Jane

Hmm...

I see! I hadn't thought of that. Fascinating...

I can see this was designed with convenience in mind. Very nice.

Hohoho! This will be your first time assisting me on a case, remember? I had to make sure you're ready!

But it looks like you're fully prepared, {var:player_nickname}! As a detective, I approve.

Isn't this just how I usually am...?

It might seem that way at first, but in fact, there are signs all over to the contrary.

For example, your collar is clean and neatly pressed, and you're wearing natural colors – good for keeping a low profile...

All the evidence points to a real effort on your part, {var:player_nickname}.

Hohoho... No detail goes unnoticed by Jane, the great detective!

Um... Thanks, I guess?

With that, you've cleared the first stage. You remember what our mission is today, don't you, {var:player_nickname}?

Your first case as the probationary assistant to One Han City's top detective... begins now!

...Next, we'll review the steps of an investigation.

{var:player_nickname}, what's the first thing a detective should do at the start of any investigation?

Huh? Th-their hair? I'd never thought of that before!

You know, that actually makes sense now that I think about it... By managing your appearance, you can blend right in and gather clues uninterrupted. You're good, {var:player_nickname}!

Correct!

Clues are a detective's bread and butter, and finding them requires a keen eye and detailed reasoning.

So... Why don't we start with my phone? See anything on the screen?

Very perceptive! Indeed, this is where the highest concentration of clues can be found. Let's see...

"Exclusive Feature: An Interview with the Genius Girl Detective!"...

Can you believe that?! What a coincidence! Did you see that talk show episode, {var:player_nickname}?

It's fine if you haven't. It goes over case details that the public shouldn't know about in the first place.

Reports like that grab people's attention, sure, but getting into too much detail wouldn't be appropriate.

You seem like you're interested, though. When there's time, I'll fill you in on all the exciting details of the case myself!

Oh? Interesting. Are you scoping out the environment, {var:player_nickname}? Let me see...

Today in One Han City: Sunny and calm with mild temperatures. Chance of rain: 10% over the next 2 hours.

You've even thought about what the weather will be later? Now that's planning ahead! As an assistant, you're pretty thorough!

...I'm not sure how to respond to that.

Okay. You did well, but ultimately, clues found on your phone were processed by someone else.

So, at best, they can give you a general lay of the land. The real detective work begins now...

{var:player_nickname}, have you ever tried your hand at criminal profiling?

Simply put, it's an investigative technique that analyzes criminal behavior and methods to identify suspects.

The basic premise is that a person's physiology, behavior, and personality are connected and can be inferred from one another.

For instance... people's eyes dart around when they're lying, walking unsteadily is a sign of staying up too late, and being in Tenpai always gives people a tense look.

Of course, these are just possible patterns – not evidence to draw conclusions from. Still, it's a useful technique for honing your detective skills.

Hohoho! Well, what are we waiting for? Let's give it a try right now!

Of course! Just because it's used in criminal investigations doesn't mean it can't be useful for everyday deduction.

For example, why don't you try guessing what the next few people to walk by this main road do for a living?

Hmm...

The first person to walk by is a young man in a suit. He's wearing wireless earbuds and gold-rimmed glasses. He's speaking rapidly into his phone with a serious look on his face.

He looks like some big-shot finance guy, doesn't he? But we can't draw hasty conclusions from his appearance alone.

But we need more information, right? Good. Great investigators are always thorough!

We'd be taking a risk, but why don't we listen in on his conversation as he walks by?

...Yes! That's it! What a play! The Glaciers score another point! Let's see that show of support from everyone watching the livestream!

He sounds like... a sports commentator?

To be precise, the kind forced to stream outdoors for whatever reason. Looks like a tough gig...

The second person to walk by is a brawny, muscle-bound man with a bald head. He's wearing sunglasses and a tank top, and his arms are covered in small scars... I wouldn't want to mess with him.

Hohoho... You know, {var:player_nickname}, when a detective can't nail down the truth, they check the scene for any "inconsistencies." That's where you tend to find the key to solving the crime.

Take this guy for example – he might look kind of scary, but first ask yourself... What's the probability that a gangster is just wandering around a busy street in broad daylight?

When you put it that way, it does seem unlikely...

Take a closer look at him... He has all those scars on his arms, but they look too shallow to be knife wounds. Cat scratches are more likely.

Look again at his clothes. See all that animal hair? Now what do you think he does for a living, {var:player_nickname}?

I see! So, he could be a pet groomer!

Hehe, exactly. Now let's see about the next one...

Jane and I continue to deduce the occupations of passersby to give me more profiling practice.

What do you think? It's a bit like brainstorming, isn't it?

Yeah... I've never studied people on the street in such detail before.

Isn't it fun? But since this isn't official detective work, this is as much as we can do. Any more staring and it gets a bit rude.

Fair enough, but... I can't shake the feeling that someone's been watching us from behind...

Hohoho! You're not used to being in the spotlight, are you, {var:player_nickname}? Don't be surprised – a detective duo like us is bound to attract some attention.

Alright, keep your voice down and look over there at our two o'clock, I think I see someone... This target we can observe a little more closely.

Whispering to me and gesturing with her eyes, Jane directs my gaze to a young man standing at the entrance to a store holding a bouquet of flowers.

He's wearing a casual suit, but he keeps fiddling with the collar. He looks a bit uncomfortable.

