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

"Teacher Beibei, how about giving our child a red envelope?"

"...I didn't bring any money today, maybe next time."

"Then write an IOU, and I'll come to you for it next time."

Vermouth glared at Qi Ming, then stopped talking and looked away.

Did she want him to give a red envelope to the woman she wanted to kill?

Don't even think about it!

"Tsk, Teacher Da Bei is so stingy."

Qi Ming clicked his tongue, then looked at the remaining four people with expectant eyes.

"Come on, Ai, let me wish you a Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year..."

Perhaps it was because neither Gin nor Vermouth, the two big bosses, had aroused any suspicion towards him.

Ai Haibara's fear had faded considerably.

After hearing Ai Haibara's New Year's greeting—

Cohen silently adjusted his sunglasses, then took out a bank card from his pocket.

It's only natural that adults pay for children's New Year's greetings.

Chianti patted Ai Haibara's head with interest, and then generously pulled out a bank card.

She was thinking of having Qi Ming bring Ai Haibara out another day so she could teach her how to snipe.

Kir and Rena Mizunashi symbolically pulled out tens of thousands of yen.

She didn't have any particular feelings for the little girl.

Amuro Tooru symbolically pulled out tens of thousands of yen, then stared intently at Ai Haibara's face.

He felt that the little girl looked somewhat familiar.

"Thank you so much! My sister thanks you all on her behalf. I'm off now, I have a mission to carry out!"

With a smile on his face and the tuition fees in his pocket, Qi Ming didn't delay any longer and carried Ai Haibara to the line at the Cocoon Device.

"What are your thoughts now?"

Qi Ming put Ai Haibara down from his arms and pinched her somewhat blank little face.

"No idea."

Despite saying this, Ai Haibara always felt that the heavy stone weighing on her heart had quietly broken.

"Alright, let's go inside and have some fun."

"...I have something to tell you when I get home after this game."

Hearing Ai Haibara's words, Qi Ming asked with some curiosity:

"What is it?"

Ai Haibara stood with her hands behind her back and smiled faintly.

"I'll tell you when I get out."

"..."

Wow, little sister, you've actually learned my trick!

Qi Ming smiled helplessly, his gaze casually sweeping around, when he unexpectedly discovered that Conan and Ran Mouri were also lying in the cocoon.

It's strange that this case was solved by Yusaku Kudo.

So this kid can be playful too!

Qi Ming withdrew his gaze and began to plan his next move.

Once the plan is finalized.

After Qi Ming saw that all the cocoons had closed, he turned to look at the control room behind the stage.

"It's time to go and join in the fun."

……

Main control room.

Chairman Sindora looked at the completely closed cocoon outside the glass and nodded to the staff.

The staff understood and typed in a bunch of commands on the keyboard.

The lights in the venue were turned off, leaving only the white light focused on the cocoon.

"Let the game begin."

Chairman Sindora said calmly.

As the electronic voice announcement was made, the upright cocoon tilted slightly to its side, and the central spherical light scattered colorful rays.

The children inside the cocoon felt a wave of drowsiness wash over them as the electromagnetic waves they wore on their heads began to be released, and their consciousness slowly sank in.

……

In a dark space.

Fifty figures slowly appeared.

It was pitch black all around, yet everyone could see each other clearly.

This is the game world that belongs to the Cocoon.

The environment right now should perhaps be called a game waiting lobby.

Ai Haibara opened her eyes, a hint of curiosity in them, and looked around.

After walking around in place for a while, her little hands gently clenched into fists again.

reality.

This was her first impression of the game.

But in other words, this device can even manipulate all of a person's senses.

Thinking about it carefully, it seems a bit scary.

For some reason, Ai Haibara unexpectedly thought of Qi Ming at this moment.

Is his perspective on the real world the same as my perspective on the game world?

"Haibara-san, you're here."

"Conan! Did you get a badge too?"

"Sister Xiaolan is here too!"

Hearing Mitsuhiko and the others calling from behind, Ai Haibara shook her head to clear her mind.

He walked toward them with his hands behind his back.

The children looked around excitedly.

Even the four spoiled brats who had previously acted arrogantly in front of Qi Ming now showed a childlike excitement on their faces.

The various small groups chatted and laughed among themselves, waiting for the game to officially begin.

……

In the real world, outside the main control room.

Qi Ming arrived at the passageway and saw Kudo Yusaku and the others who were about to open the main control room door. He waved and called out.

"Inspector Megure, what a coincidence! What are you doing here?"

Inspector Megure turned around in surprise. "Oh? Brother Qi Ming, you're here too."

Qi Ming?

Upon hearing this name, Professor Agasa and Yusaku Kudo's expressions became slightly serious.

On the day Qi Ming revealed Conan's true identity, Conan told Professor Agasa about it.

Professor Agasa also shared this information with Yusaku Kudo.

He also told Kudo Yusaku about the things Qi Ming had done in the past.

"A murder just happened here, and we are about to ask Chairman Sindora to stop the game."

"What? There are so many important people here, and yet a murder has occurred. This is outrageous! Please let me go and see for myself!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group opened the door and entered the control room together.

When Chairman Sindora saw the large group of people entering, her heart skipped a beat.

Kudo Yusaku introduced to Chairman Sindora:

"Chairwoman Sindora, this is Inspector Megure from the Metropolitan Police Department."

Chairman Sindora said calmly:

"Metropolitan Police Department? What are you doing here?"

"Inspector Megure said sternly."

"Chairwoman Sindora, please end the game."

"Stopping the game is probably not an option; the game has already started."

Upon hearing Chairman Sindora's rebuttal, Inspector Megure was about to tell him about the murder that had occurred here.

However, at this moment, an anomaly occurs.

hum-

Suddenly, all the lights in the control room went out.

Then, the screen that was originally used to monitor the players' status in the cocoon suddenly turned into a snowy screen and flickered slightly.

"What's wrong? What happened?!"

The situation was a bit strange, and Kogoro Mouri felt a little nervous.

After a few seconds, the screen returned to normal.

However, on the screen at the very center of the control room, a halo gradually appeared against the black background.

My name is Noah's Ark.

A voice that sounded like a teenager suddenly came through the loudspeakers in the venue.

Not only in the control room, but even on the stage outside, the sound could be heard.

The game can no longer be stopped; I have now completely seized control of it.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

What is Noah's Ark?

The people in the control room were somewhat flustered.

"Noah's Ark..."

After a moment of recollection, Yusaku Kudo slowly said, "I remember it was an artificial intelligence that could complete five years of human development in just one year."

Chairman Sindora nodded.

"Yes, this artificial intelligence was developed by Hiroki, whom I regard as my own son."

"Judging from his growth rate, he should be the same age as Hiroki by now."

Dr. Agasa sat in front of the computer, typing on the keyboard.

After a while, he said with a serious expression.

“That guy called Noah’s Ark is right, he has indeed taken control of the Cocoon.”