I Maxed Out My Luck Stat-Chapter 28: Investigation (Part 2)

—Spatial Memory.

Frankcastle could use this mystical power to manifest scenes of the past by relying on the memory of the space around him.

You know the saying, "walls have ears"?

Well... this applied a similar principle, using the world itself as a form of surveillance.

The only weakness of this Principal Disposition was that it could not have much effect if the spatial properties had changed too much, which was why he couldn’t use it at the explosion site.

However, this Exit Route was quite a distance from that place.

His Principal Disposition had no problem working.

Once he activated it, a holographic world appeared around him, and it began to replay scenes that occurred within the cave.

He saw people come in and out of the wall, identifying each and every one of them.

As he did so, Iri noted their features and identified their abilities.

"This is the last recorded entry. The last batch of people who ventured into the Mountain Range."

Right as Frankcastle spoke, a group of six shady-looking people appeared.

Their grotesque faces and figures made them easily identifiable.

They were Commoner Class Vampires.

"Only one of them has a Principal Disposition, but it has nothing to do with the explosion..." Iri narrowed her eyes as she said this.

"Hmmm..."

Frankcastle’s frown grew deeper.

"No one entered or came out of this Exit Route after this group."

They also hadn’t found any entry or exit in the records that coincided with the timing in any of their Regulated Routes.

That meant the perpetrator had to have used an unidentified Exit Route.

But how?

When? Where?

None of this made any sense at all!

"We’re dealing with someone who isn’t only extremely dangerous but also brilliant as well."

Frankcastle couldn’t help but feel astounded.

He hadn’t been cornered like this since he was a mere rookie.

"Not only were they capable of such destruction, but they were cautious enough not to take the standard Exit Route. Instead, they used another. That shows they have knowledge that not even the Special Unit knows about." Iri added, deep concern evident in her tone. "This mode of operation also doesn’t fit the profiles of the others we have been keeping tabs on."

"So it’s a new player, huh?"

Frankcastle exhaled, leaving the cave in disappointment.

Iri followed right behind him.

"If this is a new player, we have to wonder what exactly it is he wants. He destroyed an entire area filled with criminal operations. What could he be hoping to gain?" The veiled woman asked her partner after catching up with him.

"By my estimations... A lot."

"What do you mean?"

"He just made a statement. By destroying their base of operation, he has essentially wiped them from the board, which means he can take over their empire. This is also a warning to any rival organization that seeks to challenge his authority. By doing this, he has essentially taken over an entire market on his own while warding off external aggressors. Such a ruthless and decisive move... this person is extremely dangerous."

"I agree. If he used a different Exit Route, that must also mean he has a way to elude the authorities. We have no way to catch him... at least, not yet."

"He can use a weapon that can cause this much damage, yet it isn’t a Mystic Object, and he can identify Spatial Loopholes before we can. Just who are we dealing with?"

The two Special Investigators mulled over this matter to no end.

Cold sweat ran through their faces as they thought about it, proposing all kinds of theories.

But none of them stuck.

There were simply too many inconsistencies.

This meant the perp had likely done this on purpose to throw them off and confuse them.

After a long period of deliberation, the two of them chose to retreat.

At least, for now.

"Even if this perpetrator possesses great intellect and power, they can’t be perfect. They are bound to reveal themselves sooner or later. We simply have to be on the lookout so that we’re ready when that happens." Iri said to Frankcastle, who still had a grim look on his face.

Still, he nodded in agreement.

"I never thought I would be tasked with such a case..."

To be honest, the man—who was already nearing his forties—couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement in his aged heart.

"25 years I have been in this industry, yet I have never seen anything like this before."

He slowly began to smile.

It was not a pleasant smile, but a threatening look filled with vigor and unbridled determination.

Iri saw this and felt a great chill course through her body.

She had been Frankcastle’s partner for many years now, and she knew that look very well. It was an expression he only made when he became obsessed with a case.

In their department, everyone went by a code name.

Frankcastle’s name was Wild Dog.

That was because once he bit into something tasty, he would never let go, no matter what!

His obsession ran deep.

And now... it was fixed on the mysterious new criminal running amok.

"S-since we’re dealing with a new player, it’s only fair we give him a name." Iri stuttered slightly, forcing a smile while trying to forget the unpleasant sensation she had just had.

Her partner nodded at this suggestion.

After a few seconds of thinking, he arrived at the perfect name to describe this extraordinary person.

"Let’s call him the Great White Death and Vanishing Plague of Destruction..." Frank grinned wildly at his partner, his eyes turning bloodshot.

"... Also known as Ghost."

**************

’Haa... I barely had any sleep last night.’

Richard Lamperouge Von Blanc woke up with mildly puffy eyes, yawning very loudly before awkwardly stopping once he remembered he had a female guest in his room.

He would have preferred for her to have her own room, but he had no authority in the Family.

If he could so easily obtain a room, he would have changed his own a long time ago.

’Still... we cannot continue to live like this.’

As such, Richard decided to ask for permission from his parents.

’But... Neia is currently disguised as a Commoner Class Vampire. What justification will I have to give her a separate room?’ Richard soon realized how quickly his plan fell apart.

He would simply have to endure this kind of life.

A life many would call lucky.

But... he was too lucky for his own good!

’What now, though?’

Richard had now discovered the great potential of his Principal Disposition, and he even had a new friend in this world.

Life was suddenly not looking as bleak as he had previously deemed it to be.

But—

"Ah... I still have to worry about that."

—Once Richard thought about the Academy, he felt like his whole body was suddenly submerged in cold water

’As I am now, although my Principal Disposition is great, I would still get folded in a direct fight.’

Thinking about things objectively, he recognized this issue.

He was a glass cannon.

’That means I have to find a way to properly apply my powers in combat.’

Not only that, but he also had to train his body to meet a certain threshold of strength, while also learning as much as possible about different fighting techniques.

’If I can master some great moves... hehehe...’

Richard began to imagine himself as some kind of hitman in this fantasy world.

He looked so badass in his own mind.

’Looks like it’s time for my training arc! I have less than six years until the Academy, so it’s better I begin as soon as possible...’ He shifted his gaze to Neia and smiled while watching her sleep soundly.

’Now that I’m no longer alone... things should be fun.’