He must be waiting for his date...

Precisely. However... I strongly suspect that, despite his best efforts, this date will end in failure.

Hohoho, you look doubtful. Why don't we bet on it? I'll stand by my prediction.

I'll explain my reasoning to you first.

See the flowers he's holding? Those are yellow carnations.

Yellow? Hmm... That's kind of an odd choice for a date.

Exactly! They can imply disappointment, or at best give off a real "let's just be friends" vibe. Bringing those on a date – or giving them to someone you have a crush on – is definitely not the smartest move.

But that won't be the killing blow. Notice how he can't stop scratching at his collar and the backs of his hands?

I saw that. Is it because he's so nervous he's sweating?

Not at all. Usually when people are nervous, they just fidget with their hands and clothes. His skin is clearly reacting to a fabric allergy.

If that was his suit, this wouldn't be a surprise to him. The only explanation is that he rented it at the last minute, or maybe even borrowed it from a friend.

Look at how it sits on his shoulders – that cut is all wrong for his frame. Such inconsistencies are enough to prove my theory.

He brought the wrong flowers for a date and got his outfit together at the last minute... If he's that careless and disorganized, what chance does he have?

Heh. We'll just have to wait and see who's right. Oh, look, here comes our leading lady now.

Following Jane's eyes, I spot a girl in a white dress rushing over and then stopping before the young man.

As she looks up at him, her eyes land on the bouquet of yellow carnations. Her expression freezes.

Seemingly sensing the awkwardness in the air, the boy opens his mouth to explain. But then...

Ah-CHOO!!

His earthshaking sneeze thunders through the street. The boy rubs at his reddened nose, looking utterly miserable.

Hohoho... And there you have it! Next comes the typical ending: The woman walks away in disgust, leaving the man heartbroken.

Despite Jane's smugly-made prediction, there's no obvious trace of disgust in the girl's expression. In fact...

Huh? What's going on? Don't tell me she's actually amused by such a ridiculous scene?

Though she seems momentarily frozen in surprise, the girl doesn't frown or wince. If anything, her expression softens.

Her shoulders relax, and the corners of her mouth start to twitch ever so slightly, like she's trying her best to contain something.

Huh? A b-bust? That's impossible...! All the evidence pointed to – hang on, her microexpression...

Just as Jane is about to explain further, the girl bursts out laughing in the distance.

Rather than hold the boy's tactlessness against him, she pulls a tissue from her bag and hands it to him, teasing him lightheartedly. Blushing, the boy scratches his head and, to our surprise, the two of them head off toward the shopping district with their hands clasped.

...

What?!

W-wait a minute! This doesn't make any sense! It completely defies the logic of criminal profiling! He clearly did everything wrong!

Perhaps it was his clumsy sincerity itself that won her over.

No way... I can't believe this... My profiles are never wrong...

Um... Excuse me...

Are you... Miss Jane, the detective? I saw your interview on "Trailing the Truth"...

Oh? So, you recognized me!

Th-that's right...! I'm really sorry, but I happened to overhear your conversation before, and... I was sure such a logical mind could only belong to that famous detective!

Hohoho, an accurate deduction! Standing before you is none other than Detective Jane – solver of countless confounding cases! Is there something I can do to assist, fine citizen?

That's incredible! You see, I was walking around nearby when I realized my wallet was missing... Something really important to me was in there... Could you help me look for it?

No trouble at all! Recovering missing items may be basic detective work, but I'll still give it my full attention!

Now, walk me through everything you were doing before and after you realized your wallet was missing.

Well... I came out of the subway station roughly half an hour ago, and then... I wandered around nearby...

"Roughly"? "Wandered"? "Nearby"?

That won't do, that's far too vague.

Which shops specifically did you enter after leaving the subway station? Which intersections did you stop at? When was the last time you confirmed you were still in possession of your wallet?

I... I can't really remember. I think I went into that stationery shop over there, and then I... I went into the alley next to it...

The alley? Why would you go there? What business would you have in a place like that? Are you attempting to conceal something from me...?

No... I'm not! I really just...

Um... Why don't we just forget it... If it's going to be this much trouble, I'd rather not look for it...!

Hey, it's okay, this is just how she operates. She's really particular about details, that's all.

Maybe you can tell me what happened instead?

What matters is finding your wallet. Don't worry – we won't tell anyone, I promise.

...! Oh... Okay... Thank you... I understand...

Th-the truth is... Something I ate at breakfast didn't agree with me and I couldn't find a restroom anywhere... That's why I went into that shop – to use their bathroom...

But then it turned out to be a really niche fan comic store... That's why I couldn't bring myself to say it... It would have been too embarrassing...

...I see, so that's why you withheld key testimony earlier.

Got it. So, based on your account... we can draw three conclusions.

One: Your wallet went missing while you were in that store.

That's right...!

Two: Given the urgency of your visit, you went straight to the restroom without stopping anywhere else in the store.

Um... Wait... That's...

Three: Once you relieved yourself, you were so flustered that all you could think about was getting out of dodge – greatly increasing the odds that you'd leave something behind.

Y-you're absolutely correct! But... please don't repeat any of that... It's so embarrassing I could die!

In conclusion, that shop is the first place we should look! Let's go, {var:player_nickname}! It's time to confirm the facts!

After that, we found the lost wallet on a shelf in the store's restroom as expected.

