Even if This World Becomes a Mess, the Police Still Work(8)

Mina, no, New Hope killed a person.

The supervillain called Hahoe Mask died at the scene. The moment was broadcast live by a news helicopter covering the situation.

People’s reactions were largely divided into three categories.

Those who said what’s the problem with killing a supervillain who was trying to kill students.

Those who said regardless of the reason, she killed someone and should be investigated.

And the last group focused on New Hope’s exposed face and dug into her past.

Looking at such diverse impressions—it’s really frustrating.

“That orphan girl was always gloomy at school, so she was really New Hope? No wonder New Hope seemed suspicious.”

“The orphan even killed someone. She should be arrested right away. What are the police doing?”

“Hey, she saved us, how can you say such things?”

“So what? What’s so scary about an orphan girl?”

The above conversations were from students who had been held hostage, gathered in one place for situation assessment.

They were screaming for help just tens of minutes ago, but as soon as they found out who New Hope was, they started mocking her, calling her “that orphan girl.”

At this point, it’s not about humanity, but rather their intelligence seems to be in a pathetic state.

Before investigating the incident, I asked the children out of genuine curiosity about what was in their heads:

“What would you do if she really had bad intentions?”

“Huh? Why should I be scared of her? Besides, even if that orphan girl tries to do something, she’s just an orphan, and the police should handle it, right?”

“She can’t be stopped even if the military fires missiles at her.”

I don’t know what her current level is, but that’s how it was in the original novel.

In the novel, Mina’s real name was also exposed, and she was chased by police, but naturally, she wasn’t caught.

No, she couldn’t be caught—that would be the right way to put it.

Even mutants barely flinched when directly hit by a shotgun blast, let alone die. What about Mina, who could easily crush such mutants?

Like Sai, Mina can’t be captured by conventional methods.

Honestly, how do you overcome someone who can’t be stopped even if you hold up a tactical shield and shoot at them?

Honestly, in my opinion, if Sai really starts rampaging with force, Korea might need to drop a nuclear bomb to do anything.

And Mina, who is described as being at a similar level—well, that goes without saying.

But these little bastards are now talking about “that orphan girl” and making a fuss.

I’m boiling with anger seeing how they usually treat Mina, but seeing these kids who still can’t assess the situation properly, I wanted to ask one thing.

I asked the boy who was most vocal about calling her “orphan girl”:

“How are your grades, by the way?”

“Wh…why do you ask that?”

“I need it for the investigation.”

“……31st place……”

“Your class has 31 students, right?”

“Yes.”

I gave him a warm smile. He really was intellectually deficient.

Ignoring such people, I gathered witness statements from the students and wrote a report while thinking.

Due to the incident of Mina killing someone, issues like Yagi being the Special Investigation Team leader and the research institute attack would be covered more extensively than I expected.

The media would thoroughly investigate every connection to the famous hero committing murder.

Judging from the statements Yagi made to witnesses, my thought that Sai was simply trying to torment Mina and attempting to kill her along with the Special Investigation Team seemed correct.

No, is it really correct? Honestly, with things so tangled, I’m not even confident.

“Detective Sergeant Lee Munsu. What measures should we take regarding New Hope who has fled? We tried to track her, but lost her.”

“…I see.”

New Hope, or rather Mina, fled like a frightened cat before I could say anything after witnessing the scene.

How could I have caught Mina when she was fleeing at full speed?

The police who rushed from the Special Investigation Team office were busy securing Yagi’s body, rescuing the students, and organizing the situation.

I looked over all the statements from the students who witnessed the scene with an unlit cigarette in my mouth.

Yagi, who put her own life and the students’ lives on a scale to threaten Mina. It was certainly Sai’s order.

Mina would have tried to find a third option, but the result being what it is means that even Mina couldn’t overcome the malice of a woman who would sacrifice her life at Sai’s command.

It’s a miserable situation. Being trapped in ice and unable to do anything is really frustrating.

I recalled Mina’s face right before she fled. Her trembling face, not knowing what to do, reminded me of when I first met her.

Having lost her family, ready to commit murder for revenge from rock bottom—the only difference from then is that she’s now trembling in fear after actually committing murder.

Crazy bitch. What is she trying to do by even sacrificing her own subordinate?

Neutralize the Special Investigation Team? If that was her intention, she shouldn’t have let Yagi die.

If Yagi hadn’t died, if we had failed to arrest her, we would have been in the worst situation.

If she remained alive and active as a supervillain, that alone would fuel distrust and hatred towards the police, and the higher-ups wouldn’t be able to operate the Special Investigation Team.

Additionally, it’s horrifying to imagine a powerful superpower user who can still deter Mina even with one arm gone and while freezing to death.

But Yagi is dead. By Mina’s hand. She died trampling on the heart of a child who tried to save even such bastards in an extreme situation.

