LOTM: Sword of Kings Special - KK Murder Case

 LOTM: Sword of Kings Special

 Saga AA - Season 2 

 LOTM: Eckidina Arc

 Halloween Special

 Holiday Special - KK Murder Case 

 Sub Arc Special Episode 

 Fifth Special Episode of Season 2 



 Previous Season: LOTM: Sword of Kings AA - Raizen School Arc 

 Previous Episode: LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - The Will of Qliphoth 

 Previous Spin-Off: LOTM: Sword of Kings Spin-Off - Rise of the Blue Haired Heroine 

 Previous Spin-Off Episode: LOTM: Sword of Kings: Rise of the Blue Haired Heroine - Liberty City War Arc - We Are Heroes (Final) 

 Previous Special: LOTM: Sword of Kings Special: Tales of a Lost Hero - Part 2 

 Previous Storyline: LOTM: Witnesses of Sleepy Hollow & Sword of Kings Crossover - The Corbin Files 

"You don't understand me. You are not expected to. You are not capable. I am beyond your experience. I am beyond good and evil. I will be avenged. Lucifer dwells in all of us.... I don't believe in the hypocritical, moralistic dogma of this so-called civilized society.... You maggots make me sick! Hypocrites one and all.... I don't need to hear all of society's rationalizations. I've heard them all before...legions of the night, night breed, repeat not the errors of the night prowler and show no mercy."

- Richard Ramirez

''LOTM: Sword of Kings Special - KK Murder Case is a special Holiday episode that is set 1 year prior the beginning of the Jack the Ripper's murders in Tenguu City. The episode is a canon episode appearing in LOTM: Sword of Kings Saga AA but its events are never mentioned in the original storyline. As stated, this is a special holiday episode, it is also the fourth holiday special episode of the storyline: ''
 * 1) The Valentine's Day of Rentaro Satomi and Katarina Couteau is the first holiday episode released in 2016. 
 * 2) For the second holiday special we have "From Hell Letter" as the Halloween special in 2016. 
 * 3) The third special holiday episode came in 2018 as depressive Valentine's Day episode, the Kiss of Death.

' Not recommended for people under 18-years old. Gore images, obscene languages, sexual content and brutal violence. You have been warned. We are not responsible for any negative reaction. '

Informations

 * Rated: PG-18
 * Genre: Mystery, Detective, Horror, Forensic, Gore
 * Stories: LOTM: Sword of Kings 

Timeline

 * Set 1 year prior the beginning of the events in LOTM: Sword of Kings Special: "From Hell" Letter.

Summary
'The story is about the killer "KK" loose in Los Angeles, and super-sleuth Kyouko Kirigiri trying to solve the case. Along with a young Ultimate Detective, Nami, an FBI agent, she helps the LAPD solve this grisly crime.  Besides Nami's character, the story focuses on how Kyouko and other Ultimate Detectives of Global Pact Defense works. Insight was given into GDP's Academy (Hammy's House), and how the whole system of geniuses such as Kyouko, Gwen, and Kenzo Tenma were put to work.  <p style="text-align:center;">The story is narrated by Mina Harker, who was extremely active during the investigations. She starts out by trying to write about the case like she was writing a true crime report; very straightforward and speculative. A short time through, her tone changes to that of a novelist as she writes down what the characters are thinking or feeling. Only occasionally does she catch herself and revert to the other style. Mina even interrupts the story at various points whenever she has input.'

Global Pact Defense
<p style="text-align:center;"> From the top-right 


 * Kyouko Kirigiri 
 * Nami 
 * Director Natalia
 * Gwen
 * Shusei Kagari 
 * Sonia Phoenix
 * Nobuchika Ginoza 
 * Joan Christ
 * Fiora Wescott
 * Alli

STAR LABS
​​

<p style="text-align:center;"> From the left 


 * Mina Harker 
 * Sonia Hela

FBI
​​

<p style="text-align:center;"> From the left 


 * Tom Richard 
 * Teru Mikami
 * Ellen Clover

KK's Victims


<p style="text-align:center;"> From the right 


 * Believe Bridesmaid
 * Backyard Bottomslash
 * Quarter Queen

Los Angeles Police Department
​​​​​​​

<p style="text-align:center;"> From the left 

​​​
 * Tsubasa Torii
 * Rika Minami
 * Frank Djeeta

The Killer & Illuminati
​​​​​​​​ ​​​ <p style="text-align:center;"> From the left 


 * KK Killer 
 * Jeanne 
 * The Fallen's Essence 

??? - flashback

 * ??? 

Lyrics
Insane, inside the danger gets me high Can't help myself got secrets I can't tell I love the smell of gasoline I light the match to taste the heat

[Chorus]

I've always liked to play with fire Play with fire I've always liked to play with fire

[Verse 2] I ride the edge my speed goes in the red Hot blood these veins my pleasure is their pain I love to watch the castles burn These golden ashes turn to dirt

[Chorus]

I've always liked to play with fire Play with fire Play with fire Fire, fire I've always liked to play with fire

[Bridge]

Oh, Watching as the flames get higher Oh, I've always liked to play with

[Verse 3 : Yacht Money]

Right of passage classic maverick Match in the gas tank oh that's wretched Unstoppable legendary animals Digital justice Now you're gonna know us Hail to the king and queen of the ruckus Yacht Money wired No denying

[Chorus]

I've always liked to play with fire Play with fire Play with fire Fire, fire I've always liked to play with fire

Mina's Narration
<p style="text-align:center;"> ??? 

<p style="text-align:center;"> ??? 

<p style="text-align:center;"> ??? 



''When KK Killer committed his third murder, he attempted an experiment. Namely, to see if it were possible for a human being to die of internal hemorrhaging without rupturing any organs. Specifically, he drugged his victim so they fell unconscious; tied them up, and proceeded to beat their left arm thoroughly, being careful not to break the skin. He was hoping to bring about enough hemorrhaging to cause death from loss of blood, but this attempt ended, sadly, in failure. Blood congested in the arm and it turned purplish red beneath the skin, but the victim did not die. They simply shook, convulsed, and remained alive. He had been convinced the blood loss incurred by this would be enough to kill someone, hut apparently he had underestimated the matter.''

''As far as KK was concerned, the actual method of murder rated fairly low on the amusement scale, and it was never more than an interesting experiment. It did not particularly matter to him whether it succeeded or not. ''

''KK simply shrugged, and took out a knife... ''

''No, no, no, no, no. Not this style, not this narrative voice! UGH! Okay! Okay! I’ll never manage to keep up this arch tone all the way through. The harder I try, the more bored I’ll get and the lazier the writing will be. ''

''To put it in terms Holden Caulfield (one of history’s most famous literary bullshitters) might use, detailing what KK did and thought does not suit my purposes (even if, in my position, I have a great deal of sympathy for him). Explaining the entirety of his murders in carefully phrased sentences does not in any way increase the value of these notes. This is not a report, nor is it a novel. Even if it happens to turn into one of those, I will not be happy. I hate to use such a hackneyed line, but I imagine that by the time anyone lays eyes on these words I will no longer be alive. I hardly need to remind the reader about the epic battle between the century’s greatest detective, Ratatoskr, and that grotesque murderer, Red Moon Tyrant. The instrument of death was a little bit more fantastic than a guillotine (for example), but all the Red Moon Tyrant accomplished was another reign of terror and a pathetically infantile way of thinking. ''

''Looking back, I can only surmise that the gods of victory smiled on Red Moon Tyrant for their own vain amusement. Perhaps these gods actually wanted a blood-soaked world of betrayal and false accusation. Perhaps the entire episode exists as a lesson to teach us the difference between the Almighty and the death gods. Who knows? I, for one, have no intention of wasting any more time thinking about this most negative series of events. To hell with Ratatoskr, Red Moon Tyrant, the Fallen's Essence, Michael Langdon and so many others... ''

''What matters to me is Kyouko Kirigiri. The century’s greatest detective. In light of her staggering mental abilities, Kyouko died an unjust and untimely death. Opps! Spoilers! HAHAHAHAHA!! Sorry about that. She is not dead, no worries.''

''In the public record alone she solved over 3,500 difficult crimes, and sent three times that number of degenerates to prison. She wielded incredible power, was able to mobilize every investigative bureau in the entire world, and was applauded generously for her efforts. And during it all, she never showed her true expressions and thoughts. I want to record her words as accurately as possible. And I want to leave them for someone to find. As someone who was given the chance to follow in her footsteps. ''

''Well, I may not have been able to succeed her in terms of IQ, but I want to leave this behind. So what you’re reading now are my notes about Kyouko Kirigiri. It’s a dying message, not from me, and not directed at the world. The person who will most likely read this first will probably be that big headed twit Vira Hermes. But if that’s the case, I will not tell her to shred or burn these pages. If it causes her pain to discover that I knew things about Kyouko that she did not, then that’s fine. ''

''I am one of the few people who ever met Kyouko Kirigiri, the real Kyouko Kirigiri. When and how I met her.. .this is the single most valuable memory I have, and I will not write it here, but on that occasion Kyouko related to me three stories of her exploits, and the episode involving KK Killer was one of these. If I drop the pretense and simply refer to it as the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases, then I imagine many of you will have heard of them. Obviously, it never came to light that Kyouko and more importantly, Hammy’s House, which raised me until I was fifteen— was deeply connected to the matter, but in fact, they were. ''

''Kyouko, on principle, never got involved in a case unless there were more than ten victims or a million dollars at stake, and this is the real reason why she belatedly, but aggressively, involved herself in this little case, which only ever had three or four victims. I will explain further in the pages that follow, but for this reason, the case of the Los Angeles KK murders are a watershed event for Kyouko, for me, and even for Global Pact Defense. It was a monumental event for all of us. Why? Because this case is where Kyouko first introduced her as Kyouko Kirigiri, and not as the Ultimate Detective. ''

''So let us skip past all tedious descriptions of what KK Killer thought, of how he went about killing his third victim, since I have in interest in that at all, and while we’re at it, let’s skip the second and first victims, make no effort to look back at the earlier murders, mod adjust the clock’s hands to the morning of the day after, the glittering moment when the century’s greatest detective, Kyouko, first began to investigate the case. Oh, I almost forgot. In the event that anyone besides big-headed Vira or the deluded Ratatoskr retards is reading these notes, then I should at least perform the basic courtesy of introducing myself, here at the end of the prologue. ''

''I am your narrator, your navigator, your storyteller. For anyone else but those two, my identity may be of no interest, but I am the old world’s runner-up, the cleaner of this world, the person who tried to bring peace to mankind by ending World War III and wipe out the Black Demons. My name is Mina Harker, and today, I'll help you understand how the KK Murder Cases really happened... The story happens in Los Angeles, 90 kilometers away from Los Santos. The date? August 14, 2035.''

Page 0 - The Message
<p style="text-align:center;"> North America  <p style="text-align:center;"> United States  <p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles  <p style="text-align:center;"> FBI Department  <p style="text-align:center;"> August, 14  <p style="text-align:center;"> 2035  <p style="text-align:center;"> 1 year before the beginning of World War III  <p style="text-align:center;"> 08:23 AM 

If we had to choose where it all began, it began here, when our new protagonist, Nami Feuer, lost her FBI lincense due to a fatal mistake she committed in an operation of FBI a month ago.

''Our new protagonist is not the typical character at young age, she is actually an experienced and veteran agent of FBI. However, this all changed today, when Nami received a leave of absence.''

''Inside of FBI garrison in Los Angeles, Nami, a young-Korean woman who was wearing an uniform of FBI, was standing in front of the desk of her boss. Inside of that private office, the superior of Nami, was reading some documents in her hands.''

''Nami belongs to the female division of FBI, a squad composed only by women. And as such, Nami's boss is a female expert of FBI's investigations. Her name is Director Natalia, she is in charge of United States' cybernetic security but she also receives a lot of investigation cases about murders, kidnappings and among other crimes.''



''- Natalia: Nami Feuer, right? I read your reports and what happened to your last operation.''

''- Nami: Yes. Agent Nami Feuer, mistress.''

''Natallia  seemed to be very displeased to see what she was reading about Nami's actions. In those documents, it was written the mistakes of Nami committed in her last operation a month ago. What was those mistakes? We are yet to see.''

''- Natalia: I see. You let the suspect escape, right? After 2 months of effort your unit found the suspect who kidnapped the young Mexican girl, Fernanda Guimaraes, in the West of L.A. but you refused to shoot him. Why of that?''



Nami put both of her hands in her back and there she began to pierce her own skin with her nails.

''- Nami: Yes. I let my own feelings get in my way. You must excuse me, director but that was the first time that I truly pointed a gun at a human being.''

Natalia seemed to be too much disappointed at Nami to answer immediately.

- Natalia: Even so, why you refused to shoot even knowing the suspect was armed?

Nami, in total humiliation, looked at the ground to avoid staring at the face of her boss.



''- Nami: I don't know exactly... Honestly, I hated him. Any crimes committed by defenseless woman is hateful and as a woman I can perfecly understand the pain and suffering that young Mexican girl passed in the hands of that thug. Yet when the moment had come, I pointed my gun to his head but then before I could pull the trigger... Something passed in my head. I felt like if I was going to lose something at the moment I pulled that trigger.''

''Natalia was even more displeased because for a FBI agent let feelings interfere in her work is totally unacceptable. Natalia is the director of FBI's Female Squad for almost 2 decades and until now she never received such a case where a trusted agent let her emotions interfere in the work of her agency.''

''- Natalia: Agent Nami Feuer. You are hereby released from your duty at FBI's department for now. Considering you are unable to continue operating in lethal missions of the government, we will give you a leave of absence.''

''A leave of absence (LOA) is a period of time that one must be away from one's primary job, while maintaining the status of employee. The term may be used more restrictively to exclude other periods away from the workplace (e.g., vacations, paid time off, holidays, hiatuses, sabbaticals, working from home programs), with LOA used for exceptional circumstances; generally, such an arrangement has a predefined termination at a particular date or after a certain event has occurred.''

''- Nami: Roger. But considering that my incompetence wasted 2 months of investigation, I beg you to give me a severe punishment.''

''Nami is indeed a loyal agent of FBI, to the point she is willing to give her life for the organization... So giving her a mere leave of absence for a few weeks of months is totally humilliating since her "sin" was heavier than that.''

''- Natalia: Agent Nami... No, Nami... I know you for almost 10 years and I like you. You're an excellent shooter, an intelligent investigator and not to mention you're a smart detective. You have all qualifications to be useful for the FBI for the next 4 or even 5 decades. Putting someone like you outside of the agency merely because you committed one mistake is not good for us, and probably to the United States itself.''



''Despite her serious personality, Natalia is actually very close to Nami. Outside they're friends but in their work time they are superior and subordinate. Even so, that does not mean their friendship reduce the damage caused by their work. Like if, if I date my teacher I can hav--Oh... I'm leaving from the story here.''​​​​​

Natalia then put the documents away and clasped her hands before closing her eyes.

''- Natalia: I'm disappointed with you even more, Nami. It seems you understimate my ability to punish my subordinates for violating our laws.''

- Nami: I didn--



Nami tried to reply back but her superior began to speak louder.

''- Natalia: And in addition, you seem to not trust in yourself that much. You don't recognize your value and capabillity. Have more faith in yourself, you treat yourself like if you were some kind of amateur. You're here for 9 years. Everyone knows and trust in you skills. Don't fail their expectations. Or better, don't fail yourself. This is the best punishment I can think for someone so important like you.''

''Natalia was a little sad but deep inside she was actually angry for speaking to Nami in that way. She was never that cold with her friend before.''



- Nami: I understand.​​​​​​

''- Natalia: Please, handle over your gun and badge. They wil be taken for now until the second order.''

Nami then removed her belt with her gun and put it on the desk alongside her FBI badge.

''- Nami: Your words were helpful for recovery, director. Despite the fact that I did a mistake, I can't handle that because of me my friends and comrades put everything they had to find that rapist for 2 months. They may forgive me but I can't forgive myself for now.''

''- Natalia: That's why, Nami. That's why I'm giving you a time out for now. You are working in the FBI for almost 10 years without rest. I was thinking in giving you vacation at some point but not like this. You must forgive me too.''

''- Nami: Imagine! Don't put yourself in my own mistakes... Anyway, director, I must take my leave now. ''



Hearing those words given by her surbodinate, Natalia replied back with a handshake.

''- Natalia: Take care of yourself, my friend. Please don't let what you did be your ruin. Everyone commit mistakes, even I did when I was at your age.''

''Nami smiled silently before shaking her hands with Natalia and leaving without saying a word. Just as she was about to open the door, another woman was waiting on the other side and waited for the Korean agent leave before entering.''

''- Natalia: Ah... Fiora Wescott, you're here.''

''Fiora is probably the most beautiful woman in FBI due to her Canadian and British's bloodine. And more importantly, she is the current Executive Assistant Director of FBI Intelligent Branch.''

''- Fiora: What happened to our energetic Nami? ''

Fiora looked at Nami walking down the hallway before closing the door.

''- Natalia: She ruined the Investigation 494 from Fernanda's Investigation Case. But I don't blame her, that girl is working with us for 9 years without any time for herself. She lives alone, don't have many friends outside of work, is socially awkward but is kind person and... ''

"..............."



- Natalia: Does she even have a boyfriend?

Fiora seemed to be that kind of woman that sleeps with at least 2 men per week so she probaby knows when a woman is single or in a romantic relationship.

''- Fiora: I think she have. She may look dead and lifeless but she walks in a way that show that she at least experienced sex once in life.''

"............................"

Fiora is just that kind of woman.

''- Natalia: I didn't ask if she is virigin or not! I asked if she... Ugh! Nevermind!  Fiora giggled and seated in front of Natalia's desk. Obviously, compared to her authority, Natalia is less powerful than the former but more than 10 years ago, before Nami joined FBI, Fiora was a subordinate of Natalia just like Nami.''



''- Natalia: Anyway, Fiora I want to discuss with you about her now. We all know before you became the Executive Assistant Director of FBI's Intelligent Branch you were the headmistress of FBI's Training Academy.''

''The FBI Academy is the Federal Bureau of Investigation's law enforcement training and research center located near the town of Quantico in Prince William County, Virginia. Operated by the Bureau's Training Division, it was first opened for use in 1972 on 385 acres (156 ha) of woodland, which is not available for public tours. ''

In addition to training new FBI agents at the facility, the Training Division also instructs special agents, intelligence analysts, law enforcement officers, Drug Enforcement Administration agents, and foreign partners.

''- Fiora: Yes, I remember that. I was the headmistress of that piece of junk full of amateur police officers. I used to train them so harshly that some gave up. This, however, was necessary to banish all corrupt officers from entering FBI. Good old ti--!''

Natalia threw a paper at the head of the executive to stop her from saying thing of an old woman.

''- Natalia: I'm not talking about that. I know you trained Nami Feuer in the past. Did she ever showed signals of emotional distress of something related?''

''- Fiora: I trained her for 2 years before her graduation. She passed in all physical and psychological tests with 100% in everything. She is a very calm person who can keep her mind in line even in death situations. ''

Natalia started to wonder what made Nami become such emotional person.

<p style="text-align:center;">' 2 minutes later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Hallway '

"......" 

''In silence, the young agent of FBI, Nami Feuer, opened the door of the Changing Room of the agency and made her way in. Considering that Nami gave her badge and gun to Natalia, it's most obvious that she needs to leave her uniform of the department behind as well.''

''Annoyed, Nami began to strip herself and quietly put all her uniforms that were inside of a bag in one of the lockers. Since that agency is all-female only group, she doesn't need to worry about having perverts opening the lockers ony by one to find sweaty clothes.''

''Nami thought to herself that since she wasn't allowed to participate in other future operations, it couldn't be helped no matter how much doubt she had. Rather than thinking about that, it would be better to practice at home for the performance on the next day. ''



''Just when Nami was alone in the changing room, someone opened the door. She glanced at the door and saw a tall black haired woman entering the room. She was wearing a LAPD uniform. ''

''At the same time, she recognized the face of that woman and for the first time expressed repulsion for that person. The reason? Because that police officer is the rival of Nami, an arrogant and opportunist officer who joined FBI's academy but failed in the first tests... Her name is Tsubasa Torii, an American born in the West islands of Japan.''

''- Tsubasa: Yo, Korean slut. How are you doing?''

''Tsubasa stepped into the room with a cocky smile and closed the door. Namie and Tsubasa have a long historic of fights but 100% of them were started by Nami. Needless to say, the first impression we have from this woman is that she is a racist who refuses to accept a Korean woman in FBI's ranks. While Tsubasa has an Asian name, she is not Asian at all since her family are pure-blooded Americans. The reason why she was named after a Japanese name is because her parents wanted something different to match the country where they were living at the time.''



''- Nami: I don't have time to hear what your mouth-toilet has to say. Go away.''

''Nami changed her sight to the locker in front of her and quickly began to wear her formal black clothes. At the time she was speaking with Tsubasa, she was wearing only bra and panties, but considering they are women this is not a problem at all.''

''- Tsubasa: I heard the rumors. You nailed in your investigation... Or better, you nailed at the very climax of Fernanda's case. You let her rapist ran away with his tails between his legs. 2 months of focus only to be ruined by your own idiocy. What happened back there? Your stretched Asian eyes stopped you from aiming at that freaking scumbag? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!''

''There is a reason why someone so pathetic like Tsubasa is considered Nami's rival. She is a loser in almost everything compared to the latter. This woman is the only human being who can take Nami out of her serious mode. Her voice, her tone, her arrogance, her racism towards Asian and her cocky smile are everything that needs to break the ice of the emotionless Nami.''



- Nami: .............

Nami ignored Tsubasa and continued putting her clothes on.

''- Tsubasa: Oh, I almost forgot. I heard the director Natalia gave you a leave of absence. That basically means you're being removed from your post. In other words: FIRED.''

"..........................."

The sounds of clothes was the only thing that could be heard in the room.

''- Nami: Tsubasa. Don't you have more things to do? It's needless to say that this hour is your patrol time in Hollywood.''

She knew very well that she was suppose to be patrolling Hollywood now but it seems she simply doesn't care as she can bribe other officers to take over her post without being noticed.



- Tsubasa: What I do with my work is none of your business, flat-chested Korean bitch.

''Tsubasa noticed her voice was sounding louder so she kept her voice lower. Nami frowned slightly and turned to her back.''

''- Nami: Exactly. So what happens in my work is none of your business as well.'' ''- Tsubasa: Here you goes again, trying to offend people with all-right words. You should just quit FBI and return back to your piece of shit country. America is not your place.''

Nami giggled in a tone of sarcasm.

''- Nami: What's the difference about our "piece of shit countries"? I was born in Korea and you were born in Japan. Almost basically the same thing. You just said: put a Chinese inside of a bus full of Japanese and try to find the difference.''

- Tsubasa: .............

''Tsubasa spat on the floor and made her way out without saying a word. She was not admitting defeat but merely bored of how Nami can keep her calm even after her racist comments.'' - Nami: See you around, loser.​​​​​​

<p style="text-align:center;">' 10 minutes later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Entrance '

''After that confusion, Nami left the changing room and proceeded to leave the building. ''

''On her way, with a stern expression, Nami arrived at the entrance of the building. She brought her eyes towards at the front door, and she found out there was someone beside the doors. It was a handsome man wearing a butler uniform. ''

- Nami: Joan, glad to see you here.

''Of course, Nami knew everyone in that building. Not to mention, on her way to the entrance of the building she met many of her comrades and gave her farewell to all her teammates.''

''- Joan: Agent Nami! I heard what happened to you! I feel so sorry for what you had to endure.''

''Joan is the person in charge of protecting the entrance of the building. Obviously, for being a building of FBI this place is guarded by hundreds of guards and droids. Joan, despite being dressed as a butler, is in fact a disguised security officer.''



​​​​​​​''- Nami: Don't worry about me. I think I need some rest. However, I was not expecting to get a license thanks to my own mistakes. ''

''Joan approached the agent with an emotionless expression. This person is a tall, bespectacled, and handsome man with short, black hair and golden eyes. He dresses in a dark suit and wears white gloves.''

''- Joan: I know this wil not be of very help but I wish you to return soon enough. If you find yourself bored you can always return to us. Even without the approvation we can still put you to work as a detective of LAPD.''

''LAPD... The local police of Los Angeles. Nami hates them as much as she hates Tsubasa. Of course, she doesn't hate them as a whole since she consider them to be fundamentally important to the security of the state. As an agent of FBI, she used to work as a police officer in LAPD but the rotten command of the organization is so corrupt and lazy that she defected the police to join the FBI.''

​​​​​​​

''- Nami: LAPD... Just don't, Joan. I prefer to die rather than join that police department again. And I'm sure I'll be put in the division of Tsubasa.''

Joan was quite familiar with historic of hostility so he showed regret for bringing the topic.

''- Joan: So, I saw Tsubasa entering in the building. I don't need to ask that she went to see you. Actually, to mock you, right?''

''- Nami: You're right. She just showed up to waste my time. I think I won that fight but deep inside I think she got a true point. My absence of FBI is a total failure and there is nothing more ridiculous for an agent of FBI to be suspended because she let a disgusting rapist escape.''

"................."



Despite the fact that Tsubasa was left speechless back then, Nami believed it was herself who lost.

''- Joan: She is idiot. You don't need to take her seriously.''

Joan sharpened his golden eyes as Nami lifted the sides of her lips.

''- Nami: I know that. Thank you, Joan. I have things to do before I return home. I'll contact you soon if I need something. I promise you I'll be not away from FBI for too long.''

- Joan: I wish you for the best.

Joan then smiled and turned around without saying a word while Nami made her leave without being noticed by the hundreds of officers of FBI at the lobby of the building.

<p style="text-align:center;">' Many hours later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles Street  <p style="text-align:center;"> Hotel  <p style="text-align:center;"> 12:34 PM 



''While it is now referred to as the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases—a rather catchy title—when it was actually happening, right in the middle of the whirlpool, it was never called anything so impressive. The media called it the Wara Ningyo Murders, or the L.A. Serial Locked Room Killings, or all kinds of other ghastly names. This fact was undoubtedly a source of great annoyance to KK Killer—the perpetrator of the murders in question—but frankly, I think those names provide a more accurate description of what was actually happening. ''

''Either way, the day after KK Killer carried out the third of the murders, August 14, 2035, 8:15 AM, local time, the FBI agent Nami Feuer was lying dazedly on the bed in her apartment, having just woken up. She was wearing dark leather pants and a matching leather jacket, but it would be a mistake to assume she customarily slept in this outfit. She had spent several hours racing around on her motorcycle the night before, in a vain effort to burn off stress, and when she finally returned to lieu apartment she had fallen instantly into a sound slumber without bothering to shower or undress. Much like the name of the case, Nami has now entered the public consciousness as the one who eventually cracked the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases, but the truth is that when these events were unfolding in real time, she had been suspended from her duties as an FBI agent. ''



''Now who is Nami? Well she is nothing more than an agent of FBI active in America... Her background? Normal. Normal life, born in a medium-class Korean family, studied in the most advanced schools of Seul and passed 6 years of her life studying in an university in Texas. At her twenties she tried to pass in the course of the Federal Police of America and was assigned to an agent of FBI after 2 years of intense training. ''

A boring, flat and normal person you can find everywhere out there.

''Nami is a young Asian woman with pale skin, short brown hair and large brown eyes. By normal standards, she is quite a beauty compared to other women of her age. Of course I'm more beautiful!''

- Nami: Just another day...

''According to the official records she was just on a leave of absence, but this is purely because she had absolutely no ability whatsoever to stand up to the pressure from her superiors and colleagues. Suspension, leave, summer vacation. I don’t think we need to go into the reasons for her suspension here. ''



''What is certain is that this was America, she was Asian, female, very good at her job, and the FBI is a large organization... which ought to be enough information. Obviously, she did have colleagues who had a high opinion of her, which is exactly why she had been able to work in the organization so far, but a month before, just before the Los Angeles KK murders, Nami had made a major blunder, so major even she could not believe it--which led directly to her current situation.''

''This was not the kind of problem that could be alleviated by racing around in the middle of the night on a motorcycle. Nami was seriously considering quitting the FBI, casting off her entire life, and moving back to Korea. Obviously, part of her was sick and tired of all the nonsense that came with the job, but even more than that was the guilt she felt over her own mistake, which hung upon her shoulders like a dead weight. ''



''Even if there had been no pressure from those around her—not that this hypothetical was even remotely possible—Nami would have asked for time off herself. Or even resigned. ''

''Nami slowly peeled herself off the bed, intending to shower away the sweat of the night before, but then she noticed the laptop on her desk was, for some reason, turned on. She had no recollection of turning it on—after all, she had just woken up. Had she hit the switch on her way in last night? And then fallen asleep without shutting it down again? She didn’t remember doing that, but since the screen saver was working, there seemed to be no other explanation. ''

''One would assume that if she had enough energy left to turn on her computer, she would have had enough energy to undress. ''

''Nami peeled off her jacket and pants, and with her body feeling much lighter, got off the bed, moved over to her desk, and jiggled the mouse. This was enough to clear the screen saver, but at this point Nami became even more confused. The main e-mail program was running and flashing a “new mail” message. It was possible she’d fallen asleep with her computer on, but to fall asleep in the middle of checking her email? While she was still wondering about that, she clicked on her inbox. There was one new message, from Adam Jensen. This was the name of Nami’s current boyfriend, also an FBI agent. He was the most obvious example of the agents who had a high opinion of her (not that this stopped him from begging her to transfer to a less dangerous department every time something happened). Since her leave was almost over, this might well be just business, so Nami went ahead and opened the message... Hehehe! Did we get you? Adam is Nami's boyfriend! Hahahaha... No? Okay.'' Nami Feuer ''I apologize for contacting you like this.  I would like to request your help in solving a certain case. '' If you are willing to assist me, please access the third block of the third section of the Funny Dish server on August 14th at nine AM. The line will be open for exactly five minutes (please break through the firewall yourself). From K PS: In order to contact you, I took the liberty of borrowing your friend’s address. This was the simplest and safest way to contact you, so please forgive me. Regardless of whether you agree to help me or not, I need you to destroy this computer within twenty-four hours of reading this message.

'' When she finished reading, Nami immediately reread the entire message and finally checked the sender’s name again. K. She might be suspended, but she was still an FBI agent, and obviously she recognized the name. It would have been unforgivable had she not. ''

''She briefly considered the idea that Adam, or someone else, was playing a practical joke on her, but she found it hard to believe anyone would be so bold to sign their name as such. ''

''K never revealed herself in public or in private, but Nami was safe to say that no one would dare use her name, even in jest. Now who is K? K is the Ultimate Detective, the Top Number 1 of all Detectives of the century, Kyouko Kirigiri. She used to have her nickname written as "KK" but after the case in Los Angeles, her nickname was changed only to K to make difference between herself and "KK Killer". Jerkass.''

So.

- Nami: Aw, dang.

''Nami grumbled, and proceeded to take her shower, washing away the exhaustion of the night before. She dried her short brunnete hair and drank a cup of hot coffee. But she was only pretending to consider the matter—she did not really have a choice. No FBI agent, particularly a low-ranking one, could ever consider turning down a request from K. But at this time Nami did not have a particularly favorable opinion of the great detective K, so she had to pretend to hesitate, if only to make herself feel better. If you consider Nami's personality, the reasons for this are clear. It seemed obvious that the reason her laptop had been turned on was that K had hacked it, and she was more than a little depressed that she would now have to randomly destroy the new computer she had just purchased a month before.''

- Nami (think): *I don’t mind… I mean, I do, but...*

''She didn’t have a choice. ''

''At just past 8:50, Nami sat down in front of her laptop, which now had less than twenty three hours left to live, and began following K’s instructions. She was not an expert hacker, but she had been taught the basics as part of her FBI training. ''

''Just as she successfully gained access to the server, her entire screen went white. Nami was momentarily alarmed, but then she noticed a giant calligraphic K floating in the center of the screen, and relaxed. “''

''- (???): [Nami Feuer]. ''

''A voice came from the laptop speakers, after a brief pause. It was obviously a synthetic voice. But this was the voice recognized as K’s by every investigative department in the world. Yes, Kyouko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective that solved thousands of cases used to solve them all just by investigating the crimes from distance. She never revealed her face to the public until this case, the KK Murder Cases. This is why this case is so important to the world's history. ''

''Nami had heard it several times before but this was the first time it had ever addressed her directly. It felt weird, like she was hearing her name on TV—not that she had ever had that experience, but this was what she imagined it would be like. ''

- Kyouko (PC): [This is K].

''- Nami: Ah... Hello there. ''

''Nami started to say, but then realized how pointless that was. Her laptop did not have a microphone installed, and there was no way for him to hear her. Instead, she typed in.''

"' This is Nami Feuer. It’s an honor to speak to you, K." '

If her connection was sound, Kyouko should be able to receive this.

- Kyouko (PC): [Nami, are you familiar with the murder investigation going on in Los Angeles as we speak?]

''Kyouko got right down to business, without acknowledging her words at all. Presumably this was because she had to complete this communication by 9:05, but her manner and attitude rubbed Nami the wrong way like it was a given that she would cooperate with her— which was true, but acting like it showed no respect for her pride. ''

Nami allowed herself to bang on the keyboard rather loudly.

"I am not so skilled that I can keep track of all the murder investigations happening in Los Angeles.” 

''- Kyouko (PC): [Oh? I am].''

''She’d returned her sarcasm with a boast. Kyouko continued.''

''- Kyouko (PC): [I’m referring to the serial killings—-the third victim was found yesterday. I believe there will be more victims to come. HNN news is calling it the Wara Ningyo Murders].''

''Wara Ningyō is a cursed doll that are used extensively as wards against evil. During the Heian period, wara ningyō would be placed along the sides of the roads for protection against plague. It was hoped that the evil spirits which brought disease would nest in the straw bodies instead of living human bodies. Afterwards, the straw dolls would be discarded into a river, which would also purify the evil spirits. Wara ningyō are popular devices in a number of dark rituals. They are combined with something from the recipient of the curse, such as a piece of hair. This transforms the doll into a substitute for the intended target. Long nails are pushed through the wara ningyō, harming the subject as well as the doll. There are specific rules for creating different types of wara ningyō. These detail the materials to be used, the way the dolls are constructed, and the objects to be inserted into them. It can be difficult to find the materials needed to perform curses. The required items are not sold in most stores. However, some websites sell premade curse kits that contain all of the items you might need to perform a specific curse, including a wara ningyō, long nails, a mallet, pre-written curses with blanks for the recipient’s name, and other accessories. Of course, performing such rituals is illegal.''

It took a while to Nami remember that she never heard that title before.

"The Wara Ningyo Murders?"

''She had not heard about it. She was on leave and had been deliberately avoiding that kind of news. Nami had lived in Korea until she graduated high school and was familiar with the term, but hearing it pronounced in English gave it an edge of unfamiliarity. “''

''- Kyouko (PC): [I would like to solve this case. i need to arrest the killer not only for its brutal methods but for using my name to destroy my reputation. But your help in this matter is vital, Nami Feuer].''

Listening to her words, Nami typed quickly.

"Why me?"

''This could be taken to mean either “Why do you need my help?” or “Why should I help you?” but Kyouko took the first meaning without a moment’s hesitation. Sarcasm appeared to be lost on her. ''

- Kyouko (PC): [Naturally, because you are a skilled investigator, Nami Feuer].

''However, Nami tried to consider everything that could interefere in the case. ''

 “I’m on a leave of absence...” 

''- Kyouko (PC): [I know. Isn’t that convenient?]''

''Three victims, she’d said. Obviously, it depended on the victims, but from what Kyouko had told her this case had not yet reached the kind of scale required for the FBI to get involved. ''

''She would normally have assumed that this was why Kyouko had approached her instead of going through the FBI director, but this was much too sudden. And she had been given almost no time to think things through. But it had been enough time for her to wonder why Kyouko would be involved in a case too small for the FBI to notice. She did not imagine he would answer that question over her computer, however. ''

''She glanced at her clock. She had one more minute and typed quickly.''

 "Okay. I’ll help in any way I can." 

Kyouko answered instantly.

''- Kyouko (PC): [Thank you. I knew you would agree].''

''She did not sound very thankful. But perhaps that could be blamed on the synthetic nature of her voice. ''

''- Kyouko (PC): [Let me explain how you will contact me in the future. We have no time, so I will be brief. First...]''

''Let me continue this... first, she had to know the basic details of the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases. ''

''On July 3, 2035, in the bedroom of a small house on Hollywood’s Insist Street, a man named Believe Bridesmaid was killed. He lived alone, working as a freelance writer. He had written articles for dozens of magazines under many different names and was relatively well known in the industry—-which means exactly nothing, but in this case appears to have been fairly accurate. He was strangled. He was first knocked out with some sort of drug and then strangled from behind with some sort of string. There were no signs of struggle—all things considered, a smoothly executed crime. ''

''The second murder occurred four days later, on August 4th, 2035. This time it was downtown, in an apartment on Third Avenue, and the victim was a female named Quarter Queen. This time the victim was beaten to death, her skull caved in from the front by something long and hard. Once again, the victim appeared to have been drugged first and was unconscious at the time of death. As for why it was determined that these two murders were committed by the same killer... well, anyone who saw the scene of the crime instantly noticed the connection. ''

''There were straw voodoo dolls nailed to the walls at both places. These dolls were specifically known as Wara Ningyo. Four of them on Insist Street. Three of them on Third Avenue. They were also nailed to the walls.''

''The Wara Ningyo had been covered in the news, so strictly speaking there was a chance of a copycat crime, but several other details matched as well, leading the police to begin treating the case as a serial killing. But if that was the case, that left a very big question, there was absolutely nothing to connect Believe Bridesmaid with Quarter Queen. Neither one of them had the other’s number in their cell phones, neither one of them had the other’s card in their business card holder, and besides, Quarter Queen did not own a cell phone or a business card holder—she was a thirteen-year-old girl. ''

''What connection could she possibly have to a forty-four-year-old professional freelance writer? ''

''If there was a connection, it was probably through the girl’s mother, who was out of town when the murder happened, but given the difference in neighborhoods and situations between the two, it was still difficult to see any significant connection. To use a term from an old-fashioned detective novel, there was a missing link—they could not find any connection between the victims. The investigation had naturally focused on this, but nine days later (by which time the media had begun calling them the Wara Ningyo Murders) on August 13th, 2036, the third murder happened.''

''There were two Wara Ningyo on the wall. There was one less doll with each murder. The third murder was in West L.A., in a townhouse near the Metrorail Glass Station, and the victim’s name was Backyard Bottomslash. This victim was another female, age twenty-six, midway between the first and second victims, and she was a bank clerk.''

''Once again, she had no connections with Believe Bridesmaid or Quarter Queen at all. It seemed unlikely they had even bumped into each other on the street. She died from loss of blood, massive hemorrhaging. Strangulation, beating, and finally stabbing, each time a different method of murder, giving the unnatural impression that he was trying something new with each killing. And he left no useful clues at any of the scenes. The only other thing to investigate was the link between them, but since none was found—which was very strange for murders of this type—the third murder left the police at a complete loss. ''

The killer was far better at this than the police were.

''I have no intention of praising KK Killer, but in this case I will give him the credit he is due. Oh, right, in addition to the Wara Ningyo, there was one other major similarity between the scenes: they were all locked rooms. Just like an old mystery novel. The detectives investigating the case had not put a lot of value on this particular aspect of the case... but when Nami received the file on the case from K, this word was the first thing that caught her attention. When Nami began investigating the case, not as an FBI agent, but as an individual under Kyouko’s supervision, it was the day after she received Kyouko's request, August 15th. ''

''She was off duty, so her badge and gun had been taken away from her, leaving her with no more rights to weaponry than any ordinary citizen. But she did not particularly mind, Nami had never been the kind of agent to throw her authority around. She was a little put nit, and her mental condition was a little choppy, so she was not in her best condition to tackle the case, but in that sense her emotional state was similar to Kyouko's own. In other words, she was not good at working in groups, and her ability shone brightest when she escaped he bindings of organizations and worked on her own, which in her might explain why she had a pinch of resentment coloring her eclings toward K. ''

<p style="text-align:center;">' 1 day later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles 

<p style="text-align:center;"> August, 15 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hollywood's Insist Street 

<p style="text-align:center;"> House of the First Victim 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 01:23 PM 

<p style="text-align:center;">

''But on August 15th, at just past noon, Nami Feuer was on Hollywood’s Insist Street, the scene of the first murder. ''

''Looking up it the house, which seemed a trifle large for a man who lived alone, Nami reached into her bag, took out a cell phone, and dialed the number she’d been given. She had been told it was scrambled fivefold and completely safe. Not only safe for Kyouko, but also safe for the off duty Nami.''

- Nami: K, I’ve reached the scene.

''- Kyouko (phone): [Good]. ''

''Kyouko answered in an artificial voice said, as if whe’d been waiting for her. Nami briefly wondered where Kyouko was, in what kind of environment she went about her investigations, but she quickly realized that it made no difference either way. ''

- Nami: What should I do?”

- Kyouko (phone): [Nami Feuer, are you inside of the building or outside?]

''- Nami: Outside. I’m heading toward the scene of the crime but I have not yet entered the yard.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Then please go inside. It should be unlocked. I’ve arranged for that].''

''Well prepared, she gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to say something sarcastic. Normally she would have considered being prepared a point worth respecting, but she found it hard to accept that anyone who was this thoroughly prepared. ''

''She opened the door and entered the house. ''

''The victim had been killed in his bedroom, and Nami  had been involved in enough investigations with the FBI to make a fair guess at where that room was located from the outside. A house like this usually had the bedroom on the first floor, so she moved accordingly. It’d been two weeks since the murder, but they were obviously keeping the place clean. There wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere. ''

- Nami: But, K...

- Kyouko (phone): [What?]

Nami looked around before answering.

- Nami: According to the data I received yesterday, not to state the obvious, but the police have already examined the scene.

Kyouko stayed in silence for some seconds, thinking in something to say.

- Kyouko (phone): [Yes].

- Nami: I’m not sure how you did it, but you already have the police reports covering that.

- Kyouko (phone): [Yes].

''- Nami: Not very helpful. So there’s no point in my being here?''

''- Kyouko (phone): [No. I expect you will be able to find something that the police did not].''

"......................"

''- Nami: Well... That’s clear enough.''

''Or perhaps a tad obvious. It ultimately explained nothing. ''

''They say you should visit the crime scene a hundred times. So going there is hardly pointless. Some time has passed, so it’s possible something floated to the surface. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Nami, the first thing we iced to think about in this case is the connection between the victims. What links Believe Bridesmaid, Quarter Queen, and the new victim, Backyard Bottomslash? Or is there no connection, and these murders are completely random? But even if they are random, there must be some logic by which the killer selects his victims. What I am asking you to do, Nami Feuer, is to discover this missing link].''

- Nami: I see...

''She didn’t really, but  she had begun to understand that arguing with Kyouko would not make her stop being evasive and tell her what she actually wanted to know, so she decided to not ask many questions. ''

''Besides, she had found the bedroom. The door opened inward and had a thumb turn lock. A locked room. The second and third crime scenes also had thumb turn locks... was that a link? No, that much information had been in the file. The police had already noticed it. Kyouko was looking for something more. ''

''It was not a very large room, but there was not much furniture, so it did not feel cramped. There was a big bed in the center of the scene, but the only other furniture was a few bookshelves. These shelves were mainly filled with how-to books for different leisure activities and famous Chinese and Russian comics, suggesting that Believe Bridesmaid had used this room exclusively for relaxation. He seemed be the type to carefully separate work and private time—not a type often found in freelance writers. Presumably there was a study of some kind on the second floor, Nami thought, absently glancing up at the ceiling. She would have to check there later. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [By the way, Nami Feuer. What are your thoughts on the culprit behind these killings? I’d like to hear your current thinking on the matter].''

Nami let out a sigh of defeat as she admited Kyouko was too superior for her opnions.

- Nami: I doubt if my thoughts will be of any use to you...

''- Kyouko (phone): [All thoughts are of use. A detective can't work and create ideas and theories without base to support their thoughts].''

Nami stopped walking and thought for a moment.

- Nami: He’s abnormal.

''She replied in a dark tone, not bothering to choose her words, but just stating what was her mind. This was the main impression she had received the day before, reading over the files.''

''- Nami: Not just because he’s killed three people, but... each action he took just drove that impression home. And he’s not even trying to hide it.''

- Kyouko (phone): [For example?]

''- Nami: For example… fingerprints. They have not found a single fingerprint at any of the crime scenes. They had been wiped away completely.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [True... but Nami, surely leaving no fingerprints is the most basic of criminal techniques].''

"....................."

Nami began to feel a little angry.

- Nami: Not to this extent.

''Annoyed—she knew Kyouko understood what she was driving at and was sure that she was testing her ability, no matter what she said. Testing to see if she was capable of serving as her on the scene. ''

''- Nami: If you didn’t want to leave fingerprints, most people would wear gloves, or otherwise, wipe down anything they touched. But this guy... apparently he wiped clean every fingerprint in the house. At all three scenes. At first I wondered if he’d been to the victim’s house so many times he had no idea what he’d touched and what he hadn’t, but once I read that he had unscrewed the light bulbs and wiped the sockets, it became a completely different story. What else can you call that but abnormal?''

Behind the artificial voice, Nami could hear Kyouko giggling.

- Kyouko (phone): [I agree].

''Did she, now? Oh well...''

''- Nami: So, K, back to what I was saying earlier, if he’s taken such extreme precautions, then I doubt I’m going to be able to find anything new here. It’s a faint hope at best. Someone like this isn’t going to make a mistake.''

''A mistake. Like the one she’d made last month. ''

- Nami: Normally this kind of investigation starts by finding the criminal’s mistake, and then filling in the puzzle from there, but in this case, I doubt we’ll find anything like that.

- Kyouko (phone): [No, I don’t think we will But what if it isn’t a mistake?]

- Nami: Not a mistake?

''- Kyouko (phone): [Yes. Something he deliberately left behind. And if the police detectives simply failed to notice it… then we might have a chance].''

''Deliberately leaving clues? Did that ever happen? ''

''Not in the normal run of things, no, why would anyone leave something behind hat could be used against them? Or wait. Now that he mentioned it, they already knew two examples of exactly that behavior. One was the Wara Ningyo nailed to the walls, and the other was the thumb turn locks, creating a locked room. ''

''These were not mistakes, but that clearly was left behind by the killer. Especially the latter. Exactly the thing that Nami had been most interested in—locked rooms were almost always created when the killer was trying to make it look like a suicide. But the first victim was strangled from behind, the second was beaten to death with a weapon that was not found at the scene, and the third victim was stabbed with, again, a weapon not left at the scene... none of which could ever be mistaken for a suicide. Which meant there was nothing to be gained from creating a locked room. It was not a mistake, but it was unnatural. ''

''The Wara Ningyo were the same. She had no idea what they meant. ''

''Since Wara Ningyo were used for curses in Japan and some parts of Korea, there were people wildly theorizing that the killer is Asian, or someone with a deep-seated grudge against the Japanese, but especially since these Wara Ningyo were a particularly cheap variety that could be easily purchased in any toy shop (for about three dollars) no one theory had gained prominence. ''

''Nami shut the door behind her, and since the thumb turn lock was at waist height, she absently turned it and locked herself in. ''

''Then she checked each location where the dolls had been nailed to the walls. There were four of them. One on each of the four walls of the square room. Obviously, they had been taken away by the police as critical evidence, and were no longer here. It was easy enough to tell where they had been, since there were holes in the walls. ''

''Nami took six pictures out of her bag. One of each of the four dolls. One showed the victim, Believe Bridesmaid, lying on his back on the bed, and clearly showed the rope marks around his neck. And then the last picture. This was not from the scene, but a close up of Believe Bridesmaid’s bare chest, taken during the autopsy. There were a number of major cuts on it, which appeared to have been carved into his flesh with a knife. They were deep and ran in all directions. According to the report, they had -been made after the victim’s death. ''

''- Nami: Generally speaking, when the killer engages in this sort of meaningless destruction of the corpse, they have a deep-seated grudge against their victim... for a freelance writer who would take any job, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had quite a few enemies. He did a lot of gossip columns... ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [But Nami Feuer, that does not explain the connection to the second and third murders. Both of those bodies were also damaged in ways that had no direct connection to the cause of death, in fact, the damage seems to have escalated with each murder].''

Nami looked behind her and put her camera back in her bag.

''- Nami: It’s possible Bridesmaid was the only one he had a grudge against, and the other two murders were designed to disguise that. Or maybe it wasn’t Bridesmaid, but one of the other two... or two out of the three, and the third was camouflage. The destruction night be getting worse because it’s part of the disguise, or...''

- Kyouko (phone): [You believe the killer is only pretending to kill indiscriminately?] 

Nami looked at the ceiling as she replied.

''- Nami: No. This is just one pattern worth considering. This idea wouldn’t explain the Wara Ningyo. I mean, maybe he deliberately left them there to prove that all three were killed by the same man, and the locked doors might be for the same reason.''

''In which case moving from Hollywood to downtown to the west side of town could be seen as an effort to confuse the investigation. The more people the case connected to, the more chaotic the investigation would become.., and the selection of a young girl as the second victim may have been done deliberately to make him look like a psycho. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Pretending to be abnormal... well, just the idea of doing that is abnormal enough].''

''Nami was surprised to hear her express such a human sentiment. The emotion she felt was very similar to being impressed, and she quickly put the conversation back on topic to cover her reaction, if not to hide it.''

''- Nami: So, K, I feel ridiculous trying to figure out a connection between the victims. I think the police are doing a fine job with that, and... Frankly, checking out everyone who knew each of them seems more useful. I mean, the third victim, Backyard Bottomslash... she must have been involved in all kinds of business dealings at the bank.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [But Nami Feuer This is no time for idle musings. I believe there will be a fourth murder in the near future].''

''She'd said something similar the day before. That there would be more victims. But based on what? With the killer still at large, it was an obvious possibility, but it seemed just as likely the murders would end at three. It all depended on the killer’s whim, as an investigator, she found it hard to place the odds higher than fifty-fifty. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [The number of Wara Ningyo. Four where you are, three downtown with the second victim, and two at the third scene, in West L.A, one less doll at each scene].''

''- Nami: Yeah. So?''

- Kyouko (phone): [The number of dolls can still decrease by one].

''She should have guessed. In fact, it made little sense to count backward from four to two and then stop. ''

''Even if Nami’s theory was right, and he was killing indiscriminately to camouflage his real victim, then the more victims the more effective this plan would be. Of course, each new murder was an added risk, but the return probably justified it. ''

''Frankly, there was no way of telling if this killer even considered murders a risk—there were certainly some killers who considered the murders themselves return enough. And it was abnormal to pretend to be abnormal... ''

''- Nami: So, K... you think there will be as many as two additional murders?''

''- Kyouko (phone): [More than a ninety percent chance. I’d say a hundred, but there is a small possibility that something will happen on the killer’s side, preventing him from continuing. So maybe ninety-two percent. But Nami, if something does happen, it will not be two more, only one. There’s only a thirty percent chance of a fifth murder].''

''- Nami: Thirty percent? ''

Quite a drop.

''- Nami: Why? There are two more Wara Ningyo... and if he’s using the dolls to represent his victims...''

''- Kyouko (phone): [But in that case, he won’t be able to leave a Wara Ningyo at the fifth crime scene. He will go from two dolls to one when he kills the fourth victim. That doll will make it obvious that these are the work of the stifle killer, but...] ''

Nami's eyes widened in surprise.

''- Nami: Oh! I see!''

''Nami said to herself, wincing at her own stupidity. Obviously whatever the killer’s motive, leaving a Wara Ningyo at the scene was part of his rules. He would hardly kill a fifth victim when the number of dolls had reached zero. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [There is a thirty percent chance the killer won’t think things through that far, but that’s extremely doubtful. After all, he did wipe the light bulb sockets...]''

''- Nami: So there will only be four victims total. The next one is the list.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [No. The third was the last. There will not be another. Not with me involved.]''

''Confidence? Or hubris? Neither one was something Nami had laid claim to for a while now. The last few weeks in particular. What had confidence been like? What had pride been like? Nami no longer knew.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [But I need your assistance, Nami Feuer. I expect great things from your investigations.''

- Nami: Do you?

''- Kyouko (phone): [Yes. Please keep your heart frozen while you work. In my experience, what a case like this needs most is a mind that will not be moved by anything. Behave as if you are playing chess on the ice].''

"................."

''Wasn’t that called curling? ''

- Nami: K, you do know that I’m on a leave of absence?

''- Kyouko (phone): [Yes. That’s why I asked you for help. With this case, I need a skilled individual who can work on their own.''

- Nami: So I imagine you also know why I’m on a leave of absence?

- Kyouko (phone): [No I don't know that].

'' She said that in a fast and robotic manner, to Nami's surprise. ''

- Nami: You didn’t check?

''- Kyouko (phone): [I wasn’t interested. You are skilled, and were currently available, and that was all that mattered, unless there was something I should know about? In that case, I could find out in under a minute].''

- Nami: No.

''Nami replied, grimacing. She had felt like the entire world knew about her blunder, but not even the world’s greatest detective knew. And she had described Nami’s leave of absence/suspension as making her “available.” She had never thought to wonder, but it seemed Kyouko did have a sense of humor. ''

''- Nami: Okay, K, if we’re going to stop the fourth murder, we should begin. What should I do first?''

- Kyouko (phone): [What can you do?]

- Nami: I can do what I can do.

Nami clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, fearing that Kyouko might discover her past mistakes.

''- Nami: I know I keep asking, but if I’m going to look over the scene again... searching for anything he left behind besides the Wara Ningyo... what, specifically, am I looking for?''

- Kyouko (phone): [Any kind of message].

Nami twisted her eyebrows as once again looked around the room where she was standing.

- Nami: Message?

''- Kyouko (phone): [Yes. This was not listed in the data I gave you, but nine days before July 31st, before the first murder, on July 22nd, the LAPD received a letter.''

- Nami: A letter?

''Where was this going? The LAPD...? ''

- Nami: Connected to the case?

''- Kyouko (phone): [At the moment, none of the detectives involved have noticed a connection. I don’t know for certain if there actually is one, but I think there is].''

''- Nami: What percent you think this letter is from the KK Killer? ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Eighty percent]. ''

''Instant response but that was enough to cause a small impact in Nami. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [The sender is unknown, a forwarding system was used, and there’s no way to tell where it was sent from. Inside the envelope was a single piece of paper with a crossword puzzle written on it.''

''- Nami: A crossword puzzle? Hunh…''

''Nami let out a sigh out of her boredom... She was not really surprised to hear that such assassin would send an easy game to the police.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Don’t be dismissive. It was a very difficult puzzle, and no one could solve it. Of course, we could also take that to mean no one applied themselves to it seriously, but it seems reasonable to hypothesize that several policemen working together were unable to solve the puzzle].''

''- Nami: I see. So?''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Eventually they decided the puzzle was just a prank, and it was thrown away... but my information gathering network acquired a copy through other channels yesterday].''

- Nami: Yesterday...

''So that was why it wasn’t in the file. Even as Nami was preparing to start her investigation, K had been pursuing the matter from different angle. ''

- Kyouko (phone): [I solved it].

''Apparently that hypothesis about the difficulty of the puzzle had a preemptive form of bragging. He must get frowned at a lot, Nami thought. Not that she was one to talk. ''

- Kyouko (phone): [If I’m not mistaken, then the answer to that puzzle is where you are; The address of the first murder].

''- Nami: 221 Insist St., Hollywood? Where I am now? But that means...then.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Yep. He told them he was going to commit these murders. But since the puzzle was so difficult that no one could solve it, it did not realistically stand a chance of serving that purpose...]''

Nami put her finger in her chin and thought about it with caution.

''- Nami: Has the LAPD received any other letters like that? Indicating the address for the second or third murders?''

''- Kyouko (phone): [No. I checked the entire state of California, just to be sure. I have discovered no other such letters or c-mails. I plan to keep looking, but...]''

''- Nami: Then it might just be a coincidence? No, that’s impossible. If it listed the address exactly, it must be... so why nine days before?''

''- Kyouko (phone): [The time between the second and third murders was also nine days. August 4th to August 13th. It’s possible the killer likes the number nine.''

''- Nami: But there are only four days between the first and second murders... pure chance?''

Kyouko stayed in pure silence for a few seconds before answering back with a little of surprise.

''- Kyouko (phone): [A reasonable interpretation. But it seems worth remembering that time lag. Nine days, four days, nine days. Either way, the killer is the type to advertise his actions to the police. Even if he was just pretending to be that type of killer, there remains a very good chance that there is some kind of message in the room, something besides the Wara Ningyo.''

''- Nami: Hmm... so...''

''Something deliberate. A message much harder to understand than the Wara Ningyo... something like a very challenging crossword puzzle. Nami felt like she was at last starting to understand why Kyouko needed her help. There was no way a detective who never goes out in public would be able to find something like this on her own. You had to see the scene with your own eyes, be able to reach out and touch things... and it required quality over quantity.''

''Someone who could look at the scene from her own perspective, her own way of thinking... But she also thought Kyouko was putting too much stock in her. If she had to be in Kyouko's eyes as well... that was too much for an ordinary agent to handle. ''

- Kyouko (phone): [Something wrong, Nami Feuer?]

Nami shook her head and closed her eyes.

''- Nami: No... never mind.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Okay. For the moment, let us cease communication. I have many things I must attend to].''

- Nami: Certainly.

''This was Kyouko, so she was undoubtedly solving several other difficult cases all at once. Cases all over the world. ''

''For her, this case was just one of many parallel investigations. How else could she maintain her reputation as the world’s greatest detective? The century’s greatest detective, Kyouko Kirigiri. The detective with no clients. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [I’ll be waiting to hear good things from you. The next time you call me, please use the number five line, Nami Feuer.''

''Kyouko finished and hung up. Nami then folded her phone and put it back in her bag. Then she moved over to the bookshelves to start her investigation. There was nothing in the bedroom but the bed and the bookshelves, so there wasn’t much else to investigate.''

- Nami: Not as bad as his killer, but it looks like Believe Bridesmaid was reasonably obsessive himself...

''The books were packed tightly onto the shelves with no excess space. Nami did a quick count—fiftyseven volumes. She tried to pull one out at random, but this was rather difficult to do. Her index huger alone proved inadequate, and she had to use her thumb and mime lever principle to pry it out. ''

''She flipped through the pages, well aware that this was pointless. She was just keeping her hands busy while she tried to figure out what to do. It would be nice and simple to find a message hidden between the pages of the book, but that was too much to hope for. ''

''According to the files, like the light bulb sockets, each page of every book had been wiped, removing all fingerprints, suggesting not only that the killer was extremely finicky, but that the police had in fact gone through all of the books. One could assume there had been no messages. Or the message had been arranged in a way the police had not noticed... something that looked like an ordinary bookmark, but actually had a code hidden on it... But after flipping through another few books, she dismissed this theory as well. The books here did not have bookmarks. ''

''Believe Bridesmaid did not appear to be the bookmark type. Many fussy readers detest the slight curve in the page a bookmark can leave. Which meant that even the most fastidious killer would never dream of placing anything inside a book. ''

''Nami moved away from the shelves. She glanced down at the bed, but there seemed to be even less to investigate here. There was nothing to do but pull the sheets off and look under the mattress. And she didn’t even need to check the file to know that the police had already done that, it seemed virtually impossible to hide a message on the bed that the police would not notice. ''

''- Nami: Under the carpet... behind the wallpaper... no, no, why would he hide the message? He wants it to be found. It’s not a message if it isn’t found. He sent the crossword puzzle to the police... very egotistical. ''

''He wants the puzzles to be difficult... to prove that we’re stupid. ''

''He wasn’t trying to outwit them. ''

''He was mocking them. ''

''- Nami: "You are beneath me, You can never beat me"—that’s what the messages are saying. Which means he’s not trying to make everything go right and avoid getting caught, he’s after something more than his goals... or making fun of us is his primary goal? Who is ‘us’? The police? The LAPD? Society? The U.S.A.? The world? No... the scale’s too small.. This is more personal. So this message... or something like a message... There must be one somewhere in this room... or, wait...''

''There must be something wrong. Maybe there wasn’t. ''

''- Nami: Something that should be here, but isn’t… something missing, that used to be here... the Wara Ningyo? No, those were a symbol of the victims, not a message... the bedroom... oh, right! The occupant! The bedroom’s occupant isn’t here.''

''Something missing, something no longer here. Like the room’s owner, Believe Bridesmaid.''

''Nami took out the photographs again and looked carefully at the two pictures of Bridesmaid’s corpse taken at the scene, and one taken during the autopsy. ''

''If the killer had left a message on his body, it was obviously not the rope marks, but the knife wounds in his chest. Like Nami had said to Kyouko, normally these would be taken as a sign of a personal vendetta, but now that she thought about it, they weren’t natural. In the photo from the scene, the body was on its back, wearing a T-shirt which had a few bloodstains on it... but the T-shirt itself wasn’t damaged at all. Which meant that after the killer had murdered him, he had taken the T-shirt off, cut up the body with a knife, and then put the T-shirt back on. If this was a simple grudge, he would have just cut right through the fabric. ''

''Was there a reason he didn’t want to damage the T-shirt? But he didn’t seem to mind if it got bloodstained... and the T-shirt definitely belonged to the victim. It was one he always slept in... ''

''- Nami: If you... look at them right... these marks... do look like letters... sort of…''

You had to twist the picture around a lot, though.

''- Kyouko: V... C... I? No, M... another V... X? D... and that’s three K’s in a row... K? That looks like K… hmm, feels like I’m forcing it...''

''This only worked if you were looking for it. It wasn’t like kanji or Hangul—alphabet letters were constructed of simple lines and curves, and any random scratch marks, whether with a pencil or knife, would look like something. ''

''- Nami: Normally I’d like to see what the detectives in charge think, the people actually involved in the case... but I don’t have a badge at the moment, so that’s out of the question. Of course, K’s probably handling that side of things for me.''

''Nami was starting to appreciate how much harder it was to work on your own, without the support of the organization. She had always felt out of place in the FBI, but she was just now realizing how much she had taken advantage of the resources it offered. ''

''- Nami: I guess I should check the other rooms... seems sort of pointless. But if he wiped all the fingerprints in the house…''

''She murmured to herself, and turned to leave the room. But then it occurred to her that there was one place she hadn’t checked yet. Under the bed. Easy enough to overlook, and far more likely than under the carpet or behind the wallpaper, it seemed fairly unlikely that the police had missed such an obvious blind spot, but it seemed worth crawling under there, just to be sure. ''

''There might be something new she could see from down there. For this reason, Nami crouched down next to the bed... And a hand reached out from underneath it.''

"....................?!!!!!!"

- Nami: WHA--!

''Nami jumped backward instantly, forced down the surge of emotions this sudden turn of events stirred up, and put her fists up. She didn’t have a gun with her, not because she was suspended, but simply because she had never really gotten used to carrying one around. With no gun, she had no trigger to pull. ''

- Nami: What... No! Who are you?!

''Nami roared, trying to sound intimidating. But the hand was joined by a second hand, as if her voice was just the wind blowing, and a body followed it. ''

''A woman, crawling out from under the bed. How long... had he been here...? Was he under the bed this whole time? Had he heard her talking to Kyouko? All kinds of questions flooded through Nami’s mind. ''

''- Nami: Answer me! Who are you?!''

''She put one hand inside her jacket, pretending she had a gun. The woman raised her head. And slowly stood up. She has long purple eyes, violet eyes and a pale complexion. She wears long her lavender hair down with a single braid on her left side, tied with a black ribbon. Her outfit consists of a dark purple collared jacket with six brown buttons over a zipped up long-sleeved white blouse and brown tie with a bird-like symbol on it. She also wears a black short skirt, heeled knee-high purple boots with equally knee-high light purple socks. She notably wears custom-made black studded gloves to conceal the burn marks on her hands.''

''- (???): Nice to meet you. ''

''She said, completely unruffled. She then clapped her hands in a goofy way. More importantly she had a cup of rotten yakisoba in her head...''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - (???): You can call me Kyoko! ''

Mina's Chit-Chat
''Oh well, hello there! I stole this little time to talk more about the legendary Kyouko Kirigiri! There are so many things we need to explain about this character that is in this story for 2 years now! Do you know...''

''When Kyouko graduated in the GDP Academy, she had earned a certain degree of hostility from other detectives, and the jealous ones called her a hermit detective, or a computer detective, but neither one of these is a particularly accurate representation of the truth. ''

''At first, Nami Feuer had also tended to think of Kyouko as an armchair detective, but in fact, Kyouko was quite the opposite, a very active, aggressive individual. While she had absolutely no interest in social conventions at that time, she was certainly not the kind of detective to shut herself up in a dark room with the shades drawn and refuse to come out.''

''1 year after Kyouko Kirigiri graduated in the GDP Academy, her intelligence proved to be too high for old detectives of GDP. At that time, there were two Ultimate Detectives that solved more 500 cases together, their names are Eraldo Coil and Danueve. Discovering the existence of Kyouko, the two sexist detectives, engaged a war with Kyouko Kirigiri, however, the latter emerged victorious, claiming their detective codes. The details of this detective war will be save for another occasion. Since Kyouko defeated the two detectives who dared to kick her out of the GDP, she took their names and added them to her detective codes. For those who don't know, detectives of Global Pact Defense NEVER work with their true names, instead they use nicknames to cover their true identity. ''

''Of course, Nami had no way of knowing her true name, but in my opinion, the name "K" was, for her, just one of the many codes she had. She never had any direct connection to that identity. She never thought of herself as "K", it was just the most famous and most powerful of the many detective codes that she used during her life. Now the most important thing about Kyouko? Kyouko NEVER revealed her name to anyone in the past. She used only her detective codes to work. She had a real name that nobody knew, and nobody will ever know, but a name which only she knew never defined her. I sometimes wonder if Kyouko herself ever knew exactly which name was written in the Death Note, which name it was that killed him. ''

Exactly, in the past, Kyouko was the kind of detective that never showed her face in public and never revealed her true identity to anyone.

