North American Detective: I am Proficient in All Kinds of Gun Quick Draws
Chapter 38 Warmth (Please follow for updates)_1

Chapter 38: Chapter 38 Warmth (Please follow for updates)_1

"Looks like that Kaz has already been caught. A true surprise indeed!"

Dean whistled and pressed the doorbell.

The door was opened by Sinclair.

She cracked open the door but didn’t remove the chain lock. Instead, she flashed a sly smile. "Dean, you haven’t been back for several days. Mom was upset, saying she was about to lose her most handsome son. But if I help, she might cool off and let you in."

His mom, Sheila, was the daughter of a very traditional Italian farmer.

Their outlook on life was somewhat like that of Chinese people, favoring family life and liking to live with relatives. This is why, in the United States, it’s relatively common to see families made up of both Chinese and Italian members.

Confronted with Sinclair’s blatant extortion, Dean nudged the gift box at his feet. "But I brought gifts for all of you this time."

"WHOA~"

Sinclair let out a cry of joy and unhooked the chain lock. "I’ll sweet-talk her for you, my handsome brother."

After saying that, she leaped up, giving Dean a hug and a kiss.

Dean was embraced by Sinclair, which aggravated the injuries on both his shoulders. He grimaced in pain, but an involuntary smile touched his eyes.

This is what family is all about. So nice.

After entering, his mom, who was immersed in a talk show, also gave Dean a big hug and kiss to welcome him. "Baby, have you finished your case?"

"Of course," Dean said with some effort as he set down the largest gift box. "We caught the serial home invasion rapist and murderer who’s been all over the news lately, and I got a few days off."

"Looks like you’re adapting well to your current job," Sheila said, kicking the large gift box at her feet with a hint of dissatisfaction. "But you look a bit weak, son."

Dean replied, "...I just sprained my arm; it’s difficult to exert force!"

Sinclair also brought over a cold drink, joining the conversation. "Bro, no need to explain. You’re so handsome, it’s normal to be a bit weak. It’s far better than you mincing about or limping; *that* would really worry me."

"That’s true," Sheila nodded in agreement.

What??? Dean didn’t understand.

"Alright, let’s change the subject. The small box is for Mom, the medium one is yours, Sinclair, and this big box is Thompson’s. By the way, where is Thompson?"

"He’s out on a date!"

As Sinclair explained, she quickly grabbed her own box and opened it, then shrieked with excitement. "It’s actually the latest model of the Witch’s Dress! AAAHHH! And a makeup set for witches! This stuff is super expensive. My girlfriends are going to be so jealous! I love you so much, Bro!"

Sheila couldn’t wait to open her gift box either.

Dean had given her a complete set of cosmetics. "Mom, thank you for taking care of us four siblings like both a father and a mother."

These were his heartfelt words, containing both gratitude from his former self and his own admiration. In the United States, a woman like Sheila—who raised four children on her own after her husband died and chose not to find a new partner to avoid wronging her children—was very rare.

Sheila was moved to tears by Dean’s words.

She covered her mouth with both hands, her voice quivering with sobs. "Dean, I... I’m so relieved that you’ve really grown up. You never used to say these things before. I really like your gift!"

Dean was very perceptive, giving Sheila a solid hug. "From now on, it’ll be our turn to protect you, Mom."

The two were getting sentimental.

His mischievous sister Sinclair broke the mood. "Mom, have you noticed? Since starting work, Dean has become much better at sweet-talking girls."

Dean rolled his eyes and gave her the middle finger...

He watched the talk show with them for a while longer, then made an excuse to rest. Carrying the heavy toolbox prepared for Thompson, he limped up the stairs.

The box was heavy, and with every step, his injuries were aggravated.

Sinclair unintentionally caught a glimpse of this. Gasping, she quickly pulled the still-sentimental Sheila aside and whispered, "Mom, look at the way Dean walks!"

