I was the fourth disaster in Yokohama and was loved by everyone.

The sunlight melted their shadows into syrup, and even their breath carried the sweet scent of caramel.

At this moment, Ranpo lacked the sharpness of his deductions; instead, he resembled a cat that had finally found a safe place to bask in the sun, spreading its softest belly out in the halo of light.

"If [Kuzi] ever can't make it in the Port Mafia anymore, you can come to our detective agency~" Ranpo suddenly said, picking up his fork and unhesitatingly forking a large piece of cake. "This promise is valid forever."

He blinked, his eyelashes casting a sly shadow beneath his eyes.

His question was as casual as asking, "What kind of pastries do you like?" rather than extending a formal invitation.

But those who know him well know that this seemingly casual invitation is a solemn olive branch he has extended.

At this moment, Ranpo's eyes, which he usually kept squinting, were wide open, showing no trace of his usual joking ease, but rather a rare seriousness.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting dappled patterns on his face. His emerald green eyes, now bathed in sunlight, appeared almost transparent.

[Congratulations on receiving an invitation from Edogawa Ranpo, the "brain of the Detective Agency," successfully triggering the conditions for switching factions.]

Should we switch sides to "Armed Detective Agency"?

A.YES (The faction changes to "Armed Detective Agency," increasing the favorability of NPCs within the same faction by 20. Since the "Armed Detective Agency" and the "Port Mafia" are "hostile," there is a chance that changing factions will decrease the favorability of Port Mafia members and turn them into red/yellow names.)

B.NO (The conditions for switching factions are temporarily suspended; you can redeem the promise at any time by contacting Edogawa Ranpo.)

They switched sides so quickly?

Zhu Yu was somewhat excited, but the thought that his [Mafia] profession level was not yet maxed out dampened his spirits.

If he switches sides, his career path in the Mafia will probably be sealed off.

Damn it, giving up halfway through leveling up isn't like a player at all!

With that in mind, and with the option of "temporary sealing" as a fallback, she could only regretfully refuse.

"Sorry, Ranpo..." Zhu Yu opened her mouth, wanting to explain a few more words to Ranpo—she wouldn't be leaving the Port Mafia for the time being, but could consider it later...

But Ranpo, who had already guessed what she was going to say, interrupted her.

"Hmph!" Ranpo abruptly turned his face away, his hat almost flying off his head. Although he was prepared to be rejected, he was still unhappy to hear it!

"Um, I really want to eat daifuku right now. [Kuko], if you really feel bad, please make some for me..."

So easily fooled?

Making desserts wasn't difficult for Zhu Yu; it was just like playing a cooking mini-game within a game.

Making desserts in the holographic version is similar to the app version. It provides an operation panel, and you can easily "make" desserts with just one click by following the instructions on the panel.

Fortunately, she doesn't need to follow the actual dessert-making process step by step, otherwise she might have been stuck at the same level forever.

Upon receiving Ranpo's request, Zhu Yu quickly agreed.

"Okay, Ranpo!" This was an NPC who had promised her a "permanent faction change," so the player was very forgiving!

She immediately stood up and ran to the kitchen to start making daifuku.

Seeing her turn and leave, Edogawa Ranpo's childlike expression vanished instantly. He stood up with a cold face and walked straight toward a seemingly ordinary middle-aged man.

He sat at a safe distance from Zhu Yu and Edogawa Ranpo's table—not too far, not too close—so that he wouldn't arouse suspicion, but was still able to hear their conversation.

Well, since [Kuzi] still wants to have fun with her friends in the Port Mafia, the famous detective will naturally grant her wish.

Don't let that heartless old man ruin her good mood...

“Go back and tell your leader—” Edogawa Ranpo pressed down on his beret, revealing half-open green eyes beneath his black hair, but his voice was thinner than a blade, “Her loyalty needs no doubt.”

"If you're too suspicious, you'll only push her away. Our detective agency would be very happy to have such a new member join us."

"So, stop your probing, you heartless old man!"

*

Hearing his subordinate's trembling report, Mori Ōgai suddenly chuckled.

