While escorting the terrified hostages away, some CCG members wanted to ask what had happened here, but rescuing the large number of hostages was the top priority.
Later, when they carefully examined the scene themselves, the remaining traces and evidence indicated that an unidentified masked man had crushed and killed a massive number of ghouls—simultaneously.
Even the rescued hostages described it the same way.
"I only heard explosions, then the screams of ghouls, and saw a black-clad masked man facing off against a giant spider."
"I didn't see how he did it. The moment he disappeared, a lot of ghouls were already dead."
"After killing all the enemies and releasing us to wait for rescue, he suddenly vanished."
"…"
Information obtained directly from the hostages gave the CCG higher-ups a headache. What they described was clearly not human.
Based on the ghoul corpses found at the scene, most had been killed in a single strike. Some ghouls near the iron cages holding hostages had fragments of flesh found amid ice shards at the site.
All of this perfectly matched the scenes described by the victims.
The reason CCG personnel felt so uneasy was that they did not know whether this mysterious person was friend or foe. According to the victims, he also possessed extraordinary abilities.
He had saved a little girl who was on the verge of death on the spot and even restored an arm that had been torn off by ghouls.
All signs indicated that he was no ordinary individual. The CCG wanted to investigate further, but the upper echelons of the organization uncharacteristically put a stop to it.
In an office at CCG headquarters, Yukinori Shinohara frowned and sighed. Looking at Kousuke Houji, who was working meticulously at his desk, he asked:
"Is it really okay not to investigate this? And on top of that, news is spreading that our CCG broke through the organization and rescued the hostages. It feels pretty awkward…"
He wasn't wrong. Shinohara was an honest man. As a Special Class Investigator, he had defeated countless vicious ghouls and was a solid powerhouse. While he lacked the genius aura of Arima, he was a man who achieved results through steady effort, earning the nickname "Invulnerable Shinohara."
If he did something, he would own up to it. But if he didn't, he disdained taking credit for it.
In this operation, the CCG had only cleared the outer perimeter of the ghoul organization. As for the core members, they had only seen their mangled corpses.
Picking up the results already prepared by someone else and claiming the credit—while Shinohara knew it could boost the CCG's prestige, he deeply disagreed with it.
He could tolerate that, but being ordered by the higher-ups not to investigate the incident or the masked man any further was something he found hard to accept.
Some time earlier, when they tried to visit the little girl Kokoro whom Raize had saved, they were blocked by her mother using various excuses. Kotonoha herself also provided very little useful information.
Houji, tall and muscular with a stern, square face that practically screamed "hardcore," showed no change in expression when he heard his colleague's words. He stopped reviewing documents, raised his head, and said:
"You've been in the CCG for many years. You should already know some secrets ordinary people can't. I'm also dissatisfied with the higher-ups' decision not to investigate, but I won't oppose it."
Hearing this, Shinohara's expression grew serious. Lowering his voice, he said, "You mean… those ghouls provoked something else?"
Having worked in the CCG for so many years, Shinohara knew many hidden truths unknown to ordinary people. Besides ghouls—these demi-human monsters—there were also beings far stronger lurking in the shadows.
Houji nodded slowly and said, "This incident benefits the CCG. We don't know who that mysterious person is, but the ghouls' excessive actions lately clearly angered an existence they shouldn't have provoked."
The CCG higher-ups who issued the order not to investigate further were aligned with the Hashure family. This ghoul organization had truly gone too far—kidnapping so many humans, including the descendants of major families and financial conglomerates.
The ghouls' reckless actions had likely angered certain individuals. The Hashure family, who consorted with certain demonic forces, knew this very well.
From their perspective, an organization protected by a stray devil being wiped out by someone of unknown identity meant that a greater force had intervened.
To maintain the delicate balance of ghouls, they had to cut off the part that had drawn the attention of colossal powers.
If they investigated which faction had acted, wouldn't that just be courting disaster? The Hashure family might have some influence, but when facing ancient supernatural forces far older than their race, they had enough self-awareness to know they were no match.
Another reason was that this ghoul organization also had connections to certain human forces. Digging deeper and letting ignorant people learn things they shouldn't know was absolutely unacceptable to them.
If Raize himself knew about this, he would probably wear a somber expression. Ghouls might have the confidence to look down on ordinary humans, but in front of truly massive powers, they were nothing more than insects.
The hidden forces of this world were like a pyramid. Cannibalistic races like ghouls had no status or prestige, and they ranked even below humans.
There was no shortage of strong individuals among humans—far from it. Many could casually exterminate ghouls they encountered.
The sense of superiority ghouls felt toward humans could only be vented on ordinary people. For ghouls who knew part of the world's truth, they themselves were nothing more than parasites clinging to humanity.
If one day humans felt they had gone too far and became uncomfortable, a single slap would be enough to wipe them out. Their efforts to maintain balance stemmed from fear of that day arriving.
Yet that very day the ghouls feared had already been placed on the agenda—within the heart of a certain Raize who was currently playing games and training his power.
---
Elsewhere, while Raize focused on playing games to improve his strength, he did not forget about the games he was selling—or the ones he planned to create next.
The two games, Sekiro and Devil May Cry, had already begun to glow faintly in his system directory. Before long, he would be able to play both of them to further enhance his strength.
That was why, for now, the better the game sales performed, the better.
At present, Sekiro and Devil May Cry were extremely popular in game livestreams. With the traffic brought in by these streamers, sales in the gaming market were skyrocketing.
During this period, as long as you opened certain streaming platforms or websites similar to the Bilibili of Raizen's previous life, you would see related streamers either broadcasting live or editing videos to farm traffic.
The constant clanging of swords in Sekiro, and high-end players showing off flashy combos in Devil May Cry.
