20th Ward.
Overcast skies.
The heavens seed draped with a thick gray velvet curtain, low-hanging clouds so close it felt like one could reach out and touch them—foretelling an imminent rain.
A sign reading "Closed for Rest" hung at the entrance of the back room in the "Antique" café.
"Now for the latest news: Just monts ago, by decision of CCG Chairman Yoshitoki Washuu, Special Class Investigator Itsuki Marude has issued orders to deploy new investigators to the 11th, 13th, and 20th Wards..."
The previously relaxed and chatty atmosphere of the shop was instantly disrupted by this sudden news broadcast.
"Tch... Why would the CCG suddenly dispatch investigators now of all tis?"
A girl with ear-length blue hair and blue eyes—visibly shy and quiet in appearance—pouted in irritation. She had just thrown on a green high-collar, hooded jacket, ready to head out. But hearing the news, she dropped onto the sofa in a huff, crossing her legs with the air of a moody delinquent.
"It's tis like these when patience is most important, Touka-chan."
The café's receptionist—a man with light hair slicked back, wearing a suit and sporting a prominent nose—crossed his arms and spoke in a deep tone:
"One thing's clear—this sudden reinforcent by the CCG likely isn't because of us. The ongoing activities of 'Glutton,' 'Gecko,' and 'Gourt' in the 20th Ward have drawn CCG's attention. We expected this."
"Uta's right. Our stockpile of 'corpse at' is enough to last us a while," added a mature woman with black hair and brown eyes, also dressed like a receptionist.
"In the anti, Touka, all of us need to stay vigilant—especially you and Nishiki Nishio. No recklessness. No harming anyone. Since the CCG is also reinforcing the 11th Ward, that ans this case spans multiple wards. As long as there's no big incident in the 20th, they'll shift their focus to the 11th soon."
"Understood, Irimi-senpai."
Though clearly displeased, the girl—called Touka—sat up straight and nodded seriously.
She wasn't so spoiled, reckless teen with no sense of urgency.
She simply hated this life of hiding, like rats in the sewer, always shunning the light.
Even they longed for a normal life under the sun...
Wearing a striped vest, his hair white with age and wrinkles lining his dignified face, the elderly man behind the counter gave a kind smile and a small nod.
As he continued preparing coffee, he turned to the handso silver-haired man beside him, dressed in a minimalist high-collar coat. "Yomo, what was that unrest in the 13th and 14th Wards a few days ago?"
"Manager, do you recall the news over three months ago about an international inspection team from North Arica's CCG being dispatched to Tokyo?" the man—Yomo—replied, glancing around the room.
At once, everyone set aside their thoughts and tasks, ears perking up.
"International inspection team?"
The old man looked thoughtful.
"Vela Adelheid Russell."
Uttering the distinctly non-Japanese na, Yomo pulled out a stack of newspapers from his coat. The headline on the thick front page was dated over three months ago. He pointed to a registry photo of an enforcent officer.
The others leaned in.
It was a young woman—blonde hair, blue eyes.
She appeared to be in her early twenties, with refined and sharp features. Elegant, composed, and rational—with a touch of detached indifference in her cool gaze.
Clearly soone of high status—an official who commanded others.
Yomo's brow furrowed.
"In the 14th Ward, she wiped out an entire newly ford ghoul gang—confird to have engaged in cannibalism—overnight. In the 13th Ward, the 'White Suits' intervened for unknown reasons... and were completely annihilated."
"That explains it."
Clink. The old man set down the drip kettle, his previously clouded eyes now wide open.
The "White Suits" were part of Gecko Jason's faction, and given Jason's recent appearances in the 20th Ward, it was clear the CCG was after him.
"Even foreigners are getting involved in Japan's ghoul situation now?"
Touka grumbled in dissatisfaction. "That foreign dove is really petty."
With her simple, perhaps not entirely accurate assumption, she guessed that one of Jason's subordinates had simply run into a high-ranking inspector from the USA District by bad luck. The official got annoyed, leading to the 13th Ward's purge—and now the 20th Ward was drawing heat too because of Jason's own activities.
