"How is the leg, Jinba?"
"Fine, sir. No issues at all. I can return to the investigation immediately."
"Don’t push yourself. I know you're anxious to get out there, but rushing won’t help anyone."
"But—!"
Not long after the appearance of the serial kidnapper Regen and his criminal organization, Jinba found himself in a tense meeting with his superior.
His boss let out a weary sigh as he restrained Jinba, who insisted that the wounds Geo had inflicted were fully healed and that he could move normally.
"We’ve established strict checkpoints at the city’s entrances and exits. No one suspicious is getting out. We’ve also stationed Security Force members at locations they’re likely to target, like orphanages and care facilities. Now, if only we knew where Regen was hiding..."
"...You still haven't found him?"
"No. He’s likely using his Magic Item, the 'Birdcage.' With that thing, he can vanish without a trace, no matter how many men he has with him."
The Magic Item used to imprison kidnapped children also served as a mobile base where the syndicate could conceal themselves. The Security Force had failed to anticipate Regen's riot because he had simply unleashed his hidden subordinates from within the Birdcage all at once. The boss sighed again as he addressed Jinba.
"In the right hands, that Birdcage could have been a gift to the people. It could have been used for logistics or transporting large groups. Even in a world drowning in weapons, that item had plenty of uses beyond crime... and yet..."
"He repaired the very thing Thomas died to destroy, just to use it for his atrocities again...! This time, I’m going to be the one to arrest that bastard...!"
Recalling the sacrifice of his former partner, Jinba vowed once more to have his revenge.
His boss glanced at him, looking pained.
"Jinba... to be honest, I don't want you on this investigation. If I had my way, I’d take you off the case entirely."
"Why, Boss!? Regen is the one who—for me and Thomas—!!"
"I know! And that’s exactly why! You’ve reverted to that reckless kid you used to be... no, you're even worse now. You’re disregarding your own safety. You never would have taken that hit to your leg if you’d been thinking straight. You were so obsessed with catching Regen that you stopped looking at what was right in front of you."
"Guh...!"
Jinba's face twisted in frustration as his superior hit the nail on the head.
The boss continued, his expression grim.
"That’s just my personal opinion. The fact is, Regen has returned to this city at the head of a massive criminal organization. The Security Force needs every man we have to stand against them. I don't have the luxury of benching you."
"Boss..."
"But if you keep going like this, you’re going to follow Thomas into the grave. I know you want to avenge your partner, but you have to stay calm. Thomas was a dear subordinate to me, too. I don't want to lose you as well."
"..."
Jinba fell silent at the words of his superior, who was clearly worried for his life.
The boss adjusted his hat, gave his silent subordinate a short nod, and left the room.
Yugo, who had been waiting outside, entered as the boss departed. He spoke hesitantly to the dejected Jinba.
"Jinba-san, are you okay?"
"Oh, Yugo... Sorry. I’ve caused you a lot of trouble."
Jinba managed a weak smile and a small wave. Yugo had overheard the conversation from the hallway, and though he felt for the man, he pressed on with the matter at hand.
"I heard you still haven't caught their trail."
"No. But they won't stay quiet for long. I'm sure they'll make another move soon. Today's riot was just a prelude—a performance to announce their return and show off the power of the Magic Armor Beasts."
Yugo was of the same mind. While Regen certainly had his own motives, it was highly likely he was acting on orders from someone higher up.
There was a shadow behind Regen—the one who had given him the power to transform humans into monsters. Yugo suspected that a mastermind like Lost or Drop had orchestrated the riot to demonstrate the terrifying power of the Magic Armor Beasts to the underworld, using Regen's organization as a marketing tool.
"If we let Regen roam free, he’ll act as a middleman, spreading the power of the Magic Armor Beasts to every criminal in the city," Jinba said. "This place will turn into a living hell. I won't let that happen. I’m going to catch Regen and tear his organization down to the roots."
"I'm glad to hear you say that... I was a little worried, but you seem much more composed now, Jinba-san."
"Your concern—and the boss's—cooled my head. Sorry for worrying you, Yugo."
Yugo felt a wave of relief. Jinba was no longer talking about a personal vendetta for his partner, but about arresting Regen to protect the people of the city. Seeing his comrade regain his resolve, Jinba spoke up as if he had finally reached a decision.
"Come to think of it, I never finished our conversation from before. I haven't told you why I wanted this crossbow repaired."
"I can guess. You knew Regen was coming back, didn't you?"
"Yeah. In this line of work, you pick up a few underworld contacts. When I heard the rumors through that channel... I thought maybe Thomas would want to be there for the arrest, too."
Jinba pulled the folding-type crossbow from his coat. As he looked at it, his expression was nostalgic, yet deeply lonely.
"There's one more thing I haven't told you. Something so pathetic I couldn't bring myself to say it."
"What...?"
Jinba’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the crossbow. He closed his eyes and hung his head, finally voicing the truth he had kept buried.
"The biggest reason Thomas died... was me. I’m the one who caused it."