On how PhDs become human evil

The current Vermouth is Sharon Vineyard, just an actress. An actress can't find those hidden surveillance cameras, so in order to stick to the setting, Vermouth moved into Shinichi Kudo's house even though she knew there were surveillance cameras.

(Wait, does that mean Shinichi has seen me naked several times?)

Vermouth suddenly realized a very serious situation. She thought she had been behaving very conservatively lately, but who could guarantee that Shinichi Kudo hadn't been spying on her through the security cameras? He was a hot-blooded high school student!

(No, we need to find a reason to remove all those surveillance cameras.)

"Miss Sharon, Miss Sharon?"

The voice beside her brought Vermouth back to reality: "Excuse me, I was just spacing out for a moment. Where were we?"

"Actually, our company is currently preparing a role-playing game, which includes an actress NPC. We would like to ask you, as a professional, for some advice and tips."

The person speaking to Vermouth was Dan Masamune, and Dan Kuroto was standing not far from him.

"Illusion Dream Company's new game... Could it be that [Cocoon], which already had a prototype?"

"As expected of you, you've already heard the rumors. Indeed, it will be Japan's first fully immersive game, a project that our Dream Company has been planning for a long time. If it succeeds, it will be a groundbreaking invention!"

“I see... But I’ve already retired, and my advice might not be very relevant to the times. If your company doesn’t mind, I can offer my assistance.”

"Thank you so much!"

Tan Zhengzong had only spoken halfway when the lights in the banquet hall suddenly went out.

"It seems the main event is about to begin. Let's meet and talk again later, Miss Sharon."

"Well, see you later, Mr. Dan Masamune."

After Dan Masamune and Vermouth finished their conversation, spotlights illuminated the already darkened banquet hall, gradually focusing on the large stage not far away, lighting up the figure of the person who invited the banquet, Tokiwa Mio, the chairwoman of the Tokiwa Group.

Section 356.6. Making trouble in front of a bunch of big shots? Seriously?

Wearing a black evening gown, Tokiwa Mio stepped in front of the microphone and addressed the many guests: "Thank you all very much for taking the time to attend the opening ceremony of the Tokiwa Group's twin tower skyscrapers today."

"Before we begin, I'd like to play a little game with everyone as a bit of fun. This game is named after my late father, Tokiwa Kanesei..."

Looking at Tokiwa Mio, who was starting to ramble on on stage, Bai Jie, who was leaning against the very edge with Kudo Shinichi, suddenly spoke up: "Speaking of which, Kudo, how many cases have you solved today?"

"One outfit on your way to school in the morning, and another after school in the afternoon, what's wrong?"

"No, it's just that based on past patterns, you usually have to handle at least three things a day, so I was wondering if something might happen at this banquet, like someone else dying or something."

"Can't you wish for something good? This is their opening ceremony, why are you saying such unlucky things?" Shinichi Kudo rolled his eyes at him, annoyed. "Besides, don't you even look at who's here? There are two Kamen Riders here, who would dare to cause trouble here?"

As Shinichi Kudo said, White Gear goes without saying, and Dan Kuroto is also a Kamen Rider. Although he usually becomes a comedian and the one with exaggerated facial expressions, he is still a Kamen Rider.

Besides these two, there's also Shinichi Kudo, the famous detective, and Vermouth, the person from the brewery. The security work in all aspects is very good, and Shinichi Kudo really doesn't believe that anyone would cause trouble at this time.

Looking at the confident Shinichi Kudo, Bai Jie really wanted to say that with his physique, it would be difficult for people around him not to die, but he held back for the sake of Shinichi's face. If he really said it, Shinichi would probably really turn on him.

"Excuse me, could you please put your watch or phone here?"

Just then, a waiter came over with a basket full of watches, cell phones, and the like. Although they hadn't been listening carefully, Bai Jie and Kudo Shinichi knew that this was preparation for a counting game.

"Sorry, I don't play this game."

Me too.

