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The criminal behind the returnee crime serial murder case.

Tentatively, Vigilante.

The identity of his power is none other than the Avatar ability.

“Avatar ability…?”

At Kwon Tae-ho’s words, the chief of detectives tilted his head. Lee Ha-yeon, who was listening beside him, looked similarly puzzled.

How can there be a power that even the chief of detectives of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency doesn’t know about?

“It’s natural you don’t know. The number of holders is just too low. Even if you combine all the domestic holders, it probably won’t reach ten.”

“So, this Avatar ability is a remote clone… something like that?”

“About that, yes.”

The Avatar ability is so rare, and even among its holders, there are detailed differences. However, the commonality that can be grouped into a general category is as follows.

It is the ability to create an avatar that projects one’s appearance and control it remotely, separate from the main body.

“If that’s the case, isn’t it just like making a clone with magic? Why mention a superpower that has so few holders?”

“It’s similar, but definitely a different ability. Well, fine. Let’s assume, as you said, that the perpetrator of this case used remote clone magic to commit the crime.”

Kwon Tae-ho raised his right hand and extended one finger.

“First, clone magic. It is relatively common among magician spells. However, that is merely an illusion magic with no substance. The creation of clones that can interact physically is a much higher-level magic, as you know.”

“Right…”

“Moreover, creating and controlling clones are different matters. While simple actions can be automatically processed, once it comes to combat, separate control magic is required.”

As Kwon Tae-ho extended his second finger, he continued speaking.

“Additionally, the perpetrator used a weapon with Soul Killing ability to dispel necromancy… however, in the case of clones, the story changes. The weapon made with clone magic wouldn’t have any enchantments on it. Naturally, a separate Soul Killing magic would have to be used.”

That makes three. However, this was merely the foundation laid, and there were still plenty of other spells to enumerate.

“If that clone were to engage in combat with an A-rank ability holder, how many spells do you think would be necessary? First, enhance the overall physical abilities and durability of the clone. Combat above A rank exchanges blows in just 0.1 seconds, so a separate reinforcement magic to eliminate the delay in control would also be needed. Furthermore, if it’s a magical clone, it should be trackable with tracking magic, right? The fact that it couldn’t be tracked means that a few layers of magic that disrupt tracking magic were placed around it. Besides, even if it suddenly disappeared, the fact that the scene of the crime wasn’t caught on CCTV? It would mean that a clone was created at a distance at the crime scene. Or that the clone gained invisibility and moved. In any case, separate magic would be needed.”

As Kwon Tae-ho explained quietly, Lee Ha-yeon had a dazed expression.

The Kwon Tae-ho she had seen until now was either the shabby and unreliable version of him she knew or the strong version in combat.

Therefore, seeing Kwon Tae-ho deducing the abilities of the criminal so intellectually felt strange to her.

However, that was merely a misconception stemming from Lee Ha-yeon being unfamiliar with the profession of a judge.

A judge is, in a sense, a one-man army.

From investigating the case to profiling the criminal, suppressing and arresting with force—she had to handle all that alone, so versatility was not an option but a necessity for a judge.

“Now, do you see?”

His fingers, having spread, showed that there were no more left. Kwon Tae-ho displayed both his open hands to the chief of detectives and added,

“Handling this level of magic simultaneously would be hard even for a minister of magic. It’s more likely that time manipulation would be a viable option.”

“…I understand what you’re getting at. So, if the perpetrator is an avatar user, then all those issues are resolved?”

“Resolved. Fundamentally, superpowers might have lower versatility, but their efficiency is good. If we compare it to a car, while magic would require replicating every aspect of the car with magic, a superpower just needs you to put fuel into a ready-made car. However, the car can’t turn into a ship or an airplane.”

Even if an avatar user creates an avatar from a distance and attempts to control it at a supersonic combat level, it wouldn’t be an easy task.

“At least it should be much simpler than magic. Moreover, if the perpetrator’s ability is entirely not using mana, it would explain the disappearance of traces from mana-based tracking magic.”