Thank you so much, Detective Jane! And your kind assistant, too! I never would have gotten it back without your help!

After thanking us profusely, the passerby quickly runs off. Jane and I then resume our stroll down the streets.

Ahem... We made a pretty good team there, {var:player_nickname}.

The "good cop, bad cop" schtick may be old-fashioned, but it gets the job done. I guess an assistant who understands the common folk really can fill in the gaps that I... uh, don't really care about.

Or you could adjust your questioning technique...

...Fine, you've made your point.

{var:player_nickname}, your detective skills may still need some work, but when it comes to reading people and understanding feelings, you're a natural!

You were right. The truths I seek... can't be found with cold, hard logical analysis alone. There are times when emotions must also be considered...

Perhaps all this time my mind and judgment have been so rational that I've overlooked the clues that only intuition can unearth... I think you could be key to balancing that out for me.

In any case... you've qualified as my assistant.

From now on, you'll be sticking with me and providing any support you can, got it?

Whew... I know it was just a case of a missing wallet, but I'm surprised someone recognized me on the street.

I guess that interview wasn't a complete disaster after all. My name is already spreading through the city! Hohoho...

What could be so disastrous about an interview...?

Nothing when it comes to a typical interview, but exclusives that reveal too many details of a case risk creating fertile ground for copycat offenders...

There's even an urban legend going around about a thief at large going by the name "D" who's been saying they'd never get caught for a "simple" theft like the ABC case...

A laughable claim... If they ever show their face, we'll show that larcenist just what we're made of!

Bzzz-bzzz...

Huh? Is that my phone? I distinctly remember turning all those requests down...

That has to be it. This phone is strictly for receiving assignments, so nobody will be getting in touch with me today.

Hohoho... Meaning my time is all yours today! Quite the honor, wouldn't you say, my dear assistant?

Jane casually takes out her phone and glances at the screen.

Immediately, her smug expression freezes and her gaze tenses.

That's... not possible...

...Then, we actually were being watched, and by...?!

Sensing something amiss, I lean over and look at the screen of Jane's phone.

It's a message from an unidentified sender that reads: "The game isn't over yet, little miss detective."

I look at the signature. It's the name from the rumors, the one people shudder at the mere mention of:

"D".

Why so cagey? This is sounding awfully suspicious... Tell me where you went! What were you doing?! Out with it!

Huh?!! I... I-I-I just... I was just...

I only stopped by a bakery on my way out this morning... then I sat for a bit in this maid cafe on the corner...

Is that really all? What else?!

Wh-what else...! I-I... Last night, I fell off the wagon and snuck two extra bags of snacks...! A week before that, I littered somewhere no one would see...! And when I was a kid, I accidentally threw a rock through a window pane...

Apart from all that, I'm innocent! Please forgive me!!

I don't think I needed to know quite that much...?

Oh no... I-I'm sorry!

It took Jane and me a while to calm down the shaken stranger. Thankfully, we found the wallet in the end.

After that, however... a strange rumor started to spread through One Han City about a pint-sized detective and her sinister assistant strong-arming their way through investigations...

When Jane received that text message from "D," the investigation had officially begun.

From the moment we set out onto the streets, Jane has been speaking in an unbroken current.

...So, this is the perfect opportunity to give you a detailed understanding of the ABC theft case.

The ABC thefts were a string of crimes in the city in which the perp stole a series of valuable items closely associated with the letters A, B, and C.

Convinced that the next target had to be an item associated with the letter D, the police department deployed officers all over the city to intercept and apprehend the thief... It was an incredible show of force.

However! That sort of thinking only played right into the perpetrator's hands.

You might think that, as D follows C, the thief's next target would have something to do with the letter D. And from there, they would go on to E, then F, and all the way through the alphabet, right?

But it was never about the letters – that was just a smokescreen to distract the police from the criminal's true motive: the item they actually wanted to steal.

By analyzing the underlying connections between the items, I was able to deduce the thief's true intentions...

Hohoho... Their real goal had nothing to do with letters! And thanks to my gift of predicting suspects' next moves, we successfully apprehended the thief!

I see...

And that's why determining the motive for a crime is so important in detective work!

So, our job today is to gather clues pertaining to the motive of the crime... in a location on the outskirts of One Han City.

You know, I'm curious...

Huh? About what?

Hohoho... Good, very good! Maintaining a healthy skepticism is key to being a great assistant! You're starting to get the hang of this!

As for how I inferred the location... Obviously, I...

You...?

I used my contacts in the city's police department to trace the suspect's IP address and lock onto the location where the message was sent!

Our perp may be long gone by now, but they're bound to have left clues anywhere they lingered for long enough. So, the first place to check is their last known location.

Don't look so crestfallen, my dear assistant! Detective work isn't always as exciting as in comics and novels.

In this era of advanced technology, you have to leverage all your resources if you want to fast-track to the truth.

After all, the important thing is to rely on your own abilities to protect justice. Focusing too much on the methodology is counterproductive.

That's the spirit! Now, give it your all!

Nice, I like your enthusiasm!

Okay. Whatever awaits us there, we have to search for any clues "D" left behind and use them to infer the motive.

Oh, that reminds me... You're not easily scared, are you?

What do you mean...?

Well, the location we'll be hitting today is the abandoned mansion at the edge of One Han City – the one everyone's saying is haunted.

Rumor has it that every person to occupy it since it was built has died under mysterious circumstances.

