Lancer failed, and he failed miserably. This was not just about the fact that he was covered in injuries and had just been pushed into the emergency room, but also because his heart had 'failed.'
The last blow that injured Rize Kamishiro was undoubtedly delivered by Lancer. The 'Secret Technique: Desperate Strike' that he had been hiding not only pierced Rize Kamishiro's kagune but also left a deep, bone-visible wound on her side abdomen. But he still failed, and he failed miserably.
What a spear needs is an unstoppable momentum. Even if there are thousands of people, I will go.
But what about him? Although he injured Rize Kamishiro with his last blow, what was in his mind when he made his move was not the confidence of victory but his fear of the other party and his hysteria from realizing this.
It was because he knew that there were people protecting him that he could use that move without any restraint...
It's really...
"Mr. Lancer, all your wounds have been stitched up. Although they look a bit scary, most of them are superficial. Just don't do any strenuous exercise and pay attention to blood replenishment for the next few days... Mr. Lancer?"
The doctor holding the report couldn't help but remind Lancer, who was lying on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. And Lancer, who was in a dazed state, also nodded blankly after hearing the doctor's words.
"It looks like you've lost a lot of blood. You should rest more. If you need anything, just press the bell next to you, and a nurse will come."
Seeing Lancer somewhat dazed expression, the doctor also shook his head and left.
This was a hospital affiliated with the CCG, and as a doctor here, he had seen too many similar patients. Some were because of themselves, and some were because they had lost their comrades. So he also knew that at a time like this, it was better to let them adjust on their own rather than nagging them with comfort.
And Lancer also fell into a hazy sleep...
When he opened his eyes again, the entire ward had been dyed red by the sunset. He turned around blankly and saw a slightly hunched figure sitting by the bed, looking at something. Next to him was a fruit basket.
"You're awake? Earlier than the doctor expected."
It was still a slightly hoarse voice, and the words were not very polite, but Lancer, who had been following the other person for more than a month, had long understood the other person's habits and didn't mind. He just showed a helpless face.
"Maybe it's because my physical fitness is better?"
After saying that, he lowered his head in silence. There was no doubt that the previous battle was still constantly replaying in Lancer mind, but Kureo Mado seemed to not have noticed the change in Lancer expression and continued to speak to himself.
"Indeed, you don't look as strong as Amon, but your strength is not weaker than his. You did a good job on your 'mission' this time. We captured and killed over 40 ghouls in total, but it's a shame that we didn't lure out 'Jason' in the end. Instead, we lured out the 'Binge Eater.' And I didn't expect you to actually survive at the hands of the 'Binge Eater'."
The other person's 'praise' felt a bit harsh to Lancer.
Survived? The other person was just toying with him like a cat toying with a mouse. If the other person had wanted to kill him, he probably wouldn't have lasted for 10 minutes.
"Mr. Mado, the only reason I was able to survive was that the other person didn't want to kill me directly at the beginning, so I have no right to accept your praise..."
"Who do you think you are, you punk? Special Class Arima? You're just a fledgling chick who graduated from the training camp less than 2 months ago. You should be happy that you survived at the hands of an SS-rank ghoul! As for wanting to hunt her down alone? Talk to me about that when you surpass me and become an Associate Special Class or even a Special Class Investigator!"
Kureo Mado merciless words made even Koutarou Amon, who was waiting outside the door, change his expression. After all, Lancer had just gone through a life-and-death trial and had just woken up. Was it not a good idea to say things like this to provoke him?
But what Koutarou Amon, who was standing outside the door, didn't see was that Lancer originally gloomy expression, because of Kureo Mado words, first showed a bit of shock, but then it turned into a wry smile, and at the same time as the wry smile, a hint of calmness also appeared on his face.
Yeah, who was he? He was just a newbie who had just been promoted to a Second Class Investigator. Was it strange to fail against 'Binge Eater,' an SS-rank ghoul who had been wanted by the CCG for so long and was still at large?
I am not special. Even though I am from another world, strength will never lie. Weak is weak, and strong is strong. On the battlefield, there is only the present.
"Mr. Mado, thank you..."
For this somewhat strange man, Lancer was sincerely grateful.
When he encountered a door kill, the other person saved his life. When he didn't know the path ahead, the other person brought him to the CCG training camp. When he was lost in confusion, the other person enlightened him...
This hunched man with a strange voice did not answer Lancer 'gratitude.' Instead, he stood up.
"If you want to thank me, then go kill a few more ghouls."
Should he be called Kureo Mado? His hatred for ghouls had almost become his instinct.
After Kureo Mado left, Koutarou Amon finally came in from outside. But when he was about to talk to Lancer, he secretly glanced outside the door to make sure Kureo Mado had left before letting out a sigh of relief, which added a bit of humor to Koutarou Amon, who always gave people the impression of a tough guy.
Although Lancer was very grateful to Kureo Mado and was willing to listen to him, he did feel a little nervous around a 'senior.' Now that Koutarou Amon was in the ward, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
"How's the branch doing now?"
"What do you mean 'how'? Two Second Class Investigators are in the hospital. The work pressure has been a bit high recently, after all, there aren't enough people. But the only good news is that we captured so many ghouls before, so the 20th ward has been quite quiet recently. With the additions and subtractions, it's not that different from usual."
"That's good..."
Although he said 'that's good,' Lancer expression was a bit gloomy. Although he didn't know if his encounter with Rize Kamishiro would affect the 'plot,' it probably wasn't far from that point in time.
Koutarou Amon, seeing that Lancer wasn't in a high mood, decided to say some 'good things' to cheer him up.
"By the way, Mr. Mado and I found a 'pincer' before. According to Mr. Mado, it should be something that 'Jason' used. But it will still take some time to find the target, so Lancer, get well soon, and then we can go hunt down 'Jason' together!"