“Indeed, that’s true.”

“And crucially, watching this video made me grasp it right away.”

Kwon Tae-ho showed the CCTV footage he had just focused on.

The video showed the perpetrator behaving oddly as they left the crime scene.

“A skilled avatar user can control both their main body and avatar simultaneously. However, when they’re inexperienced or their concentration wanes, sometimes the main body’s movements directly feedback onto the avatar, just like this.”

At those words, the people in the conference room focused on the figure of the perpetrator in the video.

An ordinary walk abruptly halted. They turned their head 90 degrees to the right, touched the empty air behind them, bent slightly at the waist, then took a few steps forward, freezing their movements for about ten seconds.

“Now, if we turn this 90 degrees…”

Kwon Tae-ho rotated the tablet and played the video again.

“Doesn’t it look like someone getting up slowly from their bed and walking toward the door after touching the floor?”

“Ah!”

The first to react was Lee Ha-yeon. She spoke excitedly to Kwon Tae-ho, like a student who had just figured out the answer to a teacher’s question.

“The doorbell! They must have heard the doorbell! They were controlling the avatar while lying in bed and went to the front door upon hearing the sound!”

“That could be it. Or perhaps the washing machine they set up in advance finished its cycle, whatever the reason might be. The point is that this strange behavior likely resulted from the main body’s actions being fed back to the avatar.”

To catch on right away shows a good sense.

As Kwon Tae-ho praised her, Lee Ha-yeon giggled and became bashful.

“Certainly, hearing it explained like this makes this strange behavior understandable. The perpetrator is highly likely an avatar ability holder. So, then…”

The chief of detectives’ eyes brightened. If a conclusion had been reached, it was time to take action.

“Send a cooperation letter to the Returnee Management Bureau. Refer to the database and produce a list of avatar ability holders along with their alibis during the incident. Since the number of holders is so low, it should become clear right away. Set out immediately.”

The two subordinates nodding at the chief’s orders left the room. Watching them, Kwon Tae-ho grinned.

“Isn’t this worth fifty million won?”

“…Haha.”

Indeed, it was helpful, but the chief of detectives couldn’t nod mindlessly, so he smiled wryly.

“Well then, we should take our leave for now. Let us know when you have results.”

“Of course. You can take the materials with you, but just be careful of external leaks.”

“Understood.”

As Kwon Tae-ho and the group exited the conference room, Lee Ha-yeon, with her fists tightly clenched, turned to Kwon Tae-ho.

“Judge…! You were really cool earlier! You were cool during the fight too, but this time it felt… more like, um, professional intelligence? I was fluttering the whole time I watched! I admire you!”

“Pfft, this is nothing special. How about it, newbie? You must feel you made the right choice to come train at our office?”

Filled with Lee Ha-yeon’s praises, Kwon Tae-ho couldn’t help but slightly raise his shoulders. Since Yoo Seol, who usually accompanied them, was stingy with compliments, being applauded by a subordinate was a refreshing experience for him.

“Yes! I really think I chose the best office! I’ll make sure to learn a lot during my training period!”

“Yeah, strive hard!”

The two laughed, their voices echoing through the hallway. Watching them, Yoo Seol wore a somewhat uncomfortable smile.

“…What if you’re excited now only to find out it was all for nothing?”

“That won’t happen! Even if it did, the me from then would handle it just fine. No need to worry.”

“Indeed, Judge!”

Yoo Seol thought with a frown at Kwon Tae-ho’s confident demeanor.

As a judicial assistant working to maintain social order, it was natural that she should not entertain such thoughts.

‘…This is a bit annoying. Let it stray far away.’

…and with that thought, Yoo Seol quietly wished for the two of them without their knowledge.

And that wish came true two days later.

“What? You say there are no alibis for all the suspects?”

Yoo Seol asked incredulously over the receiver.

Of course, she had jokingly wished for Kwon Tae-ho to fail as he got cocky due to the new recruit’s flattery, but still, she didn’t doubt his deductions were almost certain.

