Without a doubt, the killer in Se7en was even more depraved than Stansfield and the madman from the phone booth. Stansfield had that unmistakable neurotic air about him—manic, volatile, unstable.
The phone booth sniper, though equally deranged and indiscriminately gunning down passersby, at least used a rifle to deliver clean, efficient, one-shot kills without torture. But the murderer inspired by Se7en was something else entirely. He was a pure psychopath. He transformed murder into ritual, torturing and executing his victims one by one according to the doctrine of the seven deadly sins.
After each killing, he deliberately exposed his "work" to the media, flaunting his so-called artistry before the world. In the end, he even sacrificed his own life to drag Detective David Mills into damnation with him, completing the final sins of envy and wrath. Thus, the grim "Seven Deadly Sins" masterpiece was finished.
What a pervert.
Not only would the police never let such a monster walk free—Luca wouldn't either. He was determined to eliminate this devil and defend the fragile peace of New York. If they could take down this monster, the System would surely grant a generous reward.
At the same time, he could build a relationship with David Mills and William Somerset and potentially learn some of their skills. Two birds with one stone.
The case took place in an apartment in the Bronx. By the time Luca arrived, the area had already been sealed off with police tape. Unauthorized personnel were kept at a distance. Several officers who recognized him greeted him casually, while a few rookies stared in confusion.
A veteran officer leaned toward the newcomers and explained, "That's Luca Greco—Luca the Dove. He's connected to the Lucchese family. Pretty famous around the Bronx. Says he believes in peace and harmony."
"The Mafia… and peace?" one rookie muttered. "That sounds crazier than someone being stuffed to death."
"I remember him," another rookie said. "The so-called kind-hearted citizen?"
"Yeah, that's him," the veteran replied. "Believe it or not, crime's been lower in his territory this past year. If you're looking for someone in the Bronx, he's the fastest way—so long as it doesn't involve the Lucchese family."
Meanwhile, Luca casually chatted with a few familiar officers, asking about the situation and the victim's identity. Then he asked, "Who's leading the investigation?"
"Detectives David Mills and William Somerset."
So the butterfly effect hadn't changed this outcome. The case still landed in the hands of that unfortunate duo. Luca couldn't help thinking that, without intervention, David's ultimate fate would be tragic beyond measure.
He stepped forward. "Mind if I take a look inside?"
The officers hesitated. Luca chuckled lightly. "A case this serious has the Bronx buzzing with rumors. Some say the district's in chaos. That's slander. You all know my rules. I'm more than willing to help you catch this lunatic quickly and restore order."
"You know the victim?"
"Let me see first. In the Bronx, I know more people than you do."
After a brief exchange, several veteran officers led him inside, leaving the stunned rookies behind. The concept of the Mafia assisting police investigations sounded absurd—yet somehow, here it was.
At the doorway, even the officers stopped short. The stench was unbearable.
"Mills and Somerset are inside. Go ahead."
"Thanks."
Luca casually handed a few bills to the officers. "Long shift, gentlemen. Grab some coffee."
They exchanged knowing smiles.
Inside, the air was thick with decay. The apartment was dim, cockroaches darting across the floor between piles of food scraps. At the center of the room, an extremely obese man lay slumped over a table, his face buried in a bowl of spaghetti. His corpse had long since turned bluish-black, livor mortis clearly visible. The medical examiner stood nearby, while Detectives David Mills and William Somerset searched the room with flashlights.
Luca's sudden entrance startled them.
"Greco?" Mills frowned.
"Detective Mills," Luca replied with a polite smile. He quickly explained his reason for being there.
The two detectives fell silent. Was the Mafia really more proactive about solving cases than the police?
Mills, young and hot-tempered, clearly distrusted Luca. "Hey, get out," he snapped. "I don't care if you're Pigeon Luca or whatever nickname you go by. Leave now. Interfere with our investigation again and I'll arrest you as a suspect."
"Relax," Luca said calmly. "I'm just here to help."
"Helping the police once doesn't give you authority here!"
Somerset finally interjected. "Mills. That's enough. Let's hear him out." The older detective turned to Luca. "Greco, you claim you have clues. What do you know?"
So far, they had only determined that the killer had forced the victim to consume massive quantities of food, even leaving at one point to purchase more before returning to continue the ordeal.
"I need to confirm the victim's identity," Luca said, masking his thoughts. He couldn't reveal that he already understood the symbolism. That would raise far too many questions.
Somerset shared limited information. After listening, Luca nodded thoughtfully. "I've heard of him. Hard not to—there aren't many people that size walking around. He could've applied for a Guinness World Record."
Mills scowled. "Anything useful to add?"
"With his condition," Luca continued evenly, "it's difficult for him to move around. He almost never leaves home. Orders takeout. No social circle. No known enemies. His entire world revolves around eating."
Who would go to such lengths to murder a man like that—let alone in such a cruel manner?
The logic resonated. Neither detective refuted him.
Luca smiled faintly. The [Shameless] skill was indeed useful.
After pacing the room, Luca crouched in front of the refrigerator. "Detectives, take a look at this."
They approached. He pointed at faint drag marks along the floor.
"These scratches are recent."
Somerset examined them closely, then compared them to fragments previously collected. They matched perfectly.
"The refrigerator was moved," Mills realized.
"Pull it out," Somerset ordered.
With effort, they dragged the refrigerator aside, revealing a word written on the wall in greasy residue:
GLUTTONY.
Beneath it was a note.
The path out of Hell is long and arduous, but once escaped, light awaits.
A quotation from Paradise Lost.
Luca straightened. "There's your clue."
The two detectives exchanged glances. They had searched the place thoroughly, yet Luca uncovered decisive evidence within minutes.
Before leaving, Luca added, "Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins in Catholic doctrine. And that line comes from Paradise Lost. The killer clearly wants these clues found. I suggest you investigate from the angle of religiously motivated murder."
Somerset nodded slowly. "You seem knowledgeable about Catholicism. Are you a believer?"
"The Mafia believes in family," Luca replied calmly.
Silence followed.
"If I discover more, I'll contact you. And if you need assistance, I'm available." He extended his hand. "For the sake of peace in New York."
After a moment's hesitation, they shook it.
__________________________________________________________________________
[Character Card: David Mills – Rank B]
Source: Se7en
Skill: Sin of Wrath
– The higher your rage, the greater your combat strength, increasing combat power by up to 20%.
Learning Requirements: Bond level Friendship or above; 50 Skill Fragments.
Bond: Attention
[Character Card: William Somerset – Rank B]
Source: Se7en
Skill: Criminal Reconstruction
– Increases the probability of discovering investigative clues by 15%.
Learning Requirements: Bond level Friendship or above; 50 Skill Fragments.
Bond: Attention
__________________________________________________________________________
Both were excellent skills.
[Sin of Wrath] came with side effects—it required rising anger to maximize its bonus, and anger often led to irrational decisions. Still, one didn't need to lose complete control to benefit from it. As long as he avoided descending into madness like Mills had in the original storyline, it remained highly valuable.
In that tragic ending, the murderer beheaded Mills's wife, provoking unbearable rage. Consumed by wrath, Mills executed the killer—who embodied envy—thereby completing the killer's twisted artistic vision of the Seven Deadly Sins. It was a carefully orchestrated finale, one the murderer had designed down to sacrificing his own life.
But that was never what Somerset wanted.
And it certainly wasn't what Luca intended to allow.
David, I've helped you step away from the abyss of Wrath.
Becoming friends… that's not too much to ask, is it?
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