Conan: I've been linked to the tech tree system.

Tohru Tono just in time pulled a lighter out of his pocket, ready to freeze his hands.

[Silver Wing Lighter: A lighter manufactured using a special process. Press and hold the ignition button for 5 seconds to release EMP at any location within 100 meters, disabling electronic devices. Continuous ignition will create an electromagnetic shield with a radius of 10 meters, blocking eavesdropping and tracking signals for a limited time of 10 minutes.]

This Silverwing lighter was the first piece of equipment he crafted after obtaining the system. Originally, it could only be used within a very short range, limiting its effectiveness. However, after multiple modifications using the upgraded skill [Advanced Modification], this lighter, capable of damaging electronic devices from a distance, has become his most frequently used piece of equipment, and even the degraded version remains a bestseller in his shop.

After all, in modern society, low-cost EMPs are still too much of a luxury.

Tohru Tono flicked open the metal cap of the lighter with his thumb, sending an EMP blast directly inside the karaoke machine.

With a soft "hiss," the accompaniment vanished completely, leaving only Tatsuya Kimura singing a cappella with reverb in the box.

You know what, no wonder he's a rock musician, his a cappella singing is quite good.

"?"

Tatsuya Kimura was singing his heart out, almost reaching the climax, when suddenly the accompaniment went silent.

He sang two more lines reluctantly, but the a cappella performance just didn't have the same feel to it, so he smacked his lips a couple of times and stopped with regret.

What's going on? Is the song selection machine broken?

Tatsuya Kimura banged the bell loudly, summoned the store manager, and berated him for three minutes.

I was just getting excited, and you give me a minor injury?

Is it even possible to continue this business?

Chapter 30 isn't what you think...

The store manager wiped his sweat as he listened to Tatsuya Kimura's sarcastic remarks.

However, as Kimura Tatsuya's former team leader, he naturally knew that Kimura Tatsuya had a sharp tongue, so he apologized with a smile and did not argue with him.

The customer is king, that's how the service industry works.

......

Tohru Tohru waited for a while and found that there was still no notification that the mission was completed.

Haven't we already rescued them?

He thought for a moment, then looked at Terahara Mari and found her with her head down, her expression unpredictable, as if she were thinking about something.

Oh, Tohno understands.

Because the murderer has not completely let go of his obsession with killing, the mission can only be considered partially completed. If I don't intervene, there are still a million ways for Tatsuya Kimura to die.

Well, he's experienced in handling these kinds of problems.

Tohru Tono took the plasma gun out of the system space and put it in his pocket for later use.

Once the murderer is dealt with, everything will be fine...

Tohru Tono stood up, preparing to find an excuse to go out.

We can just use an infrared device to fire a shot into the private room from a distance; it's simple and easy.

......

Just as he was about to call out to Sonoko, wanting to find an excuse to leave, Conan, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up.

"Hey, what's in the shopkeeper's pocket?" Conan, taking advantage of his elementary school age, ran up to the shopkeeper and pulled the photo out of his pocket.

Conan examined the photos carefully for a while and discovered that they were of a band's performance, featuring the store manager in his younger days and Tatsuya Kimura, who appeared to be before his official debut.

"Ah, little friend, you mean this? It's a photo I took when I was in a band." The shopkeeper squatted down and pointed out the people in the photo to Conan. "This is me, this is Tatsuya Kimura... and this is Mari Terahara."

"I was so young back then, and I wanted to form a band and make my way in the world... In the end, I realized I didn't have any musical talent, so I had to come back and open this karaoke bar." The manager was very friendly to the kids and reminisced about his glorious past.

"Wait, who's that?" Conan's pupils dilated in shock.

Was that freckled girl in the photo just now Terahara Mari? Conan turned his gaze to the fair-skinned, beautiful young lady, but couldn't tell it was the same person.

The young Conan was shocked for the first time by something called plastic surgery.

"Right? You also think she looks like an ugly monster now?" Tatsuya Kimura leaned over and pointed at the photo.

"Conan, you can't take other people's things!" Ran noticed what was happening, rushed over and punched Conan, then apologized to the shopkeeper.

Conan shrugged, unconcerned.

I know I was wrong, but I will do it again next time.

......

"Toru-san? What's wrong?" Sonoko turned her head and found that Toru Tono, who had called out to her, wasn't looking at her. She asked in confusion.

"Ah, it's nothing," Toru Tono replied casually, making up an excuse on the spot, "Your headband looks really nice today."

Then, ignoring Sonoko's widening eyes, he got up and walked towards the group of Conan and the others who were gathered together.

Killing someone in front of Conan is definitely too risky. If you're discovered to have even the slightest clue, you'll have to change your identity, which is a real hassle.

The photo Conan showed him gave him inspiration to solve the problem from another angle...

......

