Isn't it very scientific to use the Death Note to kill people?

"police!!!"

The leader, Sato Miwako, suddenly rushed in, holding a pistol and aiming it ahead... The first thing she saw was Hayashi Yoshiki and Kisaki Eri, which quickly made her lower her guard, but the next second she saw the corpses lying in a pool of blood.

"Mr. Lin! Attorney Fei?"

She quickly put away her gun and led her team forward.

Chapter 70: Rum's "Gift"

The corridors of the Metropolitan Police Department were brightly lit.

Ran Mouri paced anxiously until she saw Eri Kisaki emerge from the interrogation room accompanied by Miwako Sato, at which point she rushed over.

"mom!"

Ran grabbed Eri's arm anxiously, looking her up and down. "Are you alright? What happened? I couldn't get through to you or Yoshiki-nii on the phone, and I couldn't find you at the restaurant either. I was so worried!"

Looking at her daughter's worried face, Eri Kisaki tried to force a reassuring smile, though the smile was somewhat forced and tired.

She gently patted Xiaolan's hand, her voice a little hoarse: "It's alright, Xiaolan, it was just a little... accident. It's all resolved now, don't worry."

"..."

Seeing that she looked a little reluctant, Xiaolan hesitated.

Two hours earlier, she had finished shopping with Sonoko and was excitedly preparing to meet Eri Kisaki and Yoshiki Hayashi at the restaurant she had booked, only to find that she couldn't reach either of them by phone.

Left with no other choice, she went to the restaurant to check on the situation.

After inquiring, it was learned that Lin Jiashu had indeed made a reservation, but he never showed up and the restaurant could not be contacted.

This made her feel uneasy until Eri Kisaki got her phone back and turned it on not long ago, which is how she was able to contact her.

At this moment, Sato Miwako briefly explained the situation to Xiaolan: "Xiaolan, your mother was kidnapped today by thugs with whom you had a previous legal feud. Mr. Hayashi Yoshiki tracked them down and rescued her... There was some conflict during the process, but they were not hurt and are now safe."

When Ran learned that Eri Kisaki had been kidnapped as a form of revenge, her expression immediately turned indignant... She found it hard to accept why such scum could exist in the world.

However, after confirming that her mother was safe and sound, she felt relieved. But she soon realized that Lin Jiashu was missing: "Mom, I'm so glad you're alright! But... where's Jiashu? Why didn't he come out with you?"

Upon hearing this question, Eri Kisaki's eyes dimmed instantly, as if a huge rock had been pressed on her heart. She pursed her lips and said with some difficulty, "Kiji... he still needs to stay at the Metropolitan Police Department for a while to cooperate with the investigation."

"why?"

Xiaolan pressed on, puzzled, a bad feeling rising in her heart, "Wasn't Jiashu supposed to be rescuing Mom? Why is he being left behind?"

Looking at her daughter's innocent face, Eri Kisaki couldn't bring herself to say the words she wanted to say...

Just then, Inspector Megure arrived and picked up the conversation. Although his expression was serious, his tone was reassuring: "Ran, don't worry. Here's what happened. During the rescue of Attorney Hideaki, Brother Lin was in a hurry and had no choice but to... accidentally kill a kidnapper."

"Killed...killed someone?"

Xiaolan was instantly stunned, the color draining from her face, her voice filled with panic, "How could this be... Brother Jiashu, he..."

Seeing Ran's reaction, Inspector Megure quickly reassured her in a gentle tone, "Don't worry too much, Ran. Based on the evidence we have and Attorney Kisaki's testimony, the kidnappers were committing serious violent crimes against them. Brother Lin's actions were entirely to stop the crime and protect the lives of others, which falls under the category of legitimate self-defense. From a legal perspective, it's almost impossible for the police to prosecute him. Keeping him here is just to complete some necessary statements and legal procedures; it's the prescribed process."

Eri Kisaki also mustered her strength, put her arm around her daughter's shoulder, and comforted her firmly, "Yes, Ran, don't be afraid. Xiaoshu will definitely be alright... Mom is a lawyer, I know this best, I'm here for you."

