Last Updated:
2024-11-28 16:26:32Ethan stepped into the Hightower Corporation’s grand lobby with Mike, his nerves steady but his mind racing. Polished marble floors stretched endlessly, and employees in tailored suits moved like clockwork.
“Fancy place,” Mike muttered, adjusting his jacket.
Ethan smirked. “Yeah, they like to show off.”
The receptionist at the desk barely glanced up. “Can I help you?” she asked, her tone flat.
“We’re here about the bounty on Jimmy Carter,” Mike said, his voice firm but polite.
Her eyes flicked to the detective. “That’s handled through our legal department. You can leave your information, and someone will get back to you.”
Ethan leaned forward. “We’d prefer to speak directly with Madison Clark.”
The receptionist frowned. “Ms. Clark doesn’t take walk-ins.”
Ethan grinned confidently. “Tell her Ethan Walker is here. Mention the two-story warehouse near Harbor Lane. That should get her attention.”
The receptionist hesitated, narrowing her eyes. “Wait here.” She picked up the phone, whispering into it while eyeing them. After a moment, she hung up.
“Ms. Clark will see you. Sixth floor, conference room three,” she said, clearly annoyed.
Ethan winked at Mike as they stepped into the elevator.
“How’d you know that’d work?” Mike asked, impressed.
“Let’s just say I’ve done my homework,” Ethan replied cryptically.
Madison Clark greeted them in the conference room, her demeanor brisk but professional. She was in her late twenties, with sharp features softened by warm brown eyes.
“Detective Hayes, Mr. Walker,” she began, gesturing to the chairs. “I understand you were instrumental in apprehending Jimmy Carter.”
Mike nodded. “That’s right. Ethan here tipped us off about his location.”
Madison turned to Ethan, her gaze appraising. “Harbor Lane. How did you know he’d be there?”
Ethan held her gaze. “Let’s just say I had a gut feeling—and I trusted it.”
She leaned back in her chair. “Carter caused irreparable damage to my family. His actions nearly bankrupted us.” Her voice softened, betraying a flicker of emotion. “So, let me thank you personally for helping bring him to justice.”
Ethan nodded. “We’re glad we could help. About the reward…”
“Of course,” Madison said. “The bounty was $200,000, as advertised.”
“Split between the two of us,” Ethan interjected smoothly, cutting off Mike, who had opened his mouth. “That’s fair, don’t you think?”
Mike shot him a surprised look but quickly nodded.
Madison tilted her head. “Typically, we’d issue a single payment to the lead claimant.”
“I’m sure your father wouldn’t mind bending protocol this once,” Ethan countered, his smile disarming. “After all, it’s not every day someone turns in a fugitive of Carter’s caliber.”
Her eyes narrowed, though her lips quirked in amusement. “You seem to know a lot about how we operate.”
“I like to be thorough,” Ethan replied.
Madison tapped her fingers on the table, then stood. “Wait here. I’ll run this by my father.”
As the door closed, Mike turned to Ethan, his voice a whisper. “You’re bold, kid. She could’ve thrown us out.”
Ethan grinned. “She won’t. People like her appreciate confidence.”
Mike chuckled. “Well, if this works, dinner’s on me.”
Ethan leaned back. This money will change everything. A better place for Emily and Adam. No more scraping by.
Madison returned a few minutes later, a small smile on her face.
“My father has agreed,” she announced. “You’ll each receive $100,000. Our legal team will prepare the contracts.”
Ethan extended his hand. “Thank you, Ms. Clark. It’s been a pleasure working with you.”
Madison shook his hand, her grip firm. “Likewise. And good luck to you both.”
As they left the room, Mike let out a low whistle. “I don’t know how you pulled that off, but I’m not complaining.”
Back on the street, Mike’s mood was jubilant.
“$100,000!” he exclaimed, clapping Ethan on the back. “This is life-changing, man.”
Ethan smiled. “What are you going to do with your share?”
“First thing? I’m proposing to my girlfriend,” Mike said, grinning. “Been saving for a ring, but this just sped things up.”
“Congrats,” Ethan said sincerely.
“What about you?” Mike asked.
Ethan’s smile faltered slightly. “Find a better place for my family. Maybe even start a college fund for my little brother.”
Mike nodded approvingly. “Good priorities, kid.”
They stopped at a diner to celebrate, ordering burgers and milkshakes.