At this point, is Sai just trying to torment Mina? Does Sai have a reason to hold a grudge against Mina?

Mina was the one who treated the amnesiac Sai kindly and deliberately took care of her. Why do this to such a good child?

Unable to contain my stifling feelings, I lit the cigarette in my mouth.

This fucked-up world. Somehow I should have known something was wrong when the police leadership started handling things properly.

The smoke from the cigarette rises to the sky.

I quietly took out my phone and sent a message to Mina. Mina read the message but didn’t reply.

I tried calling. The ringing tone continued briefly before being instantly cut off. The same happened no matter how many times I called.

‘[- The connection cannot be made and will be transferred to voicemail. Call charges will apply. After the beep- ]’

I stood there blankly until the lit cigarette burned down to the filter as the notification sound played.

I could only stand there like that.

---

“That was truly a splendid performance, Detective Sergeant Lee Munsu! It’s a shame we failed to arrest the suspect, but things worked out better than expected! Hoho!”

Even though the cleanup at the scene wasn’t finished, I was half-forcibly dragged to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at the summons from above.

The Police Commissioner who greeted me welcomed me with a seemingly good-natured hearty laugh.

Although we failed to arrest the suspect, a key figure from the opposing faction was revealed to be a criminal, and there were zero civilian casualties.

Even the failure to arrest the suspect wasn’t the police’s fault but was broadcast live as an illegal vigilante killing her.

The higher-ups would surely attribute all credit to the police and direct all blame toward New Hope.

“As promised, let’s prepare a special task force centered around Detective Sergeant Lee Munsu. Although we need a major overhaul now that it’s been revealed that two supervillains were operating within the Special Investigation Team—

I’ll take care of that. Preparations for the special task force inauguration ceremony are already complete for as early as tomorrow. But for now, there’s something Detective Sergeant Lee can do for society and our people. Would that be alright?”

The Police Commissioner said with a grin.

I could easily guess what I needed to do. As I thought, it was to stand in front of the media and speak.

It was clear that the script would be written to say I was investigating evidence that Yagi was the supervillain Hahoe Mask, and although I failed to arrest her due to New Hope’s interference.

There was significant progress in the investigation of the supervillain Sai who was controlling Hahoe Mask. Basically, shifting all blame to that child.

It’s annoying, but since I had anticipated this, I nodded. I headed to the press conference room holding the police uniform that the Police Commissioner said had been prepared in advance.

Damn. They didn’t even give me time to bring my own clothes and just gave me a new one. I changed clothes in the car on the way to the press conference room while listening to what I should and shouldn’t say.

“…Excuse me, you’re wearing your pants backwards.”

“Oh shit.”

…Damn it. My head isn’t organized.

I awkwardly changed my pants while tuning out the suit guy rambling about the importance of this press conference and the social stability it could achieve.

I’m at a loss right now too. My thoughts aren’t organized.

Mina killed a person. As if that justifies anything, Mina’s personal information is spreading on the internet, and people are going wild with it.

I’ve seen civilians with criminal family members suffer because of such people many times, but it’s devastating to see a child I’ve taken care of like a daughter or niece go through this.

I can’t contact her and don’t know where she’s gone. Her wounds probably haven’t healed yet. I wonder if she’s eaten.

It’s true that this child killed someone. But how will this be handled legally?

Given that Mina is a minor, plus the circumstances, there’s a possibility of a non-prosecution or dismissal of prosecution.

If Mina, the hero, gives up the fight here, the possibility of capturing Sai completely disappears.

But can that child accept the fact that she killed someone with her own hands and rise again? Is it right to force such a terrible resolve on a young child?

“—Shit.”

As the rationality of being a police officer and the emotion built from caring for a child fail to mesh and start to break down.

My head ached, and as I rubbed between my eyebrows, the suit guy who had been rambling in the car looked out the window and said:

“We’ve arrived. Then, as I mentioned, please only say what’s written in this script. For other questions, defer your answers to the spokesperson.”

“Yes.”

“Remember. This press conference determines the honor of the police and the safety of citizens.”

…Honestly, I wasn’t going to say this, but aren’t you just moving quickly because you don’t give a shit about society and only care about protecting your own position? If that wasn’t the case, you would have sent the spokesperson, damn it.

My honest impression is stuck on the tip of my tongue, trying to jump out irritably, but as an adult in society, I hold it back.

This press conference is just using my name value to reassure people, and a proper incident report will follow after I go out and say a few words.

Knowing this, I properly put on the particularly uncomfortable uniform today and headed to the press conference room.

The enormous hall was filled with reporters, and as soon as I stood on the podium, camera flashes burst forth, almost hurting my eyes.

I squinted, trying to read the script despite all this. Slowly, I opened my mouth.