Even the most recent occupant vanished with no explanation... The mansion has been a hotbed of paranormal activity ever since.

Hohoho! You're not scared, are you? Relax!

I'm a skeptic through and through. Show me the evidence that proves the existence of the paranormal!

I intend to expose all that trickery with rigorous logic... Ah, looks like we're here.

Hellooo? Anyone home? Coming in now, excuse us!

W-wait for me!

Hmm... The air is more humid in here, and it's at least three degrees colder than outside.

You smell that? It's musty, like rotting wood. Must be a leak in here somewhere.

Looks like the place hasn't been maintained in quite some time. That's hardly a surprise, though. The ghost stories scare most people off.

Good thing, too – with nobody here, we can carry out our investigation in peace. Hey, pass me a flashlight.

Hmm... Nice decor, but the place is far more run-down than I was expecting...

The power's out, and the steps to the second floor are badly rotted. Be careful when we go up there, okay?

Just as Jane says this, a terrifying sound echoes from upstairs.

...Thud! ...Thud! ...Thud!

...It sounds like the footsteps of a massive creature... With a closer listen, I can even make out a monstrous growling sound...

Sounds like someone's walking around up there. Fascinating, this could be the clue that cracks the case!

Hohoho... Unshaken in the face of paranormal events – just one more quality I look for in an assistant!

Listen closely – those footsteps sound hefty, but there's no variation in the weight or rhythm... almost like the sound is being made by something mechanical.

I'm more inclined to believe the noise is being produced by an object than by a living being... So, you can relax.

She then presses her ear against the wall and, closing her eyes, listens intently for a few seconds.

...I see, from over there?

Jane points at the wall. Following her finger, I see an opened valve.

Why's it all the way up there?! Didn't anyone give a second thought to maintaining this place?!

This won't be easy, but you'll never be completely prepared for every situation. We'll just have to problem-solve with the tools we have.

Tools... tools... Hmm...

You can stare at me all you want, but I can't produce tools out of thin air...

Hohoho, I know what to do! You, hold me up so I can get a little higher!

What am I, a human ladder...?!

That's just part of team work! Ready, set, go!

...Try and hold me steady, would you? I don't exactly love heights...!

As instructed, I lift her up as high as I can. She's much lighter than I anticipated. She may have seemed a little scared, but she proceeds decisively.

Good...?

Hnngg... Almost... there!!

Got it!

Jane gives me a thumbs-up. She cautiously climbs back down, then straightens out her clothes.

Whew... That should do the trick! Can you hear anything now?

That's right. Sudden changes in water pressure in old, neglected pipes can produce the "water hammer" effect.

Basically, when water flowing through a pipe is suddenly shut off, the water's momentum triggers a pressure wave that rebounds and strikes the pipe repeatedly, sounding much like a hammer.

Since the pipes run through the mansion's floors and walls, the vibrations were amplified by the open spaces to the point that they sounded like a giant walking around upstairs. Meanwhile, that growling sound earlier was just air in the pipes.

That said... this suggests that a water source was deliberately turned on somewhere in the mansion. Our adversary could be right nearby, so we'd better tread carefully... Hm?

Is something wrong?

...Look at the wall next to the pipe. Do you see something stuck to it?

Huh? You're right, it looks like... a wet piece of paper?

Let me see...!

...

This... is from my grandma's manuscript!

I think I remember you showing me this before...

...Yes, it's the manuscript that famous author left behind – the one who founded the Detective X Agency and wrote the bestseller, The Adventures of Jane Christie.

The ending to the series is there in my grandma's unpublished manuscript...

You know, she's the reason I decided to become a detective.

Jane's expression darkens for a moment. She once mentioned that her grandmother passed away before publishing the final novel in the series, leaving only a manuscript behind.

She was so excited when she showed it to me. She always wore her detective's gloves when taking out the manuscript, and handled it with the utmost care so as to perfectly preserve it... That manuscript is Jane's treasure.

Jane...

Ahem... It's okay... Grandma's manuscript should be locked away safely at the detective agency in a reinforced vault... This is only a copy... we can't jump to any conclusions until we check the original...

But that plumbing puzzle from earlier and the atmosphere in this mansion are a lot like scenes from Grandma's novels. Perhaps "D" has had their sights set on the manuscript for some time now...

So... I'm afraid we can't rule out the possibility that "D" really did get their hands on Grandma's manuscript. As for the staging of the scene and the underlying motive...

Hmm... We'll need more clues before we can start theorizing.

What we can say for certain, however, is that the suspect knows both Grandma's novels and me very well... You could almost say they're after me.

Stay alert from here. Whatever they're plotting, we'll just have to be ready to react. Let's go check out the next room.

This room... smells a little different from the last one, doesn't it?

Indeed... There's a slight pungency in the air. Smells like turpentine.

It's the smell of the pigments used in fine oil paintings. I think... this room must have been a studio, or an exhibition room.

If I'm not mistaken, long-term exposure to turpentine can lead to chronic toxicity in painters... The sufferer would likely exhibit signs of mental instability, which could account for the rumors about the hauntings.

Shine that flashlight on the wall in the center of this room, would you?

As I cast the beam of light over the wall, a towering oil portrait splays into view.

It's a painting of a woman, and the scary part is... two streams of red liquid are trickling from her eyes, like blood...

