“How is your leg, Jinba?”
“There’s no problem. I’ll be back to the investigation in no time.”
“Don’t push yourself. I understand why you’re in a hurry, but that won’t do you any good.”
“But…!!”
Jinba spoke to his boss shortly after the organization led by Regen, a serial kidnapper of children, emerged.
His boss told him to heal the wounds dealt by Geo until he could walk normally, and responded to Jinba with a small sigh.
“There are strict inspections being performed at the exits of this city. No one suspicious is to leave. Guards were also deployed to places such as orphanages and child care institutions, where he might attack, but…”
“…He hasn’t been found?”
“Yes… He is using a bird cage magic item, right? With it, he can hide as many underlings as he wants.”
The magic item used to imprison children could also be used as a hideout.
Jinba’s boss said that was most likely why the guards did not notice Regen’s rampage, because his underlings were hiding in the birdcage, and returned to Jinba with a sigh.
“…That birdcage could be used to help people. It could be used to transport goods or move a lot of people. In this world full of fighting, there are many innocent ways it could be used…”
“…He repaired the magic item Thomas gave his life to destroy and used it again in a horrible way…! This time I’ll catch him…!!”
Jinba swore vengeance as he thought about the demise of his partner.
His boss glanced at him, and spoke with some pain in his voice.
“Jinba… To be honest, I don’t want you to be a part of this case. If you could, I would like you to step away.”
´”Why, boss!? Thomas and I were Regen’s…!!”
“I know! That’s why. You’re just like before… No, you’re ignoring danger even more than you did back then. Normally you wouldn’t have suffered that leg injury. You’re so focused on catching Regen that you’re not looking around you.”
“Kuh…!”
Jinba’s face twisted with frustration, as he knew his boss was right.
His boss continued with a serious expression.
“This is just my personal opinion. Regen was being pursued by guards, but he came back leading a big organization. That means we will have to use all we have to face them, and of course, we can’t afford to remove you.”
“Boss…”
“But… At this rate, you’re going to follow Thomas. I know you want to avenge your partner, but calm down. Thomas was my adorable subordinate, and I don’t want his partner to die too.”
“…”
Jinba stayed silent as his boss worried for his safety.
He fixed the hat on his head, silently bowed to his subordinate, and left.
Yuugo came in instead, and after some hesitation, spoke to the dejected Jinba.”
“Are you all right, Jinba?”
“Ooh, Yuugo… Sorry, I caused you a lot of problems.”
Jinba smiled a little and raised his hand.
Yuugo heard the conversation from the outside, and his heart hurt as he looked at the weak looking Jinba, and spoke.
“You haven’t tracked him down?”
“No. But they wouldn’t just stay still. They should be making moves. This rampage was a prelude… To show off that they’re back and have the power of monster armor beasts.”
Yuugo agreed.
That rampage was done by Regen, but it was likely someone else pulled the strings.
Whoever was behind him, was the one who gave him the power to turn humans into monster armor beasts.
Lost and Drop were masterminds who worked behind the scenes, but Yuugo thought they would not have a criminal organization do that to show the power and terror of humans turned into monster armor beasts. And as he thought, Jinba spoke.
“If we let Regen stay out there, that organization is going to be used as a medium to spread the power of monster armor beasts. And this city will become a hell with rampant crime. I can’t let that happen. I have to catch Regen no matter what and arrest that whole organization.”
“Yes… But I’m a little relieved. It looks like you calmed down a little.”
“…You and my boss cooled my head. Sorry Yuugo.”
Yuugo was relieved to see Jinba was not just after revenge for his partner, but also wanted to arrest Regen to protect the people living there.
As he saw his younger ally happy that he regained his composure, Jinba made up his mind and spoke.
“…Come to think of it, we were cut off. I never told you why I had the bowgun repaired.”
“I can piece it together. You heard Regen was back in town, right?”
“Yes… You get some underground sources in this line of work. And I wanted to involve Thomas in his arrest.”
Jinba said as he took the foldable bowgun from his pocket.
He looked nostalgic and sad as he thought back to those times, and continued.
“…Another thing. I didn’t tell you something, because it was too pathetic.”
“Eh…?”
Jinba held the bowgun tightly.
He closed his eyes, faced down, and told Yuugo what he omitted.
“The biggest reason why Thomas died… was none other than me.”
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spoke to the dejected Jinba.”
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