“Thank you for waiting. The Special Investigation Team will now provide a general briefing on the current situation.”

“On the day in question, around 14:23, police responded to a call about a violent incident at the Seoul Forensic Science Research Institute.”

“During the suppression process, we confirmed that Special Investigation Team 2, under the leadership of former Chief Inspector Yagi of Gangdong District Special Investigation Team, was involved in illegal distribution of superpower awakening drugs, solicitation of murder, and murder charges. We also confirmed a connection with the supervillain Sai, the main culprit behind the recent prison destruction incident.”

“As soon as the police confirmed these matters, an operation to arrest the suspect, former Chief Inspector Yagi, was implemented. During this time, we also confirmed that former Chief Inspector Yagi was the supervillain Hahoe Mask. The arrest operation was carried out.”

“During the escape process, around 15:11, the suspect, former Chief Inspector Yagi, reached XX High School and staged a sit-in protest. However, she died during a confrontation with the vigilante New Hope. The police carried out the rescue of students and site cleanup.”

“The police are currently tracking the vigilante New Hope, who killed the suspect, while simultaneously tracking Sai, and we are confident that meaningful results will soon emerge.”

“The police are doing their utmost to ensure social stability, working without a moment’s rest to arrest all escaped supervillains and the supervillain Sai.”

“This concludes the basic briefing. We will now have a Q&A session to briefly answer questions that can be addressed at this time.”

I read everything written in the script.

Regarding the research institute incident, it said the police responded, but a note in the corner of the paper explained that higher-ups had already leaked to journalists that I had responded alone and handled it.

It would be their action to narrow the questions and build an image around me. With that thought, journalists began to raise their hands and ask questions as if they had been waiting.

Among them, I pointed to the journalist I was supposed to select according to the script. The journalist asked the prepared question.

A tedious Q&A session followed, implying that I was the first to respond, chased Yagi until the end, and although I failed to arrest the suspect due to New Hope’s terrible act.

It wasn’t the worst outcome, and the situation would gradually improve.

“—Detective Lee Munsu. There are rumors spreading that you have an intimate relationship with the murderer New Hope, or rather Mina. Is this true?!

If so, can you arrest New Hope now?! Were you perhaps letting her go because she’s someone you know?!”

In the midst of such Q&A, one journalist raised his hand and asked loudly.

It was a story that spread along with information about Mina being scattered on the internet. What happened to Mina, and what I did in the process, had also spread.

This would certainly be interesting content for journalists.

I looked at the journalist who was raising the corner of his mouth, ready to pounce on whatever answer I gave, then at the spokesperson beside me urging me to pass the microphone to him.

For such answers, it would be better to hand it over to the person next to me and be sparing with words.

For the sake of loyalty to the country and people, and to maintain social peace and order, that would certainly be better.

But thinking about it, I’m someone who wanted to live moderately without being loyal to the country and people.

I didn’t want to be corrupt and incompetent like police typically are in superhero genres.

Nor did I want to jump into danger, sacrifice myself, and serve as the catalyst for a hero’s awakening.

That’s still true now and will be in the future.

But damn, I shouldn’t do something shameful to the uniform I’m wearing.

Anyway, I’ve long since lost the desire to keep wearing the police uniform while being tormented by that si-pal woman Sai.

I don’t know what scheme that woman is plotting, but what can I do to interfere with her right now? What does she want?

After pondering, I soon found one answer. Ignoring the spokesperson giving me looks from the side and the journalist holding his head up stiffly in front, I opened my mouth into the microphone.

“Yes. I’ve known the hero New Hope for a long time. I’m acquainted with Mina, New Hope’s identity, and have taken care of her like a little sister.”

“I knew it! Then, as circulating on the internet, have all of Detective Lee Munsu’s achievements so far been because of New Hope—”

“Cut that nonsense. I’m saying this because I have something I want to say.”

At my words, the journalist instantly closed his mouth, and the spokesperson stiffened his face as if sensing something ominous.

Everyone’s reactions varied, but the thought filling my head as I stood in the middle of it all was, strangely enough, only one.

No matter how I think about it, what Sai gains from this is New Hope’s social isolation.

Then, what’s the way to prevent this?

I can’t blame the police. My making a scene here is to secure trust in the police, and it would be idiotic to say it’s the police’s fault this fiasco happened.

The fact that a murder occurred can’t be reversed. But this incident was orchestrated by some trash woman to make such things happen.

And honestly, while the person who plotted such things against a child who is only a high school student is at fault, adults like me who failed to prevent it are also at fault.

So—what I need to do in this situation is to direct the responsibility for this incident toward me.

Making the arrows that should go to Mina point at me instead. I never wanted a promotion after being dragged to the Special Investigation Team, and I have no regrets even if I lose my job.

If I want to save some face, I think I need to do at least this much.