"Three months and she's still not done inspecting?"
She complained.
"Irimi... what do you think? This woman, she's definitely trouble."
With his rough nose, Uta muttered solemnly, locking eyes with his old rival and mature colleague Irimi Koma. Both furrowed their brows, the gravity in their gazes saying all that needed to be said.
Ghouls could increase their Kakuhou count through cannibalism. Ghouls who had cannibalized were far more powerful than those who simply hunted normally. If an entire group failed to escape and was wiped out—there was no doubt about the kind of formidable enemy they had faced.
Having finished his explanation, Yomo glanced around.
"Touka, what about Kaneki, Mrs. Fueguchi, and Hinami?"
"Kaneki got off work not long ago and went ho. Mrs. Fueguchi and Hinami went to the bookstore..."
"At a ti like this... Just in case," the old man mused. "Touka, Yomo—contact Kaneki and Mrs. Fueguchi. The 20th Ward may no longer be stable. Tell them to be prepared."
...
"Rain's coming."
Inside a luxury CCG-marked Coaster van, Akira Mado turned her head.
"Investigator Russell?"
Vela sat silently in the back seat, not reading the paper. One hand propped under her chin, she gazed out the window at the city lights with a faint smile. She seed in high spirits—perhaps amused by sothing.
"Hm? What is it?" Vela reined in her smile and turned to Akira, who was approaching while reading updates on her PDA.
"You seem to be in a good mood."
"Ah, I just rembered a live reality show I watched from the USA—a debate about nicknas."
Crossing her legs, Vela shifted into a more comfortable posture.
While she accepted the PDA from her young adjutant, her gaze remained fixed on the "window view."
The one only she could see.
Just monts ago, she had been cross-dinsionally watching a different kind of "reality show":
A joint press conference by Militech R&D and the BSAA. A certain "revived" anti-BOW bio-terror hero—Black Hand, Black Torso, Black Foot—was on stage performing. A showcase in every sense.
He pulled the Pillars of Hercules, bent steel pipes, lifted cars, pushed trucks, leapt and sprinted far beyond normal human limits—demonstrating physical control...
An extravagant prosthetic marketing event.
To Vela, the highlight was watching the grim-faced muscle giant complete all his feats and BSAA physical evaluations, only to then act gentle and softly spoken when interacting with the celebrities, socialites, and children who ca up to take photos.
It was like watching TV. She had her own private selection of "five" programs. For now, five.
If there was a version of herself living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, that "her" would never need to worry about constant ntal strain or a lack of entertainnt causing despair or burnout.
Snapping back from her drifting thoughts, Vela picked up the PDA and began scrolling through the docunt summary Akira had pulled up for her.
"An interview?"
Her eyes paused on a docunt from the CCG's Public Relations Departnt. Vela blinked and looked toward Akira.
"A breakout author wants to interview frontline CCG investigators as material for her new book. She saw your na, and your experience being transferred from the USA to Tokyo caught her attention. She wants to interview you."
"She..." Vela gave a slightly amused smile. "Who?"
"Takatsuki Sen." Sensing Vela might not be familiar, given her recent arrival to Tokyo, Akira Mado explained, "Author of the popular novel 'The Black Goat's Egg.' A beautiful young novelist, very popular among Japan's youth."
Leaning in, she tapped a few tis on the PDA in Vela's hand.
The ID photo that appeared showed a woman with thick, fluffy, dark green hair, sweet and quiet in appearance. Judging by her looks, it was hard to imagine her as the type to bury herself under lamplight to write novels.
"If you're not interested, I can refuse on your behalf..."
"I accept."
"Eh?" Vela's response caught Akira off guard, but ever the capable adjutant, she nodded and said she would coordinate with the Public Relations Departnt to schedule the interview.
After returning the PDA, Vela glanced at the interior LED display—it showed the CCG's 20th Ward Branch as their next stop.
Takatsuki Sen… Eto Yoshimura… the One-Eyed Owl of Aogiri Tree.
Right into my hands.
"Associate Special Class Investigator Russell, we've arrived at the 20th Ward CCG Branch."