“To unexpected windfalls,” Mike toasted, raising his glass.
“And to a better future,” Ethan added, clinking his glass against Mike’s.
As they laughed and ate, Ethan felt a familiar shimmer in his pocket.
Oh no.
He glanced down to find Mike’s tie coiled in his lap.
“You okay?” Mike asked, noticing Ethan’s expression.
“Uh, yeah,” Ethan stammered. Thinking fast, he slipped the tie onto the seat. “Hey, you dropped this.”
Mike frowned, picking it up. “Weird. Must’ve loosened when I sat down.”
Ethan forced a laugh. “Happens to the best of us.”
Back home, Ethan pulled out the mirror, holding it up accusingly.
“You’ve got to stop doing that,” he hissed. The mirror shimmered, displaying a single word: “Affinity.”
Ethan frowned. “Wait… did that just earn me points?”
The screen shifted, showing his balance: “Affinity Points: 5.”
A smile spread across his face. “So that’s how it works. The more I use the skills, the more points I earn.”
He tapped the Upgrade button under Robbery. A confirmation screen appeared, asking for 10 points.
“Five more to go,” Ethan muttered, determination flaring in his chest.
If this mirror wants me to use it, I’ll figure out how to control it. And maybe, just maybe, I can use it to fix everything.
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL 8
8Emily Walker trudged up the apartment stairs, her body weighed down by exhaustion. She fumbled with the keys, her mind drifting to Ethan and Adam.I hope they ate dinner. Maybe I can pick up something nice for them on payday.Before she could unlock the door, Ethan appeared behind her, grinning.“Hey, Em. Don’t go in just yet.”She turned, startled. “Ethan? What’s going on?”“Trust me,” he said, holding up a blindfold.“Seriously? I just got home!”“Come on,” he coaxed. “It’s a surprise. You’ll like it.”Emily sighed, too tired to argue. “Fine, but this better be good.”Ethan carefully tied the blindfold over her eyes and guided her down the stairs.“Where are we going?” she asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice.“Patience,” Ethan replied, his tone light.The blindfold came off to reveal a small but cozy house, its windows glowing warmly in the night.Emily froze, her mouth slightly open. “Ethan… what is this?”“Our new home,” Ethan said, his smile wide.Her eyes darted between hi
I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL 9
Ethan sat at the kitchen table, the mirror glowing in front of him. His eyes focused on the screen, his fingers swiping across the glass as he activated the Voice Modulation skill once again.“This is ridiculous,” he muttered, glancing at the clock. “It should be easier by now.”He took a deep breath and pressed the button. “Okay, let’s try this again.”“Hello, this is Emily Walker,” he said in a near-perfect imitation of his sister’s voice. He had practiced her tone, her pauses, and her mannerisms until it felt almost natural.After a few seconds of listening to his own voice echo back, he frowned. “It’s still not right.”It’ll have to do. I don’t have time to perfect it today.Just then, the phone rang. Ethan’s heart skipped. It’s them.With a swift motion, he grabbed the phone and, without missing a beat, activated the skill. He cleared his throat and put on a faltering but determined voice.“Hello?”“It’s your brother. Where’s the money?!” The voice on the other end was gruff, imp
I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL 10
10Ethan hurried down the hallway, already cursing his luck. The morning had been nothing but a disaster. His alarm hadn’t gone off, he’d missed the bus, and now he was sprinting to class, barely managing to squeeze through the door as the final bell rang.“Mr. Walker,” Mr. Hendricks, his math teacher, said without even looking up. “How kind of you to grace us with your presence.”Ethan forced a smile. “Sorry, sir. Won’t happen again.”“Sit down before I change my mind about marking you present.”Sliding into a desk at the back of the room, Ethan let out a quiet sigh. Great start to the day.By the time second period rolled around, Ethan found himself struggling to stay awake. Between practicing his Voice Modulation skill and worrying about the mirror, he’d barely slept. His head drooped, and his eyes fluttered shut.“Mr. Walker!”Ethan jolted awake. Mr. Hendricks stood over him, arms crossed and a scowl plastered on his face. “Would you care to explain why my riveting lecture on quad
I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL 11
