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A Detective and a Middle School Student Work Together to Defeat Lupin

AzureKnowledge
7
chs / week
The average realized release rate over the past 30 days is 7 chs / week.
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Synopsis
Arez Redzel, a middle school student known for his laziness, secretly possesses a hidden talent for solving mysteries with his sharp intellect. One afternoon, on his way home from school, he inadvertently crossed paths with a female detective named Rose Claret. Unexpectedly, Rose suddenly asked for Arez's help in finding a house key. Arez, initially reluctant, was abruptly drawn into the situation when three members of the Lupin gang unexpectedly snatched his backpack. Forced by circumstances, Arez had no choice but to collaborate with Rose to retrieve his bag. The Lupin gang informed them that Arez's bag was in an old warehouse. This revelation left both Arez and Rose bewildered about the true motive behind the Lupin gang's actions. However, upon arriving at the location, they were confronted not by the gang, but by a series of deadly riddles that they had to solve. Could they solve these intricate riddles? How would they find the solutions to each challenging obstacle in their path? These questions naturally arise. Yet, their success in unraveling the puzzles was far from the end of their ordeal. Rose persistently urged Arez to join her as a detective, ceaselessly involving him in her ongoing struggles with the Lupin gang. Without realizing it, Arez found himself swept away by the current, slowly beginning to embrace his role as a detective. What further twists await their story? What other riddles will they face, and how will Arez and Rose manage to solve them?
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Chapter 1 - Case File I: Keys and Backpacks (1)

I always had one goal at school: to go home. Not because I hated studying or the teachers, but more because my bed was calling my name in the most melodious tone in the world. So, when the dismissal bell rang loudly, all I felt was a surge of pure happiness. My backpack, a loyal companion to all my in-class sleeping adventures, was quickly slung over my shoulder.

"Oi, Arez!" a shrill voice stopped me. It was Kalet Hacley, my best friend and walking alarm clock. He was always energetic, too energetic for my taste. His short hair and wide smile seemed to say, "Let's conquer the world!" While I, usually, just wanted to conquer my pillow.

"Ugh, what is it, Kalet?" I hissed, a little lazy.

Kalet approached, his eyes sparkling as if he'd just found a treasure. "Mr. Alan was furious again earlier. About the history assignment we haven't submitted."

I sighed. "Oh, that. Easy, I'll do it tonight."

"Tonight what! That assignment is for tomorrow morning! Don't tell me you're going to do it five minutes before class starts again," Kalet jabbed his index finger at me. "Remember, this time I'm not taking the fall if you get punished standing in front of the class!"

"Relax, Kalet. I have a secret method," I said, winking, which was actually code for 'tonight I'll copy yours'. Kalet just shook his head, but the faint smile on his lips showed that he was already accustomed to my behavior. He knew perfectly well that I was a super lazy person who somehow always slipped through the needle's eye. Maybe my real talent was getting out of trouble with lazy flair.

We walked side-by-side towards the school gate, light chatter about the latest games and silly school gossip filling the bright afternoon.

Our homes were in the same direction, but my house was still straight ahead, past Kalet's house. Kalet said goodbye to me when we arrived in front of his house, a fairly simple house, well, perhaps bigger than mine.

"Aaahh Finally here... Alright Arez, I'm going home now." He said, extending a clenched fist forward. I returned it by joining our fists.

"Alright Kalet, see you tomorrow!" I waved my hand as I turned to leave; it seemed Kalet waved back after I had turned and started walking home.

I was already picturing myself lying on my bed listening to music, but fate had other plans. As I walked around the residential houses, a woman suddenly stood in front of me.

Her hair was white like crystal, tied in a high ponytail, and her eyes were sharp, as if they could pierce walls. She wore a brown leather jacket and jeans, her appearance a little messy but somehow still authoritative. In her hand was a small, glistening badge. Rose Claret, that was the name engraved on the badge, complete with 'Detective,' but what surprised me a little was that she seemed very young for a detective.

"You're Arez Redzel, aren't you?" she asked, her voice clear and straight to the point.

I frowned. "Yes, why?"

"Good. I need your help," she said without preamble, her hand extended towards me. "My house key is missing. I was just at a restaurant nearby, and as I recall, the key was in my pocket."

I looked at her with a bewildered expression. A key? This is a detective, for goodness sake. How could she lose her own house key?

"I'm sorry, Miss Detective. But I'm just a middle school student, not a locksmith," I said, trying to remain polite. "Besides, I'm already tired, I just want to go home."

