Chapter 24: The Case of the Storage Room Murders

At the time of the incident, aside from the suspect being seen entering the victim’s home through the corridor, no one else was present.

So then, who do you think killed the victim’s entire family of three?

“Ghost murder?”

【Ding: Case triggered successfully.】

【Police God Case Check-in activated.】

【System query: Has the host checked in?】

Xiao Yu: “???”

What is with this system? It keeps appearing out of nowhere!

You just popped up out of the blue—don’t you know you could scare someone to death?

At least I’m human—could you show a bit of respect?

After a brief hesitation, Xiao Yu silently thought, Check-in!

【Ding: Congratulations, host! Case check-in successful!】

【System Reward: Skill – Gun Expert!】

【System Mission Dispatched: Solve the major storage room murder and dismemberment case!】

【Time Limit for Case Resolution: Ten days!】

【If the host completes the mission within the time limit, an additional system skill will be granted: Wangdie’s Nose!】

【If the host fails to solve the case in time, the granted system ability will be retracted!】

【Mission countdown begins…】

In an instant, a torrent of ‘firearm knowledge’ was force-fed into Xiao Yu’s brain.

Not only that—his body was also imprinted with numerous ‘firearm skills’…

That sensation was truly extraordinary.

It was as if Xiao Yu was born with innate understanding of every gun and how to use it.

After the last ‘Combat Expert’ incident, he wasn’t too surprised.

But still…

What exactly is this ‘Wangdie’s Nose’ skill?

Puzzled, Xiao Yu pulled out his phone and searched for information on ‘Wangdie’.

The results were shocking at first glance.

Wangdie: Possessing the most acute sense of smell among creatures, the male Wangdie can detect the scent from a female Wangdie even from over ten kilometers away…

Xiao Yu was stunned.

Is this an even more impressive sense than a dog’s nose?

He recalled that just days ago, after solving a case, the system had rewarded him with ‘Falcon’s Eye’.

After all, an eagle’s vision is also among the best in the animal kingdom.

There was a time when Xiao Yu thought his system was so LOW and useless.

Now he realized that his system is… the real deal!

Smack!

A hand patted Xiao Yu’s shoulder, catching him off-guard in his excitement.

It nearly knocked him out cold.

People can be frightening, truly lethal!

“Master, you really startled me,”

Xiao Yu turned to see Guo Qiang.

“Cut it out,”

Guo Qiang chuckled, “Xiao, don’t call me ‘Master’—I can’t take it!”

“Ha,” Xiao Yu laughed.

Sometimes the police force is just like the military.

It’s all about seniority, rank, and strength.

Even a non-commissioned officer, if truly formidable,

can make a general salute first upon meeting him.

This non-commissioned officer might have trained countless lieutenants, captains, even generals.

Though he never got promoted for various reasons, his abilities were unquestionable!

As for Xiao Yu’s own abilities, does anyone in the Criminal Investigation Team not know them by now?

Just yesterday, ‘the higher-ups’ announced that once the storage room murder case is closed,

there will be one collective third-class merit award and one individual third-class merit award.

Solving cases under time pressure has its pros and cons.

If you crack the case within the given time, your superiors won’t hesitate to lavish you with rewards.

But if you fail to solve it on time, the repercussions will be equally severe.

Within the system, any slight mistake could lead to being ‘unmasked’.

You might as well quit being a cop!

Solving the storage room murder case will definitely earn you both credit and bonuses.

Everyone in the team knows that one of those individual third-class merits

is reserved just for Xiao Yu!

Jealous yet?

Within the Criminal Investigation Team, every single member is counted, and who wouldn’t be envious?

Take Guo Qiang, for instance.

After sixteen years on the force, how many honor medals from the city’s police system has he actually received?

Third-class merits?

How many people in the entire city’s police force have ever earned one?

Someone once described it perfectly:

Third-class merits are given standing up, second-class are handed out lying down, and first-class are collected by the family.

As exaggerated as it sounds, the reality is just that.

Third-class merits are one thing, but second and first class? They’re practically life exchanges!

Even a third-class merit is a big deal.

With that achievement, once Xiao Yu is made permanent, his police rank will automatically be raised.

That’s right—the police system rewards merit with rank promotions.

Although rank typically isn’t related to duty, it does affect pay and future promotions.

An extra rank means an extra pay grade—over three hundred more a month.

The key point is,

having a police rank won’t guarantee a promotion, but without a high enough rank, you’ll definitely never get promoted!

“How’s the case file looking?”

Guo Qiang scanned the case file in front of Xiao Yu and asked with a smile.

That kid’s got some skills.

He just might uncover a clue.

“The suspect, though lacking an alibi and leaving all kinds of evidence at the scene, but…”

Xiao Yu shook his head firmly, “There’s little chance he committed the murder!”

“What?”

Guo Qiang was stunned, “How can you be so sure?”

You haven’t even been to the scene—just based on a case file, you’re certain he’s innocent?

“Maybe it was carelessness on the part of the case handlers. They overlooked one key detail.”

Xiao Yu pointed at the file, “The timeline just doesn’t add up!”

“Timeline?”

Guo Qiang wore a perplexed look.

The next moment, his eyes suddenly lit up; he left with one sentence, “Just wait!”

“Wait for what…?” Xiao Yu asked, confused.

Soon, he was summoned to the meeting room.

With both the team leader and deputy present, dozens of eyes fixed on him.

“Tell us, what’s going on?”

Zhao Changshan asked in a deep, commanding tone, “What’s off with the timeline?”

Xiao Yu internally chuckled at his incompetent teammates.

If the case file meticulously detailed the entire process,

I’d have deduced the truth much faster—why waste so many brain cells?

Since the boss is asking, Xiao Yu’s expression grew serious.

“The suspect’s time of the crime just doesn’t match up…”