Chapter 14: An Idiot, or... a Liar?

Light Yagami has come out of the room.
Understood. Liu Mengchao pressed his earpiece. Give me the specific direction.
He is moving from Shibuya toward Shinjuku. Qi Xiaoxiao's voice continued to ring in Liu Mengchao's earpiece. Judging by the general direction, it should be the subway station.
Mm.
Professor, aren't you worried that the timing might not match up?
Timing? Liu Mengchao let out a contemptuous laugh. Not at all.
With that, Liu Mengchao shook his head and walked toward Odakyu. Odakyu was the shopping street in the underground plaza at the west exit of Shinjuku Station, divided into a North Wing and a South Wing.
The South Wing or the North Wing?
Liu Mengchao deliberately sidestepped Qi Xiaoxiao's question. Facing Liu Mengchao's evasion, Qi Xiaoxiao could only let out a helpless sigh. It's the South Wing.
Very well. Inform the others to stand by for orders. You as well.
After saying that, Liu Mengchao walked into the underground plaza of the Shinjuku exit. And the subway station lay at the very end of this underground plaza.
Meanwhile, Light Yagami was leaning against a wall, coldly watching the bustling pedestrians while wearing a slightly triumphant smile.
Shinigami, now I'll let you see the fruits of my investigations and experiments over the past few days.
Experiments?
Ah, I used the notebook again on nearby criminals to test out a few different methods of killing. Light Yagami's eyes lit up as he spoke. If you write down the cause of death and the circumstances first, and then write the person's name afterward, they will die in exactly that manner.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Light Yagami pulled up his hood. This allowed his face to be completely concealed. However, his gaze grew even sharper.
Because his target, Liu Mengchao, had arrived!
With his hands shoved into his pockets, Light Yagami slowly approached Liu Mengchao from behind, whispering under his breath.
Mr. FBI agent, if you turn around, I will kill you. I am Kira.
Have you finally come?
Hearing Light Yagami's voice from behind, Liu Mengchao came to a halt. Do not disappoint me, Light Yagami.
If you dare to turn around, or put your hands in your pockets, I will kill you instantly.
You certainly talk big, Light Yagami. The corners of Liu Mengchao's mouth curled up as he stood stock-still in front of Light Yagami.
First, I'll show you proof that I am Kira. That coffee shop you can see right now—I am going to kill the man working there, the man wearing glasses.
You really have a lot to say, Light Yagami.
Liu Mengchao silently looked in the direction Light Yagami had indicated, where a man wearing glasses was leaning against a doorway, whistling and leisurely slacking off.
Suddenly, as if echoing Light Yagami's words, the man was yanked upward violently by an invisible hand, jolting into the air in a contorted posture, his hands pressing hard against his chest. Then, with a loud snap, he collapsed limply.
Cause of death: heart attack.
If I didn't kill at least one person, you wouldn't believe me. It couldn't be helped. But that man repeatedly raped women yet escaped indictment due to insufficient evidence. He richly deserved to be punished.
Light Yagami spoke unhurriedly from behind Liu Mengchao.
I assume you've already heard from L that I cannot kill someone unless I know what they look like. Conversely, that means I can kill everyone right here. If you don't believe me, I'll prove it to you.
Shameless boasting. But now was not yet the time. Liu Mengchao lowered his head slightly, forcing his voice to grow a bit gloomier, which made it sound somewhat helpless.
No... I believe you are Kira.
Moreover, having a loved one killed is far more painful than seeing these insignificant people die. Now, please assume that the person being held hostage is her.
He must not react too violently here. His body should tremble slightly to better resemble someone under threat.
Sure enough, seeing Liu Mengchao's reaction, a smile inevitably crept onto Light Yagami's face—a cold, cruel smile tinged with triumph.
Yes, I've looked into your background. If you dare to take a single action defying my instructions, I will slaughter your family along with you. And yourself, of course.
I understand. What do you want me to do? Liu Mengchao said, though the anticipation in his heart grew all the more intense.
You have your computer with you, don't you? Does that computer contain records of all FBI agents stationed in Japan?
No. FBI investigations are compartmentalized, so we don't even know what our colleagues look like. To make his answer sound more convincing, Liu Mengchao even added a trace of a tremor to his voice.
Then please accept this envelope.
Seeing Liu Mengchao take the envelope from his hand, Light Yagami resumed speaking.
First, take out the transceiver inside and put on the earpiece.
With that, Liu Mengchao heard faint footsteps receding behind him. It seemed Light Yagami was no longer standing directly behind him. Opening the envelope, he found a black transceiver inside. Rather than a professional communications device, Liu Mengchao thought it looked more like a toy.
The purpose of using a transceiver was probably to ensure no record of their conversation remained. However, as long as the two of them were close enough in proximity, the dialogue could still be overheard. You really think things through carefully, Light Yagami.
With a slight smile, Liu Mengchao put on the transceiver Light Yagami had provided.
At the same time, Light Yagami's voice came through Liu Mengchao's earpiece.
