"Raise your hands!"

"………………"

I silently raised my hands. This was the second time today I'd heard that line directed at me. I was surrounded by nearly ten members of what must have been the riot police, SAT, or maybe the Self-Defense Forces. Naturally, all of them had their guns trained on me.

Their outfits looked familiar from what I'd seen on TV. Black clothing with bulletproof vests, black protectors on their arms and legs, helmets, and large shields. Judging by the look, they seemed to be riot police.

"Who are you?! Were you the one who subdued the terrorists?"

"Yes."

"Whoa!?"

The person who appeared to be the leader of the squad stepped forward and questioned me but seemed startled by my distorted voice, altered by my voice changer.

"Captain, I recognize this individual! This is the suspicious person who was saving people during that explosion incident a while back—it was caught on video!"

What do you mean, "suspicious person saving people"? I admit I look sketchy, but still…

"I’ve seen them before too! On the internet, people are speculating they’re some kind of psychic with strange powers!"

"A psychic? Are you serious?"

Well, using restraint magic in front of them probably made it obvious I wasn’t a normal person.

"For now, please restrain the terrorists. I’m currently holding them in place, but the restraints won’t last forever."

"What?! Understood. But you’ll have to come with us for questioning, hands raised."

"Got it. I’ll guide you to where I’ve restrained the terrorists."

"I’ll now release the restraints, so please take over from here."

"A-alright. Please proceed."

I undid the restraint magic on one terrorist. The chains binding them from their feet to their shoulders vanished in an instant.

"What the—?! Is this really psychic power?"

"Amazing! This is actual psychic power!"

Well, it’s technically magic, but the difference doesn’t matter much. One by one, I released the restraints while the officers swiftly handcuffed each terrorist.

"That’s the last of the terrorists."

"Y-yeah. Thanks for your cooperation. You can lower your hands now. Sorry for doubting you despite your help."

"No problem. I know I look suspicious."

"Still, who exactly are you? I hate to ask, but could you come with us? We need to report this to our superiors."

Hmm. I understood their reasoning, but going with them would risk exposing my identity.

"Apologies, but I must decline. Now, if you’ll excuse me."

"Wait, hold on—!"

"He’s gone!"

"…How the hell am I supposed to report this?!"

Using Stealth Skill right in front of them must’ve made me appear to vanish. Truthfully, I was still quietly inside the station. They were flustered, but it couldn’t be helped. This whole incident was far more conspicuous than the factory explosion. Sorry, officers, but I’ll use teleportation magic to make my exit.

I’m exhausted… Getting home in an instant with teleportation magic was a lifesaver. It had taken me hours to reach the site earlier, hurling myself through the air with wind magic, and I never want to travel that way again.

Still, today was incredibly dangerous. If I’d gone to the otherworld just 30 minutes earlier, I wouldn’t have seen the news, and I’d have missed this terrorist incident entirely.

Thinking about it, if something major happens here while I’m in the otherworld, it could be catastrophic. The likelihood of incidents as big as the factory explosion or today’s terrorist attack occurring frequently is slim—but not zero.

In the otherworld, communication is still underdeveloped, so even if something happens near Luxeria or Egarton, it takes a long time for news to reach the towns. If I can’t make it in time, it’s easier to accept.

Here, though, information spreads instantly via social media. If I act quickly enough, I might be able to intervene in accidents or incidents, as I did today. This makes it harder to justify spending time in the otherworld. I’ll need to think of a solution.

“Here’s an update on this morning’s hostage situation at Mitakihara Station. Around 8 a.m., an armed group seized control of the station, taking numerous hostages.

The perpetrators issued a statement demanding the release of their leader and other cult members in custody.

By early afternoon, about half of the hostages were seen exiting the station, followed soon after by the rest. After this, riot police stormed the station, arresting the entire group.

There are no reported injuries or fatalities at this time. According to statements from hostages, a mysterious individual appeared and resolved the situation singlehandedly. We now go live to Yanagi at the scene.”

"Thank you, Yanagi. I’m currently at Mitakihara Station. The area remains off-limits following the resolution of the incident. We’ll now hear from someone who was among the hostages."

When I got home and turned on the TV, the news had already covered the incident. At least there were no casualties—good news, even if I couldn’t care less about the terrorists.

This time, I really stood out. I used restraint magic right in front of the hostages and the riot police. It’s bound to stir up a fuss. Still, I don’t regret it. That brave boy’s life was in danger, and if I hadn’t been there, things might have ended much worse.