Beneath the 20th Ward lay something most humans would never imagine.
A vast underground network of tunnels.
These passages were the hidden lifeline of Tokyo's ghouls.
Built silently over decades—
Perhaps even longer.
A shadow world carved beneath the city.
When Yoshimura calmly revealed its existence, and Ren stepped through a concealed passage beneath Anteiku, even he found the situation absurd.
The scale of the tunnels was enormous.
Miles of winding corridors connected countless hidden locations.
If he didn't already know the Washuu Family secretly controlled the leadership of the Commission of Counter Ghoul, he would never believe such a massive underground system could exist directly beneath the city.
To ordinary humans—
This place simply did not exist.
Yet for ghouls—
It was survival.
Deep within the tunnels lay a wide training space.
The air smelled faintly of dust and sweat.
This area had become the training ground for Ken Kaneki.
Under the strict supervision of Renji Yomo.
Recently—
Another student had joined.
Nishio Nishiki.
After the incident at the Ghoul Restaurant, Nishiki had become obsessed with getting stronger.
Every time Yomo knocked him down—
He would grit his teeth.
Stand up again.
Even when exhausted.
Occasionally—
Kaneki and Nishiki sparred.
Kaneki still struggled to control his kagune consciously.
When calm—
He lacked combat experience.
Nishiki's greater experience allowed him to gain the upper hand.
Though the difference in raw power between them was slowly shrinking.
Ren had rarely visited this training ground.
He didn't need such training.
But today—
The reason was different.
The system had rewarded him with a new item.
A toy.
[Item: Glock 18 Pistol]
[Description]
A fully automatic pistol manufactured by Glock Ges.m.b.H..
Chambered in 9mm. Known for high reliability and extremely fast firing rate.
[Note]
Ammunition automatically refreshes at midnight.
Enjoy shooting.
Ren weighed the pistol in his hand.
Cold.
Unfamiliar.
Still—
Better than nothing.
Ordinary bullets could barely harm ghouls.
Their skin and regenerative ability made them resistant to conventional firearms.
The gun would only be useful in chaotic situations.
Or against humans.
The tunnel wall became his target.
He stood about ten meters away.
Trying to recall the shooting stance he had seen in movies.
He took a breath.
Raised the gun.
Closed one eye.
Aimed.
Pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The gunshots echoed violently through the underground chamber.
The smell of gunpowder spread through the air.
Concrete dust scattered from the wall.
When the dust settled—
Five bullet holes appeared.
Spread across a wide area.
Irregular.
Two of them nearly half a meter apart.
Ren casually blew at the gun barrel.
Pretending nothing was wrong.
Inside his mind—
Carnage sounded confused.
[Strange…]
[Even I… couldn't keep your hands steady…]
"Kiryu-nii is amazing!"
Kaneki suddenly spoke.
His sparring session had just ended.
Sweat covered his forehead.
Yomo had already disappeared back into the deeper tunnels.
As usual.
Silent as a ghost.
"Oh… yeah."
Ren quickly lowered his hands behind his back.
The faint crimson symbiote coating his palms dissolved back into his skin.
He coughed.
Trying to sound calm.
"Just lucky."
A mocking voice interrupted.
"Heh."
"So this is the famous talent of Mr. Kiryu?"
Nishiki pointed at the wall.
His tone dripping with sarcasm.
"What is this supposed to be?"
"Abstract art?"
"Or some mysterious ritual?"
Ren replied immediately.
Without hesitation.
"Obviously it proves my incredible talent."
"My first time holding a gun."
"And every bullet still hit the wall."
"At least none of them flew toward you or Kaneki."
Nishiki stared.
Speechless.
That logic was strangely convincing.
After a moment he rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Where did you even get that thing?"
He pointed at the Glock.
"A friend gave it to me."
Ren answered smoothly.
Nishiki snorted.
"Whatever."
He picked up his coat.
"I have a date with Takami."
"See you."
He waved lazily.
Then disappeared into another tunnel.
Kaneki also bowed politely.
"I should return to work too."
Soon—
Only Ren remained.
He exhaled slowly.
Then raised the pistol again.
"I refuse to believe this."
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
More gunshots echoed.
When the dust cleared—
Five new bullet holes appeared.
Even more scattered than before.
Forming a strange constellation pattern.
Carnage laughed.
[Impressive…]
[Your lack of talent…]
[Is remarkably consistent…]
"Again."
He gritted his teeth.
Raised the gun again.
Aimed carefully.
Bang! Bang!
Click.
He blinked.
"…Huh?"
The gun refused to fire.
"…Out of ammo already?"
He shook the pistol slightly.
Only a faint internal rattle responded.
He sighed.
"Tch."
"What a disappointment."
"Let's go back."
He holstered the pistol.
Walking toward the hidden passage that connected the tunnels to Anteiku.
When he pushed open the concealed door—
The quiet underground world disappeared instantly.
Warm light filled his vision.
The smell of coffee surrounded him.
The café was packed.
Afternoon tea time.
Nearly every table was occupied.
Conversation.
Clinking cups.
Coffee machines steaming.
The entire shop buzzed with energy.
Behind the counter—
Enji Koma and Kaya Irimi worked rapidly.
Coffee grinders buzzed.
Milk steamed.
Orders stacked endlessly.
Kaneki had already changed into his uniform.
He moved quickly between tables carrying trays.
Sweat dotted his forehead.
Meanwhile—
Touka Kirishima wiped down a freshly vacated table.
Her sharp eyes immediately spotted him.
"What are you standing there for?"
"Hurry up and change!"
"Coming!"
He quickly tied on his black apron.
"Two lattes, one cappuccino, and a tiramisu for table three!"
"Got it!"
"Americano refill for table seven!"
"On it!"
"Two customers by the window!"
Orders flew through the café.
Ren took a deep breath.
Putting aside his disastrous shooting skills.
He grabbed a coffee pot.
And smoothly began extracting espresso.
At least here—
He was confident in his barista skills.
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