Thud.
A petite girl with thick bangs slipped from Shizuka Hio's grasp, collapsing onto the light green tatami mat.
The fully-concealed Takatsuki observed this impassively before stating:
"Miza, leave us."
"Yes." The fallen girl clutched her neck, struggling to rise, her face flushed an intoxicating rouge.
Only after her subordinate had passed by did Takatsuki smile at Shizuka Hio:
"How was the taste of that beautiful Ghoul girl's blood? To your liking?"
"Boring."
Shizuka Hio's cool gaze shifted away from Takatsuki Izumi, turning instead towards the moonlight outside the window:
"You went to verify it, didn't you? That so-called Race Danger Value."
"Ah, as expected, I couldn't hide it from you."
Takatsuki Izumi covered her mouth, removed her mask, then opened her crimson Ghoul right eye to gaze intently at Shizuka Hio:
"I happened to hear some rather concerning information from that inspector gentleman."
"Oh?" Shizuka Hio raised an eyebrow slightly, giving Takatsuki Izumi a somewhat surprised look. "Don't tell me you actually went to Migratory Bird to buy information and kidnapped an inspector?"
"Guess." Takatsuki Izumi smiled playfully at Shizuka Hio. "If you guess correctly, I'll provide you with some delicious new food tomorrow - triple the usual portion."
"...You've been scolded, haven't you?" Shizuka Hio mused for a moment before speaking in a quiet voice.
Takatsuki Izumi: "..."
"Was I really that obvious?"
Takatsuki Izumi scratched her head in frustration, making her already messy green hair even more dishevelled - it now resembled a bird's nest.
"I should count as quite a peace-loving Ghoul, shouldn't I?"
"Hmph, does someone who tried to make me their meal upon first meeting have the right to say such things?"
Shizuka Hio smiled faintly with a hint of mockery before calmly stating:
"So then, what did you hear from that inspector?"
"Plenty."
Takatsuki Izumi, realising concealment was futile, replied directly:
"Things like the so-called Demon Slaying Order, the Race Danger Value, and... the Grade Evaluation."
Upon hearing this, Shizuka Hio slightly furrowed her brows:
"These aren't things an ordinary Ministry of Environment inspector could determine."
"Just who did you encounter?"
"Let's not dwell on that for now." Takatsuki Izumi twirled her mask around her index finger. "I want to know—how many people in this Japan, to your knowledge, possess a Grade 3 Danger Value evaluation?"
From the very beginning, Takatsuki Izumi had been half-sceptical of Luo Shu's claims.
Though she'd been instantly overpowered by him, she'd only roughly judged that Luo Shu's burst strength far exceeded hers. Yet according to him, there were supposedly over 300 such individuals in this tiny island nation.
Such an exaggerated number stretched the limits of Takatsuki Izumi's understanding, making her suspect Luo Shu might be lying.
Precisely for this reason, she'd come here—to compare notes with Shizuka Hio, this lone wolf.
"A Grade 3 evaluated dangerous individual... Such bureaucratic terminology suggests you've encountered someone from the yokais or the Onmyou Agency..."
Shizuka Hio narrowed her crimson eyes, studying Takatsuki Izumi carefully before murmuring:
"As for what you wish to know—regarding each faction's strong individuals—I can't say precisely. But according to the Vampire Elder Council's records, there should be around 500."
The mask fell to the floor with a soft 'pat'.
"500?" Takatsuki Izumi's tone took on a profoundly odd quality. "You're certain?"
Why was the number growing even larger?
At this, Shizuka Hio stated impassively: "Two years ago, a race called Hollows—creatures that delight in devouring human souls—descended upon this world."
"Being naturally Spirit Bodies, Hollows are undetectable to ordinary people. Their larger specimens generally possess formidable strength but low intelligence."
"To exterminate them, Japan's major mystic side factions jointly deployed their elites. At that time, the Elder Council recorded 539 combatants with Grade 3 combat evaluations."
"Heh, this wasn't some distant historical event. Any mystic side affiliate could likely tell you about it."
"...That's rather unfortunate news." Takatsuki Izumi took a deep breath.
She'd thought Luo Shu was exaggerating, but it turned out he'd been conservative—how awkward.
"Now then, I've answered your question. In exchange, you should address my curiosity."
As she spoke, Shizuka Hio's tone carried faint interest:
"Has the Ghouls' Race Danger Value assessment been completed?"
"It has." Takatsuki Izumi's voice turned grave.
