The dark red little figure softened and melted instantly like ice cream under sunlight, then seemed to "come alive" as if it possessed life of its own.
Rize was startled and instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but it was already too late.
That small mass of red fluid clung tightly to her finger and spread up her arm at an astonishing speed, like a conscious vine.
Her first instinct was to grab it and tear it off, but before the thought even fully formed, the fluid had completely seeped into her skin and disappeared, leaving only a fleeting strange warmth on her arm.
"Hiro. Come quickly!" Rize screamed in panic.
In the bathroom, Hiro was soaking in hot water, relaxing. Hearing Rize's terrified cry, his heart tightened.
He did not think about anything else. With a splash, he rose from the water, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist, then rushed out dripping wet.
"What happened?" he asked urgently, his gaze locking onto Rize's pale face.
Still shaken, Rize grabbed Hiro's arm. "That little figure you left on the table. It suddenly came alive. It melted and drilled into my body."
Hiro's heart sank.
Only then did he remember that he had been too busy admiring beauty and had forgotten to retrieve the Carnage split body in time.
He had not fully researched this thing yet. Now, by accident, Rize had fused with it. The consequences were basically unpredictable...
He immediately gripped her wrist and focused on sensing the condition inside her body.
Very quickly, he detected the presence of that mass of Carnage. It was fusing with Rize's cells at an unprecedented speed.
Hiro attempted to control it as usual, but failed. The split body, after merging, had completely slipped from his control.
His heart tightened as he instantly prepared for the worst.
If Rize showed any signs of losing control, he would forcibly strip it away at any cost.
But for now, the situation might not be bad.
He steadied himself and asked quickly, "How do you feel right now? Any discomfort anywhere? Or have you heard any other voice. Felt any other consciousness influencing you?"
At his words, Rize forced herself to calm down.
She carefully sensed every change in her body. Not only did she feel no discomfort, but a powerful warm current surged through her limbs and bones.
Her strength was increasing at a speed she had never experienced before. It felt incredible, and there was no interference from any foreign consciousness.
"I feel great," Rize replied, a hint of amazement in her tone. "My strength keeps getting stronger. There's no other consciousness."
Hiro let out a breath. The worst scenario did not seem to have occurred.
He pressed on, "Can you control it? Try manipulating it."
Rize nodded and focused her mind. The next moment, the split body flowed obediently within her and slowly surfaced on her skin.
It did not transform into a ferocious monster like when Hiro used it.
Instead, it turned into vivid and intricate dark red patterns, like entwining vines, elegantly climbing across her cheeks, neck, arms, and legs.
Her original four rinkaku also transformed. Although their basic shape did not change, their texture appeared tougher, and they could alter form at will.
At her fingertips, sharp dark red claws could extend instantly.
At this moment, Rize looked like a demoness from ancient legend, beauty intertwined with heart-stirring power.
A dazed and confident smile appeared on her face as she felt the surging energy inside her.
Softly, she said to Hiro, "Hiro, I have never felt this powerful. If I faced those two investigators again, I believe I could kill them easily."
With a thought, the brilliant patterns on her body receded like a tide, restoring her to her original appearance.
She looked at Hiro, her eyes filled with astonishment and confusion. "Hiro, what exactly is this?"
Hiro explained, "You can think of it as a special split body of my kagune.
It can parasitize a host and deeply fuse with them, comprehensively enhancing perception, strength, recovery, and other abilities.
However, it also requires regular replenishment of large amounts of energy. Otherwise, there may be a risk of backlash against the host."
Rize was deeply shaken. In the hundreds of years since ghouls had existed, she had never seen or even heard of such a strange kagune.
If this information leaked, they would inevitably become targets of everyone's greed. No one would not want a power that could increase strength like this.
With a serious expression, she warned, "Hiro, the fact that you possess this ability must never be known to a third person."
"Don't worry. I understand."
Hiro nodded. "I originally planned to thoroughly research it and eliminate all hidden dangers before letting you use it.
I didn't expect that by accident, you would fuse with it first. Fortunately, nothing went wrong."
He paused, then continued gently, "Since the first step went smoothly, next you can try to better control the RC cells after fusion.
Once you fully master them, you will not only be able to taste human food, but you can also try living like a human."
Those words struck Rize's heart heavily. No one had ever considered her future like this.
Although she and Hiro had appeared intimate during this period, deep down she had always maintained a solid barrier.
It was self-protection formed slowly since childhood in that twisted place known as the Washuu Clan.
At this moment, that barrier quietly shattered.
She suddenly stepped forward and tightly embraced Hiro, her voice slightly choked. "Why. Why are you so good to me?"
Hiro smiled lightly and answered casually yet sincerely, "There's no reason. I want to."
Rize said nothing more. She cupped his face and kissed him fiercely.
Only when both were slightly out of breath did they reluctantly part. Rize's cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly parted, looking especially alluring.
They held each other quietly. Through the thin nightdress, they could clearly feel each other's heartbeat and warmth.
Gradually, Hiro felt it becoming difficult to restrain himself.
Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "If we keep hugging like this, someone is going to suffer."
His warm breath brushed against her ear. Rize trembled slightly, the blush on her face deepening.
She hurriedly released him and quickly retreated into the side bedroom like a startled deer.
Watching her shy escape, Hiro could not help but laugh softly before turning back toward the bathroom.
Soaking again in the warm bath, he let out a comfortable sigh.
Now it was certain. After Carnage split and fused with a new host, it would not produce a new consciousness.
As expected of something processed by the system. Truly authoritative..