“Today, due to the schemes of a supervillain who uses superpowers to harm people, a high school student who hasn’t even become an adult yet got blood on her hands.”

“Criminals pushed a child into an extreme situation and forced a terrible choice, and that’s how today’s incident occurred.”

“It’s a damn shame. This is something that makes me too ashamed to walk outside with my head held high, whether as a police officer or as an adult.”

“It doesn’t matter whether that child is a superpower user or whatever. The shameful thing is that a child who should be under the protection of adults was put in such a situation.”

“Therefore, I will not forgive those who put human lives on a scale and forced someone to kill.”

“The police will do what they need to do. Whether with superpowers or not, just as all police have fought until now, we will fulfill our duty as police. We will be in front of the child, not hiding behind her.”

I paused briefly to catch my breath. And in that gap, a journalist who had been listening to my words in a daze dug in and asked:

“So you’re saying you have no intention of catching New Hope?! The police should follow the law! How can you be swayed by personal feelings?!”

“And once a monster like a superpower user has killed someone, what guarantee is there that they won’t kill again?! Shouldn’t such monsters be isolated from society?!”

Oh, so that’s what you wanted to say. I examined the journalist’s appearance once to see where he was from.

Let’s see, a cheap suit with a mark from a newspaper company known for hating superpower users and being anti-New Hope.

They act like third-rate tabloids despite their size—disgusting bastards, but they’re helpful to me now. So I kindly answered:

“Isn’t that following the law? All witnesses testified that someone gave orders to former Team Leader Yagi in that situation, and as a police officer, I’m saying I’ll pursue that person. Because being forced into a situation where you have no choice but to kill is different from voluntary murder.”

“And you mentioned isolation or whatever. Let me ask one thing: What do you plan to do next? Most of the supervillains who escaped from prison were criminals arrested by the hero New Hope.”

“Do you think those criminals can be recaptured without New Hope? Guns? Mutants aren’t affected even when shot with rifles. Should we start firing missiles at monsters that casually throw armored vehicles? While involving buildings and citizens? Honestly, I don’t think missiles would work either.”

“If you have a way to do everything as you want, journalist, tell me. If there’s a way to resolve this situation, I’ll follow it exactly.”

“D-Detective Sergeant Lee Munsu. S-stop…!”

At my words, the spokesperson and nearby police officers stiffened their faces and tried to pull me down. Meanwhile, the journalist asked with even more enthusiasm in his face:

“Then! Doesn’t this mean the police cannot solve the current situation with police power alone?! Needing the help of a vigilante who committed murder! Is that what the police are?!”

This level of agitator might have learned it at some university. But such agitators have served their purpose, so now it’s best to ignore them.

“Yeah, it’s really fucking embarrassing. For both you and me.”

Since this is an official press conference, I don’t raise my middle finger.

I could hear the spokesperson and journalists rambling behind me, and I ignored several suit guys following me as I walked away.

Having drawn this much aggro, the internet will probably start burning more vigorously with gossip about me rather than stories about Mina.

My words seeming to defend New Hope reflect my honest feelings. And saying I’ll investigate is also sincere as a police officer.

But my responses after that were just to draw aggro. In this situation, making provocative statements is like saying “please attack me” and marking coordinates.

But because I spoke like this, people will start thinking, “Is it really impossible without New Hope?”

And as much as that happens, public opinion and citizens will start tearing into me, and they’ll enjoy spouting nonsense about me as much as they burned Mina for murder.

If that happens, well—the special task force they were planning to create around me will be scrapped, and I might even lose my job, but do I care? How scared could someone be who has mentally submitted resignation letters multiple times?

The important thing is that people will now know how Mina came to commit murder due to my statement, and sympathetic public opinion for Mina may arise.

Even those who were criticizing Mina will be busy tearing apart the more attractive prey—me.

Whatever happens is fine. I’m already fucked, so it doesn’t matter if I get a bit more fucked.

So I went back to my office, and contrary to my expectation that the Seoul Police Commissioner would chase after me to wring my neck, there was surprisingly no word.

I might get transferred to some remote place like Ulleungdo Police Station tomorrow, but well, let’s worry about tomorrow’s problems tomorrow.

I was thinking of going home just to pack some clothes to bring to the Violent Crimes Unit office—

“Detective… sir.”

Suddenly, Mina came to my house, somehow knowing where to find me. Mina was wearing her hero costume but, unlike usual, appeared without her eye mask.

She seemed to have cried a lot, with reddened eyes, and moved her lips as if she had a lot to say but couldn’t think of what to say.

I waved my hand to Mina and said:

“Have you eaten? I’ll buy something now, so wait.”

Let’s start by feeding her something. And then begin the investigation to catch Sai.

With that thought, the uniform draped over my body felt—somehow a bit lighter than before.