Ethan pushed open the classroom door cautiously, his tardiness drawing the immediate glare of his teacher, Mrs. Larkins.“Walker,” she said sharply, slamming the attendance book on her desk. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”“Uh, good morning, Mrs. Larkins,” Ethan said with a sheepish grin.“It’s almost afternoon. Sit down.”Ethan shuffled to his seat, the weight of the classroom's collective stares following him. He dropped into his chair, resolving to turn over a new leaf. Focus. Get through this. Prove you’re serious about changing.By the time the lecture on advanced calculus began, Ethan’s determination started to waver. The numbers on the board seemed to blur, his eyelids growing heavier with each passing second.“Walker!”Ethan jerked awake, nearly toppling his desk. Mrs. Larkins was standing over him, her arms crossed. “Sleeping already? Care to explain?”Thinking quickly, Ethan activated the Demon Revealing Mirror in his pocket. Its screen glowed faintly as he summoned
I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL 12
Ethan sat at his desk, examining the Demon Revealing Mirror's glowing screen."Suspicion level: Teacher J. Investigate carefully."He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Guess it’s you first, Teach.”The next day, Ethan walked into a small electronics shop. The shopkeeper glanced up from a magazine. “What’ll it be, kid?”“I need something discreet,” Ethan said, sliding a few bills onto the counter. “A tape recorder or anything small enough to hide.”The man raised an eyebrow but handed over a compact recorder and a few spare batteries. “Keep outta trouble.Later that evening, Ethan waited until the school was empty. His heart pounded as he crept toward Teacher J’s office.This is reckless, he thought, gripping the recorder tightly. But if he’s involved in something shady, I need proof.Quietly, Ethan slipped inside. The faint smell of coffee lingered as he scanned the cluttered desk. Carefully, he tucked the recorder beneath a stack of papers and slipped out unnoticed.The next
I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL 13
Mark Young, the class president, sat diligently at her desk, immersed in her studies. Ethan glanced at her, pretending to do his own homework. He could tell that she was under pressure, but her dedication to her work was impressive.At the back of the classroom, Patriack Montgomery, slumped over his desk, still recovering from a hangover. The smell of alcohol lingered around him, and his disheveled appearance made it clear he had been partying hard the night before.The door creaked open, and Kim Jin-soo, Patriack’s closest friend, walked in with his usual smirk. He looked directly at Mark, his eyes gleaming with mischief.“Hey, Mark,” Jin-soo greeted her casually. “Mr. Johnson wants to see you. He said something about needing help with organizing materials for the upcoming test.”Mark raised an eyebrow, looking up from her notes. “Mr. Johnson? I didn’t hear anything about that.”“Oh, yeah, it’s really urgent,” Jin-soo insisted, his smile widening. “He’s waiting for you in the old tea
I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL CHAPTER 1
The cold, gray walls of the prison echoed with every step of the guard’s boots. Ethan Walker sat on the edge of his bunk, his gaze locked on the single crack that ran through the ceiling above him. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he thought of beef stew, the scent of rosemary and thyme wafting through his memories.The sound of the cell bars rattling brought him back."Well, if it isn’t Your Majesty," the guard sneered, leaning lazily against the doorframe.Ethan didn’t flinch. "What’s the occasion? You here to rehearse my farewell speech?"The guard laughed, a deep, grating sound. "Got something better. Papers for your last meal and final visit." He shoved a clipboard through the bars.Ethan took it calmly, scanning the form. "Beef stew," he murmured, pen scratching against the paper."Beef stew? Fancy yourself a chef now?""Not for me. It was Adam’s favorite."The guard tilted his head. "Touching. And who gets the honor of visiting His Majesty before the big day?""My siblings,"
I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL CHAPTER 2
Ethan woke up gasping, his chest heaving as sunlight poured through the thin curtains of his small bedroom. He sat up, the familiar scent of old wood and laundry detergent filling his nose. His eyes darted around, confusion gripping him.“This… can’t be,” he muttered, his voice trembling.“Ethan! Breakfast is getting cold!” Emily’s voice called from downstairs.He froze, the sound pulling him back years in an instant. Emily? Panic swelled in his chest as he stumbled out of bed, yanking open the door.The hallway was just as he remembered it—scuffed wallpaper, creaky floorboards. His feet moved instinctively, carrying him to the kitchen.There she was. Emily stood by the stove, her hair tied in a messy bun, flipping pancakes. Adam sat at the table, pouring syrup onto his plate, grinning ear to ear.“You’re finally up, lazybones,” Adam teased.Ethan stared at them, his heart pounding. “Emily? Adam?”Emily turned, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah? Who else would we be?”“You’re—” He stopped, hi
