Chapter 168: Live Broadcast by Kyoto TV Station, The First Public Appearance of "Mask"
On the other side, the vehicle driven by Yagami Soichiro, when less than two hundred meters away from the Suga Editorial Studio, suddenly shuddered a few times, becoming slower and slower like an old man with one foot in the grave.
Finally, it died peacefully by the side of the road.
"Damn it... couldn't you hold on a little longer..."
Although Yagami Soichiro said this, he also knew in his heart that he was very lucky. Forcing through so many puddles with the accelerator pressed to the bottom, it was really not easy for this police car to hold on until now.
He pushed open the car door. His very clean leather shoes directly stepped onto the flooded ground, and even a section of his calf was submerged in the water.
"A bit faster..."
Yagami Soichiro put his right hand on the holster at his waist. Determination appeared on his square face, step by step, doing his best to stride towards the direction of the Suga Editorial Studio.
As the Chief of Criminal Investigation Bureau, protecting the safety of Kyoto citizens was his responsibility.
Yagami Soichiro didn't want to see another innocent person die at the hands of that perverted serial killer.
....
For a short distance of two hundred meters, it took Yagami Soichiro nearly five minutes to arrive with difficulty.
He saw the door of the Suga Editorial Studio, located under the stairs, left wide open.
Because it was a semi-basement, the accumulated water level in the entire house had reached between 1.2 and 1.3 meters.
Yagami Soichiro didn't hesitate at all, stepping into the water step by step.
At the same time, he unfastened the holster at his waist, pulled off the safety of his pistol, raising his vigilance to 120%.
After entering the studio door, Yagami Soichiro saw Suga Natsumi leaning against the wall. Although her eyes carried terror, judging from her appearance, she hadn't suffered any harm.
And opposite her was a person wearing a black hoodie, not very tall in stature.
"Stop!"
Yagami Soichiro raised the muzzle, aimed at the person wearing the black hoodie, and said in a deep voice.
"Don't act rashly! Otherwise, I will shoot immediately!"
Hearing the voice from behind, the Teru Teru Bozu Killer slowly turned around, wearing a yellowing mask, facial features unclear, only a pair of bloodshot pupils showing crazy and twisted colors exposed outside.
"Who... are you?"
Seeing those terrifying eyes that completely didn't look like what a normal human could possess, Yagami Soichiro's heart sank.
This guy's mental state... seems a bit unstable.
If he was the only one here, Yagami Soichiro wouldn't hesitate to aim at the center of this madman's eyebrows and pull the trigger.
But right now, there was also a young innocent woman here.
Even if this madman had a one percent chance of possessing supernatural power, Yagami Soichiro wasn't willing to gamble the remaining ninety-nine percent.
"Calm down, I am the Chief of Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Kyoto Police Department, Yagami Soichiro. May I ask who you are?"
As an experienced old detective, Yagami Soichiro had also received professional training in negotiating with criminals and pacifying the opponent's emotions.
Seeing him lower the muzzle and hearing this question, inexplicable excitement suddenly revealed in the eyes of the Teru Teru Bozu Killer.
"Who am I? Do you want to know!? Are you curious!?"
Yagami Soichiro immediately made an evaluation in his heart.
This suspect desires attention and respect from the outside world.
He immediately followed the words.
"Yes, I really want to know what kind of person could commit such a major case that shocked the whole Kyoto, and even the whole Sakura Prefecture."
Speaking of this, Yagami Soichiro paused, then said in a deep voice.
"So, this Ms. Suga Natsumi is just an ordinary third-rate online media person. Isn't she a bit unqualified to participate in the interview with you? In comparison, isn't it more appropriate for me, the Chief of Criminal Investigation Bureau, to stay here?"
Although Suga Natsumi knew that Chief Yagami wanted to use this method to let her escape, hearing "third-rate online media person" still broke her defense a little.
Really hard to take.
The Teru Teru Bozu Killer's pupils shrank, seeming to hesitate about something, but immediately twisted again, shouting hoarsely.
"No! You and her, both must stay here! Where are the reporters from Kyoto TV Station!? I want to see reporters!"
"Okay, okay! Wait a minute!"
Seeing the Teru Teru Bozu Killer's emotions become unstable, Yagami Soichiro hurried to use the walkie-talkie and pacified.
"I'll help you ask right now, don't rush."
Immediately after, he shouted into the walkie-talkie in his hand.
"Where are the TV station people? Tell them to hurry up!"
"Understood, Chief Yagami."
Due to the heavy rain, although Kyoto TV Station notified the Police Department about the news that the Teru Teru Bozu Killer would appear at the Suga Editorial Studio, the reporter team they dispatched hadn't arrived at the scene yet.
Hearing Yagami Soichiro's urging, the Teru Teru Bozu Killer nodded with satisfaction.
Originally, he had a very perfect plan.
First, kidnap that girl named Yuigahama Yui, and that Amano Hina who called herself the Sunny Girl fishing for fame and compliments, and bring these two people into the Suga Editorial Studio.
After the reporters from Kyoto City TV Station arrived, he would demand a full live broadcast.
Then, kill that Amano Hina who called herself the Sunny Girl under the watch of everyone in Kyoto city.
