Lancer had no idea just how massive a wave his phone call had caused.
His earlier encounter with the "Binge Eater" had already spread throughout the 20th Ward branch. Whether it was Lancer, who'd returned covered in blood, or the other Investigator still hospitalized, their condition allowed many young recruits who'd never faced a S-rated ghoul to finally realize the kind of "monster" they might one day confront.
True, the Investigators possessed special anti-ghoul Q Bullets—concentrated fire from those could kill weaker ghouls outright—but against truly powerful enemies, most wouldn't even see their attacker's face before being slaughtered, let alone have time to pull the trigger. Hearing that Lancer had now encountered the "Binge Eater" again, nearly everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
"What are you hesitating for?! Everyone, move out immediately! This time, we will not allow the Binge Eater to escape!"
As the commander for this operation, Mado Kureo seized his Quinque suitcase and headed straight for the exit as soon as he heard the operator's report.
"You heard him! Everyone follow! All units deploy according to the previous plan, except those staying behind to guard the base!"
Though Amon Koutarou always displayed a humble demeanor before Mado-san, it didn't diminish his authority as a Rank 1 Investigator. His respect toward Mado wasn't merely because the latter had saved him numerous times, but because he deeply understood the senior Investigator's strength. He obeyed without hesitation.
"Mado-san, perhaps we should go ahead first…"
"No need. That brat Lancer promised me he wouldn't act recklessly. All we need to do is secure the perimeter. Today, we'll definitely trap the Binge Eater here!"
At this moment, the hunched middle-aged Investigator radiated an intense, nearly terrifying aura.
A massive net, woven tighter because of Lancer's phone call, was quickly closing around a certain location. Yet amidst the deploying Investigators, one figure discreetly took out a phone, eyes flickering, and quietly sent a message.
Following closely behind Kamishiro Rize and Kaneki Ken, Lancer felt as though he'd received a direct hit of ten thousand points of emotional damage. He even began doubting his earlier judgment.
The two strolled leisurely through the city streets like an ordinary couple. If not for the familiar, chilling aura radiating from Rize, Lancer would have seriously wondered if she'd genuinely fallen for Kaneki.
"Investigator Lancer, we've already set up a perimeter within a one-kilometer radius of your location. What's the Binge Eater's current situation? Is there anyone else with her?"
"The Binge Eater is currently disguised as an ordinary civilian. She's accompanied by an unidentified male—I can't rule out the possibility he's also a ghoul."
Lancer naturally knew Kaneki wasn't a ghoul—well, not yet—but there was no way to explain how he knew that. Thus, he simply gave the standard report he'd been trained to deliver at the academy. Even so, his eyes never left Rize's figure. Who knew when she might suddenly strike?
But just as he finished updating Mado, Rize abruptly led Kaneki into the narrow gap between two high-rise buildings…
Lancer unconsciously quickened his pace. They'd already moved out of his direct line of sight, and if she intended to devour Kaneki, a single instant would be enough.
"The Binge Eater and the male target have entered the alley between Kinshi Tower and Shinkai Mall. I suspect she intends to feed—I request immediate engagement!"
"Request received! Permission granted! Investigator Lancer, proceed cautiously!"
"Yes, sir! Investigator Mado!"
Ending the call, Lancer no longer hesitated and rushed forward, yet as he approached the alleyway entrance, a sudden sense of dread flared in his mind.
He cautiously extended the suitcase first…
Pfft—!
With the tearing of fabric and metal, the suitcase was violently pierced.
The twisted black-and-red Rinkaku Kagune protruding from his shredded suitcase already revealed its owner's identity.
His crimson spear appeared instantly from the damaged suitcase, firmly grasped in his hand. Carefully peering into the alley, he saw Kaneki Ken collapsed on the ground, his carefully arranged clothes already soaked through with his own blood. Kaneki's face was similarly smeared red as he stared, wide-eyed and terrified, at Rize, whose Kagune writhed menacingly behind her.
Clearly, he still couldn't fathom how the elegant, gentle woman who'd earnestly discussed novels with him just minutes ago was now revealed as a ghoul—and had nearly devoured him alive.
The pain throughout his body, the nearly-shutdown state of his brain—all left Kaneki frozen on the ground like a broken doll.
"And here I thought it was that tactless brute again… I never expected it to be you, Investigator Lancer."
Today, Rize's attire differed drastically from their last encounter. If that night she'd resembled a seductive succubus radiating raw allure, today—wearing an elegant dress, a wide-brimmed hat, and intellectual glasses—she seemed delicate, gentle, and vulnerable, provoking an instinctive urge in men to protect her.
Unfortunately, just as she'd said, her opponent was indeed a crude brute incapable of appreciating such subtleties. Rather than her carefully crafted charm, Lancer's gaze remained firmly fixed upon the deadly Kagune swaying behind her. Even now, his previous wounds throbbed in phantom pain.
"I never expected you'd have the courage to openly appear again in the 20th Ward, Binge Eater. Seems you've prepared yourself to die here tonight."
Lancer's words caused Rize's eyes to narrow slightly.
"You seem unusually confident today, Investigator Lancer. Could it be because you've arranged for allies to lie in wait? And here I was hoping to spend another passionate night alone with you… yet you went and invited others…"
Her ambiguous words and seductive voice would undoubtedly stir vivid imaginations—unfortunately, neither of the two men present could be distracted by her. One was already collapsed in a pool of his own blood, and the other was the protagonist of her speech.
Perhaps sensing Lancer's cold indifference or cautious of the inevitable reinforcements, Rize ceased her teasing. Her entire demeanor turned ice-cold.
Standing opposite her, Lancer felt chills run down his spine. Almost instinctively, his spear thrust forward—
Clang—!
His Kagune-forged Quinque collided with her Rinkaku Kagune mid-air, sending sparks flying. Rize, previously standing several meters away, now stood inches before him.
Not good!
BANG!!
A fist crashed directly into Lancer's injured side, flinging him hard into the nearby building wall. But the sharp pain also forcibly cleared his mind once more.
I don't need to beat her. Right now, I can barely follow her movements. Survival is enough—only by staying alive can I have a future!
He quickly glanced at Kaneki, who had now been forgotten by Rize. Tightening his grip on the spear's shaft, Lancer stabbed it deeply into the wall beside him, abruptly halting his fall mid-air. Looking down at the Kagune that had grazed mere centimeters beneath his feet, he let out a shaky breath.
Too close.
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T/N: okay okay author knows that Rize is an SS-rated ghoul right right but in canon she's only rated an S-rated ghoul so I have to change it when author has characters mention her as SS because she isnt S rated yet, maybe if she survives ill let her increase her rank as a sort of woah this ghoul survived this long against this manyu investigators she has to be SS and not just S though do keep in mind my changing this might lead to complications later so please be understanding