Neither Shinichi Kudo nor Bai Jie were interested in this childish game. As for the latest convertible sports car as the prize, Shinichi Kudo said nothing, and Bai Jie said that he had even driven a floating warship, so why would he care about a sports car? If he wanted to, he could mass-produce one for you in a minute.

"Ok?"

Suddenly, Bai Jie frowned: "This feeling is..."

"What's wrong, Minister?"

"I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling," Bai Jie said. As the evil one in this world, he had just clearly sensed a malice, or even murderous intent, emanating from humans, and the source of that murderous intent was right here in the banquet hall.

"Kudo, get ready, it looks like things won't be peaceful tonight."

"Although I want to say you're worrying unnecessarily, since you said it, it must be true, right?"

Shinichi Kudo did not doubt Bai Jie's intuition, because Bai Jie's intuition had never failed him; every time Bai Jie had his intuition, a murder would occur.

————————————————————

The 30-second countdown game was just a side event. After a series of underhanded maneuvers to nominally hand over the car to a bumbling detective, Tokiwa Mio left the show, and another host took her place.

"Now, everyone, the next person I'd like to introduce is our most important guest today, Mr. Kisaragi Mineki, a national treasure-level master of Japanese painting!"

As the host spoke, a huge screen descended from the ceiling, displaying a Japanese painting featuring Mount Fuji.

"Kisaragi Mine, I've heard of that name before. I think he's a painter who specializes in painting Mount Fuji."

Bai Jie recalled.

"Yes, it is said that he loved Mount Fuji so much that he even built a house on a small hill near Mount Fuji so that he could see Mount Fuji from morning to night and draw a picture of the entire mountain."

"More than 30 years have passed since he started painting Mount Fuji. In a sense, this old man has amazing perseverance."

As Shinichi Kudo narrated, images of Mount Fuji kept switching on the screen not far away. Whether it was Mount Fuji in the morning, Mount Fuji at noon, Mount Fuji at night, or even Mount Fuji in all four seasons, Mount Fuji in the wind and rain, Mount Fuji under the sun... there were images of Mount Fuji in all kinds of environments.

It's clear that this master of Japanese painting truly loved Mount Fuji.

At this moment, the screen went dark, and then the host said, "To celebrate the completion of the twin towers of his student, Mio Tokiwa, Professor Kisaragi has specially gifted her a new work!"

"Next, please allow me to introduce Kisaragi-sensei's new work—Haruyuki no Fuji!"

As the host finished speaking, the curtain behind him was gradually drawn back, creating a sense of a serious drama beginning in the dimly lit environment, which aroused people's curiosity about the painting.

"Clap clap clap clap clap clap!"

Just as the curtain was fully drawn back, all the spotlights shone on the painting, however—

"what?!"

"No way!"

"That person is...."

"Aaaaaaah!"

A sound symbolizing fear and panic erupted in the hall. It was no wonder that everyone reacted this way, because right in the center of the picture of Mount Fuji that was being displayed, a person was hanging, perfectly dividing the entire picture in two.

Everyone present recognized the person who was being hung up.

She was none other than the protagonist of this banquet, the owner of the Tokiwa Group, Tokiwa Mio, who had just left the stage not long ago. Just minutes ago, she was chatting and laughing with everyone on stage, but now she had turned into a lifeless corpse and was hanged in front of everyone.

“Something really has happened, Kudo. I’m thinking that you shouldn’t go out anymore, just for the sake of peace in Japan.”

"If you really want to talk about it, you're the same way, aren't you? You always seem to have a feeling that a murder is about to happen. Can't you just not have that feeling?" Shinichi Kudo said angrily. He really felt like he was possessed. How could he run into a dead person just by going out for dinner? Was he really cursed?

"Hey Kudo, are you still standing there like an idiot? There's been a murder case, you know. Aren't you going to show off your skills, you Heisei era Sherlock Holmes?"

“I would have gone even without you saying so. And you should come too, help me with the autopsy. You're a professional in this area.”

