Prologue
The rain poured down, blanketing the night in darkness. A shadowy figure moved through the narrow alley, almost invisible in a dark coat that blended seamlessly with the gloom. He approached a man struggling with his umbrella under a flickering streetlamp, who was unaware of the danger lurking nearby.
In one swift, precise motion, the figure struck. The man gasped, falling silent as life left his eyes. The killer watched for a moment, emotionless, before disappearing into the night. The rain washed away any evidence of the crime, but the figure left a small piece of paper in the man’s back pocket. It was a calling card, marked with a cryptic symbol that only a few would recognize. And then, he was gone.
The only sound remaining was the constant patter of the rain, echoing through the deserted alley. The city was oblivious to the crime that had just occurred. The streetlamp flickered once more before going dark, sealing the man’s fate. The alley was now empty, except for the distant rumble of thunder and the lingering smell of wet earth.
As the hours passed, the scene remained undisturbed. The rain eventually ceased, and the first light of dawn began to break through the clouds. The city slowly awoke, unaware of the mystery that lay hidden in its midst. The only witness to the crime was the rain-soaked pavement and the faint scent of decay.
