Beyond the Truth: Mouri's Odyssey

Chapter 0037: Life-and-Death Crisis

Watching Gin disappear from view, Kogoro Mouri quickly ran toward Yukiko's direction.

From the motorboat near the shore, Yukiko's anxious cries could be heard: "Mouri, don't come any closer! Run away! The bomb is about to explode!"

Kogoro Mouri made a giant leap, jumping over three meters of water to land directly on the motorboat. Yukiko, with her tear-streaked face, had cried her eyes red.

She was bound by thick iron chains, tied to the motorboat's seat, with bombs stacked behind her. A timer on the device was steadily counting down.

"You idiot! I told you not to come! There are only 30 seconds left before it explodes!"

"Stop talking! How could I possibly leave you behind?" Kogoro shouted as he immediately examined the timed bomb and the thick chains. He thought about using his pistol to shoot through the chains but quickly dismissed the idea—there were explosives everywhere around the boat, and firing the gun could ignite them.

As time ticked away, Yukiko cried out desperately, "Leave now! Forget about me! If you stay, we'll both die together!"

"Shut up! Even though you drive me crazy every day, I've grown used to having you around over all these years. If you really disappeared, Eri and I would be devastated. Don't worry—I'll get you out of this safely."

Kogoro cupped Yukiko's tear-streaked face, wiping away the tears beneath her trembling eyes.

Hearing this, Yukiko couldn't stop her tears, which continued to stream down.

The seconds slipped by rapidly, and only 15 seconds remained.

"V-chan, hurry! Tell me, is there any way to save her?" Kogoro called out frantically.

[Searching available options based on the host's current points… No viable methods found.]

Kogoro finally realized that his repeated use of the system's abilities had almost completely depleted his points.

"What? How can that be? System, think of something!" Kogoro shouted in panic. Without a solution, the explosion would surely be fatal for both of them.

Sweating profusely, Kogoro searched the boat frantically. He eventually found a piece of iron plating over a meter tall. Without considering whether it would work, he dragged it over and positioned it in front of them.

The countdown reached 10 seconds. V-chan urgently warned, [Warning! The host is in an extremely dangerous environment. Please evacuate immediately!]

[Repeat warning! The host is in an extremely dangerous environment. Please evacuate immediately!]

But Kogoro's body remained still. His brain worked rapidly, trying to find a solution.

Yukiko, her face wet with tears, gazed at Kogoro, who was shielding her with the iron plate. In her eyes, he appeared like a god descending from the heavens. She thought, 'Maybe dying with him like this wouldn't be so bad.'

The final five seconds began to tick away.

V-chan spoke hurriedly: [Host, immediately activate the advanced Slant Universe Guidance Technique. It allows you to transfer all attribute points into one category. Please transfer all points to physique to increase your chance of survival.]

In that moment, a flash of clarity appeared in Kogoro's eyes. 'The multi-universe lottery—I still have one draw left.'

During his high-speed car chase with Gin earlier, the system had determined that his second main mission, 'Detective Duel: Claiming the Throne', was completed, rewarding him with points and one lottery draw.

"V-chan, start the lottery!" Kogoro's only hope at that moment was for incredible luck.

[As you wish!]

The remaining seconds counted down rapidly. At the final moment, Kogoro's face lit up with joy. He quickly pulled out a strange, ugly doll from his pocket and shoved it into Yukiko's arms.

"Yukiko, take this. Hold onto it tightly," he instructed.

Without giving her time to respond, Kogoro wrapped Yukiko in his arms, shielding her with the iron plate in front of them. Whatever was about to happen, it was all up to fate now.

---

Boom!

The explosion roared as endless flames surged toward the two. The iron plate, unable to withstand the force, was riddled with holes from the flying shrapnel. The entire motorboat was torn apart and began to sink into the water.

The fire continued to burn as the shattered remnants of the boat sank slowly into the depths.

---

Time seemed to stand still. Suddenly, a head emerged from the water—it was Yukiko, completely unharmed. Clutching the strange, ugly doll in her hand, she frantically cried out, "Mouri-kun! Mouri-kun!"

Her voice grew more desperate with each passing moment. Seeing the calm, fiery waters and the sinking debris, her heart sank into an abyss of despair.

Just then, another head popped up nearby.

"Damn, that hurt like hell! I'm starving!" Kogoro's voice sounded.

At that moment, Yukiko's eyes shone with an overwhelming brightness. She immediately swam toward him, throwing her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his lips.

Kogoro's pupils shrank as he felt her trembling tongue awkwardly trying to part his teeth. He couldn't hold back anymore, and their kiss quickly deepened, tongues entwining passionately amidst the fiery wreckage. Time seemed to fade away as they kissed as if there was no tomorrow.

---

Back on the shore, the two walked hand in hand. Yukiko firmly believed that the iron plate had shielded them from the explosion, saving their lives.

However, only Kogoro knew how close they had come to death. If not for the final moment when the lottery produced the 'Substitute Doll' , Yukiko would never have survived.

Substitute Doll: Grants immunity to one fatal injury.

Even with the advanced Slant Universe Guidance Technique fully activated, transferring all attributes to physique, Kogoro had suffered severe injuries from the blast. Without the healing ability, he would never have been able to swim back to the surface. It had been a truly perilous escape.

A Special Thank You!:

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to [julius jones], for supporting me on Patreon!