Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

Chapter 1 The Killer and the Cafe Manager

Tokyo, Miwa Town.

In the early morning, sunlight filtered through the branches of the cherry blossoms onto the street, filling the air with a faint floral fragrance. The "Jingxin" coffee shop on the corner quietly welcomed a new day. The wind chimes in front of the door were gently rustled by the breeze, emitting a crisp ringing sound, as if greeting every passerby.

Inside the café, Chen Shuo was grinding fresh coffee beans with undivided attention. In his early thirties, he was tall, with handsome features, and his every move exuded a carefree elegance. His light-colored shirt complemented his neatly styled hair, making him look like the protagonist from a romantic film. Occasionally, he looked up and smiled, his gentle expression putting customers at ease.

On the surface, Chen Shuo is just the manager of the "Jingxin" coffee shop, an ordinary man with a passion for baking and a love of socializing with his neighbors. But in reality, his past is far more complex than this cup of mellow coffee. He was once a top assassin in another world, codenamed "Wuchen." This codename symbolized both his swift and silent actions and the loneliness and coldness within him. He was once ruthless, capable, and efficient, with a 100% mission completion rate, carrying the blood and sins of countless crimes. However, his constant dance with darkness left him exhausted, and he gradually grew tired of this life.

Until one day, he learned that his friend, John Wick, had successfully escaped the quagmire of being a killer and lived an ordinary life, which made him think of "retirement". However, God did not seem to intend to let him escape so easily. A sudden car accident made him travel from his past life to this completely unfamiliar world - Beikacho, Tokyo.

After arriving here, Chen Shuo quickly adapted to his new life. He decided to keep his "Wu Chen" identity secret, becoming a friendly coffee shop owner during the day and occasionally taking on commissions at night, continuing his assassination. After all, talent is something that shouldn't be wasted.

---

"Brother Chen Shuo, good morning!"

A crisp voice interrupted his thoughts. Chen Shuo looked up and saw a girl standing at the door with a smile as bright as the spring breeze - Mao Lilan, the daughter of the detective Mao Li Kogoro who lived upstairs.

Mao Lilan comes to Jingxin Coffee Shop almost every day to enjoy a cup of cappuccino made by Chen Shuo, and has long become a regular here.

"Good morning, Xiaolan." Chen Shuo showed his usual gentle smile and handed her a cup of steaming hot cappuccino. "This is your favorite. If you have time today, the store has a few new desserts. Remember to try them."

Mao Lilan took the coffee with a hint of apology in her smile: "Thank you, Brother Chen Shuo, but I may not have time today. Shinichi said there is a case and we have an appointment to go to the scene to take a look."

"Kudo Shinichi?" Chen Shuo smiled faintly, a barely perceptible coldness flashing in his eyes, "He's really busy."

Kudo Shinichi, the gifted young detective and star student of Teitan High School, was renowned throughout Tokyo and even the nation for his exceptional deductive abilities. Chen Shuo, to be honest, didn't have a particularly favorable impression of the young detective. While he admitted he was indeed bright, he felt he was overly obsessed with his cases, often neglecting the important people and events around him, especially Ran Mouri.

Mao Lilan repeatedly falls into danger in order to accompany Shinichi to solve the case. This behavior of disregarding the safety of others makes Chen Shuo very unhappy.

"There's nothing in his mind except the case." Mao Lilan pouted slightly, her tone full of helplessness.

"You have no obligation to follow him around all the time." Chen Shuo smiled gently, his tone calm and concerned. "A girl of your age should enjoy life. You don't have to be the only one involved in the case."

Mao Lilan was about to answer something when the door of the cafe was pushed open again. A tall young man strode in, his expression sharp and his uniform straight. He glanced between Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan and nodded slightly.

"Good morning, Mr. Chen Shuo." The young man greeted politely in a lukewarm tone.

The person who came was Kudo Shinichi.

"Good morning, Kudo," Chen Shuo replied with a smile, but in his heart he was fully aware of Kudo Shinichi's hostility. He couldn't help but chuckle. The reason the boy harbored hostility towards him was simply because he cared about Mao Lilan. Although he didn't say it explicitly, Chen Shuo could see it. Kudo Shinichi's reasoning ability was indeed strong, but there were some things in this world that couldn't be understood by a clever mind. The world of martial arts wasn't about fighting and killing, but about the ways of the world!

"We should go, Xiaolan. I have some new ideas about the case." Kudo Shinichi urged, obviously unwilling to stay here any longer.

"Okay, Brother Chen Shuo, I'm leaving first!" Mao Lilan bowed to Chen Shuo and hurried away following Kudo Shinichi.

Chen Shuo watched them from behind, a thoughtful look in his eyes. Kudo Shinichi was indeed smart, but he was still too young. There were many things he hadn't experienced, many things he couldn't see through. The world of assassins had long taught Chen Shuo not only to be smart, but also to conceal himself and remain calm, and Kudo was clearly far behind.

---

Night falls.

