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"Mission completed."
"Obtained item: Mask of Determination"
The voice of the mission being completed sounded so pleasant to Lancer, but maybe it was because of this that the strength that was supporting him also seemed to have disappeared. Instantly, he became a bit dazed.
"Hey, pull yourself together!"
But at this moment, a familiar voice appeared in his ear.
"Amon? You're really bad at reading the atmosphere. At a time like this, it should be a beautiful woman who helps me up."
"Are you brain-damaged? There's only Akira in our team who's a girl, and she can barely walk right now. Are you saying you're still expecting those ghouls to help you up?"
Koutarou Amon, who was holding Lancer with one hand and 'Doujima' with the other, felt a headache.
But thankfully, Lancer was just making a joke, because Naki's death had completely enraged the 'White Suits.' Those guys were now being held back by the Anteiku cafe's people.
But on the battlefield, you should never completely put your safety in the hands of others, especially when the other party is a group of people with 'unclear intentions.'
Lancer was still okay. He knew that the reason Yoshimura came to help was for the so-called 'future of ghouls,' but the CCG people just simply thought that this was an internal conflict between ghouls, so even with them blocking in the front, they still maintained the highest level of vigilance.
But even with the Anteiku people constantly slacking off, after losing Naki, who was the strongest, the remaining ghouls were just like a rootless water plant. Everyone knew that they could no longer cause any trouble.
"Da~da~"
And at this moment, a hurried sound of footsteps suddenly came from the passage behind them. Instantly, everyone became nervous.
The Aogiri Tree people hoped that there would be reinforcements, after all, if reinforcements didn't come, they couldn't hold on. If it was CCG reinforcements? Then they could basically take their hands off the keyboard. Lancer and his team were the same. At this moment, Lancer, who was the strongest combatant on the scene, was seriously injured, and there were only the 'strange ghouls' whose intentions were unclear. As for the Anteiku people? They were the ones who least wanted anyone to come, because no matter which side came, they were definitely not their people. Aogiri Tree was the enemy, and the CCG was also the enemy, after all, the cooperation between the two sides was not out in the open.
"First Class Lancer!! First Class Amon!!"
Accompanied by a surprised shout, a young investigator holding a crossbow-shaped kagune rushed over directly.
"Second Class Takizawa?"
When he saw the person who had come, Koutarou Amon was completely stunned. After all, he never expected the person to be Seidou Takizawa. Logically, shouldn't it have been the reinforcement team from the 19th ward? Why did the reinforcement team from headquarters arrive first?
"Second Class Takizawa!"
And at this moment, a voice that was not loud but full of pressure came from behind Seidou Takizawa, which made him shiver all over.
"Associate Special Class Houji..."
Seidou Takizawa, who had rushed to the front of the team out of concern for his 'idol's' safety, couldn't help but shiver all over, but he still obediently lowered his head and walked behind the other person. He looked just like a little submissive.
"The reinforcement teams from the 19th and 18th wards were attacked by Aogiri Tree ghouls on their way here. Although the personnel loss was not very big, considering that we have also arrived and the CCG branches all over Tokyo have been harassed by Aogiri Tree, they have returned first, and we are here to support. But... First Class Amon, can you explain what happened here?"
Houji had a very organized way of explaining the situation simply, but Koutarou Amon expression became a bit strange after hearing the other person's question.
"I'm not sure either. When we were fighting with Aogiri Tree, these few ghouls suddenly rushed in and ambushed the Aogiri Tree ghouls..."
Not only was the other person confused, but Koutarou Amon was also completely baffled.
"Associate Special Class Houji, I know a little about the other party's identities. This is related to the 'Special Class Meeting' that I and Associate Special Class Mado attended that night. You can treat them as a third-party force that does not have any conflict with our CCG for the time being..."
Although Lancer only said half of what he was thinking, Houji nodded with an understanding look. After all, as an Associate Special Class, he was quite familiar with the situation of a 'Special Class Meeting.' Generally, the issues discussed at a 'Special Class Meeting' were divided into two types. One was a large-scale strategy, which would generally be announced after the meeting. The other was a secret, which would not be declassified unless it was absolutely necessary. And from Lancer words, it seemed to be the second kind.
