Chapter 54: Professional Bodyguard

[Detective Time Activated. Remaining Time: 59 Seconds]

"If he was already dead before that… then the person who opened the door for us was…?"

As he spoke, Inspector Megure glanced at Tanaka Tomofumi.

"That's right!"

Fujino nodded. "The person who opened the door for us earlier was Tanaka Tomofumi. He first drowned his brother in the bathroom. After realizing that his crime had been discovered, he devised this plan."

"He cleaned up his brother's corpse before you arrived, Inspector. Then, he disguised himself as his brother to open the door for us, after which he went back upstairs to his room."

As he spoke, Fujino pointed to the large tree outside the window:

"He climbed down from that tree, then used the call-forwarding feature between the landline and his mobile phone to play a pre-recorded message of his brother's voice—making it seem like his brother was still alive to throw off suspicion."

"Honestly, this was quite a clever plan. Hard to believe it was thought up in just fifteen minutes."

"As long as the police didn't notice that his brother was already dead, everything would have gone smoothly… And even if it was discovered, he could have pinned the cause of death on his brother's heart condition."

"Then, before the police figured out the whole story, he could have slipped away."

Having said that, Fujino stared at Tanaka Tomofumi and spoke coldly:

"I'm right, aren't I, Mr. Tanaka Tomofumi?"

[Detective Time Ended]

[Fishing Hat Effect Triggered: Please protect your head]

"Hahahaha!"

Suddenly, Tanaka Tomofumi burst into crazed laughter.

Taking two steps backward, he grabbed the nearby floor lamp stand and swung it at Fujino's head.

"You're right! It was me! I killed that damn bastard!"

BANG!

A dull thud echoed through the room.

"Do you think we police officers are just here for show?!"

With a roar, Megure leaped in front of Fujino, using his arm to block the strike before it could hit.

He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain radiating from his arm, then charged forward, delivering a swift kick into Tanaka Tomofumi's stomach.

With a pounce, Megure's stocky frame tackled the man to the ground.

Then, turning toward a nearby stunned officer, Megure shouted:

"What are you standing around for? Arrest him!"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

This time, Fujino didn't activate his system's enhancements or rush in to take down the criminal himself.

Instead, he let Megure take the credit—deliberately allowing the veteran officer to be the hero, even helping to shield Fujino from harm.

Because being a detective isn't just about catching criminals—it's about human relationships.

Fujino earned fame, and Megure got the credit for the arrest.

A win-win situation. Why not?

By the time Fujino got home, night had already fallen.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the "Vanishing Corpse Murder Case." Mission rewards of ¥500,000 and 50 Detective Reputation points have been distributed.]

[Current Detective Reputation required for next rank: 100 points]

As he expertly prepared a bowl of instant noodles to fill his stomach, the system's voice chimed in his ear again.

"100 points left, huh?"

Fujino muttered softly, staring at the remaining reputation points needed for his next Detective rank.

Then, his gaze shifted to his system balance:

[Current Balance: ¥2,300,000]

Finishing his noodles in a few quick bites, he stepped out onto the balcony, lit three incense sticks toward the east, and opened the Occupation Lottery interface.

¥1,800,000—Spin!

[Congratulations, the host has received: a Strength Enhancement Card (Purple), Universal Skill Upgrade Points (Purple), Purple-Class Occupation Card (Bodyguard), a Pack of White Wolf Cigarettes (Blue)…]

[Strength Enhancement Card: Strength +200%, Duration: 10 minutes]

[White Wolf Cigarettes: The White Wolf will guide you to what you seek (Effect: When lit, the smoke forms a white wolf that will find the person you are searching for).]

[Universal Skill Points: Can be applied to any upgradable occupation skill you currently possess.]

A Strength Enhancement Card, basically the same concept as the previous Reaction Enhancement Card—except this one boosted raw power.

Fujino could still vividly remember what it felt like when his reaction speed was boosted by 200%.

As for this "White Wolf" cigarette that supposedly helps find people…

Yeah, that sounded like pure superstition.

After that, Fujino examined the newly obtained Bodyguard skills:

[New Occupation: Bodyguard (Novice) – Requires 100 Proficiency Points to level up.]

[Occupation Skills:]

Bodyguard's Duty: As a professional bodyguard, you can detect irregularities in your client's surroundings and use your body as a shield. (Novice Effect: -10% chance of employer injury, +10% chance of being targeted yourself, +20% Perception and Awareness.)

Professional Guard: A bodyguard isn't just a meat shield. A professional knows how to counterattack. (Novice Effect: +20% to all attributes.)

"Bodyguard profession, huh…"

Looking at the skill set, Fujino couldn't help but twitch at the corners of his mouth.

Good grief. It's like skipping fifty years of experience in one go.

But honestly? It was a pretty good skill.

Refocusing his thoughts, Fujino opened his Occupation Panel:

[Name: Fujino]

[Current Occupations:]

Main Occupation: Detective (Novice, 2-star) – Next upgrade requires 100 Detective Reputation.

Occupation Skills: All-Round Detective, Detective Time (Novice), Detective Enhancement (Enhancement: 1-star, Body +120%), (Time: 1-star, Duration 2 minutes), Detective Aura.

Side Occupations:

Student (Advanced – 450 proficiency needed for next upgrade)

Swordsman (Intermediate – 50 proficiency needed)

Bomb Specialist (Intermediate – 150 proficiency needed)

Chef (Novice – 92 proficiency needed)

Bodyguard (Novice – 100 proficiency needed)

Looking over the interface, Fujino soon focused his thoughts and decided to upgrade his Detective Enhancement stat.

[Detective Enhancement upgraded: Body Enhancement.]

[Current Enhancement: 2-star – Body Strength +150%]

"1.5 times enhancement, huh…"

He muttered to himself, analyzing the benefits of the new boost.

With 150% enhancement from the system, 100% boost from his Swordsman skill, and another 100% from the Strength Enhancement Card, his raw physical strength had now reached C+ rank.

Adding in his boosted reaction speed and the 10% weakening effect from Detective Aura, Fujino estimated that his combat ability within that 2-minute window could absolutely crush most C+ enemies—and might even hold his own against B-rank opponents.

But then he thought back to that vicious woman from a few days ago—the one who kicked two thugs flying like rag dolls—and gave up comparing himself to B-ranks for now.

As for someone like Ran (Mouri Ran)—the real human "Tyrannosaurus"… he hadn't faced her yet.

But one thing was certain—she was probably even stronger than he imagined.

Ring!

Suddenly, his phone rang, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Caller ID: Yoko Okino.

Yoko Okino?

What did she want with him now?

Another case, perhaps?

After thinking for a second, Fujino picked up.

Through the call, Fujino learned that Yoko was currently filming a TV drama called "The Threat Among the Laughing Shadows"—and they were about to shoot a murder scene.

The director was hoping to invite a real detective to the set for guidance.

As soon as Yoko heard they needed a detective, she immediately thought of Fujino and recommended him.

This call was to see if he was available to come to the set tomorrow for consultation.

(End of Chapter)