Without pushing the issue, Rize ignores me and keeps playing with Yuki-chan, tossing it into the air and catching it again as it falls.
Meanwhile, I keep three All-Seeing Eyes deployed around us, one in front, one to the left, and one to the right. I receive real-time information about the terrain, populated areas, and possible escape routes if needed. It's exhausting maintaining them constantly along with the eyes accompanying Saya, Rei, Touka, and Mrs. Yuriko while I'm in this weakened state.
1st Ward through 4 are hell. I've heard those words a lot at Anteiku. And now that I'm in the first ward, I think they're right.
In this area I see extremely active ghouls, either heading out to hunt or killing each other to see who'll be the new territory boss, or simply for food.
I also see the parasites interfering in their business from time to time.
And the CCG, the organization that hunts ghouls, has a massive presence here. Squads of investigators patrol the streets day and night carrying briefcases. Those briefcases hold weapons known as quinques, made from ghoul kagunes.
Lately, these quinques are somehow higher quality than in the past.
Of course, it's not like this district is the same as 24th Ward, where almost everyone is a supernatural being.
Because most of those living here are still human. But looking at their faces, you don't have to be a particularly keen observer to realize the miserable lives they lead.
Hearing screams asking for help, humans duck their heads and keep walking. Maybe they're sorry inside, but the fear of meddling where they don't belong is greater.
"Why are we walking?"
My train of thought is interrupted once again by Rize, who breaks the heavy silence that has settled between us.
"Hm?"
"We could run since it'd be faster and easier to get away."
"Mm."
I look around, observing the buildings, the alleys, and the graffiti on the walls.
"But I've wanted to visit 1st Ward for a long time. Since I'm here, I want to enjoy it."
Rize stops for a moment, and when I look at her, a strange smile spreads across her face. She tilts her head to one side and brings a finger to her lips.
"Hehe~ Is that so?"
The tone she uses to say this raises my alarm. With her hands clasped behind her back, she approaches me slowly while her purple eyes emit a glow.
"Enjoy it, you say? Is that really why?"
I twist my lips and push her head back with my palm before she can get closer.
"Keep your distance."
Hehehe, she laughs that way and backs off.
How long has it been? Since we started walking. Maybe a few hours have already passed.
Thanks to my active eyes, I've managed to detect groups of ghouls, CCG patrols, and areas where the parasites form communities. As such, we've avoided them without problems.
The sun begins to cross into the afternoon zone when we reach a small forest on the outskirts of the ward. The buildings gradually disappear and a paved road surrounded by trees and wild vegetation remains.
Hah... Hah...
Large amounts of hot air escape through my nostrils. I feel like I'm carrying hundreds of pounds of metal on my back, making each step feel heavier.
—Shieeerrrkkk!
Devour souls.
That's the condition for recovering faster.
But how can I devour souls?
I've wanted to since I realized that condition, but I couldn't acquire an ability according to my wishes. Maybe apart from desire and will, something else is required?
That's why I'm in this worn-out soul condition, like a candle that's been burning for a long time.
"Hey, isn't it funny? That I thought there was an old man behind Yuki-chan. But it turns out you're younger than me."
I do my best to keep my expression neutral and hide the pain, but I'm aware of Rize's eyes on me.
She knows.
"How can someone your age become so strong? Tell me, nee~ tell me."
Rize closes the distance between us, and this time I don't stop her. After all, I lack the energy.
"My master taught me well."
"Oh? Your master? I'm curious."
While looking at the sky for a while, thinking, she laughs before grabbing my arm. Her fingers dig into my skin as she examines me with narrowed eyes.
"Heh. You're weak."
The smile on her face widens.
"Did you use all your strength in that fight?"
—Shiiiieerrk!
Rize's voice mixes with the noisy voices.
Simultaneously, the Rize in front of me is replaced by a silhouette made of pulsating flesh, bleeding eyes, and bottomless mouths.
I almost raise my hand and slap her.
'She's Rize, so calm down.'
I click my tongue while focusing my mental energy. If she tries anything, I'll attack her mind directly. It's my only method of defense now, but it should be enough. Rize is still young, and although she's endured a lot in the Sunlit Garden, which has helped her gain great willpower, I can make her pass out if necessary.
"Hehehe."
She laughs softly upon noticing the tension in my body.
"Why that look? Do you think I'll hurt you?"
"Isn't that what your face says? You're salivating."
Rize blinks and brings a hand to her lips. There's a thread of saliva at the corner of her mouth. She wipes it away elegantly, but isn't it too late to act like a noble lady?
The purple girl dressed in white doesn't have an ounce of shame.
"I haven't eaten in weeks. You can't blame me, right?"
She tilts her head.
"Besides, do you really think I want to hurt someone who came for me and saved me?"
"Yes."
Is there even a need to think about what answer to give to her question?
Rize looks at me for a second or two with an expressionless face, before smiling back. It's a dark smile.
"Yes. You're right. I really don't care if someone came for me or not. I could attack you if I wanted to."
Her words don't surprise me, considering she's someone who has no problem admitting the worst of herself.
"But you're Yuki-chan's owner, aren't you? And Yuki-chan is mine now."
She lifts the floating eye she's still holding against her chest and emits a softer feeling.
"That means we have a connection, right?"
'This girl is crazy...'
But while I observe her, I think about Rize from the manga and anime. They called her the Binge Eater because, well, she was a glutton who mercilessly devoured her prey. Because of this, she represented a great threat to several wards before her death.
This Rize hasn't reached that point yet. But who knows if she'll follow the same path.
If I want her to behave, I have to tame her.
—Shieeeerkk!
Maybe it's the noises driving me crazy, or maybe I was already crazy beforehand.
Either way, that doesn't change the fact that what I'm about to do is something a sane person would never do.
I raise my left hand in front of her face. With the claws of my right hand, I cut my wrist. Dark red blood immediately gushes out.
Rize freezes as her eyes widen.
The tantalizing smell of blood reaches her nose.
—Gulp!
She swallows hard at the same time her irises turn crimson and her sclera is painted black.
"What...?"
"You're hungry, aren't you?"
I extend my arm toward her, offering my blood.
"Then drink."
To know if she can be trusted.
Or to know if I wasted my time coming to save her.
×××
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