When the group followed Mado Kureo into the "kitchen," everyone except Mado himself wore ghastly expressions. Several rookies even directly staggered over to the wall and began to vomit.
Even the lowest Rank-3 Investigator underwent two full years of training and had passed stringent examinations. Every graduate had seen plenty of gruesome crime-scene photos. But no matter how realistic photos appeared, they were still merely photos.
The overpowering stench of blood, thick enough to drown a person, was nauseating by itself—adding the stench of the rookies' vomit made it even worse. Yet, Mado Kureo, a veteran who'd walked through countless hellish scenes, appeared completely unaffected. Instead, he knelt down by a Ghoul's corpse, closely examining its wound.
"A single strike through the heart. No doubt, this was Lancer's doing… Hurry up and move forward!"
Collecting mutilated human remains was certainly part of an Investigator's job. But at this moment, Mado immediately ordered the group to move on, because he'd already heard the sounds of fighting ahead.
When they rushed through the passage, they froze completely. Several Ghoul corpses were sprawled across the central hall, and in the midst of them stood a lone figure completely soaked in blood. But even more eye-catching than the blood-drenched man was the ominously glowing black spear clutched in his hands.
"It's the CCG Doves!!"
No one knew which Ghoul first shouted it out, but the Ghouls that had surrounded Lancer immediately fell into panic. Snapping out of their shock, the CCG Investigators sprang into action. Gunshots exploded through the underground space, and nearly ten Investigators wielding Quinques surged forward.
Ghouls possessed physical prowess far beyond humans, yet humans remained the masters of this country—naturally, they had their own advantages.
In pure lethality, firearms loaded with specialized Q-bullets were hardly inferior to regular Quinques. The real issue was that Rank-3 Investigators usually lacked the space and timing to deliver effective fire, thus requiring higher-ranked Investigators' cooperation.
Dozens of Ghouls filled the underground hall. Initially, Lancer had relied on a surprise assault followed by guerrilla tactics, barely managing to kill a few weaker Ghouls. But now, under open battle conditions, the Ghouls found themselves suppressed by the organized attacks of the Investigators. Indeed, if fighting one-on-one, these inexperienced rookie Investigators wouldn't stand a chance—but right now, the Ghouls couldn't shake off the Investigators harassing them at every step. Attempting an ambush might succeed briefly, but would risk drawing concentrated fire from everyone else. No one wanted to volunteer for suicide. Any Ghoul with the slightest sense could tell their opponents had already lost the will to fight; a few had even begun to flee.
"Keep formation! Don't leave the main group without orders! Advance steadily!"
Although Mado Kureo hated Ghouls to the bone, he didn't recklessly order a pursuit. Instead, he stood protectively at the front of the formation, shielding the rookies behind him. His hatred stemmed entirely from his helplessness when his wife had been killed by Ghouls. To him, a hundred dead Ghouls weren't worth even a single one of his subordinates' lives.
Moreover—
The advance team can only temporarily blockade the restaurant area, but other Investigators on district patrol and reinforcements from headquarters are already on their way. Not just here, but the entire 20th Ward is now one giant net. None of these Ghouls will escape!
Now all Mado and the others needed to do was herd these fleeing rabbits until each and every one of them was captured!
Once his strategic direction was settled, Mado Kureo turned his attention back to the immediate situation.
"Lancer, how are your injuries?"
"I'm fine. Most of this blood is from those monsters."
"Don't force yourself. The branch has deployed nearly all our forces, and reinforcements from headquarters should arrive shortly. You should—"
"Mado-san, please let me continue. Right now, I've never felt better!"
Lancer's reply made Mado Kureo furrow his brows deeply.
He wasn't blind. Even if most of the blood belonged to Ghouls, torn fabric across Lancer's right shoulder, abdomen, arms, and thighs clearly indicated serious wounds. Logically speaking, Mado should forcibly order Lancer to retreat and rest. After all, he hadn't merely hunted down a few isolated Ghouls—he'd fought desperately against dozens of them simultaneously. And yet...
"Fine. But you must promise me—if you can't hold out, retreat immediately!"
As he spoke, Mado Kureo fixed his eyes sharply on Lancer. If the younger Investigator's answer failed to satisfy him, he'd unquestionably order him out at once.
Mado's vast experience indeed gave him insight others often missed. But even he didn't fully grasp the true nature of the Quinque he'd personally handed to Lancer.
Lancer's insistence wasn't mere bravado. It was true that he'd exhausted himself earlier, and he bore multiple wounds. But with each Ghoul he killed, his physical abilities steadily increased. RC cells surged wildly along the spear, creeping along Lancer's grip, twisting violently like something with its own consciousness. Yet, to Lancer, the only thing that mattered was the surge of raw strength continuously flooding his body from his weapon.
[28/100]
He hadn't lied to Mado Kureo. With more than a quarter increase in physical strength, he was truly at his peak. And if things continued as expected, with each Ghoul he slew, he would only grow stronger!
"Yes, sir!"
No unnecessary words. Just a simple affirmation clearly conveyed Lancer's resolve. Mado Kureo nodded approvingly. He knew Lancer's abilities. If he'd managed to hold on before, with reinforcements arriving, as long as he kept a cool head, safety wouldn't be an issue. Though Lancer emanated a terrifying aura, at least his eyes remained absolutely clear.
"The branch has sealed off the surface, and reinforcements from headquarters are already en route. Soon we'll form a second blockade line. Don't overextend yourself. Headquarters is very interested in whatever leads we find here, so as soon as support arrives, we'll have more than enough firepower. So, no matter what—stay alive!"
Initially, he'd simply explained tactical arrangements, yet at the very end, Mado couldn't help but emphasize one final time.
If rescuing Lancer at first had merely been coincidence, then afterward, Lancer's raw talent and diligence truly impressed him. Mado had even begun seriously considering passing down his own mantle to Lancer.
Hearing such genuine concern from his superior, Lancer—who had maintained a grim, disciplined expression throughout—briefly showed surprise, before finally breaking into a small, sincere smile.
"Yes."
This time, his response wasn't loud or determined like before. Yet, it carried far more sincerity…
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