Now, please board the Yamanote Line. Inner loop or outer loop—I will be monitoring you from close by the entire time. Once you board the train, keep looking straight ahead. Do not forget, I can kill you at any moment. After getting on, sit in a corner seat close to the door. If someone is sitting there, wait until they leave before taking the seat.
Either the inner loop or the outer loop is fine?
Hearing Light Yagami's instructions over the transceiver, Liu Mengchao let out a scornful laugh.
The inner loop.
Liu Mengchao walked straight into the train waiting before him. Fortunately, an empty seat happened to be available in the corner near the door.
The moment he sat down, Light Yagami's voice rang out in his earpiece.
First, I am going to ask you some questions. If my patience runs out and I still haven't received the answers I want, I will kill your girlfriend. State the organizational structure and number of FBI agents in Japan. Answer me quietly through the transceiver.
The number of people?
Liu Mengchao suddenly relaxed. Everything was proceeding exactly as he had anticipated.
Yes, the number of people.
Roughly four teams, totaling twelve people.
Then please take out the items inside the envelope.
Four sheets of paper. Each sheet was enclosed in a white paper jacket, leaving only a small blank space for writing on the right-hand side at regular intervals.
Now, please write the name of the commanding officer among those agents—your direct superior—into the top blank space.
My superior... Liu Mengchao said playfully. Are you certain you want me to write down my superior's name?
Certain.
Ah... Liu Mengchao tilted his head back, slapping the papers in his hand against his palm. If I recall correctly, my superior's name is something like Light Yagami...
What?!
Listening to the gasp of shock from Light Yagami over the transceiver, Liu Mengchao finally laughed.
Surprised, Kira?
No reply. Perhaps Liu Mengchao's words had derailed Light Yagami's train of thought in an instant; he was met only with a stretch of silence.
Or should I call you Light Yagami?
Thump! Thump!
Hearing Liu Mengchao's words, Light Yagami's heart gave a violent lurch. No. No. He definitely hadn't discovered his identity; it must have been the sound of his own voice earlier that reminded the man of him from the bus yesterday.
He must not deny it now. No, he couldn't even offer a denial, because denying it would only deepen the suspicion. The real Kira would never know the name of a high school student.
Kira, are you wondering if denying it will only increase Light Yagami's suspicion? Liu Mengchao narrowed his eyes slightly as he spoke. Your sudden silence just now—does that mean I guessed right?
Damn it!
What is going on here?!
Light Yagami drew a deep breath, knowing he must not lose his composure at a time like this.
Aren't you worried I'll kill you?
Ah... I'm quite worried. You know, Chinese names are only three characters long, so they're very easy to remember.
Three characters!
As soon as Liu Mengchao finished speaking, Light Yagami couldn't help crying out over the transceiver. He suddenly realized he had fallen into a trap. Since even the names on their identification documents were fake, the relatives and girlfriends of the FBI agents he had investigated must have been fabricated as well!
This is a trap! Calm down, Light Yagami told himself repeatedly. There must be a way out. It's not the end yet, no...
Light Yagami's eyes suddenly lit up. The fact that the man arrived at the subway station precisely at the time he specified could only mean the notebook's control was working. That being the case, the name the man used yesterday must have been real. His remarks just now were merely a desperate, cornered struggle—quite a resourceful impromptu performance indeed. In that case, continuing to threaten him with his relatives and loved ones remained the best counter-strategy.
No matter what happens, I must not panic!
The identification card you showed me yesterday used a fake name, didn't it? Light Yagami said softly. Then I'll simply kill everyone I investigated using that name.
Mm. Lin Xi. Not a bad name, actually. Liu Mengchao leaned back against the chair, playing the part of a terrified FBI agent. This was truly a tedious job.
You're lying! Light Yagami's voice suddenly erupted in Liu Mengchao's ear, laced with absolute certainty. Based on what I wrote in the Death Note, you arrived at the subway station down to the exact second. You should know that the Death Note can precisely control a person's time of death, as well as their actions leading up to it.
I know. Liu Mengchao answered Light Yagami's question, the smile on his face growing even brighter.
Then doesn't that mean the name I wrote in the Death Note was real? Deduce this for me, Mr. FBI Agent.
Tap, tap.
Liu Mengchao tapped his fingers gently against the paper before him.
Then please listen to my analysis, Mr. Light Yagami. Liu Mengchao flipped the papers in front of him with his hand. Considering that a fugitive suddenly burst onto the bus, followed by a series of events that forced me to show you my identification—all of this was part of your plan, wasn't it, Light Yagami?
However... Liu Mengchao continued on his own, not waiting for Light Yagami's response over the transceiver. You overlooked one thing—no, rather, you were far too deliberate. The fugitive ran straight off the bus and was promptly run over by a car. And you just mentioned that the Death Note can control a person's prior actions. No matter how you look at it, you are the most suspicious person of all, Mr. Light Yagami.
Wait!
Light Yagami suddenly smiled. As expected, this FBI agent still couldn't be certain of his identity; he was simply trying to leave behind as much information about him as possible before dying. And most importantly, the man had deliberately sidestepped any challenge regarding the arrival time. Thinking of this, Light Yagami relaxed once more. Everything remained firmly within his control.