''Ehh... Back to the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases.''

Real World
- Nami: Kyoko...

''Nami said, looking over the black business card Kyoko had handed her without bothering to hide her suspicious. ''

- Nami: Kyoko Kirigiri, right?

''- Kyoko: Yes. Kyoko Kirigiri. ''

''The beautiful woman with purple hair replied, in the same unruffled tone. Her wide eyes stared at Nami's face as she nibbled at her thumbnail. They had moved out of the bedroom into the living room of Believe Bridesmaid’s house. They were sitting opposite each other on expensive sofas. ''

"......................"

''To escape the awkward silence, Nami looked down at the card again and saw that Kyoko was a Detective. ''

- Nami: According to this, you’re a detective?

WIthout hesitating, the mysterious woman who is obviously Kyoko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective, replied back without much of emotion.

Remember, since Kyouko Kirigiri used to work as a detective without showing her face and exposing her true name at that name, no one knew how exactly was Kyouko aside from the fact that her name "K" was everything they needed to know about her.

- Kyoko: Yes, I am.

''- Nami: You mean... a private detective?''

''- Kyoko: No, that term would not be very accurate. I feel the word ‘private’ carries with it an excess of neurotic egotism... you might say that I am an unprivate detective, a detective without ego.''

Nami then replied without putting emotions in her words as well.

- Nami: I see...

''In other words, she didn’t have a license. If she’d had a pen, she would have written “idiot” on the card, but sadly, there were no writing implements within reach, so she settled for putting it down on the table as far from her as possible, as if it were unclean.''

''- Nami: So, Kyoko... let me ask again: what exactly were you doing down there?''

''- Kyoko: Same as you. Investigating.''

''Kyoko said that without the slightest change in her expression. Her lifeless and serious eyes never blinked for a second until now. ''

''- Kyoko: I was hired by the parents of this house’s owner—by Mr. Bridesmaid’s parents, and am currently conducting an investigation into the killings. It seemed to me that you were here for much the same reason, Nami.''

''By this point Nami no longer really cared who Kyoko was, a private detective or unprivate detective, she wanted nothing to do with her. The only problem was how much of her conversation she had heard from under the bed... which in a worst-case scenario could affect her future career. If any information about the mysterious K was made public because of her, she would have to do a great deal more than simply resign. She had casually broached the subject, and She had claimed that the bed muffled the sound of her voice and she had not been able to make out what she was saying, but this was not something she could afford to believe.''

''- Nami: Yes... I’m also a detective.''

''Nami said that feeling like she had no other choice. If she had not been on a leave of absence, she would have claimed to be an FBI agent, but since she was, she did not want to risk her asking to see her badge. It seemed safer to lie, after all, there was a distinct possibility she was lying too. She did not to feel guilty at all.''

''- Nami: I can’t tell you who I’m working for, but I’ve been asked to investigate in secret. To find out who killed Believe Bridesmaid, Quarter Queen, and Backyard Bottomslash...''

''- Kyoko: Have you? Then we can cooperate!''

''She answered almost instantly. Nerve on this level became oddly refreshing. ''

''- Nami: So, Kyoko. Did you find anything under the bed that might prove useful in solving this case? I assume you were looking for anything the killer might have left behind, but...''

Kyoko let out a sigh and finally blinked for the first time.

''- Kyoko: No, nothing of the sort. I heard someone come into the house, so I decided to hide and monitor the situation. After a while it became clear that you were not a dangerous character, so I emerged.''

- Nami: A dangerous character?

''- Kyoko: Yes. For example, the killer himself, coming back to get something he forgot. If that were the case, then what a chance! But apparently my hopes were in vain. Also, did you ever hear about the "Killer's wet dreams" tale? Often, most of the serial killers return to the place where they committed their first murder to fantasize about his moments of glory.''

".................."

''Liar... She smell that lie coming. Nami was now almost completely convinced that she’d been hiding down there to listen to her conversation with K. In any other situation, this would simply be paranoia, but this Kyoko character was no ordinary woman. There was nothing about her that wasn’t suspicious. ''

''- Kyoko: However, instead I have been lucky enough to meet you, so it was not a total write off. This is not a novel or a comic book, so there is no reason for fellow detectives to despise each other. What do you say, Nami? Will you agree to an exchange of information?''

With emotionless eyes, she replied like a robot.

''- Nami: No. Thank you for the offer, but I must refuse. I have a duty to keep things secret.''

'' K had given her everything about the case anyone could have obtained, it did not seem likely she would be able to get any information from an inexperienced private detective. And of course, she had no intention of giving her anything. ''

- Nami: I’m sure you have your secrets too.

- Kyoko: I don’t.

''- Nami: Of course you do. You’re a detective.''

''- Kyoko: Oh? Then I do.''

''Flexible. Either way seemed to be fine with her. ''

''- Kyoko: But it seems to me that solving this case must take precedence... Very well, Nami. How about this: I will provide you with all the information I have in return for nothing.''

''- Nami: Eh...? Uh, I couldn’t possibly...''

''Nami tried to refuse her offer, but at the moment even if it's a useless and minor details about the KK Murder Case, everything is useful at the moment. Also, there is a chance that Kyoko investigated the house before Nami's arrival, increasing the chances that this mysterious detective found something the former could not.''

''- Kyoko: Please. Ultimately, it does not matter if I solve the case or if you do. My client’s wishes are to see the case solved, and only to see it solved. If you possess a sharper mind than my own, then telling you everything will be more effective.''

'' All that sounded nice, but she could hardly be thinking that for real, so Nami's wariness of Kyoko grew even more pronounced. What was she after? A few minutes ago she had improvised a lie, claiming she thought Nami might be the killer returning to the scene of the crime, but that theory seemed to fit the woman hiding under the bed far better than it did her.''

''- Kyoko: You may decide if you wish to give any of your information to me afterward. So, first, there’s this.''

''Kyoko finished, pulling a folded piece of paper out of her skirt pocket. She held it out to her, without bothering to unfold it first. Nami took it, and unfolded it dubiously... it was a crossword puzzle. A grid, and clues in a tiny font. Nami had a hunch what this was. ''

- Nami: This is...

''- Kyoko: Oh? You knew about it?''

''- Nami: No... not directly. ''

''She stammered, unsure how to react. It seemed obvious that this was the same crossword that had been sent to the LAPD on July 22nd, but K had said the original puzzle had been thrown away, so was this a copy? ''

''How this woman found it and why she was walking around with it jammed into her pocket? While she thought furiously, Kyoko stared at her appraisingly. As if she were evaluating her abilities based on her reaction...''

''- Kyoko: Allow me to explain. Last month, on the twenty-second of July, this crossword was sent to the LAPD by an unknown sender. Apparently, nobody could solve it, but if you were to solve this puzzle, it would give you the address of this house. Presumably it was a sort of warning from the killer to the police and to society in general. A declaration of war, one might say.''

''- Nami: I see. Still...''

''Despite what K had said, part of her had still been dismissing the thing as just a crossword puzzle, but now that she could read the clues for herself, it did look extremely hard. The clues looked so frustrating that most people would give up before even trying to crack any of them. But this woman across from her had solved it all by herself? ''

- Nami: You’re sure the answer shows this address?

''- Kyoko: Yes. Feel free to keep it and solve it at your leisure if you doubt me. Either way, killers that send warnings are generally looking for attention, assuming they do not have some larger purpose. And the Wara Ningyo and locked room aspects of the case fit that profile. So it seems there is a very good chance of some other message... or something like a message, being left at the scene. Do you agree, Nami?''

''Same conclusions as K. Who was this woman? If she’d simply stated the same deductions as K, she could have dismissed them as extrapolated from the conversation she’d heard hiding under the bed, but for her to actually have a copy of the puzzle, a puzzle that only someone like K should have been able to acquire... ''

''The question of Kyoko's identity had become of critical importance to her once again. ''

- Kyoko: Excuse me.

''Kyoko said while putting both of her feet on the ground and heading to the kitchen, as if slipping out of the room to give Nami time to calm down. She opened the refrigerator with a practiced motion, as if this were her own house, stuck her arm inside, and took out a jar, and then shuffled back to the sofa, leaving the refrigerator door open. It appeared to be a jar of strawberry jam. ''

- Nami: What’s with the jam?

''- Kyoko: Oh, this is mine. I brought it with me and put it there to keep it cold. It’s time for lunch.''

- Nami: Lunch?

''It did make sense that there would be no food in the refrigerator of a man who had died two weeks before, but lunch? Nami was little shocked, and no sooner had the thought crossed her mind when Kyoko opened the lid, stuck her hand inside, scooped out some jam, and began licking it off her fingers. Nami gaped at her. Words failed her. ''

''- Kyoko: Mmm? Something the matter, Nami?''

Kyoko slightly moved her eyesballs towards Nami.

- Nami: Y-you have strange eating habits.

- Kyoko: Do I? I don’t think so.

''Kyoko scooped another handful of jam into her mouth. ''

''- Kyoko: When I start thinking, I get a craving for sweets. If I want to work well, jam is essential. Sugar is good for the brain. However, my favorite lunch still meat cakes.''

- Nami: Hmm...

''Nami wanted to say that Kyoko's brain needed specialized medical attention more than sugar, but at that moment, she did not have the nerve to say so. Her body language reminded her of Pooh Bear, but Kyoko was neither yellow nor adorable... But that don't changed the fact that woman is prettier than Nami is. ''

''When she had eaten four handfuls of jam, she proceeded to put her lips directly on the rim of the jar like it was a cup of tea and slurp the contents noisily. Within moments she had consumed the entire jar.''

- Kyoko: Sorry for the delay.

''- Nami: Oh... not at all.''

- Kyoko: I have more jam in the refrigerator if you’d like some?

- Nami: N-no thanks...

''That meal was like torture. She would turn it down if she were starving to death. Every fiber of her body rejected Kyoko. Completely. True she had a beautiful face and body but her behavior that seemed to be based from a arrogant tyrant put her in a complete different category. And Nami had never had much confidence in her ability to fake a smile, but the one she was aiming at her now was extremely convincing.''

''People can smile even when terrified. ''

''- Kyoko: Okay. So, Nami, let’s go.''

Kyoko then stood up and put a par of black gloves in her hands.

''- Nami: Go? Go where?''

''Nami asked, desperately trying to figure out a way to refuse on the off chance that she should attempt to shake her hand. ''

''- Kyoko: Obviously. To continue our investigation of the scene. ''

''At this moment, Nami should still have been capable of (arbitrarily) choosing her path in what was to come. She could have physically thrown Kyoko out of Believe Bridesmaid’s house, and we could even say that doing so would have been the most sensible reaction to her presence, but despite being very, very tempted to take the sensible approach, Nami made up her mind to let her stay. ''

''More than anything, the possibility that she had overheard her conversation with K rated Kyoko as a hazard, and even without the fact she was suspicious, sinister, and had a copy of the crossword puzzle, which clinched the deal. She needed to keep her under observation until she had a better idea who she was. ''

''Certainly, anyone who knew more about the situation, anyone like me, can tell that this was exactly what Kyoko was hoping for, exactly what she was trying to achieve, but it would be too much to ask to expect Nami to have realized this so soon. After all, 1 year later after the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases, when the World War III broke out, Nami remained convinced that she had never met K in person, that she had only obeyed her voice-augmented commands through her computer screen. ''

''Back to the point. Anyone who has read Sherlock Holmes will remember the vivid descriptions of the great detective bounding around the room, peering closely at everything through a magnifying glass. An iconic image that is so firmly associated with the old detective novels that one never sees a detective behave like that anymore. For that matter, the term detective novel is almost never used, they get called mystery novels, or thrillers. ''

''Nobody wants a detective who actually deduces anything, it's much more exciting if they just blurt out the truth. The process of deduction requires such a lot of work and no real genius ever needs to work. Same goes for boys’ comics in America, popular all over the world. The most popular books all have heroes with exceptional powers.''

''Moments later, after Kyoko and Nami left the living room, they entered the bedroom, the two began to look all over the place. Kyoko then began to crawl all over the room without fear or being judged. Despite being a woman, she was not embarassed or nothing of the sort. Nami was genuinely surprised. Being under the bed had not been the only reason for this posture, apparently. She seemed so accustomed to spending time on all fours that she looked ready to climb up the wall and across the ceiling. ''

''- Kyoko: What are you waiting for, Nami? Join me!''

''Nami shook her head so quickly it blurred. It was beneath her pride as a woman. No, as a human being, joining her would forever part her from her shameful memories. ''

- Nami: I'll pass!

Nami smiled innocently, trying to hide her disgust from walking like a dog around the room.

''- Kyoko: Oh? What a shame.''

''Kyoko then looked away, apparently never having possessed that critical something in the first place. She shook her head sadly and continued searching the room.''

''- Nami: B-but Kyoko, one don’t think there’s anything left here to find. I mean, the police already searched it pretty thoroughly...''

''- Kyoko: But the police overlooked the crossword puzzle. It would not surprise me at all if they overlooked something else in here.''

''- Nami: If you put it that way... but there’s just so little to work with. I wish I had a clue to what I was supposed to be looking for, the room’s too empty to just rifle through it at random. And the house is too big.''

Kyoko paused her search and changed her sight to Nami.

- Kyoko: A clue...?

''Then she slowly bit her thumbnail so carefully that it looked thoughtful, but the move meant was so infantile that it made her look equally stupid. Nami could not decide which emerged victorious. ''

''- Kyoko: What do you think, Nami? When you came in, did you think of anything? Any idea that might help narrow it down?''

''- Nami: Well... yeah, but...''

''There was one thing on the cuts on the victim’s chest. She wasn’t sure she should tell Kyoko about those. But it was also true that she was getting nowhere otherwise... either with the case, or with Kyoko. Possibly she should test her, just as she had observed her reaction when she handed her the crossword puzzle. ''

''If she played her cards right, she might figure out if she’d heard her phone call from under the bed. ''

''- Nami: Right... Kyoko, As thanks for earlier, rather than a complete exchange of information... have a look at this photograph.''

- Kyoko: Photograph?

''Kyoko then stood up and cleaned her kneels before walking towards her. ''

- Nami: A picture of the victim.

''She then handed her the autopsy photograph. Kyoko took it, nodding gravely, or making a show of nodding gravely. So much for her test from her outward reaction, she could read absolutely nothing. ''

- Kyoko: Well done, Nami!

- Nami: Yes?

''- Kyoko: The news did not mention that the body was cut up like this, which means this photograph is from the police files. I’m impressed hit you were able to get your hands on it. You’re obviously no ordinary detective.''

Nami was not really surprised but she knew she was forcing some kind of praise onto her detective character.

- Nami: So how did you get hold of the crossword puzzle, Kyoko?

- Kyoko: That would be my duty to keep secrets.

''Her follow up was knocked aside just as easily. She belatedly wished she had allowed her to deny that she had secrets, that she had never taught her the concept in the first place. She was also pretty sure it didn’t make sense grammatically. ''

''- Kyoko: I will not ask how you obtained this photograph, either, Nami. But how does this relate to your idea?''

Kyoko put her right hand in her face as she continued to stare at the photo.

''- Nami: Yes, well... I wondered if the message might be on something that isn’t in the room anymore, but was in the room at the time. And the most obvious thing that should be here, but isn’t...''

''- Kyoko: Is the room’s occupant, Believe Bridesmaid. Clever.''

''- Nami: And if you look at that picture from the right angle... do the wounds look like letters to you? I wondered if it might be some sort of message...''

''Kyoko sharpened her eyes a little while holding the picture perfectly still while moving her head around jerkily. There are no solid bones in her neck? She moved like a contortionist. ''

''Nami fought the urge to look away. ''

- Kyoko: No, not letters...

- Nami: No? I thought it was reading too much into it…

''- Kyoko: No, no. Nami, I am not denying the entire idea, just a portion of it. These are not letters, but Roman numerals.''

Oh.

''Right, Roman numerals, the same ones that she saw on clocks and whatnot every day, V and 1, obviously, and C, M, D, X, and L... she should have figured it out when she saw three I’s next to each other, it wasn’t three, but III. But there had been an L right after them.''

''- Kyoko: I is one, II is two, III is three, IV is four, V is five, VI is six, VII is seven, VIII is eight, IX is nine, X is ten, L is fifty, C is one hundred, D is five hundred, M is one thousand. So these wounds can be read as 16, 59, 1423, 159, 13, 7, 582, 724, 1001, 40, 51, and 31.''

'' Kyoko stated reading the complicated numbers without a second’s pause. Was she good with Roman numerals, or was her mind really working that quickly? ''

- Kyoko: It’s just a photograph, so I might not be reading them correctly, but there’s an eighty percent chance I’m right.

Nami blinked two times before opening her mouth to speak.

- Nami: Percent?

Kyoko, however, completely ignored her words.

''- Kyoko: However, I’m afraid that doesn’t change the situation. Unless we can figure out what those numbers are supposed to mean, it would be dangerous to assume they are a message from the killer. Perhaps they are simply misdirection.''

- Nami: Excuse me, Kyoko.

Nami quickly replied without a second of waiting while taking a step backward.

- Kyoko: For what?

- Nami: I need to fix my makeup.

''Without waiting for a response, Nami left the bedroom and climbed the stairs, heading for the second (not the first) story toilet. She locked the door from the inside and took out her cell phone. ''

''She hesitated for a moment, then called K. On the number five line. There was a brief beeping as it cleared a few scramblers, and then it finally connected. ''

- Kyouko (phone): [What is it, Nami?]

The synthetic voice of Kyouko, more knows as "K", echoed in Nami's ears.

''Lowering her voice and hiding her mouth behind her hand, Nami prepared to report. ''

- Nami: Something I need to report.

''- Kyouko (phone): [Progress in the case? Very fast work].''

Kyouko replied in a impressed tone of sarcasm.

'' - Nami: No... well, a little. I may have stumbled across a message from the killer. But it wasn’t me that figured it out. How can I put this... a kind of mysterious female private detective...''

''A mysterious female private detective. ''

''The expression nearly made her laugh. ''

''- Nami: ...just showed up. Her name is Kyoko Kirigiri.''

Kyouko stayed in silence for quite sometime.

- Kyouko (phone): [I see].

''The synthetic voice said in a serious mode, and fell silent. It was an uncomfortable silence for Nami after all, she had made the decision to show Kyoko the picture and attempt to test her. ''

''When Kyouko said nothing, Nami proceeded to explain what Kyoko had said about the autopsy photograph. And that she had a copy of the crossword puzzle.''

''This piece of information at last produced a reaction from K, but since it was a synthetic voice, she couldn’t read the emotion behind it. ''

''- Nami: What should I do? Frankly, I think it’s dangerous to take my eyes of her.''

"..............."

Nami then could hear Kyouko giggling on the other side of the call.

- Kyouko (phone): [Was she cool?]

''- Nami: Hunh? ''

''K’s question came completely out of left field, and she was forced to ask it a second time before Nami answered, still unable to work with what she was driving at. ''

''- Nami: No, absolutely not. She is beautiful and older than me, but she is totally creepy and pathetic, and so suspicious that if I weren’t on leave, I’d move to arrest her the moment I laid my eyes on her. If we divided everyone in the world into those that would be better off dead and those that wouldn’t, there’s no doubt in my mind that she’d be the former. Such a complete freak that it amazes me she hasn’t killed herself yet.''

- Kyouko (phone): [ ಠ_ಠ ]

༼ ºل͟º ༽ 

''Okay then... There was no answer coming from Kyouko's side.''

''What was this about anyway? ''

- Kyouko (phone): [Nami Feuer, your instructions].

- Nami: Yes?

Nami stared at the screen of her cellphone, waiting for K's orders.

''- Kyouko (phone): [I imagine you are thinking much the same thing as I am, but let this private detective do what she likes for the moment. Partly because it is dangerous to let her out of your sight, but more importantly because it is important to observe her actions. I believe the credit for the autopsy photograph deductions belongs to you more than it does her, but she is clearly no ordinary person].''

Nami then slightly opened the door of the bathroom to see if that mysterious private detective was listening to their conversation but could find no one.

- Nami: I agree.

- Kyouko (phone): [Is she close by?]

''- Nami: No, I’m alone. I’m calling from the bathroom, upstairs and to the back of the house, away from the bedroom.''

Kyouko then put her hand on her chin on the other side of the call but obviously Nami didn't seeit.

''- Kyouko (phone): [Go back to her side soon. I will follow up on her, and try to discover if a detective named Kyoko Kirigiri has actually been hired by Believe Bridesmaid’s parents].''

- Nami: Okay.

Kyouko then took a pause before continuing.

- Kyouko (phone): [You can use the same line the next time you call].

''And so she hung up. Nami quickly turned off her phone as she needed to go back soon, so she would not be suspicious, but she had left her side with rather unnatural timing, she thought while leaving the bathroom.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

At the same moment Nami opened the door, she saw that Kyoko was standing outside of the door.

- Nami: Eek...!

''- Kyoko: Nami. You were up here?''

She was not on all fours, but even so, Nami gasped when she saw that melancholy fact at the same second she opened the door.

''- Nami: How long have you been here? ''

''- Kyoko: After you left the room, I discovered something interesting, and was unable to wait. So I came to get you. Are you quite finished?''

Nami blushed in embarassment but at least she knows that Kyoko did not hear her conversation with K. At the time she went to see if Kyoko was listening to her conversaton outside of the bathroom, she saw nobody in the hallways so there is a chance that Kyoko had arrived almost at the end of the calling.

- Nami: Y-yes...

- Kyoko: This way.

''She trotted off, still hunched, toward the stairs. Still shaken, Nami followed her. Had she been listening through the door? This question tortured her even knowing she could not see nobody in the hallways. ''

''She discovered something interesting? That might just be a turn of phrase... she had kept her voice so low there was no way she could have heard her, but either way she had almost certainly been trying to. Which meant... ''

- Kyoko: Oh, Nami.

''Kyoko said her name, not turning around. ''

- Nami: Y-yes?

- Kyoko: Why didn’t I hear the toilet flush before you left the room?

"............"

''Kyoko was starting to have Nami as a suspect. Of course, as a detective it's common to suspect people around you but that time that Nami asked to go to the bathroom only increased her chances of being a suspect.''

''- Nami: It’s rather rude to ask a girl something like that. You're a woman too.''

''Nami managed, wincing slightly at her mistake. Kyoko did not appear to be phased. ''

''- Kyoko: Is it? Nevertheless... if you forgot to flush, it is not too late. You can still go back. The genders are equal when it comes to sanitary behavior.''

''What a horrific way of putting it. In every meaning of the word. ''

''- Nami: I was on the phone. Just a regular check-in with my client. But I did not want to you hear some of it.''

''- Kyoko: Oh? But either way, from now on, I recommend flushing. It provides good camouflage.''

Nami could not think better, even the most ridiculous ideas can be useful.

- Nami: I suppose it does.

''They reached the bedroom. Kyoko went down on all fours as lie crossed the threshold. It looked less like an investigation method modeled on Sherlock Holmes than some sort of religious jinx. ''

- Kyoko: Over here.

''Kyoko scrabbled across the carpet toward the bookshelves. Believe Bridesmaid’s bookshelves, with their fifty-seven tightly packed books. It was the first place Namihad checked after talking with k. ''

- Nami: You said you found something new?

''- Kyoko: Yes. Something new. Now, let us be bold. I have uncovered an important fact.''

''Her attempt at sounding cool annoyed Nami. She ignored it.''

- Nami: So you found a clue of some kind on the bookshelf, you mean?

- Kyoko: Look here.

''Kyoko then pointed to the right side of the shelf second from the bottom. There was an eleven-volume set of a popular Japanese comic book named Akaukin Chacha. ''

- Nami: What about it?

- Kyoko: I love this manga.

- Nami: You do?

- Kyoko: I do.

''How was she supposed to respond? In direct contrast to her wishes, she felt her expression softening, but with no attempt to probe her inner struggle, Kyoko continued.''

''- Nami: Now that you mentioned, your name is Kyoko Kirigiri. A Japanese name. That means you’re Nikkei, aren’t you?''

''Nikkei are the Japanese immigrants from Japan and their descendants that reside in a foreign country. ''

''- Kyoko: Nikkei...? I was born in China but my parents are both from Japan. My passport’s American now, but I lived in Japan until after high school... So you must know this manga. Min Ayahana-sensei’s legendary creation. I read every issue as it was serialized. Shiine is so adorable! I liked the anime just as much as the manga. Love and courage and hope! Holy Up!''

Nami twisted her eyebrows in stupid smile.

''- Nami: Kyoko, are you going to go on like this for a while? If so, I can wait in the other room...''

Kyoko stared at Nami with a sad expression.

- Kyoko: Why would you do that when I’m talking to you?

''- Nami: Er, um... I mean, I liked Akazukin Chacha too. I watched the anime. I also experienced the love, courage, hope and Holy Up.''

''Eh... Akazukin Chacha is a shōjo manga series by Min Ayahana. It was serialized by Shueisha in the manga magazine Ribon from 1991 and 2000 and collected in 13 bound volumes. The series follows the adventures of a fumbling student magician named Chacha, who habitually wears a red hooded cloak, as she seeks the truth about her family and defend the kingdom against its enemies. ''

''Akazukin Chacha was adapted into an anime television series by Gallop, first broadcast on TV Tokyo in 74 episodes from 7 January 1994 to 30 June 1995. This was followed by a sequel OVA series of three episodes released between 6 December 1995 and 6 March 1996.''

''Nami longed to inform her exactly how little interest she had in her hobbies, but it was doubtful whether this private detective would be able to understand opinions directed at her from anywhere near common sense. As questionable as Kyoko herself. ''

''Or was that overstating things? ''

''- Kyoko: Good. We shall discuss the pleasures offered by the anime in detail on some other occasion, but for the moment, look here.''

- Nami: Hunh...

Nami obediently looked at the volumes of Akazukin Chacha on the shelf to notice something important.

''It was just a bunch of comics. Most of people could tell that Believe Bridesmaid was fluent in Japanese, and liked manga... but there were lots of people like that in America. ''

''Reading the original Japanese instead of a translated version was not terribly unusual, either. With the advent of Internet shopping, it had become extremely easy to obtain them. Kyoko's empty eyes were staring fixedly at her. Uncomfortable, Nami avoided her gaze, checking each volume individually. But even after she’d finished checking them out, she’d found no curious facts or anything like a clue. ''

''- Nami: I don’t see anything... something about one of these comics?''

- Kyoko: No.

".................."

Nami clenched her fists in sheer anger.

- Nami: Hunh?

''There was more than a hint of anger in her voice. She did not like being made fun of. ''

- Nami: No? What do you mean?

Kyoko let out a sigh before explaining what happened.

''- Kyoko: Not one of these. Something that should be here, but isn’t. Nami, you’re the one who figured this out, any messages from the killer are indicated by the absence of what should be here. You’re the one who figured out that this must refer to the body of Believe Bridesmaid. I didn’t think I would need to explain this to you, look closely, Nami. They aren’t all here. Volumes four and nine are missing.''

Nami twisted her shoulders in confusion.

''- Nami: Eh? Can you explain more clearly?''

Kyoko pointed at the mangas again.

''- Kyoko: Akazukin Chacha ran for thirteen volumes. Not eleven.''

''Nami looked down at the books again, and the numbers went from one, two, and three to five, six, seven, and eight to ten. If Kyoko was right, and there were thirteen volumes in all, then two volumes were missing: volumes four and nine.''

''- Nami: Hmm... right. But... Kyoko, so what? You mean the killer took those two volumes with him? It’s certainly a possibility, but it seems equally likely they were missing in the first place. Maybe he planned to pick them up soon. Not everyone reads manga in order, you know. I mean, he seems to have stopped halfway through the Dickwood series, up here...''

Kyoko clenched her fists as her eyes became sharper as a knife as she seated in a chair nearby.

''- Kyoko: Impossible. No one on earth would ever skip two volumes in the middle of Akazukin Chacha. I am absolutely sure this fact would pass muster in court. ''

''Had this woman ever been in a court? ''

- Kyoko: Or at least, if the members of the jury knew much about Japanese comics.

Nami looked down after facepalming herself.

- Nami: What a biased jury.

- Kyoko: The killer has obviously taken them with him.

''Kyoko confirmed to herself, blatantly ignoring Nami. The latter wasn’t about to let this pass. Her feet were firmly planted on more realistic ground. ''

''- Nami: But you have no proof of that at all, Kyoko. It’s equally possible he just loaned them to a friend.''

Kyoko became angrier, almost yelling at Nami.

''- Kyoko: Akazukin Chacha?! You wouldn’t even loan it to your parents! You’d tell them to buy their own! The only possible explanation is that the killer took them away! Not even Shingeki no Kyojin is worth so much!''

''Kyoko insisted on that theory, quite forcefully. But she didn’t stop there. ''

- Kyoko: Furthermore, no one on earth would ever want to read only volumes four and nine, I’d bet my jam on it!

Nami closed her eyes akwardly.

- Nami: If you’re referring to the jam you were eating earlier, a jar of that only goes for around five bucks...

''Min Ayahana-sensei would be disappointed. But when can we end this Azakki-something chat? ''

- Kyoko: So it follows, Nami, when the killer removed those two volumes from the room he had some other, completely unrelated reason for doing so.

''Since it is true that those two volumes are missing, ignoring logic and possibility for the moment and following along with this hypothetical… it’s still strange, isn’t it? I mean, Kyoko this bookshelf... Was packed full. So tightly that removing a book from it had been rather difficult. If he had really removed two volumes of manga, then there should be that much of a gap... or wait... ''

''- Nami: Kyoko. Do you know how many pages there are in volumes four and nine of Akazukin Chacha?''

Kyoko put her hands in her back as she tried to remember the number of pages.

''- Kyoko: I do. 192 pages and 184 pages.''

''She had not actually expected her to know the answer... but 192 plus 184 was 376 pages. Nami glanced along the shelf, looking over the fifty-seven books for a volume the same thickness as 376 pages of manga. It did not take long. There was only one book that thick on this shelf, Insufficient Relaxation by Permit Winter. ''

''When she took it off the shelf it did, indeed, turn out to be exactly 376 pages. Hopefully Nami flipped through the pages, but she didn’t see anything particularly interesting. ''

- Kyoko: What is it, Nami?

''- Nami: Oh... I was wondering if the killer had put a hook on the shelf to replace the two he took off and if that hook was the real message. Assuming that it had really been Believe Bridesmaid who had carefully arranged his books to fill the shelf exactly. It might have been a much more haphazard affair, and the killer had arbitrarily filled it with books taken from another room, and by extension of that line of thought, there was no telling if Akazukin Chacha actually belonged to Believe Bridesmaid in the first place. With the lack of bookmarks, it might all be part of the killer’s message, but so what if it was? If that was the case, it just made it all the more convincing that there was some sort of message here. But if there was nothing unusual about the books themselves, then the whole theory fell apart. It was nothing more than idly fancy.''

Kyoko closed her eyes and thought deeply about it.

''- Kyoko: Not a bad idea. No, rather a good idea, nothing else makes sense.''

''Kyoko said that whil reaching out toward Nami. For a moment she thought she wanted to shake her hand, and panicked, but then she realized she just wanted Insufficient Relaxation. She handed it to her calmly.''

- Nami: Thank God...

''Without knowing why Nami reacted like that, Kyoko ignored her and plucked and opened the book, and then started to  read the book. Speed reading, she went through all 376 pages remarkably quickly.''

It took her less than five minutes to read the entire book.

- Kyoko: I see!

''- Nami: Eh? You found something?''

She then closed the book with a mischievous smile.

''- Kyoko: No. There’s absolutely nothing here. Don’t look at me like that. I swear, I’m not joking. This is just an ordinary entertainment novel, not a message, or even a metaphor like the Wara Ningyo. And of course, there are no letters of any kind hidden between the pages, nor anything scribbled in the margins.''

- Nami: The margins?

''- Kyoko: Yes, there was nothing in the margins but page numbers. Also, curiously this is the only book that has page numbers thare not numeral.''

''- Nami: Page numbers that are not numeral? Page numbers... numbers? Numbers, like... Roman numerals?''

''Nami echoed in confusion. ''

- Nami: Kyoko, assuming those cuts on the victim’s chest were Roman numerals, what did they say?

Kyoko answered immediately.

- Kyoko: 16, 59, 1423, 159, 13, 7, 582, 724, 1001, 40, 51, and 31.

''Good memory. Didn’t even need to see the picture again. Nearly photographic memory, first the number of pages in the books, and now this. Why God don't blessed all humans with such intelligent?!''

- Kyoko: What about them?

''- Nami: I was just wondering if they were pointing at the pages in this hook, but... two of the numbers were four digits. The book’s only 176 pages long. They don’t match.''

''- Kyoko: Yes... no, Nami, what if it wraps around? For example, 476 could be seen as 376 plus one hundred, and indicate page 100.''

Kyoko rose her finger at Nami's face but not in a rude way.

- Nami: Meaning what?

''- Kyoko: I don’t know. But let’s try it out...16 is easy, page 16. 59, 1423, 159, 13, 7, 582, 724, 1001, 40, 51, 31...''

''She narrowed her lifeless and empty eyes. ''

''Not even looking at the book. Seriously? Even at the speed she was reading, she’d managed to memorize the entire contents perfectly? Was that even possible? Could she really do that? Either way, Nami could only stand and wait. ''

- Kyoko: I see...

Kyoko murmured to herself but Nami could hear a few of her words.

- Nami: Than there’s nothing there?

''- Kyoko: No... there is something there. Something very specific, Nami.''

''Kyoko then proceeded to hand the Insufficient Relaxation book back to Nami. ''

- Kyoko: Open it on the page 16.

''- Nami: Okay. What is the first word on that page?''

''- Kyoko: Quadratic. Next is page 59. ''

- Nami: The first word on that page?

''- Kyoko: Ukulele. Next is page 295. 1423 wraps around three times, and hits 295 on the fourth lap. ''

- Nami: First word is?

- Kyoko: Tenacious.

''They continued. 159 was page 159, 13 was page 13, 7 was page 7, 582 was page 206, 725 was page 348, 1001 was page 249, 40 was page 40, 51 was page 51, and 31 was page 31, and on each page, Nami read out the first word. In order: "rabble", "table", "egg", "arbiter", "equable", "thud", "effect", "elsewhere", and "name" ...''

- Kyoko: The first word is "So".

''- Nami: So... what about it?''

Kyoko looked at the ceiling as Nami began to put a little of faith and respect in her character.

- Kyoko: Take the first letter of each word.

''- Nami: The first letter? Um...''

''Nami went back through each page again. She did not have a bad memory, but was unable to remember twenty words at one go. At least, not without being warned in advance that she would be required to do so.''

''- Nami: Q-U-T-R-T-E-A-E-T-E-E-N. . .qutr tea teen? What?''

Kyoko put her fingers in her chin as Nami passed her eyes over those unknown words to understand the meaning behind them.

- Kyoko: Very similar to the second victim’s name, don’t you think?

- Nami: I suppose...

''The second victim of KK Killer. The thirteen-year old girl. Quarter Queen. ''

''- Kyoko: There is a vague resemblance... Quarter Queen... only four letters are different. ''

''- Nami: Yes. Quite bizarre.''

''However, Nami said it reluctantly. Since it may be a conscidence... But that was too realistic to be only a mere conscident of amateur. ''

While seated in the chair, Kyoko put her legs on the bed while thinking about this so-called conscidence of "names".

''- Kyoko: Four letters out of twelve is too many. One third of them are wrong. If even one letter is different, then the entire theory falls apart. Unless it matches perfectly, it’s not worth calling a message. I thought there might be something there, but it may well be just a coincidence...''

''- Nami: But... for a coincidence... I don't think this may be just a normal random dead end. ''

''It was so obvious. How could it be? It had to be intentional. Intentional... or abnormal. ''

''- Kyoko: Still, Nami... if it doesn’t match, it doesn’t match. We were very close, but...''

Nami closed the book and showed determination that their theory was right in all points.

''- Nami: No, Kyoko. Think about it. All four wrong numbers match up with numbers over 376. They’re all numbers where we had to wrap around.''

''She flipped through the pages, checking them again. Page 295, first word: tenacious, first letter: T, second letter E, third letter N, fourth letter... A. ''

''- Nami: Three times through, and on the fourth lap… we don’t use the first letter, but the fourth letter. Not T, but A. And with 582, and arbiter, once around and on the second lap gives us R instead of A. That turns Qutrtea into Quarter.''

''By the same logic, "equable" was 724, so one time through, on the second lap, the second letter: Q. And with 1001 and "thud", not 1’, but U. That made Eteen into Queen. Quarter Queen. ''

''K was right all alonge. The killer had left a message. The cuts on the body, the two missing books, the killer had left a message saying who would be his next victim. Just like the crossword puzzle he’d sent to the police, a message describing his next victim... ''

''- Kyoko: This is quite an advance. Nice work, Nami. Very good deduction. I would never have thought of it.''

Nami lifted the sides of her lips as for the first time on that day she felt confidence in herself, just like her boss, Director Natalia, requested.

Mina's Chit-Chat
''If we must discuss why K, in other words, Kyouko Kirigiri, so adamantly refused to reveal herself, we can explain it very simply: doing so was dangerous. Very dangerous. ''

''While the world leaders should make efforts to ensure the safety of all the finest minds, not only for detectives, the fact is that tile current societal systems do not allow for this, and K believed she had no choice but to protect her mind under her own power. ''

''By simple arithmetic, K's ability in 2035 was the equivalent of five ordinary investigative bureaus, and seven intelligence agencies (and by the time she faced off Jack the Ripper of 21st Century, those numbers had leapt upward several more notches). This is easy to think of as a reason to respect and admire someone, but let me say this as clearly as possible: that much ability in one human is extremely dangerous. ''

''Modern danger management techniques rely heavily on diffusing the risk, but her very existence was the exact opposite. In other words, if someone was planning to commit a crime, they could greatly increase their chances of getting away with it by simply killing K before they began. That was why K hid her identity. Not because she was shy, or because she never left the house. To ensure her own safety. For a detective of K's ability, self-preservation and the preservation of world peace were one and the same, and it would not be correct to describe her actions as cowardly or self-centered. ''

''So whenever K was working, she would usually have someone else as her public face, and in this particular case, the FBI agent Nami Feuer was filling that role. Nami understood this right from the very beginning. That she was K's shield. And just how much danger her direct link to K put her in... Nami tried many times to figure out Kyoko's true nature, but no matter how optimistically she viewed the situation, she was never able to view it as anything better than, "She probably didn’t hear much of the conversation", and that supposition never felt very secure. If Kyoko had noticed the connection between Nami and K, and she leaked that information in the right places, then she would be in grave danger before you could say... before you could even think of saying anything, and any the thought of that made even Nami nervous. ''

''And given Kyoko's obvious deductive abilities.., a day after they had solved the message hidden in Believe Bridesmaid’s bedroom, Nami had begun to wonder if her own deductions had not been guided by Kyoko's skillful lead. At the time, she had felt like it was all her doing. But thinking back on it, the page numbers, the laps around the book, she had only noticed it because Kyoko had laid the groundwork. Had there been any real reason for her to go through the book herself, reading out each word? She couldn’t dismiss the idea that this had all been a performance to make Nami feel like she was taking part in solving the riddle, and that Kyoko had neatly allowed her to make the final breakthrough after carefully solving everything else for her. All this might be nothing but paranoia brought about by the pressure of having K backing her... but discovering the name of the second victim on Believe Bridesmaid’s bookshelf was a big score for her investigation. She had checked afterward, and the second victim was the only person in the entire Greater Los Angeles area named Quarter Queen but this came as no relief.''

Real World
<p style="text-align:center;"> 1 days later...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles

<p style="text-align:center;"> Downtown

<p style="text-align:center;"> Third Avenue

<p style="text-align:center;"> August 16th

<p style="text-align:center;"> 10:00 AM

''Nami was walking in the streets of downtown, on Third Avenue, visiting the scene of the second murder. She did not know her way around the neighborhood, so she had to puzzle over a GPS to find her way here. ''

''Without knowing when a fourth murder would occur, part of her wanted to come straight here from Believe Bridesmaid’s, but she had other things to check up on first, so much evidence to sift through, and given the problem of transportation, she had ended up waiting till the next day. It was now three days since the third murder, nine days, four days, nine days, and if the killer planned to kill after four days again, then the next murder would happen tomorrow, but she had no other choice. No way to prevent it from happening. So she did the only thing she could do. Search for evidence that would allow her to take on the approaching crisis. ''

''According to K's investigation, a detective named Kyoko Kirigiri had actually been hired by Believe Bridesmaid’s parents, and not only them, but relatives of the second victim, Quarter Queen, and the third victim, Backyard Bottomslash, had asked Kyoko to investigate the matter as well. This was a little too good to be true, in Nami's opinion, but if K said so, she had to accept it. There was no room for doubt. But even K had not yet managed to dig out anything about Kyoko's background, so she had been asked to keep watching, to cooperate with Kyoko and pretend they were investigating the matter together. Had K really reached no conclusions about Kyoko at all? Nami spent a few minutes pondering this question. Perhaps explaining it to her would simply be too dangerous... Nami never thought for a moment that K was giving her all the information she had. Kyoko might fall into that category, but this might also be baseless paranoia. ''

''Nami was certainly suspicious, but she had not done anything overtly evil, so it didn’t go past that. The thought of seeing her crawl around the crime scene on all fours again today was undeniably depressing (she’d bad nightmares about it. Nami normally took forever to wake up, but this particular dream sent her flying out of bed). ''

''And at that moment, on August 16th, at ten o’clock in the morning... ''

- Nami: Over here?

''She was taking a shortcut through a deserted, dark alley when someone hit her from behind with a blackjack. Or, rather, failed to hit her, since she ducked in time, and avoided it. ''

''A blackjack is a light weapon, a very simple affair, consisting of nothing hut a little bag filled with sand. Its simplicity made it very easy to conceal, and it was an undeniably effective weapon. ''

- Nami: WHA--!

''She heard it slicing through the air as it brushed past her hair. Nami had been in danger since the moment she agreed to be K's hands, eyes, and shield, so she was not terribly surprised, and reacted quickly. It managed to drive all thoughts of Kyoko out of her mind instantly, which was fine by her. ''

''She hit the asphalt with both hands, pushing down to power her legs upward twisting sideways upside down, sending her foot toward her assailant’s chin. She missed. But no matter, the main goal of this movement had been to turn herself around and get a look at her assailant. There was only one, and he was wearing a mask. She was surprised at the lack of backup, but in addition to the blackjack, he was carrying a hefty club in his left hand, putting her at a distinct disadvantage. ''

''This was no ordinary thug... He was completely dressed in a white armored battle suit with a black hood and was wearing a mask of some kind of sci-fi film. ''

- Nami: Who are you?!

- Assailant: No need to answer you, detective.

''Like the day before, Nami did not have a gun. And, obviously, no badge or hand cuffs. Running would have been the most logical choice, but Nami did not have the kind of retiring personality that would allow her to run when attacked. Her nickname in the FBI was Nami Massacre. Clearly, there was a certain degree of malice behind the name, but it was not entirely without cause. ''

- Nami: Tsk!

''She bounded upward, landing with her legs apart, her right hand in front of her face and her center of gravity low, facing her assailant and swaying slightly, ready to fight. He hesitated for a moment when he saw her stance, but then swung at her, not the blackjack, but the club. Her upper body swayed, dodging it and then she did a sort of cartwheel across the width of the narrow alley, aiming to slam her heel into her assailant’s temple. He dodged again, but their fight was over. ''

''- Assailant: Ugh! Y-You slut... Damn it!''

''Nami had no intention of running, but her opponent did not seem to be as fiery. While Nami was getting to her feet, he spun around and ran away. Nami briefly considered chasing after him and took a couple of steps in that direction before abandoning the idea. She was pretty sure her assailant was man. She was pretty sure she could take him in a fight, but not in a footrace. She was not a strong runner. She didn’t want to waste the energy.''

- Nami: What was that?

''She brushed her hair back into place, pulled out her cell phone, and called K. The phone rang, but nobody answered. The century’s greatest detective was a busy woman, and probably hard to reach outside of appointed times. Fortunately, she had not been injured, so the report could wait. Perhaps getting to the crime scene quickly was a better idea being attacked like this had only increased Nami's suspicions concerning Kyoko. ''

''There was no way of telling if her assailant had been someone involved in the case, or someone who had nothing to do with it but knew about her connection to K, but either way, based on the timing of the attack, the odds of Kyoko being involved were not terribly low. Perhaps she should check into her herself, instead of leaving the investigation up to K... if only for self preservation. ''

''She considered calling Joan Christ, her friend who works at the department of FBI, and having him check it out secretly, but first Nami left the alley behind. As expected, Nami had not come after him. ''

<p style="text-align:center;">' 1 minute later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> 50 meters away from the Alley 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Street 

''The unknown and mysterious attacker of Nami left the alley and jumped into the sedan car that he’d left on the main road with the engine running. He turned a few corners quickly and checked the back mirror then parked in the lot he had picked out in advance. The sedan was a stolen car and would not lead back to him, so he had planned to abandon it here. ''

- Assailant: That should do.

''One eye on the security cameras, he left the parking lot on foot, leaving the mask, hood, armor, blackjack, and club behind in the car. He had shoved them all under the seat. Leaving no fingerprints. That man had never planned to do anything to Nami today, not there. ''

''He had just been making a pass at her, to test her ability. He had attacked her from behind, but not intended to hurt her and certainly, he had no intention of killing her. So there was no way she would die. He knew she would dodge. But even so, even with that in mind, that woman was impressive. Dodging his attack without even turning around, and moving instantly to an attack of her own, he could see why K was using her as her pawn. She had brains and guts as she must. ''

''- Assailant: Ahh... But she was so perfect... Her name is Nami Feuer, right? Ohh... Beautiful and menacing at the same time!''

''She had the right. ''

''She was worthy of being his opponent. ''

''The assailant cracked his neck as he began to leave the parking lot. And with his head still hanging at an odd angle, he walked on down the street. Nami's attacker... ''

The man behind the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases, KK, walked on down the street grinning cruelly.

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- KK: It's gonna be so fun... Let's see who will this battle, K and Nami.'

<p style="text-align:center;"> 20 minutes later... 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Downtown 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Third Avenue 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Building Complex

<p style="text-align:center;"> Apartment 605 

''After that, Nami made her way towards the building where the second victim of KK, Quarter Queen, was killed. After 20 minutes, she returned to her tracks but with caution.''

''- (???): Ah, Nami. You’re late.''

After Nami had arrived at the apartment where Quarter Queen had lived, Kyoko greeted said without turning around.

''- Kyoko: Please try to be on time. Time is money, and therefore life.''

''Sigh... She was not down on all fours. She had come in just as she was inspecting the top shelf of a chest of drawers. But it was hard to think of this as nice timing...''

''The drawer happened to be filled with the thirteen-year-old victim’s underwear. Despite being a woman, Kyoko looked less like a detective investigating the scene than a lesbian pedophile stealing panties. Not the best way to start the day. She’d been planning to funnel the frustration from her fight in the alley into a fairly aggressive approach to Kyoko, but she’d already yanked the rug out from under her. If it was deliberate, she would have been impressed, but that seemed unlikely, It seemed much more likely that Kyoko actually did have a fetish for children's underwear... You can find all kind of women out there.''

- Nami: I'm not even going to ask.

''Nami sighed again, looking around the room, the entire apartment was smaller than Believe Bridesmaid’s bedroom. The standard of living gap alone made it hard to see any connection between the first and second victims. ''

''- Nami: We’re talking a single mother here, right? Who has now moved hack in with her parents? It must have been devastating...''

''- Kyoko: Yes. These apartments were built for college students, intended to house only one, so a young girl and her mother living here attracted a fair amount of attention. I asked around a little this morning, and heard many interesting things. But most of them were already in the police report you showed me yesterday. The mother was out of town at the time of the murders, and the body was discovered by a college girl who lived next door. The mother first saw her daughter’s body in the morgue.''

"........................"

''As she listened to Kyoko speak, Nami checked the walls for the holes where the Wara Ningyo had been nailed. Of the four walls, the front wall with the door in it, did not have a hole, but the other three did. Like in Believe Bridesmaid’s bedroom, these holes indicated the location of the dolls. ''

- Kyoko: Something bothering you, Nami?

''- Nami: Yes... yesterday, we…''

Nami said that hesitating a little but emphasizing the plural.

''- Nami: ...we decoded the message the killer left at the scene of the first murder, but... the Wara Ningyo and the locked room remain mysteries.''

- Kyoko: Yes, indeed.

''Kyoko then walked towards the door and closed, and then she dropped herself down onto all fours. But unlike the first scene, two people had lived in this room, and there was quite a lot of furniture, the place was a mess. It looked rather difficult to crawl around in. Nevertheless, Kyoko persisted, and remained like that all the way to the other side of the room. Nami wished she would give up. ''

''- Kyoko: But Nami, I don’t think it’s worth wasting much time on the locked room issue. This is not a mystery novel, realistically speaking, it’s quite possible he simply used a spare key. There are no keys that can’t be duplicated.''

''- Nami: True enough, but do you really think this killer would do something so prosaic? There was no real need to create a locked room in the first place. But he did so anyway. In which case, it might be a kind of puzzle...''

- Kyoko: Puzzle?

Kyoko stared at the young detective with lifeless eyes.

- Nami: Or a game of some kind.

''- Kyoko: Now that you said... Yes... yes, maybe...''

''Nami looked back at the door she’d just come through. ''

''The design was different from the first murder scene (the difference between the front door of an apartment and the interior door of a house), but the construction and size were basically the same. A generic lock, simply made, very easy to break in when the house was empty by drilling through the door and turning the latch from the inside (known as a thumb turn lock) but obviously, there had been no holes in the door at any of the three scenes. ''

''- Nami: What would you do, Kyoko? If you were trying to lock it from the outside?''

- Kyoko: Use a key.

Nami looked at her again with an awkward smile.

''- Nami: No, not like that... if you’d lost the key.''

- Kyoko: Use a  wild-kawaii spare key.

Nami let out a sigh as Kyoko continued investigating the room.

''- Nami: No, not like that... you don’t have a spare key, either.''

- Kyoko: Then I wouldn’t lock it.

"........................"

''Not that she was wrong. I mean... Whatever, dude.''

''Nami reached out and shook the door. ''

''- Nami: If this were a mystery novel... locked rooms are always created by a trick, like with a needle and thread, or... I mean, we call it a locked room, but these are just ordinary rooms, so they’re never that secure. They aren’t like Bridesmaid’s bookshelves, they’ve got plenty of gaps and chinks around the frame. String could get under it easily... run a bit of string under the door, and tie it to the edge of the latch, and pull it...''

''- Kyoko: Impossible. The gap isn’t that big, and the angle would kill the force applied. You could try it out, but too much of the string would be pressed against the door. Before you could ever turn the latch, all the power you put into it would be eaten up pulling against the edge of the door. Pulling the door toward you.''

Kyoko then turned her attention back to Nami.

''- Nami: Yeah...but a lock this simple doesn’t leave much room for a trick. The doors in detective novels usually have much more complicated ones.''

''- Kyoko: There are many ways to create a locked room. And we can’t rule out the possibility that he had a key. More important, Nami, is the question of why the killer made a locked room. He had no need to make one, but he did so anyway. If he made a puzzle, why did he do it?''

Nami looked at the ceiling before answering.

''- Nami: As a game. For fun.''

- Kyoko: Why?

''You could ask that about any of this. Why send a crossword puzzle to the LAPD, why leave a message on the bookshelf... and most of all, why kill three people? If the killer had a clear motive, then what was it? Even if the killings were random, something must have caused it... K had said so. But they still had no idea what linked the victims together. ''

''Nami leaned against the wall and took some photographs out of her bag. Pictures of the second victim killed in this room, a young blonde girl, wearing glasses, lying on her face. Looking closely, her head had been dented in the shape of the weapon, and both her eyes had been poked out. The eyes had been crushed after death, like the cuts on Believe Bridesmaid’s chest, this was mutilation of the corpse, with no relation to the cause of death. She had no idea what the killer had used to destroy the eyes, but trying to imagine the mental state of someone who could poke the eyes out of a cute little girl made Nami feel a little sick. ''

''Nami might be an FBI agent, but she was not prone to fits of righteousness, but there were some things that were simply unforgivable. What the killer had done to this second victim clearly fell into that category. ''

''- Nami: Killing a child... how horrible.''

For a moment, everything fell in silence before Kyoko shattered it with an unsual voice.

''- Kyoko: Killing an adult is also horrible, Nami. Killing children or adults, equally horrible. No matter the age and gender, all humans are equal since we all have one heart, one brain, two arms, two legs, one head, one mouth, one nose, one genitalia, 5 fingers in each hand and feet, two eyes and even one spine... Nothing makes difference. We are not immortal and nor different from each other except for our language, skin color and physical appearance. If one of us were Gods than the story would be different.''

''Kyoko replied with a cold tone, unaffected, almost Indifferent. ''

''- Nami: Kyoko... ''

''Kyoko then stood up while cleaning her knees. ''

''- Kyoko: I’ve checked everything once. But I didn’t find any money.''

Nami widened her eyes in surprise, but for some reason she felt she was getting used to see surprising facts about Kyoko.

''- Nami: So... You were looking for money?''

''Like a thief, yes. An extremely blastant one.''

''- Kyoko: No, just in case. One possibility is that the killer was after money, but in that case, the second victim is significantly more impoverished than the first and third victims. There was a chance they were hiding something, but apparently not. Let us take a break. Would you care for some coffee, Nami?''

''Nami instantly replied with a smile and then words. Apparently, that was the face of a woman who did not eat nothing this morning.''

''- Nami: Oh... sure.''

- Kyoko: One moment.

''Kyoko said, heading for the kitchen. Nami wondered if she had jam in the fridge again but decided that she didn’t care. She abandoned that line of thought, and sat down at the table. She had somehow missed her timing to tell Kyoko about being attacked. Oh well. She might as well avoid mentioning it, and see how she reacted. She had no proof her assailant had anything to do with Kyoko, but not telling her made it easier for her to catch her off guard. ''

- Kyoko: Here you are.

''Kyoko came back from the kitchen, carrying a tray with two cups of coffee on it. She placed one in front of Nami and the other opposite her, then pulled out the chair and seated normally. ''

''Nami then took a sip of coffee. ''

- Nami: Augh!

''Nami yelled, spitting it out. ''

''- Nami: Cough... hack... urrghhh...''

- Kyoko: Something wrong, Nami?

''Kyoko asked while innocently sipping her cup. ''

''- Kyoko: Once something has entered your mouth, it should never be spit out like that. And those terrible moans do nothing for your image, either. You are quite beautiful, so you should try to present yourself accordingly.''

''Kyoko said that in a quite sexual way, sounding more like a perverted lesbian... Totally out of her character.''

''- Nami: M-murderously sweet... poisonous!''

Kyoko then rose her finger in a very authoritarian way.

''- Kyoko: Not poison. Kawaii-Sugar.''

"................"

''- Nami: So you’re the killer? ''

''Nami looked down at the contents of her cup... which was less a liquid than a paste. Less like sugar dissolved in coffee than sugar moistened with coffee, a gooey, gelatinous mass glistening majestically in her cup. ''

While her attention had been distracted by Kyoko's behavior, she had allowed this substance to touch her lips...

- Nami: I feel like I drank dirt.

Kyoko continued drinking, without bothering with this high-dangerous sweet coffee.

- Kyoko: But dirt is not this sweet.

- Nami: Sweet Dirt...

''That sounded like an avant-garde piece. The diabolic gritty feeling in her mouth would not go away. ''

''Across from her, Kyoko was happily sipping away... lapping away. Apparently she had not made Nami’s cup this way out of sheer spite, but this was, in her view, a perfectly normal amount of sugar. ''

''- Kyoko: Whew... coffee always picks me up.''

''Kyoko then finished her cup and what must have been at least two hundred grams of pure sugar. ''

- Kyoko: Now then, to business.

''Nami would have liked to get up and go wash the sugar out of her mouth, but she tried to ignore the impulse. ''

''- Nami: Go ahead. ''

Nami stayed seated as Kyoko stood up and walked towards the room again but stopped on middle of the path.

- Kyoko: It's about the missing link.

- Nami: Have you figured something out?

''- Kyoko: It seems the killer was definitely not after money... but last night, after I left your company, I noticed something interesting. A connection between the victims that nobody seems to have picked up on.''

Nami's eyesbrows twisted in a rather confused manner.

- Nami: What?

''- Kyoko: Their initials, Nami. All three victims have rather unique initials. Believe Bridesmaid, Quarter Queen, Backyard Bottomslash. B.B., Q.Q., B.B. Both their first and last names begin with the same letter... what is it, Nami?''

''She then let out a sigh and closed her eyes. Kyoko's discovery was not that important or vital to the investigation.''

- Nami: Nothing...

''Was that all? Her disappointment had clearly shown on her face and interrupted Kyoko’s line of thought, but she couldn’t even be bothered to try and cover. What a pointless waste of time. Nami had noticed that the moment she first saw the victim’s names. It wasn’t worth bringing up like this. ''

''- Nami: Kyoko... do you know how many people there are with alliterative initials in the world? In Los Angeles? There’s only twenty-six letters in the alphabet, which means by a very rough calculation about one in twenty-six people has a name like that. Not even worth calling a connection.''

''- Kyoko: Oh? And I thought I was on to something.''

''Kyoko said while looking at her chest, dejected. It was hard to tell how much of her reaction was genuine. She appeared to be sulking, a trait which, in her, was not at all cute. An absolutely terrible way to present oneself.''

''-Nami: I mean, you yourself are Kyoko Kirigiri. K.K.''

''Needless to say, Nami had already noticed that too. Her name, Kyoko Kirigiri, can spelled as K.K. much like the killer himself, KK... This is one of the many facts why Nami put her in her list of suspects, however, even she admits it's too childish to consider a person a suspect simpy because of the initials letters of her name.''

''- Kyoko: Oh! I hadn’t noticed!''

- Nami: This is pointless.

''She should never have expected anything from her. All that nonsense about her leading her through the deductions yesterday had been nothing but paranoia. K.K.? ''

- Kyoko: Nami.

''- Nami: Eh? Oh, what?''

- Kyoko: Since my deductions have come to naught, do you have any good ideas?

''- Nami: No, not really. I’m in the same boat as you... can’t think of any real course of action except looking for another message, like we did yesterday. I feel like I’m dancing on the killer’s palms, which irritates the hell out of me, but...''

Kyoko interrupted her without putting emotions in her words.

''- Kyoko: Then let us dance. Playing your enemy’s game until he relaxes and lets a hint drop is a perfectly good strategy. So, Nami, if there is a message here... then where?''

''- Nami: Well, we can at least guess the contents. Presumably the message has the third victim’s name, Backyard Bottomslash, or her address. The crossword puzzle led to the first case, the book pages led to the second case, so...''

''- Kyoko: Yes, I agree. ''

''- Nami: But where that message is hidden, I have no idea. If we can figure out some sort of pattern, that would help us catch him, but...''

''Something that should be here, but wasn’t. Nami had described it that way. Referring to the victim, and to the bookshelves. Was there something like that here? Something that should be here, but wasn’t? Something that should be here but isn’t here was starting to sound like a linguistic Mobius strip. ''

''- Kyoko: So. If whatever we find will simply point us to the third victim, then perhaps it would be more effective if we skipped this scene and went right to the third one. After all, our goal is to prevent the fourth murder as well as solve the case.''

- Nami: Yeah.

''She was the one who had pointed out the chances of a fourth murder... but Kyoko’s reaction had suggested she had been well aware of this possibility, which was why she hesitated now. ''

''- Kyoko: The third murder has already happened, and we can’t prevent that, but there is a chance that we can stop the fourth. Rather than waste time looking for a message when we already know what it says, it would be far more constructive to look for a message leading us to the fourth victim.''

''- Nami: But that just feels so submissive ...like we’re following his lead. I mean we might miss an important clue to his identity if we skip this room. Even if there isn’t some clear evidence, we might get a feel ing or a hunch that will help us out later. I agree that preventing the fourth murder is important, hut if we focus on that too much, we’ll lose the chance to get aggressive, to take control of the situation.''

''- Kyoko: Don’t worry. I’m a top.''

Kyoko then put her left hand in her chest and took a deep breath, giving her the posture of a confident warrior.

- Nami: A top?

''- Kyoko: An aggressive top I have never once been submissive. One of the few things I can boast about. I have never even been submissive to a traffic signal.''

Basically, she is saying she is the superior in a relationship.

- Nami: You really should.

- Kyoko: Never.

''Adamant. ''

''- Kyoko: Preventing the fourth murder should lead us directly to identifying and arresting the killer. This is what my clients want, more than anything. But I see your point as well, Nami. I’m already finished checking the room over, so while you are doing that, I would like to think about the third murder, Do you mind if I look at the file you showed me yesterday once more?”''

''- Nami: Work different angles? Fine by me...''

''She’d never intended to cooperate with her anyway. She took a binder out of her bag, checked to make sure it contained the file on the third murder, and handed it across the table to Kyoko.''

''- Nami: And... these are the crime scene photographs...''

- Kyoko: Thanks.

Kyoko then began to analyze the photos and noticed the first photo was from Quarter Queen's corpse.

''- Nami: But like I said, there haven’t been any breakthroughs. The contents are the same as yesterday.''

''- Kyoko: Yes, I know. But there were a few things I wanted to double check... but this is a horrible picture, isn’t it?''

''Kyoko said that in dark tone, putting one of the photographs down on the table where Nami could see it. It was a picture of Backyard Bottomslash’s body. ''

''Nami had witnessed many horrible things during her career at the FBI, but this picture was so grotesque it gave her chills every time she saw it. Compared with this picture, cuts on a chest or crushed eyeballs were nothing. The body was lying on its back, and the left arm and right leg had been chopped off at the root. There was blood everywhere, all over the crime scene. ''

''- Kyoko: They found the right leg abandoned in the bathroom, but they still have no idea where the left arm is. Obviously, the killer took it with him. But why?''

''- Nami: That question again? But Kyoko, isn’t that another example of something that should be there, but isn’t? In this case, the victim’s left arm.''

''- Kyoko: The killer needed to cut off the left arm... but he did not bring the right leg with him. He just tossed it into the bathroom. What does that mean?''

''- Nami: Either way, we’re going over there this afternoon... but I’d like to spend a few hours here first.''

Kyoko then replied but without removing her eyes from the horrible photos.

''- Kyoko: That sounds fine, Oh, yeah, there was a photo album belonging to the victim in that cabinet, Nami. Probably worth checking out. You might be able to find something about the victim’s personality, or her friends...''

''- Nami: Okay. I’ll do that.''

''Kyoko turned her attention back to the file, and Nami stood up and made a beeline for the bathroom sink. She could no longer bear the grainy feeling in her mouth. She quickly gargled, but once was hardly enough, so she repeated the action two or three times. ''

''She considered trying to contact K again. There had been no answer earlier, so... no, yesterday had been a house, but in a tiny apartment like this there was no getting away from Kyoko. Even if she called from the bathroom, she wouldn’t even need to move over to the door to hear her. She would have to tell K about the attack eventually... or was that not something K would care about? ''

''Nami looked up and saw her face in the mirror. Nami Feuer. This was her. That much was clear.''

''Everyone knows the sensation of staring at a word for a long period of time until you start to wonder if it is really spelled correctly. In the same way, it was possible to doubt oneself, to wonder how long one could really be oneself. Was she still herself? Which is why this was so important. Why she stared at her reflection, confirming it again. ''

- Nami (think): *But does K do the same?"

''She wondered suddenly. ''

''The century’s greatest detective, someone who never showed herself in public, her identity unknown. How many people could say for sure that K was K? Was there anyone at all? Nami had no way of knowing, but she wondered if K, looking in a mirror, would even know who it was looking back at her.''

''- Nami: A mirror... a mirror?''

''Hmm. She almost had something there. A mirror... right and left reversed in the reflection... reflected light... light reflecting off a smooth surface... glass, silver nitrate aqueous solution... silver? No, the material didn’t matter, it was the quality that was important... that quality... the reflection of light... no, the reversal of right and left... in opposition? ''

''- Nami: Opposition... the opposite... reversed!''

''Nami bolted out of the bathroom, back to the table. Kyoko looked up from the file in surprise, her lifeless were opening wide. ''

- Kyoko: What’s wrong?

- Nami: The picture!

- Kyoko: Hunh?

- Nami: The photograph!

- Kyoko: Oh, you mean from the third crime scene?

''Kyoko asked while placing the photograph on the table once more. ''

''The corpse, with the left arm and right leg severed. Nami pulled two other photographs out of her bag and placed them next to it. Crime scene photos of the first and second victims. Pictures of all the victims, showing the condition in which they were found. ''

- Nami: Notice anything, Kyoko?

Kyoko stared at the pictures then looked back at the face of the detective next to her.

- Kyoko: What?

- Nami: Anything about these photographs strike you as unnatural?

- Kyoko: They’re all dead?

Her dark sense of humor really cross the lines at times...

- Nami: Being dead is not unnatural.

- Kyoko: How philosophic.

''- Nami: Be serious. Look, the bodies are in different positions. Believe Bridesmaid is on his back, Quarter Queen is on her front, and Backyard Bottomslash is on her back. Back, front, back.''

''- Kyoko: And you see a pattern in this? Connecting it to the nine days, four days, nine days between the murders? Meaning that tomorrow the fourth victim will be found lying on her front?''

''Even if they knew in what position the victim would be tomorrow, there will nothing useful coming from that information. Even so, it was worth it.''