Rose didn't budge. "I know you have a talent. Your reputation as a problem-solver has reached my ears. I've been observing you for some time, and you have sharp intuition. I'm sure you can help me find this key."

I was even more confused by her words; how could she say such nonsense? Especially in front of the person, "Miss Detective, you must have the wrong person. My only talent is sleeping in class without getting caught by the teacher. And even then, I sometimes get caught."

"Don't be modest," Rose approached, her eyes serious. "This is important. There are things connected to this key, more than just an ordinary key. I'm offering a decent reward."

"Reward?" My eyes twinkled slightly. Extra pocket money sounded good. But laziness was more dominant. "Still, Miss Detective. I really can't. Maybe you can seek help from your colleagues, fellow detectives?"

"My colleagues are busy with other cases," she answered emotionlessly. "And I've wasted enough time looking for you. So, whether you like it or not, you have to come with me."

I grew increasingly annoyed, unable to contain my rising emotion. Is she a detective or just a weirdo? Why does she keep saying strange things as if I'm a detective like her? Even in her emotionless expression, I could sense the lie behind her words; damn it, why is this happening to me?

Before I could refuse again, a strong wind suddenly blew, followed by three black shadows darting from behind us. Their movements were so fast and coordinated. One of them, wearing a wolf-emblazoned mask, snatched my backpack from my back!

"Ah! My backpack!" I yelled in surprise.

"Look, this time they're at it again." Rose exclaimed.

"Damn it!!! Hey, Miss Detective, are they your colleagues?!"

"Hhhhh, are you smart or stupid! Don't you know, they're Lupin!" Rose answered, putting a hand on her head, then pointing at the Lupin figures.

Strange! Just a moment ago she was praising me to the skies, and now she's insultingly arrogant.

So those were the three, who I learned from Rose were the Lupin group—Leve, Alefen, and Zenith—laughing with satisfaction.

"See you, Miss Rose and Mr. Lazy!" shouted Leve, the tallest among them. "Your things are in the Old Warehouse on Treasure Road, but we've prepared a little surprise inside. Hope you enjoy it!"

After saying that, they sped away like lightning, disappearing around the street corner.

Rose and I just stood there, stunned. My backpack! It contained my homework books and, more importantly, my phone!

Rose looked at me with an intense gaze. "Alright, Arez. Now it's not just my key, but your bag too. You have no choice but to help me."

I sighed in resignation. Apparently, my nap had to be postponed. "Alright, alright! But if anything happens, it's all your fault, Miss Detective."

Rose just gave a faint smirk. "Believe me, Arez. This will be an adventure you'll never forget."

We hurried towards the Old Warehouse on Treasure Road, which wasn't too far from Kalet's house.

"Do you know where it is?" I asked as I ran with her.

"Don't worry, it's not far from here, I've memorized every structure in this country!" She said confidently.

So arrogant!

Upon arrival, the old building looked abandoned, with faded walls and broken windows. A mysterious and eerie aura immediately enveloped us as we approached. The warehouse door was slightly ajar, as if inviting us in.

"They deliberately left this door open," Rose whispered, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "It's a trap."

I swallowed hard. "A trap? What do you mean... please don't scare me!"

"It seems this is a life-threatening puzzle; Lupin never steals without leaving a trace or a puzzle. This is how they play," she said.

We stepped into the pitch-dark warehouse. Thick dust covered everything, and a musty smell stung my nose. Faintly, I could see irregular shadows of objects in the darkness. Suddenly, a distorted robotic voice echoed throughout the room.

"Welcome, Detective Rose and lazy Arez," the voice taunted. And how could it know?! "The game has begun. To find your things, you must solve the riddle we've given you. If you fail, or try a shortcut, the consequences will be very... interesting."

A small projector screen lit up in a high corner of the warehouse, displaying silhouettes of three wolf-masked figures. Below it, a text appeared, looking like a riddle.

———————————————————

Behind a cracked mirror,

Light is hidden, untouchable.

But the true reflection,

Hints at direction, where secrets anchor.

What only exists when you look at it,

Yet vanishes when you turn away?

———————————————————

Rose and I exchanged glances. Damn, this was just the beginning, and the riddle was already this complicated. This riddle wasn't just about finding the key and my backpack, but also about understanding the motive behind Lupin's dangerous game. I knew this was going to be a long day. And honestly, I already missed my bed.