Consulting the Crime Scene
"Public Servant Dan Gayeon!"
"Yes!"
Having heard Black Comet's ready acceptance, the healer called one of the civil servants over. A young woman who looked distinctly uncomfortable in her formal suit came hurrying in.
"From now on, you can direct any questions to Public Servant Dan. Gayeon, this is Black Comet, who will be assisting us as a civilian external collaborator. She's a necromancer ranker. I'll take over your current duties, so hand them off to me and dedicate yourself to supporting Comet until this case is resolved."
The healer handed a document to Dan Gayeon.
"Understood."
"And... well, that seems to be everything. I'll take my leave now."
Rather than returning to her unfinished tasks, the healer checked the chairman's office before slipping out of the committee building entirely.
Comet watched the healer's retreating back for a moment, then turned to Dan Gayeon. The public servant was already absorbed in reading the document she'd been given. Comet scratched lightly at her cheek.
"Public Servant Dan?"
"Ah, I'm sorry. So... your name was...?"
"You can just call me by my nickname."
"Black Comet."
"Comet is fine."
"Yes, Comet."
After the slightly clumsy exchange, a faint unease settled over Comet. Then she remembered that her role here wasn't to catch the criminal, but to obstruct the investigation as the criminal herself, and her mood lifted at once.
"This is my first time assisting with an investigation, so where should I begin?"
"A visit to the scene would probably be the best starting point."
"The scene?"
"Yes. After you've examined the site, you can share your thoughts on the necromantic aspects however you like. For instance, that the combat style resembles a ranker you know, something along those lines."
"I see. And the schedule?"
Dan Gayeon glanced at the dark window and the clock before answering in a somewhat weary voice.
"Would the morning two days from now work for you?"
"That's fine."
"I'll come to wherever you're staying."
Comet nodded and offered her hand for a handshake.
"I look forward to working with you."
"The pleasure is mine."
#
Comet set down the hair dryer and ran a brush through her short hair. She was gently teasing out the tangles when a knock sounded at the door.
"It's unlocked, so you can come right in!"
Dan Gayeon opened the door and stepped inside cautiously. She faltered at the sight of Comet still in her pajamas.
"...Did I arrive too early?"
"Not at all. I only need to get dressed, so your timing is perfect. Just give me a moment, please."
Comet finished brushing her hair.
"Public Servant, is there anything in particular I should bring for the site visit?"
"Oh, I think just yourself will be fine. If you feel there's something necessary to understand the scene, you're welcome to bring it at your own discretion."
"Understood. And if you have any questions, Public Servant Dan, please don't hesitate to ask."
It took a while before the question came.
"...I'm not sure if this is relevant to the work, but would it be all right to ask?"
"Of course. As many as you like."
"Necromancers handle souls, don't they?"
Comet nodded.
"I accepted it easily enough when it was just a game. But now that it's reality... where exactly do the souls come from?"
"We gather the ones that drift about."
"Human souls?"
"For the most part, yes."
A short silence fell, followed by a hesitant voice.
"...Isn't that terribly immoral?"
Comet's brush stopped mid-stroke. Her red eyes turned toward Dan Gayeon. After quietly studying the other woman's expression, she offered a gentle smile and finished brushing her hair.
"That's a common misconception about necromancers. People tend to imagine souls as something grand and profound. In truth, when we speak of souls, we're simply referring to the byproducts left behind by corpses. It's merely a gap between everyday language and technical terminology. Since souls can't be seen without a deep understanding of necromancy, such worries tend to arise rather easily."
It was a familiar topic, so she could deliver the lie without needing to invent anything new. The explanation had originally been crafted to deceive an imperial inquisitor NPC back in the game. Dan Gayeon didn't look entirely convinced, but since the expert herself had said so, she seemed willing to let the matter slide.
Comet changed clothes and climbed into the car at Dan Gayeon's guidance. Once they were moving, the public servant passed her several documents, summaries focused solely on the convenience store murder.
"The perpetrator was quite thorough in cleaning the scene, so there aren't many usable traces. We requested forensic analysis from the National Forensic Service, but it's been deprioritized, so we won't have results anytime soon."
That was fortunate. Comet scanned the pages and paused at an unfamiliar photograph.
"...There was a surveillance camera after all."
"The angle and resolution aren't great, so it doesn't reveal much, but we're still grateful for it."
Dan Gayeon finished speaking, then leaned over to look at the documents alongside her. She suddenly froze, head tilting in confusion. Her gaze remained locked on the photo.
Comet watched her for a beat before casually turning the page to cover the image.
The convenience store they reached was under access control. A flicker of tension ran through Comet. Dan Gayeon exchanged a few words with the police officers guarding the scene, then guided her inside.
Comet stepped in and looked around slowly.
"Who is the assigned prosecutor?"
"The committee has taken full jurisdiction."
"Without involving the prosecution?"
"The committee operates as a supra-legal authority."
Comet accepted the explanation with a small nod.
"Now, simply tell me whatever you notice. I'll record it and incorporate your observations."
