SCIAW: Chapter 344/345

Chapter 344: You too, Officer Sato

After a refreshing bout in the ring, she took a quick shower to keep herself feeling fresh. Her mood noticeably improved afterward.

After changing clothes in the locker room, Sato Miwako felt inexplicably invigorated.

"Even though my whole body aches, this kind of life-on-the-line fight really feels good."

Just now, she was the one who got completely beaten. She was punched and kicked all over her body. While the strength behind each blow wasn't overwhelming, the sheer number and frequency were intense.

The pain wasn't unbearable, but her body definitely needed time to recover.

In the past, being hit so frequently would have knocked her out. But now, though she was sore all over, she hadn't collapsed.

"I can't believe Officer Sato actually enjoys this kind of direct confrontation."

"It's a habit of the police. Back when I was investigating cases with Inspector Megure, I often had to subdue suspects using grappling techniques. Officers like us deal with criminals all the time. If we don't learn how to fight them hand-to-hand, there's no way we could arrest them without using weapons."

"Eh~ But a lot of officers don't seem to be good at close combat."

"There are capable and incapable officers. Not everyone's good at close quarters like I am."

Sato Miwako remembered that back in school, very few of her classmates excelled in grappling techniques. Most were focused on theory and analyzing past cases. That made her recall something their teacher used to say.

She sighed helplessly.

"Actually, the instructor who taught close combat always told us that times have changed. If you run into a deranged criminal on the street, you can just shoot. There's no need to chase them for hundreds of meters."

"Hand-to-hand fighting is messy. Our instructor often said that when it's appropriate to use a gun, don't hesitate. Don't think you can settle everything with your fists. It's dangerous and inefficient."

It really was inefficient... Ren silently agreed with Miwako's instructor in his heart.

In a world where firearms have become normalized, relying on physical strength to fight criminals is just plain foolish. Do criminals deserve mercy? Maybe some do, but even then, just avoid hitting vital areas—aim for the legs or something.

In an age of guns, trying to settle things with fists is just stupid.

"I'm not against what the teacher said. After all, criminals nowadays might be carrying guns too."

"But in situations where using a gun isn't suitable, you still need to rely on your fists."

Sato Miwako raised her arm and showed off her well-trained muscles to Ren.

"The Arbiter power you mentioned really suits me. No, to be precise, it suits us police officers. It can intimidate criminals, increase their willingness to surrender, enhance combat ability, and improve physical fitness."

Having just experienced it herself, Sato Miwako felt the Arbiter power was almost overwhelmingly strong.

The physical boost wasn't minor. For her, it was huge.

Not only had her body grown stronger and more resilient, her stamina had also greatly increased. Even her joint flexibility improved. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't dare push her body like she just had.

"The Arbiter is practically made for law enforcement. Once your Sequence rises further, Officer Sato, you'll feel it even more clearly."

"But for now, you need to adjust to this new power step by step."

Sato Miwako nodded slightly. There was no need to ask about the later stages. This level of strength already felt incredible. Whether there was more beyond this would be a problem for the future.

"Then, those other members you mentioned earlier... Are they the young lady squad?"

Ren smiled and nodded slightly.

Sato Miwako raised a hand and covered her face.

"I knew it."

After Ren revealed his identity, she realized that the team he belonged to was mostly made up of young ladies—that so-called 'other members'...

"You really are something. Surrounded by a bunch of young ladies."

Ren just shook his head slightly at her teasing.

"Their power wasn't granted by me. They received special treatment and are connected to my destiny."

Sato Miwako understood what that meant.

"So, their power comes from another source? Not just from the Sequence path you mentioned?"

Ren gave a small nod.

"Then, the method by which they obtained that power must also be related to you, right?"

"Yes. I won't deny that."

So it's still him... Sato Miwako finally understood the meaning behind the phrase linked by fate.

Those young ladies weren't particularly special themselves. The one who was special was Ren.

The way everyone else obtained power could be traced back to Ren—and Ren himself was the most exceptional of them all.

Sato Miwako thought of the link between faith and power.

Sure enough, this man wasn't just heading toward becoming a superhuman… no, more like becoming a god.

As that thought passed through her mind, Sato Miwako asked directly:

"So, you really are walking the path toward godhood, aren't you?"

"Well… Officer Sato can interpret it that way."

"A god, huh… I feel like my worldview is completely crumbling."

He didn't try to hide it. No, to be more accurate, he didn't hide it after she guessed correctly. He did keep it a secret before… Sato Miwako couldn't help but complain inwardly.

"Whatever… Superpowers already shattered my previous worldview. What's a little more craziness on top of that?"

Seeing Officer Sato's troubled expression, Ren smiled and quietly reminded her:

"Officer Sato, if you happen to receive something special in the future, you might end up walking the same Sequence path as I did. The end of that path… is the same as mine."

"!?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 345: Two-Star Dragon Ball

Ren opened the door and returned home.

