Although Marude Itsuki's move boosted CCG morale, its actual effect on the battlefield wasn't quite so exaggerated. After all, real warfare wasn't like the movies. You wouldn't see a muscle-bound tough guy running around with a heavy machine gun, somehow evading a storm of bullets as if protected by plot armor.
In real gunfights, both sides mostly hid behind cover, seeking opportunities. Even when leaving cover to shoot, it was done under heavy suppressing fire from teammates. Marude Itsuki's previous clean kill had succeeded precisely because he'd caught the enemy off guard. Now, the Ghoul mercenaries hiding behind walls had grown far more cautious.
As for why they didn't just use their Kagune as shields?
Simple: the CCG had equipped specialized Q-Bullets this time—rounds designed specifically to suppress RC cells. But in exchange, these bullets sacrificed general penetration and lethality, so Ghoul Kagune, though somewhat resistant, weren't really reliable as primary cover, only useful as temporary shields at best.
Without question, given the CCG's superior numbers, it was merely a matter of time before they crushed the Ghoul mercenaries—but that outcome wouldn't be cost-effective at all.
The CCG operation had already begun. The longer they delayed at the main entrance, the more advantageous it became for the Ghouls defending inside, giving them extra time to either prepare ambushes, retreat, or do who knows what. The simplest solution now would naturally be to have stronger Investigators break through first—but deploying their strongest cards too soon would surely put them at a disadvantage...
Tch~! How troublesome!
In Marude Itsuki's eyes, victory had already been assured the moment Special Class Investigators like himself took command. The only question was how to minimize casualties. But just as he scratched his head irritably—
Vrrrrooooom!
The sudden roar of a motorcycle's engine echoed from nearby.
"Marude Tokutou! Someone... someone's riding your motorcycle!!"
"What?!"
Before Marude could even leave the command vehicle, he saw a dark shadow streak straight toward the supermarket entrance, and then—
BOOM!!
With an ear-splitting explosion, Marude's beloved motorcycle burst into dazzling fireworks.
"Noooooo!!"
As his beloved bike was reduced to sparks, gunfire erupted within the building. Less than a minute later, the Ghouls on the second floor were entirely silenced. Suzuya Juuzou, who'd stolen Marude's precious ride, now stood grinning mischievously at a window, raising both hands in a playful "O" to signal everything was fine.
That brat's an idiot! An idiot! An absolute idiot! He has no clue that was my bike! No clue! No clue! No clue! Focus on work! Work! Work!
Through tremendous self-control, Marude kept himself from visibly losing it. Yet the oppressive aura emanating from him surged outward like black clouds gathering before a storm—until he raised his right hand and swung it forcefully downward.
"Attack!! Charge forward!! Wipe out those man-eating monsters!!"
Without a doubt, Marude Itsuki now channeled every ounce of his fury toward those damned Ghouls.
Elsewhere, Lancer and Amon Koutarou received second-level orders, exchanged glances, and nodded firmly.
"Third squad, follow us!!"
Although the Ghouls on the first floor had been cleared out, gunshots still echoed from above. But Lancer, aware of Suzuya Juuzou's capabilities, knew those Ghouls wouldn't last much longer. After all, Juuzou might currently be stronger than even himself.
Their squad, charging behind the main force into the building, soon met Ghoul resistance. Over a dozen Ghoul minions leaped from every corner, but faced with the formation-ready CCG Investigators, they were nothing more than cannon fodder.
Dozens of guns fired relentlessly in all directions, instantly reducing the charging Ghouls into corpses.
Humans are weak, so they learned to wield weapons.
Humans are fragile, so they learned to unite.
Perhaps individually most humans were fragile when facing Ghouls. But when they banded together, they could erupt with incredible power—just like now.
A single ordinary Investigator might tremble when confronting an average Ghoul, but grouped together, Investigators could annihilate Ghoul threats entirely. This was humanity's power—and also one of the major reasons the CCG had managed to suppress Ghouls in darkness for so long.
...
Lancer, standing beside Amon, cautiously held his Quinque, vigilantly watching every direction. Although, according to the "plot" he remembered, no serious resistance would appear until the main bosses arrived, the past months had thoroughly taught him the meaning of reality.
On his first arrival, he'd nearly been killed by a Ghoul too weak to even rate C-class. During his first mission, despite being stronger, carelessness had almost cost him his life. Facing Kamishiro Rize had taught him his own insignificance...
If these past months had given him anything aside from strength, it was an understanding of "humility" and "caution."
But now, with the main force almost done clearing the first floor, Lancer knew it was finally his turn. From here on out, every enemy was at least S-rated, and considering the hidden threats lurking in the shadows, he couldn't afford even a moment's carelessness. He absolutely had to increase his "strength."
"Amon! Lancer! You two break off from the main group—hunt down Aogiri Tree's officers! Hirako, you too. Target their officers. If those guys enter the main battle, it'll cause massive casualties among the ordinary Investigators!"
"Yes, sir!" ×3
Seeing their immediate response, Mado Kureo nodded approvingly, subconsciously glancing toward his old friend. He knew Shinohara Yukinori had specifically paired up Lancer and Amon precisely because he was concerned about their inexperience in large-scale battles.
As for himself and the other two Special Class Investigators?
Their job was obviously to lead the main force, becoming a spearhead if necessary to eliminate opponents ordinary Investigators couldn't handle. Other squads had similar roles, too, though their leaders were merely Associate Special Class Investigators.
"You two... be careful."
Hirako Take rarely spoke much, but he still reminded Lancer and Amon once more before leaving. Both nodded solemnly in return.
"You as well, Hirako-senpai!"
The situation was urgent, so the three swiftly separated. After all, right now, every second mattered.
Both Lancer and Amon possessed excellent combat strength, capable of individually confronting an S-rated Ghoul. But as Mado Kureo feared, each had clear weaknesses.
Amon was powerful, stable-minded—but lacked flexibility. Lancer, on the other hand, was exactly the opposite; having received only basic training, he relied more on his instincts rather than orthodox combat methods. Pairing them together allowed each to cover the other's weaknesses.
Clearly, Mado saw great promise in both. When the day came for his retirement, he viewed these two as the best possible successors.
It's about time I stretched my limbs a bit as well. Kura, you've waited a long time for this, haven't you?
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