inspire-indiana Chapter 231 London Shadow: Wait a minute, everyone! You didn't take me with you on the bus!
Chapter 231 London Shadow: Wait a minute, everyone! You didn't take me with you on the bus!
Upon hearing the sound, Conan, like a cruise missile activated by voice, sprang to life and vanished in an instant.
His companion's shouts faded behind him as Conan followed the sound to the crime scene. A tall figure in a black trench coat was hidden in the shadows. Hearing the noise behind him, the figure immediately fled the scene.
Conan habitually unscrewed his sneakers and kicked the metal can on the ground with force—
"it hurts!!"
A tooth-grinding pain shot through Conan's little toe, causing him to gasp for breath and collapse weakly to the ground, clutching his right foot as if his soul was about to leave his body.
"Conan!"
The three members of the Junior Detective Club followed him, looking left and right. When they saw the metal can in front of him, they immediately understood: "Hehe, serves you right for kicking a soccer ball all day long. Didn't you see clearly today and kicked a metal plate?"
"Genta!" Ayumi glared at him reproachfully, but kept quiet to maintain her persona, then pointed to the other side: "Ah! Look, someone's fallen over there!"
Following the direction of her fingertips, a few meters away in the shadows of the alley, a woman with a pained expression and blood-stained neck lay lifeless on the ground.
But perhaps because the game's main target audience is children, the corpse's death was greatly beautified, far less gruesome than what they had ever seen, and even... a bit too peaceful?
Yuan Tai tilted his head and complained, "This corpse would be better if it were more realistic. Our investigation feels like we're touching a living person, it's so awkward."
Upon hearing this, the three ladies who arrived late behind them all slipped and fell.
They originally wanted to come directly, but because the system asked them to "provide a reasonable excuse for the investigation since their identities are not known to each other," they were forced to exchange pleasantries and get to know each other.
However, as Eta said, the victim's injury examination results were almost identical to those of the silicone mannequins used for testing, lacking many details—which also means that it would be difficult to find clues in the case using ordinary investigative methods.
"what!"
Just as Xiaolan was about to step forward, she suddenly heard Yuanzi cry out in alarm. Yuanzi nestled into her arms like a little bird, covered her forehead, and began to recite an aria with tears in her eyes: "Blood! It's bright red blood, the tears of a ravaged rose! It terrifies me!"
After saying that, she playfully mouthed: 'Persistence image, remember to maintain that image with your acting skills.'
Conan, who almost thought the culprit had returned to the scene, twitched at the corner of his mouth. Was this woman just too easily drawn into a story, or simply too oblivious...?
"Damn it, after the scene was beautified, there are no clues to be found at all."
"Observe...Reconnaissance!" Ayumi realized what she meant and jumped up excitedly, "Then can I use Reconnaissance?!"
[To use a skill actively, simply roll the dice.]
She then took out a die from her pocket, threw it on the ground, and rolled it: ["Reconnaissance" skill check result: 69 < 70, success.]
"Phew~ That was close!" Ayumi patted her chest, thankfully she was alright.
From her perspective, a line of text appeared above the corpse:
[A Swedish woman, dressed provocatively, around forty years old, had a clean, sharp cut to her throat; she had no other wounds. She died from excessive blood loss through her left carotid artery.]
Xiaolan attempted to use her reasoning skill, but the system indicated insufficient information, resulting in failure. The others experienced the same issue, receiving either "insufficient conditions" or "no target available for the skill."
A group of strangely shaped people surrounded the corpse. Some were deep in thought, some were trying to concoct medicines in the air, some were inexplicably punching and kicking the air, and some were even drooling over the corpse.
Fortunately, there was no one else around who would mistake them for mentally unstable cult members.
While all those monsters and demons came out to fight, only Mitsuhiko's stealth judgment silently passed:
[Your "Stealth" skill check result is 1 < 70, a great success! Your stealth skills are superb and will have unexpected effects!]
Mitsuhiko blinked and looked around in confusion. There were no special effects, were there?
Before he could understand what was happening, a passerby dressed as a coachman appeared from the street corner, and upon seeing the crime scene, immediately cried out in terror:
"It's Jack the Ripper! Jack the Ripper has struck again! Call the police!"
The exclamations instantly caused a commotion. The windows of every building nearby were lit up in fear. People greeted each other through their windows, but no one dared to go downstairs to check.
A short while later, perhaps even within a minute, a squad of guards in classic Scotland Yard uniforms arrived hurriedly, carrying oil lamps. The lead detective ran exceptionally fast, visibly widening the gap between himself and his men.
"It's Inspector Lestrade! Inspector Lestrade is here!"
The young man, referred to as the police inspector, removed his police hat, revealing a handsome face and his usual reassuring smile. He picked up the small whistle on his chest, blew it, and announced to those around him, "The police have arrived! All witnesses are requested to cease their investigations."
"Brother Heimen!!!"
Kuromon has also entered the game! This is great! Conan was overjoyed, but before he could go forward to acknowledge him, he was doused with cold water.
[Based on everyone's memories, I've slightly adjusted the appearance of the in-game NPCs. Two of these NPCs are hidden among them, representing adults who have come from outside the game to provide support. By the way, a friendly reminder: don't let anyone other than your teammates notice anything amiss, or you'll be eliminated!]
Meanwhile, having gathered testimonies from passersby, Inspector Kuromon Haruya, who resembled a female detective, actually approached them: "Kids, I heard you were the first to discover the scene? Do you remember any clues?"
As he spoke, he even winked his right eye at Conan.
Conan's previously despairing spirit instantly revived: "Great! It really is Kuromon!"
He stood on tiptoe: "Inspector! We're helping Mr. Holmes with a case. Please take us to 221B Baker Street!"
Watching the excited brainwaves and heartbeats backstage, "Kuromon Haruya" chuckled inwardly, her eyes widening as she quickly covered Conan's mouth, giving them an incredulous once-over.
"Shh! Since it's Mr. Sherlock's instruction, keep your voice down! The same goes for everyone else?"
"Mmm-hmm!" Conan nodded repeatedly.
“Very good.” Kuromon Haruya nodded in satisfaction, escorted the group of six out of the blockade, squeezed them into the police station’s carriage, and headed to Holmes’ residence.
Huh? Is someone missing?
Ran Mouri vaguely felt that something was wrong. She looked around and saw herself, Sonoko, four children (two boys and two girls), and Kuromon, making a total of seven people.
She was still pondering something when a sudden pop-up notification interrupted her train of thought:
[Character Collapse Warning 1/3! Upon seeing the handsome detective in front of you, you should take the initiative to strike up a conversation.]
Ran Mouri: ?
"Inspector, who do you think the culprit is in this case? Tell me..."
Conan was chattering away, engrossed in his conversation, when the car shook and a shadow suddenly loomed over his face. He peered up in confusion, his face instantly turning a pale green—
After adjusting her age, Ran Mouri was in her prime. She rested one hand on her ear, her gaze so intense and ambiguous it was almost palpable. The two of them were crammed together in the narrow carriage, and the temperature seemed to rise sharply.
On the other hand, Ran Mouri was completely unaware that her feet were about to turn into bitter gourds, and was focused on the auxiliary dialogue that was being generated in front of her:
"Officer, I... I think you're really, well, quite a sight for sore eyes. Give me your phone number and address! Let's have a good chat tonight."
Conan:! ! !
Something's wrong! This game is really wrong! This isn't content suitable for minors!!