He was already used to being alone.

Tap, tap!

A series of soft footsteps broke his usual silence. A girl appeared, wearing mismatched pajamas with long, unbrushed golden hair. She clearly had no intention of keeping up appearances.

"You're back."

There was a hint of excitement in her watery eyes. It seemed she still wasn't comfortable being home alone.

Ren walked forward, crouched down.

"Still not used to staying home by yourself?"

"Yeah."

"Then from now on, come with me when I go out."

"...Okay."

He picked her up and walked further into the house.

There was a quilt in the living room. It looked like she had stayed out here instead of resting in her room.

Ren sat down on the sofa in the living room with Nagi in his arms.

"Did you settle things with the policewoman?"

After sitting down, Nagi turned slightly, resting her head on Ren's shoulder as she asked curiously.

"More or less. Officer Sato was easier to talk to than I expected. Or rather, I chose to approach her because she's the kind of person who's easy to talk to."

"I thought someone in her position would instinctively refuse to deepen her relationship with you."

Nagi had assumed the policewoman would be more guarded.

"She was already set up by the Metropolitan Police Department. What else could she do? She's not stupid either. She can tell I'm not harboring any real hostility toward the MPD. Plus, I proved everything to her through my actions."

"A show of strength?"

Nagi nodded slightly. That was certainly the most straightforward and convincing way—though it was admittedly a bit crude.

"That was just the initial impression. After getting to know me better, Officer Sato will realize I'm not interested in stirring up trouble. I'm just an idle observer who enjoys watching the fate of others unfold."

"By the way, you haven't checked the results from yesterday, have you?"

"Huh?"

Seeing Nagi's blank expression, Ren knew he had guessed right.

"You were directly involved in something that big yesterday. You didn't think you'd walk away without getting any benefits, did you?"

"But, but I didn't do anything yesterday?"

Nagi knew that just participating in events could earn her rewards from the diary. But yesterday, all she did was sit next to Ren. She hadn't taken any action.

"You didn't do anything?"

Ren looked at her in surprise, then sighed helplessly.

"You changed my mind yesterday. That was the biggest thing you did. I would've just sat back and observed. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have caught the person behind everything so quickly."

"That counts?"

Nagi's eyes widened in disbelief.

Ren gently flicked her forehead.

"How many people do you think would've died yesterday if I had done nothing and just watched?"

"Uh… I don't know. Probably worse than the Shinjuku bombing?"

"Good instinct. It wouldn't just be worse. It would've turned into a massive disaster. Maybe the Todou Loop Line incident could've been handled, but the bomber targeting the Beika Municipal Building wasn't planning to give any warning. If that building collapsed, how many people would've been caught in it? At least thousands."

With his explanation, Nagi realized just how many ordinary people were moving through the municipal building every day.

The building wasn't just a Beika City landmark. It had malls, theaters, arcades, even some of the city's administrative departments.

If that place came down, casualties would easily number in the thousands.

"You changed the fate of thousands of people. That's what led to the result."

"Maybe if you hadn't changed my mind, all those people would've died. But because their fates were altered, I also received a gift from fate."

"You should try too. I'm pretty sure I'm right."

"Okay."

Nagi took a deep breath, pulled out her diary, and initiated the lottery of fate.

Altering someone's fate naturally brings about fate's reward.

So, when the wheel of fate stopped at the Seven Dragon Balls, just as Ren had predicted, her reward arrived.

[Dragon Ball]

[You have obtained the Two-Star Dragon Ball (one-time use).]

A yellow-orange orb appeared, with two small red stars visible inside.

Nagi stared at the dragon ball in her hand for a long time, then suddenly jumped up in excitement.

"The second one! This is the second one!"

"I finally got the second one!"

There were seven Dragon Balls in total, and once all seven were collected, she would be granted a wish.

To Nagi, the act of gathering them was equivalent to the process of reviving her mother.

Because she had no other wish—only to bring her mother back.

She had always believed that collecting all seven wouldn't be easy. She never expected to get the second one so soon.

Watching her overjoyed reaction, Ren let out a quiet sigh and clapped his hands softly.

"Congratulations on getting your second Dragon Ball so quickly. Just like the old man said, good people are always rewarded."

Hearing that, Nagi slowly calmed down.

Looking at the second Dragon Ball in her hand, she turned her gaze to Ren.

"This is also thanks to you."

Nagi understood very well that she wouldn't have had nearly enough opportunities to earn another Dragon Ball on her own.

This time, it was only because Ren had chosen to act that she got the chance. Otherwise, it would have been impossible.

In fact, when you thought about it, it was more than worth it—saving the fate of thousands in exchange for a Dragon Ball.

Nagi took a deep breath, squatted down, and quickly kissed Ren on the cheek.

"This… this is a thank-you."

"I… I'll go put my stuff away in my room first."

With her face flushed red, she ran back to her room.

(To be continued.)