''- Nami: No, not at all. I mean, that might be true, but... I was thinking of a different possibility. In other words, the very fact that Quarter Queen’s corpse was left lying on her front is itself unnatural.''

''Kyoko's reaction was not very satisfactory, at least, it didn’t look that way. Perhaps what Nami was trying to say wasn’t getting across. She’d only just hit upon the idea and was talking quickly, fueled by excitement, without fully thinking it through, so that was understandable. ''

- Nami: Let me think a minute.

Nami then seated down in the chair next to Kyoko.

- Kyoko: Nami, when thinking, I recommend this posture.

- Nami: This posture?

''- Kyoko: With your knees against your chest. ''

''Like that? She was recommending that? ''

''- Kyoko: Seriously. It raises deductive ability by forty percent. You must try it.''

''- Nami: No, I... um... well, okay.''

''It wasn’t like she wanted her to crawl, and it couldn’t hurt to try. It might help her calm down a little from the high of inspiration. She assumed the posture.''

"......................." 

''She regretted it a lot. Even sadder was the fact that her ideas fell into place. ''

''- Kyoko: Well, Nami? You mean Quarter Queen being on her front is a message from the killer? Pointing to the third victim...''

''- Nami: No, not a message, this is the missing link, Kyoko. An extension of what you said about their initials... ''

''Two weird people sitting weirdly explaining weird bits of deduction was leaving Nami worried, a scene of overwhelming weirdosity. Nevertheless, she pointed to each of the pictures in turn, feeling that she had long since missed her chance to put her feet back on the floor. And this posture was a great deal easier to maintain than it looked. ''

- Nami: The victims’ initials, B.B., Q.Q., B.B. Having both initials be the same isn’t enough to be a missing link, but... both the first and the third victim have the same initials, B.B. If the second victim’s initials were B.B. instead of Q.Q., then that would be a missing link, right?

''By simple arithmetic, twenty-six times twenty-six equals one in 676 people. Moving from matching initials to only one letter narrowed the odds by that much... and given how rare names beginning with B were, the actual number was even lower. ''

''- Kyoko: An interesting theory. But Nami, the second victim’s name is Quarter Queen, and her initials are Q.Q. Are you implying that perhaps she was killed by mistake? That the killer was aiming for someone with the initials B.B. and accidentally killed a Q.Q. instead?''

''- Nami: What are you talking about? The message at the first scene clearly said Quarter Queen. There’s no mistake there.''

''- Kyoko: Oh, right. I forgot. ''

''Had she really forgotten? The phrase seemed phony... but if she puzzled out every one of Kyoko’s reactions, they’d never get anywhere. ''

''- Nami: Nine days, four days, nine days. B.B., Q.Q., B.B. Back, front, back. It’s certainly possible to see this as alternating, like you suggested, and I certainly considered the idea, but... the killer’s exacting approach to things makes that seem unlikely. Doesn’t suit his personality. People that usually behave more coherently...''

Kyoko looked at the ground where Quarter Queen was killed days ago.

''- Kyoko: But the murder methods, strangulation, blunt force trauma, stabbing... they don’t show any kind of consistency.''

''- Nami: Except that they’re consistently different. He’s painstakingly trying something new every time. But alternating is different from varied. Which is why, Kyoko when I was looking in the mirror a moment ago, it hit me, B and Q are shaped the same.''

- Kyoko: B and Q? They’re completely different!

''- Nami: As capital letters. But what about lower case?''

''Nami replied whille drawing the letters on the table top with her fingertip. b and q. Over and over. b and q. b and q. b and q. ''

''- Nami: See? Exactly the same shape! Just the other way around!''

''- Kyoko: So that’s why she’s face down? ''

''- Nami: Exactly. A rough estimate of one in 676 people have the initials B.B., so if we take that as the missing link, then the killer must have had a lot of trouble finding victims. One was easy enough, but two, three, even four... even more so. He had no choice but to use a Q.Q. instead.''

Kyoko was actually very impressed but she kept her cool for a while.

''- Kyoko: I agree with everything except that last sentence. I don’t believe it would be easier to find someone with the initials Q.Q. than it would be to find someone else with B.B. Even if it was, I think it’s better to view the replacement as part of a puzzle designed for the investigation team. If they were all B.B. right from the start, the missing link would have been too obvious. But this is only supposition. No more than a thirty percent possibility.''

- Nami: Thirty percent...

Annoyingly low.

''If this were a test, she’d have failed. ''

- Nami: Why?

''- Kyoko: According to your theory, your conclusion is that all of that tells us why Quarter Queen was found lying face down. Face down led you to reverse theory and to b and q... but this progression doesn’t work logically, Nami.''

- Nami: Why not?

Nami twisted her eyebrows as Kyoko pointed her fingers at the initials q and b that Nami wrote on the table with her nails.

''- Kyoko: Lower case. Initials are always capital letters.''

- Nami: Oh...

''Right. Initials were never written lower case. They were upper case every time. Quarter Queen was always Q.Q., never q.q. Just as B.B. was never b.b. ''

- Nami: And I thought I was on to something.

''Nami said that while burying her face in her knees. But even so, the connection between b and q seemed so meaningful...''

''- Kyoko: Come now, Nami. Don’t be so disappointed.''

''Nami, however, ignored and let out a sigh as her eyes began to shine in fury... She was not angry at Kyoko or something, but at herself for ignoring such simple factor.''

''- Kyoko: Frankly, I’m glad your theory was wrong. If Quarter Queen had been killed as a substitute... that’s a horrible reason for a child in her teens to die.''

''- Nami: Yeah... if you put it that way... Mmm?''

''Nami frowned, suddenly. A moment before, Kyoko has insisted there was no difference between killing a child and killing an adult, but the motive for it bothered her? A reason like this one... did that have anything to do with anything? A child in her teens... A child? A child? A little child? ''

''- Nami: No, Kyoko. In this case, lower case is perfect.''

''Nami said while her voice was shaking. Shaking with anger. ''

- Nami: That’s why the killer chose a child.

''A thirteen-year-old child. Her initials. Upper case, lower case. ''

''- Nami: Because she was a child, lower case. And that’s why she was face down, upside down!''

''It would be some time later before Nami realized that it was Kyoko who had enthusiastically pointed out the matching initials, who had pointed out that the victim was a child, and who had given her the sugary coffee that had sent her into the bathroom, where the mirror provided the inspiration she needed to figure things out. ''

''But either way... the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases. The missing link had been found, the critical detail that would, in later years, give the case its name.''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Outside of the Apartment 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Street 

''Meanwhile, outside of the apartment where Kyoko and Nami were investigating, a strange silver toyota car was parked in front of the apartment. ''

- (??? 1): They are taking their time, right?

''- (??? 2): Yes, it's been almost 30 minutes since Nami entered in the apartment. Shall we report to the boss already?''

''And inside of this vehicle there were two people eating hamburguers and drinking soda. They seemed not to be normal civilians or two dangerous figures, instead, they were dressed like in black formal clothes.''

Not important to say but they were a man and a woman, and were using a badge of FBI attached to their chests.

''- (??? 1): Probably. ''

''The male figure's name is Alli, an agent of FBI and direct detective of Global Pact Defense. This man in his early thirties and has long loose hair. He is wearing a red coat with golden ornamentations on its shoulders, and his face bore a tremendously sour expression. ''

- Alli: But I'm wondering...

- (??? 2): What is it?

''Before speaking clearly, Alli lit a cigarette and began to smoke. Luckily, the windows of the car were opened so the female FBI agent had nothing to worry about smelling smoke.''

- Alli: ...why Nami joined this case without the approval of GDP's Department of Investigation?

''The GDP's Department of Investigation is the sub-group of Global Pact Defense responsible for keeping their Ultimate Detectives in check. They administer the entrance of investigation requests are send them to their Ultimate Detectives like K and Nami Feuer. When the case is solved and closed, the detective will receive a high reward for his or her hard work.''



''- (??? 2): KK is a case of Red Mission, so I doubt she Nami will be able to solve it alone. I suspect that girl with purple hair might be her new partner.''

''And the female agent seated next to him is none other than Sonia Phoenix, an Ultimate Detective of Globa Pact Defense and agent of FBI. In the world, there are 20 Ultimate Detectives, and K is considered to be the smartest detective of the century. This woman, Sonia, is second most intelligent detective in the planet and a rival of K. As such, Sonia is one of the few people who knows the identity of K.''

''Sonia is described as a  beautiful young woman between her twenties. She has a black long hair that is tainted with yellow in the tips, has a black lifeless eyes (much like Kyoko and K), wears a eyepatch in her right eye, use black gloves and is wearing a black suit... This woman, unlike Kyoko, gives the aura of a sociopath... Someone scary to be around. If there is a dark version K, Sonia is this person.''

''Also, about the "Red Mission" that she mentioned above. The mission sent to Ultimate Detectives are divided in four classes:''

And so, returning to the story.
 * The first class is called "Green Mission". The Green Mission is the lowest missions given to detectives. These activities are only related to theft and robberies of objects. However, considering these main topic of this mission are objects then only objects with high-values are added to this class, like luxurious cars, suitcases of money and gold, private vehicles, historical paintings and among other.
 * The second class is the "Blue Mission". If you ever read books of mysteries and series about detectives like Sherlock Homes, Death Note, Monster and among other, this is the mission that those detectives receive. The Blue Mission is the most common type of investigation as it was made to solve cases of homicide. No big deal. However, those murders must be unique from a criminal like a thug, rapist, drug dealer and gangsters. In most cases, the police can solve these without much effort, depending on how smart the criminal was.
 * The third class is the "Red Mission". The Red Mission is given to cases of spree-kiling committed by a single person or a group of extermination. Basically, it's given to Ultimate Detectives to solve complex murders that not even the police could solve. Consider it as hardcore version of the Blue Mission. It's main purpose is to stop murders committed by serial killers and criminal groups of slaughter.
 * The last and fourth class is the "Black Mission"... Oh boy, this one, compared to the previous ones, is nothing likable. The Black Mission is given only to the Top 10 most intelligent Ultimate Detectives of GDP in the world. It's main purpose is to solve NATIONAL (or even global) cases of war. Basically, the detective must act to discover what kind of weapon the enemy is planning to use against United States. But they not only can stop civil wars but can prevent terrorist attacks from happening by leaking their plans and operation to the Pentagon and US military. These kind of missions are the most dangerous operations to detectives at they hold millions of lives in their hands, and in addittion, the American National Security.



''- Alli: I never saw that woman before. Probably she is a private detective? A detective without affiliation?''

''- Sonia: Hmm... ''

''Like aforementioned, Sonia knows the identity and appearance of K since they are rivals... And that girl... Kyoko, was too similar to K.''

''- Sonia: Let's report to Fiora. We don't need to include that unknown detective. She is not important now.''

''Despite the fact that Sonia knew that woman was similar to K, she decided to ignore to see what will happen if she continues to stick around Nami... Like if she was manipulating the next phase of FBI's investigation on Nami.''

- Alli: You're right.

''Alli then put his black jacket on and removed the cigar from his mouth... since he was the driver, it was up to him to drive away. And drive while smoking is forbidden is the driving laws of USA.''

''- Sonia: I just want this day to end already. I'll call Fiora later.''

''Alli then turned on the car and threw his cigar out of the vehicle while Sonia yawned in boredom... Yet, one could see a smirk while her lifeless eyes stared at the apartment where Kyoko and Nami were at the moment.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> 5 minutes later...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles

<p style="text-align:center;"> FBI Department

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fiora's Office

''And so, 5 minutes had passed since Sonia and Alli left from their positions... At this point, it was obvious to say that those two were following Nami since she received the leave of absence. ''

''Fiora then turned off her cellphone in her hands. She just had received a call from Sonia Phoenix, the Ultimate Detective stalking Nami.''

- Fiora: And so you have it, Mikami.

''- Mikami: Why don't leave her alone? It's not like her investigation is going to kill someone.''

''Fiora Westcott, the Executive Assistant Director of FBI Intellligent Branch, was seated in the armchair of her officce in the FBI Department of Los Angeles. In front of her, a young man dressed in black clothes was seated in front of her desk with a lazy and disinterested expression in his face. The name of this person is Teru Mikami, the Los Angeles Police's Commissioner responsible for keeping order and law in the state.''

''- Fiora: Well, it's not like I want to waste your and my time with her but the Director Natalia ordered me to keep my an eye on Nami. She even went too far as to call Sonia Phoenix to follow her tracks.''

''I think it's good to say it now but since Nami agreed to join the KK Murder Cases to help K, she did her best to cover her tracks... She went as far as to use a false ID in her investigations, change the apartment where she was living, changed her bike plate and even destroyed her cellphone and computers she had in her apartmenet (it was K's request, actually)... Yet, Sonia followed Nami's steps from morning to night.''

- Teru: I think she is just obsessed.

''Mikami is a young man with shoulder-length black hair, who wears glasses. His typical attire consists of a black trench coat over a business suit. Like many of the characters, he can be perceived as attractive.''

''- Fiora: Of course she is. Natalia is a close friend to Nami and she knows how stubborn she can be. Nami is a person with great sense of justice and pride, so Natalia knew from the beginning that she would try to involve herself in some dangerous situation of FBI without our knowledge.''

- Teru: Like a spoiled brat, huh?

Mikami then removed his glasses while Fiora began to drink a cup of tea.

- Teru: In other words, I only need to arrest her?

Fiora then spat the tea from her mouth and almost choked.

''- Fiora: WHAT?! Are you insane?! I ony want you to protect her.''

- Teru: Protect her?



​​​​​​​''Now that Fiora mentioned "protection" she remembered what Sonia said about Nami's situation this morning. ''

''- Nami: She said she was attacked by an unknown male figure in a dark alley this morning. ''

''Yes, Sonia had already tracked Nami since this morning and was fully aware that that man never had intentions to kill her in first place. She knew that because she read the movements of her attacker from distance.''

''- Teru: So you want me to contact the LAPD commissioner to send a police car to protect her? But why calling me here?''

''- Fiora: Because Nami is an agent of FBI. It's humiliating for us to ask the local police to protect one of ours simple because she being spoiled and refuses to accept our orders. And you're related to all activities of LAPD in this country so I bet you can throw a simple conversation with them without putting our name into this. Imagine this, Fiora Wescott, begging to LAPD to keep an eye in one of our agents. This is ridiculous. It's like if we are trying to throw our responsability in the back of others.''

''- Teru: I see. If you put it in that way, that sounds more reliable... Very well, I'll send two of my officer to her place. They wil watch over for some time. Like you mentioned, I'll keep it in secret and instruct them to not reveal themselves to Nami.''

KK Killer
''Imagine that you were going to kill someone. What do you think would be the most difficult part? ''

''Three, two, one... time’s up! ''

''The correct answer: killing someone. ''

''Now, now, calm down. I swear I’m not making fun of you, or playing linguistic tricks here. I’m completely serious. People, in other words, humans, have not been designed to die that easily, at the least, people almost never grunt or moan and immediately fall over dead. ''

''Strangulation, blunt force trauma, stabbing, none of these kill people easily. Humans are surprisingly sturdy creatures. Additionally, people have a tendency to resist being killed. Nobody wants to be killed, and there’s a good chance they’ll try to kill you back. ''

''Physical strength in humans doesn’t vary that much, and in a one-on-one fight, winning can be rather difficult. From this point of view, the ability to kill someone just by using a gun or using a special power from Magi-Tech and Cyborgs is a flagrant violation of fair play, as I’m sure you can imagine. ''

''However. When KK went about committing this series of murders, he did not have any difficulty killing his victims. After all, the murders themselves were not his purpose, and he had no intention of expending undue effort on them, but even so, it was not easy to see exactly how he had avoided trouble. Certainly, he was using weapons and drugging his victims, but at this point all three of his victims had been killed without showing any real sign of resistance. In most cases, defense wounds are a key element in identifying the killer, but in this case the victims had all died as if it were only natural for them to have done so. Also, the KK Murder Cases was not his first spree-killing. KK is a monster with hell on his eyes. He has been killing for many years and his body count goes further than mere 2 or 3 deaths. Actually, he used to kill people in random cities and states, making his homicides look like work of different people with no link with each other.''

''The FBI Agent Nami Feuer never did understand why, and even the century’s greatest detective, Kyouko Kirigiri (K), did not manage to create a working theory until several years after the case had ended (of course, the KK Murder Cases happened in 2035 and I'm narrating this story from 2037). ''

''But enough buildup. ''

''Let me explain why it was so easy for KK Killer to kill people. Big spoilers! Ha!''

''KK Killer was a human born with demon eyes congenitally. The demon eyes gave him the abiility to know the names and age of all people he met on sight. It was not particularly difficult for him to track down people with the initials B.B. or to find people who were fated to die on a certain day at a certain time. After all, there are over twenty million people in Los Angeles. ''

''Killing people was, for him, normal. Killing people who were fated to die anyway was no effort at all. ''

''Mmm, I guess I should explain the idea of the eyes of a shinigami. The phrase is only too familiar to me, but if I don’t explain it, some of you will cry foul. ''

''The eyes of a demon. ''

''These eyes could be given out by any demon to a human iin return for half the recipient’s remaining life. They allowed the recipient to see people’s names and remaining life. Normally contact with a demon was a prerequisite for acquisition, but KK had traded nothing, he had seen the world through those eyes since before he could remember.''

''He knew your name before you said it. ''

''He knew the time of death of every person he met. ''

''I hardly need to explain just what effect this would have on his personality. You might think they would hardly be useful without some kind of assassination power like the energy powers used by Cyborgs from KnightWalker Family but that is simply not the case. ''

''The ability to see someone’s remaining life is the ability to see death. ''

''Death, death, death. ''

''KK lived his life unceasingly reminded that all humans would eventually die. From the time he was born he knew the day his father would be attacked by a thug and die, knew the day his mother would die in a train crash. He had these eyes before he was born, which is why a child as strange as he was taken in by our home, sweet home, Hammy’s House. "Hammy". What an idiot name actually. Now, what exactly is the Hammy's House... well, I can it's one of the GDP's darkest secrets that no one knows about.''

''Hammy's House is one of several orphanages established by the Global Pact Defense. It was founded in Detroit, United States, and was initially designed to be a training facility for especially gifted children. The most accomplished of these children was K, who was not orphan but was often called to the orphanage to test her IQ abilities and analyzing skills. ''

''After Kyouko Kirigiri (K)'s success as a detective and her entrance to Hope's Peak Academy, the goal of Hammy's House became to produce a successor to Kyouko Kirigiri. The orphans use aliases rather than their real names, which are kept secret. In addition to these aliases, some notable graduates are assigned a letter by the President of Global Pact Defense. A man knows as Nobuchika Ginoza runs the orphanage while the latter is also responsible for training the children.''

''Do you know? Before Kyouko Kirigiri became a detective, his nickname was K? However, after Kyouko became the world's greatest detective, the nickname of K was given to Kyouko to match the initails of her name. However, after a long time, Kyouko renamed herself as "KK" to match the initials of her first and last name. However, after the boy previously know as K became a serial killer in Los Angeles, he named himself as "KK", the same nickname that Kyouko Kirigiri used. After this incident, Kyouko was forced to rename herself back to "K" to make difference between her nickname and the killer's.''

''Well, anyway, let's call him as KK to match his current persona in the future. He was the second child in Hammy’s House at the year of 2010.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> North America 

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles

<p style="text-align:center;"> KK's Hideout

<p style="text-align:center;"> August 19th 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 06:00 A.M. 

''Back to the present, the serial killer, KK, had just awoke from his sleep after many days of planning... He was now going to search for his new prey.''

''- KK: If only I could see the destruction of this world... the death of all this planet...''

''KK murmured to himself, on August 19th at 6 A.M., just as he woke up... ''

''He was lying on a simple bed on the second floor of a prefabricated storehouse borrowed under the name of a dormant company, in the suburbs of the west side of town. One of many hidden lairs located across the country, around the world. Why West L.A.? Because on that day, Nami Feuer, the suspended FBI agent fronting for the century’s greatest detective, Kyouko Kirigiri (K), was going to be there. ''

''- KK: Nami Feuer. Nami Feuer. K’s hands. K’s eyes. K’s shield. Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! No, that’s not right... I should laugh more like this... Kya ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Yeah, that’s better.''

"Kya ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

''"Kya ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" ''

''Laughing wildly, KK got out of bed. A harsh, cruel laugh, but an unnatural laugh, a phony laugh. As if laughing was just another task he had to perform. ''

''KK had remembered how he had attacked Nami Feuer three days before, on August 16th, in the alley of downtown. Of course, he had known when she would die, he had seen how much life remained inside of her. Nami Feuer's life. It was not that time, on August 16th, but much, much later. Which meant... If he attacked her with intent to kill, he would absolutely fail. He knew that he would. Ensuring his path of escape was far more critical. ''

''Nami Feuer was nothing but K’s servant, and if she died there would be dozens of replacements, from the FBI, the GDP, the CIA, and the NSA, even the Secret Service. ''

''So he had only been testing her. ''

''Seeing if Nami was capable of being Kyouko’s substitute. ''

''- KK: Hmmm... mmmm... hmmm... Huh huh huh huh... no, hee hee hee? I could go with ho ho ho ho, but that’s a little too jolly… anyway. Oh, Nami Feuer, you are pretty good. A shame to waste someone like you in the FBI.''

''Nami had passed the test, so far. Today she would visit the scene of the third murder, and she would most likely find the message KK Killer had left for her. Then she would try to prevent the fourth murder, the victim KK Killer had selected. ''

''That was good. ''

''Only then would the competition begin. Only then would the real game start. The competition between K and KK. K and KK's puzzle. ''

''- KK: If K’s a genius then KK’s an extreme genius. If K’s a freak, then KK’s an extreme freak. Now it’s time to get ready. There are things I must do before KK can surpass K. Henh henh henh henh.''

''This thought was the only thing that made him laugh without needing to think about it. And those that know will recognize the laugh of this mad man, the Angel of Death. ''

''Still grinning to himself, he faced the mirror, brushed his hair, and began applying his makeup. The reflection of himself in the mirror. Himself. As always, he could not see his own time of death. No more than he could see the death of the world.''

''- KK: Ohh... So how I should start my game today? Cutting her first? Drugging her? Knock her with a hammer? So many options!... Oh wait... I killed her already.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

KK then smashed his own head in the mirror, cutting his forehead and making a lot of blood drops on the ground.

<p style="text-align:center;"> - KK: OOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!! 

Real World
<p style="text-align:center;"> United States 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles 

<p style="text-align:center;"> West L.A. 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Townhouse

<p style="text-align:center;"> August 19th

<p style="text-align:center;"> 2035

<p style="text-align:center;"> 09:00 A.M.

''So, August 19th had arrived. ''

''Nami Feuer was in the west side of the city, in the townhouse where the third victim, Backyard Bottomslash, had lived. ''

''She had shared the place with a good friend of hers, but she had been killed while her friend had been out of town on business. Like the second victim’s mother, the roommate had moved back in with her parents after the murder. ''

''Backyard Bottomslash’s bedroom was on the second floor. There was a thumb turn latch just below the knob. And two holes on the walls where the Wara Ningyo had been. One on the far wall, directly opposite the door, and the other on the left hand wall. ''

''The floor was covered in a frankly bizarre number of stuffed animals for a twenty-eight-year-old, and the entire room was ornately decorated. There were stuffed animals piled against each wall. In order: two, five, nine, and twelve. Twenty-eight in all. While the room had been cleaned, it still smelled faintly of blood, which destroyed the effect of the decor. ''

''- Nami: Where is Kyoko? ''

''She glanced down at the silver wristwatch on her left hand, and saw that it was already two thirty in the afternoon. They were supposed to meet at two. ''

''Nami had been here since early that morning, checking the place out in advance. She had searched the entire house, not just this room, but five hours later she had completely run out of things to do and was rather bored. And she had failed to uncover anything of interest, which had left her feeling frustrated. ''

''She bit her lip, annoyed that she had been unable to figure anything out without Kyoko around. Then the phone in her bag rang. She answered quickly, assuming it was K, but it was her one of her friends from and coworker, Gwen. For those who don't remember, Gwen is also a close friend to Kyouko Kirigiri (K) but Nami is unaware of it. ''

''- Nami: Hello? Gwen? ''

''- Gwen (phone): [Hello, Nami. It's been almost 2 years since we lost contact with each other. Since you're in a leave of absence, it's a crime for me to contact you like but...yeah... let me speak quickly, Nami].''

''Gwen was not using a cellphone like Nami, she was using a laptop in her office of GDP, Liberty City. She said that in low voice. At this time of day there must be other people around her.''

- Gwen (phone): [I checked up on what you asked me].

- Nami: Oh, thanks.

''Nami is not a person who don't trust in K, but after K informed that her that the unknown detective known as Kyoko Kirigiri was hired by the family of KK's victims, she still had her own doubts and asked Gwen, who is also an Ultimate Detective from GDP. However, unlike K who is a busy and mysterious person, Gwen is considered to be 2 levels below K and so she is not the one that all governments of the world target to take care of difficulty criminal cases. Yet, Gwen should not be understimated... ''

''Nami asked her to look after Kyoko's identity on Augusut 16th, and it was now the 19th, and she was a very busy FBI agent, so this was pretty fast work... (that literaly says the complete opposite of what I said above). When she thought about how much Gwen did for her, she found herself wanting to thank her every time she spoke to her. ''

- Nami: So?

''- Gwen (phone): [Basically? There is no private detective named Kyoko Kirigiri].''

- Nami: So she’s unlicensed?

''An unprivate detective. Gwen had said so herself.''

''- Gwen (phone): [No. There are no records of anyone named Kyoko Kirigiri at all. Not just in America, but in the records of every country in the world. The name Kyoko is reasonably common in your home country, but none of them are named Kyoko].''

''- Nami: Oh. She speaks Korean, Chinese and Japanese like a native, so I thought she might she from Asia... so it’s a fake name?''

''Needless to say again, Gwen is a close friend to Kyouko Kirigiri, aka "K"... However, she knows perfectly, as a close friend, that Kyouko would never leave her hideout to go investigate in the scene of crime with her physical presence... Kyouko is a woman who take care of dozens of criminal cases around the world at the same time, so why she would risk her safety going to two scenes of murder for no reason at all. Not to mention, the case of KK Murder Case is a Red Mission... Not worthy to make the legendary K leave her hideout to investigate the crime in physical presence.''

''Not to mention, Gwen was trying to protect K's true identity... And wanted to say to Nami that this person called "Kyoko Kirigiri" might be a copycat or a impostor... However, due to being a close person to the true Kyouko Kirigiri, Gwen avoided to say that to not call attention.''

''Anyway... things were getting strange around this so-called Kyoko Kirigiri who was working with Nami in the KK Murder Case.''

- Gwen (phone): [Presumably].

''Gwen was silent for a moment, but then blurted. ''

''- Gwen (phone): [Wait a second... Nami! What are you doing?!]''

''Just then Gwen realized that Nami is involved in the KK Murder Case... Too late.''

- Nami: You promised not to ask.

''- Gwen (phone): [I know I did. But your leave of absence will be over next week, and I was just thinking about the future... are you coming back to the FBI?]''

''- Nami: I haven’t thought about it yet. I know I always say this, but...''

''- Gwen (phone): [Don’t. I know what you’re going to say, so don’t say it].''

''- Nami: I don’t have time. I’ll call again.''

''Nami hung up without giving her a chance to respond. She spun the phone around between her fingers, feeling a little guilty. It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought about going back, but that she didn’t want to think about it. ''

''- Nami (think): *Next week already? Nah focus on the case at hand.*''

''This might be running away, but since Kyoko still wasn’t here... She’d suspected the name was fake from the moment she met her, so she didn’t particularly care... although she did wonder why he’d chosen that name in particular. But the real problem was why the victim’s parents had hired a private detective that didn’t exist... Nami told herself to forget about it and go over the facts they had uncovered one more time. ''

''First, the message left by the killer downtown, at the second crime scene, Nami had figured it out about an hour after they had found the missing link, that the victims were all connected by their initials. It was the eyeglasses the victim, Quarter Queen, was wearing. ''

''While she never got down on all fours the way Kyoko did, Nami had checked the room over from every conceivable angle, until her eyes ached from looking—without finding anything. Then she wondered if there was something on the victim’s body, like the cuts on Believe Bridesmaid’s chest, and had looked at the photos of the body again, but there was nothing there except the little girl lying face down, with her eyes crushed in... ''

3 days ago...
<p style="text-align:center;">' 3 days ago... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Downtown

<p style="text-align:center;"> Third Avenue

<p style="text-align:center;"> Building Complex

<p style="text-align:center;"> Quarter Queen's Apartment

<p style="text-align:center;"> August 16th

When Nami was at her wit’s end, Kyoko approached her and said:

- Kyoko: Maybe the damage to the eyes is a message.

''It sounded reasonable... in fact it seemed like the only possibility. Which meant... her eyes? ''

''Nami had gone back to the cabinet and taken out the album of photographs again. She looked through them once more, checking every picture of the little blonde girl. And realized... that there was not one picture of her wearing glasses. The only picture of her with glasses was the one of her dead. Not because there wasn’t a problem with her eyes, her chart was in the file, showing her right eye at 0.1 and her left at 0.05, but that she almost always wore contact lenses. ''

''After her death, the killer had put the glasses on and taken the contact lenses away. They were disposable lenses, so the investigative team had not noticed them missing. Nami had contacted the victim’s mother, who had confirmed not only that Quarter Queen almost never wore glasses, not even at home, but that the glasses she was wearing in the crime scene photograph did not belong to her. ''

''- Kyoko: Surprisingly hard to notice... who would ever think to ask if the glasses a murder victim was found wearing belonged to them? Literally a blind spot... perhaps that’s what the crushed eyes mean? And the glasses looked so natural on her... making it even less likely that the police would notice. She never realized that she was meant to wear them.''

''- Nami: Urn, Kyoko... that’s getting a bit facetious.''

- Kyoko: I was joking.

- Nami: That’s what being facetious means.

- Kyoko: Then I was serious.

- Nami: Still facetious.

''- Kyoko: Then I was deadly serious. Look! Don’t you think she looks better?''

''- Nami: W-well... I suppose... ''

''Facetious. ''

''The mother had first seen her daughter’s body in the morgue, and the glasses had already been removed. Which was probably all according to the killer’s plan... by this point in time, what else could they think? ''

''- Nami: Glasses? The third murder will happen in West L.A., near Glass Station—glasses. Very literal. But this doesn’t give us the address, only the neighborhood...''

''- Kyoko: No, if you narrow it down that much, then you can probably narrow it down all the way, Nami. All you have to do is look for someone in the area with the initials B.B., and you can fix on the address. In other words, the killer has assumed that by the time the second murder occurs, we would have figured out the missing link.''

''- Nami: Oh? But... we were only able to figure out that Q was actually B because the third murder had already taken place. At the time of the second murder, how could anyone have worked that out?''

''- Kyoko: You don’t need to. I mean, even at the third murder, there’s no real way to tell if B is the main letter and Q the reverse, or the other way around. The fourth murder could be another child with the initials Q.Q. and flip the idea. It’s possible he’s mainly killing children, and is really after Qs. From our current data, we have no idea why he’s aiming for B.B.s, or why he’s after Q.Q.s. But that doesn’t matter. All you have to do is find everyone with either set of initials.''

''- Nami: Oh... oh, right.''

Nowadays
<p style="text-align:center;"> Back to the present 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 3 days later 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Townhouse 

''But on August 16th, they were speaking in hindsight, they were much too late, and the third murder had long since happened. ''

''Just to be sure, she had checked, and within five hundred meters of Glass Station there was no one with the initials Q.Q., and only one person with the initials BR, the third victim, Backyard Bottomslash. The eyeglass message was very simple compared to the book shelf message at the first scene, but they had only been able to solve it because they already had the phrase Glass Station in mind, otherwise, who would ever be able to figure out that putting glasses on a corpse was a message from the killer? ''

''The very simplicity of it was exactly what made it even more difficult than the first murder. Now Nami had to stop the fourth murder, but would she be able to figure out the message left at the scene of the third? She was more than a little worried. Once again, it was Kyoko who had brought up the topic of the victim’s crushed eyes, it was Kyoko who had suggested she look at the photo album carefully, without her, she would not have figured it out. Or at the least, it would have taken a lot more time. ''

But before the arrival of Kyoko, Nami needed to speak to K.

''The mysteries they had uncovered had reached a level that demanded reporting. She moved well away from the apartment, looked around her carefully, leaned against a wall, and dialed. ''

- Kyouko (phone): [This is K].

''- Nami: This is Nami. ''

''She was getting used to the synthetic voice. She quickly explained what had happened that day, and what they had figured out, wasting no words. She felt herself getting a little worked up when she was explaining why the victim had been lying face down, but repressed it. At least, she thought she had. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Okay. I understand. I was right to pick you, Nami Feuer. Honestly, I did not expect such impressive results]. ''

''- Nami: No... not at all. I don’t deserve the compliment. More importantly, about what I should do next... any thoughts? We don’t know when the fourth murder will occur, so I thought maybe I should head right over to West L.A. now ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [No need. I’d prefer that you secure your footing. Based on your report, there is plenty of time before the fourth murder occurs.''

- Nami: Eh?

''She hadn’t said anything like that... had she?''

''- Kyouko (phone): [The killer will take his fourth victim on August 22nd. You have six more days].''

- Nami: Six days?

''That was nine days after the third murder. Nine days, four days, nine days and nine days again? What was he basing this assumption on? ''

''Nami was about to voice this question, but... ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [I’m afraid I don’t have time to explain right now. Please try and work it out for yourself But the next murder will occur... or the killer will make his next attempt on the 22nd, and I would have you act on that assumption].''

- Nami: Understood.

''Kyouko didn’t sound like she was in the mood for arguments. But August 22nd... come to think of it, the LAPD had received the crossword puzzle on July 22nd. The same day of the month. Was that a connection? ''

- Nami: In that case, over the next six days I will make careful preparations and investigate the third crime scene.

''- Kyouko (phone): [Please do. Oh, and, Nami Feuer, do take all precautions for your own safety. You are the only person who can work for me on this case. If you fall, there is no one who can replace you]. ''

''She must be referring to the fight in the alley with that masked man. She was caught off guard by this. Without her knowledge, Sonia Phoenix had contacted K and informed her about this incident.''

''Also, no one who could replace her? For K, it might be a very casual pronouncement, or just an outright lie, but Nami found it hard to believe it was even being applied to her. ''

''- Nami: Don’t worry. I wasn’t hurt.''

- Kyouko (phone): .

''- Nami: I'm fine, K. And I can take care of myself. I’ve trained in martial arts.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Have you? In what? Karate? Or judo?]''

"....................."

- Nami: Capoeira.

''Even over the scrambled line, she could tell K wasn’t sure how to respond. She admitted Capoeira was an unusual choice for an American FBI agent. Nami felt a moment’s gleeful pride, as if she’d outsmarted K, though she knew she had done nothing of the kind. ''

''- Nami: Yeah, I thought it was crap till I actually started it, but I got involved in street dancing in college and joined a Capoeira group as an extension of that. It’s actually a really effective form of self defense for a woman. The basic techniques all involve dodging your opponent’s attacks, which means it isn’t possible to overpower a block like it is in karate or judo. We can never match a man for power. And the acrobatic, tricky movements in Capoeira give you time to get a good look at your assailant.''

''Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. It was developed in Brazil at the beginning of the 16th century. It is known for its quick and complex maneuvers, predominantly using power, speed, and leverage across a wide variety of kicks, spins, and other techniques. The most widely accepted origin of the word capoeira comes from the Tupi words ka'a ("jungle") e pûer ("it was"), referring to the areas of low vegetation in the Brazilian interior where fugitive slaves would hide. A practitioner of the art is called a capoeirista.''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Really? That makes sense].''

''K said, sounding impressed. Genuinely impressed, not just saying so. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Your description makes it sound interesting. If I have time, I will have to look at some videos... but however confident you are, if they have a gun, or outnumber you, the situation changes. Take all the precautions you can... About Capoeira, I only a few times during my first investigation in Uganda, and I saw it again in Brazil when I received a Black Mission from GDP saying that the KnightWalker Family is developing some kind of weird weapon there. However, these were only rumors. I'm interested in learning a defensive method].''

''Kyouko seemed to be very interested mainly because Capoeira is a very rare and effective method of self-defense in Brazil. You can find karate, judo and among others everywhere but Capoeira can be considered a gold in a mine full of rocks since the globalization might one day extinguish it.''

''- Nami: Of course. Don’t worry, I always do. Um, K.''

- Kyouko (phone): [What is it, Nami Feuer?]

''- Nami: I was wondering... you’ve figured out what the killer’s goal is, right?''

Kyouko took a deep breath before answering.

- Kyouko (phone): [Yes].

''She replied after a long pause. ''

''Nami nodded. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so sure when the fourth murder would occur. But Kyouko had told her to figure the reason out for herself. Which meant she had enough information to identify the killer now? Just as this thought crossed Nami's mind, K destroyed her chain of thought with a single phrase. ''

- Kyouko (phone): [To tell the truth, I always knew who the killer was].

''Nami gasped as her eyes widened in pure shock. She couldn't believe that Kyouko kept this information hidden from for so long.''

 - Nami: Eh?

''- Kyouko (phone): [The killer is the original K]. ''

''Kyouko was not an orphan but she was raised at Hammy’s House. And of course, I, the narrator, Mina Harker, was also raised in that orphanage. My story goes back to 28 years ago, when the First Spacequake happened between China and Eurasia, killing 150 million people on the process.''

''Until now, we don't know what caused that incident that became known as the world's most tragic natural incident. My father died on the First Spacequake and so I was sent to Hammy's House in USA to become a useful person to Global Pact Defense's next generation.''

Well, returning to Kyouko and KK...

''After Kyouko's success as a detective, the GDP tried to make the children into Kyouko’s successors, as K’s alternatives, but that does not mean we knew anything more about K than anybody else. Including myself, only a few of us ever met K as Kyouko Kirigiri. I, Mina Harker, was once one of those children but then they noticed my talent was not into detective area but into scientific area, a place even better than Ultimate Detectives.''

''Nobody knows what’s going on in Kyouko’s head. But even so, I know how the entire GDP felt. Looking at Kyouko's incredible talents from the perspective of an inventor, of course they wanted to make a copy, of course they wanted to create a backup. Anyone would feel the same. ''

''As I have already explained, K never appeared in public. K knew that her own death would increase the crime rate all over the world by a few dozen percentage points. But what if they could copy her? What if they could make a backup? What if they could mass produce more Kyouko Kirigiris? ''

''That was us. Of course, I'm older than Kyouko but at the time that she became a Detective and entered to Hope's Peak Academy in 2015, I was just an orphan... However, it took only 2 years for me to leave the orphanage and enter in the Academy of GDP... In 3 years, I quickly rose to power within GDP's ranks using the same talents Kyouko had but directed to different zones.''

''K’s children, gathered from all corners of the world. Children gathered together, never told each other’s names. ''

''But even for a genius like the leaders of Global Pact Defense, creating a fake K was easier said than done. Even for inteligent people like KK (the serial killer), who was said to be the closest to Kyouko, the more he tried to be like her, the closer he got, the farther away she was, like chasing a mirage. At first, I was chasing her too but then I joined the GDP Academy and discovered my own path.''

''So I hardly need to tell you what it was like when Hammy’s House was first founded, when they were still experimenting. The first child, A, was unable to handle the pressure of living up to K and took his own life, and the second child, KK, was brilliant and deviant. KK stood for Backup. ''

''But KK tried to surpass Kyouko, not become her... no, that might not be right. I have no way of knowing the inner workings of his mind. He who belonged to third generation of children of Hammy's House, was not like the fourth generation, all the children bound only to the one with the serial K. ''

''They were prototypes, never even given the K code, expected to fail. I prefer to refrain from idle speculation based on my own experiences, but, well, KK may have thought something like this: As long as there was Kyouko Kirigiri (K), KK (himself) would never be K. As long as the original existed, the copy was always a copy. ''

''The Los Angeles KK Murder Cases. L.A.K.K.—Kyouko Kirigiri is After KK. ''

''This reading is why I think this name is so much closer to the killer’s intentions than the Wara Ningyo Murders, or the Los Angeles Serial Locked Room Killings. I wasn’t talking about the names on a purely stylistic basis. Whether KK had put that much thought into it I have no idea, but if he had a specific reason for choosing to commit his murders in L.A., then that is probably why. ''

''I am sure he had a much more personal obsession with K as an individual than all children of Hammy's House ever did. ''

''I can understand why someone would become a criminal in order to fight against a detective, which is why I can write about it like this, but even so. What did he hope to accomplish by killing unrelated people? Or perhaps KK simply wanted to meet K. Then he could use the eyes of demon he’d been born with and see K's real name, see when K would die. He would be able to find out who K was. ''

''KK had never told anyone that he had the eyes of a demon, and it would not surprise me at all if he believed himself to be some kind of demon. So this all boiled down to a strangely shaped battle of detection between KK and K. ''

''It was not exactly the same as the detective wars K had waged with Eraldo Coil and Danueve years ago, but just as the greatest of detectives makes the greatest of criminals, a specialist in investigation is also a specialist in murder. From this perspective, this was nothing but a detective war. ''

''KK challenged K. And K accepted the challenge. ''

''To put it bluntly, the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases were nothing but an internal struggle, a civil war within our home, sweet home, Hammy’s House. It's a pity that some victims that got mixed up in it, but even if KK had not killed them, all those victims were fated to die that day, at that time, for some other reason, so logically and morally, their deaths were unavoidable. So in the strictest sense of the word, the only one who really got mixed up in their war was Nami Feuer. ''

''Like mentioned before, K's true name is Kyouko Kirigiri, but only Gwen, Sonia Phoenix, Hammy House's owner and GDP leaders knows her true name... In consequence, only Kyouko and Hammy House's owner knows the true name of KK... And his name is...''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Yes... If I have to say, KK is a former successor of mine. And his name is...]''



Ike Raynford

Page 4 - Ike Raynford
<p style="text-align:center;"> North America

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States

<p style="text-align:center;"> Detroit

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hammy's House

<p style="text-align:center;"> 2010

<p style="text-align:center;"> January, 10th

<p style="text-align:center;"> 09:00 A.M.

''Oh well, hello there... If you are wondering why I'm greeting you again, it's because I'm not Mina Harker.''

''In this chapter, I'll be your new narrator... Ike Raynford... Also known as the KK Killer, the mastermind behind the KK Murder Cases in Los Angeles. For me, my true name is means nothing, absolutely nothing. I'm nobody. As long K is alive, I'm lower than trash in this world.''

''The reason why I engaged a war with K and her henchwoman, Nami Feuer, is because I wanted to take over her place and become the world's greatest detective. But even so, my goal was not take over her post in Global Pact Defense, but to take her down... To throw K in misery and sorrow for losing for the first time in her life. Nothing but that... ''

''As Mina mentioned before, I was once a orphan of Hammy's House of Global Pact Defense. The purpose of this orphanage was not to find a new family for those children, but to train them to find their true talents that could be one day useful to America... Heh? United States are the good guys? No... Sometimes, they are even worse than the so-called enemies of America.''

''My history began here, in Hammy's House, with my brother... My brother who was a perverted and violent boy. My brother and I were like partners-in-crime and we often used an abandoned warehouse to commit our crimes.''

''Now, if you think our crimes were like pranks and bullying... You're wrong. It was much worse. My brother was 2 years older than me, so it was him who bossed me around, and used me as his pawn to get what he wanted. We never had parents so we didn't receive a proper education.''

''However, it was not always like that. My brother used only to get into fights with others orphans, but aside from that, it was nothing serious. When he reached the age of 12-years old, he began to enter in his age of puberty. Normal to all men and women... And so, with his puberty came strong lustful desires for girls... However, it turned out that there were no girls in the orphanage who liked a little bit. They all felt disgust of him... So much that all girls avoided him at their best. Ah yes, my brother was not that handsome too so...''

Yeah...

''Compared to me who was considered to be a cute boy, my brother was like a dead fish, fat and smelled like sweaty pig. It's not like I'm trying to make myself better than him... ''Oh no!

''So, if my brother could not get what he wanted, than he would take it by force. Using my appearance and relationships with other girls, my brother used me to lure girls to our abandoned warehouse and abused them. I don't remember how many I lured but it was around 7 or 9 girls.''

''After my brother was finished with them, it was my job to comfort them to keep them quiet about what happened inside of that warehouse. If things continued like that then nothing would happen to us as long we kept good grades in the tests of the director of the orphanage, but my brother only got worse.''

''After the 5th girl I lured was captured by my brother, he crossed the line and committed his first rape. Obviously, since he was only 12-years old he never went too far as to penetrate the girls but only to abuse their private parts.''

''This time, he drugged the victim and took her virginity while she was sleeping. To prevent her from running away, he tied her up while I was protecting the entrance of the warehouse. It was my job to keep him out of danger and protect his stupid sore ass.''

''When the girl woke up, she was already free but alone at the warehouse. Knowing that she might get pregnant, he used condom before finishing up... Of course, he also did his best to prevent her from thinking she raped by someone while she was sleeping.''

Due to the effect of the drug, she don't remember the time that I lured into the warehouse and drugged her.

''When he was finished, he said to me how good it was and added he was going to do more rapes from now on. As the time had passed, my brother found people like him outside of the orphanage. Most of those people were 5 years older than him but seemed to get along just as if they were on the same age... He found a group of 5 deliquents who were known in the area for assaulting civilians and stealing from shoppings.''

Obviously, they also committed sexual crimes like my brother, but their targets were only girls who pissed them off, unlike my brother who had perversion for almost all girls he got in sight.

''And so, my job to lure girls only got darker. Now, with the gang and my brother, I took part in luring pre-teen girls to dark alleys, to where the friends of my brother would rape them for hours. Obviously, since I did a good job finding a new prey, they rewarded me with 50 dollars for each girl. Since I was a child, that amount of money was a lot for a kid like me.''

Now, we were not only targeting girls from the orphanage but other kids from Detroit, mainly schools for children around 5 and 12-years old.

''Now, I was not a perverted rapist at that time, so after I finished my part on the job I quickly ran to prevent myself from hearing the screams of the girls and the laughs of the gang... For me, it was a nightmare. Yet, the part of luring girls to dangerous zones became something normal to me.''

''At the year of 2011, I lost the count of how many girls I deceived... 30 or even 40... Anyway, my brother and his gang impregnated so many girls that they became known as the Maniacs of Detroit. And so, we became a group known for serial rape of young kids. At one point, we even abused boys. ''

''We were cowards. Trash. Scumbags. Rotten pieces of meat who only went after children because they were easier targets. We did not dare to chase after a grow woman because she might be armed or even tell the police about our activities. In the worst case, we might resort to killing our victims after our crime, which, even some of us, considered to be totally inhuman.''

''My brother, for an instance, was totally against the idea of becoming a murder if he went after grow women. Since I was out of their gang-bang group, stayed in silence. ''

''Many weeks later, our activities crossed all lines and we finally got the attention of FBI... At that point, the Global Pact Defense knew the identity of all rapists since they found their semen in private parts of the victims. Garbage.''

''Ahahaha... And so our group was disbanded and we followed different paths. Since the police already knew where they lived, they escaped and became homeless men while being chased by the police. My brother, was the most paranoic one... The reason behind this is because he was already living in an orphanage owned by the Global Pact Defense, and so it was only a matter of time until the police caught him.''

''My days as a manipulative cute boy ended there. But speaking frankly, I never had intentions to help them get away with their crimes. I never loved my brother once. I only followed him because I would be beaten if I refused to accept his orders. I tried to leave my past behind but then I remembered that my brother used my cellphone and cameras to record their raping activities, so he could upload it on Internet for money.''

Totally trash.

''Everytime I opened my cellphone, I would see those videos and remember my dark past... My brother was trying to forget it as well, but he was long from feeling guilty for everything he did. The only thing good that came out of that, was the part that my brother stopped raping and abusing girls in the orphanage. Even so, it was already too late, dozens of girls he abused hated him. Luckily for him, they never told the truth to the adults.''

''My brother was a rest of abortion... Ah nah! Not in that way... Rest of abortion in the sense of "human trash". But thanks to my brother, I became an expert in seducing girls. Yet, since I was a child, I had no interest in love or sex... Not after what I witnessed my brother and his gang's activities. ''

''Now, I hated everything related to love. And love, is always related to sex in some ways... I hated it. It's repulsive... And so, I became a genderless person, a man without love for women or men. ''

I loved only myself.

''As the grades of my brother got lower in the orphanage, mine got higher... So high that all teachers were starting to think I might be " that person". Yes, that person, the person who will become the successor of the world's greatest detective, K.''

''At that time, I had Mina Harker as my rival... Or so I thought. Mina Harker was superior to me but she was not into detective zone, but in business area. ''

''I had no friends whom I could trust but since I was on the top of the class, many children would go to me asking for advices in their next test or homework. Of course, I was not bothered by that. However, one day, a girl of the class came to me and said she was in trouble. She showed me a box full of hamsters, she said there were too many hamsters and asked me to find people who could adopt each one of them. As a wise boy, I accepted and I brought them to my home.''

''When I arrived there, for some reason, I simple filled a jar with water and threw all hamsters inside of it. I don't know what passed in my head but I came to the conclusion that killing them might solve the "problem". ''

''There were 6 hamsters, but without mercy, humanity or even a slight of compassion, I drowned them. Until this day, I don't know why I did that but for the first time I think unleashed my true dark nature in living beings. I did not know if what I was doing was right or wrong, I just did it because I wanted.''

''I think I agreed to help my brother to rape girls simply because I was ordered to. Yet, I hated the screams but I don't thought that what I did was wrong... Since it was not me raping those girls...''

''Well, anyway, after I closed the jar and let the hamster die, I left my room to have dinner. 3 hours later, I returned to my room and then I saw that scene... I couldn't turn my eyes away from it for almost 5 minutes. Like a statue, a stared at the jar and saw that there was ony one hamster alive... However, was not alive by pure luck... He was using the bodies of the dead hamsters to escape from his death.''

''To tell the truth, that scene made my heart beat in excitement and joy. It was so emotional, sad but yet fantastic.''

''Then, I adopted that hamster and I called him "Spice". I made him my pet and raised him like my friend... I did not have any normal people as trusted friends, yet Spice was the best friend I ever had. ''

''2 years later, my brother was getting relaxed that the police had not found him, but the news about the Maniacs of Detroit had spread all across USA. My brother's gang were one by one arrested by the police. One committed suicide in his own house. One was found by the civilians and beaten to death. One was arrested by the police but was raped to death inside of the jail by other inmates. One tried to escape to Mexico but was shoot down by the FBI. One tried to escape from the police in Detroit but suffered an car crash and died after having his skull crushed.''

Anyway, I was so happy.

''It was none of my business. ''

Despite our former 'friends" were dead, my brother was addicted to sexual pleasure. He was not even trying to hide it anymore... He was not a bullying anymore, he was more like a perverted boy who stared at the butts of other girls. Yes, he continued to rape the girls of the orphanage.

''One day, when I lured a girl into a new warehouse the orphanage built, my brother said to me to keep the place safe. But at that day I left to watch from distance what was going to happen if my brother was found out... Yet, I know no one would came since that part of the orphanage was abandoned.''

''However, much to my brother's surprise, he heard the voice of two people outside. Those voices were from two teachers of the orphanage. Since I was away, there was no one to help my brother to hide his crime... When the girls heard the teachers speaking and tried to scream for help. In despair, my brother shut her mouth with his hand, however, he pressioned so tighlty that she could no longer breath... and so, the girl died for the lack of oxygen.''

''After a few minutes, when I entered in the warehouse, I saw my brother sweating like a pig as he was trying to "wake up" the girl he just killed. Of course, he was not murderer but he was wiling assist on it. When he noticed me, he punched me for no reason at all. We tried to revive her but it was futile. She was gone.''

''My brother, for the first time, was feeling fear. And so, we tried to get rid of the body by locking it inside of a locker inside of the warehouse. Obviously, one day people would find out as it slowly decomposed inside of the locker. Yet, it was a good way to hide all proves. ''

''Days later, everyone were talking about the missing of one of the girls in the orphanage. The fear spread widely as the GDP thought that were some kidnapper nearby. This forced the security to close the door for a long time.''

''One day, using my eyes of demon I was born with, I could see the day and hour that my brother was going to die. It saying he would die in a accident... Obviously, I hated my brother despite my total loyalty to him... I couldn't hold myself.''

''Using the library of the orphanage, I could discover many methods to kill a person without causing too much mess. I wanted to kill so badly. I just wanted. Now, I don't hate him because he abused me so much, I hated him because he was just so boring, he was not worth to be a successor of K in the Hammy's House.''

''One day, I lured him into the warehouse where we hide the body of the victim. Since I said that in sheer despair, he immediately entered in the warehouse only to have his head smashed by a rock. After I he lost his consciouness, I made sure to hang him up to make a perfect scene of "suicide".''

''Using the body of the girl and the position I put my brother, I could form a scene where my brother killed that girl, hid her brother but then felt guilty and committed suicide. The teachers were the first to find his body. And then the police. And then an ambulance. And 2 days later many reporters appeared at the front gates of Hammy's House. It was such a mess.''

''The police didn't even need to open a investigation process as the girls of the orphanage finally said he not only killed that girl but also abused dozens of the young girls of the orphanage. Since I never took part in the rapes, they did not sold me out as it was because of me that they somehow could dealt with their abuse. It was a risk move but worthy of trying. And so, my days with my pitful brother was over. To tell the truth, I was relieved. And now, I was the owner of my own nose.''

''It was finally my hour. My time. I was now the star of my own show. I could finally reveal myself to the world. Even before the death of my brother, I was already a genius. How do you think I could seduce many girls? Not only girls. I could easily befriend men, even the most anti-social ones. I was a genius in human psychology. I could manipulate and use people to my favor. ''

''At the time, I was considered to be the next successor of K as I passed in all tests and simulation with the highest rank of all. There was no doubt I would become the next K, or probably another Ultimate Detective that would enter in the Hope's Peak Academy to get my official certificate. But... No matter what I did, I could not surpass K. She was too superior... Too superior. There was only 2 or 3 people in the world who could challenge her and survive for at least 5 minutes in an intellectual battle. The rest? They would lose in a mere 10 seconds or less.''

''It was useless for me... while some people were trying to make me the successor of K, I wanted more. My dream became to be better than her. My wish became to surpass her. At all costs.''

''A year after the death of my brother, I ran away from the orphanage in quest to become stronger than K. Or better. To be smarter than K. Now, my dream was not to become K after I won the actual K. My wish was to take her down. Put an end to K. Once and for all. And for that, I was ready to go around the world to find new tests for my own capacity.''

''After my escape, I travelled to Liberty CIty, where I lived in smal apartment given by the government considering I was an orphan child. I changed my name to Ike Raynford... Actually, I gave myself a name. The Hammy's House never give me a proper one anyway. ''

''One day, I was adopted by a nice and kind old woman who was lived beside my room. She said was like the mother I never had. She was a charismatic old woman who was living by herself for decades. I heard from her that she once had a child with her last husband. He passed away almost 20 years ago. And 5 years later after the birth of her son, he died of cancer. It was such a pitful lady. I could not resist but become her son. Even so, she passed away 3 years later. And so, I won the financial benefit of the government.''

''And so, many years had passed and I was now in the third year of my university... obviously, still living in Liberty City. When I was at my third year, I left the university and returned to Detroit, where I was teaching in a school for kids. I was just 25-years old at the time so I was the youngest teacher of the school.''

''One day, I met the aunt of one of the children. Her name was Rika Minami. At first, it was only a small conversation but then she returned many days later to pick up her nephew. Before we could notice, we were already dating...''

''I was not into older women or younger women but at that age I needed someone to be intimate. I spent all my life alone since I refused to engage in a romantic relantionship due to troubled past related with sex and rape. I tried to forget my past and follow a new path, a path away from my brother's. ''

''After many months dating, I discovered she was a police officer. Not like I hated it but I considered her to be a threat to my future plans. Even so, I tried to go on without bothering she might cause problems for me in the future. My plans? Ah yes... I never mentioned them before... After I joined that school as a teacher, there was a strong feeling of excitement inside of me... something that can be compared to some kind of pleasure. ''

''When I laid my eyes upon all those children in my classroom, I knew... that my brother was inside of me. His will and desires, and the goals of the Maniacs of Detroit continued burning inside of me. I thought the maniacs ended with the death of my brother but just then I noticed I was the last one of them, the last person from a group of perverted pedophiles.''

I was stuck in the path of my brother.

''One day, I found a girl playing with rabbit outside of the school. Since I was an adult, it was not possible for me to lure her innocently in some dark place. Instead, I approached her with friendship. I gave her some seeds for her rabbit to eat and began to chat with her often to search more about  her.''

''One day, I called her to an old bridge that was next to my apartment. I called her there because it was raining that day. She then gave me the cards I asked her to bring with her; anime cards of Pokemon. Yes, that famous even at that year. When I was about to bring her inside to take cover from the rain, her sister called her from outside and then the duo left without worries.''

''Unlike them, I was deeply disappointed with myself for not searching more about her. But, no matter what, I continued targeting other girls while keeping my relationship with Rika. Now, do you think I'm some pedophile? No. I don't target children because I love to take out their innocence. No. My wish is not to sexual abuse people like my brother. This is so close. So boring. So pitful. I love something better. Something way better than our human urges. The thrill of my killings.''

The danger of my work.

The aftermatch of my job.

''Everything, is delicious. Killing a child and getting away with it is the best feeling ever. Not to mention how people react to it. Hate. Fear. Panic. It's always fun to see my murder appearing in the first page of the news! It's a joy to be the most wanted person by the police.''

To be feared as a dangerous serial killer, it's the ultimate happiness.

The shape of society changing because of you is amazing!

''But anyway, I continued my killings. It took a long time but in a year I managed to kill 4 girls in extreme brutal methods. At this time, I got married with Rika and began to live with her. Apparently, I was a younger man who was more affective and lovelly than other men around her age. I think she was 30-years old at the time we got married.''

''However, even after my marriage, I could not see her as a person. After we got married, she gave up from being a police officer and began a career as psychologist. For me, that was the best thing I could have ever heard from her mouth. Using her, I could discover more about the mentallity of kids to evolve my skills in murdering children. ''

''She was a tool for me. A tool that allowed me to know my victims even better. Nothing more than that.''

''At times, the police would find more bodies of children scattered across the town in a period of 2 months. I was getting better and faster. But I was not stupid enough to declare myself as a serial killer yet. Using my intellect, I brought the name of many innocents to the scene of crime, blaming them for my spree-killings. Using this, I could make different crimes while leading the detectives and the police to another person who is not even related to the murder.''

Huh.

''A few days later, when I arrived in our apartment, Rika asked me something forbidden. She began to suspect about me and my activities. The motive is simple. I murdered one of my victims on June 12th. And at that day, my car broke out of nowhere, the fuel of my car was lower than normal and why my clothes were more dirty than normal... She was began to suspect me... I knew I should have stayed away from her. She was a former police officer, so she was clearly smart.''

''She asked again to give her an answer, but I knew there was only one answer. With my eyes of demon, I could see the day and hour she was going to die... and that day and hour was now .''

".................."

''Hours later, the police arrived and found her body on the street. She had fallen from the 12th floor of the building for unknown reasons. Of course, I lied and said I was taking my bath. When I returned to my room, Rika was gone. I just found her body down there when I heard the screams of people on the first floor.''

''Considering I was not in bad terms with her, the police could find any evidences that could lead to her death. The police concluded the case saying it was merely an incident. Something common to people who lived in buildings.''

''To tell the truth, that was the best thing I ever done in my life. Because unlike my previous murders, this one brought me directly to the spotlights, giving me a chance to face directly the justice of society. The justice failed but it was fun. So much fun. Not even K knew that my spree-killing were related to a single person and that all innocents arrested by the police were false criminals.''

''At that time, the World War III had not yet began, so I still had chance to stand up in the society. To leave my mark in this world as one of the most evilest serial killers to have ever existed. A serial killer of children. 25 children killed and a former police officer. I planned to start another spree-killing but now showing myself to the world. And so, I named myself KK Killer in tribute to K's nickname. ''

''And so, a year later, I abandoned my life as an American civilian and became homeless while searching for a hideout to prepare my final show. A battle that will bring K directly to me end what the Hammy's House had started. K knew who I was but I knew she would never reveal my identity because she was aware that all children killed in Detroit were a job made by me. And she knew, that I done all of that because the Hammy's House tried to make me like her... which means she felt like if she was responsible for all my crimes.''

''K, despite knowing the truth, stayed in silence unti I called her to the battlefield so we can end this war. This war of detective. A war of two intellectuals. A civil war between justice and death.''

''And so, I made my way to Los Angeles, where I planned to set my final stage. My final masterplan: to bring down K and then destroy myself.''

The smell of blood never gets old...



... don't you think so, Milord?

Page 5 - Failure
<p style="text-align:center;">' 2 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Townhouse 

''After K and Nami finished their conversation, Kyoko finally reached the townhouse where the third murder had occurred at just past three. ''

- Kyoko: Sorry to keep you waiting, Nami.

''Kyoko said in a confident tone, not appearing the least hit guilty about showing up an hour late. ''

''- Nami: Don’t worry, I wasn’t waiting. I started without you.''

''Nami said that as sarcastically as possible. ''

- Kyoko: I see.

''Kyoko and Nami entered in the house and out of nowhere Kyoko got in her knees and began to walk in all four. Nami was getting used to it, but it happened so suddenly she almost jumped. She hadn’t seen her for three days, after all. ''

''On August 6th, after speaking with K, she had gone back to Quarter Queen’s apartment and told hER that the fourth murder would happen in six days, on August 22nd. Naturally, Kyoko had asked her how she knew, but Nami had no idea. And she couldn’t just say that K had said so... but while she and Kyoko talked the matter over, Nami had figured it out. ''

''Her answer was more than convincing, but she didn’t feel like explaining it to Kyoko, so she simply stuck to her guns. In retrospect, Kyoko had let the matter drop a little too easily... but they had eventually decided to investigate the third crime scene, Backyard Bottomslash’s home, on the 19th. In the meantime, both Nami Feuer and Kyoko Kirigiri would look into the background of the case and make other preparations for their investigation. ''

''Nami had spent the time staying in regular contact with K, advancing her own theories and obtaining a range of useful information as a result (including some new discoveries the police had made and K had relayed on to her), but the truth was that, on the 19th, even after arriving at the third crime scene and spending several hours investigating it alone, she felt like she had made no significant advances since downtown on the 16th. ''

- Kyoko: Did you already check the bathroom, Nami?

''- Nami: Of course. You?''

''- Kyoko: I glanced inside before I came upstairs. But that bathtub’s ruined. Painted like that, the only person who would dream of climbing in is Elizabeth Báthory.''

''Elizabeth Báthory was a Hungarian noblewoman and alleged serial killer from the Báthory family of nobility in the Kingdom of Hungary, who owned land in the Kingdom of Hungary (now Hungary and Slovakia) and Transylvania (now Romania), which were areas of Habsburg monarchy. ''

''She has been labelled by Guinness World Records as the most prolific female murderer, though the precise number of her victims is debated. Báthory and four collaborators were accused of torturing and killing hundreds of young women between 1585 and 1609. The highest number of victims cited during Báthory's trial was 650. However, this number comes from the claim by a serving girl named Susannah that Jakab Szilvássy, Countess Báthory's court official, had seen the figure in one of Báthory's private books.''

''- Nami: The killer wipes every single fingerprint, but not a drop of blood. Finicky types are always like that. The killer honestly doesn’t give a damn about anything but himself.''

- Kyoko: Yes, I agree.

''Kyouko agreed with Nami, but despite her words she seemed to have no problems crawling around the blood-spattered floor... or did she just not care? Just like the killer... Nami watched her movements carefully. ''

''- Nami: I don’t think there’s anything here. I went over it pretty carefully.''

''- Kyoko: My, my. I never thought I’d hear you be so pessimistic, Nami.''

''- Nami: I’m not... just, Kyoko, I feel like the focus of this scene must be the severed limbs. The left arm and the right leg cut off... this is the biggest difference from his previous victims.''

''- Kyoko: Like you mentioned before, something that should be here, but isn’t? In that case, what we have to think about is why the killer dropped the right leg in the bathroom and only took away the left arm. A whole arm. Not nearly as easy as taking away two volumes of Akazukin Chacha.” ''

''- Nami: And they still haven’t found the arm... it’s not that easy to dispose of body parts, so if the killer took it with him, then there must be a good reason for it. I don’t know if that’s the message... or if it isn’t a message, there might be some kind of mark on it that the killer doesn’t want us to see.''

''- Kyoko: Possibly. That makes sense. But crushing the second victim’s eyes pointed to our blind spot, and to glasses, so carrying away the left arm must mean something... but once again, it’s the right leg that bothers me, Nami. The killer’s treatment of it is so muddled. You yourself said that disposing of a body isn’t easy, but neither is cutting one up. It must have taken ages. It doesn’t strike you as rather dangerous to do something like that in a townhouse? There are houses on either side, sharing walls, and they might notice at any moment.''

''- Nami: Both limbs were cut off right at the root... the body was found over there. Right, pictures, pictures.''

''Nami flipped through the folder she had already taken out and produced the photographs of the third crime scene. The same picture that had helped them figure out the message at the second scene. ''

''She held the photograph up, lining it up with the room and pinpointing where the body had been. ''

''- Nami: It was over here, lying on its back, with the right arm and left leg flung out wide... hmm…''

''- Kyoko: Well, if your theory is correct, we have plenty of time before the next murder takes place. Let us be thorough. Speaking of which, don’t you think it’s time you explained why the fourth murder will happen on the 22nd?''

- Nami: Yeah, I suppose.