"Oh dear... our detective has caught your little trick." His slender fingertips tapped lightly on the table, making a rhythmic, soft sound—tap, tap, tap—each sound like an invisible second hand counting down.

The reporter broke out in a cold sweat, which dripped onto the carpet, and silently withdrew.

"Alice-chan, you understand me, right? A butterfly that flies away so easily only brings peace of mind when held firmly in the palm of your hand." He whispered to the air, like a lover's murmur.

As he finished speaking, the blonde, blue-eyed girl appeared out of thin air like a ghost and landed lightly beside him.

Mori Ōgai's supernatural ability, "Vita Sexualis," allows him to create a humanoid supernatural being. Alice was created by him based on his own preferences.

He usually keeps her by his side, pretending to be his adopted daughter, and no one would suspect that this is his special ability.

His humanoid ability manifests as outward disdain for him, but in essence—they are of one mind.

She is his other half.

The blonde Alice opened her eyes and chuckled softly: "In that case, silly Rintaro can't let the little butterfly get away."

"It's a pity, with Natsume-sensei watching, I can't go too far..." Mori Ougai said, seemingly with a sigh.

Who could have predicted that a certain young lady would meet Natsume-sensei at some point and even gain his approval?

Teacher Natsume, who usually doesn't like to meddle in other people's business, specifically sought him out and said, half admonishing and half warning, "Don't push that child too hard, and don't do anything too outrageous, otherwise I won't be able to cover for you."

"Ah... Alice-chan, this is difficult. So, this is probably the only way..."

As he spoke, it was as if he saw a possibility through the pitch-black night.

Chapter 66 Unless you give way too much

"Money? Power? Or... the gentle shackles that can't be escaped—the so-called bond?"

“After all…” he looked out the window at the lights of Yokohama, his voice so soft it was almost a whisper, “the strongest cage never needs a lock.”

*

Zhu Yu, completely unaware of the ulterior motives of the man with the black scarf, was diligently completing her task. If she knew about Mori Ōgai's outburst, she would probably look righteously indignant and declare—

Don't even think about controlling the players, unless... you give them way too much!

This mission didn't involve her with Dazai and Chuuya; instead, she was tasked with tracking down a group of smugglers who were operating illegally at the Port Mafia piers without permission.

Since the target of this mission has fled to international waters, she needs to borrow a vehicle from the Port Mafia to go to sea.

She rarely undertakes solo missions. After all, to outsiders, it seems that if she doesn't have a partner watching over her, she might easily disappear halfway through the mission and completely forget to finish it.

Therefore, she usually has at least one partner who goes on missions with her.

Judging from the difficulty of this mission, the people who could go on the mission with her were either on business trips or had been sent by Mori Ougai to handle other matters.

Having lost her regular partner, she had no choice but to reluctantly obey the assignment to find her partner this time—who happened to be the Port Mafia member known as "Silly Bird," who was in charge of scheduling the transport ship for her.

The person who assigned the task gave her Ah-Dai-Niao's contact information directly.

She fiddled with her rather outdated phone, saved him in her contact list, and after a brief conversation, arranged a time and place to meet.

Hmm, it's almost time.

Zhu Yu glanced at her phone.

[Dumb Bird]: Kawakami-san, please wait for me at the entrance of the Port Mafia building. I'll be there soon.

He'll be late in one minute...

Zhu Yu stood at the entrance of the deserted Port Mafia building, thinking expressionlessly: If he dared to be late, the players would beat him into a "flat-headed bird".

10, 9, 8, 7......

Zhu Yu was bored and started counting down in her mind. Just when she thought the NPC was going to stand her up—

The roar of an engine suddenly ripped through the silence. A person riding a pink motorcycle rushed from the intersection, swerved, and braked sharply, the tires screeching against the road, before coming to a steady stop in front of Zhu Yu.

The newcomer stood on one leg, and when he took off his helmet, a few unruly strands of hair still stuck up in the air. He smiled like a mischievous little devil who had just pulled off a prank.

"Perfect arrival!"

He looked young, with a head of fluffy, slightly curly hair, the ends of which shone with a light gold hue from the sun, like an adventure dog that had just finished exploring the jungle.