Not only that... in this eerie light and atmosphere, it looks like her eyes are locked onto me...!

Is this painting watching me?!

Hohoho, now it's getting interesting!

Fascinating. Would you pass me the masks we prepared earlier?

Hmm... This color and consistency could only mean...

Jane extends a gloved finger and collects a bit of the "blood." Cautiously, she gives it a sniff.

Relax, dear assistant. This isn't real blood, it's artificial – it smells of honey, which must have been used as an additive to increase the fluid's viscosity.

The question is... how did they make it look like the painting was weeping blood as soon as we entered this room...?

Give me a hand, would you? I want to see the back of this painting.

On it!

I see... It's a mechanism connecting the door to these blood bags behind the painting. As expected, another scene from Grandma's novels.

Hey, Jane... Does the backing board look loose anywhere?

Excellent! Your observation skills have improved, dear assistant! Let's see what's behind this...

...As expected.

Let me guess, more of the manuscript?

...If the circumstances weren't so dire, I would commend your powers of deduction.

That's Grandma's handwriting, I'm certain of it...

It's another photocopy, increasing the probability that the suspect is already in possession of the original manuscript.

Every move we've made... has been according to their plan.

It's no coincidence that the pages have appeared right after we've solved the puzzles.

...This isn't your run-of-the-mill criminal. We'll need to be at the top of our game from here on out.

Great...! I feel much better knowing you're at my side! Come on, we have a case to investigate!

Everything is starting to look the same in here...

Huh? At the end of the hall... Do you see someone?

?!?!

Clear as day, on the wall at the end of the hallway... is a life-sized silhouette of a hanged person.

This slender specter even looks like it's swaying with a faint rhythm...

Heh, you already have the cool-headedness of a bona fide assistant!

You're right, this is definitely another one of the suspect's tricks... and the reason...

Shine a light on the ceiling, would you?

There's no rope...?

Nope. And if there's no rope, how could someone really be hanging there? If we look at the angle of the light...

Hold the flashlight there for me. I'll be right back.

Leave it to me!

Jane strides down the hallway, vanishing from view at the other end. Then comes a strange noise.

I find Jane standing smugly with her hands on her hips – she's fine. Something before her, however, is lying in disarray...

It's the base of an antique music box. On top, wire has been tied haphazardly around paper scraps and twigs, twisting them into an eerie shape. Beside it is a broken mirror.

Hohoho... Sounds like you ran here. Were you that worried about me?

Relax! Our adversary is recreating scenes from Grandma's books, so I already know the answer to the puzzle!

Isn't your safety my business as your assistant?

...Th-that's right! Why are you sounding so cool all of a sudden...?

Ahem! Look over here and I'll explain how it works!

The bundle of paper and twigs might not look like it has a discernible shape, but from a certain angle, the moonlight reflecting off the mirror casts a silhouette resembling a person onto the wall.

Throw in this music box's turning mechanism, and you have a hanging figure swaying in midair.

That's the truth behind what we saw before – it was nothing more than a simple projection, and I've already taken care of it!

Ugh...

Are you okay? You don't look so good...

...I have a bad feeling.

The noise in the pipes, the timed painting trick, using moonlight to cast an image...

Whoever's in this mansion, they aren't some wannabe ABC theft copycat. This person is well-versed in construction, physics, and even psychology.

And... they're deeply familiar with my grandma's books, clearly – all of those mechanisms were just like ones that appeared in her novels...

And crucially, I know for a fact that this last trick is a scene straight out of her unpublished manuscript...!

You mean... "D" actually has the original manuscript...?!

And...

How dare that lowlife use Grandma's precious manuscript... as a prop in such a stupid charade...! It's unforgivable!!

I know... and I AM calm! I just want to catch that charlatan and expose all their tricks right in their face!

Like in a detective novel, some force seems to be practically drawing us closer and closer to the truth...

Look, over there! Is that a glimmer of light at the end of the hall?

I... think so?

Let's go check it out...!

As we approach the light source, a rare expression crosses Jane's face – one of panic.

Something's on fire... Is that the rest of the manuscript?!

"D," you...!!

Jane...! Wait a minute!

But Jane is already rushing over to the flaming pages. With each step she takes, a faint clicking sound echoes in the darkness.

Not good...!

As I pull Jane back, a plastic bucket plummets down from a high shelf up above and crashes to the floor, sending an echo throughout the mansion and spilling black paint all over the floor.

If I hadn't reacted when I did, that bucket would have landed right on Jane's head.

Hah... Hah...

I-I'm fine...

Sorry...

I was so worried about the manuscript that I completely lost it for a moment there...

For all that I pride myself on being a great detective, I still fell for their mind game – and even put us in danger...

Whew...

Thank you, {var:player_nickname}. If Grandma were here, she'd probably give me a good smack upside the head.

But thanks to you... I've fully regained my composure.

Think about it, only a die-hard fan would be so determined to recreate scenes from Grandma's novels. There's no way they would actually burn her original manuscript.

If you look more closely... what's burning is just a pile of ordinary papers. I suspect that "D" used white phosphorus.

When we closed that valve earlier, the water level inside the pipe dropped, exposing the hidden white phosphorus to the air and causing it to oxidize and ignite... Then, the flames traveled up a connecting rope straight into the papers arranged in advance – all to create the illusion that the manuscript had been set ablaze.

I see... Just how many tricks does "D" have up their sleeve?

