Arthur's [physique] was 1.7, or 1.7 times that of an ordinary person, and [physique] encompassed every aspect of the body, including strength, speed, reflexes, eyesight, and hearing.
That was why Arthur heard the sound of boots stepping through muddy water, while the others heard nothing.
"Mr. Credos, what's wrong?"
Seeing Arthur suddenly freeze just as he was about to speak, Wiggins couldn't help asking.
Arthur sighed first, then spoke.
"'Anna' told me we have visitors!"
"Visitors?"
The Golden Fingers glanced at the spine-chilling Eerie Puppet in Arthur's arms and couldn't help taking a small step back.
He had already felt uneasy around "Anna" before.
What had happened on the carriage had only made that uneasiness worse.
And now?
It had reached its peak.
Had Arthur not been there, the Golden Fingers would certainly have turned and left.
In truth, having grown up on the streets, Wiggins had seen far too many tricks to be easily fooled.
Unfortunately, however, he had met Arthur.
From Dokule's death by "curse," to the exposure of the "Axe Murderer," to what had just happened on the public carriage.
Every single incident had involved human lives!
Wiggins had no choice but to believe.
And it left him deeply wary.
People always feared the unknown.
Wiggins was no exception.
To Wiggins, the eerie-looking "Anna" was every bit as terrifying as that invisible curse.
Scott, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. The young reporter watched the puppet with curious, eager eyes.
He truly wished he had a "gift" of his own.
Then he would be able to understand what "Anna" was saying.
Just as Wiggins and Scott were displaying their very different reactions, the door burst open with a bang.
It was one of Wiggins's men.
He, too, was a boy of fourteen or fifteen.
"Boss, it's the Blue Dogs!"
Blue Dog was a derogatory term for the police. Most people who grew up on the streets called police officers that behind their backs.
Without hesitation, Wiggins went to the corner and pulled open a hidden door.
"Go!"
For Wiggins, why the police wanted him didn't matter. What mattered was making sure they didn't find him.
As a Golden Fingers with something of a reputation in the neighborhood, Wiggins knew all too well what those officers were capable of. They were even more frightening than gang members.
His four subordinates clearly knew it, too.
They ran straight toward the hidden door.
Arthur, however, waved a hand.
"'Anna' told me they mean us no harm."
Of course, this wasn't a guess. He had heard a familiar voice.
That of the Third-Rank Police Officer nearing retirement: Maltz.
Arthur had clearly heard him ordering his men not to chase Wiggins's subordinates, and insisting that they exercise restraint.
Arthur didn't know why he had come.
But Arthur knew how to make "Anna" leave a lasting impression.
Hadn't Scott's eyes already lit up?
Wiggins hesitated a little.
In the end, he had his four subordinates take the beggar and escape through the secret passage first, while he chose to stay.
Having just received one Gold Ticket, their relationship had become all the more delicate. If Wiggins left alone, abandoning Arthur here, and something went wrong, his reputation in the neighborhood would be ruined. No one would trust him, and no one would hire him.
Even his own men would leave him.
They made their living through petty theft and shady dealings, yet at certain moments, they placed extraordinary value on their reputation. Such were the people who survived on the streets.
The streets were a curious place.
So Wiggins sent his men away first. He chose to trust Arthur, but he didn't dare risk his subordinates' lives.
After all, this was his choice alone.
Holding "Anna" in his arms, Arthur studied Wiggins with interest.
He was more responsible than Arthur had expected.
That was good news.
For Maltz, who had arrived outside the door, however, it was anything but good news.
The Third-Rank Police Officer nearing retirement really didn't want to see Arthur.
He didn't want to get dragged into the struggle over the position of Chief of Shire District.
Much less lose his life before retiring.
But faced with an order from his superior, Maltz had come anyway.
Seeing Arthur standing in the room, smiling at him while holding a puppet with two braids, an eerie face, and a little dress, Maltz felt his knees go weak.
Before coming, he had known Arthur was carrying a terrifying companion today.
But he hadn't imagined it would be something like this.
Those damned bastards!