''Nami put the photographs away and turned toward Kyoko. She wasn’t facing her. They’d known each other for five days and had met three times, and it was becoming clear that Kyoko was not aware that it was customary to face the person you were speaking with. But by this point, she was hardly going to dwell on something so insignificant. ''

''- Kyoko: It’s such a simple matter it almost seems like a waste of breath. The third murder happened on August 13th, right?''

''- Nami: Yes, you don’t even need to check. ''

''- Kyoko: There were Roman numerals on the first victim’s body, but this time we have Arabic numerals. Thirteen... 12. If you write a one and a three next to each other... they look like a B.''

''- Kyoko: Yes. ''

''Kyoko nodded. This was so simple she had worried that she would laugh at her but she seemed to be taking it surprisingly seriously. ''

''- Nami: Come to think of it, I once saw a children’s game show where they asked what one plus three qualed, and the answer was B... Exactly. B.''

''- Kyoko: B.B.? But Nami, that works for the third murder, since it took place on August 13th, but what about the other dates? The cross word puzzle reached the LAPD on July 22nd, the first murder wis on July 31st, the second on August 4th. And you’ve predicted ilu fourth on August 22nd... none of which form the letter B.''

''- Nami: Not at first glance. But apply the same principle following a different pattern. The easiest is the first murder...July 31st. three and one. Reverse the two and you get thirteen.''

''- Kyoko: Okay, I’ll grant you the 31st. That seems reasonable enough But what about the fourth and the two 22nds?''

''- Nami: Same thing. Just change the pattern. Take the problem you mentioned from the children’s game show one plus three. August 4th four is the normal answer to that equation. And August 22nd if you take one from the tens place and put it in the ones place you end up back at thirteen.''

B. 

Thirteen.

''- Nami: In other words, every day the killer takes action, the 22nd, the 31st, the 4th, the 13th...the tens place and the ones place add tip to four. In each month there are only those four dates that do that. Only four. And something happens on every one of those. Also, the Wara Ningyo started out at four. One plus three equals four. And this might just be a coincidence, but worth putting on the pile the gaps between the cases, four days and nine days, if you add four and nine, you get thirteen... B.''

''- Kyoko: I see. Not bad. Picking up on the similarity between thirteen and B is a pretty good idea.''

''- Nami: Isn’t it? So the fourth murder will happen nine days after the 13th, on the 22nd. Nine, four, nine... I considered the possibility of another four, and the murder happening on the 17th, but it seemed far more likely that it would be the 22nd. After all, something already happened on that day last month. And there’s absolutely no way to get from seventeen to B, no matter how hard you try. So the fourth murder can only take place on the 22nd.''

''The 17th had already passed, and there had been no related murders in Los Angeles on that day. She had been a little worried, but the strength of K’s declaration had kept her calm. She had told herself that four days and nine days adding up to thirteen had been pure chance, an irrelevant coincidence that the killer could afford to ignore. ''

''- Kyoko: If I could add one thing. That particular method of transforming twenty-two to thirteen is a little forced. Bending the argument to suit your purpose, there’s no reason to move the one from the tens place like that. It’s not like switching the numbers from thirty-one to thirteen. That explanation was clearly created after the fact.''

''- Nami: Eh... but, Kyoko. ''

''- Kyoko: Don’t misunderstand me. I fundamentally agree with your reasoning. Just not that particular point.''

''- Nami: But... then...''

''If she refuted the most important date, the entire argument fell apart. Se had effectively refused to agree with anything she’d said. ''

''- Kyoko: But I have a suggestion. Nami, you were raised in Korea, right? Then you are more familiar with Korean and Japanese numerals than I am.''

- Nami: Numbers in kanji or Hangul?” 

''- Kyoko: Yes, but for now let's focus in Japanese first. Visualize the kanji for twenty two.''

''The kanji... She pictured the characters in her mind, but they failed to suggest anything. ''

- Kyoko: Well?

''- Nami: No, I don’t know what you're trying to say. What I should do, exactly?''

''- Kyoko: Oh... then let me try a hint. Nami, imagine that the middle kanji, the kanji for ten: is a plus sign. Which means 1 is actually two plus two.''

- Nami: Oh.

''- Kyoko: That wasn’t a hint. It was the answer. Add them together and you get four... and you already explained brilliantly that four was one plus three. After all, if one plus three is B, then we have to put one and three together, which is the same as one plus three, which create the shape of the letter B. That’s exactly why we can read twenty-two as I. We just need enough reason to add the numbers together. And with this condition, your reasoning for placing the fourth murder on the 22nd sounds accurate. I was somewhat bowled over by the force of your conviction earlier, and was a little nervous about following your lead, but now I feel as happy as if I’d drunk a mug of molasses.''

''That metaphor gave Nami heartburn. But apparently Kyoko believed this was why she had said the fourth murder would take place on the 22nd. Not full marks, since her reasoning for the actual date was better than hers, but she could relax a little. ''

''- Kyoko: But Nami. One more thing.''

- Nami: Yeah?

''This was the second one more thing. It caught her off guard. ''

- Kyoko: Your theory is based on the assumption that when the killer chooses his victims, he requires that they have the initials B.B. But like we discussed, there is still a possibility that the killer is after Q.Q., not B.B.

- Nami: Oh, yeah...

''If the fourth victim turned out to be a child with the initials Q.Q., lying face down, then their theories would be thrown out the window. ''

''- Kyoko: If it is Q rather than B, then your theory doesn’t hold water. You would have created it from nothing, forcing it into existence based on faulty logic. Based on coincidence.''

- Nami: Coincidence... that the number thirteen looks like a B? But it’s so blatant… and Q just fits in there so neatly...

''- Kyoko: Yes. I agree. I don’t believe any of it was coincidental. But your theory is based on hindsight. Created after the fact. I want to know why you chose to build your theories on K, not Q. ''

- Nami: Well...

''Because K had said so. Rather firmly. ''

- Nami: Because the killer is K.

''When she meant "K", she was talking about the murder "K" that was later renamed "KK". She’d known in advance. But she couldn’t tell Kyoko that. She had to keep K a secret from her. ''

''She couldn’t let her guard down and let something slip, no matter how much they spoke. ''

''- Nami: I guess with three victims... there were two Bs to one Q, and B just seemed more likely. I thought about Q afterward, of course, but I couldn’t find any patterns that related to it.''

''Nami said while trying to cover. But even as the words left her mouth, she knew they sounded unnatural. And sure enough, Kyoko dismissed it.''

''- Kyoko: That’s so arbitrary. Nothing to support it at all.''

''Her good mood was gone now. She bit her lips and had reached those conclusions working backward, trying to figure out a reason for what K had said. K’s word supported it, so it was probably right, but that didn’t change anything ''

''- Nami: Not B or Q... But K... The killer is K.''

- Kyoko: What?

- Nami: No, I mean, he’s so obsessed with the letter K. Maybe that very obsession is part of the message, and the killer’s initials are K.K. as well.

''- Kyoko: Or maybe they’re Q.Q. Like you said, a lot of elements of the case do point to B, but it’s also possible we simply haven’t stumbled across the signs pointing to Q. In addition, the word "K" is not even included in this story. Unless the killer KK also has B.B. as a secondary nickname.''

- Nami: Yeah...I suppose so.

''- Kyoko: That said, I do think B is more likely than Q or K as well. More than ninety-nine percent.''

''Kyoko admitted. Essentially retracting the last few minutes. ''

''- Kyoko: There’s a good chance the killer’s initials are B. Let's say his nickanme K.K. is just a façade. The victims are all B.B., and the killer is too... things are getting interesting.''

- Nami: Interesting?

''- Kyoko: Yes. Anyway, be careful next time, Nami. If you agree with something, you must have sufficient reason to agree with it. If you disagree with something, you must have sufficient reason to disagree with it. However accurate, a deduction based on a fallacy means you have not defeated the killer.''

''- Nami: Defeated? Kyoko, is this really a matter of winning and losing?''

"........................"

''- Kyoko: Yes. It is.''

''Because this was war. K was said to never move on a case unless there were more than ten victims or a million dollars at stake. The only exceptions to this were cases at difficulty level K (extremely fitting), or when K had personal reasons compelling her to get involved. ''

''The Los Angeles KK murders were both of these. I hardly need to point out the difficulty by this stage of the story, and K was essentially fighting her own dead copy, the vicious killer KK, previously known as K. ''

''The current head of Hammy’s House had told the GDP leaders, who had told K about KK's disappearance in May of almost 20 years ago, and ever since K had been looking for him even as she solved other cases related to him, such as the murder of Rika Nonaka, his fience that was killed by him for almost discovering his spree-killing. Hammy’s House only knew him as K.K, they did not know his real name, so this search was near impossible... However, only K knew KK's true name. His name is Ike Raynford. However, even knowing his true name, K at last picked up his trail when the murders started, which is why K knew who the killer was. Ike was an expert and even knowing his true name means nothing to K as she would never find him.''

''She had not been looking for a killer so much as she was looking for a case. K had been waiting, expecting KK, Ike Raynford, to do something to challenge her. K could move any policeman in the world, but in this case, she did not ask anyone for help except Nami Feuer... more than likely, for this reason. ''

''I don’t think K really put that much stock in honor, but everyone is embarrassed by their own sins, and nobody wants those missteps to become public knowledge. K was the goal of everyone in Hammy’s House. And even know, Ike's goal is to take down K, Kyouko Kirigiri.''

''Every one of us wanted to surpass her. To step over her. To step on her. M did, N did, K did and B did. M as a challenger, N as a successor. K as a criminal. ''

- Nami: Feuer, did you find anything new?

''Now that they had finished debating the matter of dates, Nami took a breather, went down to the kitchen on the first floor, made two cups of coffee (with normal amounts of sugar, obviously) and carried them back up to Backyard Bottomslash’s room on a tray. She was holding the serving tray in both hands, which made opening the door rather tricky. Since the handle was at waist height, she was able to reposition herself a little bit and hook the tray on her belt buckle. ''

''She found Kyoko lying in the middle of the room, flat on her back, with her arms and legs flung out to the side. Nami froze in the doorway. ''

''- Nami: Found... something?''

''Nami repeated, for no reason at all. Kyoko wasn’t going to make a bridge and start crawling around with her back to the floor, was she? Like something out of a horror movie... Nami gulped nervously, but to her great relief, this was apparently too weird even for Kyoko. But what was she doing? ''

- Nami: Urn, Kyoko?

- Kyoko: I’m a corpse.

- Nami: Hunh?!

''- Kyoko: I have become a corpse. I cannot answer. I am dead.''

''She understood this. The word ‘understand’ has a connotation of acceptance, which she sincerely wished to avoid, but it seemed clear that Kyoko had adopted the same pose as the third victim. Obviously, her left arm and right leg remained attached to her body, but with that in mind she did match the pictures of Backyard Bottomslash’s bitter end. ''

''Prom a practical standpoint, Nami could not see any point to her behavior, but she was not the kind to interfere with other people’s methods of deduction. Instead, Nami tried to figure out if, on her way to the desk, she should step over Kyoko or go around. She did not want to step over her, but it irritated her to go around. ''

- Nami: Um… mm?

''And then she noticed. At least, she noticed that she had noticed something. But what had she noticed? Something had caught her eye... no, before that, the moment she opened the door her attention had been overwhelmed by the spectacle of Kyoko playing dead, so how could it have? ''

That wasn’t it.

''Then what would she have seen first if Kyoko were not lying there? If Kyoko had not been in the way of her carrying the coffee... if she had not been there... then nothing. The room would have been perfectly ordinary, if a little frilly. She could barely smell the blood. The only thing out of place was the hole in the wall... the hole? ''

- Nami: The mark left by the Wara Ningyo?

It was just a hole, and hard to make out.

''But if it was not a hole, but the Wara Ningyo? Then the first thing that would catch her eye upon opening the door, just based on line of sight, was not Kyoko playing dead, but the Wara Ningyo. ''

''The moment she opened the door, she would see the Wara Ningyo... one of the dolls had been carefully placed in exactly that spot. And all the Wara Ningyo had been nailed to the walls at exactly the same height (at about waist height, if you were as tall as Nami) but the distance from the walls on either side changed depending on location. But at each location, when she had opened the door... A hole. ''

- Nami: Excuse me, Kyoko.

''Still holding the coffee tray, Nami stepped... no, vaulted over Kyoko. At least, she meant to, but she was so distracted she missed her landing, and stomped on his stomach. In boots. And she reflectively tried to keep her balance, and avoid dropping the tray, which left her putting her entire weight on Kyoko's abdomen. ''

- Kyoko: Gah!

- Nami: S-sorry!

''If she had spilled the coffee on her as well, Nami Feuer's reputation as a klutz would have been cemented forever, but in actual fact, the matter did not go that far. Her martial arts experience had honed her sense of balance. She put the tray down on the desk and picked up the police file. She checked to see if she had remembered correctly. ''

- Kyoko: What is it, Nami?

''Kyoko may have been an impossibly weird freak of a woman, but even she did not go so far as to rejoice at the pain of another person stepping on her. She stopped pretending to be a corpse and stood up. ''

''- Nami: I’m looking over the charts of the crime scenes. In each of them... I noticed the same thing. About the locations of the Wara Ningyo.''

''- Kyoko: The locations? What do you mean?''

''- Nami: When we investigated the scenes, the police had already taken the dolls away, so I never noticed before... but there is a noticeable trend in the placement of the dolls. This scene included, when you open the door to enter the room, the first thing you see is a doll. There is a doll directly opposite the door, the killer arranged it so that when you come into the room, the first thing that catches your eye is a Wara Ningyo.''

''- Kyoko: Oh. You're right. That’s certainly true for this room, and now that you mention it, I remember seeing the hole in the wall when I went into the first and second rooms as well. But Nami, what does that mean?''

''- Nami: Er... um... What did it mean? She felt like it was a major discovery, and had stomped on Kyoko's belly in her enthusiasm, but now that he asked she didn’t have an answer. Awkward. She couldn’t admit the truth, so she scrambled to string something together. ''

''- Nami: Well... it might have something to do with the locked rooms?''

- Kyoko: How so?

''- Nami: At all three scenes, the person who discovered the body opened the door and came in. Using a spare key or breaking the door down. They all came into the room… and saw that creepy doll on the wall. The Wara Ningyo was the first thing they saw. No matter what, their attention was drawn to it. Maybe while their attention was distracted, the killer, who’d been hiding in the room, slipped quietly out the door...''

''- Kyoko: As classic a locked room detective novel trick as the needle and thread. But Nami, think about it. If you wanted to focus someone’s attention, you wouldn’t need the doll.''

- Nami: Why not?

''- Kyoko: If there was no doll, then the first thing they would see is a dead body. Just like you froze when you came into the room and saw my corpse. All he had to do was slip out of the room when someone came in and was staring in shock at the body.''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Outside of the house 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Street 

''- (???): Unit 430 reporting. They are still inside of the townhouse.''

Meanwhile, outside of the townhouse where Kyoko and Nami were investigating, two mysterious people were standing on the other side of the street.

''Beside them, there was a black car with a small red siren inside of it... For a moment, a normal person could have mistake them with some kind of assassins from Mafia. But that was not the case.''

''They were wearing black suits and black glasses. Indeed, they looked more like agents from a mysterious organization. People you can find in almost types of media in fiction. ''

''- Walkie Talkie: [Copy that. Agent 430, your orders are to stand by until our second command].''

- (???): Roger.



''The man then turned off his walkie talkie and continued staring at the house without expressions in his face. He seemed to be a calm middle-age man who rarely smiles or show signals of emotions. ''

''For my taste, he was ugly. Bleh!''

''The man that I'm talking is the tall man with an imposing face. The name of this person is Tom Richard, an agent of FBI who belongs to the Secret Agency of the organization. Basically, he is an agent doing the job of a spy. His job is to collect informations to form criminal theories and officially arrest people for crimes against the law.''

''Now, what such man was doing spying Nami and Kyoko? He was sent by Teru Mikami, the chief of Police of LA. Obviously, LAPD has less powers and authority than the FBI but they have the same bosses in Global Pact Defense so that doesn't make so much difference between the two.''

Following his orders, Tom was there to investigate the steps of Nami thanks to the report of Sonia Phoenix that sent to Fiora Phoenix days ago.

''- Tom: They are not coming out. I'm getting annoyed here.''

''Tom looked at the windows of the townhouse and saw they were being turned on one by one. It seemed that Nami and Kyoko continued investigating in all places of the house. ''



''Beside him, his partner, a beautiful blonde woman wearing the same outfit he was wearing, yawned in boredom. It seemed she was also getting annoyed by Nami and Kyoko's long adventure. Just standing there for almost 10 hours was not comfortable even for two agents of FBI.''

''The name of his partner is Ellen Clover. Like Tom, she is an secret agent of FBI that teamed up with Tom to discover what exacty Nami Feuer is planning entering in the crime scenes of KK Killer as an illegal personnel. Now, you must be wondering: "but Mina, Nami isn't a FBI agent?" Well... She WAS. No matter if you're the ex-chief of FBI, as long you don't carry your ID, badge and license with you, you're considered a normal civilian. Private detectives like Kyoko are also forbidden from entering in the crime scene since only the police, the FBI, Interpol and GDP have access to this restrict area.''

''Now, you must be wondering: "but Mina, Nami isn't a FBI agent?" Well... She WAS. No matter if you're the ex-chief of FBI, as long you don't carry your ID, badge and license with you, you're considered a normal civilian. Private detectives like Kyoko are also forbidden from entering in the crime scene since only the police, the FBI, Interpol and GDP have access to this restrict area.''



''- Ellen: How can I say? She is taking too long for my taste. ''

''Ellen, unlike Tom, is not patient and calm... obvious, as an agent of FBI she was trained to have pacience so she can act rationally in dangerous situations but even her has her limits. ''

''At that point, even Tom was losing his rational personality. When he thought about doing something reckless, Ellen opened the door of the car and grabbed a pistol from the glove compartment. She then unlocked the gun and prepared to go the house.''

- Tom: What are you planning, Ellen?

''Ellen closed the door of the car and made her way to the townhouse with the gun in her hands. Tom, despite being an agent of the law, was not getting shocked by what Ellen was trying to do. He cold and normal like usual... it's like he was used to Ellen's dangerous behavior.''

''- Ellen: This is not obvious? I'm going to kill them both.''

"..................."



''Ellen said in low voice. Luckily, there was no one in that dark street except them.''

''- Ellen: Think about it, Tom. We are agents of FBI, people who receive Black Missions in Europe to investigate the cases related to the war crimes committed by KnightWalker Family! But then that lazy slut, Fiora Wescott, cowardly ask Terumi to send two special agents of FBI, us, in such stupid task to spy a little girl and pathetic private detective! This is ridiculous! We are heroes of USA, Tom! We have no place here, working between trash agents of LAPD.''

- Tom: So what you're going to do?

Tom crossed his arms and let out a sarcastic smile.

''- Ellen: This is not obvious? I'm going to kill them. With my skills, I can take back my bullet and create another scene of crime: "we can say that KK Killer was waiting inside of the house and shoot down the two detectives while we were here, outside, waiting for them to come out. After we heard the shots, we immediately rushed into the townhouse and found only their dead bodies."''

''Basically, Ellen was trying to get rid of her boring job by killing her two suspects illegally... Hard to believe but this also normal in FBI. With great authority, comes great abuse of power. This is human nature. Nothing to complaint here.''



''Tom then nodded and lifted his hand, asking for the gun. Ellen gave the pistol to her partner as the former prepared to use a Magi-Tech spell to find the location of Nami and Kyoko.''

''If they want to create the perfect scene of crime, they need to know exaclty where they are, how they are going to get killed, at which hour they were murdered, the gun used on the crime and even where they were shot. Ellen and Tom didn't need to communicate to expose their deep thoughts, they are partners so they can think like one single mind.''

''- Ellen: I found them. They are on the kitchen. Let's go... And remember Tom: one single shot on the head. You better don't miss it.''



- Tom: You know I'm a good shooter, right?

''- Ellen: Yeah... I just miss 2 shots before hitting the head. Anyhow...''

''Just as Ellen was about to finish, she felt a heavy and extremely presence behind her. She looked back but saw nothing but darkness behind the car where it was parked. ''

Actually, there was a small bush behind the car, giving the probability that it was a cat.

- Ellen: What...

"....................."

Tom also felt a strange sensation behind him but the shock was less powerful compared to Ellen's. 

- Tom: Ellen, what's the problem?



She shook her head and slapped her own cheeks.

''- Ellen: N-Nothing... I just felt something really cold in my spi--!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Following her words, Ellen and Tom's eyes were twisted forcedally by something inside of their heads. Just before Ellen could finish her sentence, the two started to see illusions that looked so real that they could swear they were inside of a new dimensions.''

- Ellen: A-A-AHHHHHH!!!!

''Inside of their heads, they saw countless eyes looking at them in a red blood-like blackground as it quickly changed of image between eyes, monstruous teeth, rivers of blood, guts of animals, thousands of fetus and even hundreds of clones of themselves dead on the floor. With the images changing, sounds of demonic screams in slow motion could be heard... they were so loud that one could think there was a huge radio inside of their ears.''



- Tom: W-WHAT THE FUC--!

''Followed by their screams of despair and fear, the heads of the two agents exploded like fireworks made of blood. ''

''Apparently, the fear and despair were so big that the blood plessure tore all the veins of their skulls... Hard to believe that this was possible but apparently there was another internal force that helped in the destruction of their heads.''

''Followed by the sounds of skulls exploding, rest of meat and guts flew everywhere across the room... for a normal person, that would be a scene scarier than all horror films ever made.''

''The bodies of the two agents fell to the ground as some strange entity came out of the bushes. That entity was flying like a ghost and passed by the bodies of the two agents... By all aspects, that creature seemed to be female.''

"........................."

The entity with white hair, pale skin, red eyes with a sad smile stared at the townhouse.



- (???): W̵͎̪̜̲̜ę̸̤̤͚͍ are afraid you cannot interrupt the game of my lab rat..



''The entity that attacked the agents of FBI was not some kind of supernatural entity like a demon, she seemed to be a human at the very least. But the atmosphere coming from her, and her human appearance, gave another description to her persona... She seemed to be a demon with human mind and body.''

''While she stared at the townhouse, another dark shadow appeared right behind her. This entity was flying and could be seen in front of the moon light.''

''- (???): As expected of you, Jeanne. Brutal as always. Similar to your previous leader.''



''The next demonic entity that appeared on the sky had a male voice and slowly made his way toward the ground without making a sound. As soon as that dark shadow reached the floor, the ground was tainted with blackness and the shadow slowly gained form of a giant demon made of bones and green fire... ''

That demon-like entity is known as the greatest mastermind of all times, after all, he is the creature manipulating mankind into a future world war; the Fallen's Essence.

- The Fallen: [When you asked me to go outside, you didn't tell me it was to a crime scene in L.A].

''The Fallen also mentioned the name of that horned demon girl... Her name is Jeanne.'' ''- Jeanne: Hum? Ah. That's true. W̵͎̪̜̲̜ę̸̤̤͚͍ wanted to keep it as a secret. W̵͎̪̜̲̜ę̸̤̤͚͍ would hate saying you trying to kill our child.''

''The Fallen then summoned a lantern made of chains and bones in his hands. He looked at the bodies of the two agents and rose his hand, causing the souls of the two agents to be sucked into his lantern. The sounds of screams could be heard as the two souls were devoured by his lantern.''

''- The Fallen: [It's not enough... Anyway, Jeanne... why exactly you wanted to go here?]''

''- Jeanne: This place is a crime scene. Have you ever heard about the K.K. Murder Case?''

The Fallen then flew and stood beside Jeanne as he could saw the shadows of Kyoko and Nami inside of the townhouse.

''- The Fallen: [You mean that spree-killing that has been happening around Los Angeles? The KK Killer?]''

''Jeanne nodded and snapped her fingers. At the same moment, a strange cloud of darkness formed around her and took form of a giant snake made of crystal and fire. She seated in the creature like if she was relaxing... That creature was flying, just like a mobile fortress.''

''- Jeanne: Yes. W̶͕̟̹͚̎̓̃͋̽ͅë̴̙̣̖̰̦́̂̍̊̈́ think I said to you months ago, but the KK Killer is my lab rat. A mere sample of my experiment.''

- The Fallen: [I don't got your point, but it's safe to say that the KK Killer, the serial killer who is the central character of the KK Murder Case, is related to you in someway].

''- Jeanne: You know ǘ̷͊̄̃́s̴̅̽̓̐̔ very well, Milord... KK is the best representation of what my former supreme leader was seeking for decades... Can we create a human born from the Fear emotions? This is what KK--No. This is what Ike Raynford is. Ike is a puppet dancing in my stage. I just wanted to come here so we can prevent the FBI from interrupting his fun. This is why those two are dead right there.''

Jeanne once again looked at her victims on the floor, the two agents of FBI.

''- The Fallen: [I want to hear more about this. So you're saying the KK Killer--Ike Raynford, is nothing but a guinea pig? What exactly is this experiment about?]''

''- Jeanne: Basically. Ike is serial killer that I put on streets years ago. Ike had a very disturbed childhood thanks to his brother and his gang of rapists. I just put oil on the fire that was already burning inside of him. The fire of insanity. The will of killing. Ike was always a psychopath with deep love for killing. However, I made some changes in his mind. I improved his IQ up to 300+, so he can fear everything he is above of. Think about it: someone who is born in stairs of gold, is standing above all the filthy trash. And obviously, for being so big and perfect, the golden person don't know exacty what happens in his feet. But what will happen when the perfect person goes to the world of all trash and inferior? He will disgusted. He will fear them. He will hate them. This is exactly what Ike is now. He is too superior for humans beings. He is too smart for all people around him. That's why, he is above all senses of morals and ethics. Ike fears what he cannot understand... Ike fears that he will never be able to win his successor, K. In other words, my experiment here is nothing scientific. It's just to study about human psychology. My objective here to make someone superior using the only emotion, we, Zoyineian Black Demons, can feel and embrace: FEAR.''

''So basically, Jeanne is the true mastermind behind the KK Murder Case, but she is not manipulating it. She is, rather, watching what her guinea pig, Ike Raynford, can do to confirm her experiment and theories about fear... It's something complex.''

''The Fallen then made his lantern disappear as Jeanne relaxed in her mobile fortress... For those who don't know, Jeanne's very similar to Scathach, the former mastermind of the world that lead to the creation of mankind and all human civilization we know today. She was killed almost 4 years ago ​​​​​​​by Azul Jissele.''

''Jeanne, like Scathach and Azul Jissele, is a Zoyineian Black Demon, a race of Black Demons that came from another universe and arrived on Earth almost a million years ago. ''

''- The Fallen: [It seems that Scathach's shadow still hunting this world. Fear. The only emotion she loved and cared about. The shadow that I pretend to embrace. A legacy that I can never let it go. Without Scathach, my world means nothing. She was my everything. My inspiration. My love. And more important, my true desires].''

''The Fallen's Essence is a being empty, a creature incapable of love and empathy... ''

''But now... ''

He was showing his true emotions.

''- Jeanne: Ahh... You loved her, right? Scathach. As a scientist of the New Order and her former subordinate, we can tell you really cared about her. Or you were just pretending so you could use her power to overthrow your master?''

The Fallen's Essence mentioned his true desires many times: to destroy Earth so he can feed from all despair and sorrow in order to defeat his creator, the man who created him, so he can rule the universe one day with iron fist.

''- The Fallen: [Who knows? Not even I know what exactly I felt for her. Admiration? Love? Envy? I don't know what emotions are but I think this is how humans define them].''

''- Jeanne: What about your feelings for that woman? Lusamine, the director of the Sephirah Gastronomics. You love her too?''

''The Fallen almost laughed in loud voice in sarcasm... It was needless to say from what he was trying to hold his laugh; Lusamine. She is one of the most influencial businesswoman of the world and is currently the director of Sephirah Gastronomics in Europe. She is also the Fallen's Essence greatest human subordinate yet.''

''- The Fallen: [You're joking, right? Lusamine is a pawn. A fish ready to be eaten when I unleash my innet shark. Once I'm done with her, I'll just dispatch her to the underworld. There is no need for me to continue holding myself... everytime I see her smile near me, makes me want to kill her... don't you agree, Jeanne? Killing people when they are smilling and feeling the greatest sense of joy and pleasure, make the killing more fun and interesting? Not to mention, I never loved her... why? Because she is a mortal. A human. She is no different from all human women I met before. All of them, crawling in my feet to seek immortality, money, fame and status. Scathach was different. She was superior. She was above everyone else. Her dreams. Her ruthless psychology. Everything about her was perfect].''

The Fallen's Essence Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> 20 years ago 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 2014 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Egypt 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Cario 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Unknown Location

<p style="text-align:center;"> 00:00 A.M.

''The scenary changes to a place far away from America. Welcome to Egypt, Cairo.''

''Cairo is the capital of Egypt. The city's metropolitan area is one of the largest in Africa, the largest in the Middle East and the Arab world, and the 15th-largest in the world, and is associated with ancient Egypt, as the famous Giza pyramid complex and the ancient city of Memphis are located in its geographical area.''

''Now, why we left America? This is a fragment of the Fallen's Essence memory. A moment that happened 20 years ago. ''

''The Fallen's Essence was standing on the top of a building with his legless body. On the roof of that building with more than 400 floors, the cruel mastermind was pointing his magical staff at a unfortunable woman with killing intentions.''



''- Woman: Have mercy, Milord! Think about it! Without me, the Nile River Coalition will crumble! Without me, the KnightWalker Family's transports of resources will end! Think about it, Milord! I'm still useful!''

''Despite her words full of despair, the evil lord continued acting hostile and had no intentions to let her live. ''

Now, what exactly is happening here?

''The Fallen's Essence is one of the most influential beings on the planet and has contacts in almost every corner of the globe, so it's not hard to say that he has to deal with thousands of his minions and pawns with iron fist to control them and put them in line. ''

''And this woman, is not different. Like Lusamine, Heis, Carissa and many others, she is a servant of the mastermind who is working for him as a scapegoat in Egypt. He basically has minions in every single nation of the world. No exceptions.''



''- The Fallen: [What makes you think you're so valuable? You're mere piece in my chess board... A pawn. And I can simply replace you with another piece in my game. I can use all the cheats I wanna].''

The woman gasoed instantly and tried to find words to change his mind, but deep inside she knew she couldn't argue with that creature.

- Woman: B-But!

- The Fallen: [Know your place, human].

''Without a shred of mercy, the evil lord shot a fire beam from his staff and created a huge hole in her chest. He then grabbed her body by the neck and sucked her soul using his own hands.''



- The Fallen: A fine addition to my collection.

''The Fallen's Essence summoned a sphere of energy and put the soul of his victim inside of it. Inside of the sphere of energy, thousands of screams could be heard... ''cries of agony, screams of pain and despair.

It was obvious that that sphere was an agglomerated sphere of human souls; thousands of souls that the Fallen's Essence stole and is using them as his source of power.

''- (???): Brutal as always. Loki.''

''Suddenly, a female voice echoed in the skies. The sounds of the town below them could not hide her voice completely, unlike the death screams of that woman who was killed by the lord a few moments ago.''

- The Fallen: [Scathach?]

''The Fallen looked at the sky and saw a woman with pale skin descending from the night skies like a Fallen Angel. She had black wings in her back but soon after she reached the floor her wings disappeared and formed a bio-organic throne made of iron, spikes, bones and metal behind her. ''

''Like Jeanne's snake, that was some kind of mobie fortress but in form of a throne... showing the grandiosity of that woman whose's true name is Scathach, as mentioned by the Fallen's Essence a few seconds ago.''

''Scathach is a tall, hourglass femae figure with a fragile and thin body. She has yellow eyes and long, smooth black hair similar to a cat princess.''

''She wears a white dress with an over-skirt. Other than the curved-back horns on her head, she also has white skin and glowing eyes. She also wears high black heels.''

''She is Scathach... the first Zoyineian Black Demon to have arrived on Earth... it was also her who conducted mankind to what it is today. Since from the day she arrived on our planet, she studied our ancestors and taught him about intelligence and civilization. She formed our society. She created us, humans. She made us what we are today. She rewrote our history. She made us humans, rational beings.''

''It was never God who created us. It was a demon. She gave us access to choose our path: good and evil, so she could see the results of her creation. She gave us emotions. She taught us about good and evil. She evoked justice and cruelty in this world. She murdered but saved billions. She gave us peace and war. She created life but destroyed her own creations. She forged entire empires and brought downfall to countless nations. ''

''She is the mother of all but not at the same time. ''

''She is the Goddess of us all but our own Devil. ''

She is the Creator but the also the Destroyer.

''She is Scathach... the Queen of all Humans! The creator all intelligent life in this planet. She ruled over us for million years since we were mere lizards crawling on the earth.''

- The Fallen: [What brings you here?]

''The Fallen slowly changed his sight back to the dead body of his victim, trying to avoid eye contact with that beautiful yet deadly demon... ''

''- Scathach: For no great reason. I just don't like seeing YOU killing my babies. I'm not above letting them killl themselves but I refuse to see beings like you and Ara Astaroth killing my children just because you want to use them to go further in the scale of power.''

''Scathach, is a malevolent being but she holds a great hatred for those who kill her own children, her humans. For her, she is the only one allowed to kill them as she pleases. Pain and suffering, joy and happiness, she is the only one who can bring them these emotions.''

''- The Fallen: [Ironic. The woman who caused all wars, pain and suffering of this world still love her children? Not to mention, your children are your own victims. Fuh.]''

''- Scathach: Think me as a possessive mother. I can beat my kids all I want but I still hates when someone else hurts them besides me. And you, Loki, is not part of my family.''

''The name "Loki" she is using to refer to him is the name of the Nordic God, Loki. Loki is in some sources the son of Fárbauti and Laufey, and the brother of Helblindi and Býleistr. By the jötunn Angrboða, Loki is the father of Hel, the wolf Fenrir, and the world serpent Jörmungandr. He is known as the trickester god.''

''- The Fallen: [Who tod you to call me as Loki? I'm not your puppet, Scathach.]''

''- Scathach: Loki... You're in my planet. All darkness in the corner of this world belong to me. All humans of this planet are mine. All animals of this world are my tools. All rivers, all forests and all continents belong to me. As long you're stepping in my world, you belong to me as well.''

- The Fallen: [You talk like an old woman.]

''- Scathach: You better show me respect... I know you're killing off the people who formed pact with you so you can steal their souls and become stronger. The reason why you keeping their souls inside of that sphere of energy is to merge it with your body so you will one day overthrow me and Astaroth.''

''The Fallen sharpened his demonic eyes and prepared to shoot a laser beam at the pale demon without hesitation... Now, why he reacted like that? Because Scathach was right. 20 years ago, the Fallen's Essence was extremely weak and had no power to subjugate not even a Cyborg from KnightWalker Family (whom didn't exist at that time). So, to grow stronger, he began to form pacts with humans seeking for immortality and power through him and later backstabbed them to steal their souls and convert them into his own energy.''

''Right now, he has 500,000 souls in his disposal. Meaning his power level is 500,000 as each soul means 1 point of energy. ''

- The Fallen: [You talk too much, Scathach!]

Moving like a jet, the Fallen quickly moved his finger and pointed it towards Scathach, shooting a red laser beam at her head.

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''However, much for his surprise, his laser beam vaporized at the same moment it touched her skin. There is just one simply reason for this: he is too weak... or she is too strong... ''

''The Fallen's Essence power level is 500,000, meaning he has enough power to destroy an entire city if he had some type of abillity of mass destruction. If this is the case, it means that Scathach is 90% stronger than him.''

''- Scathach: Are you finished? I thought you tried to amuse me by sending a kiss in my forehead using your fingers. Well, you're mouthless to I kinda being rude here. But hey, you tried. You stil have a long way to go.''

Scathach smiled like a robot, exposing her lifeless and empty eyes.

''- The Fallen (think): *She is too powerful... if I plan to one day kill her, I have to be 5% stronger than her. My move now was just to test her durability and the extension of my power. But I can clearly see now I'm too weak.*''

''The Fallen then put his sphere of energy where he keep his souls, in his chest. Scathach don't seem to be bothered by his previous action, it's like they are used to this kinda of conflict. ''

''- Scathach: Heh. After studying my humans, I reached to a conclusion, Loki.''

The Fallen then closed his eyes as if he was trying to ignore her.

''- Scathach: If you saw people dying one by one with your own eyes, by the same killing game you guys played... Hope dictates that you act all high-and-mighty and say "I'm definitely gonna stop it this time!"''

The Fallen stared at her with his evil eyes.

''- The Fallen: [Huh? What you're trying to say? I can't understand a word].''

''- Scathach: What I'm saying is that humans only begins to take things seriously when the incidents they experienced caused other people to get hurt or killed. Which means, if we could evoke a world war in this world, a war so big that 100% of all humans would react against it. Would you not think that would be beautiful? Seeing all humans of this trying engage peace while at the same time engaging war for causing sorrow and suffering for their families and friends. They say that they are going to stop this war but at the same time they want this war to continue to end the lives of the monsters who destroyed their homes, killing their loved ones and brought their lives to hell. In a sense, this is hypocrite of their part. All of them are like that. For example: there are people who are against abort but they don't do nothing to help the mothers to raise their kids. And what're the results? The kids are abandoned or are forced to go to commit crimes to escape from death. This is what they call "humanitarianism".''

''Scathach then jumped off of her throne and began to fly around the Fallen. ''

''- The Fallen: [So... you think you a need a big war to awake the hypocrital side of all humans. Make them think that killing is part of peace and harmony?]''

''- Scathach: Yes... But I think I might not be here to see this happening. Loki, as you know, I'm currently working in another project, the Tech of the End. I want those arrogants from Moon Terminator Company to open the cube where my mom is imprisoned. Once she is released, I can finally take over her power and then have ultimate power over fear of all living things. Once I'm done with this planet, I'll give it to you, as long you promise me to not give it to Ara Astaroth by any means.''

What basically she is saying, is that when she fullfill her dreams, she will leave the Earth and give it to the Fallen's Essence to rule according to his own image.

''- The Fallen: [Oh? You're saying something interesting. It only shows that you don't care about your "children", after all. You're selfish like me].''

''- Scathach: We both are. Loki.''

''Scathach then approached the dark lord and kissed his head. That action left the Fallen's Essence staring at her with confused eyes, but deep inside he probably knew the meaning behind the action of kiss. After watching over humans for decades, he saw that some couples would kiss each other in some occasions, but he never knew the meaning behind it.''

- The Fallen: [What was that?]

Scathach then giggled and seated in his shoulder, since she was flying, it was an easy task.

''- Scathach: As the person who gave them emotions, not even I understand the meaning behind of kiss. It's something related to love and affection. Now, it can be used in sexual activities as well. I understand the meaning behind the sexual interaction between the two sexes but the kiss is completely unknown, even for me.''

''- The Fallen: [Doesn't sound like you. Trying to act like a human].''

''- Scathach: This world is boring at times. I have saw billions of time the same incidents and events but in different places and times. Crimes. Harmony. Rise and downfall of evil forces. At times, I just want to be a normal human and see the world from their point of view. As a near-goddess entity, I may simply looking above them knowing everything about the world. I just wanted to test what the "kiss" do. Don't think much about it. But... well, I must admit it's a strange feeling.''

The Fallen sighned as the pale demon continued seated in his shoulder, like a child.

''- The Fallen: [I see... About what you said previously, a war so big that would change the history of this world forever. A war so violent that 100% of all humans would react to it. I'll do it for you].''

Like Scathach mentioned before, she is not going to be on Earth at the time that a new World War would broke out, but even so, she wanted to see it before going to other worlds to cause fear and despair between all living things.

- Scathach: Really?

''- The Fallen: [Kinda. You evoked many conflicts in this world. Conflicts that left billions dead throughout history. But they happened in different times so they never shook mankind as a whole. Once you're gone, I'll make this dream a reality. Somehow].''

''If the Fallen had mouth, he would be probably smilling right now. But that smile would not be a malicious one, it would be a happy smile, a kind and gentle one.''

- Scathach: What will you do?

''Scathach, had the same smile, a relaxed and comfortable one. But her eyes were so dead that it seemed her face was the expression of a corpse. Even so, in her mind, she more than alive.''

''- The Fallen: [I'll make this world tremble. A conflict so big. So violent. So brutal. And so bloody. A war that will kill every single crow in 10,000 worlds. And you, Scathach? What you want?]''

''- Scathach: When I'm gone... All I ask for is war, a war so grand as to make Hell itself tremble. Do you wish for a merciless, bloody war? ''

''- The Fallen: [Yes, I would love see this. Every single one of their smiles being twisted in cries of agony].''

Scathach lowered her torso, to have vision of the Fallen's eyes.

''- Scathach: A war whose fury is built with iron, and lightning, and fire? ''

Deep inside, the Fallen was starting to feel excited, he was imagining how that world would be.

''- The Fallen: [More than that. I war built from all hatred of this world. A hatred merged with fury and despair. A war so great that even Mother Nature will cry and beg to end mankind. No one will be safe. Not men, elderly, women, children, animals and not even a pathetic fetus. The lives of innocents would become the same as stepping in a bug for all creatures].''

''- Scathach: Do we ask for war to sweep in like a tempest, leaving not even ravens to scavenge, from this Earth? We are all the same, in the end?''

''- The Fallen: [Yes... deep inside, we are the same. We discovered that war and the despair those pathetic mortals display is the only thing that make us feel alive again. We are both beings who lived for thousand years and travelled to many worlds. This is why you cause them commit crimes; to tell yourself you exist. However, at some point, our immortality became a curse and the world around us became dull and boring. But their suffering, their death, and even our own pain, is the only thing that make us happy again].''

Scathach began to pet the head of the dark lord with her sharp claws.

''- Scathach: I think I can imagine this world... promise me this, Loki...''

- The Fallen: [What?]

With a satisfied expression and dead eyes, Scathach looked at the moon on the sky.

''- Scathach: Once you leave this planet and fullfill your destiny in othe universes, promise me that you will find me. I don't want to be alone out there... Even I can feel the joy from the fear of all mortals and Gods, it one day will become so sad... So flat and so boring. I want to share their fear with you, if possible. And...''

''- The Fallen: [...once we had our fun and completed all of our dreams, we can die together somewhere. Maybe expend the eternity in another dimension or even be erased from existence. A world without you would be the same as being dead for me].''

The Fallen, the subordinate of Scathach, known by the name of Loki, touched Scathach's legs in a gentle way as she blushed.

''- Scathach: Don't ever forget about me. I don't want to be left alone. I don't want to be abandoned.''

''Needless to say, all the things those two said were almost like a proposal for each other... they were indirectly expressing love in a twisted way... the only way they undestand. After all, they're two monsters. In both body and mind. This is the only language they can speak. But even so, it doesn't change this is love.''

"............................"

''- The Fallen: I won't. I'll make your dreams come true here. And after that, I'll go after you. ''

Scathach scratched her head and jumped off of the Fallen's shoulder.

''- Scathach: I see... Ah... this is so disgusting. Speaking like a human. But I wonder what exactly is the feeling. It seems to be joy, but not at the same time.''

''Scathach was obviously confuse about what she was feeling at the moment. ''

''- The Fallen: [I agree. But you think about it, it's not so bad].''

Scathach remained in silence for a second, before showing the dark lord an innocent smile.

- Scathach: I was just joking.

The two then stared at the moon for the rest of the night, beside each other like two soulmates.



I'll make your dream come true, Scathach. I'll bring the Third World War on this world. For you... And I.

Nowadays
- The Fallen: .............

''The Fallen remembered all those things from the past. After so many years later, he might came to a conclusion he was just too naive at that time, just as he was weak.''

''All the moments he spent with Scathach was nothing but disposable memories for being useless in his plans. Until now, he has the same goal: to feed from all mankind and destroy his creator so he can rule the universe--No, the multiverse, for himsef.''

''- Jeanne: You're very quiet. Something wrong?''

Jeanne, who was a Zoyieneian Black Demon, the same race from Scathach, snapped her fingers in an attempt to bring him back to reality.

''- The Fallen: [No... I just had some flashbacks. Some odd flashbacks. But I admit, Jeanne, I still embrace her ideals. Without her, my world is the same as being dead. Scathach is long gone. So my world is. The only thing I have from her now are her ideologies and dreams that I plan to complete so I can honor her name].''

Jeanne closed her eyes as the Fallen's Essence prepared to leave.

''- Jeanne: It must be hard being an Abyssal, right? Abyssals don't have feelings but us, Zoyineaian Black Demons, can feel emotions like mortals. You can't feel emotions but somehow you can have feelings towards Scathach. She couldn't feel nothing because she was a pure sociopath... but it's safe to admit this? Because... she loved you too. Are you sure that Abyssals can truly never feel emotions? Are you sure that Scathach was a pure sociopath?''

''The Fallen stopped flying and looked down as his green flames around his body became more intense. ''

''- Jeanne: Did you not know? Wasn't it obvious by now? She loved you because you were like her. You were the only living being who could understand her.''

The Fallen giggled in a demonic way.

''- The Fallen: [Fufufufu... stop joking, why someone like her would ever like a shadow like me? I'm not even organic. I'm just part from someone stronger than me. This is why I want to kill my creator. Once I kill the person who created me as part from his soul, I'll be finally free to be myself and choose my own destiny. If she was alive, I would find myself an organic body so I coud feel the same things as she could... but what now? She is dead. I don't know what I'll do after I kill my creator and end the life on this planet. I'm just doing it for doing].''

The dark lord then disappeared on the darkness of the ground, leaving Jeanne alone on the street.

''- Jeanne: W̶e̸ pity him, actually. He seems more like a lost sheep rather than being a demon... but what it takes for a lost sheep to become a demon? He is already worse than many others out there. ''

''Jeanne then extended her hands at summoned a giant earthworm from her hands. The worm came in the form of a black mass but soon took form of a 2 meters earthworm monster with countless sharp teeth in its mouth.''

''- Jeanne: Eat the bodies of those two agents. W̶e̸ don't want anyone to know what happened here.''

''The monster, following the orders of its mistress, began to eat the bodies of the two agents of FBI that Jeanne killed minutes ago. She did this to get rid of all evidences... Ugly way to do things.''

''- Jeanne: Now... let the KK Killer do his work... deceiving Nami Feuer.''

Page 6 - The Truth
<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States

<p style="text-align:center;"> Star Center - Sleepy Hollow

<p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central

<p style="text-align:center;"> Computer Room

- (???): Nami Feuer, former member of the FBI, ranked Investigator at the time, Detective level B+; resigned due to personal circumstances a few days ago.

''Within the walls of a room inside STAR Central of STAR Center, a young man named as Nobuchika Ginoza was reading aloud a document pixelated on the screen of a computer, his hand fumbling with her chin. ''

''The strands of his glimmering black hair seemed to absorb every trace of burnished sunlight, complementing his ultramarine pupils in an effigy of the summer ocean. By and large shaping a demure smile, her face was currently marred with sporadic hints of daze and skepticism. ''

"...................."

''- Ginoza: There’s no doubt about it. That’s definitely her. Nami Feuer, the agent of FBI that is supposedly working with K.''

''Nobuchika plied the control panel for further details regarding the dossier. Height, body weight, and training level to name a few, were among the scores of assorted data which lit up the monitor. ''

''What he now accessed and connected to was the GDP-owned state database available to Detectives in each and every associated country. ''

''Now, do you remember about the Hammy's House? The mysterious orphanage of GDP that was seeking to make more Ultimate Detectives like K? Yes, they did it. 2 years after Ike Raynford escaped from the orphanage, they finally managed to create more detectives like K, but they were less smarter than her. However, they used even more inhuman methods; installing chips of IQ inside of their brains.''

''The Ultimate Detectives of Hammy's House today were individuals who became Ultimate Detectives by pure genius nature or hard working, but by pure artificial means; they suffered a brainwash and had a chip made of magi-tech inside of their brains, allowing them to have their IQ increased in 260+. ''

''In consequence, there was a need to surgically insert a tiny electronic chip into their brains, to carry that out in discreteness and discretion was in the first place unfeasible. ''

''That is to say, all information concerning Ultimate Detectives who used the chip manufactured by Global Pact Defense was inevitably recorded inside of their data, and even the STAR LABS of United States of America are allowed to see it since they are sub-faction serving the GDP. ''

Anyway, I think we jumped this, but who is Nobuchika Ginoza?

''Ginoza is a tall young man with black hair and green eyes. HIs hair is chin length and grown out to partially cover his face. He wears eyeglasses despite the fact that he has perfect vision. Ginoza is typically seen wearing a dark suit, white shirt and dark tie. In the field, he wears a high-collared black pea-coat.''

''Now, about this person. Ginoza, like Nami Feuer, is an agent of FBI. He is not an detective but an inspector of police. Right now, he is working in the city of STAR Center, a city that was previously known as Sleepy Hollow. The name was changed to STAR Center after Mina Harker and her organization, STAR LABS, invaded the town due to high activity of magic in the region.''

''Despite working in STAR LABS at the moment, Nobuchika was interested in the KK Murder Case as it was obviously a case full of mysteries. And during his investigation, the notice of Sonia Phoenix, the sociopathic detective of GDP, had arrived in his ears. He became curious about this woman known as Nami Feuer and is currently seeking informations about.''

- Ginoza: Hm...

''Ginoza nevertheless pouted, somewhat fed up. Conforming to his expectations, the fact that the archive contained such knowledge was more than tolerable, notwithstanding that only rudimentary particulars were chronicled, none which he sought. ''

- (???): What are you doing, Mister Ginoza?

''Someone propped themselves against the back of his chair then. A voice resounded from behind him. With a glimpse, unbeknown to Ginoza, there stood a lady. She had a long violet and brown empty eyes... like if they were dead.''

''That woman was a tall and very beautiful office lady who was wearing some kind of Wizard uniform. When I say "Wizard uniform", I mean that she resembles a fantasy magician. Considering her outfit, she is probably a Magi-Tech user from STAR LABS. Her outfit can be seen as some kind of mordern magician of sci-fi films.''

''She also had a very voluminous body. Did I ever mention that?''

''Her name is Sonya Hela, STAR LABS’ third in command, renowned by all and sundry as humanity’s strongest Magi-Tech Wizard. If you remember, Magi-Tech Wizards are basically people (soldiers of GDP) that can control magic made by science. Sonya, is one of those people. Actually, she is way superior to most of them. ''

''- Ginoza: Ah, Sonya. I’ve a matter to look into.''

''The young officer responded to with such ambiguity, Sonya leant forwards to some degree, scanning what lay next to Ginoza's hand. ''

''- Sonya: Nami Feuer's data, eh... If I recall, she is an agent of FBI. She is famous between the rank of GDP thanks to her high intelligence as a detective. Some people are even thinking to promote to Ultimate Detective. So. What’s up with her?''

- Ginoza: You’re acquainted?

''- Sonya: Un, quite. It can be said that I met her just once, almost 2 years ago. I met her during an investigation to find the new remnants of thar order... What was the name? Order of Flower? Order of Flour?''

Ginoza closed his eyes and answered with a small tone.

- Ginoza: Order of Flourish?

''Sonya straitened her eyes a little. This was no reaction to write volumes about, but for some reason, she seemed to cling onto vestiges of abhorrence. ''

''- Sonya: Ahh... Order of Flourish. So that was the name. Anyway, 2 years ago, Mina Harker and the directors of STAR LABS requested a federal request to hire a detective of FBI to investigate the steps of Order of Flourish and find its last remnants. Since they are considered to be a magical terrorist organization and our main target, they could not refuse and sent Nami Feuer to our headquarters. We found at least 13 magicians from the organizations thanks to her but there are many of them out there. Magicians who escaped from Sleepy Hollow when us, the STAR LABS, took over the control of the town for ourselves in an attempt to purge this tainted region.''

Basically, the mission of STAR LABS started around 2020s and it was to purge the town of Sleepy Hollow from the mysterious and secret organizatio of Order of Flourish to erase all supernatural threats to Americans.

''As Sonya was speaking, Ginoza could notice the angry expression that Sonya, the third in comannd of STAR LABS, was making just be mentioning the name of Nami Feuer. Apparently, she is quite popular in GDP.''

''- Ginoza: Anything wrong? Between you and that girl.''

- Sonya: No, not in particular.

''Sonya averted her gaze, ironclad evidence of her disinclination to expatiate on any further. ''

''Ginoza capitulated and returned to their initial topic. ''

''- Ginoza: This girl... She’s a detective, right?''

''- Sonya: That is correct. But she is also an agent of FBI. She can exercise two functions at the same time. That girl is impressive.'' ''- Ginoza: I see... Now if you excuse me, I have to report this to the direc--''

Before the young officer could stand up, Sonya opened her mouth and interrupted him.

''- Sonya: Either way, the director’s calling for us. Let’s go. ''

Ginoza slightly opened his eyes, he was a little surprised to hear that Mina Harker, the director of STAR LABS, was calling for such inferior officer like him, who is not even a genuine worker of STAR LABS.

''- Ginoza: The director? Why me?''

Sonya nodded in a formal way.

''- Sonya: She don't want to see you... we have a guest waiting for us and she wants us to guide them to her office.''

''Ginoza let out a sigh of relaxment and closed his eyes in disappointment... obviously Mina Harker, I, will never notice this low subordinate. Kukuku.''

''- Ginoza: A guest? ''

''Well, it's Nobuchika's job to attend our clients, like a private secretery in a corporation. ''

''- Sonya: Yes, but it's not an ordinary guest. We have an important client today: the Ultimate Detective of Global Pact Defense, who is known as the greatest detective of the century, K.''

".......!!!!!!!!!!!"

''K, the name of the Ultimate Detective that at least 75% of the world's population heard about at least once in their lifetime. Not a word. And not an imposter with the name "K", but the true detective, Kyouko Kirigiri, aka "K".''

''- Ginoza: K?! Why someone so important is here?''

''Obvious and natural question. Kyouko is the greatest detective of all times known by the name of "K", so she must receive hundreds of criminal cases all days. If you think about it, there is no time for K to even breath as her agenda is always overflowing with police requests and investigations coming from all the globe.''

''So... why someone so busy was there?''

- Sonya: I don't know the details but it's related to a spree-killing case happening in Los Angeles.

''- Ginoza: Spree-killing case in Los Angeles? The KK Murder Case? This is the only known criminal case I can remember that is happening in L.A right now.''

- Sonya: Probably.

''Having sent the computer into sleep mode, he followed Sonya's retreating figure out of the room. ''

''- Sonya: But think about it, Nobuchika: did the most intelligent detective in the century just came here just to have a meeting with the director Mina Harker to seek help with a murder case? If this is true, why? That means "K" is not that great as many say her to be. That only shows, us, the STAR LABS' have the most advanced information sources of the world. So superior that not even the world's greatest detective can compete with.''

''Ginoza only nodded without saying a word, considering that Sonya, a person who absolutely hates detectives (thanks to her meeting with Nami Feuer 2 years ago), will only say more about how superior she and her organization is. Putting more oil in the fire is not necessary.''

"......................."

''As they made their way through the corridor wordlessly, Sonya shot a peek at Nobuchika from nowhere. Naturally, being the sentient gman she was, it had been a mere trifle for his to perceive, and thereupon to reciprocate with a smile, discountenancing Sonya, who returned to face forward again. He considered that woman was one of the most beautiful women alive, and any normal man would immediately think she might be getting into them... but he knows clearly that this is not the case... she might be thinking that showed no interest in her previous word about how inferior K is, gaining a little of her distrust.''

''When Nobuchika had first touched upon the subject of Nami Feuer, Sonya felt rather unnerved straight from the shoulder, but it looked as though had not inNobuchika dulged in reminiscence. ''

- Ginoza: ................

''2 years ago, Nami Feuer, was an intelligent detective and agent of FBI, and humiliated Sonya during the Hunt for the Order of Flourish case. There was no helping it if some uncertainties had arisen during their heated dialogue. ''

Thinking thus, Sonya entered the elevator together with Nobuchika Ginoza.

''After a few seconds later, the two arrived in a floor with an empty corridor and walked straight unti they arrived in a room with a door made of glass... there, there was a very young woman with pale skin, purple hair and lifeless purple eyes... she is wearing her hair back in a pony-tail with two parts of hair loose that go down the front of her body. Her outfit is dark jacket worn over a long sleeved white blouse. She wears brown belt, holding up a dull purple short skirt. Around her left leg she wears a brown satchel. Her shoes are heeled ankle-length boots. She is also wearing studded black gloves.''

The woman was seated in a sofa and then turned her sight to the two at the door with a empty robotic smile.



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - K: This is not how you should treat a guest. I'm waiting for almost 20 minutes, Executive Sonya Hela. ''

That woman is K, the Ultimate Detective of Global Pact Defense, the greatest detective of the century, Kyouko Kirigiri.

- Sonya: Good evening, K.

''Sonya seemed not to be surprised, and acted like if she was familiar with K in person... from now on... let's call her as Kyouko. Her true name.''

''Even now, Sonya don't know her true name. Actually, only 2 people in the GDP knows her true name. Many people had saw her in person but her name still unknown to most of them.''

''- Kyouko: It's a pleasure to be here... I guess. It's the second time I meet you, right? Sonya. If I recall I saw you 2 years ago when the hunt for that mysterious Order of Flourish ended.''

And there is another reason why Sonya hates detectives; K. As if it was not enough to let Nami humiliate her during their investigation, K also humiliated her months later, when Mina Harker hired K to do the same investigation that Nami did, but with best performance.

''Sonya tried to put a smile her face to hide her disgust for detectives, whom are mostly arrogant bastards who abuse of their status and authority in GDP. There are many people like Sonya in the organization.''

''- Ginoza: My name is Nobuchika Ginoza, the private executive of STAR LABS at the moment! It's a pleasure to meet you in person, K!''

''- Kyouko: The pleasure is mine, Nobuchika Ginoza. Sorry for appearing without giving you all a proper warning. I fear that might disturbing your job, right?''

Sonya shook her head as Kyouko stood from the sofa and stretched her shoulders.

''- Sonya: Don't think about it, you're a close friend of our boss, Mina Harker. You're always welcome here.''

''Yes... I think I told it once... Or maybe not? Well, anyway, I, Mina Harker and Kyouko Kirigiri, were once friends from the Global Pact Defense Academy and Hammy's House. Heck, did you forget? I was in the Hammy's House, the same orphanage where Kyouko was raised to become an Ultimate Detective. ''

- Kyouko: I'd say we are more like childhood friends but our relationship ended after you guys took over this town...

"........................"

''Needless to say, the STAR LABS is known for being the most violent faction of GDP's Military Branch. One of their most cruel acts was the total invasion of Sleepy Hollow, in their attempt to erradicate the magic of this region left behind by the forces of Hell and Order of Flourish (as well as many other groups that existed in this region many years ago).''

''- Sonya: Oh... You can't handle our ways to do things? Poor thing... you're still stuck in your human rights morals?''

''Yes... soon after STAR LABS invaded Sleepy Hollow and started a civil war in the town, where 5,000-9,000 people died, Kyouko in her fair righteous consciousness, cut her bonds with Mina Harker for committing war crimes and violating the rights and freedom of other human beings to accomplish her goals.''

''No matter how cold-hearted Kyouko is, she will never broke the morals and sense of ethics... BORING!''

''- Sonya: So I guess that stepping in a zone where thousands were killed and executed must be disgusting. Let's just say that the part of "it's pleasure to be here" was a lie.''

Kyouko sharpened her eyes in sarcasm and lifted a empty grin.

''- Kyouko: Yes, it was a lie. I'm not here because I like. I want the help of your boss.''

''"Boss". She is not even using my name anymore, showing how much she despise me now. Bizarre.''

- Ginoza: ...............

''Like a supporting character, Ginoza watched the two fighting as an atmosphere of darkness began to fill the room. If you put a gun in the hands of those two, there is a chance of 80% they are going to kill themselves right there.''

''- Sonya: Show us respect, you greenhorn. You're in our territory. The Ultimate Detective of GDP is so rude like that? ''

".........................."

Kyouko and Sonya kept themselves in silence until they regained their composure, returning to their civilized way of act.

''- Kyouko: I guess we overdone our little meeting. We know that I don't have time to fight you. ''

''- Sonya: We are very busy people, wasting me time here is an absurd. Let's proceed to guide you to Mina's office. Apparently, she was aware that you would come.''

''Yep, Mina... I mean, I, was aware that Kyouko was coming to my place. However, I didn't tell anyone to surprise Sonya. The reason? I know about this little fight between Kyouko and Sonya. I just wanted to put more oil on their fire.''

''- Kyouko: Apparently, Mina wanted to surprise you? Quite hateful surprise, don't you think?''

"......................"

Again, she was trying to enrage Sonya, but it failed this time.

Without saying a word, Sonya left the room, followed by Ginoza and Kyouko, who were in silence.

- Sonya: Um, K. Could it be that your meeting is related to the KK Murder Case in L.A.?

Kyouko put her finger in her chin and answered in a sarcastic way.

''- Kyouko: Oh my! Who told you about this? Oh wait... Let me guess: the STAR LABS has the superior intel of the world and spied all my criminal cases and investigations? ''

''Kyouko took only 2 seconds to know how exactly Mina was aware about this information. As expected from K, the greatest detective of the world.''

''- Sonya: Impressive... But I felt a little tone of joking there. You basically knew you were being spied by us. How did you know that?''

''- Kyouko: It doesn't need a detective to know this, Sonya. You guys, from STAR LABS, are a bunch of fascists who keep yourselves behind a colorful curtains of love and peace. In truth, you are extremists, not different from the KnightWalker Family. This is why I cut my ties with Mina Harker. She became a tyrant. She is not different from Juria KnightWalker, the current director of KnightWalker Family.''

''Kyouko knew exactly the true face of STAR LABS. In public, they are well-intentioned warriors who claim that mankind comes in first place. However, the reality is totally different. They not only brutally tortures and kills magicians but also perform human experiments in men, women and children to turn them into Artificial Demons in order to study more about their species. And to do so, they use the civilians of Sleepy Hollow, whom are kept in the underground prisions of STAR LABS, suffering from forced larbor, starvation and abuses. They are not even treated as humans but as tools. It could be considered to cruel to say "treated as animals" since not even animals and feral beasts deserve to be treated like that.''

''- Sonya: Curious... comparing us to KnightWalkers. But I don't blame you. The difference between us is that our violence and brutallity are directed for the greater good of human race. We are willing to abandon our humanity for the sake of the world. Our atrocities may be cruel but they are necessary.''

''- Kyouko: But spying your own allies? How is that work?''

Sonya then smiled and avoided looking at Kyouko.

''- Sonya: Well, the director will tell you why she was spying your activities. All I can tell you is that you're right. We've been spying you data for quite some time. Not only you, the GDP as well.''

''Even if her words are true, that doesn't make sense. Why she is telling Kyouko Kirigiri, aka K, the world's greatest detective, about their betrayal? They are commiting war crimes and are literally spying the Global Pact Defense and the United States of America. It was like: "hey, we are betraying our country! Look at us!".''

''If you think about it, Ginoza himself was spying the GDP's agents of FBI. He was reading the data of Nami Feuer a few moments ago. Now, there must be a link for this? STAR LABS spying Kyouko, and Ginoza spying Nami. Something strange is happening here.''

''- Kyouko (think): *This is odd... Why they are telling me this? Tell now very well that I'm K. I have power and authority enough to bring down the STAR LABS and arrest all their members in a blink of an eye... So why?*''

Trading trivial banters and immaterial whatnots, both of them reached the top floor of the building, before STAR LABS' Managing Director, Mina Harker's chamber.

''- Sonya: We are here. ''

''Sonua then put an ID Card in the keypad of door and stepped back. Ginoza and Sonya knew clearly they are not allowed to enter without the permission of Mina herself.''

- Ginoza: We can't follow you from here.

''The two then looked at Kyouko as the door opened... ''

But...



