One morning, the Detective Boys are on their way to an abandoned building lot which Professor Agasa has managed to loan from a wealthy acquaintance, in order to practice their soccer skills for an upcoming school match. The lot is located next to an eight-story building, and was formerly the site of a mansion which is already torn down, with only a family-sized pool and a shed remaining. However, when they arrive at the lot, they find the grounds crowded by the police: A body has been found in the pool.

Kogoro takes Ran and Conan to Tottori prefecture to come up with a story for the first Super Mystery Award. He brings them to Tottori Sand Dunes, ties up Conan, and throws him down, because he wants to write a story of how a kid who is tied up and abandoned at the sand dunes escapes from danger; in other words, he is using Conan to find inspiration. However, since this place has numerous tourists, someone is definitely bound to save any kid in that situation. As a result, he gives up on that story and that award, and they go sightseeing instead.