So, while we may be a little worse for wear right now, I don't think this was a total loss.

At least... I think I'm beginning to understand the criminal's motive.

"D" is probably a hardcore fan of The Adventures of Jane Christie and resents that I solved the ABC theft case. So, they rigged up this horror house just to mock me and showcase their gift for criminal behavior.

And if that's the case, then "D" wouldn't pass up the opportunity to taunt me in the final trap. Come, help me inspect the scene.

The bottom of this bucket... seems to have writing on it.

...Honestly, they even applied a waterproof coating. You can see it if you look from a slightly different angle.

When the arms of the giant fall and meet, twilight's final chapter will be complete.

...What an arrogant coward – you thought you could humiliate me, but instead you've just exposed yourself.

Remember our criminal profiling exercise from before?

The intimate knowledge of my past, the painstakingly accurate recreations of scenes from the novels, the compulsive tendencies evident in how the traps were set, along with this waterproof coating used to leave me a message I was bound to find...

Hohoho...! With these clues, I think I can already begin to deduce the criminal's motive and modus operandi!

Jane turns her head. The confusion and fear in her eyes have cleared, replaced by a radiance as brilliant as a star.

I'll be getting that manuscript, as well as my honor, back with my own two hands!

Come! The real showdown against "D"... begins now!

Sigh... Looks like converting my assistant to my brand of skepticism will be harder than I thought.

Fine, I guess we'll just call it a day!

This isn't a matter of beliefs! We could actually be in danger!

Hmm... You're right, we didn't come fully prepared for this. Let's regroup and make another attempt!

And so, we fled the spooky mansion.

Later, just when I was about to contact Jane to plan our return to the mansion, she called me on the phone first.

H-hey!! D-do you remember what the date was the day we went to the mansion?!

Of course. It was the 17th, if I'm not mistaken. Is everything okay?

W-well according to this news report, that mansion was demolished on the 15th!

Excuse me?!!!

Ah... Ahaha... It must have been a dream! Or maybe we just misremembered the date...!

I... I'll get to the b-bottom of this...! My voice is only sh-shaking... because I'm c-cold...! Bring me a jacket! Quickly!

(Three days ago...)

Well... No bugs detected, and the privacy film's all set on the windows...

Looking good. Now I can finally clear my head and think.

But Jane... why did we have to come all the way to my place to do this?

Well, I just couldn't leave my precious assistant all alone, could I?

Honestly, it's just a tactical precaution. My detective's intuition never lies!

After all, if they managed to steal my grandma's manuscript, they've got to know a thing or two about snooping around.

I've already set up security at my place, but I realized there was one more vital location that needed protection.

Relax! You've been acting like you're on edge ever since I walked in.

Hohoho... It's fine. Anyone would be starstruck by a sudden visit from a genius detective like me.

Actually, Jane, you've been standing there with crossed arms and a tapping foot the whole time.

If I remember your body language lessons correctly, that means you're the one who's on edge...

Huh? Me? You think?

Oh... well, yeah! I mean, sure! That must be it!

I-I was just thinking... You've done a great job with your counter-surveillance! Very impressive! Honestly!

Ahem! Anyway, back to the case.

Like Grandma always said, "Every action has a consequence, and every consequence leaves a trail." The truth is always out there – you just have to look for it.

"When the arms of the giant fall and meet, twilight's final chapter will be complete..." That's what "D" wrote.

It's a bit cryptic, but "D" is clearly obsessed with Grandma's work. If we search her books for these lines... the truth will reveal itself!

So... what's your deduction, Jane?

This message is a total invitation to a showdown. It's got the time and the place written all over it.

So... the "final chapter" has to be the very last part of The Adventures of Jane Christie.

...And "the arms of the giant" must be the giant clock tower in One Han City from that same story!

Look, the giant hour and minute hands... don't they look exactly like a giant's arms?

So "fall and meet" would mean...

Hohoho... When do both hands overlap and point straight down?

Bingo! But technically, it's 6:30 sharp.

Hmm? Why's that?

The clock in One Han City has a special design. The hour hand doesn't drift. It just clicks forward one notch every hour.

That means the hour hand stays at 6, while the minute hand points straight down to the 6 at the same time.

And the date is when "twilight's final chapter will be complete," which is the release day of the weekly magazine that serialized The Adventures of Jane Christie... meaning Monday, three days from now!

Well... the time and place for our showdown are set. Let's get moving.

So we're basically walking into the enemy's home turf.

That's right! But hey, with you here, I'm not afraid of anything!

Wait – let's double-check our gear. Rope, gloves... everything we might need for a clock tower.

Just you wait, "D"! I'm taking back my pride and my grandma's manuscript!

*squeak*!

Back in the present. Inside the clock tower.

I-I-I mean, I have to! It's a precaution!

Ugh... What a jerk! Did that "D" seriously plan around my fear of heights?!

Assistant! You are NOT to leave my side! Understood?!

Well... if my deduction is right, "D" is waiting for us at the top.

Honestly, I knew this guy was obsessed, but this is a bit much.

Everything about this tower... It's like a page-for-page recreation of Grandma's novel.

Ugh... I've got a bad feeling about this...

No, it's... nothing. I'm just thinking about some of the dark twists in the novel...

Let's keep going – whoa?!!

?!!!

A mechanical noise clunks, and suddenly the floor drops out. Before any of us can react –

The stable platform splits in two. Walking one after the other, the two of us are separated onto different levels.