Naturally, Maltz resented his superior's order to come find Arthur.
Why not send someone else? Why did it have to be him?
Simply because he was about to retire, and his approach to things had long since changed, making him easier to push around.
Sigh!
Just hold out a little longer!
Just hold out a little longer!
Retirement is right around the corner!
But...
Would he really live to retire?
Maltz asked himself, and the answer was obvious.
Even if he survived this crisis, another would be waiting for him.
Even if he survived every crisis, what would become of him after retirement?
Easy prey?
Maltz took a deep breath, and his thoughts began to shift slightly.
As that change took place, he looked toward Arthur almost instinctively.
He knew the key to breaking out of his predicament lay before him.
But...
Still hesitant deep down, Maltz gave Arthur a smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Credos."
As he greeted Arthur, the Third-Rank Police Officer nearing retirement turned his gaze toward Scott and Wiggins.
The two glanced at Arthur. When they saw him smile and nod, they tactfully left the room with the other patrol officers and closed the door.
Once only the two of them remained in the room, the retiring Third-Rank Police Officer's smile grew even friendlier. He also discreetly took out a Gold Ticket with a denomination of five.
"This is compensation for the damage to your yard."
"You can begin the repairs. If it isn't enough, let me know, and I'll help you apply for more."
As he spoke, he tried to hand Arthur the five-value Gold Ticket.
Arthur, however, took a step back.
Although the explosion had left a large crater in his yard and destroyed a fair amount of the lawn, neither filling the crater nor restoring the lawn would cost five Gold Tickets.
He only needed to hire an eldest or second son from any household on Dale Lane. Even a generous estimate would put the cost at just one Sol.
With a little patience, he could even bargain it down.
For eldest and second sons who mainly worked odd jobs, this kind of extra income was something they could only dream of, especially since the work wasn't strenuous.
Soil could be found anywhere.
Grass was everywhere, too.
To make things simple, they could just have their younger siblings dig some up.
The only part that required real effort was the final finishing work.
To them, this money would be practically free.
Yet now, the Third-Rank Police Officer nearing retirement was offering fifty times that amount. Arthur would never believe there wasn't something fishy about it.
Besides, from his predecessor's memories, he knew that compensation from the South Los police could never arrive this quickly, nor amount to this much.
When Arthur stepped back, Maltz immediately took out two more Gold Tickets, each with a denomination of five, and held them out as another show of sincerity.
Arthur remained unmoved.
Seeing Arthur's reaction, Maltz gave a quiet chuckle.
He knew Gold Tickets wouldn't sway him.
But he knew something that would.
Or, more precisely, a piece of information that would.
Yet he still hesitated.
Not over whether to tell Arthur about it.
But over how much to tell him!
Suddenly-
Boom!
A thunderclap rang out outside. Lightning streaked across the sky, its dazzling radiance shining through the gap in the door, sweeping past Maltz, then Arthur, before vanishing in an instant.
Maltz lowered his head, staring blankly at the floor where the lightning's glow had disappeared.
He recalled that flash of light. It seemed...
To have become a rope binding him and Arthur together.
He blinked.
Only after more than ten seconds did the Third-Rank Police Officer finally make up his mind.
"I know who's behind Joseph."
He kept his voice very low.
Arthur smiled.
He raised his hand and clasped Maltz's hand, the one holding the Gold Tickets.
Naturally, Arthur knew who Joseph was.
"I also know what that person is planning."
Maltz made it more explicit.
Then he stared straight into Arthur's eyes.
His meaning couldn't have been clearer: cooperate, and he would tell Arthur everything he knew.
"Go on."
Arthur nodded as he spoke.
Maltz immediately began-
"Since yesterday morning, there have been four cases of missing children in Shire District. The one you reported earlier was the fifth."
"We're searching for the children who went missing before."
"And, and..."
At that point, the Third-Rank Police Officer began to stumble over his words.
Arthur frowned and asked bluntly.
"And what?"
Only after glancing at Arthur did he speak, looking deeply guilty.
"And something just happened..."
"The baby you rescued has been taken."
Before you continue