The investigators stared at Dodgy Mother charging straight toward them,
their faces changing drastically as if they had encountered a plague god, scattering in all directions to avoid her.
Watching Roma Hoito darting through the crowd as slippery as a loach,
veins bulged on Amano Hiro's forehead as he suddenly exerted force through both legs.
"Boom."
His figure shot into the sky like a cannonball. In midair he executed a clean flip,
his right leg descending with overwhelming force in his signature flying kick.
With a deafening crash, the ground collapsed on impact and spiderweb cracks spread rapidly.
The violent shockwave sent everyone within a ten-meter radius flying, with Roma Hoito bearing the brunt of it.
"I told you to stop dodging."
Crimson light flared around Amano Hiro as countless spikes burst outward like a torrential storm.
Amid shrill tearing sounds, the spikes mercilessly pierced every airborne figure.
"Puchi. Puchi."
Dense sounds of penetration rang without end. When the dust settled slightly, Roma Hoito's small body had been pierced into the shape of a hedgehog,
blood gushing from countless wounds. Still unwilling to give up, she clawed at the ground with both hands, inching forward bit by bit.
"You really can run."
A cold voice sounded by her ear as Amano Hiro's figure appeared at her side like a phantom.
A flash of cold light.
Roma Hoito felt the world spin as her vision whirled wildly through the air.
The last sight that entered her eyes was her own headless body still twitching faintly.
"Ah... I'm dead..."
That was her final thought before her consciousness faded.
Amano Hiro looked coldly at the remains on the ground and swung his claws repeatedly, crushing them completely.
As a qualified transmigrator, he would never commit the foolish act of failing to finish an enemy off.
After confirming the target had completely lost all signs of life, he finally let out a long breath.
Amano Hiro slowly raised his head, his icy gaze sweeping across the investigators standing silent as cicadas in winter.
Every person touched by his gaze trembled involuntarily, cold sweat soaking the backs of their uniforms.
"It's over..."
"We're dead..."
Despair spread through each of them. Facing a monster that could easily crush even an SSS-rated ghoul,
any thought of resistance had long since vanished. Perhaps not resisting would at least grant a quicker death.
Yet Amano Hiro did not attack these ordinary investigators.
In his eyes, these people would one day become "tools" usable in rebuilding order. Killing them now would only waste resources.
His gaze passed over the crowd and locked precisely onto the command convoy not far away.
If he could catch Washuu Matsuri here, it would save a great deal of trouble.
"Boom."
A crimson streak flashed, and the foremost command vehicle was split cleanly in half.
Amid flying sparks, the severed halves of the vehicle slowly toppled aside. Amano Hiro scanned inside but found no target.
"Next."
Seeing this, the surviving investigators immediately seized the opportunity to scatter and flee.
Honor and duty meant nothing in the face of life and death.
Several command vehicles in succession were reduced to scrap under his claws, yet Washuu Matsuri was nowhere to be seen.
"Looks like that idiot... never dared to come to the scene at all."
Amano Hiro let out a cold snort.
When Amano Hiro returned to where Rize was, he found her standing in the corridor with a hint of annoyance on her face.
"Hiro, sorry..." Rize stuck out her tongue lightly, rare apology in her tone. "He got away."
This surprised Amano Hiro slightly. To escape from Rize's grasp, Uta clearly had some ability.
"It does not matter." He stepped beside her and naturally wrapped an arm around her waist. "He was not the main target. It makes no difference if he escaped."
After all, Roma Hoito, the most dangerous source of chaos, had already been eliminated. The remaining members of the Clowns would surely recognize the situation.
"That woman is dealt with?" Rize leaned into his arms and looked up at him.
"Yes. Completely dealt with." Amano Hiro gently stroked her hair, his tone calm. "Let's check elsewhere."
While Amano Hiro and Roma Hoito had been engaged in their final confrontation,
two figures encountered each other unexpectedly in the dark passage of the underground shelter.
"Ara, Urie-kun, what a coincidence."
Suzuya Juuzou's light voice rang clearly in the silence. He stood at the corner of the passage, tilting his head at Urie Kuki, who was trying to conceal himself.
Urie Kuki stiffened slightly and slowly turned to face the young Associate Special Class Investigator. "Suzuya Associate Special Class."
Though he maintained respect on the surface, inwardly he was already cursing. This damned man had to appear at this moment, clearly to snatch the credit that was about to fall into his hands.
Suzuya Juuzou peeked toward the gathered ghouls below and lowered his voice. "Do you have a communicator? I need to contact headquarters."
Urie Kuki's eyes flickered as a plan rapidly formed in his mind.
Victory and merit were within reach. He would not allow anyone to take a share, let alone bring in more competitors.
The retreat order he had received earlier was already thrown to the back of his mind. Such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity could not be abandoned lightly.
"No," he lied without changing expression. "There is strong signal interference here. Communications are completely cut off.
However, headquarters did issue an order just now for us to withdraw immediately."
"Withdraw?" Suzuya Juuzou blinked in confusion. "Why? We just found these little mice hiding."
Urie Kuki kept his tone steady. "I do not know. It is a direct order from headquarters. No reason was given."
Suzuya Juuzou tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hmm. All right.
Anyway, I did not bring any weapons. Dealing with so many ghouls would indeed be troublesome. Then I will withdraw."
Joy surged in Urie Kuki's heart, but he suppressed it. "Suzuya Associate Special Class, please go ahead. I still have a special task to handle and will follow shortly."
"A special task?" Suzuya Juuzou repeated curiously.
"Yes. Please rest assured, I will finish quickly." Urie Kuki's tone was firm.
Suzuya Juuzou did not question further and simply nodded. "All right. Stay safe."
Watching the slender figure disappear at the end of the passage, a triumphant sneer finally curled on Urie Kuki's lips.
Now, this merit belonged solely to him.
After confirming Suzuya Juuzou had gone far enough, Urie Kuki immediately lowered his posture and moved forward silently like a hunting night cat.
His sharp gaze swept quickly through the dim light at the gathered ghouls below.
Soon his sight locked firmly onto the most conspicuous target.
The obese and bloated figure of the "Grand Madame."
Her massive body stood out clearly among the crowd, her back currently turned toward him, completely unguarded.
Urie Kuki's breathing quickened slightly. According to headquarters' directive,
the Grand Madame was a high-value target that had to be prioritized.
The merit from taking her down would add considerable weight to his record.
As long as he secured her first, the remaining minor ghouls would pose no threat.
At that thought, he could no longer suppress the excitement rising within him.
The corner of his mouth lifted uncontrollably into a confident, determined sneer.