On the day Ranpo was defeated, the members of the “Sheep” organization from Leibo Street scattered in all directions.

In the final base of the “Sheep,” Ranpo, who was once a member of the Port Mafia and now severely hypothermic, no longer sweated coldly as he lay in a deep pit created by the battle. His eyes, melancholic like those of a French poet, showed a sense of relief.

He had regained most of his memories.

It turned out he was a European special agent dispatched to a Japanese military base, his partner had died, and he himself perished six years ago in a disaster caused by forcibly using his ability to read Arahabaki. He had triggered the explosion on Leibo Street, and instead of becoming his power, Arahabaki, influenced by his power, created Nakahara.

Ranpo’s ability, “Album,” was a space-type ability that could isolate two spaces, allowing entry only with his permission. He could also read the powers of deceased individuals in a subspace, forming humanoid abilities. He had secretly “worshipped” the previous leader to obtain his power.

All of this should have been Ranpo’s secret, but he was betrayed by Bai Lan, who sold him out for survival. Subsequently, Dazai happily reported it, and finally, Mori decided on his death.

Nakahara stared at the self-inflicted Ranpo, feeling a wave of confusion, finally understanding his origin.

“Dazai didn’t lie to me; this person is the clue I’ve been looking for.”

They were clues to each other.

Ranpo wanted to regain his memories through Nakahara and obtain his power, while he wanted to find out the origin of Arahabaki and understand the reason for his inexplicable birth in this world.

The result of six years of searching was right in front of him. Nakahara felt both bitter and disheartened.

“Ranpo…”

His hands clenched into fists.

Human conflict and greed had led to the disaster, making him both the Arahabaki and the safety mechanism for it after his birth. It was also possible that he was the human host for Arahabaki. What other secrets lay behind this, he didn’t know, as the real special agent Ranpo had already died. The humanoid ability “Album” that had faced Arahabaki’s power six years ago and survived had lost its memory and lived on as Ranpo.

“Alright, alright, let me interrupt you two for a moment.”

Among the four people involved in the battle, Dazai Osamu suddenly spoke, breaking the humanized attachment of Ranpo before his death.

Nakahara’s face immediately turned sour.

“Shorty, did you forget our agreement?” Dazai Osamu ruthlessly struck at Nakahara’s heart. wanted to say something but stopped, suppressing his soft-heartedness, glaring at Dazai fiercely.

“I didn’t forget!”

Defeat Ranpo, gather information, and finally have Hyakki kill this person!

That was the purpose of their alliance.

Bai Lan, leaning against the wall, had been responsible for providing information and watching the show. He teased, “Dazai, Nakahara, if you don’t hurry, Ranpo will die… a corpse is useless.”

Nakahara was filled with unspoken anger: “Do I know you well?”

Bai Lan cunningly replied, “Don’t worry, you’ll get to know me in the future. Just making friends in advance.”

People from the same circle.

Ranpo weakly moved his eyes to look at the Italian boy who knew too much. His fragmented memories didn’t include this person. “I haven’t seen you in Europe…”

Bai Lan sweetly smiled at Ranpo, placing the cotton candy in his hand into his mouth.

“Maybe I’ve read your poems.”

“Rimbaud.”

In parallel worlds, Bai Lan, who had ruled many worlds, often hit roadblocks in the world of ability users. Naturally, the European ability users’ organization was his first target. With the full assault and infiltration by the Milufiore Family, various intelligence and secrets opened up to him, allowing him to understand the depth of the ability users’ world: a world with gods and monsters, with many things beyond human comprehension on its periphery.

Like that dog, or the cheongsam woman who appeared in Shanghai.

He dared not recall further; some memories were forbidden, and recalling them was tantamount to digging his own grave. The mere mention of the dog could lead to records of it killing hundreds of Bai Lans along the soul transfer route!

Hearing about poetry, Dazai Osamu’s eyes subtly glanced at Bai Lan.

Bai Lan didn’t care.

These literary figures, even if they knew his achievements in parallel worlds, wouldn’t change their mindset. Spies would continue being spies, those spewing dark mud would continue doing so, steadfastly walking the path they chose.

A remarkable person of an era wouldn’t waver because of parallel worlds.

So… he liked these outstanding people, reading their stories and endings. The world changed because of them, not the other way around.

“Hyakki, come here.”

Dazai Osamu set aside his parallel world speculations and pulled the battle-worn Hyakki to Ranpo’s body.

Ranpo, in his final moments, let go of his complex past identity and spoke softly.

“Dazai, targeting me inexplicably… it’s for him, right…”

“Yes, Ranpo, please do a good deed to the end. Use your inhuman identity to help Hyakki recover a body part. I’ll be grateful and wish you a peaceful afterlife.”

Dazai Osamu said calmly and harshly, while Hyakki, prompted by the system to collect energy, bewilderedly realized that this soon-to-extinguish golden life flame… could actually be counted as part of the demon god’s realm? If it weren’t for Kusuo revealing the truth of this world, he might have been deceived by this foolish system.

Ranpo, a near-top-tier character among the ability users in “Bungo Stray Dogs.”

“Hyakki, use your sword.”

Dazai Osamu subtly hinted to Hyakki with his actions.

“…”

Hyakki’s expression froze, unable to deliver the final blow. The sins on the opponent’s body were minimal.

This person was highly unlikely to be of the demon god’s kind!

“Hyakki? He should be your target…” Dazai gripped Hyakki’s arm, his eyes gleaming with a cold smile as their objective neared completion. It wasn’t aimed at Hyakki intentionally; Dazai’s inner warmth had always been scarce, with whatever thin warmth there was reserved for their private moments together. “I noticed that, just like before, Hyakki was full of fighting spirit. Have you figured out that the opponent isn’t human? Could it be that his inherited sins are too few?”

Dazai mused aloud, “There isn’t enough time to let Ranpo kill more people.”

A chill ran down Nakahara’s spine.

Bai Lan, unfazed, offered a perverse suggestion, “Dazai, give him a chance to live. Set a condition: only by killing a hundred people can he escape the Port Mafia’s pursuit!”

Nakahara couldn’t help but interject, “Hey! Can you guys be normal for once!”

After listening, Dazai shook his head, “Bai Lan underestimates Ranpo. With Ranpo’s abilities, he wouldn’t need to wait until now to go on a killing spree.”

The gaze of the boy in the black suit once again pierced through Ranpo, making his feel a deep sense of the younger generation’s potential.

“Ranpo, what’s your choice?”

“Before you die.”

“Would you be willing to save a person? Save someone who doesn’t want to kill you, someone deeply mired in darkness and confusion.”

Ranpo, without hesitation, grasped Hyakki’s katana, positioning it at his own throat…