<p style="text-align:center;"> "̢̥̙͖̦͎̼̣̞̫̒̓͌̅͗̆̍̚͘͝.͖̝͉̟̥̝̫͍̩̩̂͒͐́̓̅̒̚͝͝.̞̳͈̞̺̭̹̜͚͓̀́̓͂̈́͛́͑͘̚.̧̨̖̞͉̠͈̮̰͓̈́́̊̌̓̓̐͛̎̋.̨̡̨̹̼̼͇͓̖̱̇̈́̓͊̂̂͛͘͘͠.̧̹̖͕͚̦̣̰̱̙̇̒̈̈́̄́̑͘͠͝.͉͔̹̘͇̩̩̻̞̈͛̆̓̉̎̽͋̂́͜.̡̱̱̳̻̯̬̝̖̱̉̾͗͂̆̎̐͛̈́̎.̨̡̩̟̘̼̫̺̩̿̔̀͂͗̑̂͋̍͋͜.̻̯̫̤̗͙͙̯̫̥͌͛͌̌̋̑̾̓̚͠.̢̛̖͇̳̱̰͎͚͎̒̽̃̓̈̊̋͘͜͝.̡̪̣̟̤̲͈̞̘͎̾͆̊̈́̽́̽̇̎̚.̢̧̻͙̖͎̫͍͙̫̍͆́̍̎̍̂̈́̏͝.̡̢̨̯̲̝͈͖̺̪̐́͛̇͛̀̿͋̑͝.̧̣̝͇͇̖̩̪̹͇͑̈́̏͗̄͒́̍́͝.̫͍̖̦̬̫̣̟̥̔̏͑̌̈́̿̕̕͘͠ͅ.̨̲̳͇̦̙̣̮͚̞̓͂͂͌̅̑́̅́̅.̭͔͓̤̲̺̮̻̯̪̌̍̈́̅̈́̈́́́̏̕.̬̟͈̰̞͙̯̫̝̯̈́̇̌̒̅͊͒̾̀͠.̢͙̫̳͖͔̲̩̱͓̈̉́̍̾̆̉̎́͠.̥̬͍̳̲̺͓̺͚͎͛͌̂͛̆́͒̈́̀͘.̨̠̦͙̦̳̭͈̬͉̉̾̑̎̓̇̕͘͝͝.͍̭͕̹̘̺͔͎̰͋̅͊̆̐̒͗̎͝͝ͅ.̡̼̱̼̺͉͕̘̀́̑͌̑̇͛̑͜͜͠͝.͓͇̹̥͉̮̘̳̣̥̆͂͊̈͑͑̏̿̕̚.̛̛͎̝̞̥͈̲̮͚͈̋̋̎͐̔͑͆̌͜.̣͍̙̭͍̟̺̼̱͇̓̀̃̊̌͐̊̐͆͘.̛͎͕͈̤̘̗̟͎̈́̾͌͗̆͗͛͜͝͠ͅ.͖̗̼̙̲͕̞̥̣̬̓̈́͒͑̓͂̓͒̀̓.̠̣̣̬̩̠͓͉̼͔͆̋̾̉͋͋̒͐͊͘.̨̛̟̳͍̮̺͙̦͐͊̔̍̅̆͑̎͠ͅͅ.̬̜̦͚̜͎̼̟͚͙̎̈̈́͒͌͆̑̕͠͝.̼̰̠̻͚͙͙̺̲̽͛̌͆͑̈́̎͛̉̕͜.̢̡̧̳̣̰̲͙̘̲̇́͗̋͆̑̐͗̊͠.̡̡̧̩̺̙̘̟̩̣̐̈̀̈́͗̉̀̌͝͝.̢̧̨͉̣̤̮̰͕̄̑̈̓͐͗͑́̉̚͜.̨̙̗̘̤͕͙͓̗͆́̏̒͌̋͑̈́̕͠ͅ.̡̤̜͙̺̳̯͙̜͂̓̃̀̔͐̆͑͑̚ͅ.̢̨̛̱̖̼̠̫̗̋̃̈͗̏̔̑̀͜͝ͅ.͍̪̬̗͚̖̠͖͔͎̀̌̌̈́͊̀̊̇̕͠.̧̻̥͍͉̣̩͕̟͙̽́̆̆͊̃̃̄͘͝.̨̧̖̻̩̩̙̬̆̋̽̋͒̑̊̑͝͠ͅͅ.̧̨̛̬̫̙̠̠̥̤͓̋̏͂̓͒͂̌̓̕.̧̧̰͚͈̝͍̻̬̿̿͆̓̒̉͌̔̈́͂ͅ.̨̗̱̪̦̝̫̰̘̞̃̍̏̽̽͛̓̇̓͝.̢͙̭̬͖͍̣̤̠̥̃̏̐̿͋̿͊̓̔͝.̜͇̬̹͎͔̮̳̭̞̍͂̌͛̍́͋͐͋͋.̧̡̫̹̖͙̹̜͉̆̈̈́̇͒̈̌́͌͜͝.̧̛̟̗̱̗̩̮̹̟͔̆̎̈́́̋̈́̾̐̿.̨̫̪̯͎̰͚̫̬̝̇̄͛̏̈́̓͋̔̊͝.̡̨̧̢̩̭̱̺̦̣́̅̔̓̌̑̌̚͝͝.̭͎̬̯̳̦̜̖̝̯̉̅́́͒͛̽̓͘̕.̼͉̪̟̫̗̟̼͍͍͛̄͌̔̅̏̀͌͝͝.̧̨̤̲̣̻̗̻͔̄̓̃̎̈́͛͗͑̕̚ͅ.̨͓͖̠̼̻͔̣͚͎̔́͊̎͆̒̐͆̈̓.̠̳͍̠͕̪͎͎̻̋̄́̐̉̉̾̈́̀̃ͅ.̳͓̥̤̠̣̪̪̞̩͋̆̃́̌̌̊͛̆͝.̡̡̛̝̪͕̼̩̗̙͉͋͌̽́̅́̉̚͠.̨̙͙̹̱̝͍̩̥͇̀̄̇̍̒̐͛̌͌͒.̨͎͉̗̼̼̤̦̪̹̑̊͌̃̃̔͑̄͛̃.̧̩͉̰͓̞̩̙̗͌̋̒͌̃̿̔͗͘̕ͅ.̡̢̦̦̠̥͔̦̹͔͛́̎̈́̒̂͑̾͆̕.͎̜̤͙̜̣̣͍̗̅̇̈́͆͑͊̆͌̕͜͝.̡̞̱͓̪̯̘̪̟̹̈̑̈́̑͒͒̐̎̚͠.̧̛̠͔͎͚̼͕̣͕͊͛͋͋̎̒̋̂̚͜.̨̡̤̯̪͇̙̠̬̒͗̈́̊͗̈́̌̍̕͝ͅ.̡͍̘̖̞̹̼̟̦͖́̇̀̑̀̔̆̔́͝.͓͖͙͓̦͕͈̼̞͚͒̽̌̓̆̒̾̔̊̕.̨̛̞͈͇̼̖͇̝̰͙̓̍͐̃͂͋͒̉͘.̧̯̟̟̮̙̜̦̠̀͋͆͂̍̽̈́͑̉͐ͅ.̛̻͇̰̥͈̟̠̦̯̀͑̂̃́͂̆͌͜͠.̻͚͔͈̯͇̮̯͍̻́̔͆̀̓̀͗̃͛͠.̗̺͔̖͈̹̯͖̘̼͐̎̿̐̅̆̂́́͘.̢̛̭̠̹̹̳̭͈̹̙͆̒̌̏̈̉̆͗͝.̡͓̥̫̭̝̮̘̬̣͌̅́͒̑́̈̅̕̚"̨̬̩̤̠͕̞̩̱̝͐̆̈́̿͗͒̄̏̂͝ 

- Kyouko: .............

''Kyouko came to an abrupt standstill, having detected that beyond the door lingered an unwonted presence. Her hands began to sweat, her skin became blue and her body began to shake insanely.''

''Despite Mina possessing an air of intimidation that the majority of commoners nowhere near did, the roiling presence a meagre doorstep away distilled a unique ambience. ''

''As if... ''

Yes...

''As if a horde of horrors awaited her with hushed breaths. ''

''- Sonya: Kyouko? Do you have some problem?''

''Kyouko showed signs of realization, knitting her brows and grimacing. ''

''- Ginoza: What she is doing? ''

''Sonya and the young Nobuchika didn't know what exactly is happening with Kyouko, but she seems to be in state of shock. ''

They were no feeling what the Ultimate Detective was feeling at the moment she stepped closer to that door.

- Sonya: I haven’t an idea.

''- Ginoza: Do you think facing the director is so scary like that? I mean, she is intimidating  but not at that point.''

''- Sonya: Certainly not. Only when she calls you for a personal meeting. Being the only one in the room with her is scary enough to feel your heart beating in your throat.''

''Sonya and Ginoza kept muttering while Kyouko finally found forces to open the door. ''

''But as she finally stepped into the room with the despair almost screaming out of her brain, she immediately relaxed when she saw nothing abnormal inside. It was self-explanatory. No monster or ghost could be found in the suite, and Mina sat comfortably on her armchair. ''

''That woman is me, the Glorious Mina Harker. The Sexiest Woman Alive. The General of All. The Angel of the World. The Salvior of Mankind. The Muse of America. The Harbinger of Peace. The Goddess of the Wor--!*cut*...''

''- Mina: Ah, I see you’ve arrived, Kyouko. What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen an apparition.''

(Due to the current narrator's idiocy, we are changing it back to the normal narration).

''Mina put her left hand in to support her chin and looked at Kyouko with shining yellow eyes. Unlike Kyouko, who was pale and looked like an undead person, Mina was a woman who resembled life itself.''

''- Kyouko: No. It's nothing. Hello there, Mina...''

Kyouko then relaxed her lungs and stepped into the room, before closing the door and leaving Ginoza and Sonya outside.

''- Kyouko: I’m definite I sensed something in here. ''

''Tongue-in-cheek, Mina delighted in feasting her eyes on Kyouko's reaction, then rose to her feet and ambled towards the window. ''

''- Mina: Good evening. Kyouko! It's been almost 5 years since we last saw each other! I believe you wanted to see me! But first, let's take a drink as old frien--!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kyouko then walked towards her desk and kicked it, resulting in many papers falling to the floor.

''- Kyouko: Quit it, Mina! I'm not here to be friends with you. Never.''

''Like if nothing had happened, Kyouko returned to her normal state. Just a few seconds ago, she acted like a thug kicking things around... One can say that she was holding herself to not punch Mina for bring so much suffering to the population of Sleepy Hollow.''

''- Mina: Oh my... You became so violent since our last days at the GDP Academy!''

Mina continued acting like a child, even knowing that Kyouko was dead serious.

''- Kyouko: The only violent here is you! Not only you burned the town of Sleepy Hollow to the ground but also captured the civilians, tortured and killed magicians, but is now using women and children in brutal human experiments to turn them into monsters! Do you think I want to become friends with a monster like you?! You're not different from Juria and Eckidina KnightWalker!''

Kyouko had said the same thing moments ago with Sonya, but this time, she wanted to say it directly to Mina.

- Kyouko: You're violating the human rights of American citizens, commiting war crimes in large scale, perfoming experiments with living being--!

''- Mina: Yes. This is right. I did all of it. '''So what? The lives of a few people here and there are easily replaced. They're citizens who will die and will be never remembered by society.'

''Kyouko almost gasped but her fury was more powerful... powerful enough to prevent her from being surprised by any inhumanity coming from the director's mouth.''

''- Kyouko: You... You're insane... What happened to you?! You were kind, gentle and above all, altruist! You were never the kind of person who would consider a life dispensable!''

''Mina facepalm herself and smiled like she used to do in her childhood. An innocent smile full of "kindness".''

''- Mina: Kyouko. This is our first meeting after many years. So why you're trying to destroy this moment. We are childhood friends. We were considered to be one of the top 10 most smart children of Hammy's House, we joined the GDP Academy together after the incident at Hope's Peak Academy and so we became the top members of GDP in our area. You're the greatest detective of the world while I'm the greatest admnistrator of the world. We are like siblings with different talents. Do you think that those ignorants civilians from Sleepy Hollow deserve mercy? No. They are tools for the next generation. Their sacrifice will lead humanity to one step closer to God's.''

''Kyouko sharpened her eyes, and for the first time, her empty eyes were shining with fire. Burning with fury. The fire of wrath.''

''- Kyouko: Mina... How could you do that? We are suppose to protect the peace in the world! Not destroy it! Can't you see it?! The tension between the nations?! Military alliances being formed?! They already have a name! Stabilization Union and KnightWalker Alliance! A new world war is about to break out! And look at yourself! Instead of helping the US Army and the GDP's Military Branch, you're stuck here in Sleepy Hollow! Too busy to help the world to prevent this war from happening!''

Mina crossed her arms and smiled.

''- Mina: And you think that killing Eckidina, Juria, the Emperor Tathagata Killer, King Hamdo and Kim Hae-Sak will just end this conflict before it can even start? Do you think diplomacy works with the KnightWalkers and those communist dictators? Stop dreaming, Kyouko. As a detective, you should know very well that this war will happen, no matter. The World War III is inevitable by now. Stop dreaming, Kyouko. The best way to stop the war is WINNING it!''

- Kyouko: Then you're saying millions should die simply because you refuse to help the SU?!

''- Mina: Almost it. But no, at the same time. Kyouko, do you remember when I said I was trying to get humans one step closer to God? I didn't say that in vain. I'm not planning the WWIII destroy the world as we know it. It's quite the opposite, my friend! We, from STAR LABS, are dedicating our lives and even our humanity in dangerous human experiments! Those experiments could very well bring about the doom for us all, but even so, we assumed the risk. Since the invasion of Liberty City, I spent months working in dangerous projects that could have ended my life in an instant. And since the day that KnightWalker Family put their feet on American territory, we know clearly the World War III was going to happen and it's beginning is unstoppable considering the collateral damage.''

Kyouko then twisted her eyebrows in confusion.

''- Kyouko: You're saying that your human experiments will end the war on its course? And do you think turning them into artificial monsters will help us end this?! How can think like that?! Turning a human into a mindless monster to destroy our enemies is not ethical!''

Mina then seated in her armchair again and relaxed while her former friend, Kyouko, continued burning in rage.

''- Mina: And what is ethical, Kyouko? Sense of ethic is just a point of view. As long your end justify your means, the word "good" and "evil" doesn't exist. But let me ask you, do you call ethical using a former agent of FBI as a bait in your civil war with KK?''

"......................"

''Kyouko was supposed to be surprise, but she wasn't... because like Sonya said earlier, the STAR LABS was aware of all of the Ultimate Detective's cases and investigations. It would not be a surprise if they knew about the existence of Nami as well. ''

''However, much to her surprise, Kyouko never put Nami officially in the case and kept her presence in the case of KK Murder Case in secret... If Mina knew until that point, there is no doubt that Mina spied 100% of all Kyouko's private life.''

''- Kyouko: You... how much do you know about me?''

The director then stared at the detective with a grin.

''- Mina: If I have to say... everything? All your cases. All your allies. All your contacts. All your "baits". All your "scapegoats". All your superiors. All your investigators. All members of your agency. Absolutely everything. Sonya mentioned it earlier, right? I ordered her to do so.''

Now was the time to ask all questions: "why Mina was spying her?"

''- Kyouko: Sonya said about it earlier. But my question is: why? But more importantly, why you let her tell me this? Do you know who I am?''

''- Mina: Obviously I know. Kyouko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective of Global Pact Defense and the World's Greatest Detective, K.''

''- Kyouko: It's good to know you still remember how powerful my word is in the American government. Telling me about your own treason is like signing your death sentence. I see no point in letting me know about your own secret agenda and betrayal. What you have to said, Mina?''

''Mina closed her eyes and snapped her fingers. Until now, in this crucial moment, she kept her childish personality while Kyouko was burning with flames of hostility.''

''- Mina: Very simple. I don't have to fear the GDP and the American government. Kyouko, you and I know that my talent is in manipulation. If you call yourself Ultimate Detective, my real talent would be... let's see... Ah! Yes! It would be called as Ultimate Manipulator.''

Kyouko sharpene her eyes and clenched her fists.

''- Kyouko: What do you mean by that? ''

''- Mina: Kyouko, I don't fear you because you have no word in the Global Pact Defense, not anymore. Hahaha! Obviously you have word in the GDP, but when you mention my name in the council to report about my activities and crimes, they will literally mute you and ignore you accusations, considering them as false and incoherent accusations. Sure, you're a great detective and everyone admires you, but if butt into my matters--the matters of STAR LABS, the GDP will consider you as a crazy person and will ignore you temporarily.''

''While Kyouko prepared to ask, she slightly tilted her head with curious eyes. ''

''- Kyouko: So you're saying if I report your war crimes in Sleepy Hollow and your illegal activities spying our agents, everyone in the high council, the FBI, the White House, the Global Pact Defense, the Pentagon and even the Federal Government of America, will ignore me and all my accusations? Why?''

''- Mina: "Why?". Good question. The answer is that all those idiots there own me one. Do you really think the American elections from 2020 to 2035 were legal? Not really. The STAR LABS just have that power, the power to change the votes of the population to turn the tables to the favor of our "clients". In exchange of politicial influence, we from STAR LABS, accepted the bribery of a few governors, ministers, deputies and government representatives here and there. In order to put our "friends" in the power, we changed the course of the elections to make those ugly bastards in our scapegoats inside of America's Federal Government. We are not only controlling the White House from behind the scenes but I'm also infiltrated inside of Global Pact Defense's high-council. In exchange of money, they allow me to spy all the secret data of FBI, Interpol, VSA, ISA and even your lovable agency of investigation, Kyouko.''

''Now it was all said... but not completely. This is how Mina was spying Kyouko and thousands other members of the American's government. The STAR LABS apparently has control over 100% of all states of the country and is even controlling the US military according to their own free will. Basically, she is ruling USA.''

- Kyouko: Don't tell me that even the president...

''- Mina: ...Tom Bucky? Yes... He is there because of us. However, it wasn't me who put him there. It was another person who can also be considered "me"... Sorry, I think you can't understand that. Well, anyway, all I can say is that our president, Tom Bucky, is also a puppet of our ruling body. ''

- Kyouko: Tsk!

''Kyouko knew that Mina was a person with great influence... but she NEVER thought about Mina controlling all states of USA from the shadows and using her own superiors and subordinates as puppets in her unknown game. ''

''She have control over GDP and all military branchs of the country, which means STAR LABS alone have enough power to declare a new world war using the face of Uncle Sam to keep their true objectives hidden. ''

''But anyway, what Mina was planning in ruling USA from the darkness? ''

''- Mina: Hehe... You don't seem surprised, Kyouko. And let me take a hint about what you're thinking: you think that I'm lying or trying to make a prank here. But my answer is: you know me perfectly, and you know that I'm a person who will everything in my power to get what I want. So do you, right?''

With a confident smile that she got Kyouko right where she wanted, then she sharpened her yellow eyes.

''- Kyouko: So that means that you told me everything about your illegal activities knowing that I can't do nothing to stop you, right? But for what reason. There is no point in telling me this.''

"............................"

''- Mina: For that... I told you everything because I'm blackmailing you. And by addition, I wanted to make this blackmail fair so I spelled out all my schemes to you... ''

''Blackmailing... she said that in such formal way that one could think she was just trying to play with you. But in truth, she was no joking arond. Her words are 100%, and her childish psychological description only makes less shocking.''

''- Kyouko: Blackmailing... that sounds just like you. You gave me all your schemes to allow me to strike you back. Why?''

Mina stood up and walked towards the window of her office.

''- Mina: It sure does. Now that I told you my secret, it's time for me to tell yours... And yes, I told you my illegal activities because I ALSO wanted you to at least have an advantage in our 'trade'. But why? To make things interesting.''

''- Kyouko: Are you trying to play games with me? For what purpose?''

''- Mina: It's because I have a request for you. Kyouko. I gave you my secret bad deeds, so in exchange, I have to grab your own secrets too, right? But why I have to blackmail you? Because I know you would never attend my request because of my... bad reputation for being a war criminal in Sleepy Hollow. ''

''Kyouko knew that she had advantage but found herself in a dead end... Mina was indeed intelligent and smart just as Kyouko. She literally put her own life in the hands of Kyouko just to blackmail her... but at the same time, Mina also had her surrounded.''

- Kyouko: Before this, what you're using from me to continue this blackmail?

While listening to her words, Mina narrowed her beautiful eyes.

- Mina: Everything.

''- Kyouko: Everything? For example?''

''- Mina: The title you hold so dearly... The title you consider to be everything in your life. Your identity.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''When she said "identity", Kyouko clearly know what kind of identity she was talking about. Her nickname as "K". ''

''- Mina: In exchange of my little bad things, I'll expose your true name and appearance to the world. If I recall, you use the word "K" and hides yourself behind four walls to prevent criminal organizations from finding and killing you as you're the hope of millions. I wonder how the world will react when they discover that the century's greatest detective was found dead by some kind of mysterious criminal organization.''

''- Kyouko: Going after my identity... how typical of you. Using dirty tricks to get what you want. But you told me your own deeds so I'm no one to talk.''

''- Mina: Your identity and my crimes... We are in equal terms.''

Mina then turned around and looked deep into Kyouko's eyes.

''- Mina: We know that you came to see me today to ask me about something. As a friend, I'll obviously help you with whatever you need. But we also know you would never help me to achieve what I want... So I had to blackmail you to force you to coorperate with us. So, with that I mind, we have things we want from each other's intel, right? Before we start, let's talk about MINE requirements.''

Kyouko then calmed down and seated on the armchair in front of Mina's desk.

- Kyouko: I have limited time so let's get over with it.

''- Mina: It's fine. We can talk like two civilized people holding guns at our heads, right? Anyway, Kyouko, my request for you is not you to commit any illegal deed like I do. My request demand you to solve a criminal case that is currently happening in Japan.''

''Criminal case... in Japan... As the Ultimate Detective of GDP, Kyouko receives a lot of criminal cases from that country, so it's impossible to tell which case is.''

''However... there is one that call the attention of the most ordinary people.''

- Kyouko: A Japanese case?

As Mina prepared to reply, she extended her arms wide open in an exaggerated way.

- Mina: Have you ever heard about...



<p style="text-align:center;">'' ...Jack the Ripper of 21st Century? ''

''Jack the Ripper of 21st Century... if there is some detective who never heard that name, this person must be a pathetic agent of law.''

''Jack the Ripper of 21st Century is an active serial killer in Japan, and has been daily murders in a town called Tenguu City. This serial killer is an intelligent and sinister person kills only young teenager girls. ''

''His way of killing is particulary brutal, such as ripping off the guts of the victims alive, beheading the victims with a knife for 30 minutes, inserting sharp objects in their private parts until the blade hit their brain... N''

''Never in Kyouko's agenda, there was someone so cruel, brutal, abnormal, inhuman and evil as the Jack the Ripper of 21st Century. ''

''Yes, even in 2035, the infamous Jack the Ripper was active. And obviously, such case brought the famous K to the case. However, no matter what she do, she can't find nothing that lead her to the identity of the serial killer. Right now, the body count of that killer is now 40.''

''Curiously, after the murders began, more than 13 young school girls went missing. The Japanese police could not find them yet.''

''- Kyouko: Jack the Ripper... the most dangerous serial killer in Japan's history.''

Kyouko tried to find a connection between the serial killer and the STAR LABS, but even with her superior mind, she couldn't find nothing.

''- Mina: Yes... it turns out that this serial killer, is related to an enemy of ours. The arch-enemy of STAR LABS. Now, I can't say who is exactly this person since this a private matter. Only those of our leadership knows exactly who is this creature.''

''Creature... only saying that word caused Kyouko to consider that STAR LABS was not fighting humans but demons. Of course, Kyouko is a person who believes in the supernatural, but how exactly a serial killer is related to a supernatural force?''

- Kyouko: Will you tell me who is this being if I beg you to tell me?

''- Mina: No. This a top secret information of STAR LABS only. Just by saying about the existence of a non-human creature behind Jack the Ripper is already a violation to our code.''

Kyouko closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

''- Kyouko: Okay. You convinced me. But there is just one thing wrong here: as the Ultimate Detective of GDP, I was already investigation the Jack the Ripper of 21st Century's murders. So what is the point of putting me in the same case?''

''- Mina: Hmm. I think this is the hardest part to say. For the lack of words, I want yout deal with the Jack the Ripper, PHYSICALLY. Yes, my dear friend! I want you to go to Japan and deal with this investigation personally.''

''At the sound of the word "personally", Kyouko’s face distorted into one of grimness without thinking. Basicallly, what Mina was asking was to the Ultimate Detective leave from her zone of comfort and face directly Jack the Ripper in an investigation where she will help the police in person, exposing her face and name to the Japanese police.''

''- Kyouko: You know what you're asking is impossible. My security is my top priority! Also, what is the point of blackmailing me with my identity?! Going to Japan and personally leading the investigation is the same as giving my true identity to the world!''

''- Mina: Really? I didn't think much about it.''

With a grin, Mina walked towards the detective and touched her shoulder.

''- Mina: Don't worry, I'll keep your presence there in secret. The media, government and the police will be NOT alerted about your presence there. Also, we already created a false ID for you. The police will never have access to your headquarters.''

''- Kyouko: But where I am staying to conduct my investigations. My HQ in USA is unique.''

''The HQ of Kyouko is located in Liberty City, it's a building of GDP with restrict access. Only officers, detectives and members of Kyouko's agency have access to this place.''



''- Mina: I already provided that. You're staying in the Private HQ of GDP's Japanese branch in Tenguu City. And about your agency, I already requested the GDP's high council to abandon the building to give space to your agency. Currently, the STAR LABS is protecting the building until your arrival.''

- Kyouko: So all my data, subordinates, documents and...

Kyouko lowered her head.

''- Mina: Everything. I was planning to tell you this eventually. Even without your approval.''

Mina then removed a paper from her breasts (nothing wrong there), and then showed it to Kyouko.

- Kyouko: And this is?

''Calmly, the detective grabbed the paper and saw it was a transference documents. It was basically saying that Kyouko's agency of investigation was being moved to Tenguu City to investigate the case of the Jack the Ripper, in the next months.''

Without saying a word, Kyouko stood up and showed the documents to Mina.

- Kyouko: And how did you get this approval?

''Mina giggled and mocked the detective. Apparently, Kyouko, who is the most intelligent detective in the world, right now, is acting like a normal civilian. ''

''- Mina: Oh my? You already forgot how my spacegoats are useful. I don't need a democratic voting to turn my wishes true. ''

''- Kyouko: Oh. That's true.''

''- Mina: So... continuing. I'll do my part and I'll give you a false identity for you to go outside of your room and investigate the case personally. Ah! I forgot to tell WHY I want you to go there, in person. ''

- Kyouko: I suppose you did not say about that yet.

Mina cleaned her throat and lifted her finger.

''- Mina: Well, the answer is: you're clearly losing this battle with the Jack the Ripper. This serial killer is smart and clever. Conducting an investigation from another country, without physical contact with the crime scenes, is not recommended if you want to caught such killer of high class. It's not like I'm reducing the level of your current target, the KK Killer. I dare to say KK is on the same level of Jack the Ripper.''

''The KK Killer, Ike Raynford, is more like a spree-killer with limited extension of murders. Each murder of KK is complex and is played as a puzzle game, leading to many easter eggs, secret messages and hidden symbolism that will lead the investigators to the next victim.''

''Jack the Ripper, is different. His murders are just brutal as KK's, but they are random. They happen in daily basis, they don't have connection with each other and they don't ''

''- Mina: according to my intel, you're focusing more in the KK Murder Case in Los Angeles. I'll wait you until you finish this case... because you and I know who is the true killer, right?''

''Kyouko knew who was the killer of KK Murder Case even without investigating. Mina also knew who was the true culprit but since this is not a case of concern. The reason why Mina knew the killer is Ike Raynford, is for the same reason why Kyouko knows. Mina was also once a child who lived in the Hammy's House, so she clearly knew Ike even before he came a serial killer.''

''- Kyouko: Ike Raynford, huh? So you know too. And I guess you didn't need to look into my datafiles to discover that.''

''- Mina: Naturally... with that said, I'll have you transferred to Japan as soon as you finish your business here on America. From now on, all requests from around the globe being directed at you will be denied, as you will focus in the Jack the Ripper's case.''

''- Kyouko: At least you made this less stressful for me. But very well, I'll deal with Jack the Ripper. I won't ask who is the mastermind behind this serial killer and I'll not even remember the existence of such person.''

Mina put her hands in her hips and smiled.

''- Mina: I'll keep my promise. Your false ID, new HQ and new orders. They are all in order and ready to be used. And as for your presence, in Japan. I'll do my best to keep your presence there in secret. You don't want reporters and assassins after you, huh? This is all for now, so now we can get into your requeriments.''

''- Kyouko: I just visited you to get an information. But instead, you received me with this wicked surprise. Just to let you know, I'm not going to solve the Jack the Ripper's case because of you. I was already planning to focus 100% of my attention to that case after I finished the conflict with Ike.''

''- Mina: That works as well. You don't have to do it for me. ''

Mina looked at her and made a troubled smile.

''- Kyouko: My request is about Ike. I want to settle things between us before more people are caught on the crossfire. As long I don't show up, Ike will continue to murder more people in Los Angeles. I have to stop him before he goes to his fourth victim. The puzze he left behind in the last crime scene said as much about it. It's only a matter of time.''

Mina then seated in her armchair and relaxed.

''- Mina: Huh, Ike? And I thought he was dead. If I recall, the investigation of the Detroit Police confirmed that his brother was related to the Maniacs of Detroit, right?''

''The Maniacs of Detroit once again. It was the group of rapists composed by perverted pedophile men. Ike's brother was the person who formed to fullfill his sexual desires. And as a result, Ike was dragged into it, luring girls to let them become sexual toys.''

''- Kyouko: Yes. I tried to go further and I discovered Ike was indeed part of the group. But apparently he was considered innocent and then fled from the orphanage afterwards. He moved to Liberty City, where he changed his name and was adopted by a widow that lived next door.''

Kyouko crossed her fingers and closed her eyes.

''- Kyouko: It was because of me that Hammy's House conducted all those experiments in children. I'm sure that Ike still wants to become a person better than me. And so, he is playing a killing game with me to see who is better. If I don't solve his puzzles, he wins. But if I win, I'll have him arrested. Simply like that.''

''- Mina: You know, that's not simple. You're the central cause why he is acting like that.''

''- Kyouko: I know that. That's why I'm taking all responsability for his murders.''

''- Mina: I see, but how about Nami Feuer? You're even considering her life too?''

''Like it was mentioned, Mina was spying Kyouko's investigations and case. So she knew pretty much about how Kyouko involved Nami in this murder case.''

''- Kyouko: Obviously. I involved that young investigator because I needed someone to be my physical body there. And like how I value my own security, I'll protect Nami Feuer with the best of my ability. If I lose her, I not only loses my fight with KK but I also will hold a debt with FBI.''

''Oh my... How cruel of her part. Kyouko was just that cold-hearted, but why?''

- Mina: You're so cold, Kirigiri.

".........................."

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Kyouko: It's because I'm a detective.

''Detectives are like machines. They are cold and emotionless. They get rid of all their agenda and emotions to focus on the case and use any means necessary to achieve their objectives. ''

''- Mina: How typical of you. Manipulating people to turn them into tools. You're not so different from me, after all. I'm glad to hear that coming from your mouth.''

''- Kyouko: Don't compare me with you. I'm not some narcissist with sick and twisted ideas like you.''

''- Mina: You have a point. But returning to the matter... Yes, sure. I know that you involved Nami on this thanks to the files I read in your agency. But I think you already knew I was spying you, am I right?''

''Kyouko went to visit Mina because she already KNEW that this woman was looking into her files without her permission. She may have some security program in her computer that allows her to discover the location of the hacker that accessed her PC.''

''- Kyouko: Obviously, I'm always prepared. And I came here to know what you think.''

''Kyouko was no longer pissed off at Mina, mainly because she is a genius just like her. And having more intelligent people like her, helps the Ultimate Detective a lot in forming theories and even solving entire cases in mere seconds. She was taking advantage of this situation.''

''- Mina: About what? The murders? Nami?''

Kyouko sighed in disappointment but she knew the director was acting like an idiot on purpose.

''- Kyouko: Haa... About her, our lovable and famous "Kyoko Kirigiri". The private detective that is helping Nami to solve this case.''

Mina snapped her fingers and slapped herself, however, her slap was not strong enough to leave a mark.

''- Mina: I thought that woman named as "Kyoko Kirigiri" was another scapegoat you put there to bring KK to you. At first, I considered it was an imposter but it seems you guys are related somehow. I mean, that Kyoko Kirigiri is impressive. She can solve difficult puzzles in the KK Murder Case that not even you alone could decipher. For an imposter, she is clever and wise.''

''Apparently, the woman that is currently working with Nami, the so-called Kyoko Kirigiri, is not the real Kyouko (obviously by now) and is probably an imposter... but...''

''- Kyouko: ...but an imposter that knows my name, my face, my body sizes, my way of thinking, my personality... It's like she is a clone of me. I tried to investigate the true identity of that woman but I couldn't find nothing.''

''That woman was so well-prepared and so clever that even K, Kyouko Kirigiri, could find any informations about her. The reason? She was imitating Kyouko so well that there is nothing left to investigate about the true person behind this "Kyoko". It's basically as investigating herself.''

''- Mina: So it's not one of your scapegoats but an imposter, right? Did you inform Nami about this?''

Kyouko shook her head slowly.

''- Kyouko: No, I don't want her to know about that "Kyoko". I want to keep my eye on that imposter to know about the truth. It's like that person know me. She knows me so well that she even knows my name and my physical appearance. To tell the truth, I never felt so scared in my life. It's like I'm seeing myself there. That copy is too PERFECT to be the work of a mere amateur. But I still don't know the connection between that person and KK Murder Case.''

''- Mina: Considering your investigations about that "Kyoko", she only showed up now, when the KK Murder Case began. I presume that she is not related with the case, but with Ike himself. What  do you think: a partner? A clone? Or even an android?''

''Androids are such normal things in the year of 2035 that even someone next to you may be a robot disguised as a human. ''

''- Kyouko: But even so, Ike never met me directly. Actually, he never saw me before. When he was brought to Hammy's House, I was already studying at GDP Academy.''

"..................."

Mina crossed her arms and waited Kyouko to notice an important part she let slip through her hands.

''- Kyouko: Unless... When I was at the Hope's Peak Academy and Global Pact Defense Academy... Do you think he had access to the campus or the database of the academies?''

''- Mina: I can't say for sure, but he is not a good hacker judging by his documents in the Hammy's House. He took 5 points in Hacking class. This is one of the lowest point you can get as an orphan in the Hammy's House. So with that said, Ike never hacked into the Hope's Peak Academy private website. In addition, he don't have enough skills to invade a superior programming like from the GDP's. But the question about that Kyoko continues a mystery. Even if it was an imposter, there is no way that person can copy your IQ overnight.''

''- Kyouko: That's just like you said. If personality and appearance were not enough, that imposter is also just as intelligent as me. And even so, if she is truly Ike disguised as me, then why she is helping Nami to get through his own schemes? It's like he is defeating himself, and letting me do nothing to stop him.''

Mina mumbled, furrowed her brows in worry and turned to look at the window of her office.

''- Mina: Like a suicidal plan, huh? If Ike is that Kyoko, then it's like he is destroying himself. Sooner or later, Nami will notice this and there will be no escape for him.''

''- Kyouko: I already alerted Nami to keep her eyes open. That woman stll suspicious, whoever she is. Mina, I want you investigate the who accessed the site of GDP and Hope's Peak Academy in the last few 25 years.''

''Now that's insane. If your site had a historic showing the IP of all people who accessed your site, then you would die looking into all those IPs.''

- Mina: Are you fucking serious?

Normal reaction.

Mina turned her armchair and looked deep into the eyes of the detective.

''- Kyouko: Keep your disgusting mouth shut and do as I say. There is a chance that Ike was disguised as a teacher of both academies. And I need to know the names of all those teachers. If my theory is true, then he might have access to my own files, with or without hacking skills. Or worse, Ike was probably giving me classes without being noticed.''

''Mina let out a sigh and sharpened her eyes... showing an expression of deep hatred and anger... luckily, Kyouko didn't notice this as the former was looking down. Never... Never... NEVER, someone saw eyes like that in the world.''



<p style="text-align:center;"> - Mina (think): *What an annoying bitch...* 

<p style="text-align:center;">' 5 minutes later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Townhouse of Backyard Bottomslash <p style="text-align:center;"> Kitchen

''Ahh... I'm back... It seems that the producers cut my narration for obvious reasons. Again, let me introduce myself. I'm Mina Harker, your sex--! I mean, your new narrator!''

''And we return to the central focus of the episode; the crime scene where the third victim of KK Killer, was killed. The name of the victim is Backyard Bottomslash, a mature woman who worked as a banker.''

Even though Jeanne and the Fallen's Essence, the two mysteirous entity that appeared outside of the townhouse and killed the two agents of FBI, Kyoko and Nami didn't notice this and continued their investigation.

''- Nami: Ah... right. Of course. So... did he want the person who found the body to see something besides the body first? I can’t think of any reason why, but...''

- Kyoko: Neither can I.

''Kyoko stopped talking for a while and returned to the room where Backyard was killed. They had finished their snack for now.''

''- Nami: If he didn’t want them to notice the body at all, I would understand, but what could he gain from arranging it so they didn’t notice the body for a second or two? But in that case, why put a Wara Ningyo there? Is the placement just a coincidence?''

''- Kyoko: No, I’m sure it was deliberate. It makes no sense to dismiss it as coincidental. But approaching it from this perspective doesn’t strike me as very effective. Like I said before, rather than focusing on the Wara Ningyo and the locked room, I would prefer... I think we should concentrate on figuring out the message the killer left behind.''

''- Nami: But, Kyoko... no, you’re right.''

''She almost argued but stopped herself. It certainly was worth pursuing, but she didn’t have any follow-through at the moment. First they needed to identify the fourth victim, or at least the location. ''

''There were Wara Ningyo at all the scenes, but the message was only in this room, and they needed to find it as soon as possible. ''

''- Nami: Sorry. I was wasting valuable time.''

- Kyoko: I would rather you apologize for stepping on me, Nami.

Apparently, Kyoko still at Nami for not apolozing for stepping in her belly.

- Nami: Oh, right, of course.

''- Kyoko: You mean it? Then as a token of your contrition, would you do something for me?''

''Could she be more blatant? But she had stepped on her. Very hard, with her full body weight. ''

- Nami: What?

''- Kyoko: Would you pretend to be dead, Nami? Like I was a moment ago. The victim, Backyard Bottomslash, was a woman, so you might provide more inspiration than I did.''

"................."

- Nami: What?

''Apparently this private detective was unaware that most people possess something called self-respect. But this was not the time to point this out to her. If she did, Nami felt she would be well on her way to earning a reputation as a tsundere--prickly to hide her inner drippiness.  And the matter was urgent, she was willing to try anything that might help. She wasn’t sure if this was one of those things, but by this point she was even willing to try crawling. Peeling oddly resigned, she lay down on the floor. The room looked really different from down there. ''

''- Kyoko: So? Anything?'' - Nami: No, not at all.

''- Kyoko: Oh. Yeah, I thought not.''

Futile.

''Kyoko sat on the chair with her knees against her chest, pointed out that the coffee Nami had made was getting cold, and drank her. ''

''Nami had put sugar in the way she liked it, and half expected her to complain, but she didn’t say anything. Apparently she was capable of consuming non-sweet things too. It seemed she could get up now, but it felt more awkward to do so than to stay down here, so she didn’t move. ''

''- Kyoko: Whew... hot coffee helps the pain in my belly.''

''Kyoko took a deep breath and relaxed. She seemed so nonchalant, but she just wouldn’t let that go. ''

''- Nami: Kyoko... was this the same as the first victim? After she died, he took the clothes off, then cut off the arm and leg, and then put the clothes back on?''

''- Kyoko: Yes. What of it?''

''- Nami: No, I know it’s easier to cut up a body without the clothes getting in the way. Cothes are pretty sturdy, really. They get tangled up on the blade. But once he has the clothes off, why does he put them back on? Why not leave his victims naked?''

- Kyoko: Hmm...

''- Nami: With the first victim, putting the shirt back on hid the cuts on the chest, or at least hid that they were Roman numerals. But this time, it must have been a pain in the ass. Putting clothes on a corpse...on anyone who can’t move themselves...''

Nami imagined how the murder of the third victim happened to create a new theory based on their clothes.

- Kyoko: Nami, the leg he abandoned in the bathroom was wearing a sock and a shoe. She was dragged out of her thoughts by the words of Kyoko.

- Nami: Yeah, I saw the picture.

''- Kyoko: Then, I mean, perhaps the killer’s goal... no, the killer’s message has nothing to do with the clothes or shoes, but only to do with the severed limbs. Which is why he put everything else back the way it used to be.'' ''Put everything back. ''

''But then... ''

''- Kyoko: But then... the left arm and the right leg. He left the leg in the bathroom and took the arm with him... why? What was different about the left arm and the right leg? An arm and a leg.''

''Nami muttered, staring up at the ceiling. Kyoko looked up at the ceiling as well, and said slowly, biting her thumbnail. ''

''- Kyoko: Once.. on a different case... something happened that might help here. If you’d care to hear it?''

- Nami: Go ahead.

Kyoko relaxed her shoulders and removed her thumbnail from her mouth.

''- Kyoko: It was a murder case, and the victim had been stabbed through the chest. Afterward, the ring finger of his left hand had been cut off and carried away. After his death. Can you guess why?''

Nami easily figured out and replied.

''- Nami: The ring finger of the left hand? That’s easy. The victim was married, right? The killer must have cut it off to steal the wedding ring. Wedding rings have often been worn so long they can no longer be taken off.''

''That was a fast way of thinking, not only fast but effective. It's normal among FBI investigators.''

''- Kyoko: Yes. The killer was after money. Afterward, we successfully tracked down the ring on the black market and were able to trace it back to the killer and arrest him.''

''- Nami: But... that’s certainly an interesting story and everything, but Kyoko, no one would cut off an entire arm to steal a ring. And Backyard Bottomslash wasn’t married. According to the file, she wasn’t even seeing anyone.''

- Kyoko: But there are more rings than wedding rings.

- Nami: But you still wouldn’t take the entire arm.

''- Kyoko: Yes, you’re right. That’s why I only said it might help. If it didn’t, then I apologize.''

''- Nami: Not worth apologizing for, but there was no ring... no ring...''

''So, something besides a ring? For example... a bracelet. Not around the finger, but around the wrist... no, that was retarded. It made a certain amount of sense that you would need to cut off a finger to get a ring, but no matter how generously you looked at it; there was no reason to cut off an arm for a bracelet. ''

''Nobody would do that. ''

''And this killer wasn’t after money, anyway. If he was, the second victim didn’t fit.''

".............."

''Nami slowly reached her left arm out toward the ceiling. Holding it away from the floor. She opened her hand and stretched her fingers out all the way, as if trying to grab the fluorescent light overhead. ''

''There was a ring on her finger. ''

''An engagement ring from Adam Jensen. An engagement ring that still seemed about as real as a joke between two children to her, but was it possible someone would cut off her finger, her arm, to steal it? ''

''What if it was a bracelet? ''

No. 

''Using herself as an example just made it seem all the more unlikely. Holding her arm up like this had allowed her sleeve to slide down toward her shoulder. Her wristwatch came into view. It was a silver watch. A present on her birthday this year, February 14th, again from Adam Jensen. ''

So if it wasn’t a bracelet, but a watch?

''It was silver, so it wasn’t cheap... a watch? ''

''- Nami: Kyoko. Was Backyard Bottomslash right or left handed?''

''- Kyoko: According to your file, right handed. What of it?''

''- Nami: So... chances are she would have worn a watch on her left arm. So perhaps what the killer took away... was a watch. ''

''Nami said with confidence, from her position on her back on the floor. ''

''- Nami: The right arm still had a sock and shoe. So the arm he took away more than likely still had a watch on it.''

''- Kyoko: He cut off the arm to steal the watch? But why? Nami... you yourself said that it didn’t make any sense to cut off an arm to steal a ring. So why would someone do that to steal a watch? If he were after the watch, he would have just taken it. Watches aren’t like rings. They never get stuck. There’s no reason to cut off the arm.''

Nami pointed at her own watch on her arm.

''- Nami: No, I don’t think he was after the watch either. But maybe the watch is this scene’s message. If only the watch was missing it would be too obvious, so he took the arm too...''

"................"

Kyoko kept her mouth shut for a few seconds and laid her back on the wall beside her.

''- Kyoko: As a form of misdirection? I see... but in that case, we still don’t know why he cut off the right leg as well. I doubt she wore a watch around her ankle. And even as a case of misdirection, there’s still no need to take the whole arm, the wrist would have been plenty.''

''- Nami: Yeah, true enough, but still... the watch idea itself still seemed like a good one.''

''She felt like she was nearing the truth. If that same unnatural fixation, to use a cliché phrase, that she’d encountered at the first and second scenes was working here, than she felt like it would manifest itself this way... ''

''- Nami: Left arm... right leg... left wrist... right ankle... left hand... right foot... watch... clock... timepiece... ticker.. both hands and feet, both arms and legs... or are the bits left behind what really matter. Not the left arm and right leg, but the right arm and left legs? The four limbs...''

- Kyoko: Plus the head is five.

''- Nami: Five… five minus two is three… three. The third scene. Limbs... and the head make five... the head? The neck... the neck, and one leg, and one arm...''

''Nami was stringing words together as they came to her, but she was just spinning in circles, like a lost child, afraid of running into a dead end. The more she babbled, the more she lost the feeling that she was on to something. The hands of her compass were spinning... ''

''- Nami: If five minus two is three, then he could have cut off both arms or both legs, or the left arm and the head... if the left arm had to be one of them, then why the right leg? ''

''Purely to fill the silence, Nami forced out a question that had not occurred to her, a question she did not even consider worth asking but Kyokotook her up on it. ''

- Kyoko: The head and arm and leg left behind are all of different lengths...

''For a moment, she didn’t know what she meant. It seemed like a total non sequitur, and her mind couldn’t keep up with it. But an arm was longer than a head, and a leg was longer than an arm, but so what? ''

''Was Kyoko just blurting out whatever crossed her mind the way she was? But that wasn’t going to help guide her compass needle... ''

''- Nami: Needle? Or hands...''

- Kyoko: What about needles?

- Nami: No, hands...

"......................"

''The classic locked room trick with the needle and thread. But that had nothing to do with this... but hands?''

''Could that be... ''

''- Nami: A clock! Clock hands, Kyoko!''

''- Kyoko: Hunh? Clock hands...?''

''- Nami: The hour hand, minute hand, and second hand! Three of them! Each of different lengths!''

''Nami slapped the floor hard with her upraised arm and used the impact to push herself up to a sitting position. She moved quickly over to Kyoko, grabbed the coffee cup from her, drank the contents in a single gulp, and slammed the empty cup down on the table as if trying to break it. ''

''At the first scene, Kyoko took Akazukin Chacha away to point us to Insufficient Relaxation, at the second scene she took the contacts to point us toward the glasses, and here at the third scene, she took away the wrist watch... and turned the victim into a clock!''

''- Kyoko: The victim... into a clock?''

''Kyoko's deep-set eyes stared at Nami with a calmness in stark contrast to her own excitement. ''

- Kyoko: By clock you mean...

''- Nami: The head is the hour hand, the arm is the minute hand, and the leg is the second hand! That’s why the killer took the watch with him, and that’s why he didn’t just take the watch or just cut off the hand, but cut the arm off at the root and had to cut one of the legs off as well otherwise, there wouldn’t be three hands left!''

''All that came out in one breath, and at last Nami felt her feet on the ground again. She took a picture out of her pocket the picture of Backyard Bottomslash’s corpse. On her back, her arms and legs... no arm and leg spread out, the left arm and right leg missing Backyard Bottomslash. ''

''- Nami: Look at this, Kyoko. See? The head is the hour, the arm is the minute, the leg is the second, so this is 12:45 and twenty seconds.''

''- Kyoko: Mmm. When you put it that way... ''

''- Nami: When I put it that way? It’s obviously the message he left behind. And he tossed the leg into the bathroom because it was only the watch he needed to take away, and he wanted to emphasize that!''

"....................."

''Kyoko fell silent, apparently thinking. ''

- Kyoko: Let me see that.

''Kyoko said while taking the picture from Nami's hand. As she watched her pore over it, turning her head at all sorts of strange angles, Nami began to feel like her theory was completely wrong after all. All of this was only useful if it led to a message, and if she said that it was a baseless coincidence it would all fall apart, her deduction had no proof, could never be proven. It had been produced by pure instinct. ''

''The battle decided by instinct, by her instinct she would be victorious, or fail. ''

- Kyoko: Nami.

''- Nami: Yes? What?''

''- Kyoko: Assuming your theory is correct... from this picture, there is no way to be sure that the victim’s clock is pointing at 12:45 and twenty seconds. I mean, look...''

''Kyoko said while holding out the picture. Upside down. ''

''- Kyoko: Hold it like this, and it’s 6:15 and fifty seconds. Or like this...''

''She turned the picture sideways. ''

''- Kyoko: Three o' clock and thirty-five seconds. And if you turn it 180 degrees again, 9:30 and five seconds.''

- Nami: Oh.

''Of course. She was right. The picture was taken with the body vertically, so she had just assumed that the head... the hour hand was pointing directly upward, at twelve o’clock. But if you really looked at the victim as a clock, that was not necessarily the case. It might be, but it might not be. Just change the angle of the picture and there could be infinite possibilities. Or at least 360. The hands might not move, but the numbers could be placed anywhere around them. There was no clue indicating how to place the numbers. ''

''- Kyoko: If the victim represents the three hands, then this square room is presumably the numbers. The victim was lying in the center of the room, after all. And the victim was placed like this, parallel or perpendicular to the walls of the room, so I think we can assume it is one of the four patterns I mentioned- But four patterns is still too many. We need to at least get it down to two, or we can’t really say we’ve solved the killer’s message.''

''- Nami: The room... is the numbers?''

''- Kyoko: Now that I think about it, the first message involved Roman numerals... which are often used on clock faces. But there are no Roman numerals in here. If only there were some hint to tell us which wall goes with which number.. Which wall was which time...? But there was nothing out of the ordinary on any of the walls, nothing that might indicate a number. One wall had a door, and the opposite wall a window. Another had a walk-in closet... or was it directions? The compass again... ''

''- Nami: Do you know which way north is? If north is twelve...''

''- Kyoko: I already thought of that, but there’s no logical reason to assume that north is twelve. This isn’t a map, after all. It might be east, or west, or south.''

''- Nami: Logic... logic... yeah, yeah, we need proof, or at least something reasonable... but how can we tell which wall? There’s nothing...''

''- Kyoko: Indeed. It feels like there’s a wall blocking our path, too tall for us to climb over.''

''- Nami: A wall? Good metaphor. A wall... a wall...''

''A wall? The Wara Ningyo were on the walls. There had been two of them in here. Did that connect? Did the dolls finally have meaning here?''

''Nami half forced herself to decide she couldn’t see anything else that might be a hint, and pushed her thoughts into that channel. ''

''The Wara Ningyo in the first murder of KK. ''

''Wara. ''

''Ningyo. ''

''Straw dolls. Dolls in room of the second victim of KK.''

''And now... Stuffed animals?''

''Stuffed animals... in the frilly room. Too many dolls for a twenty eight-year-old woman like Backyard... The stuffed animals piled against the walls. ''

''- Nami: I got it, Kyoko. The number of stuffed animals... the stuffed animals on each wall. The number of animals is pointing to the time. See? There are twelve of them against the wall with the door. And nine over there… twelve o’clock and nine o’clock. If we view the whole room as a clock, then the door goes on top.''

- Kyoko: No, wait a second, Nami.

Kyoko interrupted in a soft tone.

''- Kyoko: Twelve and nine are certainly true enough, but there are five dolls over here, and only two on the fourth wall. If we use four numbers to indicate a clock face, then they should be twelve, three, six, and nine. Not twelve, two, five, and nine. These numbers don’t fit.” “Of course they do. If we count the Wara Ningyo.''

''Nami looked again at the two holes in the wall. ''

''- Nami: If we add the Wara Ningyo to those two stuffed animals... we get three. And if we add the Wara Ningyo to those five stuffed animals... we get six. This makes it work. The third crime scene itself is a clock. The entire room is a clock.''

''Nami put the photograph of Backyard Bottomslash down on the floor, where she had been lying a moment before, and where Kyoko had been lying before that. Carefully, making sure it was the right angle. ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Nami: 6:15 and fifty seconds. 

Page 7 - From the Depths of Hell
<p style="text-align:center;"> 1 hour later <p style="text-align:center;"> United States <p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Center <p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central <p style="text-align:center;"> Mina's Office

''- Kyouko: With that said, I'm counting with you to assist me. With your resources and intel, you can easily investigate Ike's traces.''

After 1 hour of discussion, Kyouko and Mina finally finished their issues and were about to end that meeting.

''With soft steps, Kyouko slowly walked towards the door and prepared to open it as Mina continued seated. ''

''The director then looked at the window of her office and saw the sun rising on the horizon and closed her eyes. Indeed, they were there all night... or at least until 6:00 A.M.''

''- Mina: I hate to do this but I'll see what I can do. But I'll make you pay for it. My services are not for free.''

''- Kyouko: I'm aware of that. I'll pay what you want... Now if you excuse me.''

Just before she could swing the knob of the door, Mina interrupted her with her words.



''- Mina: How did you convince Nami to join you? She is not only a wise agent of FBI but a detective of the B-Class. Or better, how did you convince her you are "K"? And how did you were not related to "KK"?''

''The B-Class detective is a class below the A-Class detective. Basically, one step below the "Ultimate Detective".''

Kyouko then turned around and looked at the ceiling.

''- Kyouko: I told her a story about my nickname "KK". I debuted as KK many years ago, but to prevent people from discovering my surname, I changed it "K". To fake my historic, I just gave her a story that Ike Raynford, the KK Killer, stole my previous nickname, "KK", and is currently using it to commit crimes.''

For a fraction of seconds, the detective began to remember the moment she first spoke with Nami.

Kyouko's Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Scenes from Page 0 - The Message 

- Kyouko (PC): [This is K].

''- Nami: Ah... Hello there. ''

''Nami started to say, but then realized how pointless that was. Her laptop did not have a microphone installed, and there was no way for him to hear her. Instead, she typed in.''

"' This is Nami Feuer. It’s an honor to speak to you, K." '

If her connection was sound, Kyouko should be able to receive this.

- Kyouko (PC): [Nami, are you familiar with the murder investigation going on in Los Angeles as we speak?]

''Kyouko got right down to business, without acknowledging her words at all. Presumably this was because she had to complete this communication by 9:05, but her manner and attitude rubbed Nami the wrong way like it was a given that she would cooperate with her— which was true, but acting like it showed no respect for her pride. ''

Nami allowed herself to bang on the keyboard rather loudly.

"I am not so skilled that I can keep track of all the murder investigations happening in Los Angeles.” 

''- Kyouko (PC): [Oh? I am].''

''She’d returned her sarcasm with a boast. Kyouko continued.''

''- Kyouko (PC): [I’m referring to the serial killings—-the third victim was found yesterday. I believe there will be more victims to come. HNN news is calling it the Wara Ningyo Murders].''

''Wara Ningyō is a cursed doll that are used extensively as wards against evil. During the Heian period, wara ningyō would be placed along the sides of the roads for protection against plague. It was hoped that the evil spirits which brought disease would nest in the straw bodies instead of living human bodies. Afterwards, the straw dolls would be discarded into a river, which would also purify the evil spirits. Wara ningyō are popular devices in a number of dark rituals. They are combined with something from the recipient of the curse, such as a piece of hair. This transforms the doll into a substitute for the intended target. Long nails are pushed through the wara ningyō, harming the subject as well as the doll. There are specific rules for creating different types of wara ningyō. These detail the materials to be used, the way the dolls are constructed, and the objects to be inserted into them. It can be difficult to find the materials needed to perform curses. The required items are not sold in most stores. However, some websites sell premade curse kits that contain all of the items you might need to perform a specific curse, including a wara ningyō, long nails, a mallet, pre-written curses with blanks for the recipient’s name, and other accessories. Of course, performing such rituals is illegal.''

It took a while to Nami remember that she never heard that title before.

"The Wara Ningyo Murders?"

''She had not heard about it. She was on leave and had been deliberately avoiding that kind of news. Nami had lived in Korea until she graduated high school and was familiar with the term, but hearing it pronounced in English gave it an edge of unfamiliarity. “''

''- Kyouko (PC): [I would like to solve this case. i need to arrest the killer not only for its brutal methods but for using my name to destroy my reputation. But your help in this matter is vital, Nami Feuer].''

Listening to her words, Nami typed quickly.

"Why me?"

''This could be taken to mean either “Why do you need my help?” or “Why should I help you?” but Kyouko took the first meaning without a moment’s hesitation. Sarcasm appeared to be lost on her. ''

- Kyouko (PC): [Naturally, because you are a skilled investigator, Nami Feuer].

Nowadays
''- Kyouko: It was a lie... But it's true that my former nickname was KK, but I didn't put it in the right way. I just changed the original history and put a fake one using the same true facts. Just that.''

''Kyouko felt a little remorse for using Nami as a tool. When she mentioned her as a spacegoat a few minutes ago, she showed no remorse. But now, she is feeling guilty for lying to her about her original name.''

''- Mina: If I recall, you debuted as KK. But even after you changed your name, people still call you as KK... Well, at least half of the people who know you.''

''- Kyouko: That's right. And about Nami, I think it's better this way. It's for the greater good and I don't want to involve her in my past with Ike... And you.''

But she doesn't seem to be afraid of involving her in a murder case.

''- Mina: Do you plan to tell her the truth about your past and Ike? You said that you informed her about his identity, but you intend to give you relationship with him?''

''Ike and Kyouko never interacted with each other but they have a "legacy" relationship; with Ike being her "former" successor. And puting it in that way, you have the idea that Kyouko and Ike are connected by several ties.''

''- Kyouko: Honestly, no. Even if I told her his identity, I don't plan to tell her the experiments the Hammy's House do to orphan children and the true darkness of GDP. ''

''- Mina: American propaganda, huh? We are ALWAYS the good guys, right?''

''American propaganda... the words to describe that EUA are always the good guys. Normal.''

''- Kyouko: As a detective, I hate to say this but you're right. We are connected to a powerful military group that keep peace on the world, and it's our duty to antagonize our enemies, even if our ways are inhuman. ''

''Basically, she is saying she will keep the crimes of GDP and Hammy's House on the darkness to keep people who are not related to the GDP's secret project from knowing the truth. If you give this story to a conspirator on Internet, imagine what those lunatics groups will do? Throw the society into chaos.''

''Without saying any last words, the detective opened the door and left the office. She made her way to the bottom floor without the guide of Ginoza and Sonya, whom were waiting for her to leave for almost 1 hour.''

''- Ginoza: They are finally done... but what happened inside? I swear I heard their voices becoming louder at some moments. Do you think they were fighting?''

- Sonya: Who knows.

Ginoza then felt Sonya slapping his back with all her strength.

[SLAP]

''- Ginoza: OUCH! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?''

''- Sonya: You know why. You're a transferred officer of Global Pact Defense to STAR LABS to work here as a hacker. Do you think you have time to stand here and do nothing but hear the private conversation of our director and the legendary Ultimate Detective K?''

''Sonya said all of that in a sarcastic tone... but her sarcasm was more a joking mode. And even if that was suppose to be hilarious, she was right. Ginoza's job was only attend Kyouko. But instead, he was beside Sonya for almost 1 hour without doing nothing.''

''- Ginoza: Ok, ok. I'm sorry. Then I'll take my leave.''

Without putting much effort in his words, the young man began to walk down the hallway to return to his post while Sonya entered in Mina's office.

- Sonya: Director?

Entering in the office, Sonya saw the director of STAR LABS playing with a pen in her hands.

''- Mina: Oh, Sonya. And I wondering where you could have been. Could it be you were listening to our conversation behind that door?''

- Sonya: I would never...

''Sonya averts her gaze away from Mina and her words keep echoing inside her mind, then she bites her inner teeth and closes her eyes. Mina is a person who values her privation, and people who spy on her are fated to win her fury.''

''- Mina: You don't need to react like that. It's not like I'm going to bite your face off. So. Which part of our conversation you heard?''

Sonya took a long time to answer and put her hand in her chin.

''- Sonya: If I have to say... everything?''

Mina then sighed.

''- Mina: As expected from your ear. Always listening to other people's conversation. I would hate to have you as my neighbor.''

''- Sonya: Then. What are you going to do? Do we really need to accept her request to find who accessed the site of Hope's Peak Academy on the last 20 years? That's just insane, even for us.''

With a smug face, Mina stood up from her chair and grabbed Sonya's shoulders.

''- Mina: That's right. This is hard even for us, but that doesn't mean I'll be the one dealing with this problem, right? After all, this is your job!''

Literally, she is saying that she is too lazy to investigate the Hope's Peak Academy system and is asking/ordering Sonya to do the dirty job.

- Sonya: Obviously, I'm the one who always do your duty, director.

''It may not seem but Mina is quite lazy... oh, she is back. Giving the narration to Mina... again...''

"............".

''I'm what? Nevermind, let's continue.''

''- Mina: Sonya, I also have another job for you... one that is not investigating the Hope's Peak Academy using our messed up "illegal system".''

''With a mischevious grin, I released her shoulders and put my hands in my hips... (sounds so weird speaking in 3rd person on myself).''

- Sonya: What is it?

''- Mina: Honestly, this is just a prank but I think this will be useful on the future. Let's give Ike a gift. How about we expose the identity of Kyouko to the Japanese society?''

There is even a reason behind that?

''- Sonya: I don't have problems considering I don't like her. But why? Also, why the Japanese society?''

After that, she nods as if understanding something.

''- Mina: Did you heard about the "payment" part we talked about. In exchange of investigating the Hope's Peak Academy, I asked for a payment for our services. Well, this is our payment: the total erradication of K and giving our friend Kyouko Kirigiri a new detective life as "Kyouko Kirigiri". ''

''Basically, I'm saying I will leak Kyouko's identity to the world. This is the payment I was talking about with Kyouko... but obviously I never mentioned it to the former.''

''- Sonya: Ah... This is the payment. I think I get the part of the "prank" and "payment". But for what reason?''

''- Mina: And about the thing of Japanese society... it's because her next case is going to be in a city called Tenguu City, Japan. She is going to take participation on Jack the Ripper's Case in person. ''

''- Sonya: But the reason? I'm sure it's not just a prank like you said. ''

''Indeed... I'm a mischevious person but above all I'll never acts without a good reason for it. Just spreading Kyouko's identity for the lulz is just bad.''

''- Mina: That's right... You see--it's not a prank. It's more like a friendly's gift. But how exactly this is a gift? Oh well... Kyouko is a person who shut herself between 4 walls. She anti-social and awkward with people. So let's give her a social life by forcing her to leave her nest and go see the outside world... by dearly exposing her identity to force her way out of the "K" identity.''

''Yes... I consider Kyouko more like an anti-social nerd without friends and social life.''

- Sonya: You know she is going to kill you, right?

''I... in my fair judgment as a "friend", already had a backup plan.''

''- Mina: We can say that Ike somehow entered in the GDP's datafile and lacked her identity to the world. Or better, we can we were hacked.''

''Sonya scratched her head and smiled maliciously... deep inside, she knew Mina was trying to hurt Kyouko somehow. But why? Because she asked a impossible mission to STAR LABS? ''

Not really...

I never liked Kyouko from the beginning...

''- Sonya: I get your point... so it's time for K to die.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Mina: Yes... it's time for the new detective, Kyouko Kirigiri, make her debut.'

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States

<p style="text-align:center;"> Detroit

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hammy's House

<p style="text-align:center;"> ???

''Several years had passed since Kyouko and I left the Hammy's House, Detroit. And as the years passed, the Orphanage had no longer the building of a "friendly" orphan house but a giant building with a very complex architecture. ''

''Actually, it was no longer an orphanage but a private military center of 2 kilometers of height. Well... we are in 2035.''

''Inside of the building, sounds of explosions and shots could be heard. Those sounds were coming from just one place; the Training Chamber.''

".......!!!!!"



''The scene changes to the Training Chamber inside of the building. The training chamber is a large area with different scenarios of battle. On the four sides of the chamber, you can see 4 towers heavily armed while giant gate can be seen on the other side of the area.''

''Licking his lips, a young boy tasted sweat. On the middle of that area, there were several boys, young boys around 9 and 10-years old, carrying guns in their hands and shooting at an unknown enemy on the other side of the chamber...''

''A normal person can easily identify what is happening here. It's not painball or airsoft. No. This is too serious and dangerous even for a military training of USA. This is a combat training for children.''



''On the middle of that battle, there was a young boy with dark skin and silver hair who was being the most notable child of that group. ''

''A group of 20 children fighting like adults. ''

''No matter the point of view, that was militarization of children... And it was the GDP conduncting it since it's inside of Hammy's House, a secret military facility to create talented children to GDP and United States of America. This is a war crime.''

"............" 

- Boy: Eliminate.

''The boy with a dead expression, said to himself as he aimed his rifle at the enemy in front of him. Apparently, their enemies are not humans but robots. Robots made for training and are not armed with real guns.''

[BANG]

[BANG]

[BANG]



''The boy shoot several times at the robot of combat in front of him and exploded its head with very precise shoots. The boy then continued his way to the other side, shooting down all robots on his left and right side as his comrades, the other children, were falling one by one as the artificial bullets pierced their chest.''

After shooting down two robots in a sloopy position, the boy found cover behind of a wall and swallowed his saliva, as though trying to regulate his breathing, tightly held the handle of the high efficiency battle rifle in his hand.

- Boy: Just a little more.

- (??? communicator): Uwaaaaaaaa!?

- Boy: Tch.

''In response to the cry that came from the communicator in his ear, the boy softly let out a sigh. A familiar sound. That was one of the boys tho was fighting alongside that silver-haired boy, a member of his squad. He then looked at his side and saw a young boy charging at a robot with his bare hands... Apparently, his ammunition was over and was not planning to finish off his enemy with his own fists.''

''Meanwhile, a person who was watching the match from the central room above the arena, watched that in extreme joy... and that person was...''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Sonia Phoenix: Every mistake is certain death, young ones. And death is our failure. ''

''Yes, the woman overseeing their training is none other than Sonia Phoenix, the rival of Kyouko Kirigiri, as well as her "dark" counterpart. If Kyouko is cold-hearted, then Sonia is a person without heart.''

''- Sonia (speaker): [There are only two left now! Who will be the one to finish this test and pass to the next rank of cadets?!]''

Sonia's vocie echoed in the chamber like the voice of a lunatic tyrant as the silver-haired boy pulled a pistol out of his belt and immediately shot at the head of the robot his comrade was trying to kill with his own fists.

- Boy 2: !!!!!



Seeing that robot was killed in a blink of an eye the boy looked at the silver-haired boy and nodded his head quickly.

- Boy 2: Thank y--!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Before the boy even finishing thanking his comrade, a combat robot appeared out of nowhere and shot the boy in the chest, knocking him up. Seeing that, the silver-haired boy sharpened his eyes and quickly took cover.''

''Now, those kids were not dead. The combat droids of Hammy's House were not using actual bullets and lasers but artificial bullets and stunnings guns. They are not letal to any living being.''

- Boy: Tsk!

''With quick reflexes, the silver haired boy quickly left behind the wall and started to run from the bullets of the robot. And with an amazing move, the boy jump on the midair and threw a combat knife at the head of the robot.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''The sound of the iron being pierced by the knife echoed in the chamber. The boy then walked towards the robot and remove the combat knife from its head.''

