Chapter 5: Definition of Malignancy

Although I had decided to investigate to solve the kidnapping incident, there are limits to what a student can do.

I can't neglect my studies, and there's a limit to how late I can stay up at night.

Even some super-human high school detective probably can't do 24-hour stakeouts like a real detective while also living a normal daily life.

In the end, what I'm trying to say is that since the investigation will inevitably be physically and materially impossible, an efficient method using my unique ability becomes necessary.

The output of my unique ability—in other words, I can lightly read minds within a radius of 500 meters centered around myself.

Not only that, but if I allow myself to crudely pry into other people's minds, I can even read emotions hidden deep within the hearts of people within range, but I'd rather avoid that if possible.

Forcibly prying open someone's mind can have aftereffects.

I considered what I could do by setting various conditions and restrictions on my unique ability and actions.

After thinking it over, I concluded that the best course of action for the time being was to live my daily life with my output maximized at all times and to try to explore my surroundings as much as possible.

I would limit myself to reading only the surface thoughts of people within range, pick out individuals who are thinking improper thoughts and seem to be related to the incident, and then just crack down on them.

If I do that, as I predict, I should easily be able to find information about this kidnapping incident, which involves many people.

Just a few days after reaching that conclusion, on my way home from school.

I, whose spirit was starting to genuinely break due to my continued loner life at school, sensed a group of people who were thinking about the ominous phrase, "executing the kidnapping."

It had only been half a day since I started using my ability for detection today, but I was unable to suppress my elation at finding a lead to solving the case so quickly. I headed towards the building where I sensed the targets.

I had imagined it would be a group of thugs gathering in a dilapidated building, but the place I arrived at was a recently built, state-of-the-art high-rise building.

A security guard stood at the entrance, and a sign clearly stated, "No Entry Without Authorization."

Honestly, directly infiltrating a place that looked so wealthy and seemed to have manpower to spare was scary.

(It's not like it's impossible, but…)

My power is ultimately just a power that acts on the mind and consciousness.

It's not fundamentally something that can bend the laws of physics, nor is it a unique ability with convenient detection capabilities.

In other words, I can't instantly see through what kind of unique ability the person in front of me possesses, and even if I were to face another unique ability user, I wouldn't be able to understand the details of their ability.

Well, I've never directly faced another unique ability user, so this is mixed with conjecture, but I'm probably right about this.

And my unique ability is also convenient—if I use a trick to place my presence outside of other people's consciousness and make them unable to perceive me, infiltrating the building in front of me wouldn't be that difficult.

It's not a versatile method that allows me to enter any place, but I possess a technique that allows me to become invisible, imperceptible to others, and slip through even tight security setups.

But what if there was a method to nullify that within that building?

Even the trick of becoming imperceptible to others, which is a feat of unique ability, is ultimately just placing myself outside of consciousness, so once it's seen through, it's difficult to place myself outside of consciousness again unless the opponent diverts their attention from me.

The disadvantage is that re-executing it takes time no matter what.

Considering that disadvantage, I, in my current state with no support or other cards up my sleeve, don't have the professional dedication to risk infiltrating the enemy's headquarters.

Of course, it might be said that I'm overthinking it, but I think it's understandable considering the current kidnapping incident.

Because I'm almost certain that someone like me is involved in this incident.

I'm convinced of it.

(And someone with a troublesome unique ability that allows them to move around without being perceived by others, just like me.)

--- A sweet scent.

Such information was something I came across while surfing the internet and gathering information.

That piece of information, which could become a valuable clue, probably wasn't considered significant information by people who don't know about unique abilities.

On the internet bulletin board where that topic came up, it quickly faded from discussion as if people had lost interest.

However, for me, that information was quite significant and deepened my understanding of the unique ability user involved in this kidnapping incident.

Scent-related, mobile, and that movement doesn't cause others to feel anything amiss.

The information gathered in this way was gradually bringing to light the figure of the perpetrator with the talent of unique abilities lurking behind the 'Serial Child Kidnapping Incident' in my mind.

Furthermore, thanks to the power of my unique ability, I'm in a situation where I've pinpointed a base of criminals, albeit probably a branch office.

From the traces of unique abilities left at the kidnapping sites, I've gained an advantage in information, and since the other side is unaware of my existence, which is beyond common sense, the advantage is completely on my side.