Sheila wiped her tears, turned her head to look, and then gasped as well. "Oh, Sinclair, do you have anyone suitable to introduce to your brother?"

"I have many girlfriends, but if I introduce them to my brother, he’ll end up in jail..." Sinclair said with a troubled expression. Her friends were underage.

Dean didn’t know that his mother and sister had mistakenly concluded he was gay.

Right now, he was lying on his bed, ready to begin strengthening himself.

Each strengthening session brought an invigorating warmth; it was quite magical. Dean was curious to see if this warm current could help with his injuries.

With this thought in mind, the values on his Detective Panel changed.

Attribute Points: 2 → 1.

Speed: 10 → 11.

The warm current arrived as expected.

The next moment, Dean’s eyes lit up with joy.

As the warm current strengthened various parts of his body, a tingling sensation also came from the wounds on his limbs.

The strengthening ended.

Dean clenched his fists and lifted his legs. The joy in his eyes slowly faded. It seems that healing injuries is just a side effect of strengthening. Although it works, it’s not as strong as I thought. It’s probably useless against fatal injuries. Can’t exploit a bug, then.

He felt slightly disappointed.

Dean tested the changes in his body. His body felt lighter, and his reaction speed had improved slightly, but it wasn’t a qualitative change. However, his injuries no longer hindered his regular activities.

Continue!

Attribute Points: 1 → 0.

Speed: 11 → 12.

The warm current this time was even stronger.

The strengthening ended.

Dean found that his injuries had fully healed. Also, just like the last time, there was a noticeable awkwardness in the coordination of his hands and feet.

This was because his neural responses had quickened significantly, but his body hadn’t immediately adapted.

All night, Dean focused on adapting to the changes in his body.

「The next day, dawn broke.」

Dean sat cross-legged on the bed. Reaching into his pocket with his right hand, he took something out and held it before his eyes. A discreet black blade had appeared between his fingers.

With a flick of his fingers, the blade moved like flowing water, intricately weaving between them. Under the morning’s first light, it cast a series of black afterimages that undulated like waves.

This continued for a full ten minutes.

Only when a slight tremor ran through his fingers and the blade slipped from his grasp did Dean stop, feeling quite satisfied.

Now, I’m not just durable and strong, but also very agile. The future looks promising.

As for the two Skill Points, Dean planned to save them for later.

His physical base had grown stronger, and the energy consumed by Dean’s every move had also increased.

He touched his stomach and then walked downstairs.

"Dean, why not sleep in a little?" Sheila, his mom, was already up and preparing breakfast for her three precious children.

"I went to bed early, so I woke up early. Mom, your breakfast is truly delicious. I love it!" Dean grabbed a sandwich and devoured it hungrily.

"HA HA," Sheila’s eyes brimmed with satisfaction upon hearing Dean’s praise, but she feigned annoyance, "Did you brush your teeth?"

"HEH HEH, I’ll brush after eating."

After breakfast, Sinclair and Thompson, who were heading to school, finally got up.

Upon seeing Dean, Thompson was uncharacteristically enthusiastic. "Bro, your gift was awesome."

"Of course! A complete toolbox set is every man’s dream! By the way, Thompson, hope the date went well."

"HEH HEH," Thompson smiled, somewhat shyly.

Sinclair, on the other hand, looked disdainful. "Thompson, I thought you wouldn’t come back last night. I even thoughtfully put a condom in your pocket—I bought that with my allowance! You really wasted my money."

"HA HA."

Dean was amused by Sinclair’s words. Come to think of it, that should have been my responsibility as the elder brother, but Sinclair took care of it.

He playfully pinched Sinclair’s chubby cheeks. "See you all next weekend."

The warmth of home soothed Dean’s lonely heart. He was starting to truly embrace his current identity and enjoy it.

Composing himself, Dean prepared to go to the detective bureau to personally interrogate Kaz!

I absolutely will not allow anyone to destroy this wonderful life I have now! Not even God!