"So you know who the Binge Eater is?"
Byakuya followed up. "She's not my assigned target, but if the opportunity arises, I won't let her go."
"About that... I'm not really sure either. I only know she's been causing chaos in Ward 20 lately. We ghouls here don't like her."
Touka had been hesitating, but Byakuya's quick counter-question pushed her toward caution. "But she's been unusually quiet these past few days. No more reports of her hunting humans indiscriminately. I assumed you investigators had her in your sights."
She'd still given a hint, though—that the Binge Eater had become strangely docile recently.
What Touka didn't realize was that Byakuya had known Rize was the Binge Eater from the very beginning.
"Alright. If there's nothing else, I'll head back down."
Byakuya returned to his seat.
...
When he sat back down, Rize continued reading without looking up. "What did they want with you upstairs?"
"Nothing much. Just about yesterday's Yamori incident. They happened to be attacked by him, and eliminating him also meant saving them."
Byakuya explained casually.
"I see."
Rize said nothing more.
Touka came back down and resumed her duties as if nothing had happened.
Hinami seemed noticeably happier than before. The perpetual worry that usually shadowed Ryouko's face had lifted as well.
All because they'd learned Asaki was safe.
...
After Byakuya eliminated Jason, the investigator assistants processed the scene and immediately transferred the corpse to the CCG Laboratory Building in Ward 1.
Though both the scene and Jason's body showed obvious burn marks, no one thought much of it.
Fire-attribute Quinques were rare but not nonexistent. Since no one knew what kind of Quinque Byakuya possessed, there was nothing to question.
A Quinque was every investigator's closely guarded secret.
When Amon had first partnered with Mado, Mado had been curious about what Quinque young investigators received these days. Amon had firmly declined to show him.
If Quinque information leaked—especially to ghouls—an investigator would be at severe disadvantage in combat.
Upon arrival at the Laboratory Building, technicians began dissecting the corpse to create a Quinque from Jason's kakuhou and kagune.
Mado and Amon also came to the facility.
They'd been assigned to capture Jason. They'd just failed, only for a junior—a rookie, no less—to eliminate him. Anyone would be curious.
By the time they arrived, the dissection was complete. Only Jason's kakuhou and kagune remained.
"This 'Jason' had three kakuhou? The intelligence was significantly off."
Mado was surprised.
They'd all believed—as CCG intelligence indicated—that Jason had only one kakuhou. Normal ghouls typically had just one.
The technician nodded. "Yes. Three kakuhou meets the criteria for a half-kakuja. Quite a discrepancy from the original profile."
"So Investigator Amaha can eliminate even a half-kakuja. That's even more impressive than I imagined. No wonder Associate Special Class Ui thinks so highly of him."
Mado remarked with admiration.
"Incredible. Hard to believe he's still just a Rank 2."
Amon felt even more respect.
"Now that Yamori has been eliminated, we should transfer to another ward. This ghoul organization called 'Aogiri Tree' has been gaining momentum. Ward 11 fell to them just days ago."
Despite discussing a CCG setback, Mado's expression was unusually excited. "Prepare yourself, Amon. The enemies ahead will be unprecedented."
He knew the SSS-rated Owl led Aogiri Tree—and that Owl was the same ghoul who'd killed his wife years ago.
Everything he'd done was for revenge. The terror and helplessness he'd felt facing the Owl had birthed his obsession with power.
He believed a Quinque was an investigator's greatest strength. That was why he was so devoted—even obsessed—with collecting them.
"Yes, sir!"
Amon nodded solemnly, showing no fear.
...
Leave time ended.
Ward 1. CCG Main Office.
Byakuya arrived to receive his commendation and collect the Quinque made from Yamori's remains.
Beyond verbal praise, he received a badge—designed around the CCG's dove emblem.
This was the "White Single-Wing Badge," awarded to investigators who successfully eliminated an S-rated ghoul.
Beyond the Single-Wing, there was also the "White Double-Wing Badge" and "White Dragon-Wing Badge"—corresponding to SS-rated and SSS-rated eliminations respectively.
This "White Wing Badge" system existed alongside the "Osmanthus Badge" system, which was based on the total number of ghouls an investigator eliminated in one year.
That system also had three tiers: "Osmanthus Badge," "Silver Osmanthus Badge," and "Gold Osmanthus Badge."
After the ceremony, Koori Ui was waiting outside.
"Hard to believe you actually eliminated the S-rated Jason. The last Rank 2 Investigator to earn the White Single-Wing Badge was Arima-san."
Ui marveled. "And the autopsy revealed Jason wasn't just S-rated—he was a half-kakuja. I'm starting to think you might be stronger than me."
"You're too kind, Ui-senpai."
Byakuya's expression remained calm, showing no pride.
Ui smiled. "No need for modesty at a time like this. Also, your Quinque '13's Jason' is ready. Let's head to the Laboratory Building to see it."