"Associate Special Class Houji! The suppression mission is complete! What do we do next?"
That's right, while Lancer and his team were chatting, the remaining dozen or so Aogiri Tree ghouls had already been hunted down. As for the Anteiku people, they had already retreated to an unknown location when the two sides started fighting. And now, the huge 'gate' under their feet was the biggest problem.
This huge mechanical gate could only be opened from the inside for safety reasons. The only external 'key' was only held by the director and the Special Class Investigator responsible for the 23rd ward, but the problem was that the Special Class Investigator was already out of contact. No one knew if he was already dead or fighting with the leader of Aogiri Tree, but the only thing they knew was that they probably couldn't count on the other person for a while.
Although it was not impossible to just leave the Aogiri Tree people locked up down there, according to the news that had just come from the headquarters a few minutes ago, the battle was still going on below. The Aogiri Tree people had not completely breached the prison, and they still had a chance. If they were to just leave it be, no one knew how long the people below could hold on.
"Although the director is also on his way, there's not enough time..."
Having finally arrived at the mission location, but being able to do nothing but watch their teammates die was even more painful than not being able to make it in time.
"Why don't I 'try'?"
At this moment, a somewhat muffled voice suddenly came from the side. Houji's originally conflicted expression instantly became a bit strange.
"First Class Lancer... what are you..."
"I'm just a bit pale, Senior Houji. What do you think?"
Houji had seen Lancer condition before. He needed help just to stand up. What was he planning to do?
"Lancer, what are you going to do? Mr. Mado has specifically instructed me that I absolutely cannot let you act recklessly."
Lancer tendency to end up in the hospital after every major battle had almost become a well-known fact within the CCG. And at this moment, his appearance clearly showed that he was definitely going to be in the hospital. He didn't want Lancer to act recklessly again.
"It's alright. At most... I'll just need a longer rest. After all, our 'comrades' are still down there. If there's no way, I naturally won't force myself, but please let me try this time!"
"Alright! If that's the case, then I'll leave it to you. No matter what the final situation is, you must retreat immediately!"
"Okay!"
——————
What was Lancer situation now?
Fractures + internal bleeding. To call him a cripple would be an understatement. So why would he still insist on being the one to do it?
It was simple, because of the new piece of equipment he had obtained.
"Mask of Determination"
"Rank: C"
"Effect"
"①: Resists mental interference below D-rank"
"②: Blocks one physical attack below B-rank (face only)"
"③: Skill · Determination ———— For 1 minute, all attributes are restored to normal levels. After 1 minute, you will get the 'Weakness LV9' debuff"
To be honest, Lancer had always been conflicted. Why did most of the abilities or items he obtained have 'side effects'?
But it had to be said that it was precisely because of the existence of 'side effects' that these abilities were enough to turn the tide of a battle, for example —————— now.
The pain from his broken ribs was constantly reminding him that the power he had temporarily recovered was just like water without a source. He needed to seize that fleeting 'peak.' He only had one chance!
Although he didn't know if his full-power strike could break the gate, he knew that if he failed, then the investigators under the gate would probably all die in the line of duty.
He must succeed!
His hands, which were holding the spear, clenched subconsciously. Every muscle in his body was activated. He slightly turned his body, like a spring that had been pulled to its limit. He was waiting for that fleeting opportunity.
Everyone, including Houji, who had not held much hope at first, also noticed that the atmosphere in this space seemed to have become a bit strange. Lancer had been in that posture for dozens of seconds without any change, but an invisible aura had attracted everyone's attention.
At this moment, he was like a statue, with his muscles bulging under his tight suit. Everyone knew that he was preparing, but no one knew what the result of this strike would be.
No one knew how much time had passed. Everyone only knew that while they were staring at Lancer, he suddenly made his move. His slightly turned body turned sharply, and his hands, which were to the side, also straightened. The spear in his hand fiercely stabbed towards the 'seam' of the gate on the ground!
"Scratch~!"
Everyone didn't even get a clear look at how that strike, which went from slow to its limit, was made before they heard the harsh sound of the air exploding.
Did he succeed?
Everyone's gaze looked over. At this moment, the 'Kamishiro 1/4' in Lancer hand was deeply embedded in the seam of the gate, but that was all.
