BWDC:SDDK Chapter 16: What Use Do I Have for This Kryptonite???
"You're saying... this mark was left by someone being sent flying?"
In the lobby of the East Capital Bank, Beika Park Branch.
Inspector Megure, who had rushed to the scene at lightning speed after receiving the emergency call, asked with a hint of bewilderment.
He rubbed his chin, staring at the human-shaped indentation on the wall, feeling utterly astonished.
Is this a mark a human being is capable of making? He glanced sideways at Ran Mouri.
Uh, if it were Brother Mouri's daughter, maybe it's possible...? However, Ran was so kind-hearted; she surely wouldn't do something like this.
"Excuse me, who is the manager of this branch?"
"Can someone explain the situation here? Also, who was the one who reported the crime just now?"
Inspector Megure didn't dwell on the wall for too long. He turned to scan the crowd inside.
Then, his gaze settled on a rather conspicuous individual.
The man was dressed in cheap casual clothes and was undeniably handsome, but what made him stand out wasn't his appearance.
It was the coffee cup in his hand.
————Why would someone be holding a white coffee cup in a bank lobby? Whether it was brought in before or after the incident, this was far too abnormal.
Inspector Megure stared at Ren Ichimonji.
Ren, however, was completely oblivious to Megure's gaze. He was staring at the system mall in front of him, feeling his fists tighten slightly.
The special items in the system mall refreshed daily, and the quantity was limited. Today's special items seemed exceptionally useless.
First was a set of Batman armor from Arkham Knight. Well, it was very cool, but it was expensive—he couldn't afford it. Even if he could, he wouldn't have a use for it yet.
Then there was a can of Batman's Shark Repellent Spray. Good heavens, what is the point of this? Is Beika Town going to randomly spawn a Shark-Man?
But what truly made Ren's fists clench was the final item.
————Kryptonite.
It was said that the true Batman had prepared countermeasures for every one of his teammates. Among them, the countermeasure for Superman was Kryptonite. As everyone knew, every Batman who had met Superman would keep a piece of Kryptonite in his utility belt, ready for use at any time.
Theoretically speaking, as the system-appointed Batman, it was necessary for Ren to have a piece on standby.
But he refused. Beika Town might have "Super-men," but Beika Town having the Superman was highly unlikely.
Besides, Kryptonite emitted carcinogenic radiation. If he brought a piece of Kryptonite back, wouldn't he just be officiating his own funeral?!
"...I should probably save up more and wait to exchange for some skill and knowledge infusions later," Ren muttered to himself.
He really wanted to be like the protagonists in other stories, shouting, "Deep Blue, add points!" and instantly transforming from an ordinary person into a powerhouse like the Absolute Batman.
Seriously, a "double-door" physique with a slab-like Bat-symbol axe on the chest—Absolute Batman was incredibly cool, wasn't he?
"Hey, how exactly did you do that just now?"
Sonoko Suzuki leaned in, tilting her head and asking curiously.
The light screen of the system mall slowly faded away. The first thing Ren saw was Sonoko Suzuki, who was positioned quite close to him.
It scared him into a "catapult start," jumping backward so hard he nearly activated "Spinosaurus Mode."
I will never laugh at the people of Beika Town for not hearing footsteps again. No, were the footsteps in Beika Town cursed by the heavens? How could he not hear her at all?!
"...W-what's wrong?"
Sonoko couldn't help but freeze. She subconsciously touched her face, looking confused.
Though she felt she might not be a top-tier beauty like her best friend Ran, she surely wasn't so terrifying that someone would be launched into the air just by looking at her, right?
"No, it's... it's nothing."
Ren's hand, clutching the coffee cup, was still trembling slightly. He was about to explain when he saw Inspector Megure and the others heading his way.
This man—one of the only two people in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division who actually seemed to work—was currently sizing Ren up with a look of hesitation.
That suspicious gaze made Ren's heart sink. What? Does he think I went too far and wants to take me down on the spot? The system mall sold smoke bombs at ten points for five. If he used one to start, making a getaway shouldn't be a problem...
"Excuse me, sir, were you the one who stopped this crime?"
Inspector Megure glanced sideways at the bank robber, who was currently scared out of his wits, and looked back at Ren with even more suspicion.
No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't see how this boy was as terrifying as the others described. Ghostly movements? Supernatural strength? A soul-piercing aura? None of it. He couldn't see a trace of it. Had the others pointed out the wrong person?
"Don't be nervous. This counts as a brave act for a good cause; I won't hold you responsible."
"However, look, the bank robber is already somewhat mentally unstable."
"Even with other witnesses, there's no way to prove that the bank employee you injured earlier was an accomplice. So, if necessary, you'll still need to come back to the station with us to give a statement."
Inspector Megure spoke in a kind tone. Beside him, Officer Takagi was looking down, writing something.
At this, Ren breathed a sigh of rest. Oh, so he's not here to bust me. That's fine then.
However, because the robber named Tohru Saeki was incoherent, they couldn't take a proper statement, and they wanted him to go back to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department?
Hmm... what kind of Batman goes back to the police station for a statement after stopping a crime!
Ren's eyes narrowed. He immediately reached out————
And pointed at the college student he had been chatting with earlier.
"Inspector Megure, you can ask him."
"The tape recorder by his hand was on the entire time. It should have recorded everything that happened. Combined with the lobby's surveillance footage, the evidence should be more than sufficient. There's no need for me to provide a supplementary statement."
The college student, suddenly mentioned, subconsciously sat up straight. He pointed at himself, his eyes full of bewilderment.
"Huh? Me? How did you know I was recording the whole time?"
No, brother, I was reading manga the whole time. The recorder was just sitting there. Any normal person would think it was turned off. You didn't even look at it—how did you know? Was it on? Or was it off?
"Because... I'm Batman!"
As if by reflex, Ren answered instinctively.
Hearing this, Inspector Megure, Wataru Takagi, and the numerous officers on the scene all raised their heads to look at Ren simultaneously.
Inspector Megure and the others: "?" We're questioning you not because we think there's a problem with the case, but because we think there's a problem with YOU.
After a moment of hesitation, Inspector Megure reached out and patted Ren on the shoulder, saying earnestly:
"Young man, don't get too obsessed with manga."
"If you read too much, your mental state can become unstable. Try going outside more!"
The nearby officers nodded in deep agreement.
To this, Ren only flashed a sunny smile and replied:
"Don't say that, Commissioner Gordon. Have you forgotten all those times we worked together?"
The officers instantly gasped, turning their heads to look at Inspector Megure. Who knew our old Inspector was so deep and mysterious!
Inspector Megure: "?" Great, now I'm the crazy one!
End of Chapter
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