Chương 22: Chapter 6 Footsteps Left Behind(Part 1)

"Are you really Mr. Kuroe?" Miyafuji's question made me realize the root of the problem. To these two detectives, this was their first time meeting the current me. If they had seen the transformation footage beforehand, some of their doubts might have eased. But without that evidence, the only reasonable approach was to question whether I was truly who I claimed to be.

"I am. Let's see... I used to serve in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. My identification number was G-1733448. Verify that and you'll have another piece of evidence confirming my identity. If you need more, ask away. My birthday, my parents' address—whatever helps."

"If it's about married life, I can answer questions too, Detective," Rina added.

"Anyway, I'm heading to the shop." Leaving that supporting shot behind, she walked off while Miyafuji and I headed for the smoking room. The moment we entered, several people stared. I ignored them. You become surprisingly thick-skinned after living long enough. I lit a cigarette and took a drag. No lungs, yet it still felt satisfying. Standing beside me, Miyafuji exhaled smoke while fiddling with his phone. He was probably forwarding the information to Detective Itsuki.

"The contrast is incredible," he said.

"If I saw you on the street, I'd think you were an underage smoker and stop you for questioning."

"There are women this height, aren't there?"

"Sure, but that's not the problem. Your face looks young. Honestly? You're ridiculously beautiful. If you dressed up properly instead of wearing hospital clothes, you'd be fighting off guys all day."

"I'm married. And I have zero interest in men." Miyafuji looked strangely enthusiastic about the topic. Meanwhile, I reflected on my own appearance. This body, built according to the so-called golden ratio, was beautiful from every angle. Perhaps because humans instinctively recognized those proportions as attractive.... What a nuisance. Trouble could only come from this. I'd have to be careful. After finishing our cigarettes, we left the smoking room.

On the bench outside sat Rina carrying several bulging shopping bags—and, just like last night, the old woman.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Nope. We just got here. You looked like you were having fun. What were you talking about?"

"Juvenile smoking, pick-up artists, and beauty. Shall we go back?" I reached for the shopping bags, only for Miyafuji to stop me and carry them himself.

"Honestly, with how young you look, it'd feel weird watching you carry all this." Back in the hospital room, Takatsuki had already returned and was connecting the camcorder to the room's television. Detective Itsuki sat nearby, speaking into his phone while jotting notes into a pocket notebook. He was likely confirming the information I'd provided.

"Mr. Kuroe," he said after ending the call, "your identification number checks out. It belongs to Kuroe Tsukasa."

"That's good to hear. Does that make me slightly more believable? I'd appreciate it if the footage and the testimonies could settle the matter completely." This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. At least he was being straightforward now. For me, proving my identity was crucial. Without valid identification, nobody besides Rina and Dr. Takatsuki would believe I was really Kuroe Tsukasa.

And with the Gate opening soon and monsters spilling out afterward, I needed cooperation from a lot of people.

"I testify that this girl is my husband."

"And I agree," Takatsuki added.

"She is unquestionably Kuroe Tsukasa." With my wife and a third-party witness both supporting me, all that remained was the video evidence. Everyone gathered around the television. The footage began with my former self and Rina posing together for a photograph, smiling warmly. It showed ordinary conversations, harmless jokes, and casual interactions with Takatsuki. Several minutes later, the old me suddenly fell silent.

"Midnight."

"The moment that nearly gave me a heart attack," Rina said, squeezing my arm. Ow. Empty body or not, I could still feel pain. I tried shifting away from her grip.

"You two can flirt later," Takatsuki interrupted.

"Detectives, pay attention. What you're about to see is extraordinary. I've spent my career as a physician, and this will absolutely go down in history."

"That serious?" Miyafuji blinked. Then the transformation began. His jaw dropped.

"W-What!? What is this!? People don't just change like that! She's glowing!"

"Quiet down, Miyafuji," Itsuki growled. Unlike his junior, he watched in silence. When the video finally ended, he let out a long breath.

"Doctor, may I borrow this footage later? It'll make explaining this to other detectives much easier." Then he turned to me.

"We detectives are troublesome creatures. We question everything. Every piece of circumstantial evidence suggested this girl was Kuroe Tsukasa, but people don't simply change shape overnight. Yesterday, the person loaded into that ambulance was clearly a middle-aged man." He paused.

"Now I have undeniable evidence. I apologize for doubting you." His apology arrived at exactly the same moment the footage ended. Good. Because if he demanded more proof, I had none left to offer. Rina remained glued to my side, but now that Itsuki felt guilty, it was time to make a request.

"No offense taken. If I were in your position, I'd have doubts too. Honestly, I'm just relieved you believe me now." I smiled.

"That said, I have a problem. My appearance has changed so drastically that none of my identification documents are useful anymore. Would it be possible to assist with updating my driver's license and other paperwork?" Itsuki shrugged and nodded. One problem solved. Now for the bigger one. Because after witnessing my transformation, the next part would be easier to believe.

"Miyafuji, contact Traffic and the section chief," Itsuki ordered. Then he looked back at me.

"As for updating your documents immediately... that's difficult. We'll need to explain all this at headquarters first. Even with video evidence, convincing upper management won't be easy." His eyes briefly shifted toward Rina and Takatsuki. He wanted witnesses. Fair enough. But identity verification wasn't my biggest concern.

"The documents can wait," I said.

"The Ring can't." The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. My phone still had battery remaining despite not being charged. Ignoring the flood of missed calls and messages from work, I opened the photo gallery. The pictures and videos of the Three-Eyed creature were still there.

"Mr. Kuroe," Itsuki said carefully, "what exactly do you mean by that? Sure, those Rings are causing problems. They're blocking roads and creating traffic jams. But nobody else has entered one since you came back. At least, not that we've heard."

"Before I answer, Detective... what's your rank?"

"Police Inspector." Roughly equivalent to a section manager. Good enough.

"I need to speak with whoever is in charge of the investigation. The highest-ranking person dealing with the Gates." I handed him my phone.

"You'll understand why after seeing this." Everyone gathered around the screen. The video showed a grotesque creature with a wound on its head collapsing and dissolving into particles. The surrounding stone walls weren't particularly convincing, but the monster itself was more than enough.

"This attacked me inside the Gate. Or perhaps 'attacked' isn't the right word. According to the being called Soots—the one responsible for creating the Gates and scattering them across the world—this thing was a discarded product." I paused.

"A monster." Silence filled the room. Finally, Miyafuji timidly raised his hand.

"Mr. Kuroe... this isn't from a video game, right?"

"No." I opened the file details.

"The timestamp is 6: 18 PM yesterday. Compare it to the period I was missing." The room grew quieter. Takatsuki and Miyafuji were already comparing photos and videos with visible excitement. Itsuki, meanwhile, covered his face and rubbed his temples. The poor man looked like reality itself had punched him in the stomach. And honestly? The worst part hadn't even started yet.

"Mr. Kuroe..." Itsuki groaned.

"Did I do something to deserve this?"

"You doubted me."

"The punishment seems excessive." I grinned.

"Heroes don't get to run away. Blame your king, not the messenger." Then I delivered the first bombshell.

"In roughly two days, the Gates will open."

"That's way too soon!" Miyafuji practically shouted. I agreed. Then I dropped the second one.

"And about nine days after that..." The room froze.

"... the monsters will start pouring out."