It's not like I'm so desperate that I need to recklessly storm the enemy's headquarters here, so I don't think I should take risks more than necessary.

However, I do want to investigate the form of the person with unique abilities and the organization behind them to some extent, and somehow ensure the safety of the kidnapped children as soon as possible.

It would be troublesome if they were taken abroad, but surely, considering that possibility, the country is securing the entrances and exits—the skies and seas—at least.

(I doubt they'd be keeping them imprisoned in this building, which is in the same ward as the kidnapping sites, though.)

Sitting on a planter box nearby, I gazed at the building blankly while sipping from the drink in my hand.

It would be easy if even just one person who knew the situation came out of that building, I thought, but then I mentally retorted that there's no way such luck exists.

Information is a lifeline.

Especially for those who do shady things that can't be done in broad daylight, it becomes even more crucial.

There's no way someone possessing such vital information, the very backbone of their operation, would walk around alone with such luck.

If their system was that lax, their organization must be bottom-tier.

So, just as I was about to give up and get up, a man came out of the building and entered my sight. I choked on the drink I was sipping, and it went down the wrong way.

A ruffian-like man who didn't even bother to hide his displeased expression.

He was dressed in expensive clothes, but the lack of refinement overflowing from within him demeaned his attire in inverse proportion, even from my distant vantage point, I could sense it.

Such a man came out of the building, grumbling irritably, and when I confirmed that his thoughts contained important information related to the kidnapping incident, I was dumbfounded.

Could it be that an organization with such financial power would place such a low-caliber person in an important position?

"H-Higuchi-sama! Please, at least let us attach an escort! We will secure personnel right away, so—!"

"Shut up!! I don't need that crap!! There's no situation in a small country like this Far East that requires guards!!"

"B-but, still…"

"Ugh, this is so infuriating…! Why do I have to do this…!! And 'patiently watch the progress,' they say…? Are they underestimating me? Who do they think I am…!!"

The man, kicking away the suited person who had followed him, swaggered out of the building.

His purpose seemed to be nothing in particular, just a stroll to clear his head.

I confirmed that the suited person who had been following him was helplessly telling the security guard to secretly tail and escort him, and I understood that people with important information were walking around unguarded.

I lowered the drink I had been holding to my mouth and followed after the man as well.

I made sure not to just keep him in sight, but to capture the target within the range of my unique ability, being careful not to let him think he was being followed, and I trailed after the man.

"…Aha."

I subtly increased my output.

I took myself and that man outside the consciousness of the muscular men who had rushed out of the building, dressed in clothes that would blend into the city, probably having been contacted by the suited person.

And just like that, the bodyguards lost sight of their target, the man they were supposed to be guarding, and passed right by him, rushing into the city in a panic.

After that, I activated my unique ability towards the target man and started the preparation.

To ensure I could subdue him in any eventuality, I spread my unique ability around the man.

Now, all I had to do was wait for him to go to a secluded place on his own.

I just had to wait for the moment I could drag out the information.

◆◆◆

A refined girl was walking through the city in her school uniform.

Her hair was dyed blonde, her uniform was disheveled, and her appearance, riddled with school rule violations, was that of a gyaru-type girl, someone Rinka would consider the last person she'd want to approach.

Her lightly made-up face was quite well-featured, and more than half of the people who passed by turned back to look at her, so beautiful was her appearance.

Such a girl was wandering aimlessly through the city after school, alone.

(The people at the new school, they all seemed so boring.)

Contrary to the gentle impression conveyed by her drooping eyes, her thoughts were terribly cold.

(Schoolwork is boring too, and there's no one in class I want to befriend. If that's the case, I should have gone to a place with looser school rules. If I had, there would have been plenty of people who were interesting to watch, at least.)

What crossed her mind was the scene at the high school she had just entered.

A mediocre school culture, teachers only concerned with self-preservation, and students who only knew how to obey.

None of them were interesting or even remotely intriguing. She had chosen her current high school because her father had wanted her to enter a high school with high academic standards, but she now realized it was a mistake.

To console herself for the boring day, she was wandering through the city like this, but it was still lacking in stimulation.

