Out-of-control players in the world of Detective Conan

Day after day passed.

This is what holidays are like.

At the beginning of the holiday, I felt that the time was too long and I didn't know what to do.

However, as day turned to night, the last day of the New Year holiday soon arrived.

Or rather, it should be said that it was the last day of Ai Haibara's vacation.

After all, Qi Ming was unemployed and every day was a holiday for him.

The uneventful two-day holiday passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the last day of the new year arrived.

And that ordinariness will quietly disappear at the end of the new year.

……

1 month 4 day.

In front of the Mihana Municipal Building.

Today is a big day.

A red carpet covered the staircase, and on both sides, reporters' cameras flashed as they excitedly photographed the impeccably dressed celebrities stepping out of their luxury cars and ascending the red carpet steps.

And in an open space not far away.

Qi Ming and Ai Haibara were sitting on a sofa they had pulled out of their backpacks, watching the lively scene in front of them, eating potato chips one after another.

Qi Ming's lips twitched as he watched a female reporter uttering subtitles during a live report.

"...Virtual reality game, damn it, I just took a nap and the game version updated?"

Just last night.

Qi Ming received a call from Sonoko Suzuki, who invited him and Ai Haibara to come to the Beika Municipal Building.

According to her, a press conference will be held here the following evening.

A press conference about the game.

It is said that this game was jointly developed by a Japanese game company and a foreign company called Syndora.

The game is called Cocoon.

Qi Ming happily accepted the invitation after hearing this.

Who doesn't enjoy playing mini-games within a game?

However, the name "Listening to Cocoons" seems like a simulation game.

However, given the current level of technology here, Qi Ming didn't take the cocoon to heart.

However, it wasn't until I arrived here that I realized this.

Qi Ming realized he was wrong.

I spent two uneventful days at home, but unexpectedly...

Virtual reality games have already been made!

The metaverse has been created!

We're still using old-fashioned tablets, but we're playing games on SuperDream Technology?

Moreover, judging from the information obtained from these people's conversations now.

Cocoon is not actually the name of a game.

It refers to the name of the device used to play the game.

Players first enter an egg-shaped, fully enclosed capsule-like device, and then put on a head-mounted device similar to VR or Mewtwo.

The device emits special brainwaves to hypnotize players, thereby immersing them in a virtual game world.

It can be described as a game that incorporates the most advanced technology of our time...

What a fart!

Instead of wasting time on these gadgets, why don't you come up with a smartphone first?

As Qi Ming internally complained, two cars slowly drove up and stopped on the side of the road not long after.

Then, the familiar group opened the car door and got out, coming to Qi Ming's side.

Sonoko Suzuki, Conan and the Mori family, plus... three children.

Qi Ming was speechless with frustration about the three kids.

"Mr. Qi Ming, you've arrived! Have you been waiting for us for a long time?"

"No, we just arrived recently."

Sonoko Suzuki greeted Qi Ming first, and then waved to Ai Haibara.

Perhaps because it was a special occasion, Sonoko Suzuki did not wear her usual casual clothes, but instead changed into a red dress.

However, the headband was still on, as if it were a golden headband firmly locked onto Sonoko Suzuki's head.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the group headed towards the main entrance of the municipal building.

The launch event for Cocoon Games was not open to the public. Those who could attend today were either business tycoons or political figures.

Anyone else who wants to come must do so through connections.

Coincidentally, Sonoko Suzuki, the second daughter of the Suzuki Group, does have the authority to bring people along.

Qi Ming felt somewhat lucky about this.

If he didn't know Sonoko Suzuki, he probably wouldn't have been able to get this task of attending the game launch event today.

Without realizing it, Qi Ming glanced at Conan.

Hopefully, this guy's buff will be temporarily disabled for a day.

Conan also keenly noticed Qi Ming's gaze directed at him.

"Brother Qi Ming, why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's nothing. I hope you won't cause any trouble today. I want to enjoy the game."

"??"

Conan was a little confused by Qi Ming's words.

You've got those lines backwards, haven't you?

Should I be hoping you won't cause trouble today?

……

Led by Sonoko Suzuki, the group entered through the main gate, passed through security, and quickly arrived at the press conference hall.

Looking at the surging crowd in front of him, Kogoro Mouri couldn't help but click his tongue.

"This is really exaggerated. The deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Department, business tycoons, tech company presidents... they all came. I really don't know why a game would cause such a big fuss."

“You can’t say that,” Mitsuhiko retorted.

"This is virtual reality, which is far more than just a game. If it is developed and matures, it can be used in many areas!"

Ayumi and Genta nodded, but after a while, they showed a slightly disappointed expression.

"It's a pity we can't play it. I really want to try it out and see what this kind of game is like."

Standing to the side, Qi Ming, who was curiously observing his surroundings, asked with some confusion after hearing what they were saying:

"What do you mean? We can't play?"

"Yes, there are only 50 spots available. I guess only the children of celebrities will be able to participate in this test."

"What the hell? Is this some kind of blatant display of privilege?"

Qi Ming's mouth twitched involuntarily.

What are you doing?

He came here thinking he could try out the game.

What's the point of watching others play games if you can't even play them yourself?

"This world and this country are inherently unfair. With a hereditary system like Japan's, there will be even more unfairness in the future."

Beside Qi Ming, Ai Haibara spoke calmly, and everyone's eyes immediately turned to look at her.

"Haibara-san, what are you saying?"

Ayumi asked, somewhat puzzled.

Ai Haibara did not answer, but continued speaking slowly.

"The children of politicians will become politicians in the future, and the children of bank presidents will become bank presidents in the future."

"Those at the top of the country will always have blood ties, while others have no chance to climb up. The future of this country will probably be the same, with each generation becoming corrupt."

Everyone fell silent, staring in disbelief at Ai Haibara.

This little girl is no ordinary person!

"Something strange."

Conan frowned and stared intently at Ai Haibara.

Even now, he still has a question in his mind.

That is, what exactly is Ai Haibara's relationship with Qi Ming?

Why would someone who is a member of the organization carry a weakness around?

However, listening to Ai Haibara's description just now...

Could he be a prospective member of the organization?

Should we start nurturing children from a young age?

"Mr. Qi Ming, your sister knows so much."

Kogoro Mouri leaned close to Qi Ming and said blankly.

"Hehe, that's for sure." Qi Ming laughed proudly, his nose almost pointing to the sky.

He crouched down beside Ai Haibara, then affectionately pressed his cheek against hers and said to everyone:

“My sister is very intelligent, about seven or eight stories high. She likes to read about politics and current events, and we can’t stop her.”

"This, this is it."

Feeling the warmth from her face, Ai Haibara's carefully constructed image of a superior person instantly crumbled.

Just as he was about to turn his head away, he heard Qi Ming speak.

"But Ai, you're wrong about one thing."

"There is one thing that is fair in this world: whether you are rich or powerful, or poor or powerless, everyone will eventually die."

Qi Ming looked up at the business and political officials chatting and laughing around him, smiled, and said in a loud voice.

"These people actually have a higher probability of dying than the average person, after all, there are many people watching their positions."