The glaring bandages once wrapped around his body had vanished, replaced by rows of stitched wounds. But even so, the jagged sutures across his bare torso still looked disturbingly sharp.
"This time, Mado-san will form the emergency response team with Shinohara Yukinori and the others to take charge of the overall situation. You and I, Lancer, will be a strike team… Oh, right, Lancer, is your body really okay? Mado-san said that if you're not up to it…"
"Of course, there's no problem. You could at least have a bit more faith in the CCG's medical team, you know?"
Finishing off the steamed bun in the bag, Lancer tossed the wrapper into the trash. At this moment, he felt completely energized—sleep had not only restored his physical strength, but yesterday's restless thoughts had also brought him clarity on one important matter: whatever he wanted to do, he needed strength!
He wanted to protect ordinary people—so he needed strength, strength sufficient to protect humans amidst Ghouls!
He hoped to fundamentally change the endless struggle between Ghouls and humans so he wouldn't be so conflicted himself—so he needed strength, the strength to alter everything!
With barely over a month left, he didn't know how far he could go, but he did know if he didn't push himself now, he'd regret it again just like yesterday!
Standing at the hospital room door, Amon Koutarou felt something was off about Lancer, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what. He looked the same as always, yet it was as though he had become another person entirely—even the muscle definition on his body seemed somewhat softer...
What am I even thinking? Lancer only rested for one night.
"Let's go. It's time to pick up our new equipment."
Since things felt strange, Amon decided to change the subject, and Lancer, lying in the bed, nodded readily upon hearing his words.
He absolutely couldn't miss this battle. Change would start right here!
By the time Lancer and Amon boarded the transport vehicle, most of the main force had already assembled. It was rare in the entire history of the CCG for hundreds of Investigators ranked Second Class and above to move together.
"Lancer, are you really not going to wear armor?"
"Armor might block attacks from Ghouls below S-rated, but at the cost of agility. For me, that's not worth it."
Although Lancer's 'mission' targeted S-rated or higher Ghouls, in reality, the CCG's internal rating system for Ghoul threat levels was much more comprehensive, not just limited to S, SS, and SSS, but also including A, B, and C ratings below them.
With Lancer's strength, even without armor, defeating A-rated Ghouls was no problem, and he could handle facing S-rated ones alone without losing. Wearing armor might make dealing with A-rated opponents simpler, but against S-rated or above, his survival chances would significantly decrease.
Even so, Lancer only left off the chest armor; he still wore protective gear on areas that wouldn't affect his agility, like his forearms.
As the two chatted, however, they noticed someone sitting at the back of the transport vehicle.
"Shinohara Yukinori!"
"Yo~! Amon, Lancer."
Despite being one of only seven Special Class Investigators in the CCG, Shinohara himself was quite approachable. Incidentally, Marude Itsuki wasn't actually difficult to get along with either, though his manner of speaking wasn't pleasant. In reality, working under him was the most relaxed—you could completely trust him, and he would respond to your expectations.
"Shinohara Yukinori, what were you looking at just now?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just reading Jason's file."
Without the slightest air of superiority, Shinohara, who seemed more like a friendly neighborhood uncle than a Special Class Investigator, casually handed the file to Amon Koutarou.
Although viewing this information was prohibited without authorization, Shinohara wasn't as strict as he appeared. Since Jason was likely an important target this time, anything that could increase his subordinates' survival rate didn't need to be hidden.
Amon frowned as he flipped through the file. The photos in the file differed greatly from the Jason he had encountered before.
The Jason he'd met was a robust, overwhelmingly imposing man, yet the Jason in the file appeared strangely weak. At first, he thought it was due to malnutrition, but reading further, he learned the true reason: Jason had been tortured while detained in Cochlea, the Ghoul detention center, causing him to end up this way.
Although the file didn't explicitly describe the abuse he suffered, it did provide a conclusion:
"Jason's excessive cruelty undoubtedly stems from the torture he once endured. Now, what he enjoys most is inflicting upon his captives all the torment he previously suffered."
Having always worked alongside Mado Kureo, Amon Koutarou had never imagined there could be such Investigators. At this moment, however, Lancer patted his shoulder.
"You couldn't have thought all humans were good people, right? Besides, we only have 'one-sided' information. The reasons behind that Investigator's actions remain unknown. It's like a Möbius strip—we can't even find its origin."
Compared to Amon's shock, Lancer appeared extremely calm, not only because he already knew about this, but also because, from a certain perspective, he'd personally experienced something similar.
When Lancer brought back the Fueguchi mother and daughter, it stirred up quite a commotion, but he wasn't actually punished. From this, it was clear there were other Investigators who had done similar things—he was hardly the first.
Perhaps Lancer's words piqued Shinohara's interest; once Lancer finished speaking, Shinohara began comforting Amon.
"The CCG has already reformed Cochlea after Jason's escape, completely preventing similar incidents. And no matter what he suffered before, it's no justification for slaughtering humans. Thousands of innocents have died at his hands. All we need to do now is hunt him down—end this vicious cycle!"
As the three chatted, the transport vehicle started moving. Most of those seated ahead were either resting or praying, but one person acted particularly odd.
From the moment he boarded, he'd constantly looked around, like he had ADHD. Yet when he overheard Lancer and the others discussing Jason's past, he unconsciously moved closer, wearing an odd smile.
But perhaps because his earlier behavior had been too bizarre, the others felt no surprise now that he'd calmed down, only thinking perhaps he'd finally tired himself out.
Yet, while Amon Koutarou and Shinohara chatted, a face suddenly leaned close to Lancer's.
"You're Lancer, the one Shinohara-oji-san mentioned, right?"
"I am. Is there something?"
"Could you please introduce me to Mado-san? I've admired him for a long time!"
"?"
Seeing Lancer's puzzled expression, the other party became even more excited.
---
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