Akashi was standing in front of a huge crowd on the stage with a big deadpan on his face.

He didn't want to be here.

After all, he wasn't here for career purposes.

But he was going to get a medal of honor.

Apparently, the news of him catching a serial killer that no one had seen coming was big news.

They had linked the man to many of the crimes, and they found many buried bodies in his backyard.

And since Akashi was at a higher rank than a detective, he was able to get most of the credit for the operation.

And thus, his name filled the news, and the authorities of the city demanded that they put a medal on him.

'For the next votes, right,' Akashi thought. 'If they think I'm going to be a cop my whole life, then they're wrong. The moment I launder all my money and get a stable income out there, I'm out. Besides, the amount of experience I'm getting is petty nowadays. It's thanks to friends like Tarrlok that I'm leveling up.'

Thinking about Tarrlok, his recent best person…

Well, he deserved that title.

In their history, Tarrlok had helped Akashi get almost ten million yuan. Helped him gain 8 levels in total, even when it was hard to level up. And most importantly, he was acting as bait and hostage for his sake.

Where can you find a good politician like him?

Unlike the politicians who had forced him to get a medal.

Akashi sighed in frustration as an older man came to him and put a medal on his costume.

Forcing his face to stay straight, Akashi performed a military salute.

'Please, don't ask me to give a word. Don't ask me to give a word…'

"Akashi, why don't you give a word to your fellow officers," said the same old man as he stood next to the microphone.

Even excuses like my throat is sore wouldn't work since they had waterbenders.

"I'm not in the mood," said Akashi.

"Come on, just a word, don't be shy," said the director, inviting Akashi to stand in front of the microphone.

"Fine…" Akashi sighed and walked reluctantly.

The others had the same bored expressions on their faces, except for those junior cops.

Maybe it would be a good chance to market his business.

"The city is safe again, thanks to our effort. And because we caught a big fish this time," Akashi said, "And as some of you may or may not know, I own a business. Good news. I have opened a bar."

The director tried to push Akashi away from the microphone.

But Akashi held strong, against the director's wishes.

"And as a celebration for this double achievement, I'm giving everyone in this department a 70% discount—anyone with a badge."

And following his speech, loud cheers erupted from the seniors.

"Tsk, this isn't a place to market," the director glared.

"I'm not the one who insisted that I open my mouth," Akashi replied, patting him on the shoulder, "blame whoever decided this event."

And then he walked out, meeting with the chief, who simply shook her head, sighed, and then smiled.

"You should act a bit happy," she said, "It means the path to promotion could be very easy."

"As a twenty-year-old sergeant," Akashi shook his head, "bet it'd take a long time before I get a chance to become a lieutenant. Even then, I don't know if I want to be a cop anymore."

She frowned, "Don't tell me you want to quit…"

"Not now, but no one knows what happens in the future." Akashi shrugged.

If he made a fortune, or got a better source of income, he'd go for it. And besides, dealing with dead bodies for a long time wasn't healthy. But if there was a serial killer, he'd do it for free, for personal reasons.

"As if I'd let go of my best officer," Lin said, patting him on the shoulder, "and I mean it."

Somehow, her patting his shoulder and smiling reminded him of a meme from his previous life.

"I'm not fucked up, am I?" he asked.

"Well, not for now," she said.

"That's good to hear," Akashi sighed in relief.

"Anyways, what are you up for tonight?" she asked.

"I'm quite busy," he replied, "I have a guest."

"A guest?" she replied.

"An old friend of mine," he said, "You know, he crossed a long distance to meet me…"

"Must be a good friend then."

"He helped me a lot."

"He… that's a good thing to hear."

-x-X-x-

Akashi was in a new rented place. A warehouse at the edge of the city. He unwrapped a towel, revealing a tortilla. He put ground beef, some cheese sauce, and French fries, wrapping it and cooking it above the stove.

"You're so lucky," he said, "you're going to taste French tacos."

Behind Akashi, chained to the wall, was Tarrlok.

He had already healed himself, and was now in a locked room.

"Lucky to be chained," deadpanned Tarrlok as he sat on a mattress, glaring at Akashi. "How fucking stupid do you have to be to believe that?"

"Come on, don't use that foul language, bitch," replied Akashi, flipping the tacos. "We're good friends after all."

"Tsk…" Tarrlok clicked his tongue. But the smell invaded his nose, and he was hungry from recovering from the supersonic damage done to his organs.

"After you eat, you're welcome to attack me any time," Akashi said, taking the tacos out of the griller, cutting them in half. He put them on a plate, and with some wine, he walked to Tarrlok.

"You must have some poisonous gas ready," said Tarrlok, looking at the plate, "and you expect me to eat that after being poisoned twice by you?"

"Would you prefer salad?" asked Akashi.

Tarrlok looked down at the meal, and he said, "What kind of strange dish. For me, I eat only exquisite meals."

"You're a native South Poler. Your people eat dried fish. Don't forget your origins…" Akashi said, grabbing the wrap and putting it close to his mouth.

Tarrlok extended his hand, bloodbending Akashi's hand to stop him. He then snatched the food and began to eat it as if he had been starving for hundreds of years.

Akashi laughed, taking another wrap and eating.

He wanted Tarrlok to think that he'd be in his best condition, for one reason.

If Tarrlok attacked him after recovering, Akashi could screw him up again.

And then, he'd gain a considerable amount of experience.

That's what farmers usually call growing your food.

"What's this!" Tarrlok said in astonishment. Never in his life had he tasted such a dish.

"A dish out of this world," Akashi said, feeling proud to see that reaction from an enemy who hated him. He had made most of the ingredients himself. Even the sauce, which included Greek yogurt, which didn't exist in this world yet, because Greece had yet to exist. Same for the fries.

Tarrlok ate it in less than five minutes.

"So, what will happen now?" he asked.

"Nothing much," Akashi said, "I'll feed you, put you to sleep, and leave."

"What!" Tarrlok said.

"You're welcome to attack me again," Akashi invited.

"Either way, you're going to sleep." Akashi took a vaccine from his pocket. He got some medicines from the evidence room—legal means… believe him.

"What if I wanted to piss or shit?" Tarrlok said.

"The chains are long enough for the bathroom," Akashi replied.

"There's nothing but a deep hole there," Tarrlok said.

"Oh, so you want me to give my hostage, who can waterbend, a toilet full of water?" Akashi replied.

"I'll advise you to let me go before you regret this," Tarrlok warned.

"Blah… blah…" Akashi reached forward to Tarrlok.

The latter moved his hand quickly, making Akashi's hand move against his will and toward his own body.

Akashi's other hand flicked, producing a loud strong sound, which hit Tarrlok's ears like a very loud bass, making the world spin for him.

"Yeah, you'd lose balance if I flick my hand next to your ear," Akashi said as Tarrlok fell backward, and then, he injected him in the neck. "I'll meet you tomorrow."

"Fuck you," said Tarrlok before drifting to sleep.

Akashi stood up and muttered, "I wonder if your brother got my note. His men should deliver it to him by now."