Chapter 38: Already the Second Time Coming to the Police Station (Part 2)
This is kinda funny.
At the moment I saw him, Aomo's standby transmigrator memory stirred, and my uneasy gaze searched for the figure of a certain deadly little dwarf.
Many transmigrants know that Detective Mokubo, aside from being somewhat picky about tech products, is a decent person, kind-hearted, especially fond of giving people the nickname 'old brother,' which is also a way to get close; but seeing him in this world inevitably brings to mind a certain detective named Shinichi Kudo, or rather Edogawa Conan.
It seemed not... Aomo withdrew his gaze.
"Take it easy, you're the victim, right?" Detective Mokubo was still comforting him, pointing to the chair opposite the table, "Have a seat."
"I don't really feel it," Aomo shook his head, "The extra memory in my brain is that of a dead person; his first cause of death was drowning, the second was the crystal core backlash in my brain."
"In that person's existing memory, I don't see any particularly vicious traits; he'd made some small mistakes, never committed major offenses, was fairly law-abiding, and then collided with my soul."
It kinda feels like a scam, to be honest.
"A disembodied soul, unless the person themselves has undergone cultivation or is interfered with by other forces, will dissipate quickly," Detective Mokubo said, flipping through the documents on the table. When discussing these topics, he appeared very natural and practiced, as if he were accustomed to this procedure: "He might have panicked at death and given rise to malicious intent, thus triggering your crystal core's defensive counterattack."
"I think so too."
"Oh?"
"After all, I still have most of his memories here, so I can vaguely sense what kind of person he is."
"More precisely, it's an analysis-simulation of the other's personality model; Aomo continued his usual disguise, and Detective Mokubo didn't notice, after all, his role this time was to explain science to the victim and offer advice."
Through the other party's crystal core's immediate collection and upload of data, the Border Safety Bureau determined that Aomo Lindun is a lightly affected victim who has not had excessive interaction with otherworldly souls.
Such people are the least troublesome.
No need for psychiatric personnel, nor a strict check by the soul department; the crystal core itself isn't scrapped, and the medical form can be updated in real time.
All he needs is a brief scientific explanation; he doesn't even need life guidance, because that extra memory won't affect his life.
"However, if you want to erase that memory, you can visit psychiatry, or update that crystal core in your brain," Detective Mokubo looked at Aomo with some helplessness, "Frankly speaking, Aomo little brother, I've handled so many soul-possession cases; your crystal core version belongs to the most outdated batch, and indeed needs an upgrade."
"Especially since experiencing soul possession once means a second, third time may follow; once it happens, it proves your body has a unique affinity for otherworldly souls, similar to the state where 'to a dazed soul-possessor, you look like a slab of Kobe beef,' so it's better to increase protection."
"I'll consider it." Aomo nodded.
"Kobe beef..." If not for the transmigrant memories, Aomo wouldn't understand his metaphor.
"Then let's begin the formal segment."
After flipping the file to the next page and taking a look, Detective Mokubo turned his gaze back to him:
"First, I'll explain the relevant regulations for soul-possession victims; don't be too nervous, most of the time it's fine as long as you live normally. The main point is whether you intend to profit from otherworldly knowledge; if so, I'll explain the legal process for that. As for already-registered patents, you'll have to look them up yourself."
"Understood."
"Just understanding is fine; this aspect still needs careful thought, and also..."
After spending over half an hour confirming the supplementary details of the case and verifying that the initial crystal core report data was correct, Detective Mokubo chatted with Aomo about many transmigrant-related topics.
From the frequency of transmigration cases in Heaven Gate City, to Aomo's original travel plans, and even mentioning the previous Star Bear and that safety bureau staff member.
Aomo knew this was the other's way of expressing goodwill, trying to reassure him by recounting the situations of other transmigrants and soul-possession victims.
But he wasn't actually worried about that; instead, he gleaned from the casual chat some recent status of the Two Worlds Safety Bureau and the major incidents that have recently occurred in this city.
Then he confirmed that none of it was related to the Star Gate Black Hand.
This isn't to say it was wasted effort, after all, it could confirm in reverse that the Black Hand's first act upon arriving in Heaven Gate City was indeed this.
They really are doing big things... Conversely, it also shows they aren't familiar with this city.
Aomo felt more confident about it, but before leaving he still needed to ask one thing.
"Mr. Mouri Kogoro, have you transmigrated?"
"... Haha, are you asking if Edogawa Conan has been to Heaven Gate City?"
"Looks like many people have asked that."
"You're being rather discreet, but it's not a secret; they've come, but they've gone back."
"... Your world can indeed be located quickly."
With insufficient foreign substance concentration, searches in Heaven Gate are quick; although Conan-fandom is impressive, it's also reasonable to quickly find one's hometown, and Aomo can understand.
"Uh... this... actually isn't that quick," Detective Mokubo shook his head, "Although I only learned this after coming to this world, Aomo little brother, the memories you gained aren't very familiar with my hometown either."
"How so?"
"Um... let me think how to put it."
The middle-aged officer raised his hand to tidy his meticulously groomed beard, thinking that explaining the hometown situation would be both troublesome and unnecessary, deciding to keep it brief, then he paused and said:
"Does your otherworldly memory contain a work called 'Legend of the Sword Brave'?"
The translation issue made Aomo ponder and shift his perspective, then he countered:
"...'Nine Dragon Pearls'?"
"Ah, right, right," Detective Mokubo nodded, apparently having heard that translation as well, "That work also tells stories from my hometown."
"?"
End of Chapter