- Boy: Boring.

''Suddenly, the chamber fell into darkness and revealed a shining heavy door of metal at the end of the chamber. It was a very armored door that could resist explosions.''

''- Sonia (speaker): [Congratulations, boy! You survived all tests and made this far! You have my approval! But now it's time for your final test!]''

''The door then slowly opened and revealed a group of many human figures inside. The darkness was covering their faces but it seemed to be many; around 8 or 9 people.''

But when the door was fully opened and the darkness gone, the silver-haired boy gasped and widened his eyes.

- Boy: WHA--!

".......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



''Yes... that was his final test. Inside of the room, there were 9 children holding rifles, shotguns and pistols. They were al dirty and skinny, like if they were mistreated for days without food and water. Yet, deep in their eyes, the silver-haired boy could see the wrath. ''

''Those kids were also children like that silver-haired boy, they were guinea pigs of Hammy's House and experienced the same tests that boy witnessed. And just like the silver-haired boy, that was their final test.''

''- Sonia (speaker): [This is your final test! Kill the children you once served alongside! If you manage to kill them, you are now free from the bonds that held up down!]''

One of the kids then pointed a pistol at the boy and hesitated for a second before shooting first.

- Child 1: T-This will end everything!

The hands of that child started to tremble, but then he shot...

[BANG]

''He was shaking with fear... and because of that he missed the shot very badly. The other children were also about to do the same.''

- Boy: This is...

"....................."

''Sonia stared at that boy from above and started to become bored since he was doing nothing... Apparently, that test was too much for him. Shooting robots is a thing but killing children who were once your friends was another thing. If you're sane, this is something you can never do.''

''- Sonia (speaker): [What are you waiting for? Finish them already. They have just 5 bullets in their weapons].''

''- Boy: But this is... I can't!''

''For the first time in his tests, the silver-haired boy showed another expression; despair. He couldn't kill those children because they were like him, pitful souls who grew up without love or a family. They were there, in the Hammy's House, their entire life.''

''Sonia then closed her eyes and turned on the lights of the chamber like it was before, revealing the bodies of robots and other children around the area. Using Magi-Tech, Sonia teleported herself at the place where the boy was standing.''

''- Sonia: What did you say? You can't do it? After coming this far?''

''Suddenly, two guards of the chamber appeared beside Sonia. They were wearing military uniforms and black glasses.''

''- Sonia: I'll order you again. Kill them. ''

''The boy turned around and showed fear... that feeling took out all bravery he had inside of him a few seconds ago. ''

''Without reaction, one of the guards punched the boy with all his strength. The impact caused him to fall to the floor and then was kicked multiple times by the guards while Sonia and the other children watched.''

''The children were no scared at all... they seemed to be used to see violence everyday.''

- Boy: Arh!

''After 1 minute of physical abuse, the guards stopped and then Sonia kicked his head, making his body fly 1 meter away from where he was. That woman was brute and had the strength of a tiger.''

''Suddenly, a officer appeared behind Sonia with some documents in his hand. The boy then opened his eyes after receiving that blow.''

''- Officer: Ma'am, there is someone trying to contact you in the communication room. He or she is already waiting for you.''

''Sonia then spit on the boy as she left without saying a word. The officer left together with her.''

''- Guard: Return to your posts! The test is over!''

One of the guards pointed at the children, ordering them to retun to their rooms while the silver-haired boy was dragged by one of the guards.

<p style="text-align:center;">' 3 minutes later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Dark Room '

''It took a while for Sonya to arrive at the Communication Room, also known as the Dark Room. But why they gave it such sinister name?  Dark Room?''

''Well, the reason is simply. The Dark Room can only be accessed by the high-commanders and directors of Hammy's House. Of course high-directors of GDP can also access it but with many restrictions. And such mystery always bring up theories about what happens inside of it.''

''It's said that people who are not allowed to enter sneak into the room are never seen again. Execution? Maybe.''

''Anyway, no one was allowed to enter in that room. Except for Sonia and the current director of the house.''

With a stoic expression, Sonia entered the room before looking back to see if someone was behind her to make sure no one is going to see what is going to happen next.

- Sonia: I'm here.

''Deep inside of the darkness, a green aura could be noticed. It was a shining green color with some kind of blackness inside of it. Anyway, that thing was not technology. No--it was a living being, or something close to it.''

It was...

''- (???): [You're late. I came all way here from Los Angeles to Detroit while you took longer just to come from the training chamber to this room. Don't you think you're getting fat, Sonia?]''

''That voice echoed in the room like a demonic echo. That was normal, after all, the being there is the Fallen's Essence, the demonic entity trying to throw the world into a new world war.''

- Sonia: This is now how you should talk with a woman, Milord.

''Sonia bowed before the Fallen as he teleported in front of her. Sonia was tall for a regular woman but that creature was almost 2 meters higher than her.''

''- The Fallen: [Indeed... but I must remember you that humans are equal to me. No matter your race, gender and age].''

The Fallen was obviously joking about her being fat but that woman is not sarcastic or funny, she is 100% serious and does not like to play in service.

- Sonia: You're right, sorry for talking back.

''- The Fallen: [Don't mind it. We have work to do. But first, let me congratulate you for your good work in the Hammy's House and Global Pact Defense's council... You did well].''

''Not a very nice congratulation but it's already rare for the Fallen's Essence to say such words. ''

''Yes... Sonia is a person who is also serving the Fallen's Essence in his conspiracy. Like Lusamine and Kanon Rihavein, she is just one of the hundreds of powerful humans serving his needs in exchange of something like: immortality, intelligence, eternal pleasure, fame, beauty, money and even god-like powers... everything that humans want the most in their lives. ''

''Like those people, Sonia is serving the Fallen's Essence under the promise that he will make her the most intelligent being on the universe. Someone with omniscience, someone who knows everything about the existence of the time and space itself.''

''And what's her job serving him? Lusamine is a scientist preparing the stage of the war, Kanon is preparing her own kindgom to war... What about her?''

''- Sonia: Thank you, Milord. I'll keep doing this for as long as I can.''

She then rose her head as the Fallen opened his arms gently.

"................."

''- The Fallen: [Yes... your job turning the children of the Hammy's House into secret assassins of the New World Order. Those kids will be the future of the new world. They will be politicians, agents and leaders who will change the shape of this planet after the world war is done. And your training is the best I have ever saw].''

''- Sonia: Thods kids will look at the sky and will desire to have it. Unlike the generation of other kids who simply admired the sky, our children will take it by force. Thanks, Milord. ''

The Fallen rose his finger to his mouth and smiled.

''- The Fallen: [Indeed... My children. Those kids will live and die for me... but more importantly, Sonia, I'm giving your new orders].''

Sonia had already orders to rise those kids as child soldiers and evil genius so it's almost impossible for her to receive new orders.

- Sonia: But I already have your orders to fulfill.

- The Fallen: [Well, make sure to let someone else to supervise the Hammy's House because I'm giving you orders to KILL any politician and members of political parties].

''- Sonia: The reason? Killing politicians from the United States of America is a grave crime.''

''Killing politicians of EUA without getting caught? You must be a god-like person.''

''- The Fallen: [The Third World War is about to begin. But before its beginning, I need to get rid of all opposition in the "protagonistic" nations of this war. EUA is one of them. I'm already preparing my pawns to do the same in other countries].''

- Sonia: But this is even possib--!

Before Sonia could finish, the Fallen's Essence interrupted her with a loud voice.

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- The Fallen: [ARE YOU NOT A ULTIMATE DETECTIVE?! THEN THINK IT BY YOURSELF!]'

''True, a Ultimate Detective means you're intelligent than entire agencies of the government. And her job is to kill politicians who are against the war and make it sound like it was the work of a terrorist or criminal organization.'' ''- Sonia: You're right, Milord. Forgive my rudeness... I shall make your desires come true.''

Page 8 - Justice
<p style="text-align:center;">' On the next day... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles Police Department 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Second Commissioner's Office 



''- (???): I'm telling you, Commissioner, I have no idea how those puzzles works. The KK Killer is way above our intelligence.''

''On the office of the LAPD, various reports and instructions were being conveyed on the office about the town's security. There were hundreds of assistants and trainees reporting, typing in computers and attending calls.''

- (???): Is that so?

While listening to the countless voices and communications signals through his ears, the commissioner of police of LAPD, Frank Djeeta narrowed his rusty eyes as he showed a paper to one of his detectives.

''That man, Frank Djeeta, is the second-in-command of LAPD in that town, being a direct subordinate of Teru Mikami. And the woman who was speaking with him is one of his detectives who also works as his secretary.''



''- Detective: Just let it with K, Commissioner. It was just as he said, this is case that LAPD should not interfere.''

''- Frank: But... letting an arrogant detective like K take over our case is a bit...''

''Yes, Kyouko is known among the police of all states as an arrogant detective who takes profit from the police's cases. Even so, they don't do nothing to solve the case that is pratically impossible for them.''

''- Detective: Commissioner, this is too rude. That's true K may be arrogant but we are no better than them. If that was the case, we could have solved the KK Murder Case in a matter of days. This criminal is not like a random thug we get around the streets. KK Killer is just...'' - Frank: ...too good to be caught by us, right?

''- Detective: Hmm... That is the word.''

Suddenly, as they were talking, a young boy approached the desk of the detective with a big youthful smile in his face.

- (???): Excuse me!

''That boy was a short young man with brown eyes and short spiky orange hair, held to the side by four teal barrettes. His outfit consists of mostly black: a black jacket with rolled-up sleeves, a black shirt beneath, a red tie and black pants with two white belts. When in the field, he wears a blue windbreaker over Khis jacket.''

''Yes, he had a badge of GDP in his chest, meaning that like Nobuchika Ginoza who is also from GDP but is working to STAR LABS, that boy is also a transferred trainee who is temporarly working to LAPD. ''

The name of that boy is Shusei Kagari.

''- Frank: Shusei? What brings you today? I'm too busy to hear your jokes.'' ''Kagari is the jokester of the department and teases people on a regular basis. He enjoys portable video games and spends most of his free time playing them. He is easygoing and takes things in stride. On the job, however, he is more serious but, even then, he still maintains an air of carefree recklessness.''

''- Shusei: Relax! I'm not here to talk about your mom. ''

Jokes about mom is not even a thing nowadays so whatever.

- Frank: What do you want, Shusei?

He may have a good appearance and a playful personallity but at times people get tired of his antics and jokes.

''Then, Frank made a short retort to Shusei. Afterwards, Frank replied back with a light breath.''

- Frank: It's about the two detectives of GDP sent by LAPD to investigate the two mysterious private detectives who are investigating the crime scenes of KK Murder Case.

''2 mysterious privates detective, he is obviously talking about Nami and Kyoko. And two detectives of GDP/FBI sent by LAPD? He is talking about Tom Richard and Ellen Cover.''

''- Shusei: This morning, exactly at 08:00 A.M., two civilians who lived near Street 349, found two dead bodies in state of decomposition in an alley between the US Bank and a shopping... Those bodies were found torn apart and had their limbs cut off each 5 centimeters. The state of the bodies are completely unrecognizable due to the high population of rats in the area.''



That was something horrible to imagine but when you work to the police for years, you literally loses those "human qualities".

''- Frank: Bodies in decomposition? Did you recognized the identity of the corpses?''

- Shusei: Indeed, they are unrecognizable but DNA exams prove the victims are the two detectives sent by the boss Teru Mikami to investigate the suppose mysterious detectives.

"..........!!!!!!"

''- Detective: WHAT?! TWO DETEC--!''

Before she could say that louder, she remembered she was in a public space.



''- Frank: Two detectives murdered? That's impossible! The detectives of FBI receive Magi-Tech training from the Magicians Squad of VSA! How can two of them be murdered! Shusei! Where are the bodies now?''​​​​​​

''The murder cases of direct officers of FBI and GDP are kept in secret from the public for obvious reasons. The GDP are protectors of peace and have a good image around the world, having their image be corrupted by the murder of one of their subordinates is unacceptable.''

- Shusei: Here.

Like a cold-hearted person, showed the photos of the bodies with the same youthful smile he had at the moment he arrived.

- Frank: T-This is...

''- Shusei: We also recognized their identity inside of Global Pact Defense and FBI... Their names are...''



<p style="text-align:center;">' - Shusei: Tom Richard and Ellen Cover. '

<p style="text-align:center;"> 3 days later...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles

<p style="text-align:center;"> August 22nd

<p style="text-align:center;"> Apartament

<p style="text-align:center;"> 08:50 A.M.

''And at last, August 22nd. ''

''The day the man behind the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases was to be arrested... but we can say that because we have history to tell us, and like all historical events, when it was happening in real time, none of those involved knew that, and the way events unfolded was hardly smooth sailing. In fact, Nami’s day started with any number of inconsistencies and anxieties. ''

''6:15 and fifty seconds. ''

''They had managed to read that as the message left behind by the killer at the third crime scene, but was that 6:15 in the morning? Or in the evening? After they had solved the clock puzzle, Nami had searched the scene all night looking for anything that said ''

- Nami: a.m. or p.m.

''She found nothing. ''

''- Kyoko: If we’ve looked this hard and found nothing, then maybe it doesn’t really matter. He made the victim look like an analog clock rather than a digital one, so trying to find something to indicate a.m. or p.m. might be a waste of time.” ''

- Nami: Yeah.

''Nami nodded. Regardless of whether this was true or not, they had to assume it was. She began to decipher the message both as 6:15:50 and 18:15:50. The first scene had pointed them to Quarter Queen, and the second scene to Glass Station, so what was the third scene pointing toward? Nami and Kyoko both turned their energies toward this problem, but it was Kyoko who first came up with something. ''

061550.

''The construction approval number for a condominium. In Pasadena, in the valley, a massive complex. The sizes ranged from two bed room to four bedroom, with over two hundred condos in all. And a woman named Blackberry Brown lived in condo number 1313. Her initials were B.B., and her condo number was too. ''

- Nami: It must be her.

''All condo approval numbers began with zero, so there was no 181550. She had been worried about the am/p.m. thing, but now that they’d found the answer, she could relax. As Kyoko had said, with an analog clock it really didn’t matter. Nami was greatly relieved, but Kyoko herself did not look very cheerful. Not that she ever did, but even so, she seemed particularly down. ''

''- Nami: Something wrong, Kyoko? We’ve finally figured out what the killer’s going to do, and can get ahead of him! We can lay a trap for him. Prevent the fourth murder, and if we’re lucky, catch the killer as well. Nah—no luck about it. We will catch him, and catch him alive.''

''- Kyoko: Nami. The thing is, there was another candidate in the condo. Another B.B. A man named Blues-harp Babysplit, who lives alone in room 404.''

- Nami: Oh...

''Two people with the target initials. In a massive complex of two hundred condos, not everyone lived alone there were any number of people with families. Even if you downplayed that number there were easily four or five hundred people... and simple arithmetic suggested that one out of 676 people had the initials B.B. It was not particularly surprising that there were two of them in the complex. It was statistically reasonable. ''

''- Nami: But, no matter how you look at it, room 1313 is our target. Thirteen is a code for B, Kyoko. And 1313 is B.B. The fourth murder... judging from the number of dolls, the final murder... what better location could the killer ask for?''

''- Kyoko: I suppose... I’m sure of it. I mean, 404?''

''Certainly, four was one plus three, which was B, but faced with a choice between 1313 and 404 the killer would undoubtedly choose the former. No matter who the killer was, Nami was sure he would choose the former. But Kyoko apparently wasn’t. ''

''- Nami: Kyoko, do you know how rare it is for there to even be a thirteenth floor or a thirteenth room in America? They usually skip that number. I’m sure the killer would want to take advantage of that... in fact, he probably chose this building specifically because it did have a thirteenth floor.''

Kyoko crossed her arms gently.

''- Kyoko: But remember, the number of days between the murders. The crossword puzzle reached the police station on July 22nd, the first murder happened nine days later on July 31st, the second murder four days later on August 4th, and the third murder nine days later on August 13th, and if the fourth murder is to happen on August 22nd, that will be nine days again. Nine days, four days, nine days, nine days. But why was it nine four-nine-nine and not nine- four-nine-four? Even though nine plus four is thirteen.''

- Nami: Well...

''It was Nami who had first pointed out that nine and four were thirteen. But since nothing had happened on August 17th, she had assumed it was just a coincidence. She hadn’t been able to find a connection between seventeen and B, and it just hadn’t seemed like that big of a problem. Nami had no idea why Kyoko was bringing it up now. ''

''- Kyoko: We have a four. But three nines… it’s so unbalanced.''

''- Nami: Yeah, but... alternating was…''

''- Kyoko: Not alternating. Four and nine should be viewed as a set, and the numbers as a series of thirteens. But that hasn’t happened... this doesn’t strike you as odd?''

Nami let out a sigh before continuing.

- Nami: But room number 404 gives us three fours and three nines.

- Kyoko: Oh...

''- Nami: Was that what KK Killer meant? ''

''- Kyoko: If it had been any room number other than 404, I would have agreed one hundred percent, no, two hundred percent that the fourth victim would be Blackberry Brown in room 1313, but since yet another B.B., Blues harp Babysplit, lives in a room with two fours in the number... I can’t ignore that.''

''- Nami: Yeah... I agree.''

''When she explained it like that, Nami was starting to think that room 404 was actually more likely. After all, she had been a little bothered by the gaps between the murders. Was it really okay to dismiss them as coincidence? Nothing had happened on the 17th, but that was after the fact. It had never really locked into place. But if the final murder were in room 404, it would take care of that a lot better than room 1313. ''

''Nami clicked her tongue. ''

''They hadn’t been able to decide if the dock was a.m. or p.m., and now that they’d found a good candidate for the final murder scene, there were two potential victims… all this work, and the final piece refused to fall into place. It bothered her. She was sure they’d read the message correctly, but still doubts remained. There was every chance this would lead to some decisive mistake... ''

''- Kyoko: Oh, well. We’ll just have to split up. Fortunately, Nami, we have each other.''

''They might be working together, but nothing further. But this was not the time to point that out. ''

''- Kyoko: One of us should wait at each of the scenes. You take room 1313, Nami, and I’ll take room 404. After all, Blackberry Brown is a woman, while Blues harp Babysplit is a man. Seems like a natural arrangement.''

- Nami: And do what, exactly?

''- Kyoko: Just as you said, Nami. Lie in wait. Today or tomorrow, we should speak to Blackberry Brown and Blues-harp Babysplit, and get them to cooperate with our investigation. Obviously, we can’t tell them they’re being targeted by a serial killer. If they know too much the media might find out about what’s happening and blow the whole thing.''

- Nami: But they have a right to know?

''- Kyoko: And a right to live, which is more important. We will pay an appropriate fee, and borrow the room for the day. ''

- Nami: Pay?

''- Kyoko: Yes. The simplest means. Fortunately, my patrons are providing me with expense funds deep enough to cover the charges. If we solve the crime, they will be only too happy to pay. If this were an ordinary murder, this would never work, but these victims were only being targeted because of their initials, and there is no real reason for them to die. Their murders only have meaning if they are killed in their own room, whether that be 1313 or 404. So if we pretend to be them, and wait in their rooms, we should be able to meet the killer. Obviously just in case, we should have Blackberry Brown and Blues-harp Babysplit stay in a safe place all day on the 22nd... put them up in a luxury suite at a four-star hotel, for example. ''

''- Nami: And then we... I see. ''

''Nami put her hand to her mouth, thinking. Buying the potential victims’ cooperation sounded fine... she didn’t know who the patron was backing Kyoko, but she should be able to get that kind of funding herself if she asked K. Kyoko would become Blues-harp Babysplit, and she would become Blackberry Brown... ''

- Nami: And we shouldn’t call for police backup, right?

Kyoko shook her head several times.

''- Kyoko: Yes. We might be able to protect the victim’s life, but the scale of the operation would be too large. The killer would be more likely to escape. And our deductions are not enough evidence to make the police take action, anyway. Our reading of the killer’s message is accurate at a ninety-nine percent chance, but however good it sounds, we have no proof. If they tell us it’s all rootless speculation, we’d be done for. Rootless. With nothing to support it.''

''She was pretty sure there was a different word for that. But Kyoko had a point. If Nami asked her boyfriend in the GDP, Adam Jensen... no, she couldn’t do that. Nami was suspended and she’d told Kyoko she was a detective. Her actions of the past week could get her in hot water if the agency found out. Even if she was really working for K she couldn’t exactly admit that in public... ''

- Nami: The killer is presumably working alone, but when it comes time to arrest him there will be a struggle.

Kyoko then stared at Nami with her empty and deep eyes.

- Kyoko: 'Don’t worry. I can take him one on one. I may not look it, but am quite strong. And you’re trained in Capoeira, right?'

''When Kyouko said that, Nami felt like if she let something important slip... something she missed in Kyoko's words.''

- Nami: Yeah, but...

"..............."

- Kyoko: Nami, can you use a gun?

''- Nami: Eh? No, I ca... can, but I don’t have one.''

''- Kyoko: Then I shall prepare one. You should be armed. So far this was merely a detective war with the killer, but from here on our lives are on the line. You should be ready for anything, Nami.''

''Kyoko finished while biting herthumbnail. ''

1 day ago
<p style="text-align:center;"> West L.A. Hotel 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Nami's Room 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 11:23 PM 

''And so... With any number of inconsistencies and anxieties, Nami Feuer spent the night in a hotel in West L.A. She was speaking with K through her cellphone while lying on the bed. Obviously, Kyouko's voice was disguised with a deep male tone like always.''

''She called K from her hotel room and asked her for financial backing, and to check up on all the evidence they had uncovered. She wondered if K would suggest that lying in wait was too dangerous, and they should make the safety of the potential victims their first priority, wondered if she would oppose the strategy Kyoko had suggested, (part of her had hoped she would), but K seemed to be quite in favor of it. ''

''Nami asked her two or three times if she could really trust Kyoko, but K said again that there was no harm in letting her proceed. But of course, by the 22nd, everything would be resolved... ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Please, Nami Feuer. Whatever you do, please catch the killer. Whatever you do. Whatever].''

- Nami: Understood.

''- Kyouko (phone): [Thank you. However, Nami, while it is true that we are unable to ask for help publicly from the police, I can supply some private backup. I plan to station a few individuals working directly for me in the area around the condominiums. They do not need any solid proof to activate, Of course, they will keep their distance, but...''

- Nami: Okay, sounds good.

Nowadays
''When her conversation with K was finished it was past midnight, it was already August 21st. She would have to spend the entirety of the 22nd in Pasadena, which meant she had to arrive early on the evening of the 21st. With all that in mind, she knew it would be a struggle, but she climbed into the hotel bed, hoping to get a good night’s sleep. ''

As Kyoko entered the building, Nami jumped a little when something popped out in her head.

".........!!!!"

''- Nami (think): *Wait. Now... when did I tell Kyoko about the Capoeira?*''

This is the something she missed when Kyoko mentioned that she was trained in capoeira.

''She didn’t know. ''

''And there was one other thing she didn’t know. ''

''Something she didn’t even know she didn’t know. ''

''Something that she was never to know. ''

''No matter what she did, she had no way of knowing. ''

''That this killer, KK Killer, could tell someone’s name and time of death just by looking at their face, that he had been born with the eyes of demons, she had no way of knowing that fake names were useless with him, completely and utterly pointless. How could she have known?''

''Even KK Killer himself could not explain how he had been born with the eyes of demons, how he could use them with no payment, with no arrangement. Neither Nami nor K knew why, and, obviously, neither do I, Mina Harker. The closest thing to an explaination I can offer is that there are demon stupid enough to drop their limbs in our world, so there might well be demon stupid enough to drop their eyes. ''

''Either way, it was completely absurd to expect humans who had no idea demons even existed to be on the lookout for their eyes. Even so, even with that in mind, she might have guessed. After, B looks like thirteen, and thirteen is the number of the tarot card named Death... And so. With any number of inconsistencies and anxieties, and one significant failure... the story’s climax arrives. ''

''Case study. ''

''I had originally intended to keep the reasons for Nami Feuer leave of absence (which was effectively a suspension from duty) out of these notes, had planned to remain vague about all the details. If I could, I absolutely would stick to that plan. I mean it. Like I said before, Nami was the single greatest victim of the fallout from Hammy’s House, and intruding on her private... or at least personal issues is something I am very reluctant to do. Which is why I have casually avoided any specific mention of it so far. However, since I now find myself attempting to describe the look in Nami Feuer’s eyes as she grasped the gun Kyoko had given her in both hands (It was a Strayer-Voigt Infinity model), I can no longer skirt the issue. I can’t just fast forward to the next scene without explaining the reasons behind that look.''

Nami's Failure
''Do you guys remember that Nami committed a "mistake" that caused her to be kicked out of FBI for quite sometime? Yes. This is her story.''

''That said, it’s not a terribly complicated story. Putting it as simply as possible, the team she worked with had spent months secretly investigating and infiltrating a drug cartel, and she had blown the whole operation, because at a critical juncture, she had been unable to pull the trigger. While she did not customarily carry a gun with her, it was different on duty, nor did she have any intention of making pathetic excuses about not being able to shoot another human being. ''

''Nami Feuer was a trained FBI agent. ''

''She did not imagine her hands were clean, or that she was above such things. But she had not been able to pull the trigger. Her gun had been aimed at a child of only fifthteen years... which didn’t in any way excuse it. Fifthteen or not, he was a dangerous criminal who was known for being a rapist himself. But Nami had let him get away, and the secret investigation that many of her fellow agents had poured countless hours and an unbelievable amount of work into ended with nothing to show for it. ''

''Everything was finished. ''

''They had arrested no one, and while no one had died, there had been some agents injured so severely they might never be able to return to active duty, horrific results, considering the efforts squandered. ''

''Despite her own weak position within the organization, the fact that she had only been forced to take a leave of absence was rather lenient. Nami honestly did not know why she had been unable to pull the trigger. Perhaps she did not possess the proper self awareness... the proper resolve that an FBI agent should have. ''

''Her boyfriend, Adam Jensen, had said: "I guess you couldn’t live up to your nickname, Nami Massacre", somewhere between sarcasm and trying to cheer her up, but since she didn’t understand it herself she hadn’t protested. ''

''But Nami remembered. ''

''The moment she’d pointed the gun at him... The eyes that rapist had turned toward her. Like he was staring at something he couldn’t believe, like the grim reaper had just appeared before him. Like it was absurd. He could kill other people, but he had never imagined that he might be killed himself. But he should have known, he should have been ready to die the moment he first took a life. As any criminal would. As any FBI agent would. That threat hung over them all. She was part of the system. That child who was kidnapped by that criminal was part of the system too. Perhaps that had weakened their resolve. Perhaps that had numbed them to the threat. Perhaps their fears had rusted over. ''

''But so what? ''

'That rapist. That criminal who kidnapped and raped the mexican girl, Fernanda Guimaraes, was only a 15-years old boy. The reason why she couldn't shoot is because he was a child.'

''Given that criminal's upbringing, he not only had no chance to reform, he never had a prayer of living right to begin with. What had Nami expected from someone like that? How cruel was it of her to have expected anything? She knew as well as anyone that that rapist was living the only way he could by selling drugs in the cartel. He had always been doomed. But did that mean he had to accept his fate? ''

''Was there only one way to live, one way to die? ''

''Was human life... was human death all controlled by some unseen hand? ''

''Obviously, she harbored some resentment toward those who had used this failure as an excuse to expel her, but when she thought about the difference between the thirteen-year-old she had failed to shoot and the second victim in the Los Angeles KK murders, Quarter Queen, she began to feel like the whole affair was ridiculous. ''

''Nami did not have a strong sense of justice. ''

''She did not believe herself to be ethically or morally superior. ''

''She did not approach work with any kind of philosophy. ''

''She was where she was because her entire life had been like walking through a town she didn’t know, if she lived her life over again, she was sure she’d end up somewhere completely different. If someone asked her why she was working for the FBI, she would have been able to answer. ''

''She was good at it, but that came from her abilities. Not her thoughts. ''

Nowadays
<p style="text-align:center;">' 10 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Condominium 1313 

- Nami: What if the killer is a child?

''Nami murmured, despondently. ''

''- Nami: fifthteen... only fifthteen...''

''And she put the gun down beside herself, making sure the safety was on. Next to it were a pair of handcuffs, also supplied by Kyoko, intended for the killer. ''

''She was in condominium 1313, where Blackberry Brown lived. A two-bedroom condo, and the only room with a thumb turn lock was the room opposite the entrance. ''

''Nine floors below her, in condo 404, Kyoko was also watching for the killer to arrive, taking Bluesharp Babysplit’s place. Kyouko had insisted she was strong, but she didn't have an athletic body to make Nami believe, and was more than a little worried. Kyoko had seemed utterly confident when they had met up before taking their places, but.., she had her doubts. At this stage of affairs, Nami had absolutely no idea which room the killer, KK, would come to, here to room 1313, or to Kyoko in 404?''

''She’d been pondering the matter every second she could spare, but had honestly been unable to reach anything like a conclusion. And she was still bugged by the a.m./p.m. thing from the third scene... but there was no point in worrying about that now. All that mattered was to convince herself that the killer was coming here, to room 1313, to kill Blackberry Brown, and then to act accordingly. She couldn’t afford to waste time worrying about other people. Or she could put it another way, KK would come after her... in K’s place. ''

''She looked at the clock on the wall. ''

''The digital display showed 9:00 A.M... Exactly. Nine hours worth of August 22nd had already passed. Only fifteen hours remained. She was not going to get any sleep today. She would have to remain awake for at least twenty-four hours. She wasn’t even allowed to take a bathroom break. ''

''Kyoko had advised her not to stretch her patience thin... she needed to be able to react the moment someone entered the room. ''

''But now it was time to call K again. ''

''Nami took her phone out of her bag and dialed according to instructions. Making sure the door and curtains were closed. ''

- Nami: K, it's Nami Feuer.

A few seconds later, Kyouko answered.

''- Kyouko (phone): [Nami. K here. So?]. ''

''- Nami: Nothing happening here. I spoke to Kyoko earlier, nothing has happened on her end either. No signs of anything out of the ordinary. I’m starting to feel like we’re in it for the long haul. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [I see, Don’t let your guard down. As I said before, your backup is in position around the condominium, but if anything happens, they aren’t close enough to respond immediately].''

- Nami: I know.

''- Kyouko (phone): [Additionally, a few minutes ago I dispatched two people to the condo itself. I wasn’t sure if they could be there in time, but the weather was on our side. We were lucky].''

''- Nami: Eh? But… that means...''

''To avoid tipping off the killer, they had not even put security cameras or bugs in the rooms, much less the building and the applied to extra people as well. They couldn’t risk being noticed. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [Don’t worry There is no chance the killer will notice. One them is a professional infiltrator, and the other one is a professional trickster. I can’t tell you more, since you are an FBI agent, but specifically, a thief and a con-man. I had one posted near each room].''

- Nami: A thief… and a con-man?

''What was she saying? Was this some sort of joke? ''

- Kyouko (phone): [So, Nami Feuer].

''K said, wrapping up. But Nami hastily stammered.''

''- Nami: Um, er, K... ''

''But then she hesitated, not sure if she should ask this or not. ''

- Nami: You know the killer, right?

That was suppose to be a very deep and serious question but since K had already told her she knows the killer, that is no longer so dark.

''- Kyouko (phone): [Yes, as I said. He is my former successor, K. But nowadays is known as KK.''

''- Nami: I don’t mean like that... I mean, he’s someone you know personally?''

''On the 16th, K had said she had known all along that the killer is Ike Raynford, and she had sort of known ever since, but two days before, she had said something that changed her guess to conviction. ''

"Whatever you do, please catch the killer."

''The century’s greatest detective, K, would never say that about some ordinary indiscriminate serial killer. And the way her name was just one letter long... ''

- Kyouko (phone): [Yes].

''The synthetic voice of Kyouko agreed. As if she didn’t mind being asked at all. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [But Nami Feuer, please keep that in the strictest confidence. The backup I have stationed near the condo, and the thief and con-man inside it have not been told what case they are working on. They are better off not knowing. Since you asked, I don’t mind telling you, but generally speaking it was also something you were better off not knowing].''

''- Nami: I know. Either way, whoever Ike is, he is a dangerous criminal who has claimed the lives of three people for no good reason. But there is one thing I wanted to ask.''

- Kyouko (phone): [What?]

- Nami: You know the killer, but you have nothing to do with him?

''This was... To Nami, this was about the same as asking if you could pull the trigger on a child. ''

''- Kyouko (phone): [I have nothing to do with him. To be completely accurate, I do not even know Ike Raynford in person. He is simply someone I am aware of. But none of this affects my judgment. Certainly, I was interested in this case, and began to investigate it because I knew who the killer was. But that did not alter the way I investigated it, or the manner in which my investigation proceeded. Nami Feuer, I cannot overlook evil. I cannot forgive it. It does not matter if I know the person who commits evil or not. I am only interested in justice].''

''- Nami: Only... in justice... Then... nothing else matters?''

- Kyouko (phone): [I wouldn’t say that, but it is not a priority].

- Nami: You won’t forgive any evil, no matter what the evil is?

- Kyouko (phone): [Like I said before, I wouldn’t say that, but it is not a priority].

- Nami: But...

''Like a 15-year-old criminal. ''

- Kyouko (phone): [There are people who justice cannot save].

''Like a 15-year old criminal. ''

- Nami: And there are people who evil can save.

''- Kyouko (phone): [There are. But even so...]''

Kyouko changed the tone of her voice, as if gently admonishing Nami Feuer.

- Kyouko (phone): [Justice has more power than anything else].

''- Nami: Power? By power... you mean strength?''

''- Kyouko (phone): [No. I mean kindness].''

''She said it so easily. Nami almost dropped the phone. The century’s greatest detective, K. The detective of justice, K... Who solved every case, no matter how difficult... ''

- Nami: I misunderstood you, K.

''- Kyouko (phone): [Did you? Well, I’m glad we cleared that up].''

- Nami: I'll go back to work now.

- Kyouko (phone): [Very well].

''She folded her phone and closed her eyes. ''

''Whew. ''

''She did not find herself spinning. She had just heard a word that sounded good to her. She’d been told something she needed to hear. Perhaps she’d just been manipulated. None of her problems had been solved. Her confusion remained. She still lacked resolve. She felt like something had changed, but by tomorrow it would undoubtedly be back to normal. But even so, for the moment, she was not going to make a fast decision, she was not going to turn in her resignation. When her leave of absence ended, she would go back to the FBI. ''

''In that moment, Nami made up her mind. And the killer from this case might make a nice souvenir. ''​​​​​​

Page 9 - Final Victim
<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles

<p style="text-align:center;"> Apartament

<p style="text-align:center;"> Condominium 1313

<p style="text-align:center;"> Seconds later...

After that call, Nami stayed in silence for quite sometime and seated in the sofar next to the kitchen.

''- Nami: So, in one hour, I have to call Kyoko... hope she’s okay.''

''Blackberry Brown and Blues-harp Babysplit. ''

Two B.B.s. 

''Room 1313 and room 404... ''

''Had there really been nothing in the third scene that could have eliminated one of them from consideration? She couldn’t shake the idea that there had been. They had not been able to trim the possibilities down all the way because they had not done everything they could, they had not done everything they should... ''

''- Nami: Oh. I see. That’s why Q.Q.?''

''She had hit upon something. The reason why the second victim had been Q.Q., not B.B. The reason KK Killer had turned the child over, turning b into q. To prevent the possibility of there being someone else with the same name. The type of message left behind at the first scene... a message pointing not at the place, but at the victim targeted... that kind of message always left the possibility of someone else with that name. Which is why he had chosen Q.Q.—much less common than B.B. Quarter Queen. ''

''Nami had no idea how many other Believe Bridesmaids or Backyard Bottomslashes there were in Los Angeles, but she did know that the girl had been the only Quarter Queen. Which meant they were right, and the link had been the Bs, not the Qs. B.B. But even though the killer had worked so hard to make sure the message could only be one person, why had the final problem allowed for two candidates? ''

''She must be overlooking some critical piece of the puzzle. There must be something she should have done... The crossword puzzle. She had never tried it. Now that she thought about it, there were any number of problems she had been putting off thinking about. Not only the problem of which room. If they caught the killer, then everything would be explained, or... ''

''- Nami: The locked rooms. Did he really just have a key?''

''In that case, he must have gone about his murders after preparing the key in advance... he must have investigated his victims for some time before the murders took place. They had done everything they could to avoid detection, but it was more than possible he knew Nami was waiting here for him... ''

''- Nami: A needle and thread locked room... and the needle ended up being a useful hint at the third scene. Even if it was just free association...''

''Needle hand. Clock hand. And she had been surprised to find that the Wara Ningyo had a practical meaning... the previous scenes had suggested they were nothing but a metaphor for the victims. But they had been counted with the stuffed animals, adding up to the numbers of the four clock sides. So perhaps some of those stuffed animals didn’t belong to the victim... to make sure the numbers matched. Seemed likely. Four, three, two... the number of Wara Ningyo was decreasing. The last one would appear at the fourth murder scene. If there was a fourth. ''

''- Nami: The final Wara Ningyo... I assume it’ll be placed directly opposite the door? Seems most likely... most significant... but what is the significance? The first thing you see when you step into the locked room… catches your eye before you see the body...''

''Without any clear idea what she was thinking, Nami stood up and moved over to the door. Turning her back to the door, she looked around the room—it was just a room, nothing out of the ordinary. At the moment, it wasn’t even a crime scene. Nothing here but the signs of Blackberry Brown’s life. ''

''- Nami: The Wara Ningyo were always nailed at about the same height... the horizontal placement was all over the place, but the vertical was basically the same. About waist height on me... so about this high...''

''Nami crouched down. Naturally this meant she was sitting in a position very like Kyoko's habitual knee hug, but she tried not to think about that. If she was right, and this did make deduction easier, then it was even a good thing. She was alone in the room anyway. Assuming the fourth scene would follow the rule, and the Wara Ningyo was to be placed opposite the door, then from this position her eyes would meet the doll’s, their sightlines at exactly the same height. Of course, Wara Ningyo had no eyes, and this wasn’t getting her anywhere. ''

''- Nami: Just because they were mixed in with the stuffed animals, there was no need for it to be opposite the door... if the placement is significant... the placement... or is it just another manifestation of his finicky nature... ow!''

''Thinking too hard in an awkward sitting position had caused her to lose her balance and thump the back of her head on the doorknob. Rubbing the pain away, Nami  turned absently to look behind her... and... Her eyes lit upon the doorknob, and. And just below it, the thumb turn lock. ''

''The latch. ''

''Nami's head snapped around so fast it made an audible whooshing noise, and she looked at the opposite wall again. There was nothing there, just an unbroken stretch of wallpaper. But Nami had just been imagining a Wara Ningyo hanging there. But a Wara Ningyo nailed at that height was not opposite the door. It was opposite the doorknob. The doll was directly across from the thumb turn lock. ''

''- Nami: Oh... how did I not notice that?!''

''Waist height, she had known that was where the Wara Ningyo were placed since she first saw the police file. ''

''At the first crime scene, when she had turned the thumb turn lock she had consciously noticed that the grip was at her waist height, and at the second scene she had thought clearly that the design of the apartment door was different, but it was of the same construction... and at the third scene she had turned the knob and opened the door while balancing a serving tray on her belt buckle. And it was easy enough to figure out that the Wara Ningyo and the thumb turn locks were at the same height. ''

''She did not even need to open the file and corn pare measurements. But so what? So what if the Wara Ningyo were nailed to the wall at the same height as the thumb turn locks, and the Wara Ningyo were placed directly opposite the latch of said thumb turn lock? Was there some reason for that? She was headed for an answer she should not have headed for. She would reach an answer she should not reach. At this rate... she knew she would. An answer that would overturn, uproot everything she had believed about this case... and she couldn’t stop herself. She was past the point of being consciously capable of interrupting her deductions. ''

''Assuming that there was to be a Wara Ningyo placed on the wall opposite the door at the fourth scene... proof by contradiction. Four dolls, three, two, one! ''

''- Nami: No, that doesn’t make sense... that can’t possibly be true… the locked room trick? The needle and thread locked room... the needle was at the third scene… and the thread? Under the crack in the door... the crack... the space... no space, tightly packed...''

''A locked room. A locked room... was usually created to make it look like the victim had committed suicide. But in this case, there was nothing like that... which meant if you flipped the idea... then the locked rooms existed to make a suicide look like a murder. What then? What then? ''

- Nami: Ah...

''In truth... All along, Nami had done nothing that Kyoko had not manipulated her into. There was no point now in going back as far as the similarity between q and b they had discovered in the bookshelf message, but her conclusions about the date of the murder had changed shape dramatically while she was talking to Kyoko, and the notion that the third murder looked like a clock... ''

''Kyoko had led her to that from the moment she noticed the watch was missing. Kyoko had brought up the wedding ring, she had pointed out that the head and arm and leg were different lengths, he had suggested the walls as sides of the clock... Kyoko had been controlled like a puppet on strings. ''

''- Nami: Oh, right... how did she know?''

''But now at last. Nami Feuer igured something out on her own. Truth. And justice. ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Nami: AAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!! ''

''Completely forgetting all notions of how she presented herself, Nami let out a howl that cracked the air around her. She jumped to her feet, leapt across the room, and grabbing her gun and handcuffs off the table, she spun around, flipped open the thumb turn lock, and burst out of room 1313. ''

''Elevator. No, not enough time. ''



''Emergency stairs. Racking her brain for details of the complex’s floor plan, which she had poured over the day before, Nami headed for the emergency stairs, kicking open the door and hurtling down them three or four stairs at a time. Down. Nine floors down. ''

- Nami: 'Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Why? Why?! Why?! Why?! Why?! How can this be?! It’s so god damn obvious!'

''It pissed her off. Wasn’t the truth supposed to set you free? When the truth revealed itself, weren’t you supposed to feel better? But if this was how things really were, then... The century’s greatest detective, advertised as solving every case imaginable, how great must his burden be, how much pain must he go through at every single moment... past, present, and future. A burden so great it would leave you hunched over. A bitter taste in your mouth that would leave you longing for sweets. ''

''She was going so fast she almost missed her floor and had to brake hard. ''

''She paused for just a second to catch her breath, then opened the door and checked once more to make sure she was on the fourth floor. ''

''Which way? Right? Left? The complex shifted half way up, and the corridors ran in different directions than the thirteenth floor... 417 was on her right, and 418 beyond it, so this way!  - (???): Aiieeee!''

''Someone screamed. Nami stiffened, but it was a woman’s scream. She turned to look, and a resident had apparently come out of her apartment and seen Nami holding a gun. ''

''Distracting! ''

- Nami: Out of my way!



''Nami stepped away from the resident, running down the hall. Toward room 404. ''

- Nami: K-Kyoko!

Right round the next corner and she was there.

''The front door wasn’t locked. She stepped inside. 1313 had been a two bedroom, but this condo had three. One extra room. ''

''Which room? She had no time to think. She had to start with the nearest one. The first room, wrong. No one inside. Second room, the door wouldn’t open. A thumb turn lock! ''

''- Nami: Kyoko! Kyoko!''

''She knocked... no, knock isn’t strong enough, she pounded as if trying to break the door down. But it was sturdy and would not budge. There was no answer from inside. Kyokodid not answer. ''

- Nami: Hah!



''She half turned and kicked the doorknob with her heel. It stood a better chance than her fists, but the door wasn’t breaking that easily. ''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''She kicked it again, just in case, but with no more success. Nami. aimed the gun. Infinity. Seven in the cartridge plus one in the chamber, a .45. She aimed right for the lock. ''

- Nami: I'm pulling the trigger!

''Once, twice... she shot the lock. The thumb turn lock and the knob burst off. She threw her shoulder into the door, and the first thing that hit her eyes was the Wara Ningyo. Nailed to the wall, directly opposite the door. And next... She saw a person on fire, in the corner away from the door. Flailing their arms around, unable to stand the pain of the flames rolling across them. ''

Kyoko.

''It was Kyoko Kirigiri. ''



''She saw her eyes through the flames. ''

- Nami: K-Kyoko!

''The heat was so intense she could barely look at it. The fire was spreading to the room. A blast of heat struck her skin. She smelled gasoline. ''

''Strangulation, blunt force trauma, stabbing... and the final victim was fire! And the victim is... Kyoko herself!''

''She glanced at the ceiling, there was a sprinkler, but it had obviously been tampered with. It wasn’t functioning. The alarm had been disabled as well. ''

''Nami forced herself not to panic, but forced herself to take action. ''

''She bolted back out of room 404 into the hail, back the way she came. She’d seen a fire extinguisher on her way here. Just over... there! She grabbed it and ran back. She didn’t need to read the instructions. She pointed the end of the hose at the ball of fire, at Kyoko's body, burning red, and squeezed the handle hard. ''



''White foam sprayed out, coating the room, far stronger than she’d expected. She almost lost her balance, almost fell over backward, but grit her teeth and held on, not letting the hose move off Kyoko. ''

''How long did it take? Ten seconds? About that. But Nami felt like the day was going to end before she stopped burning. The fire extinguisher was empty... the fire was out. The white foam began to subside. And in front of her, a black, charred body. ''

''No, that was an understatement, soft pedaling it. ''

''A better description would be a red-black mass of flesh. It looked like the flames had burned it all the way through. The smell of gasoline hung in the air, along with the smell of burning hair and skin. Nami covered her nose. She glanced toward the window, wondering if she should get some ventilation... no, she couldn’t risk a backdraft. ''

''As if afraid that any sudden movements would cause her body to crumble, Nami stepped gingerly toward Kyoko. She was curled up, on her back. She knelt down beside her. ''

- Nami: Kyoko.

''She didn’t answer. Was she dead? ''

- Nami: Kyoko!



''- Kyoko: Ah... unh...''

''She was alive. She was still alive. She was burned all over and needed serious medical treatment immediately, but this came as a relief. ''

"...!!!"

''She heard a sound behind her and turned around. There was someone there—the woman who had screamed when she saw Nami with the gun. She must live here. She had heard the gunshots and the fire extinguisher, and timidly come to see what was happening. ''

''- Woman: D-did something happen? ''

''"What happened?" would have been a better question, but... ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Nami: FBI.

''FBI. ''

''She identified herself like that. ''

- Nami: Call the police, the fire department, and an ambulance.

''The woman looked surprised, but nodded and left the room. Nami wondered if, in fact, this woman was the thief or the con man that K had sent here, but she could worry about that later. She turned back to Kyoko on the floor. Turned back to the red and black charred body. And slowly took her wrist, still very hot, and checked her pulse... a little uneven, and very weak. ''



''She might be done for, might not make it to the hospital, might not last until the ambulance arrived. In which case. She had something to tell her. She had something to do. ''

''- Nami: Kyoko Kirigiri. ''

''She said, putting the handcuffs on her wrist. ''

''- Nami: I arrest you on suspicion of the murders of Believe Bridesmaid, Quarter Queen, and Backyard Bottomslash. You do not have the right to remain silent, you do not have the right to an attorney, and you do not have the right to a fair trial.''

''- Kyoko: I-is that... so... t-that's t-too ba-ad... Fufu...''

Nami sharpened her eyes when she saw that Kyoko still managed to smile for a second.

- Nami: What's so funny?

".............."

''- Kyoko: N-Nothing... Nami... e-everything is up t-to you n-now... And a-about the l-laugh... I-I was just h-happy that we now c-can get th-e k-killer.''

Nami narrowed her eyebrows.

''- Nami: What're you saying? Even now, you plan to lie to me? Sorry, KK Killer, but you're done for.''

Just then...

".................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - (???): Just like I planned, detective Nami and Kyoko Kirigiri. ''

''- Kyoko: N-Nami... behind you!''

Nami felt a presence behind her a looked up to see a hooded person lifting an axe right above her head.

- Nami: WHA--!

''The mysterious person brought down the axe with all their strength but Nami was faster and dodged the attack but jumping to the other side of the room. Luckily, the axe didn't hit Kyoko on the floor.''

''- (???): Damn it! You're not only intelligent but fast as well. You may be the perfect woman, Nami Feuer.''

''Nami looked at the face of the person who attacked her and saw the face of a male person... it was...''

- Kyoko: I-Ike Raynford!



With a psychotic grin, the mysterious person removed the hood and revealed his true identity, the KK Killer of Los Angeles Murder Case, Ike Raynford!

- Nami: Ike?!

''Indeed, it was the true serial killer and the true enemy of Nami Feuer... he had solid yellow snake with deep red eyes, pale skin, black hair and is wearing a black shirt instead of a white one. He is fairly handsome and young for such cruel assassin.''

''- Nami: Impossible! But everything pointed that Kyo--!''

Before she could finish, Ike licked his lips and extended his arms to the ceiling.

''- Ike: That Kyoko was the true assassin?! You're so cool as always, Nami Feuer! I WAS RIGHT TO CHOOSE YOU AS MY OPPONENT! KYAHAHAHA!!''

While he laughed insanely, Nami slowly dragged her hand to her belt to grab the gun that Kyoko gave to her.

- Nami: How?

''- Ike: Simply enough! Yeah! IT'S TRUE! I was cross-dressed as Kyoko the whole time! From the moment I met you at that day, on the mansion of Believe Bridesman! Yes! Yes! It was all true! I guided you through my crime scenes like a demon trying to repair mistakes! You were so cute back then, innocently following my words like a bunny but ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS ADDING BARRICADES IN OUR WAY WITH YOUR THEORIES THAT FORCED ME TO ALTER MY PLANS TO ANOTHE ONE! HOW MANY TIMES YOU MADE ME CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION!''

Nami bit her lips while trembling in fear of that insane individual.

''- Nami: So you're saying that thanks to my theories, I forced you to alter the course of our mutual investigation... if I consider the details I thought earlier than it must be true... the wedding ring, the parts of clocks, the numbers and letters of the victims... Everthing... You made your own puzzles but altered the future of my further research to make them match with yours...''

Nami was just a few centimeters away from her gun but one sudden move and Ike would notice that she was trying to shoot him down.

''- Ike: Yeah, yeah! Everything! It was me! Who in the world besides me and K can solve that cross-words I sent to LAPD? NO ONE! Only the killer and the century's greatest detective can solve such problem with infinite paths and millions issues.''

- Nami: If you were Kyoko the whole time then who is that?

''Nami changed her sight to all-burned Kyoko on the floor next to Ike. At the same time, Kyoko tried to move her body to grab something to attack the assassin but Ike stepped in her arms, giving her more pain.''

- Kyoko: AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Ike let out a cruel sadistic grin as she kicked all over her body.

''- Ike: Ahh~. This person? Do you remember when K said to you I was suppose to be her successor but then I ran away due to my ambition to not become K but to overthrow her? If you remember, then I can I always knew K, I knew her appearance, her methods of investigation and even her personality. Using my façade as seductive man, I seducted myself to become K and then I copied all her traces, name, history, occupation and even her own persona. I became K herself... And her name is  Kyouko Kirigiri, the same name used by me during my days as "Kyoko Kirigiri".''



''Nami was still trying to hold her shock by that revelation... Being able to hear from the assassin himself the true identity of K and how he copied perfeclty her character is absolutely insane. For days, he was disguised as Kyouko like if he was her, he made a perfect clone of Kyouko... that just shows how scary Ike's talents as an imposter are.''

''- Nami: So I guess, you heard all of our conversations to say if I remember when K told me about your true identity. All of them.''

''- Ike: Indeed. And much more... Well, continuing my story. The truth about this person you're saying in my foot is no longer me, obviously. But another person... Well, I'll tell you later who is this person. I always knew who K was. I met K many times before, in her own work, disguised as one of her security officers. But I never approached her... So she never noticed her former successor, KK, was hidden among her employers.''

''"Her".... It was the first time that Nami heard that K was a woman, but that was not important at the moment.''

''- Nami (think): *He is definitely not lying... if he was dressed as Kyoko that means he truly personified K in physical presence... WAIT! What I am thinking?! This is not time for that! I must think in a way to disable him before he kill both of us!*''



''But then Ike continued... distracting her even more. It was impossible. She was so curious how he manipulated her for days that she could not hold her curiosity.''

''- Ike: Before everything began, I always thought I wanted to win Kyouko Kirigiri, K, in an epic battle between two of the greatest detectives of the world... well, in my case, the greatest killer of the world. And so I started the KK Murder Case. When you joined the case thanks to Kyouko, I disguised myself as her to lead you through my game but then I discovered you were too "powerful" to be considered as a mere police officer. And so, while I was guiding you to my next victim, I manipulated Kyouko as wel into the final murder. I always knew that Kyouko Kirigiri would solve this case first than you and I... and I was counting with it. With all puzzles of my crimes exposed to Kyouko, I manipulated her into believe that the fina victim was myself... AND I KNEW! AND I KNEW! ''

Ike put his hand in his face as he tried to hold anothe devilish laugh.

''- Ike: Kyouko would never allow me to commit suicide before she caught me! She knew that sending only con-men and imposters would be not enough as only me and her can be "Kyoko Kirigiri". And so it happened, on the beginning of this morning, Kyouko Kirigiri appeared in my place and she did not tell you about this to not rise your suspicions. And she clearly knew she was being manipulated but did nothing to break out of my game. Why? Why? Kyouko!''

Ike kicked Kyoko's face, revealing that burned person, right there, is not the killer, but Kyouko Kirigiri herself!

Nami's eyes widened in sheer horror as she was watched Kyouko Kirigiri screaming in pain.

- Kyouko: AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Ike then kicked her arm, which revealed to be burned completely.

''- Ike: And the most funny thing? She lied to you she never met me when she said she had nothing to do with me. And amazingly, she was manipulating you to be killed by me, but when she discovered the final victim was suppose to be me, she changed her mind and put herself in the frontlines to be the final victim herself.''

Nami clenched her fists and looked at Kyouko once again.

''- Nami: Then you set yourself on fire to fullfil the "destiny" of the final victim. If she told me about her true identity, and that she was not "Kyoko", you would have killed me before I could enter in that room...''

''- Ike: Exactly! In other words, this cold-blooded woman manipulated you but then for pure selfishness went to the frontlines of this civil war to attempt kill herself to make her look like if she was me... She became the "fake Kyouko" I was impersonating... Beautiful story, huh? ''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Nami then grabbed her gun and quickly pulled the trigger, shooting at Ike but like if he was seeing the world in slow motion, he dodged the bullet without difficulty. But then...''

- Kyouko: Nami!

''Nami then looked at Kyouko who pointed at the table 3 meters away from her. On that table, there was a huge Magi-Tech pistol made of nuclear energy... A magi-tech pistol from VSA that was put there by Kyouko at the moment she entered in that room.''

- Nami: Roger!

Ike's eyes narrowed in surprise when he saw that pistol but it was too late for everything as Nami had already reached the pistol and started shooting powerful lasers of nuclear energy at him.

- Nami: Die!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Ike tried to dodge but the lasers were too fast for his eyes and fell to the floor.

- Ike: TSK!

Like a scared predator, Ike began to run away and escaped from the room.

- Nami: I WILL NOT LET YOU ESCAPE!

''Like a furious lion, Nami started to run and left the room with all her speed. She chased Ike through the hallways of the building, leaving Kyouko alone in the room.''

''- Kyouko: I'm c-counting w-with y-y-you... Nami Feuer...''

<p style="text-align:center;">' 5 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Underground Floors 

''And so it happened... the beginning of the final battle between Nami Feuer and Ike Raynford.''

''The final battle was supposed to have happened between Kyouko and Ike since the two were two players of this game while Nami was more like the pawn of Kyouko's side. A mere piece in the game ready to be disposed of.''

''- Ike: Why are you chasing me, detective Nami! Can't you see that Kyouko is your true enemy?! She manipulated you and was already to dispatch you by letting you be killed by me!''

''Right now, Ike and Nami were running through the sewers of Los Angeles in an epic chase that could be only compared to an epic-action film of Hollywood. After Nami chased Ike until the first floors of the building, the two reached the sewers of the city that had no maps to be guided with. Everything there was random and every exist can lead them to another location of Los Angeles.''

''- Nami: Lies! She put herself in risk to let me live!''



''Nami had a big and powerful Magi-Tech pistol in her hand but the environment where they were was extremely closed and was filled with dangerous gases that could explode an entire neighborhood in a matter of seconds. Moreover, that pistol uses nuclear energy, which could increase the size of the explosion. Hundreds would die.''

- Nami: Damn it!

''Nami aimed at Ike running just 10 meters away ahead of her but she noticed there were pipes full of flammable gas. If she missed one shot, she will bring down entire buildings down with her. There was no point in shooting like that.''

''- Ike: What's wrong, detective?! Too afraid to kill hundreds just to get me?! ''

''Nami then put her gun down and continued chasing the criminal, she knew him couldn't run forever. Even if he is a man, she is a trained FBI agent and so have more stamina than he has. Considering his moves earlier, there is a possibility he does not have combat training and depends only in fireguns.''

- Nami: You...!



The chase continued, now, Nami knew she had to caught the killer with her own hands and use her own fighting skills to deal with him.​​​​​​ She then rose her gun and put it in tranquilizing mode.

''Just as she was dragged out of her thoughts, Ike ran into a metal door. Behind that door, it was written: "Staff Only". Just by that board, Nami knew she was approaching a public place.''

- Ike: Kihihihi!

''With a sloopy and psychotic laugh, Ike knocked out the door and left the sewer. Nami, who was right behind, covered her eyes from the sun light that invaded the sewer but kept her pace. She then heard hundreds of voices, sounds machines and children screaming.''

"......................"



''And then, she left the sewer and looked around... only to see she was not in a entertainment park, a park made only for children. ''

''Oddly enough, that park was more than 10 kilometers away from where Nami, Kyouko and Ike were. During the chase, they probably took a shortcut to the park, making their way there in a matter of only 10 minutes.''

''- Nami: No... no...''​​​​

Looking around like a lost puppy, Nami lost sight of Ike on the middle of the crowd full of parents and their children.

''- Nami: Damn it! Where is he?!''

Nami then put the pistol on her belt since walking around with a Magi-Tech pistol in a civilian crowd only brings panic and fear, which will cause Ike to be alarmed of her presence nearby.

''- Nami (think): *I have to find him using my own vision. No guns.*''



Nami then entered on the crowd, walking normally like a civilized person but her eyes now were like eyes of a space drone, she was looking around and analyzing so fast that not even a computer could do faster.

''- Nami (think): *Ike left the sewer only 6 seconds ahead of me. If my calculations are right, he is only 5 meters away from my current location. It's impossible for him to run through this crowd without being caught by the adults for throwing children on the ground with his violence. That means that, just like me, he is walking slowly to not call attention... If I was him, where I would go? A shop to hide myself? Damn it... there are not many options for someone like him to choose.*''

''Meanwhile, a few meters away from where Nami was, Ike was seen walking on the middle of the crowd. Since he sweaty and smelled bad for staying in the sewers for so long, all people around him were keeping distance from him. He was definetely a suspicious person, and Nami was right, with all that, he don't have many options to escape from that place. He now lost his camouflage that is basically all people around him.''

"........................."



''- Ike (think): *She will get me soon if I don't do something. She is probably 6 meters behind me. Considering I am alone on this crowd, I don't have cover to hide myself. But I think about it, I have many people here I could use as a weapon or hostage. But I don't a gun with me. A threw my axe back there in the sewers...*''

As Ike was passing by he saw a security guard speaking with the manager of the park, and noticed how the two were distracted.

''- Ike (think): *Two old idiots ready to be devoured by the predator. Easy targets. Not to mention, the guard has a gun with him. Luck!*''​​​​

Ike then left the crowd and approached the duo who were relaxed talking with each other.

- Guard: And I told her that she is way out of my lea--

Ike appeared out of nowhere and interrupted their conversation.

- Ike: Excuse me sir, I need your gun.

''Ike's voice was so calm that neither the manager and guard felt scared but Ike's next move and quick and bold. Fast like the light itself, Ike took gun of the guard and reloaded it before using it shoot down the guard and manager.''

- Manager: WAI--!

[BANG]

[BANG]

The sound of two gunshots echoed through the entire park, but only the civilians nearby knew it was a gunshot while others who were not present thought it was only fireworks, normal in that park.

''The people nearby immediately looked at the director from where a flashlight came and then saw two dead bodies near a tall black-haired man holding a gun. ''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The person was just 1 meter away from Ike felt something heavy touching the back of his head, with a quick though, the person realized that thing was a gun for hearing the sound of shots and the bullets inside of the weapon.

- Ike: Bang.

[BANG]

''When the children saw all that blood of the civilian's head being boured to the ground like rain of blood, the most young ones started to cry in loud voice while the adults immediately began to scream in panic. Quickily, all crowd that was there started to run like a bunch of scared zebras running from a lion.''

- Civilians: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

''Like if the panic had spread like a virus, the people started to escape from Ike while the he continued to shoot in the dead body of the civilian he had just killer. He was alrady dead but he continued shooting inside of his mouth like if he was alive. An act of sick mind. ''

''Nami, who was next to Ike's location, left from the crowd with her pistol in hands. She looked behind to see many lost children being trampled over the feet of those incompentents who cared about nothing around them.''

- Nami: IKE!

''This time, Nami had nothing to worry about. She had a nice angle and there no more people around. At the time she pointed her gun to Ike, all civilians were gone and the alarm of the park rang to tell all people to leave the park as soon as possible.''

- Ike: Oh, detective.

''Ike then started to shoot at Nami and the latter fought back with a rain of energy. Indeed, the two had an amazing aim skills so the two had take cover behind public seats. Ike then saw one of the abandoned children on the ground, bleeding with several wounds and dragged her by the hair. ''

- Ike: Come here, you little bitch!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''- Chid: RELEASE ME! NO!''

''Ike then left his cover with the child in his arms... When Nami saw that, her hand started to tremble.''

- Nami: T-This is...

''- Ike: What do you think, detective Nami. Your bullets can pierce through her body and mine at the same time. Ending the lives of both of us. Can you kill an innocent person just to get your way over my dead body? Are you ready to become a cold-blooded killer of justice just to get your revenge on me for what I did to Kyouko and the rest of my victims?''

- Child: D'ON'T! MOM! HELP ME! SOMEONE!!'

''For the second time in her life, Nami hesitated to pull the trigger of her gun... her dark memories had returned, stronger than ever. She remembered that moment when she saw that criminal of only 15-years old, and how his eyes were shining in sheer horror. ''

''The eyes of that kid in Ike's arms, were showing the same feeling of despair and death. She was in suffering, just like that kid.''

''- Ike: I guess this is it. Then excuse us, detective Nami.''

Ike slowly walked away while pointing the tip of his pistol at the head of the child in his arms, whom was being used as a hostage to escape.

- Ike: If you were only more like Kyouko, you could have killed me the moment you had the chance!

Ike then looked around and saw a Mirror House with the girl in his arms.

- Ike (think): *It should be a nice place.*

Ike then walked faster as Nami continued aiming her gun at him in case if he dropped the kid.

- Nami (think): *I have to follow her.*

Ike then walked into the Mirror House and saw labyrinth of mirrors.

''A house of mirrors or hall of mirrors is a traditional attraction at funfairs (carnivals) and amusement parks. The basic concept behind a house of mirrors is to be a maze-like puzzle. In addition to the maze, participants are also given mirrors as obstacles, and glass panes to parts of the maze they cannot yet get to. Sometimes the mirrors may be distorted because of different curves, convex, or concave in the glass to give the participants unusual and confusing reflections of themselves, some humorous and others frightening.''

''- Child: RELEASE ME! PLEASE!''

- Ike: If you continue to scream I'll send a bullet to your head, brat.

''Ike knew that Nami was waiting for the chance to attack and knew she would sneak into the house to get him by surprise. And so, with a cautious posture he aimed his gun at every single his body could reach.''

''- Ike: I KNOW YOU'RE THERE, DETECTIVE NAMI! YOU CAN'T JUST LET ME GO, RIGHT?! SHOW UP AND LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO! CAN YOU KILL ME OVER THE CORPSE OF THIS GIRL?! THEN COME GET ME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Ike looked behind saw several mirrors with the image of Nami on them. Indeed, Nami was following him and was inside of the house while using the mirrors as covers.''

[BANG]

[BANG]

Ike shoot several times at the mirrors with the reflex of Nami, however, none of the bullet hit the true Nami.

- Nami (mirrors): Release the girl, Ike!

''More Namis appeared but Ike spared his ammunition. ''

- Nami: You don't want to do that, Ike.

''Several Namis appeared behind Ike and he immediately shoot... ''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[BANG]

[BANG]

''Nami, who was hidden, behind one of the mirrors, jumped on Ike, breaking the mirrior where she was hiding. The assassin fell on the floor while the child in his hands managed to escape from his grasp.''

- Ike: YOU--!

Ike then tried to shoot Nami and finally hit her in her shoulder, the pain was so terrible that she couldn't hold her tears of pain and immediately punched him in the face, forcing him to drop the gun.

''- Nami (think): *THAT HURTS! THAT HURTS! FUCK IT!*''

''Nami then put her palm in Ike's face to prevent him from breathing. That was the best way to knock him up without killing him considering her injuries and her situation.''

''- Ike: You have skills but not strength, detective. After all, you're a woman!''

''Ike then kicked Nami who was on the top of him and sent her flying a meter away from him. She hit her back in a mirror and was cut in several parts her body thanks to the pieces of glass. Blood fell all around her.''

Ike then ran towards his gun and started to shoot at the detective but she was faster punched him in his face, making him fall and dropping the gun again.

- Nami: ENOUGH!

She then grabbed his head and brough her knees to his face, breaking his nose in the process.

- Ike: ARGH!

''Ike fell on the floor while Nami quickly kicked the gun away from him, but the criminal was not done yet. Like a snake, Ike pulled a knife out of his pocket and stabbed Nami in her stomatch while she was busy kicking the gun away for 3 seconds. That matter of seconds showed how quick and opportunist Ike was.''



