Chapter 344: You too, Officer Sato

Released on January 22, 2025

After a refreshing bout in the ring, she took a quick shower to keep herself feeling fresh. Her mood noticeably improved afterward.

After changing clothes in the locker room, Sato Miwako felt inexplicably invigorated.

"Even though my whole body aches, this kind of life-on-the-line fight really feels good."

Just now, she was the one who got completely beaten. She was punched and kicked all over her body. While the strength behind each blow wasn't overwhelming, the sheer number and frequency were intense.

The pain wasn't unbearable, but her body definitely needed time to recover.

In the past, being hit so frequently would have knocked her out. But now, though she was sore all over, she hadn't collapsed.

"I can't believe Officer Sato '093' actually enjoys this kind of direct confrontation."

"It's a habit of the police. Back when I was investigating cases with Inspector Megure, I often had to subdue suspects using grappling techniques. Officers like us deal with criminals all the time. If we don't learn how to fight them hand-to-hand, there's no way we could arrest them without using weapons."

"Eh~ But a lot of officers don't seem to be good at close combat."

"There are capable and incapable officers. Not everyone's good at close quarters like I am."

Sato Miwako remembered that back in school, very few of her classmates excelled in grappling techniques. Most were focused on theory and analyzing past cases. That made her recall something their teacher used to say.

She sighed helplessly.

"Actually, the instructor who taught close combat always told us that times have changed. If you run into a deranged criminal on the street, you can just shoot. There's no need to chase them for hundreds of meters."

"Hand-to-hand fighting is messy. Our instructor often said that when it's appropriate to use a gun, don't hesitate. Don't think you can settle everything with your fists. It's dangerous and inefficient."

It really was inefficient... Ren silently agreed with Officer Sato's instructor in his heart.

In a world where firearms have become normalized, relying on physical strength to fight criminals is just plain foolish. Do criminals deserve mercy? Maybe some do, but even then, just avoid hitting vital areas—aim for the legs or something.

In an age of guns, trying to settle things with fists is just stupid.

"I'm not against what the teacher said. After all, criminals nowadays might be carrying guns too."

"But in situations where using a gun isn't suitable, you still need to rely on your fists."

Sato Miwako raised her arm and showed off her well-trained muscles to Ren.

"The Arbiter power you mentioned really suits me. No, to be precise, it suits us police officers. It can intimidate criminals, increase their willingness to surrender, enhance combat ability, and improve physical fitness."

Having just experienced it herself, Sato Miwako felt the Arbiter power was almost overwhelmingly strong.

The physical boost wasn't minor. For her, it was huge.

Not only had her body grown stronger and more resilient, her stamina had also greatly increased. Even her joint flexibility improved. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't dare push her body like she just had.

"The Arbiter is practically made for law enforcement. Once your Sequence rises further, Officer Sato, you'll feel it even more clearly."

"But for now, you need to adjust to this new power step by step."

Sato Miwako nodded slightly. There was no need to ask about the later stages. This level of strength already felt incredible. Whether there was more beyond this would be a problem for the future.

"Then, those other members you mentioned earlier... Are they the young lady squad?"

Ren smiled and nodded slightly.

Sato Miwako raised a hand and covered her face.

"I knew it."

After Ren revealed his identity, she realized that the team he belonged to was mostly made up of young ladies—that so-called 'other members'...

"You really are something. Surrounded by a bunch of young ladies."

Ren just shook his head slightly at her teasing.

"Their power wasn't granted by me. They received special treatment and are connected to my destiny."

Sato Miwako understood what that meant.

"So, their power comes from another source? Not just from the Sequence path you mentioned?"

Ren gave a small nod.

"Then, the method by which they obtained that power must also be related to you, right?"

"Yes. I won't deny that."

So it's still him... Sato Miwako finally understood the meaning behind the phrase linked by fate.

Those young ladies weren't particularly special themselves. The one who was special was Ren.

The way everyone else obtained power could be traced back to Ren—and Ren himself was the most exceptional of them all.

Sato Miwako thought of the link between faith and power.

Sure enough, this man wasn't just heading toward becoming a superhuman… no, more like becoming a god.

As that thought passed through her mind, Sato Miwako asked directly:

"So, you really are walking the path toward godhood, aren't you?"

"Well… Officer Sato can interpret it that way."

"A god, huh… I feel like my worldview is completely crumbling."

He didn't try to hide it. No, to be more accurate, he didn't hide it after she guessed correctly. He did keep it a secret before… Sato Miwako couldn't help but complain inwardly.

"Whatever… Superpowers already shattered my previous worldview. What's a little more craziness on top of that?"

Seeing Officer Sato's troubled expression, Ren smiled and quietly reminded her:

"Officer Sato, if you happen to receive something special in the future, you might end up walking the same Sequence path as I did. The end of that path… is the same as mine."

"!?"

"Eh!!!"

(To be continued.)

***

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