I Became a Rookie Cop (6)

-Karma represents the accumulated tally of your sins.

-You have taken 485,219,903 lives so far.

-If you fail to clear all your Karma before you die...

'Games are a disease. Wasting time on that electronic entertainment will lead to big regrets one day.'

"..."

Why was his high school homeroom teacher's warning popping into his head now?

If he'd known this would happen, he would've quit games altogether and studied hard to get into a better college.

"No, no. Even so, this is too much."

Kang Jin-ho could proudly say he'd lived a conscientious life up to now. He might not have done any grand good deeds, but he'd given up his seat for elders or helped carry their bags.

Killing over 480 million people? Of course it was all in a game. Just because he was bored, because it was fun, because the feature existed! Who hasn't drowned people or dropped them from heights even in a theme park simulator?

Besides, Hero City Simulator—or HiSiSi—was a city simulator, and watching villains wreck the city gave a strange thrill. Plus, those devious developers had added bizarre features like "Tsunami Trigger" or "Meteor Drop," so hardcore gamer Kang Jin-ho had to try them out of curiosity.

"..."

The result: 485,219,903 deaths.

Considering Light City was a megacity with 100 million residents, maybe killing only half a billion could be seen as conscientious play.

That "conscientiousness" offered no help in his current situation. The overwhelming pressure of 500 million weighed heavily.

"Haa..."

A sigh escaped unbidden, but sighing wouldn't change anything. Now was the time to assess objectively and plan ahead.

After downing a glass of cold water, Kang Jin-ho tapped the "Monthly Quota Remaining" entry.

"...Okay, the annoying asterisks aside. Why does police work reduce Karma?"

"Got it. Doing good deeds, huh."

Kang Jin-ho let out a hollow chuckle at the status window that seemed to reply. He stared blankly at the ceiling for a bit, then slapped his cheeks hard—smack!—to snap out of it.

Spilled milk. No, a game possession disaster. The monthly quota squeezed his chest, but calmly, it wasn't dire yet. Catching that cafe thief by chance had shaved off 500 Karma. Plus, 100 daily from police work—3,000 base per month.

If I steadily solve cases like this... the quota fills easy?

No, this was an opportunity. Catching a petty cafe thief gave 500; nabbing a major villain? Massive reduction.

Light City's crime records, hidden villains' identities, case details—the complete strategy guide in his head. Knowing the answers made it a breeze. Catch criminals deliberately, rack up fame, cozy up to the No.1 hero ranking...

Then get that psycho mentor Park Eun-young locked away with the top hero's help.

Quit the force, sweep up the city's hidden funds and fortuitous encounters... live rich forever?

A smile crept onto Kang Jin-ho's lips unbidden. One thing to do now: solve ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cases. Catch criminals. Get famous!

**

"Hm? Jin-ho? What're you thinking about?"

"Nothing, ma'am."

Nothing like that happened.

Surprisingly, police didn't rush to scenes every time. Especially in Light City, rife with petty crimes.

"But if cops don't respond even on the outskirts, what about public safety?"

"Report just came in! Robber with a gun holding a convenience store clerk hostage!"

"Oh yeah? Gear up, everyone! Cuffs, stun guns, just in case..."

"Hero responded and resolved it!"

"Forget what I said! Two for scene photos and witness statements; rest, stand down!"

Heroes existed here. Faster, stronger, more reliable than police. Cops mostly handled aftermath.

"No traffic control today... just patrol later. Reports done?"

"Yes. Check?"

"Sure, excuse me~"

Even if dispatched, no Karma gains—just boring admin. His routine: patrols, traffic, substation paperwork.

Now, writing reports with Park Eun-young's help. (He wasn't trembling around her anymore.)

"Haa."

Sighing mid-report. His daily life felt more civil servant than action cop. Not hating it—drunks and files over perps—but he had Karma to clear.

7 workdays left this month. Extra needed: 1,500. Petty cases give 500 min—solve 3 to meet quota.

"No cases I can handle..."

Muttered frustration. Park Eun-young's eyes ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sparkled curiously from reviewing reports.

"Huh? What'd you say?"

"Uh, I mean..."

"Bored without chances to catch perps yourself like day one?"

"...No, ma'am. Sorry."

"I'm ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠disappointed too, but don't say that. If we dispatch, citizens are in trouble. Fewer callouts is better, right?"

"Yes. My mistake."

He nodded, inwardly: Villain playing nice. Light City's top villain, casual neck-snapper, spouting virtue. Wanted to snap "Pot calling kettle?" but he was a good guy—held it in. Feigned hot-blooded rookie regret.

"But it's not no cases—heroes steal our dispatches."

"True." Park Eun-young nodded, eyes gleaming wickedly. "Sometimes I wish no heroes. More work for us cops."

"...Uh, yeah."

"Kidding. Pretend you didn't hear?"

"Of course!"

Her crimson eyes fixed on him; he nodded reflexively. Gotta "forget." Her villain moments still chilled his spine.

Remember: She's insane. Don't piss her off.

"Enough chat. Back to reports? Careful on intake path entry because..."

"Yes, listening closely."

As they refocused—

-Ring ring ring.

"Yes, Raphael Police Substation, Eastern District Station ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠7. How can we help? Where? Ah, yes. Reporter's name and relation?"

Phone rang; Park Eun-young talked briefly.

Then: "Jin-ho, case reported. Go together?"

"Yes! Been waiting!"

"Our Jin-ho's passion is a sight."

Kang Jin-ho jumped up, ready to roll. Time to solve one fast!