The Deceitful One

Sunday, 13th June 1580.

Bryan woke up at 6 am and went to take a bath. He was thinking about Leah while he was in the wooden bathtub.

She had already left last night before dinner. Her brother who was studying in law college in Nadir was coming back home for vacation. So Leah had to go to the Damascus train station to pick him up in the morning.

Speaking of Leah, her family could be considered relatively rich. Although not nobility, she came from a family of wealthy merchants. Her family owned the real estate agency that Bryan had gone to when looking for his new apartment.

She had invited Bryan over for a banquet dinner at her house tonight. He initially wanted to decline but was eventually convinced by Leah.

She promised to bring one of her friends over to his house the next time she came over so that they could have a threesome. Naturally, Bryan agreed in a heartbeat.

Thinking about this, his lips couldn't help but curl up into a smirk. 'Two's better than one hehehe' Bryan thought in his heart.

After taking his bath, he dried himself with a towel and exited the bathroom. He walked to his wardrobe and took out his white shirt, black trousers, and brown jacket.

Looking at his almost empty wardrobe, Bryan thought, 'Hmm I'm about to go to a banquet at Leah's house tonight, I should buy a proper suit. I don't have one anyway. Plus I've almost saved up close to 40 pounds. That should be enough.'

After having two meals a day at Detective Watson's house every day, Bryan barely spent money anywhere else, except for his rent, of course. Plus, he had also looted his old landlord's apartment the last time he was there stuffing horse shit under his bed.

'Theft really is the most efficient.' Bryan sighed. He had barely saved 20 pounds from working every day for almost two months. Whereas, he made 20 pounds in a single day after looting that pig's apartment.

He got dressed up unhurriedly and decided to visit the clothing store after he was done with shooting practice today. He exited his apartment and called for a public carriage.

On his way to Detective Watson's house, Bryan was in deep thought, 'Perhaps when I become a Transcendent I can use those strange skills that teacher talked about to steal from bigger targets. Hmm..yes but I can't just steal from anyone. Earlier it was okay to steal from anyone I could find because I was just trying to survive. But now that I'm leading a decent life, I should have a bottom line.'

Bryan had never once thought to quit stealing. He had tried on many occasions but he just couldn't quit. Sometimes he would just subconsciously do it while passing through a crowded street. It was as if theft was ingrained in his blood.

Looking at the bright sunny day outside through the carriage window, Bryan thought in a self-deprecating manner, 'On my 18th birthday I had set up a goal of finding myself a stable job and stop stealing. I've found a stable job but stealing… Heh if I can't quit stealing, I might as well steal to my heart's content from the scums of society. Although it's important to have principles to abide by.'

The carriage finally stopped outside 22 Augustus Street. Bryan got off the carriage and paid the driver the money. He then entered through the main gate, walked through the garden, and knocked on the door of the villa.

Butler John opened the door and welcomed him in, "Master is in his study, Mr. Bryan."

"All right, thank you." Bryan nodded.

He climbed the stairs to the second floor and knocked on the door to the study. Detective Watson's voice was heard from the inside, "Come in."

Bryan entered the study and smiled, "Good morning, teacher."

Detective Watson looked at Bryan and then looked at his watch. "You're quite early today, Bryan. Did you miss the beating from yesterday so much that you couldn't wait?" He asked with a teasing smile.

Bryan's smile froze. He panicked and replied, "Teacher, didn't you say that you would take me to the shooting range today?"

Detective Watson chuckled, "Hehe don't worry. I was just kidding. We'll head to the shooting range at the police station after we have some breakfast."

Bryan breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes, all right."

Afterward, both the teacher-student duo had breakfast and left for the police station. Damascus City was a very small city, just big enough to not be called a town, hence it only had one police station.

Bishop Walls had already spoken to the Head Constable of the police station about the matter regarding Bryan using the shooting range. So when Detective Watson and Bryan arrived at the police station, they were personally welcomed by the Head-Constable, Thomas Smith.

