While Hiro and Rize hunted separately inside the shopping mall, the frontal clash between Aogiri Tree and the CCG had already reached a fever pitch.
War had engulfed the entire mall. Roars and the buzzing of quinques intertwined without cease.
Yet at the center of this chaos, Aogiri Tree's core leaders, Eto and Tatara, did not appear.
They were like spectators standing outside the chessboard, calmly watching the battle they had personally arranged.
The cadres truly committed to combat were not many. Only Kirishima Ayato, Noro, and Niko, the Bin Brothers, and others. Yamori had originally been included, but Yamori had already been killed by Hiro.
Kirishima Ayato dashed rapidly among the upper levels of the annex, his figure trailing a blurred afterimage.
Around him, his ukaku spun at high speed. Dark red crystal fragments carved streaks of light through the air, condensing around him into an airtight armor.
"Clang clang clang-"
Bullets struck this living armor like raindrops, only scattering sparks before bouncing away.
"Damn it! We can't penetrate it at all!" a Special Forces officer shouted in despair, his rifle still spitting futile muzzle flashes.
But Ayato's assault did not cease. The ukaku shards poured down like a storm, weaving a net of death in the narrow space.
The officers' body armor was meaningless before kagune. Screams rose one after another, and the floor was quickly stained with dark red.
Meanwhile, at the circular staircase of the main building, another massacre unfolded.
"Target sighted! Open fire!"
Dozens of fully armed Special Forces instantly rose behind railings on every level, muzzles aimed at the figure ascending the stairs step by step.
Noro ignored the rain of bullets pouring down. They passed through his body, leaving horrifying holes, yet healed at visible speed in the next instant.
He was like a puppet without pain, each step unnaturally steady.
"Beep beep beep-"
The alarm clock in his arms suddenly rang. At that moment, Noro seemed infused with life.
Two enormous kagune burst from his body, coiling around the nearest two officers like giant pythons. With a muffled crunch, their ballistic vests and the bodies inside were crushed together.
Then the two kagune fused and swelled in midair, forming a blood-red colossal blade that blotted out the sky.
With a tearing sound that set teeth on edge, the blade split into countless sharp spears and swept outward in a frenzy.
"Retreat! Fall ba-"
The commander's shout was drowned in the sound of flesh being ripped apart.
Where the spears reached, railings twisted and snapped like paper, and officers fell in rows like harvested wheat. In mere seconds, the entire stairwell became a sea of blood.
The Bin Brothers were also slaughtering freely. Koutarou Amon had likewise been killed by Hiro, which meant Hiro had saved the Bin Brothers' lives. The Bin Brothers expressed their thanks to him.
Having not encountered other high-ranking CCG investigators, their S-rated strength meant no one could threaten them.
Meanwhile, Niko relied on keen perception to support companions' actions from the shadows.
Though Aogiri Tree seemed to be fighting fiercely, it was in truth only a feint.
This had always been a trap meticulously set by Aogiri Tree. Their intent was not to fight the CCG to the death.
The cadres' mission was clear and cautious. After drawing sufficient firepower and dealing a certain blow, they would withdraw in orderly fashion from this battlefield that was about to be utterly destroyed.
...
Inside the temporary command vehicle, Kureo Mado stared at the constantly updating battle map on the electronic screen.
Suddenly, the tight line of his mouth curved slightly upward. Good news he had long awaited came through his headset.
"Team One reporting. North sector, third floor annex secured."
"Team Two reporting. West corridor, second floor main building cleared."
Mado immediately connected a direct line to Yukinori Shinohara. "Shinohara, how's your progress?"
Shinohara's somewhat hurried reply came through the earpiece. "Parking area secured. Advancing toward the roof." His voice was slightly breathless from running, yet steady.
Mado could not help but remark, "Progress seems smooth. It reminds me of the days we fought side by side."
Shinohara responded, "Yes. The younger generation is excellent now."
Moments later, Shinohara's voice sounded again, carrying hesitation. "Reached the roof, but no sign of Aogiri Tree members... the situation is somewhat abnormal."
Just then, at the other end of the roof, a rusted iron door creaked open with a harsh squeal.
A purple-haired woman wearing an ornate mask appeared before them.
Her entire body was soaked in blood. In her hand she still carried a mangled human leg, yet her posture remained graceful and composed.
The communication channel instantly fell silent.
"What's going on?" Mado pressed urgently.
Shinohara lowered his voice. "A ghoul suspected to be an Aogiri Tree cadre has appeared on the roof. Preparing to subdue."
"Exercise utmost caution," Mado instructed.
On the rooftop, Yukinori Shinohara and Iwao Kuroiwa deployed their quinques almost simultaneously. "Form up!" Shinohara ordered, and the well-trained investigators immediately created an encirclement.
By now, Rize had long thrown Hiro's warnings to the wind. Facing the "delicacies" on the roof, her reason was completely devoured by hunger.
"Hahaha—" With manic laughter, Rize launched the first attack.
Four kagune thrust like spears toward Shinohara and Kuroiwa.
Yet all her strikes were blocked by the two Special-Class Investigators. Quinques and kagune clashed violently, sparks scattering.
Seeing her assault stopped, Rize switched targets and rushed toward the other investigators. Her kagune whirled agilely, hammering at them.
But Shinohara and Kuroiwa reacted in time and blocked each one.
After several exchanges, the fever in Rize's eyes suddenly cleared. Not only had the opponents completely resisted her attacks, they were gradually gaining the upper hand.
She remembered Hiro's instructions. Judging by the situation, these two were indeed Special-Class Investigators. She immediately formed the intent to retreat.
"She's trying to escape!" Shinohara sharply sensed her intention. "Tighten the perimeter!"
While barely parrying with her kagune, Rize hurriedly pulled out her phone.
The moment the call connected, she shouted urgently, "Hiro! Come save me. On the roof above the parking-"
Before she could hear a reply, Kuroiwa smashed her phone to pieces with a heavy blow.
Fragments of the shattered device traced an arc through the air. Yet the anxiety in Rize's heart had already settled.
Though the phone was destroyed, she knew the signal for help had been sent.
Surrounded at this moment, no panic showed in her eyes. As long as she maneuvered carefully, guarded her vitals, and held out until that figure appeared—
"She called for backup!" Shinohara's shout cut through her thoughts. "End it quickly!"
Before the words finished, two figures bore down like thunder.
The quinques of Shinohara and Kuroiwa whipped up lethal pressure, supported by the precise coordination of upper-class investigators. Their offensive instantly became airtight like an iron barrel.
Rize's kagune danced frantically, yet a blade still struck her shoulder. Blood immediately soaked her clothing. A moment later pain stabbed her calf, nearly forcing her to her knees.
Though the wounds healed at once, the regeneration rapidly drained her stamina. Her kagune movements were no longer as sharp as before.
Shinohara's gaze burned. The edge of his quinque drove straight toward her heart. "It's over!"
At that critical instant..
A massive crimson shadow slammed down into the center of the battlefield like a falling meteor.
Rubble exploded outward and dust surged skyward. The violent shockwave forced everyone to step back half a pace.