the incident, Ismail leaned toward Inspector Hashim and whispered:
"Why did you make a convict like him a police officer?"
Hashim let out a deep sigh.
"Because he has an extraordinary intellect, Ismail. It would be a waste to let his talents go unused."
Then the inspector added:
"And starting today, he's your investigation partner for the Kampung Mesra case."
Once again, the station erupted with noise.
"Why pair Detective Ismail with a murderer? What if that convict causes trouble in the village?"
Inspector Hashim shouted over the chaos:
"Enough! Calm down!"
He stared at each one of them.
"Asaad is human... just like us. Don't judge him solely by his past."
Silence filled the room.
Hashim then led Ismail and Asaad into his office. There, speaking in a quiet voice, he whispered to Ismail:
"I know he was once a murderer. But he's still human. It's just... there's one problem — he changes when he sees a lot of blood. Asaad has two personalities. And when there's too much blood, the other one takes over."
Ismail was shocked to hear that.
"I only ask one thing from you, Ismail. Watch over him. Don't let him sink into that other side of himself. Maybe... just maybe, Asaad can help you find out who killed your wife and child."
Ismail fell silent at those words.
After that, Inspector Hashim began explaining what had been happening in Kampung Mesra.
"Kampung Mesra. Recently, we received messages and photos from an anonymous sender... claiming that many deaths have occurred there. But strangely, not a single official report has been filed by the villagers."
Ismail examined the photos one by one — all appeared to be sudden, unexplained deaths.
But what disturbed him most were the faces of the deceased… all showing an expression of overwhelming terror.
He looked through the photos again.
An old man lay on the kitchen floor — his eyes wide open, as if he'd seen something horrifying before dying.
A teenage girl was found by the river — her face pale, lips blue, and scratch marks visible on her arm.
The third photo showed a young woman collapsed in her living room, her hands clutching her chest tightly, as if trying to protect herself from something invisible.
"Their faces... it's like they saw a ghost," Ismail said quietly.
Hashim nodded.
"That's what's bothering me. All these bodies were sent by the same person — the anonymous sender, 'Anonym'."
Asaad remained silent, quietly watching, a faint smile still on his face.
Hashim continued, "I want both of you to head down to Kampung Mesra. Gather information. Talk to the villagers. But one thing…"
He looked directly at Asaad.
"Don't let him see too much blood."
Asaad simply shrugged.
Ismail remained silent. In his mind, questions twisted and tangled.
Who really is Asaad?
What exactly is happening in Kampung Mesra?
And how could he help me find who killed my wife and child?