"Tch… still way too weak. Terrible taste, and only ten evolution points."
Fushimi Kyo clicked his tongue in open disdain.
A B-rank ghoul's kagune no longer held much appeal for him.
There was none of that rich, intoxicating fragrance.
None of the soul-deep hunger that made his instincts scream.
Aside from a fleeting sense of slaughter and release, it was almost worthless.
"Check status," he commanded silently.
Whuum
A translucent virtual panel unfolded before his eyes.
[Host: Fushimi Kyo
Age: 17
Skills: Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu Sword Arts (Lv3+)
Body: Third-Stage Enhancement Complete (Lv3+)
Inventory: Katana (1)
Evolution Points: 45
Available Enhancements:
Body Enhancement: Lv4 requires 100 Evolution Points. Confirm? (Yes / No)
Skill Enhancement: Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu Lv4 requires 200 Evolution Points. Confirm? (Yes / No)
]
"As expected… the stronger I get, the more expensive evolution becomes."
Low-level ghouls were no longer enough.
If he wanted to keep advancing, he had only two choices
Massacre large numbers of weak ghouls…
Or hunt S-rank and above.
But in the 20th Ward, such targets were rare.
"…Should I leave this ward?"
The thought surfaced naturally and refused to fade.
Morning News – Tokyo
On his way to school the next morning, massive street screens replayed the early news cycle.
Most of it revolved around ghoul attacks and the CCG's countermeasures.
"Breaking news: Multiple unidentified bodies discovered in the 11th Ward early this morning.
CCG forensics confirmed traces of ghoul saliva. The incident is suspected to be a ghoul attack."
"Another report from the 11th Ward several CCG investigators were ambushed and killed atop Jingchuan Tower.
In response, the CCG will dispatch additional forces to stabilize the area."
"Yesterday afternoon, two bodies were discovered in an alley of the 20th Ward.
One male human victim, identity unknown.
One confirmed B-rank ghoul corpse the kagune had been removed.
Citizens with information are urged to contact the CCG."
"…The 11th Ward is already this bad?"
Kyo narrowed his eyes.
The Aogiri Tree was moving just as the original timeline foretold.
As for the 20th Ward incident…
He knew that one better than anyone.
CCG – 20th Ward Branch
The moment Koutarou Amon entered the building, the receptionist addressed him.
"Amon-san, investigators dispatched from HQ are waiting for you."
"Understood."
Inside the elevator, Amon folded his arms and stared through the glass.
"Who would HQ send now…?
The veterans shouldn't be free."
Ding.
The doors slid open.
"Yo, Amon!"
A familiar figure waved.
"…Shinohara-san?!"
Amon hurried forward, shocked.
"Are you being assigned to the 20th Ward?"
"Not exactly," Yukimura Shinohara replied with a grin.
"I'm here on another matter. The ones assigned here are those two."
He gestured toward a round table nearby.
Two investigators stood up.
"…Fura-san?"
Amon's surprise deepened.
Taishi Fura, Associate Special Class stronger than Amon himself.
"Long time no see, Koutarou."
They shook hands firmly.
Behind Fura, a young man nearly burst with excitement.
"A-Amon-san! I'm Seidou Takizawa Second Class Investigator, Countermeasures Division I!"
Fura laughed. "He's a huge fan of yours."
"T-That's not !" Takizawa scratched his head nervously.
"Nice to meet you," Amon said warmly.
Shinohara nodded.
"Amon, patrol duties in the 20th Ward will be handled by them.
You're being transferred to the Special Countermeasure Unit."
"…Special Unit?"
"Marude's orders. We're heading to the 11th Ward."
"I understand."
Just then, Fura spoke up.
"Koutarou tell me about the Ghoul Eater."
Amon froze.
"…The Ghoul Eater?"
Fura's expression hardened.
"Based on your reports and Investigator Mado's final data,
the individual who hunts ghouls and removes their kagune has been designated 'Ghoul Eater.'"
"He has successfully killed ghouls on at least three occasions
including Jason, an S-rank ghoul."
"Current estimates place his combat ability on par with an SS-rank ghoul."
"And there's more."
"He's also suspected to have fought Binge Eater Rize.
After that encounter, large-scale feeding incidents sharply declined."
Fura met Amon's eyes.
"My primary mission here is to identify the Ghoul Eater…
and determine why he's collecting kagune."
"Amon you're the only person who has seen him firsthand."
"For the sake of the CCG…
I need everything you know."
The Ghoul Eater was powerful.
Unpredictable.
And utterly opaque in motive.
Compared to monsters like Rize or Jason whose desires were simple the Ghoul Eater was far more dangerous.
Because no one knew what he was becoming.
And that uncertainty terrified the CCG more than any ghoul ever had.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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