Now, driven by the mechanism, the two platforms move until they are stacked directly on top of each other.

Jane peeks over the edge of the top platform, looking down at me.

{var:player_nickname}! Are you okay?!

I'm okay, but... what just happened?!

Kehehe! The "genius" detective and her trusty assistant, right in my trap –

What fate awaits them? Will they be separated by death like in the novel, or will they perish together? Let's find out!

Jane, we meet at last.

That voice... she sounds so young?!

I know that tone... You're... "D"!

Sharp as always, but not sharp enough. You still walked right into my trap.

What's that supposed to mean?

Guess your assistant isn't a fan of your grandma's work, Jane. Kehehe... this is the classic scene from The Adventures of Jane Christie!

The Bridge of Death...

Bingo! My genius mechanism has perfectly recreated the scene!

These two platforms will slowly close in until your assistant down there is crushed flat –

Unless you solve my puzzles and enter the right codes, of course...

Every detail is spot on! Seeing your grandma's story in real life must be a dream, Jane.

This isn't a game! {var:player_nickname}! Get ready to get down!

You might have to lie flat! Just stay as low as you can! Like a pancake!

Kehehe... Have fun with that, Detective!

Dammit! Get back here! Hey...!

This thing is actually moving?!

She's not playing around! But don't worry, I can solve this!

This should be the passcode screen... Why does it look so familiar... Wait, is this a 1:1 replica of Christie's phone?! Those are expensive!

Not the time, Jane!

Okay! Let's do this! First, a mahjong scoring question? Interesting. If the dealer wins with Menzen Tsumo, Pinfu, and Pure Straight... 20 Fu, 4 Han... that's 2,600 points each!

It's still moving?!

I-I've got this! This is nothing for a genius like me!

"BOCK HIDE...?" Forget the words... look at the letters! They're all horizontally symmetrical, so the answer is the missing "X"!

Jane quickly solves each puzzle, and the mechanism clicks each time she enters an answer.

The top platform is getting closer. I have to crouch as the space gets smaller and smaller.

How are we doing, Jane?!

The answer is... 1666! Okay! Just one more!

Huh...?

Before she can solve the last one, Jane suddenly stops, but the platform doesn't. The space is almost gone, and the gears make a terrible grinding sound as dust falls on my face.

Jane!? What's wrong?!

I-I'm okay! It's just a little harder than I thought, I...

Hurry, Jane! It's right on top of me!

I've got it!! This is the code!

With a heavy rumble, the platform halts its descent and slowly begins to rise. I can finally stand up again.

Jane jumps down and hugs me tight before the platform even fully stops.

Are you okay?! Did she put any traps in there?! You're not hurt, are you?

That's good... Whew... I thought...

Jane... What happened to you back there?

Oh, it's... nothing!

I was just... a little frustrated by that last puzzle. Anyway, where's Peanut?

*squeak*!

Peanut! There you are! I'm glad you're okay.

Come on, Assistant, let's go get her!

Just don't push it, Jane.

I'm fine! But... just to be safe, maybe you should hold my hand?

You mean... like this?

Yeah! Now we can't be split up no matter what!

As evening falls, the sky turns an ominous crimson, and Jane and I continue climbing the stairs inside the clock tower.

After what just happened, we're sticking even closer together. She's holding my hand tightly as we make our way up.

She's being more cautious than usual... but her palm is sweating, and her grip keeps tightening.

As we reach the next floor and step into a new room...

Hmm? Where are we...

Bang!

Jane, the door just slammed shut!

?!!

Something's wrong... Wait!

"D"... She's recreated this too...?!

Doors and windows sealed, no keyhole. No patterns on the walls either.

No tools to use, and no path forward...

It's just like the novel... The wallpaper is a rusty color, and there are Möbius strips all over the ceiling...

I'm afraid we're trapped in a locked room we can never escape.

Never? What makes you say that?

If I'm right, this is another one of her elaborate mechanisms...

Everything in this tower, and the trap we just escaped from... they're all straight out of Grandma's book.

After the Bridge of Death comes the Room of Despair...

*clack*

Before Jane can finish, a mechanical sound echoes, and white mist begins to fill the room as the temperature drops.

*cough*... Is it just me, or is it getting cold in here?

Oh no...! Don't breathe the air!

In the original story, Christie was trapped in a room just like this! It's going to fill with a deadly, freezing gas! What happens next... is too horrible to even imagine...

In this "perfectly locked room," not even Christie could find a way out...

Now that you mention it, it is starting to feel a bit stuffy...

Since the story ended there, the mystery of the Room of Despair was never solved. Some say Grandma couldn't think of a way out, so she...

But...

But in the original story...

...Christie's assistant died on the Bridge of Death!

The final code for the platform... it was "Death." That's why... I couldn't...

I was so worried that if I got it right, I'd lose you...

You've always been there for me, but I keep putting your life on the line...

All the things I want to do... the justice I want to serve... is it really worth it?

Am I really... fit to be a detective?

{var:player_nickname}...?

Whatever happens, Jane, none of this is your fault.

You're fighting for what you believe in, for your own pride, and you never give up, even against overwhelming odds...

I'm here because I want to be, Jane. No matter what happens, I'm with you.

{var:player_nickname}... *sob* Thank you.

Besides...

I don't think this is how our story ends.

