If Wada comes to his senses, even if he is still unconvinced, he will re-examine his plan and take this opportunity to mobilize everyone to come up with other solutions for him.

But he simply smiled and changed the subject, echoing Kindaichi's words.

It's... no longer useful...

The more cowardly this person is in the face of reality, the more stubborn he becomes in deciding to kill according to his original plan.

These two completely opposite traits are firmly attached to him, like two hard shells, preventing him from accepting common sense and reality.

Then the only option is to stop him.

Yoruichi Toyama thought silently, while exchanging casual banter with Kindaichi, as if their previous conversations were just idle chatter.

As Kindaichi once again tried to spy on the women's bath, everyone became so excited that they forgot about the unpleasant topic.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Wada slipped away to a corner of the hot spring and then quietly left.

A few minutes later, Yoruichi Toyama also made an excuse to leave the hot spring, returned to her cabin, and changed into lighter clothes.

According to the original plot, it was also Wada's murder plan. The first victim was Nakata Kinuyo, who went out alone at night to look for clues to the treasure.

There was no technical skill involved, no noteworthy trickery, and it wasn't even because Kinuyo Nakata held the key to the treasure.

Wada simply and brutally attacked Nakata Kinuyo in the dead of night.

After that, the county police who rushed to the scene treated it as a common robbery and murder case, and released the treasure hunting team without even taking their statements.

The thought of this possible scenario made Toyama Yoru feel heartbroken.

I also realized once again where Gao Yuan's distorted ideas came from.

Selfishness and ruthlessness, dereliction of duty, irresponsible attitude, and interpersonal relationships where people cannot understand each other...

"The puppeteer of hell" is a malignant tumor bred from the multifaceted malice and flaws in people's hearts.

With his profound reason and insight, he should have been more aware of these things than anyone else.

But they couldn't extricate themselves from it.

He is even harder to save than Hotan.

Thinking about all this, Yoruichi Toyama cautiously approached the cabin in Wada.

Although I left a little late, I wasn't worried that Hotan had already set off.

Because the one who committed the crime tonight was not the editor, Morio Wada, but the "white-haired demon."

The dense thickets and shrubs surrounding the cabin provide excellent concealment.

...It's even a little too good.

"Oh dear, oh dear!" A strange, sarcastic voice rang out from very close by, startling Yoruichi Toyama so much that he almost stepped out of the bushes.

"...I knew it. Your nose, as sensitive as a police dog's, would sniff out who was carrying a murderous intent..."

The voice continued, and at the same time, Gao Yuan's face was revealed from behind the branches and leaves.

He actually reverted to his original appearance, standing there calmly, not as if he were spying on a murder, but rather as if he were watching an interesting performance.

Yoruichi Toyama snorted in annoyance, then raised his eyebrows.

"Are you running away again?"

Originally, after stopping Hetian, they planned to find a way to catch this guy who was always at large and put him in a single cell in the detention center.

I never expected this guy to be so sensitive to the slightest disturbance.

"My dear son, you seem to understand me more and more... Hey, let's talk this out..."

Gao Yuan's pretentious act was interrupted by a punch thrown at him by Toyama Yoruichi.

Using his agility, he easily dodged the attack, but before he could retreat further, one of his arms was suddenly grabbed and twisted behind his back.

With them so close, Yoruichi Toyama couldn't afford to make a mistake. She immediately grabbed Takato and pinned his arm against a nearby tree trunk.

"You think you can escape every time, don't you?"

Thinking of their past clashes, Toyama Yoru suddenly felt a surge of anger and casually tapped the guy who was chuckling to himself on the head.

"Ouch...you're still so rough..."

Whether from pain or embarrassment, Gao Yuan grimaced helplessly, but then smiled silently.

"And yes, that's right!"

The moment that nonsensical answer landed, Yoruichi Toyama suddenly felt the wrist she was holding become hard and rough, as if it were covered in burrs.

Gao Yuan's body seemed boneless as he slid along the tree trunk and disappeared in an instant.

Yoruichi Toyama didn't care whether what he was holding was a tree branch or something else, and rushed forward, only to hear a mocking giggle in the air above the bushes.

"How many times do I have to tell you, a magician doesn't just step onto the stage unprepared..."

"See you next time, my dear son!"

"Takato! You bastard!" Toyama Yoruichi gritted his teeth, filled with impotent rage, as he stared at the deserted thicket.

...

The night grew deeper.

Fortunately, the moon had risen into the sky, casting a hazy light through the trees.

Yoruichi Toyama carefully hid in the shadows of the bushes, still waiting for the cabin.

He didn't forget the most important purpose of his trip.

A strange and terrifying figure with a full head of white hair finally slipped out of the cabin.

The "White-Haired Ghost" is about to begin his killing spree.

We must stop him!

In the moonlight, two figures moved silently forward, one after the other, through the bushes.

...

A sharp scream in the still night shattered the sweet dreams of most people.

The doors of the cabins opened one after another, creaking and groaning.

Even Kindaichi, who was still stubbornly snoring, was dragged out of bed by Miyuki by the ear.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" Kindaichi's screams were louder than the sounds of the forest. "What's wrong, Miyuki!"

"Let go! My ear's going to fall off!"

No one explained anything to them; Mr. Itsuki only told the underage children not to run around before rushing into the woods with the others.

At this moment, the fastest runners had already spotted their target.

In a small clearing in the woods, two lumps, one black and one white, lay horizontally, with a human figure standing beside them.

Only when I got closer could I see clearly that the black mass was Nakata Kinuyo. She was lying on her back, and whether from injury or shock, she had no strength to stand up.

But her screams were still very piercing.

"Ahhh! Help! There's a ghost!..."

A ghost? ...

Everyone couldn't help but turn their gazes, half of them staring at Yoruichi Toyama, who stood to the side and seemed quite relaxed.

The other half looked at the white mass on the ground.

“Yes!” Yoruichi Toyama chuckled coldly, pointing at the thing, “'White-haired Demon'!”

It wasn't until they lifted up the "ghost" with a full head of white hair, who looked like a lost soul, that everyone realized it was Wada Morio, wearing a wig and a strange cloak.

Beside his fallen hand lay a sharp pickaxe, its surface gleaming ominously in the moonlight.