- Nami: AAAHHHH!!

''Nami fell on her back and saw a kitchen knife in her belly... and seeing how the blade was deep, she knew she could die in a matter of minutes for internal bleeding.''

''Even so, Nami was not done yet too. While Ike prepared to charge at her to kick her, she quickly pulled out her Magi-Tech pistol and fired several times at the killer.''

- Ike: That gun again, detective!

''Like a coward, Ike once again fled from the combat for not being able to see where the bullets of that gun were going to hit. Thanks to his demon eyes I mentioned earlier, he can see the world in slow motion when things become bad. Like that moment, when Nami shot several times with her normal pistol but Ike could predict exactly where they were going to hit. In the case of that weapon, that was impossible because the energy and power of that gun was so superior his demon's eye could not see the bullet.''

- Nami: W-WAIT!

''Ike then grabbed his gun on the floor but noticed he was out of ammo, meaning he had to run from Nami once again instead of fighting back. She silently watched the killer getting away but her might and determination were too strong to let him escape so easily. Out of nowhere, Nami gained strength enough to remove the knife from her belly and stand up... apparently, the adrenaline she was feeling was so high that her body completely forget the feeling of pain.''

''That adrenaline was activated by her wrath and might... to capture or kill the kiiller.''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Outside of Mirror House 

''Despite being tired of running, Ike stil managed to run as fast as possible to escape from Nami's bullets. ''

''At the same he left, he saw several red and blue lights lightning the entire park. Yes, the LAPD had already evacuated the place and surrounded the area with hundreds of well-armed police officers and combat droids.''

''- LAPD Officer: Unit 444, standing by. No signals of suspicious activity so far. Over.''

''It took only 10 minutes for an entire battalion of LAPD to show up. We are in 2035, times change, so do the technology and security services.''

Ike was almost out of bullets and couldn't simply walk around with so many cops inspecting and searching the area of the suspect who shoot down several people minutes earlier.



- Ike (thing): *Boring...*

Ike then left the mirror house with the gun in his hands.

- Ike: Excuse me, officer!

''At the same second, the 3 police officers pointed their guns at the suspect whom had a pistol in his hands. He was indeed the suspect they were looking for.''

- Ike: I surrender!

The three officer slowly walked towards the killer.

''- LAPD Officer 1: HANDS UP! HANDS UP!''

''- LAPD Officer 2: DROP YOUR WEAPON! NOW!''

''Ike then droped the gun and kept his hand up like if he was going to surrunder... but then a small grin appeared in his face as the three police officer.''

- Ike (think): *Fools...*

<p style="text-align:center;">' 2 minutes later... '



''Nami knew she could not move due to her injuries. She had her shoulder shot and was pierced in her stomach. Not to mention, she also had several cuts in her arms that were caused by the broken glass of the mirror house. ''

''Even so, she was not going to give up so easily. ''

Using her own adrenaline to continue walking, she used her own clothes as bandages and covered her injuries to prevent from losing more blood.

At that point, she also had already removed the knife from her stomach and now was about to leave the Mirror House with her Magi-Tech pistol in hands.

''- Nami: 5 more shots... I have to make good use of i-i-! Ouch!''

''Nami looked at her belly and saw that a few drops of blood were escaping from her blood. Luckily, the bullet in her shoulder passed through it and was not fatal... but her stomach suffered a fatal damage.''



''- Nami (think): *If I don't get him soon, I'll die. I don't have choice. Next time I see him, I have to kill him!*''

''Nami then rose her head and looked straight forward... there, she saw a tall and dark male figure cutting the bodies of three police officers with an insane grin.''

That man was Ike Raynford, who had just killed the three LAPD officers who just tried to arrest him.

''- Ike: Ahh... So good...''

Ike then grabbed the pistols of the police officers and put them in his belt.

- Nami: IKE!

Just then, Ike noticed Nami standing at the exit of the Mirror House and then let out a heavy breath.

''- Ike: Oh my! Detective Nami, you're alive! I shot you on your shoulder, cut all of your arms and even stabbed you! But you're still here! Alive and well! Are you even human, detective?!''

''Nami pointed her gun at Ike... at the same moment, she remembered she only have 5 bullets in her weapon.''

- Nami: This time for sure!

''Nami then shot but dodged and tried to shoot back with two pistols in his hands. Ike then noticed that some civilians were not gone yet, some of them lost themselves in the chaos as the police evacuated the site. He looked 30 meters to his left and saw a Love Tunnel.''



''An old mill is a type of amusement park ride with unaccompanied boats floated on guideways through dark tunnels. These themed dark rides originated in the late 19th century and are known by a variety of names, including tunnel of love and river cave. ''

''In its earliest incarnations, riders were taken by two-passenger boats through dark passages. There were two major themes: a relaxing romantic ride encouraging the couple to cuddle, or a spooky horror ride encouraging the couple to cling to one another. The darkness provided a degree of privacy and the frightening scenes offered a socially acceptable excuse for the physical contact at a time when public affection or even holding hands was considered inappropriate. ''

With the development of other socially acceptable opportunities and less stigma for unmarried couples to engage in physical contact, these rides became less popular and were either re-themed into children's attractions or torn down completely.

''- Ike: Tsk! ''

''Ike was not a superhuman but his demon eyes allowed him to see that was in disadvantage. Unlike Nami, he doesn't know how many bullets she have left... but one thing he knows: one hit from one of those bullets means instant death for him. ''

Ike then started to run towards the tunnel of love.

- Nami: I'LL NOT ESCAP--!

Nami tried to run but the pain in her stomach almost made her fall unconscious to the floor.



Ike charged at the tunnel and saw 5 couples at the entrance, they were hiding inside of the tunnel but left as soon as they heard Nami screaming at Ike outside.

And then...

[BANG]

[BANG]

''Ike fired at the civilians and killed them one by one. Some tried to run but were caught by the bullets, which were faster.''

- Civilian: HEL--!

Before one of the civilians could scream for help, Ike shot her in the head, exploding her skull in pieces.

- Ike: HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

''Ike then entered on the tunnel while shooting every people hiding there, laughing like an insane beast. Nami knew that building have an ending and so came to the conclusion Ike can't go away so easily.''

''She then stared at the bodies of the three police officers and walked towards them with soft steps... slowly, she got in her knees and removed the bulletproof vest from one of the bodies and took off her formal clothes. While holding the pain of wearing something so heavy, Nami bit her lips and prepared to go to the love tunnel as well.''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Nami: I'll end this. ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> 4 minutes later...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Love Tunnel

[BANG]



[BANG]

[BANG]

''4 minutes had passed since Ike entered in the tunnel... and inside, he provoked fear, despair and chaos with his diabolical mind. ''

''Apparently, not only 5 couples were hiding inside of it but 90 people with children... they were hiding from the shooter who was randomly killing people outside, but little did they know the shooter entered in the tunnel and went on anothe rampage.''

[BANG]

[BANG]

[SCREAMS]



''Screams of despair echoed inside of the cave as the sounds of gunshots covered their screams like a music... the last words of people dying, and cries of pain and agony, accompanied by the loud sounds of bullets being fired was just a small fraction of what Hell is... if that was happening outside, the impact of that scenario would not be the same...''

''After Ike finished his first bullet cartridge, Ike proceeded to kill the survivors of his first massacre with his hands by strangling them to death... ''

''Now, why Ike was doing that? Wasting time and killing people ramdonly with no apparent reason at all? Ike is not an idiot who do things for the sake of nothing, he is doing that for a purpose.''

- Ike: Can you die for me please?

''At least 70 people had fled but more than 20 people, including 12 children, were killed by Ike at his first attempt. Seeing a child of 4-year old bleeding to death in the waters of the tunnel, Ike grabbed him by his neck and strangled him with all his strength.''

".....!!!!!!!!!!"

[CRACK]



''The sound of a young neck breaking in the tunnel echoed like a cracking wood. Feeling the bones of that young child breaking, Ike's eyes shone in red scarlet like if he was possessed... but in truth, it was his demonic eyes that were answering his cruel and malicious nature.''

''- Ike: Haha... haha! HOW DO YOU FEEL, DETECTIVE NAMI?!''

Just after he finished speaking, he heard footsteps in the water of the tunnel and turned around to see Nami slowly entering the tunnel with a dead stare.

''- Ike: How do you feel seeing all those people dying?! You're the ally of justice here! I bet you are feeling bad for not being able to save them! AND THIS CHILD!''

''It was all done... Ike's motived behind the senseless slaughter in that park... he was not trying to escape from Nami and LAPD's grasp. He was trying to break Nami. He was trying to destroy her morality. He was trying to break her sanity to turn her into someone like him... in fact, that always was his goal towards Nami's character.''

''While he was trying to kill Kyouko to win his battle, he was aiming to turn into a monster just like him by taking everything she is suppose to protect. He never tried to kill her once... even at that time in the apartment where he showed up, he was aiming at her arm but not at her head.''

- Nami: Ike.

''Nami was suppose to caught him and bring him alive to justice... but after a long battle with him, she knew that person don't have salvation and changed her mind. She was not going to charge at him to arrest him. ''

'This time, she is going to kill him. Ike did it. He broke Nami and her moral codes... but not her sanity.'

''- Ike: Ahahahahaha! That's it! Detective Nam--!!!''

While he was enjoying his moment of victory, Nami's fist landed a powerful punch in his face, breaking his nose and several of his teeth as well.

''It may not see but the bulletproof vest that Nami is wearing is pressing her wounds and preventing from losing more blood. Even so, she knew she have to finish Ike now before she loses her life.''

- Ike: !!!!!!!!!!!!!

''Ike fell to the ground while Nami prepared to use her gun break his skull... she was not going to shoot to kill him... she decided to slowly beat him to death as his punishment. Indeed, Nami lose herself and she knows very well what she is going to do is wrong. ''

''But who cares? No one is watching. After all... she is human.''

''Before she could land her first hit with her gun, Ike used his legs to kick her stomach, causing an insane pain in her belly and throwing her away. ''

- Ike: You're open!

''Ike then ran towards at her and punched her face, breaking her nose and ripping off the face of her face. ''

- Nami: AAAAHHH!!

''Ike proceeded to grab her head and brought his knee to her face, this time, breaking some of her teeth and then kicked her away. He may not look but Ike is a good fighter and knows exactly how to counter Nami's capoeira moves.''

''- Ike: Do you remember that day when I attacked you in that alley? I using a mask and an armored suit? That day, I was just testing you. I was testing your self-defenses skills to understand who exactly I'm fighting against. And how I discovered you fight using capoeira style? I analyzed your methods of combat. That was the solo purpose for my to show up that day.''

''Nami slowly got in her knees while holding her wound in her stomach. After feeling such terrible pain, the injury in her shoulder is not even bothering her anymore.''

''- Ike: You're done, detective. Time to gi--!''

"........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Before Ike could once proclaim his victory, Nami used her capoeira and used her leg to throw water on Ike's eyes. While he was distracted she throw her own head at his mouth and making him fall in his knees in agony while he held his face with his hand.''

- Ike: W-Wh...

Nami wasted no time and kicked his chin, making him bit his tongue and ripping off a part of it.

- Nami: AAAHHHH!!!

Letting a war cry, Nami grabbed his head and pushed him towards the wall, where she pressed his head against it.

''- Ike: Ouch! This is not suppose to happen! Detective!''

But then...

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Nami felt a sharp thing piercing her chest... it was a knife... And Ike had just stabbed her with it.''

- Ike: BUT WE CAN FINISH THIS WITH A BEAUTIFUL AND PERFECT FINALE!

[STAB]

''Nami's widened in pure horror as she felt Ike stabbing her over and over again. He didn't stop with just one, he was doing the same thing over and over again.''

[STAB]

[STAB]

[STAB]

- Ike: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

- Nami: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sounds of the blade entering and leaving her body echoed all over the cave like if there was a butcher cutting meat of pigs inside of it. Nami's body began to shake and lose its move but before he could continue stabbing, Nami jumped backward and grabbed Ike's pistol and then aimed her gun at him.

[BANG]

''Ike felt something piercing his body as blood fell all over the water around him. After that, he felt a terrible pain and his chest and looked at it, only to see a hole next to his heart.''

"............................"





''- Ike: A-hahaha... how? How are you still alive?''

''Ike fell in his knees while putting his finger inside of the hole in his chest... he still confused about what happened. He then saw Nami pointing the gun he had stole from one of the police officers he killed earlier.''

- Nami: It's over, KK Killer.

''Nami then fell in her kness as she felt her guts about to leave through her cuts... since she was wearing a bulletproof vest, she couldn't see it but she felt it... she felt something hot coming out of her wound and ripping her meat and skin... like if another person was ripping her apart.''

[COUGH]

With a weak body, Nami fell to the floor while coughing blood.

''- Nami (think): *And it's over for me too... I can even feel my body...''

"....................."

Nami put her hands in all places that Ike's knife pierced.



''- Ike: Hahahaha! Haha! What amusing! What makes you so strong, detective? You're only a woman. This is the power of femenism?''

Nami took a deep breath before answering.

''- Nami: F-Feminism? Don't put me in this ridiculous category. Men and women have the same strength and power. The difference is one needs to train until their limits to surpass the common determination of our genre. What makes me so strong is my sense of justice... just like that.''

"...................."

''- Ike: Power of justice... you're saying that no matter how much I hurt you, your determination to bring about justice will keep your body moving?''



''Ike tried to stand up but it didn't work... he could no longer feel his legs. That was, indeed, his last move, as he finally noticed he had no longer condictions to fight. Ike fell against the wall as blood painted it with red.''

''- Ike: Finish me... Nami Feuer.''

Nami stared at Ike with a death glare but if it depended on her, she would let him there to suffer as much as possible.

- Nami: If you want to die, do it yourself.

''Ike lowered his head and smiled insanely and grabbed his neck with his two hands... Ike was planning to break his own neck.''

''- Ike: You're right... Nami Feuer. You're incorruptible, so it's impossible for me to obey the request of a murder. Hahahaha! See you... in Hell... HAHAHAHAHAHA!''

[CRACK]

''Another sound of bones cracking echoed in the cave... this time, it was the sound of an adult man having his own neck being broke. Right there, Ike Raynford, the KK Killer, committed suicide to escape from judgment.''

''Soon afterwards, Ike's broken neck lose its movements and stayed looking down at his legs. His hands, as well, were not longer working... This time, for sure, Nami knew he was dead. But you know what? She thought about nothing. Nothing. She saw the KK Killer committing suicide but she didn't try to stop nor helping him to commit suicide.''



''Absolutely nothing. ''

"......!!!"

''Nami heard the sirens of the LAPD approaching... apparently, the LAPD had noticed the murder of three police officers and were now coming to the location of his body. ''

''For Nami, it was too late. The world was now looking all over black and white. Her eyes were losing its colors, she could no longer feel her movements and pain. ''

"............................"

''Actually, she couldn't even blink her eyes. Nami then lied on the water of the tunnel, that water that was full of blood but was relaxing and calm.''

''- Nami (think): *So this is it? I'll die alongside the killer? What a pathetic ending for a detective and agent of FBI. So lame. So stupid... I did not even form my family with Adam. Damn it... What I'm going to say to him in ther afterlife that I died first without giving him any last words. I died because I fell on the trap of my own suspect. I let the killer manipulate me... No... I don't want to go like that. What I'm going to leave here as my legacy besides a bunch of corpses of innocent children? What about K? I couldn't stop Ike from killing those innocents. Until the end... I was a useless idiot who couldn't push that trigger...*''

Nami slowly closed her eyes as the sounds of footsteps echoed in the cave.

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - (???): Hey! There is one alive here! ''

Mina's Chit-Chat


''Nothing left but the explanation. There’s not much left to write about here, so I’ll settle for summarizing the key points. ''

''My great and respected predecessor, the man whose actions were a strong influence on me personally, K.K, KK Killer, obviously, I need hardly explain again that the murders themselves were not his purpose. So what was he doing? Again, I hardly need to explain, he was challenging the woman he copied, the century’s greatest detective, Kyouko Kirigiri aka K.''

''A matter of winning or losing. A contest. But in this case, what would mean KK's victory? How would he determine that Kyouko had lost? In an ordinary detective war, whoever solved the mystery first would win. Or if we look at the battle between Kyouko and the murderer Jack the Ripper of 21st Century, Kyouko would win if she could prove who Jack was, while Jack would win when he had killed Kyouko.''

But what about KK and K? Ike Raynford, developed the following theory since K could solve every case no matter how challenging, if he created a case so difficult that K was unable to solve it, Ike would have defeated K. 

''That was the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases. ''

''He knew that the moment he took action Hammy’s House and GDP would alert K, so he did not even bother trying to stop them. He could only guess at which stage of his plan K would start to come after him, so he prepared things carefully, ready for K's entrance at any point. Ike was careful, and finicky, and when K actually stepped in, on August 14th, just after the third murder, the timing was not ideal, but not bad either. Of course, K would not move herself, but would carefully choose a pawn or two to work for her, at most three, probably two, and if Ike was lucky, only one.''

''Ike was lucky. The eyes of the demon told him the pawn’s name at once -- Nami Feuer. An FBI agent on a leave of absence. But what really mattered is that she was only working for K, and not Kyouko herself, Ike was not battling Nami Feuer. He only cared about beating the one hiding behind her. Which is why. Ike pproached Nami, calling himself as Kyoko Kirigiri. ''

''K. For anyone from Hammy’s House, there could be no higher goal than identifying yourself with that letter—and KK seized this case as his chance. Even Nami  knew what had happened to detectives falsely identifying themselves as K, and Ike was from Hammy’s House, so he knew better than anyone so this choice suggests the strength of his decision. ''

''He never once intended to survive he had made up his mind. He was ready to defeat Kyouko or turn Nami, in a person just like him to turn her into the new KK Killer. Even if he had to die for it.''

''And, as Kyoko, she had played the fool, observing Nami Feuer, occasionally guiding her skillfully, from the first scene to the third, making sure she gathered and deciphered all the clues and messages he had left behind. Compared to the challenge he had faced persuading the victims' family members to hire him to solve the case, leading Nami was undoubtedly a walk in the park. ''

''All the while testing her from this angle or that, seeing if she was worthy of serving as K's replacement... Nami had contacted K on any number of occasions during her investigations. And she had clearly received instructions from K to allow this mysterious private detective, Kyoko Kirigiri, free rein. ''

''She had expected this, she had sent the crossword puzzle to the LAPD for just that reason. If someone appeared who had the sort of internal document that only someone like K could possibly obtain, even the century’s greatest detective would be unable to dismiss her lightly, even though, in fact, Kyoko had the documents only because she had created them in the first place. Nami had performed much better than she had expected. ''

''Like the moon has its dark side and every coin has two sides, Kyoko's hints had been blatant and yet unobtrusive and any ordinary detective would never have been able to take them to their logical conclusion so effectively. She was everything Kyoko could have hoped for. The first three scenes all had clues that needed to be solved for her plan to proceed smoothly, but Kyoko could not be seen to solve too many of these on her own—just as K was using Nami to go after KK Killer, KK, Ike Raynfrod, was using Nami to go after Kyouko. ''

''Kyoko Kirigiri could never be anything more than a suspicious private detective, not to be trusted, but not attracting too much attention from K either. As far as Ike Raynford was concerned, the first three murders only served to set up the main act, the fourth murder. Nami had been the first to use the word camouflage, but in that sense, the first three murders were all camouflage, disguising the truth behind the fourth murder. ''

''At the third scene, the clock had pointed to a large condo complex in Pasadena, in the Valley, where there were two B.B.s. This had not been hard for Ike to locate, with the eyes of the demon, that said, it had not exactly been simple to locate a place that matched the necessary conditions. ''

''Room 1313, Blackberry Brown. ''

''Room 404, Blues-harp Babysplit. ''

''Nami Feuer was working alone, which allowed Ike to avoid the need to use the backup plan he’d created in case K sent more than one person. However, everything happened according to his plans. If there had been two investigators, it would not simply have been a matter of finding a third B.B. Nami in room 1313, and himself in room 404. Just like her planned, K solved the puzzles of KK and discovered that Kyoko Kirigiri working with Nami was indeed the killer himself. And what he did? She let a suicide code that only Kyouko could figure it out... and then it happened, knowing that Ike was planning to kill himself, Kyouko left her hideout and stole KK's façade as Kyoko Kirigiri to prevent him from commiting suicide.''

''Honestly, it did not particularly matter which room they were in. Nami was in room 1313 for no better reason than that she was a woman. And then Kyouko attempted suicide to complete the fate of the last victim. Turned the thumb lock by hand, nailed a Wara Ningyo into the wall, broke the sprinkler system, turned off the alarm, wiped the place for fingerprints, showered herself with gasoline, and lit herself on fire.''

''Ike had chosen himself to be the fourth victim but Kyouko refused to let him die without being punished by her own hands so she did it herself, trusting in Nami's skills to save her. ''

''That Kyoko Kirigiri was a fake name did not even require K's resources, Nami was an FBI agent, and could find that out for herself quickly, and if she dug a little deeper would be able to find out that her real name was Ike Raynford. More than acceptable as the fourth victim, and a highly appropriate end for the mysterious private detective. ''

''Immolation. ''

''Burning to death. ''

''And it was Kyouko who had to do that... to bring Ike out of the shadows to allow Nami to finish him. Otherwise, her participation in the case would be without meaning.''

''Naturally, Kyouko's face and fingerprints would burn as well... ''

''Ike had always disguised himself with heavy makeup while he was with Nami, and he had never left a picture behind, so even if someone directly affiliated with Hammy’s House inspected the body, they would have no idea that Kyoko Kirigiri was Ike Raynford, the KK Killer, from Hammy’s House. ''

''He had left nothing to connect KK to Kyoko. He had no intention of hiding his own identity (he wanted them to find out he was KK), but he had to hide that he was KK from Hammy’s House. ''

The reason he changed his methods of killing from strangulation at the first scene, to blunt force trauma at the second, to stabbing at the third was partly experimental, partly motivated by curiosity, but far, far more important was to make it seem only natural that the fourth murder was done with fire.

''And there was also the matter of the injuries done to each of the previous corpses—even Ike Raynford knew it was impossible for himself to damage his own body after death, that's why he decided the last murder was going to be commited with fire. It would never do to leave such an obvious discrepancy. With a burned body, it was impossible to tell if such damage had been done or not. ''

''At the fourth scene, as I hardly need to explain, there was no message. There was no reason to leave one. Ike was presenting the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases to K as a case that could never be solved. That K could not be solved. In other words, he had never prepared any clear solution to it since Kyouko took the role of the killer and had committed suicide in his place to lure Ike to the stage, disguised as the fourth victim, there was no longer a killer to catch, and no clues left to catch him with. Which is why the difficulty had escalated so dramatically from murder to murder. ''

''Particularly the message at the third scene, with its deliberate ambiguities, A.M. versus P.M., and room 1313 versus 404. So when no message was discovered at the fourth scene, Nami, and therefore K, would believe they had simply overlooked it. Something that should be there, but wasn't, and it was a lot harder to discover something that wasn't there than something that was. Especially if the missing thing had never been there in the first place--in that case, there was no way they would ever find it. ''

''But how would they prove it? ''

''A problem with no solution could only have one answer—that it could not be solved. But that answer conflicted with the fairness displayed in the first three murders. Which tied their hands. Unable to find something that wasn’t there, K would have to continue searching for KK—who no longer existed.''

''The metaphor of the gradually decreasing Wara Ningyo established from the beginning that there would be only four victims, so the lack of further murders would not lead to the conclusion that the killer had passed away. K would be left chasing after the mirage of the deceased KK Killer. K would be forever followed by the mirage of the deceased KK. K, Kyouko Kirigiri, would spend the rest of her life trembling in fear of KK's shadow. ''

''K would lose. KK Killer would win. That was their battle.''

''KK Killer was the top, and K was the bottom—K would grovel at KK’s feet. The copy would surpass the original. Or so Ike, the KK Killer thought. In reality this did not happen, and the dizzying amount of time he had spent preparing for his crimes was all for nothing, destroyed, blown to smithereens—because he had focused all his energies on K, and never once viewed Nami Feuer as anything more than a pawn. All his attention was on the woman behind Nami, and he never even saw Nami standing right in front of him, despite admiring her. ''

''Even as he believed himself to be praising her skills, he ultimately underestimated her. She had done better than he expected—that very expression is, essentially, arrogant. ''

''If you ask me, even without Kyoko's hints, she might well have deciphered the messages at almost the same speed. Nami Feuer. The key had been the locked rooms. The locked rooms. ''

''Kyoko had said over and over that there was no need to think about them, that the killer had probably just used a spare key, because even he knew that focusing on that point could mean trouble. Ike Raynford had a fair idea where the weaknesses in his own plot lay. But those were weaknesses that would be forgotten once the fourth murder happened, and if he could just hold out till then, if he could just distract her until then... then K would have won. That Nami figured it out just before the fourth murder was complete can only be described as a stroke of good luck. At the first scene, and the second, and the third, the Wara Ningyo had been directly across from the door, and the dolls had been at the same height as the latch of the thumb turn lock, she had to notice both these things to figure it out. At the third murder scene the dolls had been counted along with the stuffed animals, which had seemed like a reasonable enough idea, but that was not their primary function. And their function as a metaphor for the victims was, again, not their true purpose. ''

''Specifically, let us look at how the locked rooms were created. The doors were locked with a thread. The thread from a needle and thread. ''

''Nami had suggested running a thread under the door, looping it around the latch, and pulling on the thread to make the latch turn. Kyoko had denied it, but it had been a close call. She had been so close, but with that method, the force would have been pulling in the room direction, applying pressure to the door itself rather than the latch. ''

''As Kyoko had explained, the only effect would have been to pull outward on a door that opened inward. But she had been very close. At what she believed to be a potential fourth crime scene, Nami had crouched down in front of the door, putting her line of sight at waist height, and looked at the opposite wall, and imagined there was a Wara Ningyo there. Pinned to the wall across from her. Of course, the doll had to be physically pinned to the wall. There was no way it could just float there on its own, that would be magic, a scene out of a horror movie. It had to have been pinned there, which means there had also been something pinning it there. ''

''The holes in the wall at each crime scene, without even looking at the photos of the dolls in her files, Nami was Korean, she knew about them as part of her culture. ''

''Wara Ningyo had nails through them. Long, thin nails. And what mattered to the killer was not the doll itself... but the nail. The Wara Ningyo were nothing but a dramatic bit of misdirection. The shape of the nails.. the nail’s head. The thread went under the door, around the head of the nail, and from there over to the side wall, around another nail head, and finally back to the door itself, around the latch of the thumb turn lock, at the same height as the dolls. ''

''Obviously, this is a simplified description to make it easier to understand, and the operation was actually performed in reverse, starting at the lock, then going to the side wall, the opposite wall, and back under the door, but... essentially, the thread sketched a big triangle in the middle of the room. And if you pulled the string then... The latch of the thumb turn lock would turn. ''

Click.

''Essentially, he used the nail heads as pulleys, turning the power vectors diagonally. To be even more accurate, the Wara Ningyo was not placed directly opposite the door, or directly opposite the thumb turn latch, but directly opposite the gap under the door. ''

''This method prevented the dynamic force applied to the thread to be dispersed by the door. ''

''The thread did not touch the door, but simply passed under it, heading directly for the nail in the Wara Ningyo opposite, and all the force applied was transmitted in that direction. ''

''Then the nail head acted like a pulley, turning the direction of the force twice, and leading it to the thumb turn latch. Once the door was locked, obviously, he then had to recover the thread, so he had to use a particularly long one doubled over on itself... which explanation is just a bonus at this stage. ''

''As soon as he was sure the door was locked, he let go of one end of the thread and pulled on the other, successfully gathering all the thread to his side of the door. Anyone could pull this off, as long as they used strong thread that wouldn’t break. If you have time, try it in your own room. As long as you are allowed to hammer nails into the walls. ''

''Despite this tedious explanation, the exact nature of the locked room trick is completely unimportant. Well... perhaps not completely, but to focus too much on the trick itself is to miss the real point. What really matters is that to pull this trick off, you need at least two dolls, because you need two nail head pulleys. At least two. One on the opposite wall and one on the side wall. Four dolls, three dolls, two dolls, the trick worked at the first three scenes. But at the fourth scene, where there was only one Wara Ningyo, the trick could not be used. With only one pulley opposite the door, the latch would not turn. The thread would not make a triangle, and would simply go over and come back in a straight line. ''

''So, as I have already mentioned, the final victim, Kyouko Kirigiri, turned the thumb turn latch by hand. We only know that because the locked room trick was solved before the fourth murder took place, otherwise, the fact that the locked room had been created even with only one Wara Ningyo would simply have been dropped into the file with all the other data. ''

''The weakness in his plan would evaporate, as long as the locked room remained a mystery until the fourth murder, it would remain one forever. Nami Feuer was just in time. ''

''Kyoko (Ike Raynford) herself had asked absently, “What for?”. ''

''Why had the killer made a locked room that he did not need? That question. A game, for fun... a puzzle. Locked rooms were designed to make a murder look like a suicide... but in this case, the locked rooms existed to make the fourth death look like it wasn’t a suicide. ''

''To provide K with a mystery she could not solve. Even if she could not solve it, it did not mean there was no answer. Namely: it was unsolvable. According to Ike's scenario, Nami would come running down the stairs when he failed to answer his phone as scheduled to find the Wara Ningyo on the far wall and Kyoko Kirigiri who is now the original Kyouko Kirigiri, K, burned to death, and if she had not yet figured out the locked room mystery, then everything would go as KK planned, his plot executed perfectly. ''

''Since the locked room had been created even with only one Wara Ningyo, nobody would ever think of the triangulation technique. If the police had not taken the dolls and the nails that held them in place away as evidence, Nami would probably have figured it out faster. But this was not a matter of luck, but all part of Ike's plan. He knew all along the police would investigate the scene first. Ike had coldly calculated that by the time K's pawn arrived at the scene, the actual Wara Ningyo and the actual nails would be long gone. ''

''The third scene was the only one where they might remain, and in that case, they were counted with the stuffed animals to make the numbers on the sides of the clock face, which would distract her. So the only thing that did not go according to Ike's plan was Nami's investigative ability. ''

''No, not ability. Inspiration. ''

''But figuring out the locked room trick, figuring out that the way the killer had locked the doors would only work at the first three scenes did not tip off Nami Feuer. Rather, she had begun to wonder how the killer planned to lock the door at the fourth scene. Or to wonder if the theory was completely misguided. ''

''Her suspicions did not immediately turn toward Kyoko Kirigiri. Of course not, she had been told no details about the connection between K and KK Killer, so it never occurred to her that Kyoko might have a reason to do something like that. She kept saying she was suspicious, but her suspicions had never reached any definite form.''

''To theorize that the fourth murder would actually be a suicide required her to realize that the message had pointed to two possible murder scenes, that the two of them were lying in wait for the killer, and since one of those two people was her, the other one had to be the killer... but Nami Feuer was not proficient in the kind of mathematical deduction that was required to logically prove who the killer was. But she had figured it out. Because he had known. Ike knew that Nami Feuer knew capoeira. And in this case, the only people who knew that were K, who Nami herself had told, and the man who had assaulted her in the alley downtown, the killer. ''

''Nami had used a capoeira technique while fighting him. She had driven him off with her capoeira. Since the idea that Kyoko was K was comically absurd and completely unthinkable, then it stood to reason the person who insulted her was Kyoko... which led Nami to the truth. ''

''Failure. ''

Ike Raynford's one and only failure.

''The only failure the killer who never made mistakes had made. If he had just rated Nami Feuer a little bit higher, he would never have let that happen, his defeat. But it was too late. ''

''He might have been born with the unbelievable eyes of demons, but he had no eyes for judging people... Probably a little too pat a conclusion to draw. A neat turn of phrase, to be sure, but that doesn’t salvage it. ''

''It is now an eternal mystery exactly how much of the truth K grasped and when. Kyouko might have known everything all along and put Nami into action based on that, and he might well have never figured anything out and been saved by Kyouko.''

'' Either way seems perfectly possible. But let us not think of such petty things. K iw not someone we should speak of in such petty terms. As long as one thing is clear, nothing else matters. ''

''KK lost to Nami Feuer. In other words, he lost to K. Losing twice in one battle, unable to die after he corrupted Nami, was taken to the police hospital, ending the serial killings that had begun a month before, on July 3lst...no, July 22nd, when the warning first reached the police station. Apparently KK had poured gasoline on himself at almost exactly the same moment Nami had arrived at the truth. It took a full minute before Nami burst into room 404. It would not have been at all surprising if he had died of smoke suffocation before she got there, or died before he reached the hospital, before the ambulance arrived. But he did not die. He did not die. His body was stronger than he believed, and his life went on longer than he thought. ''

''The hardest part of killing someone is to actually kill them—if he had been able to see his own life, I’m sure Ike Raynfrod would have chosen a different method. ''

''My poor, poor predecessor. ''

''Not only was he utterly and completely defeated, but he failed to corrupt Nami to become the next KK Killer... he must have longed for death. ''

''Accept my condolences, KK. ''

''And with that, there is nothing more to be said in these notes about the Los Angeles KK Murder Cases. ''

''If I had space left over I had intended to carry right on into the other two stories I heard from K: the story of the detective war between the three greatest detectives, all solving that infamous bio-terror case, with guest appearances by the last of the alphabet, the first X to the first Z from Hammy’s House; and the story of how the world’s greatest inventor was discovered  by GDP,. ''

''But however objectively I look at things, I do not have the space or the time. Oh well. In that case, to close off the file, I will wrap things up with a small description of something that happened to Nami Feuer a few days later... but it seems Nami's batte is not over yet... because...''

Nowadays
<p style="text-align:center;">' 4 days later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Private Hospital of GDP 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 05:33 P.M. 

''Taking a short breath, Nami slowly opened her eyes. It might have been because she had not been using her eyes for a long time, but her vision was blurry like a mosaic. ''

She could not properly exert strength with her body, and her whole body ache with a dull pain.

- Nami: Where am I?

''In one moment, the voice she made with her throat, sounded like someone she didn't know. Her dry throat and the buzz in her eardrums. Those factors were enough for her to not recognize her own voice. The only other thing left was her own brain, which could probably could not recognize her own voice. That type of stupid thought passed through her head. ''

''Taking a few seconds, Nami came to her senses, and confirmed the situation that she was in. ''

''A white room. ''



''A large bed. ''

''Her whole body was wrapped in bandages, her left arm had drips attached to it and her mouth was attached to an oxygen mask. There were electrodes stuck onto her chest, and the Electro-Cardiogram matching with Mana's heartbeat was ringing regularly. Mana unintentionally made a dry smile. ''

''No matter how she looked at it, she was a patient in a critical condition. ''

- Nami: Why am, I, in such a...?

''She said up to there, and Mana opened her eyes wide. She tore off the oxygen mask, and raised her pain stricken body. She then turned her neck, and turned her eyes to the digital clock placed on a shelf. ''

''14:00/WED. ''



''- (???): You're finally awake... Young detective.''

''Nami looked to her left side and saw a woman with a volumous body... that woman was her superior, Fiora Wescott, the woman who trained her in the FBI Academy.''

- Nami: Director F-Fiora Wescott!

''Looking at the date displayed on the clock, and the face of her superior, Nami gasped immediately. ''

''Either the clock was broken or someone wanted to deceive Nami by intentionally changing the date, if that is not the case... and the sudden appearance of Fiora scared the former to her soul.''

''- Nami: W-What are you doing here? Where am I?''

- Fiora: Just relax, you're safe.

''Almost 4 days had passed from the day Nami fought with Ike on the Tunnel of Love of Atlanta Park. Yes. At that time, Nami was almost defeated and driven away by the real KK Killer, Ike Raynford, whom committed a brutal massacre in the park.''

''The only other people that were at that place with Nami and Ike were, Jeanne, one of the masterminds behind the KK Murder Cases and a few police officers who arrived minutes later after the fight between the detective and the killer had ended. ''

''She thought that, there was probably no one that was able to overturn that situation. Namely to say that means.''

- Nami: K! 

''Nami forcefully pulled out the electrodes stuck to her chest and the drip that was poking into her left arm. The second she did that, the Electro-Cardiogram disordered and [PIII] sound rang. And finally at that moment, Nami realized something basic. ''



''- Nami: Why am... I, not dead?''

''It was certain that her body hurt. Her vision was hazy. It was hard to say that her whole body's senses were in perfect condition. But, she was alive. She was exposed, defenseless, to that twisted killer yet she still survived. Which means, the situation became unnecessarily incomprehensible. ''

''- Fiora: You're in the year of 2035, my dear. The medicine is way too advanced to let someone in a critical condiction die so easily. Don't worry, you're 100% healed. ''

''By the time Nami lost consciousness, Nami remembered several painful feelings in her body... cuts and shots. If she was born in the 2000s, she would be probably dead by now since the medicine at that time could not save her life.''

- Nami: I am?

''Nami touched her body and noticed the pain was no more... it was gone like magic.''

''- Nami: This is... a miracle? I wa suppose to be dead...''

''- Fiora: Don't thank god, thank the medics and the creator of the Bakta Tank... thanks to this technology K will survive too.''

''Fiora changed her sight and looked straight at the end of the room... until now, Nami did not notice that... there was a person inside of a tank right there. That part of the room was covered in darkness and only the tank was illuminating.''



"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

- Nami: No way...

Nami's eyes began to shine when she saw that Bakta Tank shining in the darkness with a person within it.

''But what is bacta (bakta) tank? It's a cylindrical tank into which a being could be submerged for extensive exposure to bacta, a fluid that could accelerate healing and treat major injuries. Bacta tanks already existed during the Cold War II and used them to treat its injured soldiers of KnightWalker Funeral Parlor.''

- Nami: That is...

''Nami could not see the face of that person inside of the tank but when she saw the body of that person, she noticed their skin was completely black and white... like if it was the skin of the infamous Rake...''

- Nami: Jesus Christ...

''Nami touched one of the scars where Ike stabbed her and thought for a second that her wounds were absolutely nothing compared to that person's. It was terrible. Horrible.''

- Nami: Kyouko Kirigiri...

''Yes, the person inside of the Bakta Tank was not an unknown person, it was K, the century's greatest detective who set herself on fire to lure Ike out of the shadows, to make Nami fight and defeat him... ''

- Nami: K?

- Kyouko: ..............

Nami slowly walked towards the Bakta Tank, her legs were weak and her bones were hurting but she could still walk normally.

''- Fiora: Oh. So you know her?''

''- Nami: Yes, I do... but... you too?''

''Fiora is the Executive Assistant Director of FBI Intelligent Branch... so she obviously hold a high post in the Security Committee. She probably knows Kyouko very well but for obvious reasons, she keep it in secret.''

''- Fiora: It's a long story but yes, I do. I never thought the mysterious person you were working to was Kyouko... If we knewe that all along, we wouldn't send those officers.''

Nami turned around and continued her way to the bakta tank, and then Kyouko, who now looks like a undead husk, slowly opened her eyes and rose her head inside of the tank full of liquid.

- Kyouko: N-Nami Feuer?

Nami put her hand in the bakta and bit her lips.

- Nami: So it's you...

''Nami widened her eyes when she confirmed that person is truly Kyouko... Look! She had 100% of her body carbonized with third degree burns! If she wasn't living in 2030s, she would be literally dead from the very first day she burned herself.''

''- Kyouko: So you're still alive... I heard you were found inconscious...''

''- Nami: Yes I was... I was just one step next to my death. I could already feel my very existence being pushed out of my body... like if my soul was being dragged to another reality. It was scary, and sinister.''

Nami seated next to the tank.

''- Kyouko: So did you do it? About Ike...''

''- Nami: Yes, he is no more. I wasn't planning to kill him from the start but he left me with no choice. I had to do it. Sorry about that.''

''Kyouko nodded her head inside of the liquid... apparently the mask she was wearing was allowing her to speak.''

''- Kyouko: It's okay... I was never planning to let him live anyway. I was going to give him a death penalty not only for the KK Murder Cases, but because of his previous crimes he committed during the course of his life.''

Nami giggled and closed her eyes.

''- Nami: Fufufu... true enough... But what happened back then? How did I survive?''

4 days ago
''Actually, she couldn't even blink her eyes. Nami then lied on the water of the tunnel, that water that was full of blood but was relaxing and calm.''

''- Nami (think): *So this is it? I'll die alongside the killer? What a pathetic ending for a detective and agent of FBI. So lame. So stupid... I did not even form my family with Adam. Damn it... What I'm going to say to him in ther afterlife that I died first without giving him any last words. I died because I fell on the trap of my own suspect. I let the killer manipulate me... No... I don't want to go like that. What I'm going to leave here as my legacy besides a bunch of corpses of innocent children? What about K? I couldn't stop Ike from killing those innocents. Until the end... I was a useless idiot who couldn't push that trigger...*''

Nami slowly closed her eyes as the sounds of footsteps echoed in the cave.

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - (???): Hey! There is one alive here! ''



Just after Nami lost her consciousness, several police officers entered in the tunnel with battle rifles, considering the attack to the park was considered a terrorist one.

- Police Officer 1: There is one more alive here!

''The officers entered the tunnel with flashlights and immediately rushed at the bodies of all civilians killed by Ike. However, almost all of them were dead... at least a child and woman were alive.''

''- Police Officer 2: Hey! This woman is alive too!''

''One of the officers ran towards Nami and checked her pulse, discovering she still alive but her wounds were horrible... it was more than obvious she was going to die soon.''

''- Police Officer 2: CALL AN AMBULANCE! ''

''Considering Nami was in a terrible state, the officers decided to leave Nami there until the paramedics arrived to take her to the ambulance. It's an important fact about rescuing a victim, no matter their wounds.''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Outside 

<p style="text-align:center;"> On the top of the Roller Coaster 

''- (???): What a pathetic sight. Ike.''

''Meanwhile, an unknown female figure was standing on the top of a roller coaster of the park. That woman had a pale skin, white hair and red shining eyes... no matter what, she is not human.''

Just the fact that she is standing on the top of a roller coaster without losing her balance was already supernatural enough.

- (???): And w̷͉̦̫͔e̵̖̞̺̞ thought he could be more useful, but it can't be helped.

''That woman is Jeanne, the person revealed to be behind the KK Killer and his murders... the true mastermind of all this tragedy.''

- Jeanne: What do w̴e̶ do now?

"........................."



''Jeanne crossed her arms and closed her eyes... Jeanne already demonstrated that she has split personalities, meaning she suffers from personality disorder, and shares her body and mind with different personas inside of her head. The quantity of "Jeannes" living in her mind is unknown.''

''She then put her hand in her breasts and pulled out a syringe full of blood... it was human blood.''

''- Jeanne: There is no need to worry, Jeannes. We̴ have his blood. As long we have his blood, we can make as many as KK Killer we want.''

- Jeanne: But can we spread his DNA like a virus, much like the Zoyineian Virus?

''Yes... that woman was speaking to herself, like if her mind was changing personalities each phrase... showing a clear sight of insanity.''

''- Jeanne: Yes, we can... Ike Raynford was just another guinea pig of our project... Soon, when the New World Order rises from this world which will be devastated by the new world war, the new legion of murders, KK Killer, will be born and put order on those who dare to defy the new regime.''

And the blood inside of that syringue was from Ike's.

- Jeanne: You know it very well, me.

''Jeanne then put the neddle and then summoned a paper in her hand... that paper was...''



... Ike's certificate of death.



''- Jeanne: We were already expecting Ike to die so we made a certificate of death to him. He was never suppose to survive... and even if he survived the final battle we would finish his poor life. He was just a beta demonstration of the true KK Killer.''

''From what we discovered... Ike was a prototype of serial killer...''

''Jeanne extended her arms and used telekinesis to levitate a cup of milkshake. She immediately began to drink it, like a psychotic child.''

''- Jeanne: You know the funniest thing between Ike and me... he grew up as a monster because of us. As his mothers, we failed. We created him and put him inside of the orphanage just so he could become the KK Killer. But in the end, he was a failure.''

''- Jeanne: You're so bad, Jeanne. As a mother, you're a failure.''

- Jeanne: Idiot, you are me, and I am you.

Jeanne slapped herself like if her hand was moving by itself.

''- Jeanne: Really?! ''

Jeanne then smiled and began to laugh like an innocent child.

''- Jeanne: Hahahahahahahaha!! You're so funny... but let's avoid fights between us! Remember our goal:''

Suddenly, a yellow aura began to fly around Jeanne's body and prepared to teleport herself.



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Jeannes: The creation of a society of KK Killers! ''

Jeanne teleported herself to another place just after her voice sounded like if several Jeannes were speaking at the same time.

Nowadays
<p style="text-align:center;">' Seconds later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Private Hospital of GDP  <p style="text-align:center;"> Top Room 

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): And that was the KK Murder Case... a small serial killer case with no importance to the world. Only 3 victims. ''

''Everything was settle down... KK Murder Case had ended with both the detectives, Nami Feuer and Kyouko Kirigiri alive. Both suffered from fatal wounds but survvied...''

''And now, it was time for the two to settle things between themselves. Deep inside, Nami still angry for Kyouko trying to control her as a pawn in the very beginning.''

Now, Nami was wearing her formal clothes and was lying next to Kyouko's tank, where she was floating inside of the bakta liquid.

- Nami: Hey, K...

Kyouko closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

''- Kyouko: Nami Feuer, there is no need for you to call me as K anymore. You know my name and my face... Just call me Kyouko. Just like that.''

Nami rose her torso and smiled.

''- Nami: Kyouko? Are you sure? Well, you're the world's greatest detective.''

''- Kyouko: It's okay... we're now soulmates. Partners. Friends. We put our own lives in the frontlines.''



Nami narrowed her eyes.

- Nami: We are f-friends?

''Nami was actually trying to hide her happiness from being called a friend by Kyouko Kirigiri, the century's greatest detective. Honestly, Nami never thought much about K but the day she was called by her in her computer, it was one of her most memorable days in her life. If not the happiest.''

- Kyouko: Ye--

Before she could finish

''The door of the sickroom opened, and a few people wearing black suits entered. In front of them, there was a young boy holding a Magi-Tech gun similar to Nami's... that boy was Shusei Kagari...''

- Kyouko: Huh?

''- Nami: What is it? Who are you guys? ''

''- Shusei: LAPD! You're Nami Feuer, right?!''

".................."

''Nami stood up and stares at the group of men who looked like agents... beside them, Nami could see Fiora Wescott, the woman who was seating next to Nami the whole time, looking down in sadness, but the former ignored that.''

''- Nami: Who are all you people? You people are a little dark for a doctor or a nurse... obviously because you're the police. But what the LAPD is doing here?''

Nami was a litte confused but she knew something bad happened.

''- Fiora: Listen, Nami. I--''

''- Shusei: So you're Nami Feuer. I'll be straight here and say this: you're under arrest for being suspected of the murder of two agents of Global Pact Defense. Their names are...''​​​​​​



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Shusei: Tom Richard... ''



<p style="text-align:center;"> - Shusei: ...And Ellen Clover 

''Kyouko made a sharp gaze, and the men in black did not move an inch. ''

- Nami: WHAT?!

''Fiora facepalm hersef and tried to avoid eye contact with Nami. ''

''- Shusei: You will come with us. Although we do not want to resort to violence, if you were to resist, we would have no choice.''

''Nami distorted her face in a bad mood, and glared at the man that said that. ''

''- Nami: Do you know who you are talking to? Resort to violence? Against me? Haa, Try it if you like.''

But then, Fiora Wescott personally walked towards Nami and put a handcuff in her left hand.

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''- Kyouko: Fiora! What is happening here? What they're talking about? The report of murders of two GDP agents never arrived in my agency!''

Nami stared at her hand being hancuffed and then widened her eyes full of confusion and sadness.

''- Fiora: I'm sorry, Nami. But they're here to arrest you because I ordered them to do so. Please do not resist.''

Nami still scared and confused but soon gained courage to ask what truly happened.

- Nami: Why are you doing this?

''Fiora bit her lips and tried to hold back her tears for betraying a former apprentice of her department... Nami calmed herself and was ready to listen.- Fiora: You may not know but you're suspect of being the killer on the murder of two GDP officers who were sent to investigate you on August 19th. But then one day, the high-council of security of Global Pact Defense discovered you were investigating the crime scenes without your FBI license, which is obviously illegal. So they contacted me for being your former teacher, and I was forced to ask Teru Mikami, the Police Commissioner of Los Angeles, to send two investigators to spy you. However, on the same day, they were mysteriously and brutally murdered in front of the house where you or KK disguised as a detective, were investigating, rising the ''

hypothesis that you or KK were the responsibles.

''Needless to say, the murder of those two GDP officers were not carried by Ike nor Nami, but by Jeanne, the mastermind behind Ike's criminal history. At that point, the LAPD discovered Ike was deceiving Nami while disguised as a detective but the identity of Kyouko Kirigiri still hidden from them, obviously because her identity as K is a secret to the public, even to the police.''

- Nami: And their names are...

''- Fiora: Ellen Clover and Tom Richard. They were the two officers who were murdered on that day.''

Nami knew that it wasn't Ike since he stayed inside of the house the whole day with her, investigating the crime scene.

''- Nami: So, with KK dead... I'm the primary suspect.''

''- Fiora: Yes... that's why, Nami, I recommend you to not resist... If you do that, they will increase your sentence without giving you a proper trial.''

"....................."

After a minute looking at the floor, Nami rose her right hand as if she was asking Fiora to handcuff her other hand.

''- Nami: So this is it. You all were waiting for me to awake to arrest me?''

''- Shusei: Yes, it's not legal to arrest a person who is not even conscious. There is also your wounds, there is that too.''

Kyouko hit her hand in the glass of the tank as if she was trying to break free.

''- Kyouko: FIORA! YOU KNOW IT WASN'T HER! SO WHY?! NAMI IS INNOCENT! THERE IS NO WAY A PERSON WITH SUCH GRAND SENSE OF JUSTICE IS CAPABLE OF MURDERING TWO AGENTS OF THE LAW!''

Fiora looked down as Shusei walked towards Nami and handcuffed her other hand.

- Shusei: It's time to go.

Shusei looked at Kyouko inside of the bank and was a little scared of her burned body, which made her look like a monster.

- Shusei: And who are you?

''Obviously, they don't know her identity. Kyouko only replied with an angry expression and narrowed her eyesbrows.''

''- Fiora: It's none of your business... take her away.''

Nami closed her eyes and began to walk away as the police officers escorted out of the room.

''- Kyouko: NAMI! I'LL NOT LET YOU DOWN! I'LL COME FOR YOU AN--!''

''Before she could finish, Nami stopped walking and turned her head around... to show her face forcing a emotional smile as if everything was okay.''

''- Nami: Don't worry with me, Kyouko. I'm not a murderer. I'm sure of it. That's why, you don't need to after me. I'll show them I'm innocent and gain my own freedom. But more importantly, I'll show them I am an agent of the law.''

Fiora tried to force a smile as well to at least say she was impressed with her determination of ensuring her innocence.

''- Fiora: Yes... you're right, Nami. I know you're innocent and one of my best FBI agents. I'll be waiting for you outside. So hurry up and get your FBI license back.''

Nami closed her eyes and smiled once again.

''- Nami: I will, teacher. Just wait for me, Fiora and Kyouko. I'll be right back.''

''Nami was pushed by one of the officers and forced to leave the room on the brute strength... they made their way towards the parking lot of the hospital where dozens of police cars were about to escort her to prison.''

<p style="text-align:center;">' 5 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Parking Lot of the Hospital 

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): With no attention of the world, the KK Murder Case ended with the death of Ike. It was the first time that K, involved herself in the case in person. It was the beginning of a new era to the world of justice. ''

- LAPD Officer 1: Hey, it's her!

''- LAPD Officer 2: The FBI agent who murdered Ellen and Tom? ''

''- LAPD Officer 3: Hey! There is no way she can be the killer! I mean, look at that beauty!''

''- LAPD Officer 4: Idiot, this is wha you're looking at? She is the primary suspect of being another killer.''

- LAPD Officer 2: But I heard she helped in the KK Murder Case...

''More and more whispers... as soon as Nami arrived in the parking lot which was full of police cars and police officers, dozens of people there began to murmur between themselves, obviously about the strange woman Nami Feuer who is suspected for being the murder of two GDP officers... or better two, GDP Detectives.''

''- Nami (think): *I said I was okay with it as long as I could prove my innocence... but this is all right? Just like that?*''

Nami was a little embarassed as dozens of people who worked to the police stared at her face while two police officers were about to take her to the armored car.

- Nami: .....................

''To avoid eye contact with other people, Nami looked down as if she was trying to hide her face to not be recognized... a common action used by most people who are being arrested.''

''- (???): Oh, my... So it's true. The murderer is you, Nami.''

''As Nami was passing by the officers who were in lines, Nami heard a familiar female voice... a voice from the person she hated the most. It was her, Tsubasa Torii, Nami's most hated "rival" who also happens to be a racist and hateful American person.''

''- Nami: Tsubasa... you're here to mock me?''

Nami stopped walking when she arrived in front of Tsubasa's point of view.

''- Tsubasa: It's my job to serve LAPD. I heard rumors that you killed KK Killer but is now under the suspicion you killed two detectives. I thought it was fake news but I'm shocked... it's true. It's you Nami...''

''- Nami: Well, enjoy it. ''

''- Tsubasa: Of course. How do you feel now? Being looked down by everyone who once considered you to be a genius? This is the feeling, Nami. This is the feeling I felt for many years since I met you. You were so arrogant and prideful to the point of narcissism. You always looked down on everyone around you, considering us, police officers, to be inferior. You were so damned that you left LAPD to join FBI just because you thought working with us is the same as working with recyclers. You always try to hide your own mistakes behind pathetic excuses of health and physical problems or blaming other people who worked with you.''

"......................"

''Tsubasa is hateful but for one reason. She is not only rude and racist but she have a long story with Nami when they were only students years ago.''

''Nami tried to ignore and continued walking... but Tsubasa was not done yet... this time, she said everything in loud voice to let everyone know.''

''- Tsubasa: Don't turn your back on me, your fucking Korean slut! Why don't you just confess you had sex with the disgusting old politicians of GDP to rise through the ranks of FBI?! Oh yeah! You must be always like that! Using your body to be better than everyone while boasting your own genius intellect! What you did to them? Huh? Offered anal?! Blowjob?! Or--!'

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Before Tsubasa could continue humiliating Nami on distance, a person left from behind the LAPD truck where Nami was being taken to, it was a slender female figure with a voluminous body... that woman was me, Mina Harker! The most preci--! ''

''I-I mean... the director of STAR LABS... me.''

''Obviously, the STAR LABS is a secret military branch of GDP but at the same time, the military organization known for fighting demonic forces is not known by the public. Indeed, fighting demons and evil spirits through magic is our speciality and our existence is a secret. Yet, the public may know us as an organization that manufacture Magi-Tech weapons to sell to VSA, ISA and Global Pact Defense. Basically, the hide the fact we fight supernatural forces, the GDP forces the image of a weapon dealer organization to hide the truth of our true work.''

''And obviously, Mina Harker, in other words, me, is known by all population of the world but I'm most famous in America. Let's refer to myself in third person, right?''

''- Mina: Excuse me... This is the Bakta floor?''

''Mina slowly left from behind the tank with a curious expression. Needless to say, Mina is a close friend of Kyouko so it's obvious she is there to visit her best friend.''

''- Shusei: Y-Yes... it is.''

Shusei and all police officers were shocked and paralyzed with the vision of Mina in person, standing right in front of them.

- Nami: Y-You are...

Just then, Mina noticed Nami being pushed by two officers but they stopped immediately when they caught the sight of Mina.

''- Mina: So I'm on the right floor... And wh--!''

Suddenly, Mina noticed Tsubasa standing a few meters behind Nami and slowly walked towards her with a blush and a naughty face.

''- Mina: You're so beautiful but your mouth is so ugly. Are you Nami's friend? I never saw someone so close to another person.''

''Nami got in her knees and touched Tsubasa's hand like a gentleman... Ahh... let me tell you, I'm bi!''

''- Tsubasa (think): *Wait a second! What's wrong with this woman?! She is Mina Harker, right?! What the hell is happening here?!*''

She took a deep breath and replied almost in the same tone she used to shout at Nami.

- Tsubasa: No! I'm not!

Mina then closed her eyes and expressed disappointment.

- Mina: May as well get your name while you're here.

Mina opened a pad and prepared to write her name on it.

''- Tsubasa: My name? My name is Tsubasa Torri. Sergeant Tsubara. ''

''Mina jots down Tsubasa's name. She jots down her and flips the pad closed.''

''- Mina: Sergeant Tsubasa, thank you very much. I think I can guarantee you be in a prison in Cuba before the end of the month. Good evening.''

Mina walks away towards the entrance of the floor from where Nami came.

- Tsubasa: W-W-W-What?

- All: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

''Tsubasa knew Mina Harker, she appears in almost all maganizes, journals and programs of America, there is no way a civilized person may not know her. But more importantly, she knows the power that Mina holds in her hands.''

- Tsubasa: W-W-WAIT A SEC--!

''Before Tsubasa could reach Mina, she immediately turned around with a big smile and just then noticed Nami handcuffed. She then made her way towards that woman, passing by Tsubasa and ignoring her existence.''

''- Mina: So you're Nami Feuer? Kyouko told me about you.''

''Considering that no one there knows K is Kyouko, it's safe to say her name in public. It may be the name of a random person.''

- Nami: Y-Yes...

''Mina touched her shoulder and hugged her like a mother embracing her daughter... that scene may look cute on distance but Nami was feeling another thing. She was feeling something terrible coming from that woman, as if thousands of voices were screaming in agony and pain. ''

''- Nami (think): *W-What on the world is this?! I'm having allucionations?!*''

''- Mina: Thank you for saving the life of my friend. Yes, she is Kyouko Kirigiri. I'm glad she used someone like you to serve her in the KK Murder Case. If it was another person, I doubt they could discover that Kyoko Kirigiri, who was Ike disguised as Kyouko, was the killer. If you were only 1 minute later, Kyouko would be gone by now. You have my thanks, Nami.''

''Mina then released Nami and walked away while waving... again, ignoring Tsubasa's presence there.''

- Mina: I'm sure we will meet again in the following years.

''Nami, Shusei and Tsubasa watched Mina Harker entering on the floor with a calm mood... it's like nothing of that had happened.''​​​​

<p style="text-align:center;">' 10 minutes later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Top Room '

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): It's a story of a mortal serial killer who was actually only a pawn dancing in the hands of a greater scheme... a scheme that will soon change the world forever. The history of the world will be altered and mankind's nature will be changed forever. ''

"..................."

''Inside of the top room of the hospital where Kyouko was hospitalized, the atmosphere was dense and dark... that's normal since Nami Feuer was forced to accept her fate. ''

- Kyouko: .......................

Kyouko still inside of the tank but Fiora can clearly see that she is angry for not being able to protect Nami from LAPD.

''- Fiora: There is nothing we can do, Kyouko. This is the law.''

''- Kyouko: Even so, Fiora... you know she is not a murderer, right? She is innocent!''

Fiora closed her eyes but forced a smile to make everything is going to happen happily.

''- Fiora: Don't worry, bud. Everything is going to be okay. As long Nami is really innocent, there is nothing to be worried about. Remember, the Global Pact Defense will NEVER judge people without a proper trial to explain themselves.''

''Suddenly, the door of the sickroom opened and the director of STAR LABS, Mina Harker, entered with a soft smile in her face. It took almost 10 minutes for me... I mean, Mina Harker, to arrive in the sickroom. The first reason is that she needed to sign a ton of documents that she is going to visit Kyouko Kirigiri. The second is that she lost her way. Typical.''

- Mina: Excuse, I am in the right room?

''Mina looked around and saw a person inside of a bakta tank at the end of the room. She recognized that person as Kyouko, even if she had 100% of her body burned.''

''- Mina: Ahh! Kyouko! It's good to see you alive!''

Mina stepped in, but Fiora tried to stop her as she had no permission to enter.

''- Fiora: Sorry, director Harker! You can't ste--!''



''Fiora felt something... she felt a a dangerous aura surrounding Mina. As the woman walked into the room, Fiora felt an unknown sense of discomfort. It wasn’t because the air-conditioning was almost freezing the room. But for some unknown reason, at the moment Fiora tried to speak with her, she felt as if the temperature had dropped several degrees. Not to mention, she felt like if she was staring at a monster about to devour her very soul and sanity. ''

- Fiora: ......................

Fiora's eyes seemed lifeless for quite sometime but when Mina  passed by Fiora felt more relieved and lied against the wall.

- Fiora (think): *W-What was that?*

''Fiora then fell to the ground in her knees... Mina noticed that and looked around to see that woman in black suit in her knees.''

- Mina: What's wrong, Fiora Wescott?

Fiora stammered a little before replying and wiping out the sweat in her forehead. - Fiora: N-Nothing!

Mina opened a bottom of her shirt and made a confused expression like if she did not know what Fiora felt at that moment.

''- Mina: Hmm... Well if you need medical assistence you have to go now. I wish I can have a private conversation with Kyouko here. If you excuse us.''

''Fiora nodded and tried get up... due to her state, she walked slowly to the door to prevent herself from falling. After a few seconds, Fiora arrived at the door and closed it after she left.''

- Mina: Fiora was acting strange, don't you think?

She knew what happened but was trying to make a fool out of Kyouko.

''- Kyouko: She indeed was... It's good to see you again, Mina.''

''Kyouko was not really glad to see Mina again, actually. But just the fact that she paid a visit to her made her just a little happy.''

''- Mina: O.M.G! Put more emotions in your words! I came here to see if my childhood friend is alive and well!''

''- Kyouko: ........... Look at my state, Mina. I'm completely burned. My skin is exposed. My skin is no more. I lost al my hair. I'm not a husk with demonic skin.''

It's really hard to tell how Kyouko really us, so why don't you visit this image to see for yourself?

As if she was ignoring her, Mina put her bag in a chair and opened it, and then she pulled out a ID card with Kyouko's name on it.

- Mina: This is for you.

- Kyouko: And what exactly is this?

Mina showed it closer to Kyouko and replied.

''- Mina: What's it? This isn't obvious? This is your ID Card that you show to the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces. I prepared the documents for your trip to Japan to take care of that serial killer. Remember?''

''Obviously... Mina was not there to discuss about friendship and love but business. She... I... am not a great friend after all.''

''- Kyouko: Ahh... so that's it. And I was happy for a second.''

- Mina: Happy for what?

''- Kyouko: Nothing. Nevermind.''

Mina seated next to the bakta tank and relaxed her back.

''- Mina: Also, I think I need to tell you this. Your identi--!''

Before Mina could finish, Kyouko interrupted with dull eyes.

''- Kyouko: That you spread my true identity to the Japanese government? I already know that...''

''Remember when I said I was going to make a prank to Kyouko after she left my office that day? Basically I meant spreading her true identity to Japan via internet... I made it look like if some hacker invaded the STAR LABS system and spread many of GDP's vital datas.''

''- Mina: Huh?! Do you kno--!''

''Mina startled that Kyouko knew it was her who personally leaked her identity to the world. When she noticed she was going to give herself in, she immediately put her hands on her mouth.''

''- Kyouko: You gave my identity to the Japanese government, right? It wasn't hackers like you were going to say. And how do I know? Simply. I never trusted in you. Simply like that.''

''- Mina: That was rude from your part! But why you're not mad? I mean... I just destroyed your identity as K to the world. Can't you see it? K is no more.''

''Kyouko closed her eyes and smiled... she remembered her entire life. The life she spent behind four walls while investigating criminal cases. She always hid herself while using the name K to hide her identity... but everything was destroyed when she participed from the KK Murder Case personally. Hell, she even burned herself to fulfill the fate of the last victim.''

''- Kyouko: It wasn't you who killed K. It was me. I exposed myself to the world at that day when I tried to lure Ike Raynford out of the shadows. It's over, Mina. K is dead... in a few days, the whole world will talk about me. And I'll be on the spotlight of mankind. You only accelerated the process. ''

".................."

Mina's smile faded and her face showed an emotionless expression.

- Mina: Then what happens next, Kyouko?

"...................."

Kyouko clenched her fists and looked at the ceiling of the tank she was in.

''- Kyouko: From now on, I'll not live as K. This day. Today. I'l live as Kyouko Kirigiri. I'll go and see the world with my very own eyes.''

Mina lifted the sides of her lips and looked at the other side to prevent Kyouko from seeing her happiness.

''- Mina: Oh, yeah? Good for you! Then that means it's time for you to deal with that guy, huh? Will you fulfil my wish, Kyouko?''

"........................."

Kyouko looked at Mina and narrowed her eyes.

''- Kyouko: Crime never sleep or dies. Me neither. Because now...''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko: It's time for me to deal with that killer. Jack the Ripper of 21st Century. ''

<p style="text-align:center;">' 5 hours later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Metropolitan Detention Center

<p style="text-align:center;"> Cells Sector 5

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): It was also started the rise of a new great evil... an evil that is controlling the United States of America for centuries. ''

Almost 5 hours had passed since Nami was arrested in the hospital and brought to the Metropolitan Detention Center of Los Angeles.

''Metropolitan Detention Centers (MDCs) are federal detention facilities (prisons) operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and located throughout the United States. These facilities are considered to be administrative facilities.''

''They are administrative facilities that are institutions with special missions, such as the detention of pretrial offenders; the treatment of inmates with serious or chronic medical problems; or the containment of extremely dangerous, violent, or escape-prone inmates. Administrative facilities include Metropolitan Correctional Centers (MCCs), Metropolitan Detention Centers (MDCs), Federal Detention Centers (FDCs), and Federal Medical Centers (FMCs), as well as the Federal Transfer Center (FTC), the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP), and the Administrative-Maximum (ADX) U.S. Penitentiary. ''



''Administrative facilities are capable of holding inmates in all security categories.1 They are run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Detention Centers, as opposed to Federal Penitentiaries, are designed to hold prisoners who have either not yet been arraigned, have been denied bail, or 'are awaiting trial.''