"My profession is a doctor, not an autopsy specialist!"

Section 357 Sorry everyone, I'm tired today.

I've been busy and won't have time to update today. Although I could update, it would mean I wouldn't be able to go to bed until 1 a.m. I've been staying up late for almost a week now, and I want to go to bed earlier tonight, otherwise I really can't keep going. Please understand.

That being said, I will still update one chapter of the new book, but it will probably be a short chapter of about a thousand words. By the way, has anyone checked out the new book yet? The number of favorites is still stuck at 150, so please give it your all!

Section 358, Chapter 7. Author: This Red Knife Bro is fighting a snake!

Following Shinichi Kudo onto the stage, and after having the staff lower Mio Tokiwa and the stage curtain, Bai Jie took out gloves, put them on, and squatted down next to Mio Tokiwa.

"He's already dead. Judging from the degree of rigor mortis, he shouldn't have been dead for more than half an hour."

In fact, just a few minutes ago, Tokiwa Mio was standing perfectly fine in front of everyone, unless Tokiwa Mio was a stand-in at that time.

"The cause of death is also very simple and clear: she was strangled by the pearl necklace she was wearing. A piano string was tied to the back of the necklace and connected to it."

Bai Jie pointed to the painting: "As soon as that painting is displayed, when it is lowered, she will be suspended and appear before our eyes."

"Any other results?" Shinichi Kudo asked.

"Well, that's all we can know from looking at the body. Sending it for an autopsy probably won't reveal anything. I've also helped you identify a suspect."

Bai Jie stood up and pointed to the three people next to him: "This is the old man who painted Mount Fuji, this is the corporate executive, and this is the secretary who was operating the elevator over there. As for the rest, I'll leave it to you."

After saying this, Bai Jie jumped off the stage without hesitation, prompting Shinichi Kudo to hurriedly call out from behind, "Hey! At least help me out! Or at least help me find some clues like before!"

"That's your job as a detective, not mine as a PhD." Bai Jie turned around and smiled. "Well, just focus on solving the case, great detective. I'm going to get dinner now. Remember to call me when you've solved it."

Watching Bai Jie walk towards the buffet area without looking back, Shinichi Kudo couldn't help but frown. Now that a murder has occurred, this guy still has the leisure to eat dinner. Should he be called carefree or oblivious? Most people would panic at this point.

(However, if that guy is also a Kamen Rider, he should be used to this kind of thing by now.)

Shrugging, Shinichi Kudo turned to look at the crime scene. Now was the time for him to put his skills to use.

————————————————————————————

Back at the buffet area, Bai Jie filled a large plate with delicious food and casually found a table to sit down. He had only taken two bites when Tan Lidou sat down opposite him.

"You seem quite leisurely, Doctor. Having transcended the human species, do you still retain the need to eat?"

"It's not like you don't eat. Even when Sky Temple became a ghost, it didn't forget to eat. When it comes to the most primal human desires, besides survival, it's eating."

"It's you who actually came to this kind of banquet. I thought our God wouldn't come."

"No, I am no longer a god." Dan Kuroto waved his hand with a cold smile. "I have abandoned the name of God Dan Kuroto. After experiencing death several times, I finally realized that even gods have limits. But compared to that, humans have repeatedly been able to defeat gods and achieve great things that even gods could not achieve."

"So you're not going to be a god anymore, you're going to be a human?"

"That's right, I am now the newly reborn—[Dan Kuroto]!"

(Ah, here it comes, the old Dan family's ancestral exaggerated facial expressions and arrogant tone.)

Bai Jie stared expressionlessly at Dan Kuroto, who was declaring his return to his true self. To be honest, he didn't find Dan Kuroto's constant changes interesting. Essentially, he had only changed his mindset; Dan Kuroto himself hadn't changed much. In other words... Dan Kuroto was just an older, delusional person.

Thinking you're a god all day long and constantly changing to cool-sounding titles—isn't that just chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)?

"By the way, Li Dou, how's that system coming along?"