The work of an investigator often means experiencing things that an ordinary person could never imagine.

  Usually, what investigators witness is the ruin of humanity. The world is full of things that ordinary people should never see, but which, if witnessed, would leave eternal scars on the soul.

  However, very rarely, an investigator sees another kind of example—one where the common sense of reality does not apply. Seok-young felt a sense of absurdity as he confirmed what he saw at the scene alongside the forensic team.

  "Technically, we came here after receiving a report, and Jihyeon-ssi, you witnessed it from the outside, but..."

  Unlike his usual self, Seok-young kept talking, trying to let his shock bleed out in any way possible. If he didn't, he wouldn't be able to accept the scene unfolding before his eyes.

  No country in the real world had ever created such a perfect humanoid robot. Seok-young had seen drawings based on an illustrator’s imagination or figures made from them, but those were merely fictional objects—not actual "killer bots" moving to kill a person.

  "I was baffled as well," Jihyeon said, staring intently at the object he had destroyed. On the surface, it looked perfectly human. However, its mobility and the cutting power of its weapons were not based on current technology.

  "It's so-called future technology from that other world... I just came here hoping for some information and got attacked, so I'm the victim," Jihyeon quipped.

  Seok-young shook his head and said, "Normally, this would be breaking and entering..."

  Entering a building without permission was a problem in itself. But as always, if one didn't get caught, there was no issue.

  "I tried to investigate on my own just in case, but as expected, there were limits to the abilities of the tools I possess. For some reason, it's hard to search for information on items from that side," Jihyeon said, shaking his head.

  Seok-young could only let out a sigh.

  "This is... what should I even call this..."

  The forensic team member beside them sighed as well. It seemed they felt the same in the face of something they had never imagined.

  "How are we supposed to process this...?"

  Metals and various new materials they had never seen before were leaving them in a state of shock. At this point, every single piece was of immeasurable value. Jihyeon could only manage a bitter smile at the sight of the investigator who didn't know how to handle it, appearing as though he was in the same boat.

  "Putting those guys aside, did you find out anything?" Seok-young asked Jihyeon. The original purpose of coming here was to catch the loan shark. The killer bots were merely obstacles that got in the way.

  "It’s about the same level as what the police found... so it wasn't a huge help. It might be different if this person were married or living with someone."

  Jihyeon began to share what he had discovered about the loan shark. Seok-young felt a slight prick of irritation at the fact that it wasn't much different from what he already knew.

  However, Jihyeon’s story wasn't over.

  "But on the contrary, that makes it interesting. This person hid himself in a way I couldn't track. Conversely, that means if I search only for the data deleted from the CCTVs, I can find where he went. It’s just not a task meant for a human being."

  Jihyeon continued, basing his words on the information he had just uncovered.

  "I'll explain it properly later, but it connects like this."

  Jihyeon began to play CCTV footage one by one on his phone. Seok-young spoke in admiration.

  "I never thought of calculating backward like that. Most people wouldn't even dare to imagine it."

  Jihyeon nodded at Seok-young’s words.

  "Of course, it's not perfect. There are many things I can't find with this alone. Still, if I keep following the trail, it leads to one place."

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  Jihyeon opened a map app and marked a spot. It was an ordinary office.

  "The problem is, it ended there. After that, I couldn't track him even with my abilities. I was going to go there right after stopping here, but there probably won't be any traces left now."

  Jihyeon sighed. The limitation of only being able to find so much with his power weighed on him.

  "Well, not necessarily. This loan shark is a very greedy man, so he’ll move because of contract issues or security deposits. There are actually quite a lot of legal rights and interests tied up here."

  Seok-young spoke with a confident expression. At his words, Jihyeon looked as if he had realized something.

  "In the end, criminals are human. If that's the case, the ones who delve into their psychology are also human."

  Seok-young turned around. There was nothing more for him to do here. However, there was plenty to do moving forward. Jihyeon followed him as they began to discuss their next steps further.

  Usually, one should be happy when things go as expected, but sometimes that wasn't the case.

  So-young managed a bitter smile as she received Se-hee’s report. Hearing that the two killer bots they had prepared just in case were both destroyed and recovered by the police was not pleasant.

  Of course, considering the plan prepared by So-young’s superiors, it wasn't a bad thing for items from their world to spread in any form. In fact, such a spread was important for what was to come.

