Even if This World Becomes a Mess, the Police Still Work(5)

These fucking bastards even brought taser guns.

Since they were doing crazy things, I naturally thought they would have brought guns and was cautious, but these bastards brought taser guns instead of firearms.

I was puzzled why they didn’t bring guns when they had beaten up not only researchers remaining at the institute but even security guards to break in, but…

Anyway, thanks to them not bringing guns, it was easier to handle the situation. I felt somewhat self-loathing about fighting with fellow police officers, but what could I do? The incident had already happened.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes, well, I am. But there’s a burn mark on your clothes. Are you okay?”

“Huh? Yeah. No problem. This is just a mark from a taser gun that missed.”

“…A normal human wouldn’t say they’re fine after being hit by that? Are you really not a superpower user?”

Why are you treating me like someone who withstood a taser gun when I said it missed?

During my time as a detective, I’ve been shot and hit by taser guns. With gunshots, as long as it’s not a critical area, you can somehow endure the excruciating pain and keep fighting.

Well, it could be because I was shot in the shoulder at that time, but with taser guns, it was absolutely impossible to withstand.

When you have seizures and your body completely stops moving, what can you do? If I had been hit by a taser gun, I wouldn’t be here. I’d already be dead.

Ignoring Yuna-ri’s gaze that looked at me like I was a monster, I took her to a nearby chair and sat down.

I was exhausted too. She was also exhausted. The police would arrive within 5 minutes and would take care of rescuing the victims.

Sorting out the incident later using my fame as planned would come later.

What was important to me now was the information Yuna-ri had obtained.

From what Captain Kim and others said, Special Investigation Team 2 would be following Yagi’s orders.

This incident they caused could potentially plummet public trust in the police if handled poorly.

At the same time, before capturing Sai, we might be able to arrest Yagi by proving she committed crimes, even if we can’t prove she’s Sai’s subordinate.

If Yagi is arrested, Sai’s forces would be weakened. And that would greatly help in capturing Sai later.

Currently, Sai’s forces cannot be stopped by public authority or the military, but if we chip away at her forces like this, we might be able to capture Sai someday.

Of course, it would depend on what Yuna-ri found. I looked at Yuna-ri.

Yuna-ri was nervously wiping tear marks on her face, then sniffled, swallowed her mucus, and handed me a USB.

“…These are files collecting the deeds of Special Investigation Team 2. I confirmed their distribution and trading of awakening drugs, and their handling of witnesses.”

“Some I confirmed directly, and I also found documents they tampered with. I also found that the person who condoned all such dealings was the Special Investigation Team leader named Yagi, but these ruthless people… to so blatantly try to kill someone…”

As Yuna-ri grumbled, I plugged the USB into a nearby computer and checked the contents.

It contained exactly what Yuna-ri described, and somehow there were even photos of Special Investigation Team 2 dealing drugs.

…She really has good skills. I’ve thought this since the Chosen Ones incident, but I wonder how she secretly takes photos of such things.

Well, that’s good. Although this won’t be legal evidence proving she’s Sai’s subordinate or the crimes of drug distribution, combined with this incident, it would be enough motivation to start an investigation.

The investigation data contained exactly what I wanted.

After telling Yuna-ri she did a good job, I told her what she needed to do.

“For now, get police protection. Last time it was fine because, well… New Hope was there. But now everything’s a mess.”

I knew that during the Chosen Ones incident, she didn’t listen to my advice to get police protection when she suddenly appeared.

Well, she probably didn’t need police protection since ‘Mina’ was protecting her.

But now the situation is different. If she stays alone at home without relying on the police, she’ll meet a violent death in some form.

“…I understand. I’ll tell the police I was investigating corruption on my own and this happened. Without mentioning you, detective.”

“…That will be troublesome for you too.”

“It’s fine. My life was saved, and I’m not so stupid as to hinder someone trying to do something even when the world is in this state.”

She said while rubbing her eyes. Her eyes were swollen, probably from crying in fear while hiding, but even so, I noticed the star-like pupils in her eyes.

“So… um, stay strong. I think it would be unfortunate if a police officer, no, a person like you dies.”

Yuna-ri’s lips trembled slightly as if she was embarrassed to say such things. I smiled at her and replied.

“Thank you.”

