Chapter 25: They speak of you as if you were a god, but I am stronger than you!

Koshimizu Natsuki, having pinpointed the sniper’s location, immediately used a bright light to dazzle the marksman’s scope. She then quickly sought an opportunity to conceal herself. Consequently, although Calvados had identified the source of the light, he could not determine what the person behind it looked like.

Of course, even if Calvados had caught a glimpse, he most likely would have assumed the person was a man. After all, Koshimizu Natsuki was one of those rare individuals who did not dress in women’s clothing, and even when she spoke, she was rarely mistaken for a female. At least, when the famous detectives Kudo Shinichi and Hattori Heiji met her in the future, they did not realize she was a woman rather than a man until she donned a female school uniform.

Koshimizu, wearing sunglasses, snapped her fingers. She then heard the familiar sound of a motorcycle approaching from a distance. If expectations held true, it was the black modified bike that Nara Hikari frequently used. Ordinary biker gangs wouldn't ride modified motorcycles in broad daylight; even if they didn't care about pedestrians, they had to care about their own necks—in heavy traffic, it was quite easy for tragic news to spread.

"I’ll leave the rest to the professionals," she whispered. "I’ll be taking my leave now."

The detective, disguised as a man, took a step back and vanished into the shadows.

After Koshimizu Natsuki departed, Vermouth—who had previously been struck in the arm by a soccer ball kicked by the "grim reaper" elementary schooler and had escaped thanks to the sound of Calvados’s sniper fire—appeared at the spot where Koshimizu had just been standing. The high-ranking Black Organization operative’s expression was grim. She had just seen that man in sunglasses and casual clothes standing there, yet after losing sight of him for only a moment, he had disappeared without a trace. Where on earth did he learn such stealth techniques, which bordered on invisibility?

Although Vermouth hadn't seen the man’s features clearly, a rough glance at his physique told her that this person was definitely not the "half-human, half-ghost" urban legend. She had investigated Beika City earlier and had watched footage of Nara Hikari in action while disguised as a regular citizen. She already had a rough estimate of Nara Hikari’s build, so she knew she hadn't mistaken the identity.

"It seems this urban legend isn't exactly a lone wolf, then..." she muttered to herself, narrowing her eyes as a thought crossed her mind.

*Vroom...*

The roaring of the motorcycle engine stopped abruptly. Vermouth turned her head, only to see a black motorcycle lying on the ground. As for the "black-clad biker" who had been riding it, he was nowhere to be found.

"...Is it that urban legend? He’s actually operating in broad daylight?"

"Is he on good enough terms with Sherry or Shinichi that he would risk capture by the police or exposure of his true identity just to save them in broad daylight?"

"No, for now, that is not important..."

Vermouth blended into the crowd and left the scene of the shooting.

She didn't forget to pull out her communicator to contact Calvados, who was still inside the hotel serving as the sniper point.

"Calvados, he’s here."

*He is here.*

Calvados heard Vermouth’s voice. Although she did not specify who "he" was, in this situation, there was no need for names. There was only one person to whom "he" could refer: the "half-human, half-ghost, peerless marksman" urban legend.

"Understood. I will take the shot."

Calvados replied briefly and hung up. He expertly and swiftly disassembled his sniper rifle, placed all the components into his case, tucked his earplugs and other tools into his messenger bag, and then stood up to push open the door.

The hallway was empty. Most people didn't stay in hotels during the afternoon, and housekeepers typically appeared only during the day or early evening; thus, no one had noticed the sound of gunfire originating from within the room. Of course, the average person wouldn't have the ability to pinpoint a sniper’s location from a single gunshot anyway.

*Tap, tap, tap.*

For a moment, the only sound in the corridor was Calvados’s footsteps. But soon, even those footsteps ceased. Calvados had stopped.

He saw a person emerging from the stairwell ahead. It was a man whose attire looked exactly as Vermouth had described: dressed in a black coat and wearing black sunglasses.

"It seems you’re in quite a hurry," the man said. "Where are you rushing to? To kill the next target? Or to rendezvous with Gin?"

Nara Hikari’s voice was calm, yet it carried a trace of coldness and killing intent. It was a malice so palpable that even Calvados, standing several meters away, could feel it clearly. The man didn't seem to be hiding his intent at all, as if... he already viewed Calvados as a dead man who wasn't worth worrying about.

"You don't need to know, because... you’re going to die right here!" Calvados locked his eyes on Nara Hikari. He had heard the name of this urban legend many times.

Whether from Vermouth or from the criminals who had been lucky enough to escape Nara Hikari with their lives, the reputation was the same: *Half-human, half-ghost, peerless marksman!*

What a grand title! Yet, Calvados did not believe the man before him was truly worthy of such a reputation.

Calvados released his grip, letting both his instrument case and his messenger bag fall to the floor. But at the very moment they hit the ground, two handguns slid from his loosened sleeves.

*Clack!*

He raised both pistols, aiming them at Nara Hikari. He took a step toward him and said, "I’ve heard of your exploits. They make you sound like a god, but in my eyes, you are nowhere near as impressive as the legends say. You’re just a glorified, foolish assassin."

"The only reason you’ve made such a name for yourself in this city is because you haven't crossed paths with me yet!"

"I am far stronger than you!" Calvados declared with conviction.

"Oh? Is that so? I don't think so," Nara Hikari shook his head.

In the next instant, two streaks of white light tore through the air. Calvados’s two handguns were instantly struck by the white light and knocked from his hands, the sheer force making it impossible for him to maintain his grip.

*Whoosh!*

The handguns were carried away by the white light, embedding themselves into the hotel wall. The true nature of the white light was revealed—throwing knives!

Calvados’s eyes widened in shock. Without a second thought, he reached for the last handgun he kept on his person. However, a cold muzzle was already pressed against his forehead.

"You can't even hold onto your guns, and you talk about strength and weakness?" Nara Hikari said calmly. "Tell me, what is your codename?"

"Say it, and I might just consider sparing your life."