Pokémon Detective Case Files

Chapter 63 The Commentary Race Inside the Elevator

The detective didn't hear the explosion from upstairs until the elevator doors closed.

It seems that the Coral didn't choose to "self-destruct" immediately. In that case, Azure and the others should be able to deal with their opponent smoothly.

Hugo was relieved and continued to do his best to fool the two police officers in front of him.

"Regarding the questions you just raised, I reiterate that the victim's Pokémon could not be the murderer. This is not a matter of betrayal, but rather a matter of size. Among Greta's Pokémon, even the smallest Mudfish is a large yellow fish over seventy centimeters long, making it impossible for it to hide on the gray tiled floor of the crime scene; it is extremely conspicuous."

In the cramped elevator, Hugo gestured repeatedly with his hands in front of two police officers to enhance the persuasiveness of his speech.

"Therefore, no matter which of the six Pokémon is in your hands, it is impossible for them to jump out of their Poké Balls and stand in front of their trainers to use the Rock move on their abdomen. Moreover, if they really wanted to fight, these violent Sandstorm Team Pokémon would not use the weak little Rock Screw; they would release a giant rock above the trainer's head, smashing the trainer and the ceiling below into a pulp and ruins."

Faced with the detective's rapid-fire reasoning, an officer spread his arms and pressed them down, signaling Hugo to calm down: "But this has nothing to do with the case. We just want an explanation—excuse me, why did you insist on having the police seal off the apartment building?"

The detective shook his hand helplessly and explained with a bitter face, "I've already said that the culprit who caused this whole case is in this building. The other party could start to escape at any time. Every second is extremely precious, but you insist that I explain the whole story before you're willing to consider taking action."

Time was of the essence; Hugo needed to persuade the two policemen to cooperate with his next move before the elevator reached the ground floor. 💝✌ ❻➈𝓼ђǗⓍ.𝓒𝕆м 🐜💎

The elevator had already descended to the 20th floor.

“Of course you need to explain, sir,” said another, taller officer, arms crossed. “Our superiors forbid us from acting on our own initiative, and you’re demanding without reason that we illegally detain an entire building’s residents. You’re not even a police officer! Why should we trust you?”

"Okay, okay." Hugo took a few deep breaths, trying to remain friendly, and continued to explain the simple facts to the police officer in the elevator—

"The scene was completely sealed off, and the victim was caught completely off guard by the direct attack. There's only one explanation for both of these facts—the deceased was hit by a small mechanism hidden in the room. I know you didn't find the mechanism, but you should remember the small flowerpot on the bookshelf in the room, right?"

The two officers who had conducted the on-site search exchanged a glance and then nodded together.

"Don't you think it's a bit strange that the item appeared in the deceased's house? Greta was a rough trainer, as evidenced by his tasteless furniture and simple living items. Such a person wouldn't specifically buy a succulent plant for the sake of interior aesthetics. Therefore, the only explanation for the flowerpot appearing on the bookshelf is that someone gave it to him as a gift."

"Is there anything special about this gift?" the short police officer asked, puzzled.

"What's so special about it?" Hugo scoffed. "This is a succulent that can kill. Hidden inside is a sun coral that attacks with 'sharp stones,' and your Officer Jenny is battling it right now."

The elevator passed the 10th floor.

The short police officer frowned and questioned, "I've seen what Corsolas actually look like. They're at least as tall as an arm, and they're a vibrant pink all over. How could such a Pokémon be hiding in a flowerpot?"

"To adapt to the unique natural environment of different regions, some Pokémon have become drastically different in appearance and type from those in other regions. This difference in form is called regional form. 🐚👻 😂👑 Galar Corsola is a prime example."

Hugo patiently explained to the officers, "You can check the Pokédex for details afterward. I'll just give the briefest explanation—there's a Ghost-type Corsola that can play dead and not eat or drink for several days. In this state, its coral branches will become spirits and hide."

"The kind of sun coral you're talking about is in the flowerpot on the bookshelf? Is this an assassination?" The tall police officer looked incredulous, unintentionally using a word that proved useful in describing the situation at the time of the incident.

