A Scientific Urban Detective

Lin Wuming was eager to become stronger and improve his abilities. Ultimately, this stemmed from the shock he experienced yesterday facing Accelerator.

Before that, however, the first thing to do was to understand his own level.

That's why Lin Wuming happened to think of using this rare opportunity to eliminate Touma Kamijou as a "disturbing factor," stripping away as many of his own advantages as possible to face the challenge in the most objective and fair manner.

Otherwise, with Touma Kamijou, a powerful Level 4 esper, by his side, even if she didn't act, she would provide Lin Wuming with a great sense of security... that's what partners are for.

After agreeing, Lin Wuming and Kurozuma Meryu got into the car, preparing to go to the "Underground Arena" with the studio's second-in-command.

Touma Kamijou, on the other hand, followed Lin Wuming's instructions and went to the Judgment headquarters to report the situation, and at a specific time, would lead reinforcements to attack the "Underground Arena" from the inside.

The private financial studio had two cars. The competitor who had volunteered earlier had already occupied one car and was resting inside.

So Lin Wuming and Kurozuma Meryu boarded the business car behind. This car was more spacious, and it also avoided direct contact with the competitor in front, preventing him from noticing any problems.

--If that person's goal was the hundred-million-yen prize, then Lin Wuming and Kurozuma Meryu, who were determined to disrupt the competition, would undoubtedly become his enemies!

"Are we going to wait here for a few hours?" Lin Wuming clicked his tongue. "Isn't it too early? The competition doesn't start until tonight."

"But the contestants enter much earlier," Kurozuma Meryu said. "Also, weren't you a bit too much when you lied to Touma-san just now? You didn't count me as combat power at all."

"I didn't lie to her," Lin Wuming shook his head. "As for you... I'm sorry, I really couldn't consider you in that atmosphere just now."

"I can understand it, though," Kurozuma Meryu waved his hand. "If what you said just now was serious... then I can only say Touma-san has a hard time."

"What qualifications or position do you have to say that to me?" Lin Wuming rolled his eyes and retorted.

In Lin Wuming's view, he really had a reason; while Kurozuma Meryu's refusal to let Kazari Uiharu participate was just his machismo.

Kurozuma Meryu didn't argue with him, but leaned back in his seat and began to close his eyes to rest.

Unlike Lin Wuming, Kurozuma Meryu took the upcoming adventure and battle very seriously. After all, even for him, it was his first time doing something like this.

Lin Wuming was much more relaxed, keeping in touch with Touma Kamijou via his phone while also urging the driver to stop by a restaurant and have lunch in advance.

Just after they had finished their meal, the studio's second-in-command suddenly received an email.

"It's here!" He breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like the other shoe had finally dropped. "The organizer's notice has arrived. They're still short of contestants, and they want us to get there as soon as possible."

Lin Wuming looked at the time; it was not even eleven o'clock yet: "Not bad, it saved me a lot of time."

Hearing this news, Kurozuma Meryu's eyes sharpened, looking every bit like a warrior preparing to step onto the battlefield.

Moreover, Kurozuma Meryu hadn't gotten out of the car for lunch, but had chosen to take it out and eat it in the car.

"My appearance is too different from the person I'm impersonating, so it's better not to show my face too much," Kurozuma Meryu explained.

But Lin Wuming still thought he was nervous.

This wasn't incomprehensible. Although Kurozuma Meryu was the leader of the armed Skill-Out group "Big Spider," and wasn't afraid of injury or even death to rescue his comrades, he would still be nervous when he should be.

After all, this was his first time directly facing a "life-or-death crisis."

Unlike Lin Wuming, who had long been accustomed to so many "death crises" before; not to mention he had "Bullet Time" as a guarantee, so he didn't have to worry too much about the threat of death in the first place.

Different experiences, different trump cards, naturally the two people's mindsets wouldn't be the same.

However, Lin Wuming believed that Kurozuma Meryu would definitely adjust before officially entering the arena.

"The guy in the car in front hasn't come out either," Kurozuma Meryu suddenly said.

"Him?" Lin Wuming also looked at the car in front. "Could it be that I'm the special one?"

"You are indeed more fearless than I thought," Kurozuma Meryu said. "Worthy of being a hero."

For most of the contestants preparing to participate, the underground arena was like an execution ground for carrying out the death penalty, and only a few could maintain a normal state of mind.

After receiving the email, the studio's two cars immediately rushed to the competition venue of the "Underground Arena"—an abandoned indoor theater located in the 17th District.

However, they got out of the car and walked two blocks away from the indoor theater.

"Next, please follow me, don't get lost, and especially don't get disoriented!" The second-in-command lowered his voice and said very seriously.

The three "competitors" nodded together, indicating they understood.

Only at this time did Lin Wuming see the appearance of the third "competitor." Compared to the photo in the file, there were some subtle differences, but it was still possible to tell it was the same person.

The latter just glanced at Lin Wuming and Kurozuma Meryu indifferently, without even saying a basic greeting.

--After all, in the upcoming competition, everyone was in a life-or-death relationship, so there was really no need to greet or say hello to "mortal enemies."

In complete silence, the three "competitors" followed behind the second-in-command and began to wander aimlessly in the streets.

The route and actions of the second-in-command were meaningful. These were all necessary steps to finally enter the "Underground Arena" venue.

There was also a certain pattern in this, and the second-in-command had fully explained it.

However, with Lin Wuming's sense of direction, he simply gave up after hearing only two sentences of such a complicated route—and immediately felt he could understand the feelings of the escaped president.

After all, it took them more than an hour just to wander around the streets and alleys before finally approaching the indoor theater where the destination was located...

Lin Wuming speculated that the reason for making it so troublesome and taking so long was likely to eliminate any followers behind them.

Because this was a well-known abandoned building in the vicinity, coupled with the "Dangerous Building, About to be Demolished" warning signs around it, no one would normally approach it.

Even if there were occasionally curious children who wanted to break in and explore, they would be driven away by adults dressed as security guards.

Under these circumstances, unless someone came here according to the prescribed method, any other person who wanted to enter would trigger an alarm, causing the competition to be immediately suspended and transferred to a backup location.

Fortunately, the second-in-command didn't lie or brag. He did bring Lin Wuming and Kurozuma Meryu into the "Underground Arena."

"But it's nothing much," Kurozuma Meryu said softly. "In the end, we just walked in normally, didn't we?"

They arrived at the interior of the theater through the underground parking lot. Along the way, they didn't see any other figures, and the places they passed were desolate and dilapidated, making them wonder if this was really the venue for the "Underground Arena."

At this moment, on the wall beside them, the emergency exit indicator suddenly lit up, but pointed in a direction other than the exit.

Seeing this, the second-in-command immediately breathed a sigh of relief: "That's right, it's here. We can just follow this next."

Following the direction indicated by the indicator, the four of them arrived in front of a blast door.

Only at this time did they finally see other people.

To be precise, they were staff members wearing black suits and masks—staff members serving the "Underground Arena."

There were a total of four people, standing in a row in front of the door.

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