Noticing Zhu Yu's gaze, he grinned and patted his back seat: "I'm Adai Bird, your partner this time. Kawakami-san, let's go."

Damn it, you appeared at the very last second, huh? How can you be even more arrogant than the players!

“You’ve arrived, Flathead Bird.” She nodded in acknowledgment.

"Huh?" Adobird was taken aback, scratched his head, and said, "Kawakami-san, my name is Adobird."

"Ah, sorry." Zhu Yu's deadpan expression showed no remorse whatsoever.

She looked at the cool motorcycle in front of her with envy and jealousy, and felt a pang of sadness when she thought that her own ride was just a children's bicycle.

Can players steal it? Sure, they can!

Zhu Yu was itching to make a move.

"Hehe, it's nothing. By the way, Kawakami-san and Chuuya are good friends, right?"

Ah-Dai-Niao's words pulled Zhu Yu back from a morally deteriorating situation.

Catching a certain keyword, she snapped out of her reverie and tried to look away from the cool motorcycle: "Yes, what's wrong?" Sorry, even if you mention Chuuya, the players can't let your motorcycle go.

Your motorcycle is fine, it'll be mine in the next second!

Upon hearing the affirmative answer, he suddenly broke into a big smile and said in a very familiar tone, "Nakaya and I are friends. Since you are also Nakaya's friend, then we are friends."

"Since we're friends now, I'll give you a gift!" The silly bird had already noticed the girl's undisguised, burning gaze, and what she was "affectionately" staring at was his beloved car.

Well, even though this is his favorite motorcycle and he can't give it to her, he has other motorcycles...

Ah-Dai-Niao generously pulled a bunch of keys from his pocket and tossed them to Zhu Yu: "Although it's not this one, I can guarantee it's a really cool motorcycle."

Zhu Yu instinctively reached out to catch it, and opened her palm to find a set of keys: ? ? ?

Wait a minute, so this NPC just gave the player a motorcycle!

Zhu Yu's pupils dilated in shock as she stared blankly at the key in her hand.

At that moment, in her eyes, Ah-Dai-Niao seemed to be bathed in a golden light.

Zhu Yu's favorability increases↑up↑

Mr. Dumb Bird, I'll consider you a friend!

Zhu Yu immediately straightened up, nimbly flipped herself onto the back of the motorcycle, and waved to Ah-Dai-Niao, urging, "Let's go, my friend, what are you waiting for? Please don't stop us from moving forward."

The silly bird, who hadn't expected Zhu Yu to act so quickly: ......

"Ah... okay, okay." After realizing what he meant, he immediately took out another helmet and handed it to Zhu Yu. She thought about it for a moment, then took it and put it on.

Well, since I've already given it to you, I might as well wear it.

The two sat down, and Ah-Dai-Niao, as the rider, started the motorcycle. With a "whoosh," the motorcycle shot off like a meteor.

To avoid being spotted by smugglers, the transport ship anchored in an unnamed bay far from the city, and now they were riding motorcycles to get there.

Sitting on the speeding motorcycle, the objects on both sides of the road turned into colorful comets, leaving only blurry tails in my field of vision.

"Waaaaaah&%#—— (This is the taste of freedom!)" She opened her arms and shouted loudly, realizing that she, who had always relied on her own two legs to explore the map, was ultimately too easily satisfied.

Waaah, she must have had such a hard life before (bursts into tears)

Unfortunately, the car was going too fast. As soon as she removed her hand from Ah-Dai-Niao's shoulder, she was almost blown off by the wind. She was so frightened that she quickly summoned vines to cling to the car body.

Why is it that before, once you "sit" in this vehicle with one click, you couldn't shake it off no matter what, but now it's falling off...?

Zhu Yu remained silent.

"what happened?"

Noticing her movement, the silly bird tilted its head and asked in a louder voice.

Zhu Yu was about to open her mouth to speak when she found that her mouth was filled with air, and all her words were drowned out.

"Hmm (It's nothing)."

"Huh?" Unable to hear clearly, the silly bird asked again.

"#&(fine)."

“￥%￥%&...... (Remember to hold on tight!)” said the silly bird.

Great, now we can't even hear what the other person is saying.