A Scientific Urban Detective

As she spoke, Toru Mitsubachi had already reached the wall, personally leaning against it and trying to imitate the movements in the computer screen. But no matter how she tried, she couldn't achieve those movements—one side of her body completely glued to the wall, and walking almost in a straight line with cat-like steps—this was inherently against the basic laws of physics, not to mention carrying a briefcase in the other hand.

Therefore, there was only one possibility—superpowers.

In Academy City, any inexplicable event had an ultimate answer—superpowers.

This was also a characteristic of Academy City—superpowers were like a basket, where anything could be thrown in…

Thus, Toru Mitsubachi reasonably deduced that the thief was a superpower user, utilizing some kind of superpower effect to stick to the wall and move…

"Pretty much," the security guard teacher pressed the fast-forward button, adjusting the screen to the later part, "We determined it was indeed related to superpowers, but…"

In the footage, the thief went to the large trash can in the restroom, threw the silver briefcase into it, and then took off the clothes and threw them away as well.

Beneath the disguise of the black robe was a silver-white body shimmering with metallic luster!

Recalling what the security guard teacher had said earlier, that "the culprit is not human," Lin Wu Ming and the others immediately understood.

—The "person" who left with the briefcase was actually just a substitute made of some unknown material.

"We believe it's some kind of liquid metal."

As the security guard teacher explained, the humanoid figure suddenly seemed to melt, "collapsing" downwards into a puddle of liquid, and finally flowing down the drain, disappearing without a trace…

"No wonder we couldn't find any trace of this suspect no matter what…" another security guard teacher muttered.

"Yes. Because it's not human at all."

The security guard teachers looked at each other, all showing somewhat bitter expressions—investigating cases in Academy City meant encountering this kind of situation, because the existence of superpowers always led to all kinds of criminal methods and techniques that defied common imagination…

This was also why the male security guard agreed to let Lin Wu Ming and the others intervene—the case was related to superpowers, and perhaps they would need the help of Judgment?

"Wu Ming!" Toru Mitsubachi gently poked Lin Wu Ming's side, whispering, "This ability…"

Lin Wu Ming knew what she meant and nodded: "You thought of it too?"

Noticing their little actions, the security guard teacher looked over: "Lin Wu Ming, do you have any leads?"

Lin Wu Ming thought for a moment and decided to speak: "It's not really a lead, but I know a girl with a similar superpower, so I was wondering if we could consult her."

"A similar type of superpower…" another teacher who was checking the library data interjected, "Are you referring to 'Liquid Human Shadow'?"

As expected, any superpower that had been clearly demonstrated could not escape the library's records.

On the day of rescuing Dolly from the Artificial Atelier, Kanzaki Kakine had manipulated her doll in a great battle, and her ability had been completely exposed since then.

Toru Mitsubachi had also remembered her superpower at that time.

So, the group went straight to the hospital—at this time, Kanzaki Kakine should still be staying in the hospital.

It wasn't that there were still any unresolved issues with her health, but simply to accompany and protect Dolly.

Because of Dolly's special situation, Kanzaki Kakine and Misaki Shokuhou didn't fully trust the hospital's security measures, so they agreed to take turns guarding her.

And Misaki Shokuhou had many things to do, so most of the time, Kanzaki Kakine was the one taking care of Dolly, and she simply stayed in the same hospital room.

Until Dolly fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital, Kanzaki Kakine would leave with her.

With a police car leading the way, Lin Wu Ming and the others quickly arrived at the hospital, and under Toru Mitsubachi's guidance, found the ward where Kanzaki Kakine was located.

"…Hahahahaha, I'm rich now!" Before the door was even opened, they heard the girl's loud laughter from inside, "I'm rich, Dolly! I don't have to look at that Queen Bee's face anymore, I can take care of you myself!"

The people outside the door couldn't help but show strange expressions.

Hesitating for a moment, Lin Wu Ming raised his hand and opened the door to the ward.

They saw a purple-haired girl standing on the bed, stepping on a small silver-white briefcase with one foot, triumphantly laughing with her hands on her hips.

On the floor by the bed, there was also a silver-white doll about half a meter tall, striking the same pose as the girl, laughing wildly towards the sky.

"…"

Lin Wu Ming lowered his head and sighed, holding his forehead.

"Oh dear, oh dear…" Misaka Mikoto also showed a subtle expression.

Noticing that someone had suddenly barged into the ward, Kanzaki Kakine's triumphant laughter came to an abrupt halt, the expression on her face seemed to freeze, and she turned her head to look at the doorway.

Silence enveloped the ward.

After a while, the security guard teacher, as an adult, took the lead in breaking the deadlock: "Uh…how should I put it? Being similar to this extent makes her less suspicious instead."

Liquid metal doll, silver-white briefcase, and a laughing girl claiming to be "rich"…

Almost all the elements were gathered, at first glance, she was definitely the thief who stole 100 million yen from the insurance company!

"Don't talk nonsense, what are you joking about, I didn't steal any money!" After hearing the security guard teachers explain their purpose, Kanzaki Kakine immediately jumped up, "There's only 20 million in my briefcase…"

Indeed, looking closely, it could be seen that the briefcase under Kanzaki Kakine's feet was a circle smaller—it was impossible to fit 100 million yen in cash in this volume.

Suddenly seeming to think of something, Kanzaki Kakine quickly hugged the briefcase in her arms, looking warily at the uninvited guests who had barged in: "You're not here to confiscate my money, are you?"

Because the girl's movements and posture were exactly the same as the white-coated man from earlier, Misaka Mikoto and the security guard teachers couldn't help but laugh.

"Calm down, Kanzaki," Dolly on the other bed advised with a smile, "The security guard teachers wouldn't do that. And Wu Ming-senpai is here too, he won't let us get hurt."

According to the security guard teachers' request, Kanzaki Kakine still agreed to open the briefcase for them to check.

The briefcase was indeed filled with bundles of 10,000 yen bills, and the total amount was indeed only 20 million.

But the question was, how did a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl get so much money?

"This is what I earned with my own intelligence," Kanzaki Kakine quickly closed the briefcase and hugged it again.