And the last step...
Was to tear off Yuigahama Yui's limbs as before, and sacrifice this girl with a lively and cute personality, dressed flashily, fitting the gods' requirements, by making her into a Teru Teru Bozu.
By that time, everyone watching the live broadcast would understand.
Since that Amano Hina who called herself the Sunny Girl had been killed by him, it proved that the rain stopping was not the credit of this fake Sunny Girl at all.
Everything was his credit!
Everyone must look at him.
Even something like changing the weather, he could do it!
.....
When the media vehicle of Kyoto City TV Station arrived at the scene, the Police Department troops also arrived at the same time.
The TV station reporter looked at the Police Department members standing ready in full battle array, using vehicles as cover. Although a bit flustered in her heart, she still lowered her voice to the cameraman behind her.
"Can the live broadcast connect?"
"Trying, the rain is too heavy, the signal is intermittent."
"No matter what method, solve it quickly, today's incident will definitely trigger heated discussions!"
The Kyoto TV Station reporter had already smelled the scent of explosive news.
She even thought of the headline.
[Fierce Clash! Chief of Criminal Investigation Bureau VS Serial Killer, The Distinction Between Good and Evil in the Basement!]
Meanwhile, Yagami Soichiro inside the house also heard the notification sound from his subordinates on the walkie-talkie.
He looked at the Teru Teru Bozu Killer in front of him, staring straight into the opponent's eyes, and spoke in a deep voice.
"The reporters have arrived, can we go out now?"
"Okay."
Unexpectedly for Yagami Soichiro, this highly dangerous serial killer who committed five appalling cases actually didn't use him or Suga Natsumi standing there as a human shield.
Just like that, he walked straight out of the basement door.
"Ms. Suga Natsumi, quick!"
Although Yagami Soichiro had an ominous premonition in his heart, as the Chief of Criminal Investigation Bureau, his duty made him choose to escort Suga Natsumi out of the basement immediately.
"Please hide aside."
After sending Suga Natsumi out of the Police Department's encirclement, Yagami Soichiro also returned to the Police Department's team.
He looked at the Teru Teru Bozu Killer standing there with open arms, who, even facing dozens of muzzles, didn't show the slightest panic, but instead looked more and more excited. The ominous premonition in his heart grew stronger.
"Chief Yagami... should we shoot?"
Hearing his subordinate's question, Yagami Soichiro just gritted his teeth.
"What about the riot special forces? Haven't they arrived yet?"
"Not yet, since the situation at the scene has been controlled..."
"No, wait a little longer."
Yagami Soichiro took a deep breath, saying in a deep voice.
"Don't shoot yet."
Yagami Soichiro was waiting.
He was waiting for that person who, as long as he appeared, could solve all problems.
But today...
The rain seemed to be getting heavier, as if a river in the sky was pouring down under gravity.
"Mask"...
Will he come?
"Where are the reporters?"
Hearing the Teru Teru Bozu Killer's question, to pacify the opponent's emotions, Yagami Soichiro nodded to the subordinates around, letting the Kyoto TV Station reporter and cameraman enter the encirclement.
"Hello, we are Kyoto TV Station."
"Finally here..."
Mad light flashed in the Teru Teru Bozu Killer's eyes. He glanced at the camera on the cameraman's shoulder and spoke in a deep voice.
"Has the live broadcast started?"
Until this time, the cameraman finally connected the signal, nodded, and rejoiced.
"Mmhmm, it has already started now."
....
Meanwhile, at Yoru's home.
"Where exactly did Big Brother go, not back yet this late..."
Keika lay on the sofa, shaking her small head boringly.
Marin sitting beside her smiled.
"I always feel Yoru-kun is very busy, but I don't know what he's busy with. Perhaps.... he has some secret?"
Marin's casual joke instantly stiffened Kawasaki Saki's expression aside.
Yukino sitting there keenly noticed this scene.
What reaction is this?
Could it be that Kawasaki-san knows something?
Just then, the TV program suddenly switched.
"Now interrupting for breaking news."
"A mysterious man calling himself the 'Teru Teru Bozu Killer' contacted our TV station and requested a full live broadcast of an exclusive interview."
"The following is the real-time live footage."
Hearing the name "Teru Teru Bozu Killer", Yukino's heart instantly sank.
And Kawasaki Saki, Keika, and Marin also became interested.
"Eh? Live broadcast interview with a genuine serial killer?"
As the TV screen flickered with static, the somewhat unstable live footage appeared before everyone's eyes.
From the footage came the continuous sound of rain, just like outside the window.
Catching the eye were the bloodshot, crazy, and ferocious pupils of the Teru Teru Bozu Killer.
"Everyone in Kyoto city, good evening."
"I... am the Teru Teru Bozu Killer."
In front of the camera, the Teru Teru Bozu Killer publicly admitted his identity.
Immediately in the next second, he scanned the surrounding Police Department members aiming guns at him, twisted madness revealing in his pupils.
"These people are too much in the way."
Seeing the change in the opponent's eyes, Yagami Soichiro's face changed, a completely dangerous feeling coming from his heart, and issued the order without hesitation.