Did he fail?
His stamina was draining, his strength was fading, and his body was out of control. His hands that were tightly gripping the spear subconsciously loosened...
No! Not yet!!
Stamina draining! Strength fading! Body out of control!
But ———— I'm still alive!!
Under this spear lies the fate of dozens of my comrades!
I absolutely will not allow it to fail!
His hands, which had loosened, once again gripped the spear tightly. Countless kagune rolled over the bloody spear and wrapped around Lancer arm.
'Gulp~ gulp~'
There were no sacrifices to unleash its power! Then I, its 'master,' will be the one!
The eerie spear, which had absorbed Lancer blood, became more dazzling than ever before. A bloody halo enveloped Lancer, and he himself pressed all his power downward.
"Crack~!" "Crack~!"
Was the gate being pried open? No! The spear in Lancer hand was starting to break!
"Everyone, get in there!!"
At this moment, Amon shout came from behind Lancer. Instantly, several quinques stabbed at the part of the gate that Lancer spear was attacking!
With everyone's efforts, the gate, which was strong enough to withstand an SS-rank ghoul, was actually pried open with a crack. But even so, it was still a long way from success.
But 'lucky' and 'unlucky' things happened.
Feeling the abnormality of the quinque in his hand, Lancer suddenly remembered a possibility...
"Get back!"
"What?!"
The quinque, which was activated to its limit, underwent a change that no one would have expected. The eerie red halo of the 'Kamishiro 1/4' that was embedded in the crack became stronger and stronger until ————————
"Bang!!!"
In a huge explosion, Lancer was sent flying by the shockwave, but it was also because of this that the tightly sealed gate was completely blown open. From the blown-open crack, they could even see the completely destroyed 'latch.'
Lancer, who was in a weakened state because his strength had disappeared, had no idea what was happening at this moment. In his dazed state, he only saw a black shadow before he passed out...
On the other side, although the investigators who came to help had also managed to dodge the explosion because of Lancer warning, the most injured one only had his back slammed against the wall. And Koutarou Amon rushed to the spot where Lancer had fallen, but a black shadow swept towards him.
"Bang~!"
Akira Mado, who used 'Amatsu' to pull Lancer towards herself, only did it reflexively. She didn't even think about what to do after pulling him over, and the final result was that although she didn't let Lancer fall directly to the ground, the two of them became a rolling gourd.
Lancer, who was lying on top of Akira Mado at this moment, was in a very strange posture, like a salted fish that had been dried in the sun, but a person who had passed out wouldn't be picky about how they landed. At this moment, he didn't even know what had happened to him. And after Koutarou Amon moved Lancer head off of Akira Mado thigh, he first checked Lancer nose to make sure he was still breathing before letting out a sigh of relief. Then he looked at Akira Mado, who was on the side.
"Second Class Mado, how are you?"
"I... I'm fine..."
"First Class Amon! You and the other investigators from the 20th ward protect First Class Lancer and Second Class Mado and retreat! The rescue mission is up to us."
Koutarou Amon really wanted to help, but after looking at Lancer, who was like a salted fish, and Akira Mado, whose leg was injured and couldn't move freely, he could only nod to Houji.
"I'll take care of it! As long as I, Koutarou Amon, am still alive, I will definitely escort Lancer and Second Class Mado out of here!"
"Good! I'll leave it to you!"
After saying that, Houji didn't say any more nonsense. After instructing his subordinates to throw down the descent ropes, he was the first to jump down.
There was no doubt that the subsequent battle had nothing to do with Amon and his team.
However, after Lancer and his team left, 'the unexpected' still happened. The missing Anteiku cafe people suddenly appeared again. When they appeared near the opening, the few investigators who were left to stand guard immediately held their quinques and aimed them at the opening in a tense manner. But unfortunately, although these investigators who were left behind were good and were all First Class Investigators, they were undoubtedly no match for the show of force from one SSS-rank, three SS-rank, and two S-rank ghouls. Their resistance did not last long at all.
They should have been left there directly, but considering their cooperation with the CCG, they were eventually moved to a location near the CCG's search party by Nishiki Nishio and Touka Kirishima. They only left after they were discovered...