20th Ward, upper floors of the Akao Building.
"Did I… transmigrate?"
As he looked around at everything that was both familiar and strange, a flood of memories rushed into Hayashi's mind like a tide.
After fully digesting them, Hayashi fell into deep thought.
Yes, he really had transmigrated.
And not just anywhere — he had crossed over into the world of Tokyo Ghoul, an anime he had loved in his previous life.
Here, ghouls hunt humans and devour them, while humans have always fought back against them.
In this world where humans and ghouls coexist, Hayashi's identity was that of a CCG Investigator, whose duty was to exterminate ghouls.
The problem was… he was only a rank 3 investigator, the lowest tier, practically with no combat power at all.
And right now, he was standing in the very same building that appeared at the beginning of the anime.
After receiving orders from headquarters, Hayashi had followed several first-class and associate special class investigators to hunt down the S-rated ghoul codenamed "Binge Eater" — Kamishiro. Rize.
The result? Almost total annihilation. All his teammates had died. Only he was left alive.
"So that means… if I want to survive, I have to face an S-rated ghoul alone?"
Hayashi rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
Great, he just woke up in this world and already had to fight an S-rated ghoul. What a life.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. System successfully activated!]
Hearing the cold, mechanical voice in his mind, Hayashi froze for a moment.
Right, he almost forgot about the system!
This was the golden cheat every transmigrator needed. Late to the party, but finally here.
[Host: Hayashi]
[Age: 18]
[Identity: Human, CCG Investigator]
[Weapon: None]
[Talent: None]
[Skills: None]
[Talismans: None]
Looking at the empty status panel, Hayashi hadn't even processed it before the system chimed again.
[Ding! Distributing initial reward...]
[You have obtained a random Talisman: Ox Talisman
The mighty Ox grants you immense superhuman strength.]
As the system's voice faded, a talisman engraved with the Zodiac symbol of the Ox burst into golden light and enveloped him.
"So this is the power of the Ox Talisman…?"
Closing his eyes, Hayashi felt power surging through every corner of his body.
Good. Now he wasn't afraid of anything.
It was time to show ghouls the real value of a warrior empowered by the Ox!
Slowly opening his eyes, a golden glow flickered in Hayashi's pupils.
He stood up, picked up the quinque longsword that one of his fallen teammates had dropped.
Quinques retained the ghoul's unique abilities and were incredibly durable.
They had always been humanity's weapon against ghouls.
Holding the long blade, Hayashi scanned the area around him.
The once-glorious golden walls were splattered with blood, the very air heavy with the stench of iron.
In front of the ornamental fish tank lay a heap of human corpses, scattered limbs piled upon one another.
And among this grotesque feast, a graceful figure was feasting eagerly.
Her long, silky violet hair draped casually over her shoulders, though it couldn't hide her voluptuous chest.
She had a tall, elegant figure, fair and smooth skin, and delicate, stunning features.
The very image of an intellectual, refined beauty.
But that was just the surface…
"I want more… give me more, more~"
The violet-haired woman devoured greedily, her sweet, lilting voice dripping with bloodlust.
Under the dim light of the aquarium, her bloodstained figure carried a twisted allure.
Yes. She was none other than Rize.
"Truly delicious~"
Rize licked her crimson lips, her face tinged with satisfaction.
Hayashi couldn't deny it — her figure was flawless. Just looking at her was a pleasure.
He didn't even want to imagine how she might feel to the touch.
As the thought crossed his mind, Hayashi sighed inwardly.
"Eh~"
Just then, Rize suddenly stopped eating.
"You're still alive? How interesting~"
Sensing his presence, she turned her head. A glint of amusement flickered in her charming eyes.
"I—"
Hayashi had just opened his mouth when—
Thud… Thud… Thud…
Heavy footsteps echoed through the bloody hall, followed by the crisp clink of metal.
"You really do have an appetite, huh? Eating all this by yourself."
As the sound drew closer, a tall, hulking figure in a white suit stepped into view.
Hayashi recognized him at once.
Yamori, real name Yakumo Oomori. Codenamed "Jason."
An S-rated ghoul, infamous for his brutality — Kaneki's cruel "mentor" and tormentor.
"So this is the Binge Eater… looks like the title's not an exaggeration."
Jason tapped the silver pliers in his hand, his deep, sinister voice muffled under his white mask.
"I hate it when people interrupt my meals…"
"What a rude and boring man~"
Rize licked the blood from her fingers, her melodic tone edged with coldness.
"Orders came down. I'm to bring you back."
"And if I break a few of your arms and legs along the way… no problem, right?"
Jason trembled with excitement, his eerie laughter rattling from beneath the mask.
"But first…"
"…looks like I've got a little bug to squash."
His gaze shifted onto Hayashi.
"I love bugs. I can play with them however I want."
"I'll tear off your limbs one by one!"
Bloodshot eyes flashing with madness, Jason roared.
[Ding! You have triggered a Time-Limited Mission: Emergency Escape]
[Objective: Escape from Jason and survive]
[Reward: Succubus Physique (Talent)]
"A mission?"
Hearing the system chime, Hayashi's eyes lit up.
Though the name "Succubus Physique" sounded a little… perverted — probably influenced by certain anime tropes — at least it was a talent reward.
Better something than nothing.
Besides, he'd been wanting to put Jason in his place anyway. Consider it a warm-up.
Cracking his neck and joints, Hayashi smirked.
If he had drawn the Horse or Dog Talisman, he probably would've had to run for his life.
But sorry — he got the Ox Talisman.
And besides…
If he killed Jason, that would count as escaping, wouldn't it?
With that thought, Hayashi's lips curled into a faint smile. He beckoned with his finger.
"If you think you can… come and try."
His voice echoed through the blood-soaked hall.
"A mere bug? I'll rip you apart!"
Perhaps because he'd never suffered such humiliation before, Jason shook violently, roaring hysterically.
And then—in the blink of an eye, his figure vanished.
When Hayashi reacted, Jason was already right in front of him.
"I'll rip you apart, devour you, eat you alive!"
Jason swung his massive silver pliers down with a crazed grin.
But Hayashi didn't panic. He didn't dodge.
He simply raised his quinque blade.
"Useless. Useless! A pathetic bug like you could never scratch me!"
Jason sneered, contempt dripping from his voice.
Crack!
A crisp sound rang out.
Jason's hand — pliers and all — was sliced clean off, clattering to the floor.
Blood spurted like a fountain, staining his white suit crimson.
"Impossible! Just a human—how could you possess such strength!?"
Jason stared at his severed hand, his body trembling violently.
To him, humans had always been nothing more than food, toys to be broken.
Even most investigators were just slightly stronger bugs.
But now, this frail-looking Investigator had casually severed his arm.
His instincts screamed at him: this man was dangerous. Terrifyingly strong.
Clutching his bleeding stump, Jason staggered back a step.
"Eh?"
From a distance, Rize — who had been watching the show — let out a soft gasp, her beautiful eyes glimmering with intrigue.
"Bug? Crush me?"
Hayashi picked up Jason's fallen pliers and tossed them back at him.
Jason froze, caught completely off guard.
Hayashi planted his quinque blade into the floor, then gave a thumbs-up.
"If you don't run later, then you're this—"