"Shoot!"
He quickly stepped forward, pulling the TV station reporter and cameraman back.
Next second.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Amidst the sky full of rain, dazzling muzzle flashes lit up.
Dozens of pistols pulled the trigger from various angles in front, shooting bullets at the body of the Teru Teru Bozu Killer.
"This is!?"
The public watching the TV station live broadcast saw the picture on the screen shaking and becoming very blurry, only able to hear continuous gunshots, couldn't help feeling shocked in their hearts.
After leaving the encirclement, although the TV station cameraman was panicked inside, he still tried hard to steady the camera on his shoulder, making the live footage clear again.
If he could capture the first scene of the Teru Teru Bozu Killer being shot dead by the police, braving the rain today would be worth it!
"Suspect has been shot dead."
Listening to the subordinate's words, Yagami Soichiro shook his head, a bitter feeling showing on his face.
"No... so it really is like this..."
The Police Department members looked over. Seeing the scene in front of them, their pupils dilated in shock.
They saw the Teru Teru Bozu Killer's body, under the continuous shooting of dozens of firearms just now, already had dense holes, from which dark red viscous blood with a putrid smell seeped out.
Even so, the opponent still stood there motionless.
"Is it only like this?"
Under the horrified gazes of the Police Department members, the Teru Teru Bozu Killer opened his arms and shouted with a crazy and excited voice, as if having reached the peak of emotion.
"I... am the man who will change this world, who should be revered as a god, how can mere humans hurt me!?"
Although due to the blocking of the Police Department members, the camera couldn't capture the body of the Teru Teru Bozu Killer.
But the words he said, accompanied by the intensifying sound of rain, clearly came out of the TV, entering the ears of everyone watching this live broadcast.
Just then.
A smiling voice sounded from behind the Kyoto City TV Station reporter and cameraman.
"What are you pretending to be, I just don't understand."
Hearing this familiar tone of voice, Yagami Soichiro's suspended heart finally landed.
As expected...
He and the Police Department members, along with the TV station reporter and cameraman, turned around together.
Catching their eyes was the figure wearing a pitch-black mask standing on the roof of a two-story residential house.
Not just "Mask", but also the mysterious person Yagami Soichiro had seen, wearing pale white clothes, petite stature, and wearing a pure white mask.
As well as an unidentified person with pale gold patterns on her clothes, and another with a rabbit-shaped mask with two long ears.
Standing on that roof, four strangely dressed people not only caught the eyes of everyone present.
Through the camera's live broadcast, the Kyoto citizens watching the TV live broadcast, including Yukino, Kawasaki Saki, Keika, and Marin, all saw this scene.
"Mask?"
"That is... the legendary Mask?"
"Actually a real person?"
"Actually showing up on TV live broadcast?"
"Is he the enemy of the Teru Teru Bozu Killer...?"
And as Kyoto city's Number One Solo Fan, the moment Keika saw "Mask" appear on TV, she had already started cheering and jumping.
....
Seeing this, the TV station reporter hurriedly pulled the cameraman aside, found a hidden corner, and lowered her voice to the cameraman.
"No matter what, do not stop the live broadcast!"
"Mmhmm, I understand!"
Originally thought it was a live broadcast of the Police Department arresting the suspect.
This was also agreed upon by the TV station executives and high-ranking Police Department officials.
Through the full live broadcast, bring an end to this vicious serial murder case that had received widespread attention from all walks of life, thereby restoring the Police Department's credibility.
Unexpectedly, there's an unexpected harvest?
The protagonist in urban legends VS the serial killer with an arrogant attitude and cruel, heinous methods?
This is simply invincible!
"You again..."
The Teru Teru Bozu Killer's bloodshot eyes locked tightly onto the face of "Mask". Seeing the smile pattern on the opponent's mask that seemed to be despising and mocking him, his emotions became even crazier.
"You and I, both are people possessing special abilities, why!? Why do you always have to come and hinder me!"
Mai wearing the rabbit mask snorted coldly, speaking slowly.
"Are you also worthy of being mentioned on equal terms with him?"
The Teru Teru Bozu Killer's pupils twisted, no longer looking like a normal human.
The holes on his body healed rapidly, and the bullets expelled from his body fell to the ground, splashing water.
The putrid smell on the Teru Teru Bozu Killer became more and more obvious even with the cover of the rain.
"Since you cannot become my assistant, then as an obstacle on my path, my destined enemy I must kill, fulfill my..."
Bang!
Before the Teru Teru Bozu Killer could finish his words, Yoru's figure in the live broadcast footage suddenly disappeared.
The cameraman turned the camera direction, only to see an unbelievable scene appear before the signboard of the Suga Editorial Studio, inside the encirclement that the Police Department had already lifted.
"Mask" dressed in black, single-handedly grabbed the Teru Teru Bozu Killer's head and pressed it into the accumulated sewage on the ground.
Although his voice wasn't loud, it seemed to carry inexplicable penetrating power, allowing everyone present and all audiences watching the live broadcast to hear clearly.
"I am your destined enemy?"
"I have never heard such insulting words in my life."
"Are mere you, also worthy of viewing me as a destined enemy?"