Chapter 3: Death Knell

This meal was extremely satisfying for Bi Xiao, featuring ample portions and flavors that suited his taste.

The spread included a large pot of rice, beef stewed with potatoes, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, vegetable salad, steak, lamb chops, and more. The style leaned towards Chinese cuisine, which made sense given that, although his parents were Immigrants, they were also Chinese. Moreover, the Queens area also had one of the earliest Chinatowns, so naturally, the flavor preferences leaned towards Asian foods. As a result of geographical and environmental influences, some Western-style dishes were added.

Under these influences, Bi Xiao found both Eastern and Western foods somewhat familiar to prepare.

Western food was relatively simpler and more straightforward to make, focusing on high-fat content, which suited him well at the moment.

While eating, he was also planning his future steps. The year 2000 was relatively quiet compared to the upcoming years, with no major world-threatening events on the horizon. Even if there were, the Sorcerer Supreme stationed in Kamar-Taj wasn't just sitting idle.

In short, he had nearly a decade and a half of a golden period for development ahead.

He needed to develop on Earth for some time until he grew enough to set his sights on higher realms.

Present-day Earth was like a growing novice village that, after a decade or so of settling, would turn into a battlefield frequented by various bosses and major incidents.

Of course, he didn't need to worry about what would happen after those years.

His current position was simple: he needed to enhance himself by hunting people or monsters, though he was now more inclined towards ordinary people, or more specifically, drug dealers and gang members.

Creatures like vampires and werewolves were still beyond his current capability to handle.

Moreover, he needed to be able to locate them first.

Laying low and developing was his top priority, which is why he wore a baseball cap, hood, gloves, and plastic shoe covers when killing, opting for the simplest and most brutal methods that didn't involve blood.

This was to ensure that he left no trace at the crime scene.

His targets were all criminals who chose hiding spots without surveillance cameras, which was convenient given the less pervasive use of cameras at the time.

This provided him with the perfect environment for murder.

"I need a set of equipment specifically for killing, and I must learn hacking techniques to find information online or erase some of my own to avoid being tracked. Alternatively, I might recruit a top-level hacker, but that's to be decided."

"Also, I need to learn combat and murder techniques, which means becoming highly knowledgeable about human anatomy. It seems I also need to study medicine, and it would be best to learn about firearms."

"I also need to become familiar with the entire Queens area and even other parts of New York to facilitate striking and evacuating from a scene, preparing one or even multiple escape routes."

Having been enhanced twice, Bi Xiao had a clear understanding of his plans moving forward.

After his physical condition had reached the limits of human capabilities, roughly equivalent to that of Steve Rogers, the Captain America who had received the super-soldier serum, but essentially, he was still a human experienced in various firearms and multiple combat techniques, he knew he was far from his potential.

He didn't think having a golden finger meant he could act recklessly. Having a planned, rational path to growth was the correct choice.

Killing, obtaining life essences to strengthen himself, and collecting cash while also engaging in deep learning—everything that could benefit his growth was necessary. After all, the saying "knowledge is power" isn't just empty talk, especially in this universe, where it's literally true.

After planning his next steps and finishing the remaining food, Bi Xiao picked up a large cup beside him and downed the milk in one gulp.

Thud~~

The cup lightly tapped the table, producing a dull sound in the old house's living room, like a death knell for the whole of New York and even the world. A reaper was quietly awakening.

...

At the Queens Police Department in New York, Simon was in his office, furiously ranting.

Dressed in his police uniform, he slammed a file on the desk and roared, "Damn it, in just four months, the number of mysterious murders has surpassed two hundred. Last year, the entire city of New York had only just over three hundred murders."

"Our precinct has nearly reached this number in just four months. What is happening? What are our officers doing? This is a waste of taxpayer money."

Simon was nearing his breaking point, furiously lashing out at the various police chiefs present.

Murder and shootings have never really been unusual in New York or the U.S., and many murder cases remain unsolved, becoming cold cases. That's normal, but the unusual surge in deaths in his district over four months had already nearly surpassed New York's yearly total.

Moreover, not a single one of these murder cases had been solved.

Simon was quickly becoming the laughingstock of the NYPD, and his subordinates seemed useless.

For Simon, who had taken office less than two years ago, this situation could potentially tarnish his career as a chief. The investigation committee might question his capabilities and even lead to his dismissal.

So, how could Simon not be furious?

As Simon vented his anger, the police chiefs present remained silent, enduring his tirade since they had indeed achieved nothing over the past four months.

"Sorry, sir, we've set up a special investigation team, but the perpetrator is very cunning and has left no clues."

After Simon's rant, he sat down exhaustedly, covering his forehead with a headache. Finally, a middle-aged white police chief took the initiative to speak.

He did not shirk responsibility but reported the situation straightforwardly.

Since the number of murder cases had neared a hundred in the second month, the police department had realized something was amiss. After investigating and identifying some commonalities, they decisively formed a serial murder investigation team. However, two months later, the murders continued unabated.

They still had not uncovered any useful information.

This had caused him and other chiefs immense headaches.

They could only admit that the murderer was extremely cunning.

Simon waved his hand weakly, "Tell me something useful."

The middle-aged white police chief placed the file he had been holding in front of Chief Simon, opened it, and said, "The only clue we have so far is that this person kills only villains."

"Villains?"