  However, while that might be true in the long run, it was definitely unpleasant in the short term. The killer bots were items they had gone through a lot of trouble to bring over.

  "When we brought them over last time, there were a lot of complaints from that side, right?" So-young asked Se-hee quietly.

  "Yes. That’s why I chose the ones with the lightest mass... but I didn't expect them to be defeated so easily."

  Se-hee let out a sigh. It seemed she hadn't expected them to be picked up whole and swung against each other to be destroyed.

  "Because they were too light, it actually worked against them..." So-young muttered, sounding dumbfounded. No matter how she looked at it, the cost-benefit analysis didn't add up.

  "Anyway, if technology leaks from the broken parts, human innovation will accelerate. Shouldn't we think of it positively?"

  Se-hee spoke while gauging So-young’s reaction. So-young sighed and replied to her words.

  "You're not wrong... we do need to make this side progress in some way. But isn't this a bit much? After all the trouble we went through to bring them... they got taken out the very first time they were used?"

  So-young complained irritably. She already knew who had destroyed them. It was Jihyeon. He kept interfering with them in strange ways. Of course, to be precise, it was because their business continued to be conducted near where Jihyeon lived.

  "The progress of the work seems slower than expected. Why don't we target another region instead of here?" So-young said complainingly. Se-hee nodded.

  "That would be better. Of course, since the higher-ups want it, we’ll leave him alive, but that man is truly annoying..."

  Since Jihyeon's existence wasn't a negative for them in the long run, there was a reason to keep him alive. However, since he was such a major hindrance to their immediate business, both So-young and Se-hee had complex feelings about him.

  "If only we hadn't crossed over with only half our strength during that accident. If only those madmen hadn't interfered with the plan to stop the end of the world like that."

  So-young complained, her anger rising once again toward those who had ruined their plans.

  "For now, let’s deal with Jihyeon just enough so the higher-ups don't get upset, and shall we draft a business plan to open branches in other areas?" Se-hee asked So-young cautiously. So-young nodded in agreement.

  "It would be best for a substantial business to go that way. We can't be tied down to this city alone, can we?"

  So-young began to ponder how she would ignore the instructions from above. Giving hard tasks without proper support is the same everywhere. Superiors who only demand unreasonable things from people sent to a place that isn't their original world are always hated.

  "There are others in different regions who want tools, so let’s go find them," Se-hee said, showing the recent emails on her tablet.

  "Fine, let’s go with that. And also..." So-young changed the subject. "That loan shark? What was his answer?"

  Se-hee smiled bitterly at the question. "He says he'll do it, but he's already trying to act superior."

  So-young understood exactly what Se-hee meant. She smiled bitterly and said, "Isn't a consumable acting a bit too superior? He should just earn money by selling what he's given; is he trying to climb up the ladder again?"

  So-young’s voice was cold. Her voice, which usually carried no trace of her typical cheerfulness, contained only contempt.

  "He’s beyond the point of knowing his place. He’s just a criminal who played a bit big in this city. Even those who want to be dealers aren't this bold."

  Se-hee felt the same as So-young. She found the loan shark extremely unpleasant.

  "Actually, that might be a good thing. Isn't that what the higher-ups want anyway? To see that greenhorn Jihyeon grow in this city."

  Se-hee nodded at So-young’s words and then laughed.

  "You're right. While we develop business in other cities, we can leave everything to the loan shark. Wouldn't it be okay to just report accordingly and make him a regional manager?"

  So-young nodded at Se-hee’s suggestion.

  "Tell him to prove his ability first. Anything. And if he produces results that other dealers can accept, we'll give him a small promotion. Then, we'll assign him the role of keeping Jihyeon tied down. If he dies while doing it, that's that..."

  So-young then asked Se-hee as if something had come to mind. "By the way, what happened to the test subjects?"

  Test subjects—referring to those who had completely lost their sense of self due to the control devices for tool users. So-young asked in a tone as if she were asking about office supplies.

  "They have been delivered successfully. It will be hard to get more now, but the amount we have secured will be sufficient for a while."

  Se-hee replied, concluding the meeting. It was time for the afternoon's work. As if by agreement, the two ended their conversation and headed to their respective desks.