"Are you alright?!"
Conan's panicked voice echoed from the communicator tucked in Yang Tao's pocket.
"I'm fine. Don't worry—I'll be back shortly."
Trapped on the rooftop, Conan was in a state of utter distress. If every murderer he faced was as exaggerated as Yang Tao or Kaito Kid, he feared for the fragility of his little life.
"This world feels… so strange…"
Within barely ten minutes, Yang Tao returned to the rooftop.
Conan, now sunk into an inexplicable gloom, barely noticed him approaching.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Yang Tao's concern deepened. Something about Conan's demeanor suggested his mind was not entirely sound.
Conan, dazed, murmured, "I'm fine."
"You don't look fine. Here, try a specialty from another world."
From his backpack, Yang Tao produced a vial of Gray Almond Water and tipped it directly into Conan's mouth. The rich almond aroma and the water's unique properties instantly sharpened Conan's senses.
Frantically wiping the residual white liquid from his lips, Conan asked, "What did you just make me drink?"
"Almond water—a specialty from another world. It replenishes the body's energy and restores mental focus. Since you've already started, might as well finish it."
Like a mischievous child-teaser dangling a goldfish, Yang Tao held out the gray thermos. Conan glanced at it, assessed his current mental state, and reluctantly took the drink.
"Heh… now that Kaito Kid has left, let's head back."
Drinking the almond water, Conan followed Yang Tao down the stairs. Perhaps it was his imagination, but the liquid seemed to quicken his thoughts—though he still loathed the almond flavor.
"Are there many people like Kaito Kid in this world?"
"You mean in terms of stealing or strength?"
"Strength."
"Not many."
Conan exhaled in relief. If there were more people like Kaito, chaos would be inevitable. But Yang Tao's next words left him dumbfounded:
"He's weak. If we quantify strength, Kaito is at 22, Ran at 37… and the strongest person I know, Makoto Kyogoku, surpasses 50. That's just among high schoolers—there are many hidden talents. Oh, and Kaito's classmate, Akako Koizumi, is a true witch—broom and all. Compared to her, Kaito's strength is negligible."
"Of course, that's just physical ability. Once you factor in gadgets or weapons, these numbers lose meaning."
Conan fell silent.
'Ran is that formidable? And Makoto Kyogoku… really human? Even witches exist! What is happening in this world?'
He hastily sipped the almond water, calming his nerves.
"Then… how strong are you? Who's the strongest in this world?"
Yang Tao stopped mid-step, a knowing smile curling across his face, triggering a foreboding sensation in Conan.
"My raw strength can't be quantified. If forced, I'd say around 20—but with my abilities and weapons, anyone under 100 wouldn't stand a chance."
"And as for the strongest… guess what I call this world?"
Conan, clutching the thermos, felt a ripple of unease at Yang Tao's playful gaze. "What?"
"Haha—the world of Detective Conan!"
Yang Tao resumed walking toward Kogoro Mori's office. Conan muttered under his breath, "The world of Detective Conan… Could it be… I'm the strongest here?"
…
At the Mori Kogoro Detective Agency.
Yang Tao coaxed like a patient guardian, "Let's head back. I have work to do."
Conan, handing over the now-empty thermos, hesitated before speaking. "Can I… see your world?"
"You can, but aren't you tired? You're still just a child."
"I don't know why, but after drinking this almond water, I feel… remarkably alert. Does it contain caffeine?"
"No. The ingredients are on the bottle. Since you want to see my world, come with me."
A wooden door materialized in the air before them. Yang Tao grasped the handle.
As the door swung open, Conan glimpsed the familiar space once more: lush green grass, geometric trees, and a gray mist lingering in the air.
Yang Tao urged, "Step inside quickly—if someone sees a door vanish into thin air at the agency entrance, there'll be a spectacle tomorrow."
Once Conan entered, Yang Tao closed the door. Eric, seeing a child accompany Yang Tao, asked curiously, "Yang, is he a wanderer?"
"No, he's from another world—not from the Backrooms. Also, I brought some food from that world."
Yang Tao retrieved the provisions bought earlier and handed them to Eric.
"Another world?"
"Yeah, not the one you knew before. Think of it as a parallel universe."
Eric nodded, adapting quickly—after all, the Backrooms were already another world.
After introductions, Yang Tao walked to an oak tree and began chopping with an iron axe. The thudding echoed throughout the compact space. Conan, seeing the floating 'leaves,' was surprised but no longer as astonished as when Yang Tao had seemingly conjured a cement wall from nowhere.
Quietly observing everything, Conan found the place endlessly fascinating.
"The trees grow remarkably fast…"
Yang Tao collected the fallen oak saplings and replanted them. Once Eric finished his meal, Yang Tao asked, "Are you resting, or coming with me to Level 1?"
"I'll go with you. I want to see the living Smiles—it must be crucial for human records."
"Alright, stay vigilant. If you encounter any entities, summon the wooden door immediately."
He handed Conan a newly minted Disposable Door Key, emphasizing, "I know you want to follow, but if anything abnormal happens, summon the door without hesitation."
Conan, already familiar with its use from Dr. Agasa, accepted the key. "Where are we headed?"
"Level 1—a deserted warehouse. Come, I'll show you the wonders of this world."