A light brake, the vehicle halted, and from the sa official van, a First-Class Investigator reported, "The branch colleagues are awaiting your arrival."
"Welco to the 20th Ward, Associate Special Class Investigator Russell."
Vela adjusted her clothing and stepped off the van. A CCG 20th Ward officer, wearing a pigeon-shaped badge, greeted her with a polite smile.
"Where's First-Class Investigator Kureo Mado?"
Skipping small talk, she went straight to the point.
"First-Class Investigator Mado is out on an investigation with Rank-1 Investigator Amon. They're currently..."
"Send their coordinates. Also, allocate personnel to support my team for an imdiate strike."
Carrying "Black Abyss III" in one hand and the eye-catching black-and-gold case in the other, Vela turned to the dozen elite investigators that had disembarked with her. She gave brief orders:
"In the 20th Ward, our objective is clear—find high-risk ghouls, then eliminate them. As for the small fry, kill on sight, no need to overanalyze."
"Once we complete the routine inspection of the 20th Ward, we'll support the 11th Ward. Ti is tight. That sharp-tongued Marude is breathing down my neck. That's all. Don't die easily... move out."
"Yes, ma'am!" ×N
Akira brought up the PDA just in ti. "First-Class Investigator Kureo Mado's location confird." Her voice carried complex emotion—fighting alongside her father…
Vela said nothing more, only turned to look toward the city center.
She felt it.
The sensation of being watched.
From the mont she stepped out at the 20th Ward CCG Branch's parking lot and began speaking, at least three hostile presences had locked onto her—seething with malicious intent and a burning desire that suggested they wanted to tear her limb from limb.
"They're targeting ? Interesting..." A barely perceptible smile played at Vela's lips.
...
Sudden downpour.
Rain slamd against storefront windows along the shopping street with a pitter-patter, loud and sharp.
As pedestrians scurried to find cover, a mother and daughter stood arguing on the sidewalk. Both had brown eyes and tea-colored hair—virtually mirror images.
The mother, sporting a dangerously styled side ponytail, held an umbrella, trying to lead her daughter ho. But the child was speaking excitedly.
"Hinami?"
"It's Dad... It's Dad's scent! Mom, he's nearby—I know he ca to get us!"
"That's... that can't be..."
Hinami broke free of her mother's grasp and darted into the crowd, rain soaking her hair and clothes.
Her mother chased after her, face filled with worry.
Tap tap—
At the bend of a wide alley, the girl called out, "Dad!" But what greeted her was a figure carrying a case. Her face turned pale.
"Hinami!" her mother caught up, pulling her behind protectively like a fierce hen shielding her chick. Her expression was filled with despair and determination as she stared at the two case-bearing figures approaching.
"Lovely rain, isn't it?"
A hunched, white-haired, bug-eyed middle-aged man grinned.
"But if it keeps pouring like this, it'll be a problem. I won't be able to hear your screams."
From the alley's rear, two more gun-toting figures erged.
"Mind stalling them a bit?" the bug-eyed man asked, looking up. "Mrs. Fueguchi."
"Run... get away from here, Hinami. Don't look back."
Calm yet resolute, the mother's eyes glowed red—shing! Four petal-shaped, off-white Ukaku wings burst from her back, forming massive moth-like Kagune.
"A mother's love, from a flesh-eating monster? Disgusting!"
Click! A Quinque case snapped open. As a towering man with a short buzz cut charged forward wielding a giant cylindrical mace-like Quinque, static—
A voice crackled in their earpieces.
"First-Class Mado, Rank-1 Amon, fall back! Multiple S-rated ghouls detected nearby!"
Boom—!
The roar of Ukaku shards and explosions split the air.
Walls crumbled, debris scattered.
A massive figure was hurled out, crashing through a storefront. Jagged, serrated Bikaku thrashed, gouging into the ground, followed by a savage, bestial roar:
"Hiss—hah... Blood. Hiss—hah. KILL YOU! KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU!"
The towering mace-wielder retreated beside the bug-eyed man, eyes wide.
"Gecko—Jason?!"
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