After being comforted by Inspector Megure and Eri Kisaki, Ran's turbulent emotions gradually calmed down, but her worried expression hadn't completely disappeared. Leaning against her mother, she murmured softly, "Yoshiki-nii must have been terrified too..."

Eri Kisaki gently patted her daughter's back, feeling her daughter's dependence and warmth, but her heart was filled with complex emotions.

(Little Tree... He ended another person's life with his own hands to protect me...)

This realization struck her heart like a heavy hammer, bringing waves of dull pain and an indescribable sense of heaviness.

Even though she understood that it was to protect her, and even though she knew that he was not legally responsible, the thought of that child who always had a gentle smile having his hands stained with blood because of her, and possibly even bearing a heavy psychological shadow because of it, made her heart feel as if it were being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

At the same time, seeing Ran's undisguised concern and feelings for Hayashi Yoshiki, Eri's feelings were extremely complicated.

Although she was coerced into doing it in a desperate situation to protect the sapling, she ultimately... did that for the sapling.

She gently embraced Xiaolan, trying to draw strength and comfort from her daughter, but the turbulent waves in her heart stirred by tonight's events would probably take a long time to truly subside.

The legal process may be clear, but the trauma and entanglement in people's hearts are far more complex.

Seeing the two of them, Inspector Megure didn't disturb them. He gave Sato Miwako a wink, and the two of them went to the side and talked in hushed tones.

Megure frowned deeply: "Have you made any progress on the kidnapper who escaped?"

Sato Miwako immediately reported: "Based on the name and information provided by Attorney Kisaki, we have completely identified him. Although he is still on the run, the vehicle he drove when he fled the factory has been captured by surveillance cameras at multiple intersections. We have increased manpower to retrieve all surveillance footage along the route, track his escape route and final hiding place, and believe we will be able to arrest him soon!"

Megure nodded, his eyes sharp: "As soon as possible! This kind of ruthless bastard cannot be allowed to get away with it!"

"Yes!"

"And that guy who was taken to the hospital after he fell into a coma, notify me as soon as he wakes up."

"clear."

Miwako Sato nodded.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next morning

Marume Asahi, who had been fleeing in a panic all night, was walking hurriedly past a TV display window outside a convenience store with his head down and his face tightly covered by his hood.

However, the familiar name coming from the television made him suddenly stop in his tracks.

Regarding the kidnapping case involving renowned detective and author Yoshiki Hayashi yesterday, the police have released an updated statement.

[It is reported that Mr. Lin Jiashu, in an attempt to rescue the kidnapped hostages, caused the death of one of the kidnappers during the struggle. Based on the on-site investigation and witness testimonies, the prosecution determined that Mr. Lin Jiashu's actions fell within the scope of legitimate self-defense and decided not to prosecute him...]

The television screen displayed interior photos of the abandoned factory from yesterday.

Two chairs, ropes lying on the floor, and a camera stand that was on a tripod but no longer had a camera...

The scene then shifts to a brief shot of Yoshiki Hayashi emerging from the Metropolitan Police Department and being surrounded by reporters.

Although his handsome face showed signs of fatigue, he remained calm, a stark contrast to his own disheveled state, resembling a rat in a sewer.

"asshole!!!"

Marume Asahi felt a rush of blood to his head, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh!

How come that guy killed someone and got away scot-free?!

Why must I live like a stray dog, constantly on the run?!

He was almost consumed by immense resentment and bitterness.

But then, a feeling of regret washed over him.

If he hadn't been blinded by hatred, if he hadn't insisted on dragging those two idiots along for revenge... he might still be living a life that, while impoverished, is at least free.

But now, it's all over!

He became a wanted criminal, his future was ruined, and he had nowhere to turn!

suddenly,

The faint sound of police sirens in the distance was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing all his anger.

He quickened his pace in panic, disregarding his direction, and plunged into a narrow, dirty back alley, thinking that the police wouldn't come into such a place.

However, before he could even catch his breath after rushing into the depths of the alley, a tall figure blocked his way.

Marume Asahi didn't even see the other person's face clearly before he felt a tearing pain in his abdomen—a heavy, hammer-like fist slammed into his stomach without any fancy moves!

"Ugh... Ugh!"

Marume Asahi let out a painful groan, his knees buckled, and he collapsed heavily to the ground. The punch made his stomach churn, and he almost vomited bile.