Come to think of it, when was the last time I heard words like that? Working as a police officer, these moments make me feel quite proud.

…But thinking about what I need to do next makes my stomach hurt.

I need to frame this research institute attack not as the Special Investigation Team’s craziness but as a crime committed by ‘some’ police officers.

And for the sake of cleanup, I need to have the media focus on ‘me’ who stopped the crime.

But damn, thinking about possibly having to stand in front of cameras and spout nonsense makes my stomach hurt.

It’s embarrassing and humiliating—should I just run away? I briefly had such thoughts, but since that would lead to a completely hopeless situation, I quietly swallowed my tears.

…..

…

..

.

The incident where police attacked a research institute in the middle of Seoul, smashing everything indiscriminately and trying to kill one person—unexpectedly didn’t spread widely.

Perhaps the higher-ups also knew this wasn’t something that could be left alone.

The police seem to be urgently controlling information about this incident, but it’s only a matter of time before it leaks.

After all, when police officers cause a commotion in the middle of Seoul, reporters are bound to smell it.

It will ultimately be just a stopgap measure, but thankfully, the higher-ups also seemed to know that leaving this alone would be disastrous, so they started preparing a script as I had thought.

They put me in an interrogation room, brought in several executives and people who seemed intelligent, listened to the situation, and sighed deeply.

Then another executive came to visit. The rank insignia he was wearing had three Taeguk Mugunghwa flowers.

I remember seeing the Police Commissioner once from a distance during a special promotion. Who would have thought that in my lifetime I would have a meeting with a Police Superintendent General, even the Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner?

Is this a dream after all? I wish it were a dream. I wish I would just wake up at home.

As I was half-denying reality while moving my lips, the Police Commissioner listened to my report and said with a deliberately intimidating face while gritting his teeth:

“Detective Sergeant Lee Munsu. Can you arrest Chief Inspector Yagi?”

Oh my. Was this person from a faction opposing Yagi? I was shocked by the Police Commissioner’s words but pondered for a moment.

The Commissioner asking if I could arrest Yagi, who belongs to a major faction within the police and has strong power, clearly indicated he also knew about her identity.

If he knew nothing, he would have just said to bring her in, not ask if I could arrest her.

Additionally, one thing is certain now: if the Commissioner is saying this, there won’t be political interference from above until this incident is forgotten by the media.

I can’t miss this opportunity to arrest Yagi. So I nodded, and the Police Commissioner said:

“Good. If you properly arrest her, I will create a special task force centered around Detective Sergeant Lee Munsu to resolve the situation.”

“What?”

“So—for now, return to the Special Investigation Team for the arrest.”

“What?”

“Well then, I’m counting on you. The safety and peace of this country are in our hands now. Please do your best. I will provide all possible support.”

What?

Oh shit, why are things turning out like this?

Would I get fired if I told the Police Commissioner I didn’t want to? But if I get fired now, wouldn’t I be screwed too?

While standing dazed as reason and instinct fought over which was superior, when I came to my senses, I saw familiar faces of Special Investigation Team members and SWAT team members standing behind me.

So—damn, I’m coming back here again. I dragged my hands down my face—ah shit, my ribs.

---

Gathering people for the Yagi arrest operation was proceeding faster than I had thought.

I initially expected that they would first inform the media that Special Investigation Team 2 had acted on their own, then use me to manage public sentiment.

But the higher-ups unexpectedly seemed to be planning to arrest Yagi along with Special Investigation Team 2 first, then decide what to tell the media.

Seeing their approach, I thought:

What the hell, why are they so competent?

Their handling of the situation is so fast and efficient that it’s a bit scary. Did they come to their senses because the country is falling apart?

No, that’s not it. People in this country wouldn’t act like this.

Judging by how they hold meetings to define names for villain groups when supervillains gather and move, they’re still the idiots I know.

But why are they moving so quickly just on this? It’s more unsettling when people do things they normally don’t, but as long as the goal is to arrest Yagi, the faster the better.

However, I know that even with the SWAT team, we can’t arrest Yagi with just police forces.

Given how busy Sai is with all the chaos she’s causing and the fact that the research institute attack incident is being contained within the police force, the timing is now or never.

But we lack strength. Even if we rush to arrest Yagi with guns drawn, she won’t be helplessly arrested.

