This time, the attack on the 11th ward branch can be said to have shocked the entire CCG. After all, it was the first time that ghouls had organized an attack on a branch, and according to the 'declaration' of those guys, all the investigators in the branch were probably sacrificed. This was no longer just a hostile act but a provocation!
To deal with this incident, the CCG had gathered all the investigators they could. It was estimated that there were at least three associate special-class investigators, more than ten first-class investigators, and at least thirty first-class investigators. As for special-class investigators? That depended on who could make it in time.
But the most crucial thing was that this wasn't the final number. At this moment, vehicles were constantly arriving at the main entrance of the CCG headquarters. Every investigator's expression was grim, which also made the atmosphere in the entire first-floor lobby extremely solemn.
However, many of the new recruits working at the headquarters also took this opportunity to recognize some people under the guidance of their seniors.
Generally, those who could work at the headquarters were either strong enough to be a mobile force, like the investigators who went to reinforce the 20th ward before; or they were new recruits who were not good at field work. Although they had passed the investigator exam, they showed many shortcomings in actual combat. They would be assigned their duties after receiving 're-education' at the headquarters. Of course, the last kind were the 'seniors' with disabilities. The battle against ghouls was a life-or-death situation, and even if the 'weaker' human side won and was lucky enough to not die, many still lost their ability to fight. Either to let them support their families, or because they still wanted to contribute to the CCG, they chose to stay.
And now, these seniors were introducing some of the more famous investigators to the new recruits. For example, a bald-headed middle-aged man in the corner was also introducing people to the new recruits beside him.
"The expressionless person walking in front is First-Class Investigator Takeo Hirako. Although he doesn't like to talk much, he once served as Arima-dono's partner and is one of the candidates with the most opportunities to be promoted to associate special-class investigator among the current first-class investigators. The person following him is First-Class Investigator Churamasa Ito, who now serves as First-Class Investigator Hirako's assistant."
When introducing them to the new recruits beside him, the middle-aged man's voice was full of pride. Especially when Takeo Hirako also nodded at him. The new recruits' worshipful gazes also made him feel a little smug. After all, since he was injured and retired from the front line, he had basically been a clerk, and there weren't many opportunities for him to be admired. This was also why he liked to lead new recruits; it could satisfy his small vanity.
And at this moment, another group of people walked in.
"Senior, who is that?"
"Mado? He is a first-class investigator directly under the headquarters, but he was dispatched to the 20th ward some time ago to be in charge of the suppression work there. I'm familiar with him..."
He stopped in the middle of his sentence because the person following behind Kureo Mado was too eye-catching.
Compared to most people who were wearing casual clothes, the young man behind Kureo Mado was wearing a black tight-fitting combat uniform, and the bandages wrapped around the black combat uniform with bloodstains on them were incredibly eye-catching.
"Lancer, do you want to go to the 'medical department' to get treated first or come to the conference room with me?"
"I'm fine. Let's go to the conference room first."
Although he looked a bit terrible, in reality, because of the 'Recovery Ring,' he still had a certain amount of combat power. It was just a meeting, so it wasn't a big problem.
"Then let's go to the conference room first. It's not surprising that this meeting won't be long. After all, there's only one 'choice'."
Because of this attack, Kureo Mado expression had been grim, and his easily misunderstood appearance gave off a sinister feeling. But Lancer, who was already used to his tone, knew what he wanted to express.
This time, the ghouls, or rather, the Aogiri Tree, had gone too far. They had not only attacked a branch but also deliberately sent a provocative video. It could be said that the fragile balance that had been maintained by the tacit understanding between the two sides had been completely shattered. What was originally defined as 'a ghoul organization with radical tendencies' was directly defined as a 'hostile organization.' It could be said that from this moment on, the two sides would fight to the death.
Along the way, Lancer, who was covered in bandages, attracted countless gazes. At first, some people were talking about Lancer, but when they learned that Lancer and the others had rushed from the ghoul restaurant suppression scene in the 20th ward, their eyes also held a certain unspeakable meaning.
"Listen more later, don't speak freely. Also, if there's an opportunity, you can socialize with the others around you after the meeting."
Although Lancer had come with Kureo Mado, as a second-class investigator, he was only qualified to sit in the back rows, and the people sitting there were almost all like him, assistants to the various investigators. It could be said that as long as they could survive, they could at least become first-class investigators in the future. There was no doubt that Kureo Mado was reminding Lancer to make connections.
Lancer knew his own situation. Nearly four months of the five-month period had passed. He would be leaving in at most a month. These things didn't affect him much, but he still wouldn't refuse Kureo Mado goodwill.
Normally, before a meeting, everyone would chat with their acquaintances, but this time, the entire hall was incredibly quiet. Even ten minutes before the meeting, the hall was almost full.
"Click~!"
The door to the quiet conference room suddenly opened, and a tall, thin man with a stern face walked in. With his appearance, everyone knew that this meeting had officially begun.
"Everyone, let's skip the unnecessary introductions. Before the meeting, I only want to say one thing—————— This is a war!!"
Although his appearance was a bit gloomy, his words were like a flame that ignited everyone's anger.
"Okay, next, I'll introduce the specific situation. I think everyone should have heard about the reason for this meeting. The 11th ward branch was attacked by the Aogiri Tree, but the enemy only temporarily occupied it. According to the police report, the survivors is 0"
Although everyone had been prepared, the atmosphere of the entire meeting became strange. Most of the people with good self-control didn't show any change in expression, but the aura on their bodies unconsciously spread out, which was a clear sign that they hadn't controlled themselves properly. On the other side, there were countless people gritting their teeth and clenching their fists.
"Bang~ bang~"
But at this moment, the sound of a desktop being tapped finally woke them from their anger.
"Because the incident happened suddenly, we have made a conservative guess based on the information we have. The other party has at least several S-rated ghouls. Considering that so many S-rated ghouls are together and haven't fought each other, the boss of this organization is probably an SS-rated ghoul. As for the personnel, there are at least 200 of them. Please note that although the enemies this time are ghouls, just like usual, the opponents are not scattered soldiers. They will definitely work together in battle, so the enemies are very dangerous!"
To be a special-class investigator of the CCG, one must not only have enough strength but also a spirit of sacrifice. There was no doubt that this Matsuri Washuu also had these elements. As the commander of this operation, he was undoubtedly also incredibly angry, but as a leader, he had to suppress his anger and speak of the enemy's terror without missing a single word.
There was no doubt that although he seemed unapproachable, as an old-timer of the CCG, he was like Kureo Mado; he didn't want too many of his subordinates to be sacrificed.
But just as the atmosphere of the scene was being mobilized
"Is this the meeting?"
A voice as innocent as a child's made everyone present pause. What was going on?