"Yes, assassination, of course, assassination, or rather, a premeditated murder by a trap. Someone buried a subspecies of Corsola in that flowerpot and gave the flowerpot to Mr. Greta. So, on the day of the incident, when the victim was facing the bookshelf preparing to choose a book, the demon hidden in the flowerpot remotely summoned a Rock Cone, which silently stabbed this talented star trainer to death."

New 69 Bookstore →

The officers' faces grew paler and paler. They simply couldn't believe that they had spent an entire morning searching in the same room with a Pokémon that had killed people for a full four hours!

The shorter man asked hesitantly, "If that's the case, why don't we go and reinforce Miss Officer Jenny, instead of sealing off the entire building?"

"Good question." A crisp snap of fingers rang out from the detective in the white coat.

"Ordinary people who lack self-awareness tend to prioritize solving the problems right in front of them, treating the symptoms rather than the root cause. But this behavioral pattern often numbs our ability to perceive the future, which can then lead us to make wrong decisions at crucial moments." Hugo raised his voice, laying the groundwork for what he was about to say.

"My habit is to plan carefully before acting, and to think three steps ahead for every one I take." The detective shifted his position, facing away from the elevator door and towards the two officers. "Now, may I ask, Ms. Officer Jenny, what impact would your Pokémon battles in the deceased's room have on the case?"

The elevator passed the 5th floor.

The tall officer was completely bewildered, while the other officer realized what was happening: "Other residents in the building should have noticed the commotion."

"Absolutely right, truly worthy of being the guardians of peace in Feiyun City."

The detective didn't hold back his praise: "So, can we now rule out the possibility that the suspect is still in this apartment? Don't forget that succulent plant; it's not strange for neighbors to exchange gifts."

For some reason, a competitive spirit arose within him, and the short officer, who had been a beat slow to react earlier, immediately replied, "That's right, I understand! The criminal who sent the potted plant gift is likely hiding in one of the building's apartments. He couldn't have remained indifferent after hearing the noises coming from the deceased's room. In other words, the perpetrator is likely preparing to escape soon."

"Hmm! It seems our understanding has synchronized," Hugo said happily. "Locking down the building will not only help prevent the real culprit from escaping, but it will also help us filter out the residents who are eager to leave the apartment building after the fight begins. Anyone with a brain knows that the culprit is likely hiding among them."

"Even so, you can't possibly pinpoint the person who gave the gift from among those people, can you?" The short police officer still had some doubts and looked at Hugo with unease.

"Who said I was going to look for people among the residents?" The detective shrugged, then turned serious and expertly issued his orders—

"I'm going to the apartment manager to investigate some things. The information there will help complete the last piece of the puzzle. In the meantime, you'll each be stationed at the main entrance and the side entrance of the apartment building. No one is allowed to leave, only to enter. Don't let anyone inside leave the building."

The elevator stopped on the first floor.

The officers, one tall and one short, opened their mouths, wanting to continue their rebuttal. However, there was nothing to criticize in the detective's previous long and rigorous reasoning, and coupled with the other party's unusually tough attitude, the officers had to admit that they had been completely overwhelmed by the man in front of them in terms of momentum. They finally nodded and agreed to Hugo's request.

The detective nodded smugly: "Well then, it's been a pleasure working with you. I've noted down your police numbers, and I'll put in a good word for you with Miss Officer Jenny when I have the chance."

With his hands making a gun gesture, Hugo pointed his arms at the number plates on the two men's chests, then turned around gracefully, and the elevator doors opened at that moment.

Watching the detective in the white coat walk briskly away towards the administrator's duty room, the shorter officer couldn't help but ask his colleague, "Did you understand what that detective was saying? He spoke so fast, I felt like I couldn't keep up with his train of thought."

"I thought I understood it when I was listening, but now that I think about it, it doesn't seem like that at all. It's like I just had a math lesson." The partner scratched his head and said, "Miss Officer Jenny and the others have only just entered the scene. Have they really discovered the murder trap? I really can't believe it."

"But thinking back, that flowerpot does seem a bit suspicious..."

"But that could be your preconceived notion. Even if it really was a killing machine, how can you be sure that the person who delivered the gift was someone from inside the building? They could very well have already gone out and gone into hiding."

"What you said makes sense, but..."

The two policemen looked at each other, then resignedly shrugged and spread their hands: "Let's just do as that person says."