Chapter 47

Qin Ran's dinner was eaten in Sheriff John's office.

Two hot dogs, a donut, three pieces of fried chicken, and a large cup of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Although he could only use one hand, the other being handcuffed to the chair, this did not prevent Qin Ran from enjoying his meal even more.

For Qin Ran, who had a three-year fast-food career, even fast food was a delicacy.

"Thank you for the food that tastes as real as this!"

As Qin Ran poured the last bit of orange juice into his mouth, he felt the sweetness and slight sourness of the orange, and couldn't help but close his eyes in contentment.

The only thing that made Qin Ran regretful was that these foods did not replenish health, stamina, or other attributes.

They only eliminated the [Hunger] status.

Subconsciously, Qin Ran thought of the canned food and bottled water he had obtained in the beginner's dungeon.

"Is this also a beginner's benefit?"

Qin Ran easily made the connection.

Then, instinctively, Qin Ran regretted not bringing out more canned food and bottled water, even though he had already brought out the two most valuable rocket launchers.

Never underestimate the stinginess of a miser.

As Qin Ran put the cup back on the table, the office door was pushed open.

Sheriff John, with a cigarette in his mouth, walked in and directly threw the key to the handcuffs to Qin Ran.

The meaning was clear.

Qin Ran was fine.

After unlocking the handcuffs and moving his left wrist, Qin Ran asked, "Who is that guy? Not an old friend of mine, right?"

"No!"

"Do you remember the pickpocket gang we caught today when you were arresting the murderer?"

Sheriff John asked.

"You're not telling me that the pickpocket gang has become capable of taking lives now?"

Qin Ran feigned surprise.

Although not a real detective, Qin Ran knew that thieves and pickpockets, while standing in the gray area, would never commit murder.

"They wouldn't dare, but their boss would!"

"Do you remember the 'Jimmy' I told you about?"

Sheriff John exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Of course, didn't he go missing?"

"The area you manage has become chaotic because of his disappearance!"

Qin Ran nodded.

"I've never wanted Jimmy to appear in front of me more than I do now!"

"Jimmy's disappearance has left the position of the underground boss in this area vacant!"

"Those who want to rise to the top and become the boss are going crazy to show off!"

At this point, Sheriff John, annoyed, lit another cigarette.

Even though the previous one had only been lit for less than two minutes.

"So, I was chosen as the 'demonstration' target?"

Qin Ran instantly understood.

With Sheriff John's explanation, he had a general idea of the whole situation.

Today at the train station, the mastermind behind the pickpocket gang he had caught was vying for control of the area, and his actions were naturally seen as a provocation.

Coincidentally, this mastermind needed more fame.

And what could be more fame-gaining than getting rid of someone who had just offended him?

Brave and vengeful!

This was seen as highly undesirable by ordinary people.

But in the eyes of these underground forces, it was a virtue.

"Don't worry, I've already sent people to bring that guy back!"

"I'll make him spend the rest of his life in the black prison!"

A furious smile appeared on Sheriff John's rough face, making people shiver.

Sheriff John had already understood the situation through the patrol officers, so he knew that this time, those guys were not just messing around; they were after Qin Ran's life.

If Qin Ran didn't have good fighting skills, he would have been in the morgue by now, which he had visited at noon.

Sheriff John, who valued Qin Ran as a good friend—especially after Qin Ran helped him solve a murder case at noon—automatically considered Qin Ran a friend.

"Do you have any news about Arthelie Hunter?"

With the other party's assurance, Qin Ran didn't intend to press further but asked about the whereabouts of the young lady.

Because Qin Ran knew that the sheriff in front of him was upright and just.

He could allow Qin Ran to act in self-defense.

But he would never allow Qin Ran to actively create carnage.

Especially when the other party was already in a difficult situation, if Qin Ran really went to eliminate that mastermind, he would definitely be on the other side.

Before finding Arthelie Hunter's exact location, Qin Ran didn't want to lose this ally.

Otherwise, he would really be looking for a needle in the sea.

"I've already dispatched all the people I can!"

