Detective Co— Anna

Angelina is lying on top of the meeting table, and everyone is staring at her. 

The silence continues, but it is broken when Beatrice stands up and takes her seat next to Alex.

"…"

Anna and Rica are very confused right now.

"Do you have your answer now?"

Beatrice decided to start the conversation.

Although she does not want the other to hear their conversation, she must make a decision right now because she does not want him to die.

Alex had not expected her to openly discuss the situation earlier.

Anna and Rica have no idea what she is talking about, but it appears to be very serious.

He attempted to leave the conversation by walking away, but she held his hand.

Her touch is light, but there is a force that prevents him from removing her hands from him.

"My response will remain consistent regardless of what happens."

"No, you have to kill me. Please, kill me!"

? (Rica)

? (Anna)

Hearing their conversation gives them more confusion.

What the hell is going on?

Why did Beatrice want to let Alex kill her?

Unknown to what happened earlier, they couldn't help their conversation and decided to hear more of it before talking.

"I'm sorry but as long as you don't say anything about the reason I couldn't do it. In fact, I wouldn't do it even you would tell me your reason."

"But you need to kill me, just kill me please."

"No, no matter what you say, no is my answer."

Since the conversation is going around Anna was able to give her thoughts about it.

'She's saying again and again about wanting to kill herself. Can she just kill herself? Why does she needs Alex to do that?'

She keeps thinking but only another question pop out.

'In the first place, why does she wanted to kill herself? Does she have a problem, or is there something bothering her?

She keeps thinking about the answer, but another question pops up in her head.

'Wait a moment... Alex said he would go to another smartphone user, right? So, why did he say they had a conversation earlier?

After a brief thought, an answer emerges.

'She is a smartphone user, so it makes sense that he would have a conversation with her earlier, and about her telling Alex that she wanted Alex to kill her… I need to confirm something from Alex before I confirm my hunch.'

After their conversation, Beatrice let go of him, and Alex decided to go outside for a while.

Despite letting go of her hands, she would not stop to beg him to kill her, so she would speak again at a later time.

Beatrice understands that killing her will be difficult for him because Alex is not cold-blooded or enjoys killing for no apparent reason.

For his sake, though, she will not stop pleading.

Anna follows him as he leaves.

Meanwhile, Rica did nothing and simply relied on Anna for this.

After all, she is the first person she has been able to convert to be like her.

She also had some questions for Beatrice, so she wanted to let her answer them all.

She initiates a conversation with her voice of devotion skill.

"Could you please tell me why you want to kill yourself?"

…

Outside of the tent.

Anna followed him and noticed Alex looking up at the dark sky, seemingly drawn to the moon's light shining into the darkness of the night.

The feeling of unsure makes him feel even more empty for no apparent reason.

Anna is hesitant to interrupt his mood, but she forces herself to stand next to him.

Both of them look at the moon before Alex finally starts the conversation.

"The moon is beautiful tonight."

"Yeah."

"Unfortunately, bad things are happening in our city."

"I can see that."

"So, what are you doing here? Are you here to ask me something?"

"Yes, I would like to clarify something with you. Is she also a smartphone user?"

"Yes, she is."

"As expected."

"You already had an idea from the start?"

"No, I got a hunch after hearing your conversation. I have another question. "What did you say before she told you to kill her?"

"Hmm… From what I recall, I confessed that I am the core system, and then she forced me to leave the house and close the door. However, she opened the door again, handed me a knife, and told me to kill her."

"I am not sure how to tell you this, but I believe I know why she wanted you to kill her."

"Really? Then why?"

"Requirement."

"Requirement?"

"Do you recall what happened before I could use my shadow system status?"

"Yes, you stay at our place for a week."

"That is what I am thinking about. It appears that using her system status requires you to kill her. However, that is more of a punishment than a requirement, so there must be another twist to the requirement."

"I see, this clarifies things. However, why is not she telling this? Is she not trusting me? I think I need to gain her trust first."

Anna gives a shake of her head.

"You do not have to do that. "I can see that she really trusts you...or beyond that."

"Huh? I can not hear what you said because your voice is too low; can you tell me what you said in the last part?"

"It is unnecessary. Anyway, I do not think she does not want to tell you; rather, she couldn't."

"What does it mean?"

"It means the requirement could not be stated due to system status."

"It makes sense. However, how can I help her if I do not understand the requirements for her system status? Do I really need to kill her?"

"No, you do not have to do that. I have an idea."

"ALEX!!"

A shout came from inside the tent.

Alex and Anna returned and discovered Rica on the floor.

He quickly approached her and inquired as to what was going on.

"What happened?"

"I-I don't know. For some reason, I was entranced, and when I awoke, I saw her on the floor."

Anna figured out what had happened after hearing this.

"She used her voice of devotion skill to her."

Anna reported to Alex.

Alex is aware of her new skill, but he is unaware of the potential side effects.

'But why does she use it, particularly for Beatrice?'

He ignored that for the time being and used his refresh skill.