Zongman I fight weirdness in everyday world

“Lynching?”

Nightstar didn't pause his actions at all, continuing to slowly cut away at the killer's soul amidst the agonized screams of the Weather Doll Killer, only replying faintly.

“I even feel that merely having him suffer like this is still somewhat insufficient.”

Immediately after, Nightstar turned his head, staring directly into Soichiro Yagami's eyes, his gaze devoid of any emotion, his tone calm.

“As for heroes? Justice?”

“When a person is kidnapped by the name of a hero, bound hand and foot, he is no longer a hero.”

“When justice requires the approval of others, then it is no longer justice.”

Soichiro Yagami felt a complex emotion welling up in his heart upon hearing these words.

Just then, Nightstar suddenly changed the topic, his voice regaining its playful tone.

“Besides, the guy himself emphasized that there's no way to make him feel pain, so he doesn't hurt at all.”

Soichiro Yagami was taken aback, pointing at the Weather Doll Killer who was rolling around on the ground, screaming in agony, his fingernails drawing bloody marks on the ground, his expression complex.

“That's not a sign of pain?”

Nightstar waved his hand dismissively, chuckling.

“Hey, he's just a kid, shouting for fun, it's normal.”

“This…”

Nightstar sheathed Onimaru Kunitsuna, using his now-free right hand to pat Soichiro Yagami on the shoulder.

“I say, Soichiro, where's the trust between people? Even criminals who commit such horrific crimes need someone to trust them sometimes, so when he said he wouldn't feel pain, the simple-minded me chose to believe him, giving the criminal a chance to turn over a new leaf.”

Hearing these words, Soichiro Yagami didn't even know where to begin his complaint.

Is trust between people used in this way?

Simple-minded?

Believe?

Turn over a new leaf?

“OK.”

Seeing "Mask" straighten up, Soichiro Yagami glanced at the Weather Doll Killer lying beside him, who, although his face was twisted in pain, was at least still alive, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

“Now that you're finished, I'll take this guy back to the station…”

“Finished?”

Nightstar interrupted Soichiro Yagami, smiling.

“This is only five percent done, there's still ninety-five percent left.”

“Let me show you, Soichiro.”

Saying this, Nightstar casually waved his hand, and dozens of tools of various shapes instantly appeared on the black tabletop, formed from the power of evil spirits, capable of directly harming souls.

“These are the wonderful tools I'll be using later.”

Soichiro Yagami carefully examined them, puzzled.

“This… why is there even a small millstone… and nail clippers?”

“It's hard to explain this to you, just let your imagination run wild.”

Saying this, Nightstar suddenly reached out, snatching the handgun from the other's hand before Soichiro Yagami could react.

“Oh, right…”

Immediately afterward, he walked to the Weather Doll Killer lying on the ground, pulling the trigger without hesitation, a bullet piercing the other's forehead.

The Weather Doll Killer's body twitched, then lost the breath of life.

“Here, take this.”

Nightstar picked up the Weather Doll Killer's corpse with one hand, throwing it in front of Soichiro Yagami like throwing away trash, and also tossed the other's handgun over, chuckling.

“Criminal Investigation Department Chief Soichiro Yagami, single-handedly confronted a serial killer and successfully shot him dead, truly a great achievement.”

“This…”

Soichiro Yagami looked at the bullet hole in the Weather Doll Killer's corpse, which hadn't healed like before, hesitating.

“This guy… is he dead?”

“From a physical point of view, he is already dead.”

Nightstar glanced at the tabletop in front of him, picking up a small object that looked like nail clippers with his right hand, looking at the twisted black soul he was holding in his left hand, and said with a chuckle.

“As for the torment of his soul, it's far from over.”

… …

Two hours later, at Mai Sakurajima's house.

“Finally… it's over.”

Rio Futaba took out her glasses from her pocket again and put them on, breathing a long sigh of relief.

Mai Sakurajima and Miko Yotsuya also looked relieved.

“So…”

Rio Futaba looked at Nightstar sitting there.

“What's the plan next? Captain?”

Nightstar picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, replying casually.

“Let's stop the operation for now and see what the Metropolitan Police Department's attitude is.”

Mai Sakurajima nodded in agreement.