The bustle of the day gradually faded, and Beika Town returned to its tranquility in the night. The lights in Jingxin Café remained soft as ever. Chen Shuo stood behind the counter, slowly packing up the shop's items in preparation for closing.

At this moment, the door was pushed open again, and a familiar figure walked in. A middle-aged man, wearing a slightly sloppy suit, with a hint of pride in his eyes.

"Brother Chen, we finally solved a big case today!" The man who came was none other than Maori Kogoro. Although this great detective was well-known, he usually seemed lazy and casual. But now, his face was full of smiles, and he sat casually at the bar. "Let's have a drink, we have to celebrate tonight!"

Chen Shuo smiled and shook his head: "Congratulations, Kogoro, but drink less alcohol, it's good for your health. I'll give you a glass of espresso to refresh your mind."

"Hmph! Those reporters only know how to praise that kid Shinichi. Why don't they pay more attention to an old man like me?" Kogoro Mouri muttered as he took the coffee with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.

"Kudo is indeed talented, but he is still a little behind you." Chen Shuo said lightly, and while handing him coffee, he did not forget to comfort him with a few words.

As they chatted, Chen Shuo's phone vibrated slightly. He picked it up, and a coded message popped up on the screen: "New mission, target: Army Colonel Mikio Ikemoto, time: tomorrow morning at 4:00 AM, location: Mika Pier, take the order?"

Chen Shuo's eyes flashed. The name Ikemoto Mikio was familiar to him. This colonel was involved in many shady dealings and acted recklessly. Such a goal was not a difficult task for Chen Shuo.

He nodded, confirming the order.

Chen Shuo's actions caught Maori Kogoro's attention, and a glint flashed in his eyes. "Brother Chen, do you have a new 'part-time job'?"

Chen Shuo smiled faintly and nodded: "Well, there is some garbage that needs to be cleaned up. It's not a good person."

Maori Kogoro looked at Chen Shuo deeply, then waved his hand, "Really? That's good. You should remember that you are a human being, don't go too far."

Although Maori Kogoro usually acts like a clueless detective, Chen Shuo knows that his abilities in all aspects are far superior to those of Kudo Shinichi. Maori Kogoro learned of Chen Shuo's other identity early on, but he didn't dwell on it. With his rich experience, he knows too well that light and darkness always coexist. This is also the tacit understanding between Maori Kogoro and Chen Shuo.

Chen Shuo chuckled, "I've had enough of the 'unhuman' days. Now I'm very picky." After saying that, Chen Shuo stood up and said goodbye to Maori Kogoro with a smile, "I have to go to the back. You can drink slowly. Remember to help me close the door when you leave."

Maori Kogoro waved his hand: "Go ahead! Be careful, I really like your coffee, Xiaolan likes it too!"

He smiled and nodded, then turned and walked into the storage room behind the cafe. The door of the secret room closed silently.

The surrounding walls were covered with various weapons and assassination tools. He selected a modified Remington 1875 revolver, his favorite, and then a dagger. He preferred simple, neat equipment, not burdening himself with unnecessary things.

---

Three thirty in the morning, Rice Flower Pier.

The Tokyo night was shrouded in a light mist, and the lights around the docks were dim. Occasionally, a few cargo ships docked at the shore, and the gentle sound of water accompanied the cold wind. Chen Shuo, dressed in a black suit, walked lightly, seeming to blend into the night.

He found a perfect hiding spot near the dock and quietly observed Ikemoto Mikio and his entourage. They arrived at the dock on time, ready to conduct an illegal transaction. As time passed and the goods were gradually moved into place, Chen Shuo had a thought: the time had come.

Without hesitation, Chen Shuo swooped silently from the shadows, like a ghost. The two bodyguards, alert, spotted him, but their movements were far inferior to Chen Shuo's. The dagger sliced ​​through the air, instantly taking their lives. Blood splattered on the ground. Ikemoto Mikio, suddenly aware of the danger, turned and tried to flee, but how could he match Chen Shuo's speed?

Chen Shuo raised his hand and shot Ikemoto's leg accurately. The latter fell to the ground in pain, wailing.

Chen Shuo leaned down and looked at the once arrogant colonel in front of him with eyes as cold as ice.

"Who...sent you?" Ikemoto Mikio's voice trembled and his face was full of fear.

"You don't need to know anymore," Chen Shuo replied calmly, the dagger gently slicing across his throat. Ikemoto's life was gone in a matter of seconds.

The mission was completed neatly and efficiently. At exactly four o'clock in the morning, Chen Shuo quietly left the scene without leaving any trace.

---

**The next morning, in Beika Town.**

Chen Shuo opened the door of the "Jing Xin" coffee shop as usual, welcoming the new day. The sun shone on his face, and his warm smile was a stark contrast to the coldness of last night.

"Brother Chen Shuo, you look in good spirits today!" Mao Lilan arrived as promised again with a bright smile.

"Really? Maybe you had a good dream last night." Chen Shuo replied with a smile, as if everything that happened last night was just a distant dream.

This is Chen Shuo's life, half in the sun and half wandering in the dark.