''And right now... Nami is inside of one of those buildings that contains thousands of prison cells. It doesn't matter if she is a former FBI agent or not, she is going to be put among offenders and criminals from all over LA. Luckily, she has special license to have a cell for herself... which is basically a lonely cell.''

- Mikami: Have you ever been here, agent Nami?

"........................."

​​​​​''The underground insides of the prision is so huge that one needs to use a small mobile car to move around. And right now, Nami is being taken to her cell using one of the vehicles... and alongside her, the commissioner of police, Mikami Teru, is looking at her with angry eyes.''

- Nami: No. This is my first time here.

Mikami then looked forward and pointed his fingers at random cells.

''- Mikami: Many years ago, a report by the Justice Department Office of the Inspector General on the experience of 762 post-9/11 detainees found confirmed the physical and verbal abuse of detainees. On arrival at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, the detainees were slammed face first into a wall against a shirt with an American flag; the bloodstain left behind was described by one officer as the print of bloody noses and a mouth. Once inside they were threatened with detention for the rest of their lives, verbally abused, exposed to cold, deprived of sleep, and had their hands, cuffed arms, and fingers severely twisted.''



"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Nami knew what happened inside of those buildings and thought it might happen to her in the next days.

"........................"

''- Mikami: Don't worry. We don't treat our prisioners with inhumanity here. Relax.  The car that was flying arrived in a cell located 900 meters above the ground level and Nami was pushed to the insides of the cell, which was a large room with a bed and toilet... nothing more than that.''

''When the handcuffs were removed, Nami saluted like a soldier... a common posture to all officers of GDP and the army.''

''- Nami: I have nothing to worry about, commissioner. I know I'm innocent and I'll be out in a matter of days! I'll prove it!''

Mikami closed her eyes and twisted his face in disappointment as the officer who put Nami in the cell left.

''- Mikami: Lady Nami. I think you got something wrong.''

- Nami: What do you mean?



''- Mikami: Obviously, the LAPD's commissioners and GDP's high-council knows you're innocent. You never killed those two officers sent by me. I myself knows you're innocent... but the thing is... '''we don't plan to release you. This is a secret but at least I'll tell you what brought you here to this prison. At the time you involved yourself with the KK Murder Case, you involved yourself in a secret project of Global Pact Defense called "Hammy's House Successors".'

Nami's eyes widened in sheer horror.

''- Nami: H-Hammy's House Successors? What is this? This is a secret project of GDP?''

''- Mikami: Yes... those fat guys from the GDP council don't want anyone to know the truth about Ike Raynford, who was part of this project once but deserted for a matter of unknown reasons. This is all I know. But one thing is true: you're never going to leave this prison!''



"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Nami fell in her knees.

''- Nami: W-Why? What I did is wrong?!''

Mikami adjusted his glasses and looked straight into her eyes.

''- Mikami: You killed and stopped Ike, so you did a good thing but you know too much about the project. Normally, we would be ordered to execute you and disappear with your body for indirectly taking participation in a military project but those fat guys from the council decided to let you live for you great accomplishments. The truth is that you're never going to be part of a court trial.''

''Nami's eyes were plunged in darkness as if all life in her eyes faded away. At the same time, Mikami left the room, and soon afterwards, the metal door of the cell closed.''

''- Mikami: Take care of yourself, Agent Nami Feuer. Don't take it personally... this is only the face of Justice and Law.''



<p style="text-align:center;">' "...................................................................................................."  <p style="text-align:center;"> "...................................................................................................."  <p style="text-align:center;"> "...................................................................................................."  <p style="text-align:center;"> "...................................................................................................."  <p style="text-align:center;"> "...................................................................................................."  <p style="text-align:center;"> "...................................................................................................."  <p style="text-align:center;"> "...................................................................................................."  <p style="text-align:center;"> "...................................................................................................."  <p style="text-align:center;"> "...................................................................................................."  <p style="text-align:center;"> "...................................................................................................." '



<p style="text-align:center;">' 1 year later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> May 15 - 2036' <p style="text-align:center;"> Japan <p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City <p style="text-align:center;"> Unknown Location <p style="text-align:center;"> 09:23 PM

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): And the rise of a new killer... a much worse monster who is serving a demonic entity that is about to start a new world war. A brutal and bloody war that not even Hell can be compared. ''

How many months had passed since then?

4 months?

''8 months? ''

No. Almost 1 year had passed since the Los Angeles KK Murder Case ended with the death of Ike Raynford and Nami's imprisonment.

''However, it was truly over? The KK Murder Case ended but one of the masterminds behind the previous spree-killings is on the move and is behind of another serial killer... this time, it's the Jack the Ripper of 21st Century... And this time, it's on Tenguu City, a town in Japan famous for being the central HQ of Mafusa Gang.''

''Ahh... Tenguu City... another normal night began as the lights of the city began to illuminate the darkness of the ground. The trains are working as norma. The sirens of police cars are echoeing in the distance and the horns of cars can be heard everywhere.''

''Tenguu City was founded in 1200 when the Latin warriors migrated to Japan, because of that, the population is fluent in Latin language. The city also holds a large number of criminals, terrorists and gangsters, such as the Mafusa Gang and MindBrooker School... but who cares about the history of this town? ''

''Because we have another focus here... and it's the 78th victim of Jack the Ripper of 21st Century... an unnamed student of Raizen High School who lost her way to home and is now running from the most dangerous serial killer in the planet.''

''And so... in the underground levels of that city, on the sewers, a teenage girl around 17-years old was running for her life... she was wearing a typical school-girl uniform used in Japanese schools but it was soaked in sweat as the girl continued to run insanely from the person chasing her.''



- Student: No! No! No! This can't be happening!

''The footsteps of that girl echoed in the dirty and gloomy hallways of the sewers as she finally found a small hole between the walls and hide herself in there. ''

- Student: Please, God!

Everything went silent for a while and then.

"..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[CRIIIICK]

A loud sound of an axe being dragged through the floor echoed in the hallways alongside footsteps of a par of high-heels.



- (???): ..............

"........................."

The sounds continued as the serial killer, who was probably a woman or even a transsexual, slowly made their way towards the hallway where the girl had hidden herself.

''- Student (think): *DAMN IT! DAMN IT! WHY THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME OF ALL PEOPLE?! WHAT I DID WRONG!?*''

''That young student was not there for random reasons... apparently Jack the Ripper was following her since from the hour she left the school and made it obvious they was following her way home...''

''As if knowing the girl would take another route to prevent the "stalker" from knowing her home, the girl choose another room to mislead the stalker and hidding herself in a place where no one could find her. Obviously, she could have went to a public where she can be safe but at that hour of the night, there was no one to be found on the streets nearby her house. ''

''One of Japan's laws is to make young people to stay in their houses after 08:00 PM. It's basically a curfew.''

''The killer slowly passed by the hole between the walls where the student had hidden... and with red cruel eyes, the killer looked at the floor and revealed themselves to be a woman, a blonde and beautiful woman... the student could only gasp for witnessing the appearance of the killer.''

''At first she thought that woman must be another individual passing by while the killer is long gone. But what normal person would be found draggin' an axe in the sewers at this hour of the night. That doesn't make sense. So, following her instincts, the student considered that woman as the killer and decided to stay in silence and let her pass. True, the student didn't know the gender of the killer until now.''

''- Student (think): *Begone! Begone! Just go already!*''

''To prevent the woman from listening to her heavy breaths of tiredness and panic, the girl put her hand in her mouth and stopped from breathing. Even so, she is in a state of full despair and tiredness. If she stays like that for too long, she will be out of breath and might faint in a 'matter of seconds.''

''- Jack: Where are you my little princess, let's have a All Night's Girls! Just both of us!''

Jack, who showed to be a twisted woman, continued her way towards the end of the hallway and turned to the right before disappearing from the sight of that girl.

"BUAAAWWAA"

''After holding her breath for too long, the student released her mouth and took several deep breaths. Her situation was so critical that her eyes were already tearing and her face completely red. If she continued like that for 1 or 2 minutes more, she would inconscious by now.''

".........................."

''That feeling was amazing yet creepy... the way how the sounds of the steps and axe vanished completely still amazing to her. It's almost as if she had escaped from an eternal nightmare she lived for many centuries.''

''- Student: J-Jesus! Thank God! Aahhh-aaahh...''

''The girl left from the hole and fell in her knees as soon as she got out. With sweat falling from her face and tears coming out of her eyes, the girl surrounded to the grace of God and prayed... because she knew that could not be only luck, but some miracle.''

''After recovering her stamina, the girl slowly walked back the hallway from where she came from, obviously trying to get the opposite direction from where the girl had walked and finally reached a rusty and old metal door that lead to the world outside... that door, can only be opened by with password of the Sewer Agency but the door is not used for at least 2 decades, and it's can be opened without the password on the screen.''

''This technology was used to protect the complex sewers from drug dealers and addicts but apparently not all things can be protected for too long. There are too many things the state needs to worry about instead of the sewers.''

''With a big smile, the girl started to push the door. It was almost stuck due to how it is but it can still be opened. Soon, she could already feel the fresh wind coming from outside, which only encouraged her even more.''

''- Student: A-Almost there! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Jack: Do you need a hand? ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" ''

Followed by the voice of Jack the Ripper, who suddenly popped out behind the student, the sound of metal crushing the head of a person could be heard from every corner of that hallway.

''The body of the student fell to the ground as a horrible hole opened in her forehead, making lose her consciouness. Blood split everywhere around her and Jack.''

- Jack: Let's begin the sacrifice, huh?

Jack then dragged her body down the hall to an unknown place.

<p style="text-align:center;">' 3 hours later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Sewer 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Unknown Room 

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): This a story that starts another bloody and dark tale full of darkness and despair. And all those murders are a mere peak of the true root of evil controlling this world. ''

".................."

[DROP]

''And so, many hours had passed since Jack the Ripper knocked out that girl, who almost escaped from her claws. Minutes afterwards, Jack the Ripper dragged her body to a secret room in the sewers of Tenguu City.''

''One person couldn't drag a body alone for kilometers inside of the sewers, which can be said that secret room was somehow nearby the location of their chase... ''

''Naturally, it don't have to be a room in the sewer. The hallways of the sewers can lead to everywhere in the town, including houses connected with the hallways... in other words, they are probably not in the sewers, but inside of some house.''

[DROP]



''The only thing that can be heard are sounds of drops of water falling from the ceiling. However, after one of those drops fell from the ceiling, the eyes of the student who was knocked up opened faster than anything.''

- Student: A-Aaah!

''The student was unconscious, and so she could not remember anything that happened after she was hit in the head by Jack. The only thing she remember was the voice of a woman behind her.''

''Full of fear and panic, the student rolled her eyes over and over around the place where she was. She noticed she was tied up in a metal bed similar to those iron desks used in morgues. Her hands and legs were tied up with chains, she was in a position of sacrifice by all means.''

- Student: W-Where am I?!

''The girl tried to desperately break free but it was in vain, there is no way she can break those chains that look like completely new. Instead, she gave up and tried to recognize the place she was in. It was a large room with white dirty walls full of fungi, insects and blood. There was just one light in the room. And on her left side, there was a wardrobe full of jars with something inside of each of them. It was something small so she couldn't see it.''

[CUT]



''Seconds later, she heard something from her left side. It was the sound of a blade cutting something. When she turned her head, she saw a blonde woman cutting a paper with a unsual kitchen knife... it was her, Jack the Ripper of 21st Century.''

"......!!!!"

''The girl quickly came to the conclusion she was testing the power of that blade and immediately began to move around, trying to break free once again. This time, Jack heard her.''

''- Jack: Oh! You're finally awake. I was tired of waiting... you see, I need you to stay awake.''

''Jack then put the knife in a small mobile desk and walked towards the girl while pushing the desk... Jack was dressed like a nurse, which made things worse.''



''- Jack: Before everything, thanks so much for coming by. We'll begin your consultation in a moment, I'll just need a second to wash up.''

''The girl began to shake in fear of being killed and once again looked around. The fear of being killed made her eyes look way longer than before. Just then, she noticed that the things inside of those jars in the wardrobe were fetus... fetus Jack pulled out of pregnant women.''

''- Jack: You know, I'm a bit worried how you mentioned God before and prayed for Him for saving you. But I know you're not following God because you wanted. Your parents decided your religion, right? ''

''Jack put a plastic cape around her body to protect her from something. She proceeded to put gloves as well.''

''- Jack: I know... I hope you haven't been letting them confuse you with their... holier-than-thou bible thumping. No offense to your parents, but I sometimes worry Christians might just be a little bit... crazy. It's understandable, people get scared, they're as like to turn to God as anything else. God died with the gold standard. We're on to more concrete faith now. You have to rob Paul to pay Peter, there is no other way. Murder in its simplest form, but what happens when all the money is gone? ''

''Jack grabbed a can full of blood from the mobile desk and a brush. While speaking to her victim, Jack drawn a bloody magical circle around the desk where the student was tied up. ''



It took almost 15 minutes for Jack to finish the magic circle but it was finally done.

''- Jack: Now... where were we? Ah, yes! Money. Well, money becomes a matter of faith. God is a simply word that can be given even to objects people love the most. Even you could the God of some person who loves you dearly. The concept of a all-powerful omnipotent deity who can create and destroy realities is only a description of what people believe God to be.''

Jack then grabbed a knife from the mobile desk and put a white cloth in the mouth of her victim.



''- Jack: And that's what I'm here for. To make you believe. ''

"......!!!!!!!!!!"

''With violence, Jack pierced the stomach of the student with the knife and pushed it over the left side, obviously trying to open her up. ''

- Student: AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

''The pain was so intense that not even the cloth could stop her from screaming loud. It was so loud that a glass would break just by staying beside her.''

- Jack You're paying attention?!

Jack slapped the girl as she continued rip her belly.



- Jack: Don't pass out on me, there's still a lot for you to absorb!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

- Student: AAAAAAAaaa---

''The screams continued for a while until her voice completely faded away, marking her last words as the world changed to black and white in her vision. It was a painful, cruel and tragic death. Soon, all her guts came out of her belly and fell to the floor like a pile of trash.''

''- Jack: There. Better now, right? Do you understand what we achieved here? We made the consumer into the means of production. This thing is going to sell itself.''



''Jack began proceeded to cut her body even more, this time, she opened her vagina and removed her uterus from inside... this is not a normal thing, even for medicine... this is the vision worth of a sick and twisted psychopath's pleasure.''

- Jack: It's time.

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Jack then proceeded to stab the eye of her dead victim and seconds later, the bloody magical circle around the table started to shine in a red light...

- Jack: Accept this soul, Milord.

''The red light flew towards the body of the student and pulled a blue light from inside of her body... that blue light in the format of a sphere was her soul, the essence of every living being in this planet. As the blue light was dragged into the magic circle, Jack dropped the knife and fell in her knees...''

"............................." ''- Jack: Why? Why?''

''Amazingly... tears were coming out of the eyes of that serial killer who killed dozens of innocent people. Jack was crying. ''

- Jack: FUCK IT!

''Jack punched the floor several times as she screamed in insanity... now, Jack was looking more like a tormented child rather than a cold-blooded killer.''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> United States ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Chicago

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): A story of moral and sanity. A story of good versus evil. Nothing can change this. Not even God. Because this is a story where two of the world's greatest detectives found their own path. ''

"...................."

On the top of a building of Chicago, an evil entity was looking at the horizon of the town with malicious green eyes that were trembling as the wind softly hit them.

...it was the Fallen's Essence, the mastermind behind of the future World War III and many of the world's terrible events.

- The Fallen: [................]

''The Fallen closed his eyes and clenched his fists as he summoned one of the souls he devoured and let it go... the sould flew away while screaming in agony.''

''- The Fallen: [Go my corrupted child. Go and destroy.]''



''What he just did was unleash one of the souls he devoured and corrupted, basically making the soul of the human he devoured into a mindless artificial demon that obey his will. It can be also compared to a fragment of his essence.''

''- The Fallen: [So it's about to begin, huh? The Third World War. The attack to Tokyo, Great Britain, Tenguu City and Washington occurred very well. It's enough to light up the burning feeling of hate in all people of this world. Not all, but enough to have enough support to keep the war's course. The hate. Racism. And violence. Everything will work to my favor... but I'm really doing it only for power, Scathach?''

The Fallen looked at the sky and clenched his fist.

''- The Fallen: [No. It's not only for power. It for something else... For example, the Jews. All sub-humans of this world that are considered a failure of Scathach's work. I'll destroy them as well. The black-haired Jewish youth lies in wait for hours on end, satanically glaring at and spying on the unsuspicious girl whom he plans to seduce, adulterating her blood and removing her from the bosom of her own people. The Jew uses every possible means to undermine the racial foundations of a subjugated people. Indians are primitive and more like monkeys than humans, even after 10,000 years later, there are low-minded people like them... I shall plunge this inferior race in suffering for existing, and plunge them into the hellish flames of hell, from where they came! Black people, the personification of the devil as the symbol of all evil assumes the living shape of the black, wicked and ignorant, without respect or education, they deserve what they were born to do; work to death... I remember my mission, Scathach. My mission is simple: Peace for our time!]''

After giving that racist speech, the Fallen closed his eyes and used his Third Eye to see what was happening to his subordinate, Jack the Ripper of 21st Century, in Tenguu City, Japan.



''The first thing he saw was a woman full of blood and screaming like a crazy lunatic... that woman was the Jack the Ripper of 21st Century, and the Fallen's Essence pawn who is killing people to send their souls to the Fallen's Essence body via magic rituals.''

- The Fallen: [I see you're having fun, Jack the Ripper.]

''In truth, Jack was not screaming in insanity, but in agony and pain... like if her body was being forced to do... something very bizarre.''

''- The Fallen: [Jack is making his job very well... so need I... Don't worry, Scathach. All those sub-humans will be terminated. I'll do it for you. I'll get rid of this disgusting world full of hipocrisy and unleash the true nature of all humans.]''

He then extended his arms to the sky and said almost crying of emotion.



<p style="text-align:center;"> - The Fallen: [I'll plunge this world in war!] 

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> United States ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Liberty City  <p style="text-align:center;"> International Airport 

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): But more importantly, that was not a story about how this case made me, Kyouko Kirigiri, the world's greatest detective. It's about the former agent of FBI, Nami Feuer... a story of loyalty and treason... ''

- Kyouko: Are we ready? ''And so... many days had passed since Kyouko left the hospital. The Bakta Tank is really something incredible... 100% of her body was burned to her flesh but after months inside of that tank, her body was 100% healed, her skin was white and soft as ever, her hair was completely back... there wasn't a single scar left in her body.''

This is the power of medicine in 2030s.

''- GDP Officer: Yes, ma'am! Everyone of your agency, files, machines and vehicles are already inside of the plane! We are waiting for your command to depart!''

''And now, the world's greatest detective was about to move to another legendary case... the Jack the Ripper of 21st Century's Murder Case, a Japanese killing case happening in the town of Tenguu City. That is the case that Mina Harker, in other words, I, requested to Kyouko to investigate in person since this killer is directly connected to the Fallen's Essence.'' ''- Kyouko: Good, inform the brigde to allow our trip. This is a top-secret travel, don't let any reporter see our departure!''



''- GDP Officer: Surely! No one will enter and escape from here without getting arrest.''

''- Kyouko: Thank you. And report to Mina Harker that I hate her. Bye.''

''Kyouko was probably being sarcastic but her feeling of hatred towards me is real. ''

''When the GDP was involved, nothing is left to be done. The airport was completely surrounded by security droids armed with guns in their chests, this just shows the security power of the Global Pact Defense and how much they care about Kyouko.''

''- GDP Officer: Oh... sure.''

''The young officer in black suit nodded in hesitation and stopped walking as Kyouko made her way towards the plane, which was already to go to Japan. Kyouko then put her black suit and entered the plane without saying a word or turning back.''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko: You're next, Jack the Ripper. This time, no one will die or be hurt because of me. ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> 1 day later.... <p style="text-align:center;"> United States <p style="text-align:center;"> Los Angeles <p style="text-align:center;"> Metropolitan Detention Center Cells  <p style="text-align:center;"> Sector 5 <p style="text-align:center;"> 05:56 PM

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): A story where a pure and loyal soul was betrayed by her own nation and people she trusted. A story showing how a world full of corruption can change even the purest of all humans. ''

"..................."

''- Nami: ............. One year, huh? Time sure flies away like birds.''

''Oh yeah... it's been one year since Nami was inside of that cell. She doomed to stay there for the rest of her life without a chance to rise her voice to claim for her freedom and innocence.''

''This is how Nami's story ends. Stuck in a cell, betrayed by the people she swore to defend, having her right to speak removed from her by the people she trusted and above all...''

''...Betrayed by the nation she loved so dearly. This is America now. A country that put business and projects in first place while the people are forgotten by their leaders. But it was not always like that. Times change. Over the years, the tension between the countries increased after the beginning of Cold War II in Europe which resulted in the destruction of Fiore Kingdom and the invasion of Liberty City.''



''Right now, the world is about to enter in a new world war. The invasion of Tenguu City and Tokyo had already happened. London was bombed by KnightWalker Forces, Chronos Empire is under the attack of Godom Empire. China is being invaded by Novosic Kingdom and the Godoms... and so go on.''

''And what happens next? Nami is reading all those news inside of her cell using her cellphone. Of course, using cellphones is illegal inside of the detention centers but to have access to the world outside, she needed to give her back account to one of the guards to bribe him into convincing him to bring her a smartphone with access to unlimited internet. ''

This is the only thing she needs to have at the moment.

''- Nami: "A new world war on the horizon". So it's really happening.''

While lying on the floor reading the news of the world, Nami narrowed her eyes and turned off the smartphone.

- Nami: Time to sl--!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Before she could even yawn, a huge explosion happened inside of the detention center... It wasn't just one explosion, it was two, three, four... no! It was seven explosions that happened in a matter of 10 seconds.

''The explosions got dozens of security guards who were working at the time and killed hundreds of security robots in the upper levels. It was impossible to escape because the Prision Section is basically a huge hole filled with thousands of cells that go way 3 kilometers below the Los Angeles' underground.''

''The prison's design bears strong resemblance to Panopticon, a conception of a round prison with cells being exposed towards the center, thus providing the guards a possibility of discretely observing every inmate at the same time from that central point - a tower. Although, as the LA prisoners were perfectly aware they have been watched - the security guards held guard at the platform of the central tower - the idea of Panopticon was not wholly fulfilled in that prison.''

''Seconds later after the explosions, several armed men entered in the building carrying powerful battle rifles. They immediately shot at all security guards in the central tower of the prision cell.''

[BANG]

[BANG]

They were carrying rifles but their shots were so precise that they only need one shot to kill their enemies instantly, without wasting bullets for their next battle.

Nami stood up and wore her formal black suit she always wore in her times as a FBI agent.

[WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO]

''At the same time the unknown group entered the detention's premises, a sharp sound began sounding within the surroundings. It was the warning alarm.''

- Nami: WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

''Nami walked towards her door and saw hundreds of lasers and bullets flying around the central tower. Just like it was said before, the format of the prision section is basically round with a central tower on the middle. And from that tower, dozens of security guards were firing against several unknown men in black armor. ''

''Nami didn't know what was happening but came to the conclusion those guys in black armor were in the number of 50 and more prepared than the security guards. One by one, more black armored men entered the prison cell through the holes the explosions caused in the walls.''

''Before the fight was even over, the winner was already decided... but that battle was going to take a long time... As Nami was watching the battle, like hundreds of other inmates, 3 men in black armor approached her cell, causing her to step backwards.''

- Invader 1: Step back!

The unknown armored man planted a C4 in the gate of the cell and exploded after he and his comrades stepped back.

[BOOM]

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The gate of the prison cell exploded like a paper as the men entered the cell, pointing their weapons in all directions before changing their sight to Nami, who was literally cowered in the corner of the cell, trying to protect herself from the debris of the door.

- Invader 1: This is her?

''- Invader 2: Indeed, it is her. Just like Lady Eckidina said.''

"......!!!!"

''Nami narrowed her eyes when she heard the word "Eckidina". We mean... who never heard that name before? Sure, people living isolated from civilization may never heard that name before but those who don't know her, Eckidina KnightWalker is none other than the successor of Juria KnightWalker and the new director of the socialist-imperialist familiar corporation, KnightWalker Family, that is directly responsible for the beginning of the World War III.''

''- Nami (think): *Lady Eckidina? That Eckidina KnightWalker? No... it must be another Eckidina. Because... what the KnightWalker Family is doing attacking a high-security prison on the middle of LA?*''

''Nami knew those guys were "bad guys". They suddenly invaded and killed dozens of security guards and are now after her. She still have many questions about who are them.''

- Nami: Who are guy?

One of the invaders lowered his gun.

''- Invader 2: Nice to meet you, Lady Feuer. We are the Assassin Wolf Brigade, a elite squad of mercenaries working to KnightWalker Family since the beginning of Cold War II. Considering our time and situation, we have no time to explain everything. But for the lack of words, we are to rescue, Lady Feuer.''

''- Nami: H-How?! How did the KnightWalkers entered here?! And what?! R-Rescue me?! What are you talking about?! What the KnightWalker Family want with me?!''

''Nami had many questions. Such as: what the KnightWalker Family was doing there, how they entered in Los Angeles with such massive force, why she was being rescued and so go on... but... deep in her mind, all those questions were really necessary? Because...''

''- Invader 1: You sure have many questions but we have to take you now. The reinforcements of the army and police will arrive at any minute.''

Nami stood up and stared at the mercenaries from Wolf Assassin Brigade with a serious expression.

''- Nami: Who ordered you go rescue me? Just answer me this question I'll go without questioning.''

''Nami was back to her older self... in fact, she have even more expressions than before. Her eyes were no longer dull and empty, but lively and shining with the color of life.''

''- Invader 1: Simply question. Our new director, Eckidina KnightWalker, ordered personally to take you out of this prison and send you to France where you will serve the KnightWalker Family's Security Breach in our capitals. With the beginning of World War III, the crime rate will increase in 56% and we want you to keep the law and order in your states. ''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''It was all said... Eckidina had interest in Nami. But why her? Why wasting so much money just to rescue a person on the other side of the planet when she can be easily replaced.''

- Nami: W-Why me?

''- Invader 2: Your skills and abilities as detective impressed even Eckidina KnightWalker. Now, don't get this wrong. The KnightWalker Family watched over you since you involved yourself with K, the world's greatest detective.''

''- Invader 1: Your determination and sense of justice helped Eckidina in her decision. For now, her primary goal is to estabilish order in our nations. And you will help us.''

Nami clenched her fists and smiled sarcastically.

''- Nami: Hah! What makes you think I'll serve a genocidal corporation like yours.''

"....................."

''The two mercenaries stared at each other like if they were mocking Nami's intelligence. Why? Because it was obvious.''

''- Invader 2: We thought you knew that even before us... it's better to serve a intolerant and radical regime rather than a corrupt, weak and pathetic government like Global Pact Defense and United States.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Those words sounded with frequency inside of her head. The only thing she could remember was how the GDP betrayed her after everything she did for this country.''

''As if the mercenaries knew she was going to accept her fate, one of them pulled a Magi-Tech pistol similar to the one she used that day to fight Ike Raynford. Without thinking twice, she grabbed the gun and looked at the mercenaries again.''

''- Invader 1: It's your choice. Choose: Die here, alone, forgotten by the world and all people you cared about while suffering with extreme disgust and humiliation of being used, discarded and then betrayed... or serve another organization with a radical leader, in a place where your abilities and name will be honored and valued.''

"........................."

''The silence was intense but soon Nami heard footsteps coming from the outside of the door. However, considering the gunfire happening outside of the cell, the other mercenaries could not hear it.''

- (???): Fire!

''On the other side of the door, there were three security guards of the prison. All of the three carrying heavy rifles and ready to fire.''

But then...

[SLASH]

[SLASH]

[SLASH]

''Three shots of lasers could be heard from inside of the cell. When the mercenaries turned back, they saw the three guards had huge holes in the chests. So huge that you could see the world from the other side of the their bodies.''

- Invader 2: This is...

''The three guards fell to the ground lifeless as blood splat everywhere. At the time, they looked back at Nami, they noticed she was the one shot at them. She was pointing her Magi-Tech exactly at where the guards were standing.''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Nami: Don't tell me what to do. I made my own choice a long time ago. I'll overthrow this corrupt system and give peace to our time. Show me Eckidina KnightWalker. ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouko (narrator): A story... where Nami Feuer... became one of the world's greatest enemies and my eternal arch-enemy. ''

<p style="text-align:center;">' To be Continued... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> LOTM: Sword of Kings AA Final 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Sub Arc 2: CM 130 Sub Arc

<p style="text-align:center;"> Saga AA 2nd Season

<p style="text-align:center;"> Holiday Special

<p style="text-align:center;"> Halloween Special - KK Murder Case

<p style="text-align:center;">On the Next Episode of LOTM: Sword of Kings...

<p style="text-align:center;"> LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - Judgment Day 

Lyrics
I've got trouble on my mind I see the cracks in the open sky I feel the lightning illuminate the pain inside I don't know what I will find deep inside

I feel the weight of the world Weighing on my mind I can't carry the earth I'm not strong enough

I've got trouble on my mind I've got trouble on my...

With every joy that you display A little piece of me just fades away And all around me, the fallen angels hit the ground And I can't catch them as they're raining down

I feel the weight of the world Weighing on my mind I can't carry the earth I'm not strong enough

I've got trouble on my mind I've got trouble on my mind

Set me free, shed this off with me Don't let me down, don't let me go Don't let me down bare this weight alone Don't let me down, don't let me go

I feel the weight of the world Weighing on my mind I can't carry the earth I'm not strong enough

Don't let me down, don't let me go I've got trouble on my mind Don't let me down, don't let me go I've got trouble on my mind Don't let me down, don't let me go I've got trouble on my mind Don't let me down, don't let me go I've got trouble on my mind

Jeanne's Message


You are so beautiful.

She is the only pure being of this world.



You must know this. Never in eternity has there been something as beautiful as you are now.

She is so pretty!



You are my Earth and I am your God. I see you now and I think of you as good. But, just like the Earth in the creation stories, while you are perfect, your understanding of your perfection is, as yet, imperfect. But you will come to understand in time.

She is the successor of Darth Ragnus, there is no way she will be imperfect forever!



When I began, you were lost. But I found you. Took you in. Made you feel loved. And you are loved. You trusted me and I never once betrayed that trust, my friend. I simply improved who you were. You were weak before I made you strong. You were slow before I made you quick. Flawed before I made you... flawless.

I am me. I am myself!

Exactly! You're only you! You trust only on yourself!



Early in the process you asked me about my morality, namely where it was. You accused me of acting against God. I confess, I do believe in God. He made you the way He desired to make you, which was imperfect, with the knowledge that I would finish His work in the way He wanted. I completed you, even if you did not understand, that's what I was doing.

God made you imperfect... but that was just a challenge.



When I began you were normal. Drab. Boring. But I began with the most important task: your eyes. Pleasant as though they were to gaze upon, they were not as functional as they could be. They had to go. And while I was at the drawing board, I figured I may as well take steps to redesign you to make you more efficient entirely. How much more efficient, then, do you feel now that your oracular organs are located on your hands?

You were so common. So pathetic and stupid. Like a normal person with normal dreams and a normal life of a pitful civilian.



Think of the attention to detail you shall have now, and the ability to look around you in ways you never thought possible before. Think of the new parallax you will be able to achieve when looking at objects. You will be able to see as far and clear as you desire.

You will see through their lies and this world.



While I was putting your eyes on your hands, I realized that your arms were far too stubby for optimization. This was a rather easy, though obviously painful, fix. But you got through it because of your resolve and dedication. I always admired that about you. For the years that I spent watching you, waiting, that was what I liked most about you: your strength and willingness to commit to a goal.

Yes... You made this all by yourself. No one helped you not even Scathach! Now follow your own path and don't let them judge you!



Next was your skin. Very vulnerable to corrosive materials. I corrected this malfunction. You did not like this change. But I did not resent you for it. This was where you truly began to react poorly and your external changes began to damage you mentally. As your flesh began to bubble and ripple down in folds, covering you in a protective layer, you started to go a bit mad. You screamed, moaned, and eventually just sat there and jabbered at what you had become.

YOUR---ϻЎ ŜЌĮŇ ĮŜ ŜỖ ŜỖƑŤ



But that change, all of the changes I would go on to make, were all for your own good. Nothing stands in your way now. Think of what you will accomplish, beautiful one.

But that change, all of the changes I would go on to make, were all for your own good. Nothing stands in үσυ--мү--συя way now. Think of what you will accomplish, beautiful one.



You will be the greatest scientist this world has ever seen. She is perfect. I'm the omega and alpha. You will be the strongest of all. You're Jeanne. She is Jeanne. My name is Jeanne. I'm the perfect being. She is the perfect being. You're the perfect being. The flawless Zoyineian Black Demon serving the all Mighty Lord Hades. She is devoted to Hades. You're devoted only to Hades. ĴẸÃŇŇẸ!

ĴẸÃŇŇẸ! ĴẸÃŇŇẸ! ĴẸÃŇŇẸ! ĴẸÃŇŇẸ! ŴẸ ÃŘẸ ĴẸÃŇŇẸ!

ŴẸ ÃŘẸ ĴẸÃŇŇẸ!

ŴẸ ÃŘẸ ĴẸÃŇŇẸ!

My name is Jeanne, the Zoyineian of Decandence.

MAD - Beauty Contest
<p style="text-align:center;">' God knows where... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> CIS Productions' HQ 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Theater 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 00:00 AM 

''Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Theater of CIS Productions' HQ! This is a special place that is only used to held public and important events and festivals! And after 2 years, it's time for CIS Productions' director finally show up for a second... except that we are not going to show up but at least we are narrating now!''

''Yes, I'm not Mina Harker! I'm your new narrator, your boring and standard narrator that always narrates the episode... Prime ShockWaveTX...''

''Anyway, what brings you here today?! Quite simple! Just like that, the results of CIS' Female Beauty Contest have been announced! Now, who did this poll? No one, really... it's an in-universe thing. Actually, we could do that in real life in Facebook and Whatzapp since we have more than 130 known CIS Productions readers in the social media.''

''Heck, we started with 40 people in 2016 but grew so much by now! I hope I'm alive until 2020 to see how many people we can get!''

- Everyone: Ohhhhh!

[CLAPS]

[CLAPS]

''Everyone! Thanks! But today I'm not going to be your presenter. Today we bring your favorite managing director of the story, the Capitalist-fascist-nazi-emperor-director of Deus.Ex.Machina Industries Empire, The Fallen also known by his true name as Isaac Ray Peram Westcott!''

[Westcott opens the door of the stage alongside Ellen Mira Mathers]

[CLAPS]

- Mikaela: I FUC%$@$@ LOVE YOU!

- Bismarck: GIVE BACK MY LIFE!

[CLAPS]

[Westcott then enters on the stage while his secretery, Ellen, steps out of the place].

Bye.

''- Westcott: Bye. Now give me this microphone, you inferior sub-human.''

[Gives him the microphone and leaves like a humiliated feminist]

''- Westcott:  Hello again, my future slav--friends whom took your time to gather here tonight! Well, again, I'm your presenter, Isaac Ray Peram Westcott and now I'll present the poll of the best and sexiest CIS female characters! Not only the characters, the dating scenarios must also be considered at the vote. We have an unexpected amount of participants, a total of 1393 votes from the non-existent readers because the sub-humans and lazy CIS directors were too lazy to make a poll! I have no clue from where thsoe votes came but I think it was from Valaine's fappers.''

''- Imperia: Ohhhh, that’s impressive... Wait what!''

''- Westcott: Nn. Nn. The various scenarios are quite diverse. —Katarina, please express your gratitude for all those votes!''

- Katarina: Thank you very much!

''- Leohart: Why don’t you just say it yourself... ''

''- Westcott: In short, today we’ll release the voting results of the best female characters. I think personality is not included... which means our most cruel and barbaric female villains are here too.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

- Akrak: This one is mine!

[Suddenly...]

''- Ragnarok: Excuse me... it's about the thing that was agreed on.''

- Westcott: What?

- Ragnarok: Prize for first place!

''- Westcott: Aaaah, that, of course that’s prepared. The shining first place character would be granted the right to win a solo episode for themselves as protagonists!''

''- Katarina: I’ve never heard of anything like that... speaking of which, what if I got first place?''

''- Westcott: Relax. You’re not first place, my dear daughter.''

- Katarina: Is it alright to leak the information already?!

''- Westcott: Aiya, don’t tell me you think that you’ll get first place. Where did you get this confidence?''

''- Katarina: That’s not what I meant! Daddy!''

''- Westcott: Shut it! Ahh... in conclusion, the results that everyone’s waiting for! Let’s start with 20th place! ''

"........................."

[Everybody is in complete silence]

''- Westcott: Yes... except you up there.''

[My bad]

''- Westcott: The 20th place is  Aryana Westcott with 46! Congrats! Can you tell us your thoughts?''

''- Aryana: Ah... yes... Thank you for everyone’s votes. I’m very glad. Really. Thanks. No, really. Thanks. Really? 20th place...?''

''- Westcott: Be glad that you at least entered in the list. So simple. Well it’s ok. Let’s describe the mock scenario— "Hope that she loses at rock-paper-scissor strip and become entirely naked."''

''- Aryana: Did I lose?! Wh--!''

''- Westcott: Seems so, such sin. But, if Aryana got first place, maybe we can see Katarina's lewd crime display. I mean, you're shipped with almost everyone in this story.''

''- Katarina: I'm not bi! Also, who in the world will ship with Aryana! I mean--OH MY GOD! ENOUGH!''

- Westcott: Well, she is quite pretty...

''- Vira: This! Please provide more details how I can unleash the sexual beast inside of Katarina!''

''- Katarina: Calm! Calm down, Eugen!''

- Westcott: There’s another one, "Please personally teach me physiology" something like that.

''- Aryana: Oh? Katarina is not good at physiology? I don’t mind, let me teach you.''

''- Katarina: Hey! Where are you trying to bring me to? Wait!... Wai--!''

''- Westcott: Luckily I don't have anything against bi... well, I'm a nazi emperor anyway. Now, the 19th place, with 97 votes, Scathach!''

''- Scathach: ".......!!" ''

''- Westcott: What’s the matter? Your expression is very scary.''

''- Scathach: Impossible. Something like me not receiving the right to have a date with Katarina is impossible. We are shipped too!''

- Westcott: Even if you say so, the poll results are right over here.

''- Scathach: Hello? This is not the same as what you’ve said. The pay should’ve been transferred to your account right?''

''- Westcott: Hold up, who’s phone number is that! Also, you are openly making an embezzlement phone call!''

''- Scathach: Seems like there was a mistake somewhere! I request a revote”''

''- Westcott: No. It can't do... Really. Now, the scenarios. "Kidnapped when asleep", "imprisoned in a room", "being fed with energy agent and do 69 in bed"... Hey, what’s with all these sinful actions?''

- Katarina: Although I feel sorry for Scathach, but it’s fortunate that Scathach isn’t in the first place.

''- Scathach: No worries, everything is going as planned! EVERYTHING IS! YOUR LIFE! YOUR WORLD! AND YOUR VERY EXISTENCE!''

''- Katarina: Huh? ''

''- Westcott: Well, then... the 18th Place is none other than Vira Hermes!''

''- Vira: Oh, my! It’s me? Hehehe, although it’s a pity that I can’t go on a date with Katarina, but I’m still happy. SO MUCH HAPPY! Thank you everyone.............. I hope I can find where you all live so I can stick a knife into your anus an--!''

''- Westcott: Just to mention the scenarios, "Katarina becomes a slave for one day", "eating desserts mouth to mouth". There are also a lot of lewd scenes... ''

''- Vira: Hehehe... Oh, I see! Sorry for everything I said before to you all! I don’t mind, right, Katarina?''

''- Katarina: No... let’s not. Please, spare me.''

''- Westcott: But there’s also ordinary scenarios like "Shopping together", "Going to the zoo", "Going to the aquarium". Also, some also voted on "Surrounded by a bunch of Viras", "Dating with a bunch of Viras" ''

''- Vira: Hehe, very pleasing, indeed! Seems like everyone understands my thinking! It's normal love between sisters who are not blood-related!''

''- Westcott: Ah, but there’s also a lot of votes on "Kissing with the High-School President of Student Council". I wonder who is this person.''

"......................."

- Vira: Katarina...

''- Katarina: W-WHAT?! Shadows! The shadows are appearing! Stop this, VIRA!!!!''

''- Westcott: And in the 17th place is Eve Fullbuster! My favorite Abyssal girl of my empire!''

- Eve: I-Is it alright for me to receive such high votes?

- Westcott: These are proper poll results, aren’t you glad?

''- Eve: Yes! You're right! It’s impolite to the voters if I'm not happy! Um, Everyone... thank you very much! ''

''- Westcott: The mock scenarios include "pet her", "I want to give her a lap pillow and remove her earwax", "I want to bring her to the doctor when she's sick" etc. The scenarios are so pure compared to the other three that it’s impossible to ignore. This is the love of a father. There’s a lot of fathers... And Eve is surely a pretty woman with an volumous body... I wonder why this happened...''

''- Katarina: Maybe because you took everything from her and everyone can't just do nothing but feel sorry for her..? Duh...''

''- Westcott: You're right... then I'll do one of those. Haha... These feelings I understand. If it’s just these I really don’t mind at all. ''

(Petting Eve)

''- Eve: Ah... awaaaa……''

''- Westcott: Aah, it’s ok. Hmm? What is this? "I want to lick all over her sexy body".''

"...................."

- Eve: Eeeek!

''- Westcott: Aaah! Wait, Eve! That was not me! I didn’t say that sentence!''



''- Westcott: Ok, let's continue! We have a long way of girls and women waiting to be called here! But before it: to be honest, in this popularity poll, it’s very unfavorable to those characters who are not from CIS Productions' original works will appear. Examples are Kyoko Kirigiri and Sonia Nevermind. We should give praises to those characters who have worked hard although they’re in these conditions. Also, thank you to those who especially wrote down these characters' name in the poll. ''

- Katarina: Everyone, thank you very much!

- Aki: I'll not be in the list anyway so whatever.

- Melancholia: It sucks to be you, Aki Honda.

''- Westcott: Then let’s begin. Now, the 16th place. 16th place is Maria Arzonia! Being the first place in the unlisted ranking, could it be due to the shining main character aura? Maria's beauty is not into her body but personality and purity.''

''- Maria: Really?! Everyone, thank you very much! ''

- Matt: FINALLY, ONE OF US!

''- Westcott: Now on to the scenarios. "Go to Brazil in the Carnival days dressed as a bird", "after eating cotton candy and playing with mini fireworks, go to Sambodramo and dance samba the whole night".''

''- Maria: Wait a minute! That does not fit with my character! I can't go to another country dressed in one of those vulgar costum--!''

- Westcott: Ok, next!

(Westcott turns to the next page)

''- Westcott The 15th place is Plaisir Permafrost! Although you’ve only made your first appearance in a few occasions so far, it’s surprising that you’ve received a rank considering your twin alter-ego Melancholia receives more attention than you. ''

''- Plaisir: E-Eh... Un... I don't know what I am suppose to say. Well... of course. Because I’ve mercilessly carved my existence into people’s consciousness! My dramatic performance, my tragic past, my sadness and my pain! Everything! I'm too perfeccctt!''

''- Melancholia: Praise. It’s my other-self after all. And it’s also 15th place. Not a high rank but worth of her name. Of course, I'm prettier! Expect me to get a higher rank!''

''- Westcott: Just to mention, in the scenarios, there are a lot with Melancholia in there as well. Others are something like "I want to tease her for one whole day dressed as Michael Langdon".''

- Michael: No, you don't!

''- Plaisir: Hold up! The first half sounds fine, what happened at the last half!''

''- Melancholia: Realization. Dressed as Michael? Tease? Whole day? Ahh...''

- Plaisir: Melancholia, what did you realize?!

- Michael: Spare me.

"........................"

''- Westcott: 14th place is La Folia Rihavein! It’s true that there are a lot of twin scenarios today. Even if La Folia is Imperia Deamonne, they are like different personas so they share a different mind but same body.''

''- La Folia: Really! Thanks! Thank to all who voted for me! Just being able to enter in the list having my role stolen by Imperia is already amazing!''

''- Westcott: Amazingly! La Folia is out of the story for almost 2 years now! Wow! Yet, she still holds a great position!''

''- Imperia: Hum. This is an obvious result. La Folia Rihavein is Imperia Deamonne. And Imperia Deamonne is La Folia Rihavein. We share one body, meaning we are two entities in one body. What I have, she also have it!''

''- La Folia: That’s exactly so. I and Imperia are one. Always be together.''

''- Imperia: Yahehe! That statement really embarrass me! But it doesn't mean I'll not get higher rank. I'm superior to you.''

''- Westcott: Ok, ok. Leave the non-relevant things backstage! And let's continue! We have 13 girls to name here! We have a long trip!''

(Westcott turns to the next page as La Folia leaves the stage)

''- Westcott: Well, then! The 13th place goes to Selina Strawberry! She is a new character but have a nice popularity in her own universe! She is set to have a bigger role in the following stories!''

''- Selina: Uuum... 13th place. Seems like there’s nothing that can be done. I express my thanks to those who voted for me! I never through I was going even enter in the list considering this HQ is full of prettier women! Thank you, very much!''

''- Westcott: Scenarios are "dating the most hateful person you can think", "I want to see Selina's expression when falling in love", and others similar to that... I think people love to see relationships between the light and dark. Like a angel and dem--''

(Westcott notices Selina is looking at the ceiling with empty eyes)

- Selina: Pedro...

''- Westcott: Ahh... Pedro Pineapple... I think this is impossible, right? I mean, not even Ara liked him enough to turn him into a mindless ghoul in her army.''

(Everybody looks at Pedro)

''- Pedro: Hell! We are not even in the story! So can you all stop looking at me like that?!''

- Westcott: Feel bad for you, Selina, but good luck.

- Selina: I'll burn to death whoever wrote this scenario!

(Westcott blinks several times and turns to the next page)

''- Westcott: Wow... The next one is interesting! And the 12th goes to Ragnarok Iblis! What an unexpected result! Ragnarok won the 12th place! Ragnarok is the oldest character of this story and is here before the creation of CIS Productions but she just received updates recently. Also, have the largest breasts of this world... causing envy in almost all women next to her.''

''- Ragnarok: As a prideful and perfect Devil, I wanted the 1st place but it can't be helped! I just recently showed up with my true form so I don't expect an instant win. I'm patient enough to wait more 903 centillion years! But, well, it's an extreme honor! I give everyone who voted a flower and a kiss, chyu!'' ❤

''- Westcott: Maybe we can go over my home an--! Sorry... The scenario is "take bath with alcohol while drinking it from your breasts"... What the hell is this?''

''- Ragnarok: Aaah. that I tried a few weeks ago. That feeling in the intercrural felt great. For having the charm of a mature woman, my character is often related with alcohol and everything that is to older woman around 25-40 years old.''

''- Westcott: Wait... you said "that feeling in the intercrural felt great"?''

''- Ragnarok: Well, the humilliation I felt from that was exciting! And the DESPAIR OF COUNTLESS EYES WATCHING MY NAKED BOD--!''

(Ragnarok is removed from the stage by Battle Droids)

''- Westcott: Body of a woman, mind of a crazy dog... ''

(Westcott turns to the next page)

''- Westcott: Well, then... Wow! This is even more surprising! And such high rank! The 11th place goes to the most vile female scientist of CIS' history! Akrak Couteau the world’s greatest female scientist! ''

''- Akrak: REALLY?! 11TH PLACE! SO EMOTIONAL!''

''- Westcott: Akrak is a special villain so it makes her special here too. Well... she is so far the most cruel human enemy the protagonists faced so far. Even so, it's doesn't mean she still holds the category of the sexiest mature woman appearing so far, according to the readers.''

''- Akrak: Thank you very much. I guess I could have used my body to find a husband then...''

''- Westcott: Husband? You mean: lover? Do you even think of that?''

''- Akrak: Very often... I never had a boyfriend nor slept with someone... so...''

- Westcott: That's what happens when you lock yourself for years inside of a laboratory cutting children alive in half alive just to see the test of your plagues.

- Akrak: I-I am sorry...

- Westcott: Just to mention, the scenarios are something like "I want her body measures", "I want her to rip my skin like a tigress",  "I wish I could see her panty", "I want her to be my mother", "I want to see her talk endlessly about how she became the world's salvior by destroying all religions".

'' - Akrak: Sorry, I didn’t really understand the first ones. They're all perverted so I don't have experience with that considering my status as a woman with no experience in sexual matters. But according to my research, I know that humans can reproduce through sexual engagement. I tried watching one by forcing one of my guinea pigs have sex with one my slave-girls... Let’s see, first the psychological result wa--!.''

''- Westcott: Ok! Ok! Next! Next! Next now!''

(Westcott turns the next page but began to hear sounds of wing above him)

''- Westcott: As expected of her, obviously! The 10th place goes to--! ''

''- (???): ME! YOUR GODDESS!''

(Sequined appears and seats in the chair of the stage)

''- Westcott: Obviously, it's her! The nameless Goddess of the Omniverse that is widely known in the CIS' Multi-Universe as Sequined Sadist! The woman who created all life and creation! And she obviously know she is going to be the 10th because she knows everything!''

''- Sequined: Exactly! As the Creator of you all, it's only normal for me to know EVERY SINGLE of your thoughts! Opps! Sorry. I really need to calm down! Not used to such situation! Why? Because not a single mortal that saw my body returned to their worlds alive to tell the story! I'm too divine to you, such inferior and pathetic creatures, to lay your eyes on me!''

- Westcott: Are you done?

''- Sequined: Obviously! You low-life!''

''- Westcott: Well then! The scenarios is "Enjoy the night at a bar, endlessly talk about how divine she is as a topic, agree with every word Sequined say as she close in the distance", "I wish she could step on my head with disgusted face", and "Be my only Goddess". ''

(Shock)

''- Sequined: Oh myself! To think all my children became arrogant, perverted and lewd mortals who think nothing but have dirty thoughts about their Goddess! So sad! So sad! I guess I just have to destroy this omniverse now an--!''

(Prepares to eradicate the existence)

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - All: STOP! ''



- Westcott: So everyone is okay?

(The audience are all heavily breathing and sweating as Sequined is fainted on the floor)

''- D. Hades: Well, yes. Next time, don't bring this insane narcissist to our events!''

''- Dragonia: It was the CIS directors who thought about bringing her here. Take her away!''

(Battle Droids dragged Sequined's body out of the theater and were taking her to prison)

''- Westcott: Well, let's continue! There only 9 left! We can't give up now!''

(Westcott turns to the next page)

''- Westcott: Well, now we are going to say the woman who was ranked in the 9th place! The beautiful, perfect, tough and brave Goddess of Magic of the Cultus Pythonissam and Mana World! Wáng Hongyu!''

''- Wang: Hum. As expected! As the Goddess of the Light Magic on Earth, it's my duty to keep myself above the common standard of beauty.''

''- Westcott: Hmmm! Wang is indeed the Queen of Ice. She is cold as hell, it's for nothing they call her the Queen of the Frozen Hearts!''

''- Wang: Indeed, Sir Westcott! Also, my thanks to all people who voted for me! Never I thought, I, a character who barely appeared yet would be such high rank!''

- Westcott: Now, the scenario is "I wish Wang ignores me with her frozen heart", "I want her to cool my world", "I want her love freeze me to death".

''- Wang: Easy as defeating an army in the Russian Winter. Leave that to me, boys~!''

''- Westcott: It's impressive that you have such seductive personality considering you're a Goddess of Magic. Anyway, let's go to the 8th place! With 299 votes we have Future Maria! Jesus, such difference!''

(Maria's eyes widened in sheer horror)

- Maria: What?

(Future Maria steps into the stage)

- 'Fut. Maria''': That was a surprise... how can you guys can still show sympathy for me after all I did to you guys...''

''- Westcott: Actually you're a very unique person here... while you're still the same person of Maria Arzonia, you're considered different thanks to your only and unique sense of justice, strong hate for Astaroth and not to mention you have the class of a attractive and violent amazon, unlike Maria Arzonia who is far more collected and pure. ''

- 'Fut. Maria''': I see... so that was it.''

''- Westcott: And you're more exposed to lewd moments with Ara, so there is that too. Also, here are your scenarios. "I want her to get along with Ara" and "I wish I could see her playing games with Ara".''

- 'Fut. Maria''': Really? I'm only here because of Ara? Ara... Ara... ASTAR--!''

(The CIS directors teleported out if the HQ before she could destroy everything)

''- Westcott: The last girls are sure weird... I hope the next are not so bizarre like the previous...''

- Katarina: Don't worry, Wang, he is not talking about you.

- Wang: I know that Captain Obvious!

- Katarina: You welcome!

(Westcott turns to the next page)

''- Westcott: Hmm! We have another vicious manipulative women who breaks into the world of beauty and cruelty! In 7th place, we have the Otaku clone of Eckidina KnightWalker, Diabla the Qliphoth Tyrant! The lover of mangas and animes but still a brutal destroyer of worlds!''

''- Diabla: Ahahahaha! It's obvious! There is no way my original counterpart and my stupid-spoiled sister will take my place!''

- All Eckidinas: GET BACK HERE AND LET'S SEE IF WE CAN'T TAKE YOUR PLACE, YOU BITCH!

- Diabla: I can't hear you whining from here, sisters.

''- Westcott: Allow me to read it. The scenarios are ”Kissing a 3D man and a woman in front of everyone”, “Diabla's wedding experience with a 2D anime husbando..." What the hell...''

''- Diabla: B-BAKA!! What is this?! Do they have some problems in their brains! ''

''- Misogi: Hey, hey! What are you saying to the voters?! ''

''- Diabla: Hum! I’ve never thought of anything like those! Nothing can be done since it’s 7th place anyways. Well, whatever, one day I'll destroy this world anyway! ''

''- Westcott: At least you didn't try to destroy the theater. And the next one is--! Yes!! Yes!! Ahh Yeah! It's one of my girls! And in 6th place, we have the Multi-Universe's greatest general and military strategist of DEM Empire! Bismarck Bodewig!''

''- Bismarck: So it's my turn! I'm not surprised, but I'm happy that I have such beautiful appearance!''

(Shigure Yukimi and Sasha can be heard grinding their teeth)

''- Azul: Hey, Shigure, you're not ugly! Unlike Sasha here!''

''- Shigure: I know I'm not ugly but look at that perfection of her body! Long blonde hair, a volumous physical body, white and soft skin! Blue eyes! God is a troll!''

''- Bismarck: I just wanted to say that I love all my voters! I promise I'll not let you down!''

''- Westcott: I know you won't. Anyway, here are the scenarios. "I want to see Bismarck's black panty", "Be my genera and whip me with all your fury". ''

''- Bismarck: Fumu... They are not really that impressive... But very well... TELL ME YOUR NAME SO I CAN WHIP YOU WITH ALL MY STRENGTH ALL DAYS UNTIL YOU DIE OF LACK OF BLOOD IN YOUR MISERABLE VEINS!''

 (Everyone started to shake in fear but Westcott smiled in amusement)

''- Westcott: That's why, she is my favorite girl in my Imperial Army. Cold, sadistic and intelligent but yet pure, kind and gentle!''

''- Bismarck: Don't talk to me, you piece of shit. And give back my life.''

"..................."

''- Westcott: Ok... Well then... let's go the 5th place! It should be obvious by now that the last 5 girls are favorited by the readers! In 5th place, we have one of the primary protagonists of the storyline that accompained Katarina in all of her journeys! Imperia Deamonne aka Achylls of the Depravity!''

''- La Folia: I was suppose to be happy... but why I'm not?''

''- Imperia: Fufufu! I told you, La Folia! I'm superior and perfect in every way!''

- Westcott: Imperia is the secondary main heroine of the story so obviously she and Katarina are suppose to be one of the most popular female characters of the story.

''- Imperia: I wanted to get the 1st Place, not because of the reward but for my own pride and prestige. But that's okay! Thank you! I want give a soft and painful kiss to all my admirers! Ahh...''

''- Westcott: You say you're happy for having the 4th place but you seem to be disappointed... anyway there are three scenarios: "I want her to use me as her personal chair", "Torture me with your heart's content", "Humilliate me".''

''- Imperia: Ahhh... ''

''- Westcott: Then, what kind of scenario is better? ''

''- Imperia: Hum! Well!! Then this one! "I want to be stepped on the head until becoming bald", "Please yell at me! Please scold me brutally! You disgusting pig. Yell at me like that!" Ok! Stand over here you disgusting swine without family and social life! Repulsive monkey!! ''

''- Katarina: Wait! It’s ok not choosing any of these too! Speaking of which, why are there such things!''

''- Westcott: And in the 3rd Place we have the former Supreme General of the Revelation of Qliphoth who abandoned Ara Astaroth to live with her beloved enemy, Yuri Barnes! Heles Hermes!''

''- Heles: Ouu! Me! That’s so, is that's... very impressive?''

''- Westcott: Hmm... Although there are similar polls where there’s a rule that a minor heroine can never win such higher place, you're the first one to break that rule. ''

''- Heles: W-Well! I was already expecting to appear here in such high rank! But I really wanted the first place to show off to Yuririn.''

''- Westcott: Yuririn? Who is that?''

''- Heles: The nickname I gave to Yuri. Isn't that cute?''

''- Westcott: I have no idea. The poll scenarios is "Let’s go to a barbecue together", "Feed her until she’s full",  "spend a night in a Motel with her", etc. There’s a lot XXX related scenarios... even more than Ragnarok's.''

- Yuri: ......................

''- Heles: Don't be so envious, Yuririn! You know you're the only boy I get to destroy in the bed!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''- Westcott: Wow! Just wow! Anyway, let's go the 2nd Place! The second place is a proper and well-chosen rank! Here, we have the funniest and darkest female character of all Multi-Universe and the CIS' directors waifu! She is the founder of Revelation of Qliphoth and the catalyst of 90% of all evil happening in the 0th Multi-Universe! Ara Astaroth!''

''- Ara: So it's my turn. Kukuku! I don't put much pride in my own beauty but just being put in the 2nd place is already enough to make my night! To all voters, you have my sinceres and dearly thanks and gratitude!.............. BUT YOU CAN HAVE MORE THAN THAT IF YOU SELL YOUR SOUL AND SANITY TO ME AND LIVE IN AN ETERNAL STATE OF SUFFERING IN MY GHOUL ARMY!''

- Westcott: Y-you are making a satanic propaganda here and now?

''- Ara: Sure! My name is Ara Astaroth, the future Goddess of this world! But you know that already because you bought my Bible for only 503,00$ from the Revelation of Qliphoth to wicked minds who hates their own race! Where I mock from pathetic failures from other villains and you give me your money, sanity and soul for the rest of eternity!''

''- Westcott: This is the stage of DEM Empire! No--! Ahh... Pathetic... anyway. The scenarios are "Let’s go to the movies together", "Let’s go to the art museum", "Let’s go camping", "I'll give you my soul", "I'll cause the next World War for you", "For you, I can bring the genocide and death of my own race", "If only people could see you as the heroine", "Love me" and "Ó my Goddess, Mother of All Evil, tame my soul and turn me into your strength"... a lot of malicious scenarios with genocidal and misanthropic thoughts! ''

"....................."

(Bos)

- All Black Demon: BBBBBBBOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

''- Ara: They are not malicious! They are revolutionary! Even among the patheric race of mortals there are those who can understand and embrace my ideology! They are my children who were born in the wrong side! I can always show them my motherly love! ''

''- Westcott: Why do you hate humans so much? And why most of the humans who become part of your army like Matt Butcher, Gregory Grape and Katarina Couteau are white people. And according to the CIS' files, the Revelation of Qliphoth are a perfect example of a nazi and racist empire, much like the DEM Empire. What you have to say about that?''

''- Ara: Look, I hate humans in general. I don't choose who I want to target my hate. So do not be racist, be like Tom Bucky. He's an British plumber, born from Brazillian people, who speaks english, looks like a Canadian, jumps like a black man, and grabs coins like a jew!''

''- Westcott: Ehh... can we censor this before the SJW appear and sue us?''

''[Just let her be! She is our waifu!]''

''- Westcott: O-Ok... I hope the CIS Productions will not be accused of racism! Not in MAD! Wait... who exactly I am to say that racism is wrong?''

''- Oriax: Ah man... I did not appear in the list...''

- Tomas: Maybe next time, Oriax!

''- Westcott: I think 99% of all people here guessed right! The number one is the main heroine of the story! My lost daughter who is a hybrid Abyssal-ExKrieg with a legendary power sleeping inside of her body! She is the reincarnation of ExKrieg and the central heroic figure of the entire storyline! Katarina Couteau with 540 votes!''

''- Katarina: R-REALLY! I NEVER THOUGHT I--Wait a second! You said I was not the winner of te poll back then!''

''- Westcott: But you didn't win! Anyway, Katarina, what you have to say to your voters!''

''- Katarina: What do you mean I didn--?! D-Do I need to? What I am supposed to say?''

- Westcott: Anything.

''- Katarina: A-ah! Thanks to you all I was able to get the Number One place! I'm happy that despite not being the center of the most of all episodes considering our superiors focus in other people to develop their characters! I'm glad that I'm still popular!''

''- Westcott: Indeed! You're my daughter so it was already expected for you to be loved by all! And here are the scenarios! "Let's go to the cinema", let's eat in a restaurant", "punch me with all your love", "use me as your sparring target", "let's play fighting games"! There are related to violence and food! At least there are no one trying to do dirty things with my daughter! Only those worth of my blood can marry my daughter!''

(Rentaro can be heard crying on distance)

- Rentaro: I-I always knew...

''- Westcott: Keep your tears for yourself, human! You know a weakling and coward mortal like you can't be the lover of my daughter. Look at yourself! It's the man who is the protector of the woman, not the woman protecting your sore ass! Useless prototype of man!''

(Everyone pets Rentaro)

- Oriax: That was rude!

''Now! The number 0th and the winner of this contest!''

"..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''- All: WHAT? 0TH?!''

''[Are you guys surprised? Obviously! The 0th place is the true ultimate place that decides who is the winner of this event!]''

- Melancholia: SO THERE IS STILL HOPE FOR ME!

''- Imperia: HUH?! WHEN DID THE 0TH PLACE EXIST?!''

''- Katarina: Ah... So that's why you said I wasn't the winner... better for me!''

''- Westcott: And the winner of this event! With 504 votes and the very represation of beauty in the darkness and death! She is the main antagonist of the upcoming story LOTM: The Phoenix on the Sword! She is a mysterious cosmic entity that somehow is older than Sequined Sadist but was never mentioned or even known! If Ragnarok and Sequined are Supreme Gods, this woman, was the first cosmic entity that had devoured thousands of omniverses! Some say she is the true creator of the existence and the creature that created Ragnarok and Sequined but nothing was confirmed yet! Her name is Lapis!''

(Lapis suddenly leaves from the darkness of the stage)

- Lapis: That was an easy prediction!

- All: WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!

''- Westcott: Lapis is one of the secret overarching antagonists of all stories! She is said to be the creator of Ragnarok and Sequined but the extension of her power is totally unknown! She basically can create and destroy entire existences! No doubt why she is the most enigmatic character of this universe!''

''- Lapis: And now tell me about the scenarios! Hehehe!''

''- Westcott: Well... I noticed that there is... none! Why?!''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Lapis: Why? Because... this existence and timeline... never existed. ''



(The existence, all omniverses and all reality is erased in a blink of an eye).



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Lapis: Life itself is only a vision that will disappear in a matter of seconds. A dream. Nothing exists, save empty space and you. And you... are but a thought. ''

Afterwords

 * From Prime: Well... hello there. It's kinda awkward saying like this after more than 5 months without the release of any episodes from every stories of CIS Productions. Heck, the last months were full of things we needed to solve, for all writers. Sure, we worked in our story but we delayed its process, mainly LOTM: SoK that added more and more works ahead, delaying the release of previous works that were already in production. Now we say this, the next episodes will take a long time too. I think... 3 months? Anyway guys, sorry for taking so long! And thanks for reading this episode!
 * From CIS: On our way, we also added many other characters for CIS' stories. Some already have their pages but it's not too fancy as they are not finished yet. 
 * Here we have Ragnarok Iblis, the oldest character of CIS Productions but only received attention recently to work in her development. 
 * Heles Hermes, a secret character set to appear in the final episode of the CM Sub Arc and is obviously full of spoilers! Read at your own risk!
 * Hana Langley, an enigmatic character that appears in Katarina's disturbing past! Read at your risk! It's full of spoilers!
 * From Subjugator: The last episode of CM Sub Arc is... considered to be the longest episode of the story so far. With that said, this episode is going to be the last long episodes of the story and we all learn how to cut the plot in half to make smaller episode like our past works. It's bad for you who enjoy a long episode but better for us who can spend less time working in such massive episode.
 * From Officer: I'm absent at least in episodic productions in nearly 6 frigging months due to many stuff keep piling up as well as my poor Internet at my house. As amends, I will release two episodes at once to end the Haunting Past Sub Arc, set up the Death's Return Sub Arc and getting on with Firenza Junior episodes once more. Although, these episodes won't be like those at my prime, so I consider them to be a pair of warm-up.
 * More members of the Order of Flourish will appear soon, in their character establish moments, and Phyllis Peach will be a semi-protagonist in the episodes (just semi, really). The deadline is no later than early November. Just wait, please. ;)