Chapter 99: Let’s Go See the Evil Spirit First (BONUS)

After finishing breakfast, the three of them stepped out of the hot spring hotel together.

"Amamiya, how do you think this will end?"

As they walked outside, Sonoko couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Drug manufacturing and trafficking are serious crimes."

"And there were murders involved in the process. This isn't a minor case at all."

"If it was an organized crime syndicate, the charges would be even more severe."

Ren thought about it carefully.

No matter how things played out, the main perpetrators in this case were looking at life imprisonment at the very least.

"And if nothing unexpected happens, the police's arrival will definitely stir up a commotion on this island."

"So, once they get here, I'll send you two back to the hot spring hotel."

The moment law enforcement arrived, their first priority would be securing the hot spring hotel.

Which meant that staying there would be the safest option.

As long as they remained inside, there wouldn't be any danger.

Sonoko and Ran both nodded instinctively.

But after a moment, they realized something.

"What about you?"

"I'm going to check out the back mountain."

"Isn't that place really dangerous?"

Sonoko immediately became anxious.

"That's right!"

Ran frowned, clearly displeased.

"You said it yourself, that's where the drug operations are happening. Why would you go there voluntarily?"

Hearing this, she suddenly recalled a certain someone who had a habit of running headfirst into danger.

Her frustration grew.

"..."

Ren gave them a strange look.

"Maybe I didn't explain myself clearly."

"I never said I was going alone into a dangerous area. I'm planning to go after the police secure the place."

"I'm not walking into a death trap, you know."

"Huh?"

Both Ran and Sonoko froze in confusion.

"Wait… so you mean—?"

"Did you two seriously think I was planning to sneak in before the police?"

Seeing their increasingly confused expressions, Ren sighed inwardly.

Did they really think he had a death wish?

"I'm just going to follow the police once they've cleared the way."

"I'm not running in there ahead of them."

Now it was Sonoko and Ran's turn to look dumbfounded.

They had completely misunderstood.

They had actually thought Amamiya was about to go exploring before law enforcement even arrived.

"Why would you even assume that I'd rush in blindly?"

That was a fair question.

Why did they think that?

Sonoko and Ran fell into deep thought.

Then—it hit them.

Because of one person.

Kudo Shinichi.

They were simply too used to Shinichi's behavior, the way he always threw himself into danger whenever he encountered a case.

Because Shinichi had this habit, they had subconsciously assumed Amamiya Ren would do the same.

Realizing this, Sonoko's face darkened.

"Damn it, this is all Kudo's fault!"

"That guy has completely messed with our perception of normal behavior!"

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became.

"Every time he runs into a case, he just charges in without thinking about how we feel!"

"If he wasn't like that, he wouldn't have gotten himself into this mess!"

Ran nodded in agreement.

If Shinichi had been more level-headed, if he had just called the police instead of rushing in, he never would have been turned into a child.

Ren couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

These two had clearly been deeply influenced by Kudo's reckless habits.

But honestly, he didn't blame them.

They had spent a lot of time around Kudo, so it was natural for his tendencies to rub off on them.

"When something happens, don't immediately charge forward."

"Sometimes, it's best to slow down and assess the situation first."

"Especially this time, we're dealing with drug dealers who are armed."

"Not just with small pistols. They might even have submachine guns."

His tone was calm, but his words carried serious weight.

"Anyone who recklessly rushes in will just get themselves killed."

"So why would I risk my life for nothing?"

He had already reported everything to the police, clearly stating that this was a drug cartel operation.

The Metropolitan Police Department would absolutely send in a specialized team equipped to handle armed criminals.

Amamiya Ren paused briefly before adding:

"Even if officers get injured or worse, die in the line of duty they will receive government compensation."

"But if an ordinary civilian dies? There's no compensation. Nothing."

"So why would I throw my life away for no reason?"

There was zero benefit in rushing into danger.

If people behind him needed protection, then yes, he would step forward.

But in this case—

The people who needed protecting were already secured in a safe zone.

There was no reason for him to take unnecessary risks.

He was just a bystander this time.

His explanation was logical and Ran and Sonoko had to admit he was right.

Dealing with drug cartels was a job for professionals.

There was no reason for Ren to get directly involved.

---

"Then why do you want to go see it?"

Sonoko asked, puzzled.

Ren hesitated for a moment.

"Honestly… because I've never seen it before."

He had heard countless times that drug traffickers were inhumane.

But he had never witnessed the kind of environment that created so many evil spirits.

"I've only ever seen drug busts on TV."

"I know these people are ruthless, but I want to see for myself just how bad it really is."

It was curiosity but also a form of preparation.

Because in the future, he would likely encounter far worse things.

"Then…"

"Stop right there."

Before Sonoko could finish her sentence, Ren cut her off immediately.

He already knew what she was about to say.

"Don't even think about coming along."

"Girls who get scared just watching horror movies have no business seeing what drug cartels actually do."

"It's not something you should be looking at."

The back mountain was likely to be a scene of pure horror.

There was no way ordinary girls would be able to handle it.

"You need to build up your tolerance gradually. Don't try to jump straight into something like this."

Sonoko looked a little disappointed.

But she could tell from his tone that the situation was far worse than she had imagined.

And if she forced her way into it, she'd only cause problems for Ren.

So, she reluctantly backed down.

"Then, Amamiya, let's go see an evil spirit first."

"Let's raise our threshold a little bit before anything else."

***

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