“I think so too. At this stage, we haven't found any other evil spirits that pose a great threat to humans, or areas where 'doors' exist. This time is different from the past. After all, we made a public appearance on live television, which will definitely cause heated discussions among the public.”

“Although we haven't committed any heinous crimes, as a violent law enforcement agency that maintains the stable operation of society, it's hard to say whether the Metropolitan Police Department will launch a full investigation into us because of this incident.”

“Before confirming this, it's better to keep a low profile.”

Miko Yotsuya nodded slightly: “I agree. If you're too mentally exhausted, it's easy to affect your performance during battle. Safety should be the top priority.”

Rio Futaba said thoughtfully: “But there's one thing I'm very curious about.”

“The evil spirit this time should have come out of the inner world, but how was it formed? It's the first time I've encountered something like this that is dominated by a twisted human soul.”

“Oh, about that…”

Nightstar said casually.

“This time's evil spirit is probably the type formed by the negative impressions of Kyoto residents towards rainy days.”

“Eh? How do you know?”

“I tasted it.”

“Tasted…”

Rio Futaba and the others had complex expressions, not knowing how to comment.

Can you taste this stuff?

What is this, an evil spirit connoisseur?

Speaking of food…

“Tomoko, what should we do?”

Hearing the question raised by Mai Sakurajima, Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya exchanged glances, sighed at the same time, and then looked eagerly at Nightstar sitting there.

The latter still had a frivolous smile on his face, saying casually.

“Why are you all staring at me?”

“Didn't you say it yourself?”

Rio Futaba curled her lips, not hiding her jealous expression, slightly displeased.

“In order to fight against the strangeness in this world, we must allow capable members to connect closely, which is the so-called creation of bonds.”

“Now Tomoko has awakened as a spirit user, and her soul avatar seems to be able to come in handy.”

“So…”

Mai Sakurajima, Rio Futaba, and Miko Yotsuya said in unison.

“We'll leave it to you, Captain.”

“Okay.”

… …

The next morning.

“The Weather Doll Killer incident that caused a sensation throughout the city yesterday has been announced by the Metropolitan Police Department today.”

“The criminal suspect was shot and killed on the spot by Soichiro Yagami, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department, at 9:45 p.m. last night.”

“Hairs matching the DNA of the five victims and clothing stained with the victims' blood were found in the criminal suspect's home. There is sufficient evidence to confirm that he is the Weather Doll Killer himself.”

“Here, Soichiro Yagami, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department, solemnly promises to the general public once again.”

“The Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department will never let go of any criminal.”

“That's all.”

… …

“That serial killer was finally shot dead.”

Marin Kitagawa, huddled on the sofa, smiled involuntarily when she saw the news on TV.

“That's great, I don't have to be afraid every time I go out.”

Saki Kawasaki hesitated, looking at Nightstar sitting beside her with a calm expression.

“Yes… yes, it is.”

Kyoka Kawasaki didn't care at all, puffing up her cheeks in anger.

“The news report didn't mention 'Mask' at all. So many people saw him on the live broadcast yesterday.”

Marin Kitagawa nodded, sighing.

“Yeah, 'Mask' turns out to be more than just an urban legend. He appeared there yesterday, was it to capture the Weather Doll Killer? It feels a little cool.”

Kyoka Kawasaki nodded repeatedly, her face full of agreement.

“Right, right? Big sister Marin also thinks 'Mask' is cool, right!?”

“Yes…”

Marin Kitagawa looked thoughtful, muttering.

“However, the costumes of those three mysterious people around him also look very exquisite. Maybe someone will cosplay them at the next comic con.”

After saying this, Marin Kitagawa laughed heartily.

“But that has nothing to do with us ordinary high school students. Let's think about where to play this summer vacation.”

Looking at Marin Kitagawa's innocent appearance, Saki Kawasaki, who knew the inside story, couldn't help but sigh.

If the other party could one day know the truth and become a member of the club, she could form a silly sweet duo with Yui Yuigahama.

Didn't Marin Kitagawa feel how strange the atmosphere in the house was when this topic was brought up?

But on second thought.

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, Saki Kawasaki wouldn't have believed it either.

“Mask” was sitting next to her.

“Nightstar-kun.”

Yukino Yukinoshita stood up and said faintly.

“I have something to say to you.”