"Including my reserve forces!"

John said.

From the other party's response, Qin Ran understood that the side quest [The Corpse in the Police Station] he had completed had taken effect.

However, Qin Ran didn't mind making the search easier for the other party.

"I got some more accurate information this afternoon!"

"There is someone with the young lady!"

"More importantly, this person has a very distinctive feature—a scar on his face from his forehead to the left corner of his mouth! His hands are large and rough, and his back is injured!"

Qin Ran recounted the clues he had obtained from Gonglansen.

Then, he saw Sheriff John looking a bit stunned.

"What's wrong?"

Qin Ran asked instinctively.

"Is this the guy you're looking for?"

Sheriff John flipped through a pile of documents on his desk and found a portrait.

Although Qin Ran had never seen it, the scar from the forehead to the left corner of the mouth made him more than half certain.

However, Qin Ran didn't say it directly.

Instead, he curiously asked about the person's identity.

"Who is this?"

"'Black Hand' Jimmy, the underground boss of this area!"

Sheriff John replied.

Hearing this, Qin Ran was also stunned.

After a moment, he rubbed his forehead and let out a broken groan.

"Is it really that coincidental?"

"The Arthelie Hunter I'm looking for is actually mixed up with 'Black Hand' Jimmy, who is completely unrelated?"

"That means the person Arthelie Hunter saved earlier was 'Black Hand' Jimmy!"

"And the reason Arthelie Hunter disappeared on a rainy night must have been because she was worried about this injured person—his place must be very shabby, so shabby that it doesn't even have a roof!"

"If Hunter knew this, she would probably be very sad!"

Qin Ran examined the portrait in his hand.

This Jimmy, known as 'Black Hand,' if not for the fierce scar, was not old and could even be described as somewhat handsome.

Moreover, the thrill of his identity was incredibly attractive to a young lady like Arthelie Hunter.

Worse still, Arthelie Hunter was not a weak young lady; with Gonglansen's training, she was much stronger than the average person.

Such strength made her crave adventure even more.

She didn't want to be confined to her father's estate, even if it was for her own good.

Similarly, such strength would also become a fatal temptation.

Because reality was far crueler than she imagined.

[Main Quest: Find Arthelie Hunter or her body within a month]

Looking at the word 'body' in the main quest, Qin Ran couldn't help but sigh.

The main quest's description had already indicated what Arthelie Hunter might have experienced.

"I don't know if Hunter will be sad, but I know that if I can find 'Black Hand' Jimmy, the current chaos will end—I will have enough time to deal with those guys one by one!"

Sheriff John said.

"Then, I can only hope there aren't too many leaky places in the city!"

Qin Ran laughed.

"Even if there are more, I will find them all!"

Sheriff John said and turned to leave the office.

Watching Sheriff John's departing back, Qin Ran shook his head.

It had been almost a whole day, and the chances of Arthelie Hunter and 'Black Hand' Jimmy still being in the same place were slim.

Sheriff John knew this.

But he wouldn't give up even the slightest hope.

So, Qin Ran didn't try to persuade him.

Stretching, Qin Ran stood up from the chair, picked up the box containing the [Viper-M1], and prepared to return to his residence.

He didn't want to spend the night on the office chair.

As Qin Ran walked out of the office, a panicked police officer was rushing towards him.

"Hey, Carl!"

Qin Ran waved to the young officer.

"Detective Qin Ran, where is the sheriff?"

The young officer nodded to Qin Ran and asked urgently.

"John just left!"

"What happened?"

Qin Ran asked with curiosity.

Although Carl was young, the brief contact at noon was enough for Qin Ran to know that he wasn't someone who overreacted. His current urgency must mean something had happened.

"Our people are clashing with Schubert's men, and the other side has strong firepower, requiring urgent reinforcements!"

The other party didn't hide it and explained briefly.

"Schubert?"

Qin Ran had no particular impression of this name.

"The one who sent the assassin to try to kill you on the street!"

Carl explained.

"Is it him?"

Qin Ran was first surprised, then his eyes narrowed slightly.