(…Come to think of it, that girl who didn't come to school right after the entrance ceremony. I thought she'd be someone interesting, but she was just a plain girl with dead eyes. It was funny to see her despairing about not being able to make friends, though… honestly, she was a letdown.)

She recalled the girl she had been paying a little attention to, but even that was undeniably disappointing.

The girl, thinking thoughts that would make Rinka sick with worry and take to her bed if she heard them, walked through the city, swinging the shopping bag in her hand.

She munched on snacks she had bought on a whim, her gaze wandering, wondering what to do next, when she widened her eyes at a group of people who suddenly appeared from an alleyway.

"…What's with that group?"

"Discretion is the better part of valor."

Or, as her respected father always said, "Don't get involved with strange people"—she quickly stepped to the edge of the road and yielded the way to the group. However, contrary to the girl's intention, the suspicious group called out to her.

"Hey, have you seen a tall, young man with slicked-back hair around here?"

"Eh… I haven't seen anyone like that at all."

"Tch, where did that guy go? Well, he's probably near his usual spot anyway."

Saying so, the group, without even thanking her, walked away quickly. The girl frowned.

They were a strange group.

Awfully muscular and seemingly accustomed to rough stuff.

While the girl thought she didn't want to get involved with them, she was also assailed by a tempting urge, a stimulation that had arrived in her otherwise boring day.

(…That group. They're probably guys involved in something bad, maybe?)

Yamamine Sodeko, a slightly taciturn high school girl brimming with a sense of justice, whose daily life was lacking in stimulation, unintentionally thought such a thing. Her father was a police bureaucrat.

Her favorite things were fashion and Kamen Rider.

Having watched her father protect order since she was a child, she harbored a blind admiration for justice that crushes evil, though she was somewhat cynical.

There was no way she could overlook the suspicious group that had appeared before her eyes.

Especially since it was something she had encountered amidst her daily lack of stimulation.

Unable to shake off the alluring temptation that had arisen in her heart, she secretly began to follow after the suspicious group, who were walking ahead.

Despite her gyaru-ish appearance, Sodeko had been excelling in both academics and sports since childhood, and her athletic ability, in particular, was outstandingly superior among her peers. Therefore, she had an unfounded confidence that if she felt danger, she could easily escape.

Besides, although crime has been increasing recently and society is in turmoil, this country is basically safer than other countries with a lower crime rate and relatively guaranteed safety.

Sodeko concluded that there was no need to be that anxious and followed after the suspicious group, who were turning a corner.

(Dad's been troubled by the kidnapping incident lately, and if this could be a clue to solving it, Dad might praise me…)

Thinking such things, Sodeko, while sensing a dangerous atmosphere, had become optimistic somewhere in her heart.

Surely, she was underestimating the evil that pervades this world.

Following the suspicious group, she entered a back alley with few passersby, lined with nightlife establishments.

Hiding and stealthily following the group of men, she arrived at a building where she could see stairs leading down to the basement.

Despite being in a dimly lit place, she could sense the presence of many people inside.

Sodeko was keeping her distance and cautiously observing the situation, when she saw a scene where men in black suits dragged a man with unfocused eyes, who had been grabbed by both arms, into the building. Realizing that this was definitely bad news, she hurriedly turned on her heel.

She tried to escape to a street with more people, but because it was the first time she had seen a truly dangerous place, Sodeko, being too flustered, didn't notice the man who had entered the alley, and bumped right into him.

"Ouch! Ah, I'm sorry…"

"Huh? …Heh."

Sodeko, who had fallen on her backside, apologized, but the man peered into Sodeko's face as if appraising her.

A tall, young man with blonde slicked-back hair.

Before Sodeko could frown at the man's rude attitude, the man naturally grabbed her neck and dragged her into the less populated alleyway.

Sodeko, powerless against the muscular and large man, was dragged along, about to scream, but the moment she tried to raise her voice, the man threw her away.

Then, he wound up and kicked Sodeko, who had fallen, in the flank.

"Guh…!?"

Sodeko's body, of above-average height for a girl, was slammed against the wall. The man mercilessly kicked Sodeko's face, who was struggling to escape somehow, and continued to unleash violence endlessly.

"Hahaha, that's right. If I don't have something like this, I get bored to death!"

