Chapter 576: Defeat in the Old Imperial City’s Underground

Chapter 576: Defeat in the Old Imperial City’s Underground Defeat in the Old Imperial City’s Underground

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“Ha, ha, ha... Even though I’ve been granted power by the Detective God, I’m not good at fighting... or barbaric things. I wouldn’t face you without any preparations, would I?”

Detective Munodes, grinning, taunted me.

“............”

For now, I unleashed my killing intent.

It’s enough 【Intimidation】 to make an ordinary person lose consciousness and collapse.

But Detective Munodes’ grin didn’t falter.

“If I die, it’ll be made known that you’re the culprit. A murderer can’t be a detective’s partner. Ha, ha, ha, this is the power of an adult!”

But Detective Munodes’ face is pale.

There’s sweat on his forehead.

My 【Intimidation】 is reaching him.

“Try to kill me if you can!! I don’t care! If I’m just going to keep losing my ‘place to belong’... there’s no point in living!! But in return... I’ll take away your ‘place to belong’ too... Ha, ha, ha!!”

But he’s laughing.

Detective Munodes is laughing hysterically.

His small eyes gleaming.

...He’s resolved.

He’s not someone I can control with threats of violence.

It’s irritating.

But.

“Then what do you want me to do? To quietly let you kill me?”

That’s the problem, after all.

Naturally, I have no intention of letting him kill me.

I will survive, no matter the cost.

If that’s the case.

As long as I can survive—

It doesn’t matter if I lose a friend.

It doesn’t matter if I become enemies with a friend.

I will live.

“I’LL KILL YOU!”

The killing intent I’m emitting exploded!

“...Haa, you’re really violent, aren’t you, talking about killing and dying. That barbarity is your true nature. As I thought, you’re not fit to be Akashiterika-chan’s partner.”

But Detective Munodes, neither running away nor fighting... just shrugged, and scoffed at me.

“Let’s talk. Let’s negotiate, Emi-chan. We’re not beasts... we can communicate with words. Right?”

And clenching the purple jewel he had been rolling in his palm, he thrust it forward, as if showing it off.

...Really hit me hard.

A sense of loss.

It feels like... there’s a hole in my chest.

The killing intent that had been surging through me vanished like mist.

I completely slumped down.

I don’t mind becoming enemies with a friend, if it means I can survive.

I’ll even kill Akashiterika if necessary.

But.

If my existence... could get her killed.

“...It’s time, I guess.”

Detective Munodes, not missing my muttered words, smiled broadly.

“It was... like a dream.”

“Dreams... sadly, have to end.”

Detective Munodes rotated his shoulders, preparing to throw.

“Hey, Detective Munodes.”

“What is it?”

“Do you think Akashiterika will be lonely... without me?”

“She probably will be.”

“............”

“But Akashiterika-chan isn’t so weak that she can’t overcome that, right?”

“............”

“Believe in her. You’re friends, aren’t you?”

“............”

Seeing me completely silent, Detective Munodes nodded with satisfaction.

“Now then, it’s time to say goodbye.”

Detective Munodes held the Transfer Orb before him, assuming a throwing stance.

“I don’t need any parting words. I don’t intend to say any.”

He swung his arm around, and with all his might—

“Don’t ever come back... you monster!”

—Threw the Transfer Orb at me!

The purple jewel, shining brightly, flew straight towards me... and hit me in the abdomen.

And then, the next moment!

An intense purple light, far stronger than before, overflowed from the Transfer Orb... enveloped my body, and then—

...I lost consciousness.