Haven’t we seen her running wild with that damn Hahoe mask multiple times? She’s literally causing an ice age in the middle of Seoul.

To catch a woman like that, we need real physical power—but Mina, New Hope, is currently down with injuries.

So, is there no way? That’s not true.

In this situation, there’s one superpower user who would gladly help me. A superpower user who has a grudge against Yagi and is powerful—just the right conditions.

That’s—the Goblin guy.

“I’ve come as you called, Detective.”

“…Oh, thanks for coming.”

When I contacted and called him, the Goblin came flying right away. But strangely, he wasn’t wearing his usual funny goblin mask and hemp clothes.

It felt awkward yet somehow better.

I was curious why he suddenly changed, though. Adam and Eve realized their nakedness after eating the forbidden fruit—did he eat something strange and realize his outfit was embarrassing?

…No, this isn’t something to simply brush off.

If this guy starts fighting, anyone will notice what his ability is and intuitively recognize his identity.

He would reveal his face and be officially wanted. He has to take care of his younger sister and was once targeted by Sai—why would he appear like this knowing all that?

I stared at him with raised eyebrows, but the Goblin just smiled meaningfully at my gaze.

“You don’t need to worry so much. I don’t intend to do anything strange.”

“…If you say so.”

He said that and closed his mouth. I couldn’t ask more questions to confirm in this situation, so I nodded.

Well, I also need his help to arrest Yagi.

Honestly, after capturing Sai, he should be the priority person to arrest, so there’s no reason for me to worry about him being wanted.

Although there are some concerning aspects, for now, moving with the police gathered to arrest Yagi comes first.

I looked around. Perhaps due to the situation, the higher-ups gave us shotguns and rifles.

These guns seemed to indicate both that we should arrest Yagi by any means necessary and that the current situation was too dire to worry about public perception.

More than that, American police officers carry these heavy things in their car trunks. Frowning at the unfamiliar weight, I spoke to my police colleagues and the Goblin:

“We’re making an emergency arrest of Team Leader Yagi on charges of illegal drug distribution and solicitation of murder. The suspect is presumed to be a superpower user, and I judge her to be the same person as the supervillain Hahoe Mask who has appeared so far.”

“Furthermore, if she has been distributing awakening drugs, I assume she might be using those called mutants. We have exceptional authorization to use rifles and shotguns, and we’re ordered to arrest Team Leader Yagi alive, but…”

“Honestly, it’s better for one criminal to die than for our comrades to die. I’m the field commander anyway, and I’ll take responsibility. If it’s dangerous, kill her first.”

“Yes, sir!”

The police officers responded quietly to my words. I glared at the building ahead.

It’s originally the Special Investigation Team headquarters building, but currently, only Yagi and the members of Special Investigation Team 2 who didn’t go to the research institute are inside—deliberately arranged.

All civilians within 100 meters have been evacuated.

We moved as quickly as possible, but it was still enough time for Yagi to notice our movements.

Thinking we shouldn’t waste any more time, I was about to signal to move when—

“Hey—over there!”

Someone shouted, pointing somewhere. With an ominous feeling, I looked in that direction.

Someone standing on the rooftop of the Special Investigation Team headquarters building. That figure was wearing a pitch-black coat and a strange Hahoe mask.

When our gaze fell on her, she removed the Hahoe mask. As she took it off, her long silver hair and beautiful face were visible even from a distance.

Her hair fluttering in the wind and her appearance looked like a painting, but since everyone knew this woman, they immediately aimed their guns and shouted:

“Chief Inspector Yagi! We’re making an emergency arrest on charges of illegal drug distribution and solicitation of murder! Surrender immediately!”

The standard surrender recommendation. But everyone knows the suspect won’t comply with this.

The Goblin also took out his danso flute, lowered his body, and assumed a fighting stance. I released the safety on the shotgun in my hands and glared at Yagi.

For a moment, she stared at us without saying anything. No, to be precise, she was looking at me.

Then she made an ominous expression that might have been a smile, snapped her fingers with a click, and…

Just by rough estimate, more than 10 mutants and twice as many superpower users smashed through the office windows and jumped out.

“Oh shit.”

Who said that? At least it wasn’t me, but I share the sentiment of whoever cursed. It was a horrific sight even to me.

Immediately after, gunshots echoed through the city center. And Yagi rushed straight at us.