"Hic… St-stop it… stop, please… Ah…"

Escape was impossible.

It was already too late by the time she realized it was dangerous.

Sodeko, battered by the relentless violence that continued unabated, bled from her mouth and stopped moving.

In her hazy consciousness, she repeatedly drifted in and out of consciousness due to the continuing excruciating pain.

Confirming that she was now in a state where her breathing was shallow, unable to scream or call for help, the man finally eased the violence he had been inflicting on her.

(Wh…y… did I… have to… go through this…?)

She despaired at the sight of the man, who continued to unleash violence over and over again, regardless of whether Sodeko resisted or not, with a sadistic smile.

Was there nothing she could do anymore? Just as she thought that, she noticed multiple shadows approaching from behind the man and saw a glimmer of hope, but when they called out to the man, Sodeko's hope was easily shattered.

"We came because we thought it was noisy, but hey, Higuchi-san, what are you doing—"

"Huh? …Oh, it's you guys."

"Please consider our position when you leave us to clean up after you. What are you going to do with that?"

To the group that called out to the man in a friendly manner, Sodeko, realizing she could no longer escape, shed tears from her vacant, lifeless eyes.

"Just get rid of her somehow, she's not bad-looking, so she can be sold as merchandise. If we just handle it properly, the police, who are busy chasing after that 'Ziryuu' guy, won't even be able to investigate the disappearance of a single runaway girl."

"Hey, what did this girl do to you, Higuchi-san? You're beating her up pretty badly."

"She bumped into me. I was already irritated, so I picked up something good."

"Hahaha, that's harsh!"

She was terrified by the men laughing as if it were nothing.

She regretted following those guys.

She despaired, wondering what she had done wrong to end up like this.

What would become of her?

In her hazy consciousness, the last thing Sodeko clung to was her respected father.

"Papa… help me… Papa…"

At Sodeko, who reached out her hand to someone unseen, as if scratching at the ground, the men burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, what's with this girl? 'Papa,' she says, so cute!"

"What should we do? For now, shall we take her to that place? They should be able to handle simple disposal there."

"Hey, you guys. Can you stop dawdling? We ran past you guys, didn't you notice? Didn't you have something to do?"

"Huh? We were following Higuchi-san, you know?"

"Huh? You guys ran past me, you know. You had business with me, but you passed me by, are your eyes getting bad?"

"Eh!? Th-there's no way…"

"Papa… it hurts…"

"Tch, what's with this girl, she's so noisy!"

Sodeko, kicked in the face, was slammed against the wall with a thud.

The man, having lost interest in Sodeko, who was now only moaning unintelligibly, instructed them to take her away casually, and called his company to arrange for evidence disposal.

If they just had their pawn, "Ziryuu," cause another kidnapping incident, the police investigation wouldn't reach this girl even if she went missing, he thought, about to make those arrangements when—

--- Suddenly, the man noticed someone standing behind them.

"Huh? This guy, when did he get here?"

"Eh? Who are you talking about?"

Even when he pointed to the person standing behind them, the men who were about to carry Sodeko away looked around as if they couldn't see anything there.

That tall figure, wearing a black blanket draped over their head as if completely covering them—they should have noticed it immediately.

"D-don't be ridiculous! Right there—"

"---Exposing malignancy, scattering ugliness."

A voice spoke, even though no one had opened their mouth.

A voice that seemed to echo in his head.

A snapping sound, and the men who had been about to carry Sodeko away all rolled their eyes back in unison and collapsed on the spot.

Without being able to offer any resistance, the burly men sank to the ground in an instant.

The tall figure, whose face couldn't be seen, was now standing right in front of him.

Since he was looking up at it from point-blank range, he should be able to see inside the hidden blanket, but all that was there was a jet-black void, so distorted it made him wonder if it even had a face.

"Hic…!?"

The man, who had inadvertently backed away, felt the cold touch of the wall against his back.

He lunged out and punched it impulsively, but his arm, which hit the blanket, sank into it and became trapped, unable to be pulled out.

"…Rehabilitation is no longer possible… in that case,"

The jet-black void laughed, regardless of the will of the man cowering before it.

"It's fine to destroy everything once. Rebuilding it is a piece of cake."

(Illustration No.18)

Thus, one man's spirit was destroyed on this day.