He painfully raised his head, and through his blurred vision, he could only see a man in a black suit with a cold and hard face looking down at him, a cold, almost cruel smirk on his lips.

"Come with me."

"Who...who are you?!"

Despite the excruciating pain, Marume Asahi asked in utter terror,

The man didn't answer, but just glanced at him with the same look he had when looking at a dead object, then slightly turned his head toward the alley entrance.

Soon, another man dressed in black strode in. The two of them, one on each side, effortlessly lifted him off the ground, like a dead dog, as he was completely unable to resist.

"Let me go! Who are you?! Where are you taking me?!"

Marume Asahi struggled in vain, his terrified screams echoing in the empty back alley, only to be quickly drowned out by the city's clamor.

There was no answer, only silent and efficient violence.

He was roughly dragged away and disappeared beside a black sedan parked at the other end of the alley. The car door opened and closed again, as if swallowed by darkness, leaving no trace.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

in the afternoon

As soon as Lin Jiashu reached the apartment building, a black sedan silently glided up in front of him like a ghost.

"Please get in the car, Mr. Lin."

The car window rolled down, revealing a man in black with an expressionless face in the driver's seat.

Lin Jiashu looked at the other person, raising an eyebrow slightly.

He didn't ask any more questions, but after glancing at the time on his wristwatch, he opened the car door and got into the back seat.

The car started immediately.

The driver didn't say much along the way, but eventually stopped the car in front of a building that Lin Jiashu recognized—the abandoned building where the kidnapping had happened yesterday.

Soon, another man in black who was waiting at the scene ran forward, opened the car door for Lin Jiashu, and made a "please" gesture.

After getting out of the car, Lin Jiashu was led to a relatively open area deep inside the building.

There, a man was tightly bound to a chair with rough ropes, his mouth was taped shut, and his face was covered with sweat of fear and despair.

The moment Marume Asahi saw Hayashi Yoshiki appear, his pupils suddenly contracted, his body began to struggle violently, and a muffled and terrified "woo-woo" sound came from his throat.

"This should be the first time I've spoken directly to you, Cointreau."

A strange and distorted voice, processed electronically, suddenly rang out.

The sound echoed in the empty space, causing Lin Jiashu to stop in his tracks.

His gaze swept over the phone.

"Rum?"

"Yes……"

A low chuckle came from the phone, and he got straight to the point:

"Consider this foolish idiot a small gift from me to you. Although my actions may have disrupted your carefully prepared plans for him."

"But let me guess... you probably don't plan to deal with this guy through complicated accidents, do you?"

"After all, such an eye-catching method as 'accident' shouldn't be associated too much with the name of the famous detective, Yoshiki Hayashi."

"Of course... if I'm wrong, I'm really looking forward to that scene too."

"Hehehe"

Rum did not receive a reply.

Hayashi Yoshiki's gaze fell on Marume Asahi, who was trembling violently, and he remained noncommittal.

Rum seemed unfazed by his silence. After a pause, he cut to the chase: "Come work for me, Cointreau! Your talents are better suited for the intelligence group!"

"You have a much brighter future with me than you do under Gin. Gin only knows how to destroy and eliminate, but intelligence... is the real key to controlling everything. The intelligence team's secrecy, combined with the vast intelligence network I can mobilize, will allow you to maximize your talents."

His voice carried a hint of seduction: "Moreover, by cooperating with me, I can give you more people—not just tools to carry out orders, but also pieces that can assist you in completing more complex and interesting designs."

"Don't you want a bigger stage, more freedom... to operate on?"

Ever since learning that Hayashi Yoshiki had not reported Curaçao's contact to Gin, Rum had been planning to extend an olive branch to Hayashi Yoshiki directly.

—It's perfectly normal that the other party has no loyalty to Gin. How could a normal person... especially someone with a brain, be willing to serve under a hyena?

Gin, a guy who has no human touch and doesn't know how to win people over, won't win people's hearts—although Jundo is probably heartless and only cares about profit.

But that's precisely why Rum was confident enough to extend an olive branch.

He believed that, compared to Gin's purely violent approach, his place could provide a more suitable environment for Cointreau to shine.