A smile bloomed on the corners of Light Yagami's lips again. The moment my words touched upon anything related to yesterday, it would instantly confirm that I am Kira. This is a linguistic trap!
Light Yagami. Who is he?
He... Liu Mengchao smiled. He was the kind of person he loved dealing with. The son of Soichiro Yagami, the Deputy Director of the National Police Agency. In other words, someone who has received a traditional values education since childhood, which naturally gives him a strong sense of justice. Furthermore, according to my investigation, he ranked first on the national mock exams. In other words, he possesses an exceptionally high IQ.
Silence. Once again, silence.
Light Yagami frowned, knowing he could not show too much concern over Light Yagami, nor could he display agreement with any information regarding him. The moment he expressed opposition or agreement, his identity as Kira would be cemented beyond doubt.
Meeting changes with constancy and letting him continue talking was the best course of action!
Won't you even thank me? At least I praised your high IQ. Liu Mengchao flipped through the four sheets of paper in his hands. According to my deduction, if yesterday's incident was the work of Kira, the timing would have had to be extraordinarily precise. The timing of the death conditions was exact, and the IQ involved was exceedingly high. Let me share a little secret with you: people with high intelligence generally exhibit a mild, obsessive perfectionism when it comes to certain matters. For instance... an unwillingness to waste time.
What are you trying to say?
Oh, can't you tell? If Light Yagami is Kira, he would calculate every single piece of timing down to... at least the minute. Therefore, by closely monitoring when you left home, one could roughly estimate your arrival time at the subway station. And given your slight perfectionism, I figured you wouldn't want to waste too much of my time—you'd make sure I appeared before you within a few minutes of your arrival at the station. Did I call that right, Mr. Light Yagami?
Silence. Once again, silence.
A wave of ominous foreboding suddenly surged from the depths of Light Yagami's heart. Could it be... No! The man still lacked evidence; he must not waver here! Just a little longer, and this FBI agent would die, ensuring that absolutely no one would ever know his secret.
At the very least, he had to extricate himself from this dangerous situation first!
Are you losing your composure a little, Mr. Light Yagami? Liu Mengchao's voice was unhurried and composed, just like Light Yagami's had been when he was threatening him earlier. Thinking that I don't have any evidence on me to prove your identity?
Bad!
Light Yagami reacted instantly. Cold sweat broke out across his forehead like pouring rain.
No answer. It seems you've already figured it out. The envelope you handed to me with your own hands guarantees that I will die here. In other words, you definitely intend to retrieve this envelope. Liu Mengchao shifted into a more comfortable posture. Therefore, your fingerprints must be all over it. When that happens, how will you explain it? The envelope handed to me personally by Kira suddenly turns out to have the fingerprints of a boy named Light Yagami on it.
Damn it...
Light Yagami's heart pounded violently. He understood that at this moment, he had been driven into a desperate corner! No, there was actually another path he could take, as long as...
Light Yagami suddenly raised his head, staring at the Shinigami standing beside him.
Half of his lifespan, or... failure...
Ah...
Light Yagami was still hesitating when Liu Mengchao's voice preempted him, ringing directly in his ear. Now it was Light Yagami's turn to fall into a dilemma.
The train has arrived at the station, so I'll be getting off now. Please get ready—you'd better find a good lawyer. Liu Mengchao stood up from his seat, holding the envelope in his hand. Oh, and one last little secret: from the very beginning, we've been suspecting you. Light Yagami!
What?!
Light Yagami drew a sharp breath. It was time to make a decision! Once the FBI agent stepped out of the train doors and melted into the sea of people, it would be utterly impossible to find him!
Shinigami!
Turning his head to address the Shinigami standing beside him, Light Yagami lunged toward Liu Mengchao's direction.
Ding-dong...
The doors, however, opened even earlier than Light Yagami had anticipated.
Then... farewell, Kira, and Light Yagami. Liu Mengchao waved backward over his shoulder. The yellowish-brown envelope looked blindingly glaring in Light Yagami's eyes.
Even more glaring than the envelope were the words Liu Mengchao delivered through the transceiver.
This world is actually made up of two kinds of people, Mr. Light Yagami. One kind is called fools, and the other kind is called swindlers.
Fools, huh...
A chilling, sinister smile suddenly crept onto the corners of Light Yagami's lips.
Even if I lose half my lifespan, it's still better than being arrested. Did you really think I couldn't tell the difference between priority and urgency?
With that thought, Light Yagami hesitated no longer, sprinting directly toward the train doors.
The moment I see your face, I'll trade for the Shinigami Eyes!
This is my final chance!
Snap!
Suddenly, Light Yagami's footsteps froze.
A strong, powerful hand pressed down onto Light Yagami's shoulder. At the same time, a voice filled with amusement echoed right beside his ear.
Need some help, Kira?
Jolting his head around, Light Yagami stared in shock at the person standing behind him. Could the opponent have anticipated even this? Could this be the final trap?!
Don't get excited, Mr. Light Yagami. The person behind Light Yagami had his face largely concealed by a mask and sunglasses, but his words were utterly bare and unvarnished. We are on your side—we are on Kira's side!