Could it really have gone so completely off track?

“I see. Yes. Understood. Thank you. We’ll discuss on our end and reschedule a visit later. Yes, if you need anything, please feel free. Then—”

-Click.

Yoo Seol sighed heavily as she raised her head. In her view were Kwon Tae-ho and Lee Ha-yeon leisurely enjoying their afternoon coffee.

“…Did you all hear that?”

“I, I did hear it, but did I hear correctly…?”

“I heard that all avatar ability holders registered in the database had alibis during the incident. Yes, you heard it right.”

Thud!

Lee Ha-yeon felt as though her heart sank in an instant. Turning her head with a creak, she asked Kwon Tae-ho, puzzled.

“Uh, what does this mean…?”

What about the case? And what about my bonus?

Indeed, no need to hide it. Kwon Tae-ho had excitedly promised Lee Ha-yeon a small bonus that evening if this went successfully.

But now, the news had arrived that Kwon Tae-ho’s deductions had gone completely awry. Truly, it was like a bolt from the blue.

“…”

However, Kwon Tae-ho, whose deduction was incorrect, remained calm. Sitting on the sofa with his chin propped up, he pondered quietly before finally speaking.

“…The hypothesis probably wasn’t wrong. The perpetrator’s actions can’t be explained without the Avatar ability. That is almost certain.”

“That’s almost certain and all, but you heard that every registered superpower user in the database has a solid alibi, right?”

“If it refers only to the superpower user registered in the database, then yes.”

“Eh…?”

Yoo Seol frowned, wondering what he meant.

“There could be an avatar ability user who isn’t in the database.”

“…Unless it’s a third-rate country, that can’t be the case in this Republic of Korea. Judge, you know well, don’t you? How stringent this country is regarding returnees.”

Indeed, the returnee management system in South Korea was so strict it resembled a dictatorship.

With a monitoring system spanning the entire country detecting early signs of return, the management would deploy officers to areas expected to see returnees, establishing contact as soon as they arrived and registering them in the database.

Thanks to such a systematic system, it was impossible for any returnees to exist unregistered in South Korea. Even returnees who came back before the system was established were thoroughly identified through an annual survey of the populace regarding their superpower holdings.

“Well, they diligently catch the registration of returnees. However, if returnees acquired other powers after their return, there are instances where the database isn’t updated.”

“That only happens with martial arts or something that can be learned anywhere. Superpowers are stringently managed by the state. All educational institutions for superpowers are obligated to link with the management bureau’s database for real-time updates.”

“Only for officially licensed educational institutions, of course.”

“Judge, you’re not implying…?”

Only then did Yoo Seol seem to catch on to what Kwon Tae-ho was trying to say. Only Lee Ha-yeon, who was left clueless, kept turning her head back and forth with question marks floating around her.

“Just like you said, this country is particularly strict in managing superpowers among various abilities. Since they’re the most unpredictable.”

However, there exists one area where such enforcement does not reach in this Republic of Korea.

A place beyond the law where even public authority cannot intervene.

A region filled with all sorts of criminals for its geographical proximity to the ports, where unimaginable crimes and corruption are carried out, a result of the security vacuum that arose immediately after the Daejeon incident.

“Let’s take a business trip for a change.”

Right there was Incheon, Chinatown.

*

Meanwhile, at that time.

In the outskirts of Chinatown, at a high-end pub located among the entertainment establishments.

In a small room accessible only to reserved guests, two people faced each other across a small amount of snacks and strong liquor.

One was a middle-aged man with graying hair.

His deep wrinkles compressed by the passage of time cast deep shadows on his face, exuding a menacing aura. The scar crossing his right eye and the two swords resting behind his back gave him a visage that instantly appeared dangerous.

On the contrary, the man seated across looked dangerous as well. Cloaked in robes that covered his whole body, and he wore a completely black mask, appearing nothing like someone who’d come for a meal.