Raizen's company's official website was flooded with praise. Among the two games, Sekiro presented a fantastical sixteenth-century Sengoku-era Japan to the world.
Meanwhile, the demonic and divine elements in Devil May Cry hit certain players' sweet spots directly. The action system left them extremely satisfied, and the music brought an intense, blood-pumping excitement.
The story, quality, and overall design of the games were so good that players could hardly find any major flaws.
A certain chibi, hamster-like streamer, Umaru, after overcoming countless hardships, finally arrived at the site of the final battle—Ashina's field of reeds.
At this moment, the entire land of Ashina was in turmoil. Sword Saint Isshin had already died from illness. Upon receiving news of the Sword Saint's death, the Interior Ministry no longer had any scruples and launched a full-scale assault on Ashina.
As the sole heir of Ashina, Genichiro absolutely refused to allow his country to fall and his clan to perish.
Thus, after obtaining the Black Mortal Blade, he forcibly seized the Divine Heir Kuro's power of immortality, attempting to defy fate itself and save Ashina.
Clang!
Although Genichiro had already become extremely powerful, to a high-level player like Umaru—who had fully adapted to the game's combat style—
You're strong, but I'm stronger!
Umaru herself wasn't someone who had never died. However, her excellent mentality meant she didn't rage like many others. The official statements had already made it clear: this was a game for strong players to prove themselves, but even non-hardcore players could grow stronger through it.
As a high-end gamer, Umaru's confidence allowed her to fear no challenge.
"Die, Genichiro, you trash! So what if you got the Mortal Blade? I'm the Wolf—you're just a puppy!"
Umaru pulled her blade out of Genichiro's body and said disdainfully.
Toward this guy who had chopped off her arm at the very beginning, Umaru had long been holding a grudge. Even though she already knew from edited videos that she would lose an arm no matter what, she was still furious.
Pouting smugly, Umaru looked down at Genichiro, who was kneeling on one knee.
"Genichiro the trash, with this little bit of skill you want to save Ashina? Come back in twenty thousand years!"
The livestream chat immediately exploded with comments.
"The streamer is flexing again, but I like it!"
"Hahaha, Genichiro finally gets what's coming to him. You cut off my arm—stabbing you a few times isn't enough!"
"The streamer's skill is insane. Triggering that early-stage storyline alone proves how strong she is."
"True. I've watched other people play Sekiro—most can't even beat Genichiro at the start. They lose their arm anyway and still get mocked."
"Feels like the streamer is getting cocky again. Don't forget this game always jumpscares you. It's brutally hard—I've already replaced two keyboards."
"..."
Watching Genichiro fall, the fans who had followed Umaru through thorns and blades—seeking immortality and then searching for a way to sever it—felt as if the story was finally coming to an end.
But when Umaru saw Genichiro force himself back to his feet in the cutscene, she felt that this was far from over.
But she had already swept Ashina without equal—what other enemy could possibly appear?
Genichiro's exhausted body trembled as he used his last strength to support himself.
He raised his head and looked at the full moon in the sky, feeling deep unwillingness at his defeat.
"…In the end… I was still powerless…"
Speaking dejectedly, Genichiro slowly raised the black Mortal Blade in his hand.
"However, if the power of the Dragon's Heritage can allow this country to continue existing…"
"Then the long night of Ashina… will finally see the dawn."
Determination filled Genichiro's eyes. Under the shocked gazes of Umaru and the livestream audience, he placed the ominous, black-aura-emitting Mortal Blade against his own neck.
The next moment, he viciously slashed it across his throat!
A crimson mist of blood burst forth instantly!
Then, from the wound in Genichiro's neck, a withered yet powerful hand suddenly thrust out and slowly grasped the Mortal Blade still in his hand.
A weathered, yet strangely familiar voice rang out to Umaru.
"This… is my pitiful grandson's final wish…"
A black-and-red figure slowly emerged from the wound in Genichiro's neck, landing barefoot on the ground with absolute steadiness.
"I must pull Ashina back from the underworld, and allow it to endure once more…"
"So, Wolf… I must kill you!"
A flash of chilling blade light.
The man who had burst forth from Genichiro's body slowly turned his head.
That man—
The Sword Saint!
Isshin Ashina, the man who once intimidated an entire nation, has arrived!!
"A-Ashina Isshin!?"
Umaru and the livestream audience felt the same thing—goosebumps erupted all over their bodies.
At the very last moment, Genichiro had used the Mortal Blade to summon the legendary Isshin.
And judging by his appearance, this wasn't the frail, elderly Isshin—but Isshin in his prime.
Damn, that's ruthless. Genichiro's obsession with Ashina was suffocating.
"I've got a really bad feeling about this… This is the real final boss, isn't it?!"
Umaru swallowed nervously as she looked at Isshin before her. With Raizen's refined art style and immersive visuals, anyone could tell that this Isshin radiated an overwhelming, razor-sharp presence.
It wasn't that she hadn't fought Isshin before—but that had been the aged, declining Sword Saint.
Even after Raizen's fine-tuning buffs, Umaru had still died several times before finally clearing the elderly Sword Saint Isshin.
By this point in the game, through NPC dialogue, players could learn that the Interior Ministry had refrained from launching a large-scale attack on Ashina for so many years precisely because Isshin was guarding the country.
Even in his old age, the Interior Ministry had not dared to take risks, patiently waiting until he truly died before mobilizing their forces.
A legendary figure with such a fearsome reputation—just standing there was enough to act as a massive deterrent.
Now, Umaru was about to face Isshin at the peak of his strength, summoned through Genichiro's self-sacrifice. To say there was no pressure would be a lie.
She immediately focused with full concentration and prepared to face the enemy.