Comet nodded and began walking through the store. The scene was familiar, since she had created it herself, but looters had clearly come through afterward, leaving noticeable differences. She had kindly pulled down the shutter when she left, but with no lock in place, it seemed thieves had helped themselves.
"How interesting."
Comet pretended to be intrigued.
"In what way...?"
Dan Gayeon held her notebook at the ready, focused.
"The committee's assessment appears correct. The perpetrator is likely a necromancer at the semi-ranker level. Clean close-quarters combat using necromancy is difficult without considerable experience."
Comet prodded the wall with a knife. The gouges left by a steel pipe remained clearly visible.
"From the traces, it looks like the victim was the one fighting. There's no sign of necromantic damage. An inexperienced necromancer would usually resort to unnecessary area attacks during melee or hastily command souls, yet this one showed admirable restraint."
"Does it really require that much skill to hold back?"
"It's normally quite difficult. A truly masterful display."
Comet realized too late that she probably shouldn't have phrased it that way. Still, it was the truth, so there was no taking it back.
"Does this remind you of any necromancer you know?"
Dan Gayeon asked while jotting down the exchange.
"It's hard to say. Semi-ranker level might sound rare, but it's actually quite common, so I can't point to anyone specific. If we narrow down the suspect list, I might be able to make some connections."
Comet smiled sweetly.
"Could I see the suspect list?"
The ballpoint pen hovering over the notebook stopped. Dan Gayeon bowed her head apologetically.
"...I'm sorry. I tried to obtain permission, but it was denied. Sharing it could allow inference of the government's list of awakened individuals."
Comet tilted her head. She studied Dan Gayeon's face carefully, then laughed. The woman didn't seem to be lying deliberately.
"Then it can't be helped."
Comet twirled a lock of her side hair in thought, then clasped her hands behind her back and walked along the wall. The knife in her grip twitched idly.
"Whether they copied my established close-combat techniques or not, the traces don't offer any clear identifying elements."
She spotted a familiar strand of hair caught in the dust on the floor and crouched down. A gentle puff of air sent it floating up before it settled again. Comet pretended to brush her own hair back with her hand, then stood.
"If the full list is off-limits, would it be possible for you to share only the primary suspects you have in mind, at your own discretion?"
"Ah! Of course. That should be fine. One moment."
Dan Gayeon flipped through her notebook and handed it over open to a particular page. The listed suspect was a member of a looter group.
"The most promising candidate. Given that they're active in this neighborhood, my personal opinion is that it's almost certainly them."
A solid assessment. Comet read the name and nickname, searching her memory. She had no recollection of the person whatsoever.
"That nickname sounds familiar somehow."
"Do you know them?"
Dan Gayeon's face brightened with hope.
"No, not personally. Someone once forwarded me a PVP video, saying it was of their guild member's friend's party member's brother, and asked for my advice. I think I remember watching it. Though I'm not entirely certain."
Anyone associated with a looter group would likely have PVP experience, so the fabricated connection came easily.
"Guild member's friend's party member's..."
Dan Gayeon muttered, trying to map out the relationships. She looked a bit foolish doing so, but Comet waited patiently.
"They're complete strangers, then."
"Indeed. Being a top ranker means I receive quite a few shameless requests for advice."
"Do you think this suspect is the culprit? What's your opinion?"
"My memory of the video is vague, but the skill level seemed plausible. For a scene like this, at least."
Comet turned her head this way and that, pretending to survey the store. Dan Gayeon followed suit, nodding in agreement.
Seizing the moment, Comet discreetly flipped to the next page of the notebook. A new suspect was listed there. The nickname was intimately familiar.
Comet's heart began to race. A quick scan revealed a positive sign: a small X marked in the corner. It had likely been added after her selection as an external collaborator, indicating removal from the suspect pool.
Comet closed the notebook with a deliberate snap. Dan Gayeon looked up.
"I believe I'll be able to tell more clearly in person. If the necromancer still possesses the soul, we could compare it directly against the victim's body. Distinguishing souls is difficult, but I am capable of it."
"That's possible?"
Dan Gayeon reacted as though hearing the idea for the first time.
Comet felt a flicker of surprise.
"Does the committee not employ any skilled necromancers?"
"The chairman has decided against hiring any necromancers."
Comet twirled her side hair again.
"...I see."
"It's wonderful that you can verify it, Comet! This should resolve quickly."
Dan Gayeon looked genuinely pleased.
"Will we be moving on to search the suspect's residence now?"
"Ah, regarding that, the committee has agreed to designate this looter group as semi-ranker level and mount a special response. The police will handle the arrest, after which we'll take custody and perform the verification."
"...That doesn't sound ideal."
For Comet, it was extremely inconvenient. If the captured necromancer began proclaiming their innocence, the situation would grow complicated.
"Since the comparison involves the soul itself, any violent resistance during arrest could lead to the necromancer using it."
Comet paused deliberately.
"Would it be possible for me to participate in this special response? If not, I could perform the comparison on-site immediately, and the operation would likely proceed more smoothly."
"I understand. I'll request authorization for your involvement."
"I hope it works out."
Comet smiled brightly.