laughed when she saw me in those clothes again. She went up to her room and came back with a thick jacket and jogging pants. It was acceptable, at least to some extent.

The heavy rain had finally stopped, and I bid farewell to Lara. I promised her that I would make it up to her, and she took advantage of the situation. She mentioned that when we return to the office on Monday, I should treat her to lunch, and I couldn't refuse.

Leaving her house, I hurriedly walked back to my apartment. It suddenly dawned on me that, despite working alongside Lara for a long time, I only just realized how close our residences were. Perhaps my introverted nature contributed to my lack of attention to such simple details. Well, maybe I should make an effort to socialize a bit more.

Upon arriving home, I quickly changed my clothes and placed Lara's borrowed clothes in the laundry. In return for her laundering my clothes, I decided to rest for a bit. As I lay on my bed, I suddenly remembered something—where was my cellphone? My attention had been so focused on my tarot card that I hadn't realized I misplaced my phone too. However, I assumed I left it at Lara's house, considering the number of thoughts racing through my mind. I decided to inquire about it on Monday when I see Lara. Besides, there wasn't anything significant on my phone except for some mobile games, and no one was trying to contact me anyway.

Turning my attention to the TV, I expected there might be news circulating about Red over the past few hours.

Just as I anticipated, a flash news report immediately greeted me on the TV. They were reporting that Red had been killed by a police officer guarding his cell. Despite blurring Red's face, the video footage revealed his blood spilled inside the cell. The police promptly arrested the guard who shot him. Little did they know that I had instructed the guard to shoot him using my ability. I found myself smiling maliciously, pleased with what I saw on the news. "Hmp, that serves you right, Red, you ignorant and arrogant person."

Shortly after, the camera refocused and zoomed in on a letter beside Red's body. Despite being splattered with his blood, the contents of the letter were still readable.

"As an additional piece of information in our news coverage, a letter was found alongside Red's body," said the reporter as the camera zoomed in on the letter to make its contents visible. When the text became clear, viewers could read the message: 

"Every person who acts maliciously should not be treated fairly. 

Those who are abusive should not be pitied. 

And those who mercilessly take the lives of others should not be allowed to live. 

Forgive me for what I've done; do not follow my example. I am a worthless person, a scourge on society, and I confess that I am the one who killed the Sanchez family. So, for people like me, try to change now, because there is one person who will eradicate us all." And at the back of the letter It was signed with what appeared to be "The Fool."

A shiver ran down my spine, and I couldn't help but revel in my sinister satisfaction as everything fell into place according to my meticulous plan. Now, everyone could see that the era of impunity for criminals had come to an end, and I would be the harbinger of justice.

After the camera focused on the letter earlier, the broadcast was abruptly cut. Haha, a smirk played on my face as it unfolded exactly as I anticipated. They would avoid airing content like this on TV at all costs. They despise anything that challenges their corrupt system.

But it's too late now. I'm certain that many people have already read my threat using the letter I had Red write before he met his demise.

I also considered checking my tarot card to see if it acquired any new effects, but there was nothing new written on its back. The crow in the image on the front of the tarot card remained at five. Hmm, perhaps it only increases if I personally execute the person I intend to eliminate. I recall that this time, I didn't use my blood; I simply ordered a police officer to kill the arrogant Red.