Latest Chapter
- I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL
13
Mark Young, the class president, sat diligently at her desk, immersed in her studies. Ethan glanced at her, pretending to do his own homework. He could tell that she was under pressure, but her dedication to her work was impressive.At the back of the classroom, Patriack Montgomery, slumped over his desk, still recovering from a hangover. The smell of alcohol lingered around him, and his disheveled appearance made it clear he had been partying hard the night before.The door creaked open, and Kim Jin-soo, Patriack’s closest friend, walked in with his usual smirk. He looked directly at Mark, his eyes gleaming with mischief.“Hey, Mark,” Jin-soo greeted her casually. “Mr. Johnson wants to see you. He said something about needing help with organizing materials for the upcoming test.”Mark raised an eyebrow, looking up from her notes. “Mr. Johnson? I didn’t hear anything about that.”“Oh, yeah, it’s really urgent,” Jin-soo insisted, his smile widening. “He’s waiting for you in the old tea
- I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL
12
Ethan sat at his desk, examining the Demon Revealing Mirror's glowing screen."Suspicion level: Teacher J. Investigate carefully."He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Guess it’s you first, Teach.”The next day, Ethan walked into a small electronics shop. The shopkeeper glanced up from a magazine. “What’ll it be, kid?”“I need something discreet,” Ethan said, sliding a few bills onto the counter. “A tape recorder or anything small enough to hide.”The man raised an eyebrow but handed over a compact recorder and a few spare batteries. “Keep outta trouble.Later that evening, Ethan waited until the school was empty. His heart pounded as he crept toward Teacher J’s office.This is reckless, he thought, gripping the recorder tightly. But if he’s involved in something shady, I need proof.Quietly, Ethan slipped inside. The faint smell of coffee lingered as he scanned the cluttered desk. Carefully, he tucked the recorder beneath a stack of papers and slipped out unnoticed.The next
- I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL
11
Ethan pushed open the classroom door cautiously, his tardiness drawing the immediate glare of his teacher, Mrs. Larkins.“Walker,” she said sharply, slamming the attendance book on her desk. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”“Uh, good morning, Mrs. Larkins,” Ethan said with a sheepish grin.“It’s almost afternoon. Sit down.”Ethan shuffled to his seat, the weight of the classroom's collective stares following him. He dropped into his chair, resolving to turn over a new leaf. Focus. Get through this. Prove you’re serious about changing.By the time the lecture on advanced calculus began, Ethan’s determination started to waver. The numbers on the board seemed to blur, his eyelids growing heavier with each passing second.“Walker!”Ethan jerked awake, nearly toppling his desk. Mrs. Larkins was standing over him, her arms crossed. “Sleeping already? Care to explain?”Thinking quickly, Ethan activated the Demon Revealing Mirror in his pocket. Its screen glowed faintly as he summoned
- I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL
10
10Ethan hurried down the hallway, already cursing his luck. The morning had been nothing but a disaster. His alarm hadn’t gone off, he’d missed the bus, and now he was sprinting to class, barely managing to squeeze through the door as the final bell rang.“Mr. Walker,” Mr. Hendricks, his math teacher, said without even looking up. “How kind of you to grace us with your presence.”Ethan forced a smile. “Sorry, sir. Won’t happen again.”“Sit down before I change my mind about marking you present.”Sliding into a desk at the back of the room, Ethan let out a quiet sigh. Great start to the day.By the time second period rolled around, Ethan found himself struggling to stay awake. Between practicing his Voice Modulation skill and worrying about the mirror, he’d barely slept. His head drooped, and his eyes fluttered shut.“Mr. Walker!”Ethan jolted awake. Mr. Hendricks stood over him, arms crossed and a scowl plastered on his face. “Would you care to explain why my riveting lecture on quad
- I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL
9