Huh...?

The story says the assistant died. But look at me, I'm still here.

We've rewritten the ending. So now, our future is whatever we make it.

And I'm sure if anyone can find the truth, it's you, Jane.

Every action has a consequence, and every consequence leaves a trail.

I believe in you, Jane.

Assistant...

Hmm, you're right! I've got this! Time for the genius detective to shine!

Hehe... being held like this, it's not so cold in here anymore...

Wait... how is it "cold"?

What is it?

Peanut! Get up there and see what you can find!

*squeak*!

Hohoho... I see it now! "D" is in for a surprise! Assistant! Give me a lift, would you?

It's almost time. That detective and her little sidekick must have passed out by now. Time for some photos for the papers!

Kehehe... Some detectives they are. No one can beat Christie but me!

Don't be so sure!

What?!!!

"D"! It's all over. Surrender now!

No way! I broke you! Your deductions, your pride... I should have crushed them all!

Hohoho! You see, in the story, Christie fell into despair because she was alone...

But I'm not! My assistant is right here with me!

When we survived the Bridge of Death, our story changed right then and there!

That annoying little assistant...! But how did you find the way out?

"Every action has a consequence, and every consequence leaves a trail." Remember?

That's Christie's own line... So what?!

It means... everything you do leaves a trace, no matter how smart you think you are!

Your "perfect" setup was too good to be true. That's exactly how we knew.

And my assistant saw through those Möbius stickers on the ceiling!

Your game is up! You lost, "D"!

Kehehe... Hahaha! And here I thought I just needed to take care of Christie. Can't believe I got outplayed by an assistant...

But it's not over yet! I've had a hang glider ready for this exact moment! You'll never...

Wait, the rope's broken?!

*squeak*!

That stupid ferret? Dammit!

Now! Assistant! Throw the gas bomb at her!

Gas bomb?!!!

"D" dodges in a panic, and the "bomb" falls behind her.

Nice try – but you missed!

Kehehe... You thought an untrained amateur could hit me? Whoa?!!

*CLANG*!!

At that exact second, the hour hand clicks forward, its tip snagging "D" by the clothes and lifting her into the air.

It was all part of Jane's plan.

There! That "deadly gas" was just some dry ice.

Since CO2 from dry ice is heavier than air, it sinks and collects near the bottom – and in high enough concentrations, it's dangerous to anyone, even the person who set the trap.

So the exit had to be up high!

Oh... that's why it was so cold.

Exactly, and the exit was hidden by those Möbius stickers... Hohoho, thanks to your sharp eyes, Assistant!

Let's head to the roof after we catch our breath... Oh, and bring some of that dry ice.

How about this piece?

Good. Just be careful not to get frostbite. Use those gloves of yours.

You want me to... use this to attack her?

Hohoho... I've got something better in mind.

Remember what I said about the clock hands of the One Han City clock tower? They click forward each hour, and that mechanical force should be enough.

I'll distract her while you throw the dry ice to force her into the right spot... Can you make the shot?

Hohoho! I believe in us, Assistant. That's why we're a great team!

We're going to take "D" down together. Ready? Let's do it!

A few days later.

Ahem! I'm happy to announce the Detective X Agency is officially back for business!

And I've picked your place as our new base! You're welcome!

Well, I guess I'll need to do some redecorating.

Oh, and I've got an update on "D."

Between the theft, trespassing, vandalism and attempted assault, the combined sentence should keep her behind bars for years.

Justice is served, then.

Exactly. But we're not finished yet. There's always another case to solve!

Ready to make some history, Assistant?

Before long, tales of a brilliant detective and her reliable assistant were the talk of One Han City.

With their seamless chemistry and unbreakable bond, no case was too tough for them to crack.

And so, their detective adventures continue, one case at a time.

Kehehe... Have fun with that, Detective!

Dammit! Get back here! Hey...!

This thing is actually moving?!

She's not playing around! But don't worry, I can solve this!

This should be the passcode screen... Why does it look so familiar... Wait, is this a 1:1 replica of Christie's phone?! Those are expensive!

Not the time, Jane!

Okay! Let's do this! First, a mahjong scoring question? Interesting. If the dealer wins with Menzen Tsumo, Pinfu, and Pure Straight... 20 Fu, 4 Han... that's 2,600 points each!

It's still moving?!

I've got this...! Almost there! Ugh...!

It's coming down! Jane!

J-just stay calm! Get down... no! Lie flat! I'm almost there!

I do as she says and hope for the best... Finally, the platform stops, and everything goes back to normal.

Assistant! Are you okay? Talk to me!

I'm fine. But seeing you stuck on a puzzle? That's a first.

Th-that's only because... I was so worried about you that I panicked, okay?!

Ugh... I suppose my composure as a detective still needs some serious work...

No! No time for that. We have to catch her!

But we were too late. By the time we reached the roof, "D" was already gone.

We went home disappointed, but then all sorts of rumors about Jane started showing up in the papers at One Han City... from "violent" arrests to failing her exams, and even rumors about us dating.

The detective agency was suffering too. We both knew "D" was behind this.

Then one day, Jane received an anonymous letter. It just said "You lost, Detective."

...

I think this is a clue! Let's go, Assistant! We're not done with her yet!

This time, I'm going to make her pay! Just you wait!

Jane and I continue our investigation through One Han City. Something tells me this case is just getting started...