"Thank you for letting us borrow the shooting range, Officer Smith." Detective Watson smiled and stretched his right hand out for a handshake.

Officer Smith shook his hand humbly and replied, "It's my pleasure, Detective Watson. Please follow me in."

Detective Watson was a famous detective from Nadir, so it was only natural for Officer Smith to build a good relationship with him, and allowing his student to use the shooting range a couple of times a week was no problem at all.

Bryan also greeted Officer Smith and followed him inside the police station. The shooting range was located in the basement of the police station.

While they were going to the basement Detective Watson exchanged pleasantries with Officer Smith and then seemingly casually asked about the murder cases in the slums.

"The situation is terrible. Although there haven't been any recent murders, there are still people going missing." Officer Smith said worriedly. Then he thought of something and asked expectantly, "Detective Watson, could it be that you've come to Damascus to investigate this case?"

Detective Watson nodded, "That's right. These murders might very well be related to a dangerous criminal organization that I've been investigating."

"That's good. With your help, we can rest assured." Officer Smith looked relieved.

"I will try my best." Detective Watson smiled.

'Criminal Organization? Could teacher be talking about the Holy Blood Sect?' Bryan thought as the group arrived at the shooting range.

Officer Smith introduced, "This is our gun shooting range. You can come here anytime. I've already informed Mindy about you. So whenever you come here, find her and borrow the gun and practice bullets from her."

He pointed at a blonde middle-aged woman sitting behind the counter near the entrance of the shooting range and explained to Bryan with a smile.

"Thank you very much, Officer Smith." Bryan replied gratefully.

"Also, after you have practiced for a while and are able to wield a gun properly, we'll help you apply for a gun permit." Officer Smith added.

"Great!" Bryan smiled.

Officer Smith got the pistol and practice bullets and handed them to Bryan, then he bade them farewell.

Detective Watson brought Bryan to a practice booth and asked with a smile, "Are you excited?"

Bryan grinned, "Of course I am!"

Detective Watson chuckled and took out his own pistol from his holster. Then he instructed, "Watch carefully. Hold the pistol in your dominant hand. Spread your thumb and index finger and place the gun in between. Then wrap your middle, ring, and pinky fingers around the grip below the trigger."

Bryan mimicked him and followed his instructions thoroughly.

Detective Watson nodded, "Good. Now take your left hand and wrap it around your right hand. Position the thumb on your left hand and overlap it with the thumb on your right hand. Now all you have to do is aim and pull the trigger with your right index finger."

Bang Bang Bang!

Detective Watson fired three bullets and all three hit the paper torso target on the head.

Bryan's eyes lit up, "Wow! Amazing!"

"Now, your turn. Aim and shoot." Detective Watson smiled.

"Okay!" Bryan took a deep breath and aimed the pistol at the paper target. Then he pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet went straight through the head. Detective Watson was shocked. Bryan was just as shocked.

"Was that a fluke?" Detective Watson asked dubiously.

"How can that be? Clearly, I'm a genius." Bryan smirked and raised his chin slightly.

"Okay, we'll see about that. Clear the chamber." Detective Watson rolled his eyes.

"Hehe, all right." Bryan replied confidently. He aimed the pistol again and shot five more times, emptying the pistol chamber.

Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang!

Without a doubt, all five bullets missed the target. Bryan stood there awkwardly, averting Detective Watson's gaze.

"Hahaha looks like you have a lot of work to do, Mr. Genius." Detective Watson burst into laughter.

Bryan was unable to refute. He just looked at the ground in embarrassment. Over the next hour, Detective Watson gave him instructions on how to properly aim and shared his own experience. He left early and told Bryan to practice for an hour more.

After finishing up with practice, Bryan returned the gun to Officer Mindy. Then he left the police station and went to Taylor's Clothing Store which was a 5-minute walk away. He had to buy a tailor-made suit to wear for tonight's banquet at Leah's.

He didn't own a proper suit plus he wouldn't want to attend the dinner wearing his usual clothes. Leah had mentioned that her other friends would be there as well so he didn't want to embarrass her and himself.