"What grade?" Shizuka Hio pressed.
Takatsuki Izumi's lips moved, uttering a single word:
"B."
Hearing this, Shizuka Hio sighed with mild regret: "...It seems our collaboration ends here."
A Race Danger Value of B signified that the Ghouls were about to face a siege from Japan's major factions.
She didn't believe the Ghouls could survive such an onslaught.
At least, judging by Takatsuki Izumi's performance, it was impossible.
"Thank you for providing me with shelter and food recently. I've been living quite comfortably."
Shizuka Hio slowly approached Takatsuki Izumi, the hem of her long kimono dragging across the tatami:
"Consider the vampirisation I performed earlier as proof of payment for my stay."
She stopped beside Takatsuki Izumi and murmured softly:
"After all, you wouldn't accept becoming my servant, would you?"
Takatsuki Izumi's eyes flickered at her words before she replied solemnly:
"I obtained a whitelist from that examiner."
Shizuka Hio, who had been about to walk past her, halted and frowned:
"Who exactly did you meet?"
Takatsuki Izumi tilted her head slightly, meeting Shizuka Hio's gaze:
"He's a member of the SDS. I imagine you're more familiar with that organisation than I am."
"SDS... the Mysterious Data Management Office?"
Shizuka Hio narrowed her eyes, her cold features twisting into a thoughtful expression:
"How fortunate, Takatsuki-san."
"Only high-ranking members within the SDS can bestow a whitelist. To think you happened to encounter one."
"It seems our collaboration can continue."
Hearing this, Takatsuki Izumi suddenly frowned as realisation struck:
"Are SDS executives also Level 3 threats?"
Shizuka Hio glanced at her sideways:
"Takatsuki-san, even among Level 3 threats, there are differences."
"I see. I understand now."
Takatsuki Izumi nodded, realising that Luo Shu was likely a monster even among Level 3 threats.
In other words, his earlier display of power wasn't even close to his full strength?
'To think I ended up with a boss who's practically a monster...'
With that thought, she spoke in a low voice to Shizuka Hio:
"According to our previous agreement, once we confirm that we'll survive the Race Danger Value assessment, you'll vampirise 20 Ghouls, and in return, I'll lead my subordinates to assist you against the Vampires' Elder Council. That deal still stands, right?"
Shizuka Hio smiled faintly in understanding:
"Are you worried I'll abandon you and seek out that SDS executive instead?"
Takatsuki Izumi remained silent. Initially, Shizuka Hio had approached her because she commanded the Aogiri Tree, an organisation of over a thousand Ghouls.
But now, with the Race Danger Value assessment failed, Aogiri Tree was doomed to destruction.
Excluding those under Shizuka Hio's control, Takatsuki Izumi only had 15 spots left.
Even if all 16 Ghouls were S-rank or higher, there was no guarantee Shizuka Hio wouldn't deem them insufficient against the Elder Council.
After all, the so-called Elder Council was the very force that had imprisoned Shizuka Hio, earning her undying hatred.
And such a force couldn't possibly consist of just one or two Level 3 threats.
For Shizuka Hio, collaborating with Luo Shu would likely offer better odds of victory than relying on Ghouls who stood no chance against the Elder Council.
Just as Takatsuki Izumi's worries deepened, Shizuka Hio spoke calmly:
"Don't worry. Since you've established a connection with him, continuing to cooperate with you won't have any impact. It's just taking a more roundabout route."
"Moreover, your concerns are unnecessary. Unlike you, who lack power and influence, SDS executives are important figures with authority to command the US forces stationed on the island."
"Even if I wanted protection from such influential people, the bargaining chips I possess might not be sufficient."
Hearing Shizuka Hio say this, Takatsuki Izumi's eyes flickered before she replied:
"So it seems our cooperation is agreed upon?"
"It is." Shizuka Hio nodded slightly before adding indifferently: "I'll be waiting for your list, Takatsuki."
With those words, Shizuka Hio left the room, leaving Takatsuki Izumi standing in the entryway with shimmering eyes.
...
1:00 AM.
Tatara, a senior executive of Aogiri Tree, stood on the rooftop of a building. After glancing at his watch, he gazed at Kamijou Hospital bathed in night lights nearby and waved his arm with a low voice:
"Operation begins."
As his words fell, hundreds of figures leapt down from the building where Tatara stood, surging towards the hospital like a tidal wave.
The All-You-Can-Eat Plan had begun.