Hiro gazed toward the distant shopping mall. At this moment, it was the main battlefield where the CCG and Aogiri Tree were clashing fiercely.
On the bridge spanning the river not far away, two figures could be faintly seen. Eto and Tatara were presumably standing at a high vantage point, calmly overlooking the course of the battle.
He had long held the idea of speaking with Tatara, but clearly this was not the right time. Everything would have to wait until this battle was over.
"We should move," Hiro turned to Rize. "By now, both sides should already be engaged."
The two took out the masks they had received at noon and carefully put them on.
Hiro reached out and lightly wrapped an arm around Rize's waist. Then he spread his wings and shot toward the shopping mall with her.
As they neared their destination, Hiro beat his wings once to slow his descent and landed lightly on the mall rooftop.
"Be especially careful during the operation," he released Rize and instructed in a low voice. "If you encounter a Special-Class Investigator, don't fight them head-on. Wait for me."
Rize nodded obediently. "Understood."
It had not felt so from afar, but the moment they stepped inside the mall, deafening noise engulfed them instantly.
The roar of firearms, the clash of blades, hoarse shouts and wails echoed and collided repeatedly within the hollow mall interior, composing a chaotic symphony.
"Remember, don't get carried away."
Hiro raised his voice and reminded Rize again amid the clamor.
What he feared most was that once Rize started killing in earnest, she would sink into uncontrollable feeding frenzy. "Aogiri Tree has planted a large amount of explosives here. Once we've had enough, we withdraw immediately."
"Alright, alright, I know~ Hiro, how did you get so naggy, like an old mom?"
Rize curled her lips, showing a trace of disdain, interrupting his repeated instructions.
"Fine. As long as you know." Hiro said no more. A sharp light flashed in his eyes. "Let's go. The buffet is open."
Before his words finished, with a thunderous boom, several crimson tentacles like giant spears blasted open the wall ahead, tearing a huge hole.
Hiro's figure flashed and he charged into the darkness first. Rize glanced around once and followed lightly.
The mall's power system had long collapsed. Only a few dim green emergency lights stubbornly provided weak illumination, outlining the blurred shapes of shattered counters and toppled shelves. The environment was exceptionally dark and oppressive.
Within this darkness, Hiro was like a fish returned to deep water, silently transforming into the deadliest hunter.
His gaze swept across every shifting shadow. Whether ghoul or investigator, all were now potential prey in his eyes.
Although humans provided far less energy than ghouls, adhering to the principle that even a mosquito is still meat, he had no intention of being picky.
Not far ahead, at the entrance to an escalator leading downstairs, he encountered a ghoul squad assigned to guard this sector.
There were four in total, all wearing different masks and draped in Aogiri Tree's signature dark red cloaks.
Hiro's sudden appearance immediately drew their high alert.
"Stop! Which squad are you from?"
The leading ghoul shouted harshly. Kakugan lit behind his mask as he stared at this suspicious comrade who wore no standard cloak.
"Me?" Hiro chuckled, not slowing his steps. "Hunter squad."
He had no intention of wasting time. With a thought, four thick tentacles instantly split out near his shoulder blades.
Like venomous snakes with independent life, they shot toward the four ghouls' hearts from two directions at astonishing speed.
The four ghouls reacted quickly. At once they released their respective kagune. Koukaku, Ukaku, and Rinkaku forms differed in shape as they tried to weave a defensive net against the sudden lethal strike.
However.
"Pffft!"
Before absolute power disparity, resistance was so pale and powerless.
The tentacles crushed through the kagune defenses with overwhelming force and then pierced their bodies.
The four ghouls could not even fully scream before dying on the spot.
Hiro's expression did not change. He began efficiently "cleaning the battlefield."
The tentacles probed into the still-warm bodies and precisely extracted four kakuhou containing life essence, then absorbed them completely.
After finishing, he did not linger. His figure once again vanished into the darkness, seeking the next "lucky audience."
...
Upon entering the mall interior, Rize chose a different direction from Hiro.
She had no interest in ghouls whose taste she found unpleasant. Only humans possessed the unique flavor she loved.
Along the way, if any reckless ghoul dared block her path, she tore them apart without hesitation using her kagune.
"Well now, gentlemen, what are you looking for?"
At a stairwell corner, she ran into three investigators head-on. Her voice, tinged with teasing, sounded abruptly in the dimness.
The three reacted extremely fast. Almost the instant her words fell, they deployed their quinques, weapons snapping up to aim at this woman radiating danger.
"I'll engage from the front. You flank from the sides!" the leading investigator issued orders swiftly.
"Understood!"
The three coordinated smoothly and attacked at once.
Hearing their tactical arrangement, Rize could not help laughing softly. "Such... big talk, little buns."
Four rinkaku erupted from her back instantly, turning into streaking crimson afterimages that shot toward the three.
The leading investigator was stronger. He barely parried the strike aimed at his vitals.
But the other two were not so fortunate.
The one on the left managed a hasty block, but only deflected the kagune by a few inches. His shoulder blade was pierced instantly. Blood sprayed out as he let out a shrill scream.
The investigator on the right was pierced simultaneously by two kagune and died on the spot.
"Retreat! Retreat immediately!"
Witnessing one dead and one wounded, the leader realized at once this was an opponent far beyond them.
He roared and scrambled desperately, trying to escape this death trap.
"Hahaha... where are you going, little bun?"
The splashing blood seemed to ignite something mad deep within Rize. Her eyes grew more feverish as the four kagune pursued the fleeing pair like shadows.
The wounded investigator meant to run only a few steps before a kagune pierced him from behind. He crashed heavily to the ground, silent forever.
Rize casually tore off one of his arms and bit into it elegantly, narrowing her eyes in intoxicated pleasure. "Ah... truly delicious..."
Warm blood slid from the corner of her lips, making her laughter grow more unhinged.
Holding the severed arm, she followed unhurriedly behind the last investigator, like a cat toying with prey, savoring every moment of his futile struggle in despair.