Ethan sat at the kitchen table, the mirror glowing in front of him. His eyes focused on the screen, his fingers swiping across the glass as he activated the Voice Modulation skill once again.“This is ridiculous,” he muttered, glancing at the clock. “It should be easier by now.”He took a deep breath and pressed the button. “Okay, let’s try this again.”“Hello, this is Emily Walker,” he said in a near-perfect imitation of his sister’s voice. He had practiced her tone, her pauses, and her mannerisms until it felt almost natural.After a few seconds of listening to his own voice echo back, he frowned. “It’s still not right.”It’ll have to do. I don’t have time to perfect it today.Just then, the phone rang. Ethan’s heart skipped. It’s them.With a swift motion, he grabbed the phone and, without missing a beat, activated the skill. He cleared his throat and put on a faltering but determined voice.“Hello?”“It’s your brother. Where’s the money?!” The voice on the other end was gruff, imp
- I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL
8
8Emily Walker trudged up the apartment stairs, her body weighed down by exhaustion. She fumbled with the keys, her mind drifting to Ethan and Adam.I hope they ate dinner. Maybe I can pick up something nice for them on payday.Before she could unlock the door, Ethan appeared behind her, grinning.“Hey, Em. Don’t go in just yet.”She turned, startled. “Ethan? What’s going on?”“Trust me,” he said, holding up a blindfold.“Seriously? I just got home!”“Come on,” he coaxed. “It’s a surprise. You’ll like it.”Emily sighed, too tired to argue. “Fine, but this better be good.”Ethan carefully tied the blindfold over her eyes and guided her down the stairs.“Where are we going?” she asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice.“Patience,” Ethan replied, his tone light.The blindfold came off to reveal a small but cozy house, its windows glowing warmly in the night.Emily froze, her mouth slightly open. “Ethan… what is this?”“Our new home,” Ethan said, his smile wide.Her eyes darted between hi
- I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL
7
Ethan stepped into the Hightower Corporation’s grand lobby with Mike, his nerves steady but his mind racing. Polished marble floors stretched endlessly, and employees in tailored suits moved like clockwork.“Fancy place,” Mike muttered, adjusting his jacket.Ethan smirked. “Yeah, they like to show off.”The receptionist at the desk barely glanced up. “Can I help you?” she asked, her tone flat.“We’re here about the bounty on Jimmy Carter,” Mike said, his voice firm but polite.Her eyes flicked to the detective. “That’s handled through our legal department. You can leave your information, and someone will get back to you.”Ethan leaned forward. “We’d prefer to speak directly with Madison Clark.”The receptionist frowned. “Ms. Clark doesn’t take walk-ins.”Ethan grinned confidently. “Tell her Ethan Walker is here. Mention the two-story warehouse near Harbor Lane. That should get her attention.”The receptionist hesitated, narrowing her eyes. “Wait here.” She picked up the phone, whisper
- I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL
6
Ethan sat cross-legged on his bed, the demonic mirror balanced on his lap.“So, you’re basically a smartphone now?” he muttered, swiping the shimmering surface. The mirror responded smoothly, displaying glowing icons.“Abilities,” “Affinity Points,” “History,” read the options. He tapped on Abilities and saw a list of locked skills with tiny locks over them.“Robbery,” Ethan murmured, selecting the skill. The description expanded: “Steal physical objects through physical contact. Upgrade to refine usage.”He groaned. “Yeah, no kidding about refining. I don’t want to accidentally rob someone again.”The upgrade button gleamed faintly, taunting him. A notification popped up: “10 affinity points required. Balance: 0.”“How do I get more points?” he asked aloud, but the mirror remained silent.His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Ethan slipped the mirror under his pillow.“Come in,” he called, sitting up.Detective Mike Hayes stepped inside, dressed in a casual polo shirt
- I AM GOD OF CRIMINAL
5
Ethan paced in his room, the strange mirror lying on his desk.“So, just touching people doesn’t always work?” he muttered, replaying the encounter with Jimmy Carter in his head. “If I can’t steal skills that way, what’s the point?”The mirror shimmered faintly, as if mocking him.“Stop being cryptic for once,” Ethan snapped. “What am I supposed to do? Wait for opportunities to fall into my lap?”Emily’s voice called from the kitchen. “Ethan, dinner’s ready!”“Coming!” he yelled back, shoving the mirror into his pocket. First, I stop Jimmy. Then, I figure this thing out.Later, Ethan sat at the dining table, pushing food around his plate. Adam glanced up from his homework.“You okay? You’ve been weird all day.”“Yeah, just tired,” Ethan said, forcing a smile. “School’s been… a lot.”“Maybe don’t skip next time,” Emily chimed in, giving him a knowing look.Ethan coughed, hiding his embarrassment. “Noted.”The next morning, Ethan stood outside a convenience store, holding his dead phone
