Facing the crimson monster before them that radiated the aura of death, the members of Squad Ooshima were already scared out of their wits.
Their legs trembled uncontrollably, physiological fear nearly breaking through the last line of rational thought.
From beneath the carapace covering Amano Hiro's face came a low, distorted electronic sound, like laughter from hell.
"Hehehe... ready to be on your way?"
Ooshima's pupils shrank to pinpoints as he roared with all his strength.
"Run!"
The order was unnecessary. The surviving members were already scrambling to flee, wishing their parents had given them two extra legs.
But before absolute strength, all struggle was futile.
The final echo of the word "run" still lingered in the corridor when a massive crimson claw struck before Ooshima like lightning.
The sheer range of the claw enveloped Ooshima and the two investigators beside him completely.
Faced with such speed beyond comprehension, they did not even have time to raise their quinques to block.
"Shua."
The claw swept past. Blood erupted.
The three within its range, along with their quinques, were torn apart like rag dolls,
their splattered blood painting a cruel abstract mural across the walls.
The surviving investigators glanced back at the hellish sight, their screams warping in pitch.
Inside the command room, the air seemed to freeze. The moment the name "Carnage" came through the communicator,
Washuu Matsuri's composure vanished completely, replaced by a livid expression.
"Damn it..." he forced the words through clenched teeth. "Carnage is here too."
The news was like a bucket of ice water poured over his head. He understood better than anyone that
even saturation bombardment with thirty missiles had failed to eliminate that monster. The investigators on site had no chance of opposing it.
Cold sweat slid down his temples. Two choices clashed violently in his mind.
Order an immediate retreat and preserve most of their strength. But if they did that,
the authority the CCG had just rebuilt would collapse entirely. They would never again be able to stand tall before ghouls.
Or continue the assault, filling this bottomless abyss with the lives of countless investigators.
Yet even at tremendous cost, they might achieve nothing, and morale would still be shattered.
Bang.
Washuu Matsuri's fist slammed into the console, shaking the screens.
For the first time, the usually decisive man found himself trapped in an inescapable dilemma.
No matter which path he chose, the abyss awaiting the CCG would be one of no return.
In the command room, Washuu Matsuri's eyes darkened as he finally issued the final order through the communicator.
"All units, launch a full assault on the designated targets. Avoid the third-floor sector. Withdraw according to the prearranged plan in thirty minutes."
He decided to gamble. In the eyes of the Washuu family, ordinary investigators were merely expendable tools.
As long as strategic objectives were achieved, any sacrifice was acceptable.
When the abrupt order reached the various battlefields, experienced investigators frowned.
Hirako Take, who was locked in fierce combat with Uta and members of the Clowns, forced his opponent back with a sharp slash and pressed his earpiece.
"Director Washuu, has an unexpected situation occurred?"
Washuu Matsuri's emotionless voice came through. "Execute the order."
His deputy Kuramoto seized the moment to step closer and lowered his voice. "Hirako-san, something has clearly gone wrong..."
Hirako Take's face remained steady as he made an immediate decision. "We withdraw."
Kuramoto hesitated. "Then these two ghouls..."
"With our strength, we cannot end this quickly," Hirako Take analyzed calmly. "Dragging it out will only worsen the situation."
He raised his voice. "All units, retreat immediately."
Uta ceased his attack and watched the investigators disengage thoughtfully.
Roma Hoito tilted her head and pouted in dissatisfaction.
"Huh? They are leaving already? I have not had enough fun yet."
Amano Hiro strolled forward as if taking a leisurely walk, holding Rize in his arms, following three investigators who fled in panic.
The retreat order coming through their communicators meant nothing to them now. There was only one thought in their minds: escape this living hell.
Rize swung her legs casually as if watching an amusing chase. "The little breads run so fast."
She tilted her head close to Amano Hiro's ear, her breath warm. "Hiro, a little faster. We are about to lose them."
Amano Hiro chuckled softly, and his pace suddenly quickened.
At the moment he was about to overtake his prey, a cunning gleam flashed in Rize's eyes.
Three crimson rinkaku shot out like serpents, piercing precisely through the abdomens of the three men.
"Ugh."
Their screams echoed through the corridor. The wounds were severe enough to prevent escape, yet not instantly fatal.
Watching the three crawl on the floor in agony, Rize narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.
Amano Hiro indulged her cruel amusement, carrying her lightly over the dying investigators as if stepping over fallen leaves.
Their figures disappeared at the end of the corridor, leaving only fading groans drifting in the blood-scented air.
...
Uta watched the rapidly retreating investigators and spoke calmly to his companion. "We should leave as well, Roma."
Roma Hoito pouted and stomped her foot unwillingly. "But I have not finished playing yet."
At that moment, a low, distorted electronic voice came from the end of the corridor.
"Is that so? Then how about I play with you?"
Uta's brows furrowed beneath his mask. The familiar crimson figure approached slowly,
with a slender woman seated elegantly in his arm. They were the two guests for whom he had personally crafted masks.
"Wow." Roma Hoito covered her mouth dramatically before breaking into her trademark grin. "Hello. Long time no see."
Though she still appeared carefree, her calf had unconsciously shifted half a step back as she rapidly calculated escape routes.
To clash head-on with a monster like Carnage held no appeal for her.
Uta's steady voice sounded. "Why has Mr. Carnage specifically sought us out?"
This was not stalling. He truly did not understand.
The Clowns had never had any conflict with this ominous figure. He did not know why they were being targeted.
From beneath the carapace, Amano Hiro's voice emitted an unpleasant electronic buzz.
"It is not some deep-seated grudge... it is simply that your existence is rather annoying."
Crimson tendrils trembled faintly in the air, as if ready to devour at any moment.
In Amano Hiro's mind, whether Uta lived or died did not matter much. He had not yet reached the point of being intolerable.
But Roma Hoito, that chaotic troublemaker of the highest degree, had to be completely removed.