“How’s the ability doing since then? Any discomfort in using it? Any side effects or anything?”

The masked man asked, and the middle-aged man downed his drink furiously, speaking curtly.

“No issues at all. It’s been a month, and I’m still fine. So, there’s no real need to keep meeting like this every weekend.”

“Oh come on, but post-experiment support must be ensured. Besides, this is also an experiment on our end, to monitor and record the process. I’ve practically given you the ability implant for free, so I ask for your cooperation.”

“…I appreciate that. So, how long am I supposed to keep running around with you?”

“I’d like to see you regularly for about 1 or 2 years if possible, but considering the work you’re involved in, that might be hard, right?”

The masked man’s inquiry made the middle-aged man smirk.

“Do you think I’ll get caught by the police?”

“You killed nine people within a month. You’ve gone wild far too much. Plus, there are other pesky people who’ve caught wind of your actions.”

“Who’s that?”

“Do you know Kwon Tae-ho, the judge?”

“…Hmm.”

The man’s response was affirmative. If asked to name five well-known judges in this country, Kwon Tae-ho would definitely make the list. Of course, his fame was mostly notorious.

“I’ve heard the name occasionally. He’s a notorious judge who frequently makes headlines for excessive suppression and character controversies.”

“But his abilities are solid. Just a few days ago, he subdued and arrested a returnee from Cheonma.”

“Even Cheonma has its degree of strength.”

-Thud!

The man slammed his drink down hard and glared at the masked figure. A deadly gleam sparked in his deeply shadowed eyes.

“Whether it’s police, judges, or Cheonma, anyone who stands in my way will get cut down.”

“Wow, that’s fierce. I sincerely hope you don’t get caught anytime soon.”

“Well then, let’s take our leave.”

As the masked man stood and clenched his hand into a fist, the middle-aged man frowned and waved his hand.

“Get lost.”

“See you next time.”

Once the masked figure exited the room, the man didn’t even touch the snacks and continued to down his liquor.

“…Tch.”

Finally finishing off a bottle on his own. Fifteen years ago, he would have been thoroughly drunk by now.

However, this man, who had come back from the other side, could now drink without getting easily intoxicated. Even after emptying a bottle of strong liquor, he only felt a little warmth in his body.

A healthy body is good, but sometimes he just wanted to drink enough to forget everything. The man left the room, feeling emptiness echoing within him like the empty bottle of liquor behind him.

-Clank!

Immediately after, a sharp sound of breaking glass echoed. For a moment, he thought he may have placed the liquor bottle down wrong, but it wasn’t that.

The source of the sound came from another room across the way.

-Ahh! Why, why are you doing this?!

-Are you looking down on me?! Who do you think is watching this shop?! If you know, just shut up and stay still!

-Aah! I’m sorry…! Please don’t hit me…! Huhuh…

The man could grasp what was happening just from the sounds leaking out.

It appeared that a member from the organization responsible for overseeing this shop was making unreasonable demands on a waitress, using their power.

Chinatown is an extraterritorial zone where the law does not apply. Such occurrences are commonplace here.

So he wouldn’t interfere.

The old him might have tried to meddle. He would have proposed all sorts of notions like justice, morality, and ethics.

But the man had changed. He didn’t have the luxury to care about others’ affairs nor the emotions to do so. His heart was as hollow as that empty liquor bottle he had just finished off.

Quietly, the man exited the corridor.

The door of the room across was slightly ajar. He instinctively gazed in. The scene inside appeared for just a moment.

Just as he had expected. A hefty man, bloated like a pig, was holding a slender woman and harassing her. The woman had long, beautiful black hair but her delicate skin was as fine as white jade. A tear fell down her exquisite cheek.

It was entirely none of the man’s business.

However.

Seeing that scene, the man involuntarily overlapped the waitress’s figure with someone else.

“…”

The man hesitated. But it didn’t take long. Upon reflection, it was an issue in which he needn’t dwell.

The problem laid before his eyes was merely.

-…another piece of trash to remove from this world.