Tohru Tono, keeping a low profile, walked over and sat down next to Tatsuya Kimura, only to find that he was still continuing to criticize Mari Terahara.

Because the karaoke machine was broken and they couldn't sing for the time being, all that was left in the private room was his sarcastic voice... As a result, the group of people did nothing but listen to him keep saying things like "ugly monster, ugly monster".

It's so embarrassing.

Seeing Terahara Mari's fists clenching tighter and tighter, Toru Tono almost wanted to hand her a knife.

There's a limit to being sarcastic, isn't there? How can you make friends if you keep saying that?

Toru Tohno didn't understand; perhaps this person simply didn't have many friends to begin with.

Using Tatsuya Kimura's body as cover, he took out a chip-like device from his pocket and secretly stuck it to Tatsuya Kimura's neck.

Then he got up and left, concealing his achievements and fame.

[The "Saying One Thing and Meaning Another" Detector: A detector made using a special process. It analyzes emotional fluctuations through AI. When the "saying one thing and meaning another" index exceeds the limit, it automatically activates its built-in language chip, turning arrogant statements into straightforward, flirtatious remarks.]

This thing was a piece of junk he had made before. He originally wanted to keep it to see if it could be used as a lie detector, but then he discovered this arrogant blond guy.

It's a good match for my major.

......

Tatsuya Kimura was spraying water enthusiastically when he suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck. He reached out and touched it, but found nothing, so he didn't think much of it.

I guess someone is unhappy with him again.

Yes, he knows that his words are hateful, but there's nothing he can do. When he talks to others, his mouth has its own thoughts, and he can't change it no matter how many years he's tried.

That's it. I've survived for over twenty years. Is it possible for someone to kill me just because I have a foul mouth?

Tatsuya Kimura continued to mock Mari Terahara, genuinely unable to understand why she would undergo plastic surgery.

The girl I've known for so many years... turns into a completely different person in the blink of an eye.

Is a good-looking appearance really that important?

He opened his mouth, about to say, "No matter what, she's just an ugly freak," but as if possessed, he blurted out something else entirely.

"I like you the most."

!! ?

The violent remarks shocked everyone present.

The store manager was stunned. Holy crap, this young man, why did he start by hurling insults before confessing his feelings?

Can this really succeed? It seems he's really getting old and can't keep up with the way young people think these days.

Terahara Mari stared blankly at Kimura Tatsuya with an incredulous expression: "What did you say?"

Tatsuya Kimura's face visibly turned half red.

Oh no, I blurted out the truth!

He now feels like he failed to hold his pee in class as a child and ejaculated. Although he felt incredibly good at that moment, he had to pretend to be calm and take care of his affairs afterwards.

He straightened his face, trying to pretend he'd said something wrong and add, "It's not what you think," but what came out of his mouth was, "I'm serious."

Tatsuya Kimura opened his mouth, not understanding why he had said such a thing.

The store manager reacted quickly, putting his arm around Tatsuya's shoulder and looking on with a gossipy expression: "Haha, finally figured it out, huh? You were just complaining to me about Mari's plastic surgery when you were drinking... I knew it, no matter what her face looks like, my feelings for her will never change."

Upon hearing Kimura Tatsuya's words, Terahara Mari's face flushed red, and a few tears welled up in her eyes with emotion: "Is it true, Tatsuya?"

"Really, really, there's a song he wrote for you here." The shop manager flipped over the old band photo, which was covered with lyrics to a love song.

Terahara Mari snatched it and looked at it for a long time, becoming more and more excited as she looked.

Tears streaming down her face, she threw herself into Tatsuya Kimura's arms: "Why didn't you tell me sooner! You know, I almost..."

Terahara Mari choked up for a moment, ultimately unable to finish her sentence.

Kimura Tatsuya helplessly hugged Terahara Mari, looked around, and found everyone had a "I knew it" expression on their faces, while the high school girls Ran and Sonoko were practically floating on pink bubbles...

His face turned completely red.

Damn it, this scene is nothing like what he expected!

......

Taking advantage of the chaos, Tohru Tono snuggled up next to Tatsuya Kimura and retrieved his chip, giving himself a thumbs-up in response to the system notification.

Another 200 detective points earned with ease, perfect.

Chapter 31 Accidentally Entering a High-Level Game

A revenge killing was thus resolved peacefully, and Inspector Megure no longer had the chance to appear.

After enjoying some dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection), Tohru Tono and Ran Sonoko took the opportunity to say goodbye to the band members.

"How romantic~" Walking down the street, Sonoko started talking non-stop while grabbing Ran. "I never thought that the beautiful manager and Tatsuya were childhood friends since junior high school. They finally got married."

"Sigh, why don't I have the chance to experience this kind of sweet romance?" Sonoko sighed.

Conan chuckled to himself, thinking that she would never have a chance in this lifetime.