I am a female swordsman.

Despite being in dire straits, the [Sword Demon] reached the pinnacle amidst the torrential rain! Sensing a deadly threat, the [Rabbit] and [Black Dog] didn't hesitate to unleash their kagune to alleviate their inner tension and fear!

At the critical moment!

"Hinami!!!" The mother, panting as she rushed to the alley entrance, saw her unconscious daughter at first glance. She rushed over without hesitation, instantly breaking the stalemate!

Chapter Sixty-Five Proposal

'Oh no!!'

Ryoko Fueguchi's appearance had far-reaching consequences, and Touka and Irimi's first thought was that things were going to get bad! The rising sword aura of the sword demon Yomi had gripped their hearts tightly, and even though it was invisible to the naked eye, they could clearly feel the exaggerated sword intent condensed into a single strike!

"Danger!"

"Mrs. Ryoko!"

Unable to help but gasp, Irimi Kaname's expression changed drastically as she watched Fueguchi Ryoko rush towards the [Sword Demon] without regard for anything else.

You'll die!

If she charged in like that, Fueguchi Ryoko would definitely become the first target of Yomi, and the scales of fate tipped wildly at that moment. Irimi Kaname could already foresee the tragic scene of brilliant pillars of blood shooting out from every vital point on Fueguchi Ryoko's body as the deadly sword light flashed.

As if to confirm Irimi Kaname's imagination, the startled Yomi suddenly unleashed her full aura upon the impetuous Fueguchi Ryoko.

Before the sword's shadow could even fully unfold behind the rain, Ryoko Fueguchi's thoughts were already completely frozen by this invincible sword intent! Then, an unparalleled, sharp light, seemingly capable of slicing through everything, swept across the heavy rain, a soft hissing sound echoing in the air. The seemingly slow sword light, with an illusion of spatial displacement, gently kissed Mrs. Fueguchi's brow. The poignant sword light that pierced through the torrential rain possessed an inescapable, malevolent power!

'Hinako.'

Ryoko Fueguchi was about to have her consciousness stripped away by the sword light rushing towards her from the underworld.

However, in the remaining corner of her vision, she saw a small figure lying at the feet of a white dove, its fate unknown.

Protecting one's children is a parent's sacred duty! Even the most ferocious beast would not hesitate to give its life when its own flesh and blood is threatened with death! So even with the slimmest chance, Ryoko Fueguchi, who had never fought before, mustered her courage and let out a hysterical roar!

The kagune resembles the unfolding of butterfly wings.

Four white-bodied armored kagune burst forth, clumsily and awkwardly meeting the all-slashing sword light under Ryoko Fueguchi's instinctive control.

But that would be in vain!

Just like a butterfly overestimating its strength and crashing headlong into a violent storm, how could its delicate wings possibly withstand the fierce tearing of the wind? Similarly, a kagune that has never been used to fight a battle would not be much better off than a butterfly's wings when facing a sword light that has traversed the battlefield and slaughtered countless ghouls.

The butterfly-like charge of the armored vehicle was abruptly halted.

“Hina…”

Ryoko Fueguchi's parrying kagune was cleanly severed as if sliced ​​into tofu, leaving a perfectly smooth cut. The remaining force of the sword light struck Mrs. Fueguchi's eyes without reservation, easily tearing apart her hideous kagune eyes, and it's even possible that her brain inside was damaged.

But at least, he survived.

In the end, Yomi stopped, not out of pity, but because [Rabbit] and [Black Dog] attacked simultaneously. One rushed to protect Fueguchi Ryoko, while the other focused all his energy on his sword-wielding right hand.

Pursuing her could kill Ryoko Fueguchi, but that would definitely be a losing proposition!

Since the first sword light failed to completely take the life of the troublemaker, Huang Quan, whose momentum had not yet dissipated, decisively controlled the incomparably sharp sword intent and gathered it back into his body, thus dodging Yu He's attack with Yamen.

"How lively! Now both the mother and daughter are here." Looking at the rabbit, the black dog, and Fueguchi Ryoko, the primary target of this search mission, Huang Quan couldn't help but sigh at the irony of fate. The mission's objective had been achieved; both the mother and daughter were present. The only problem was how to handle this situation.

"Huang Quan, don't worry about me, just fight..."

"What are you talking about? You're my partner, right? Since you're injured, don't even think about anyone being able to hurt you before I fall."

Huang Quan silenced Amon's strained voice, not believing she would ever abandon her companions. Let her put on a brave face for now; how could a swordsman be defeated by adversity?

"Mom, Mom...?"

Perhaps it was the arrival of another familiar scent that roused the dazed Hinami Fueguchi, who felt an excruciating headache. The cold rain gradually brought her back to consciousness. As her blurry vision cleared, Hinami saw her mother, whose eye had been ripped open in a gruesome gash!

"Mother!!"

Her first instinct was to rush over and reunite with her mother, but the next moment a sharp sword suddenly pierced through from behind, grazing her neck and firmly embedding itself in the ground, stopping her in her tracks.

Huang Quan lowered his body and grabbed Fueguchi Hinami.

Her hands, cold and slender from years of wielding a sword, gripped Hinami's neck like an iron clamp. Young ghouls like her, in their nascent stages, are physically just as fragile, not much stronger than humans. Once choked, resistance is nearly impossible; even attempting to use her kagune would be detected, and her neck would snap instantly.

Hinami Fueguchi lost the ability to struggle in an instant.

"mean!"

The sword demon's undisguised actions ignited fury in Touka's eyes. She actually chose to do this?!

Huang Quan glanced lightly at the enraged rabbit, her eyes conveying a sense of mockery as she slowly spoke. "Ms. Fueguchi Ryoko, I am Huang Quan, a CCG Third Class Investigator. You should know me, shouldn't you? You must have heard about me from your husband, Dr. Fueguchi?"

Unable to see but able to hear, Ryoko Fueguchi endured the stinging pain on her face and struggled to her feet with the help of Kaname Irimi.

"Sword Demon, no matter what my husband has done, please release my daughter first!"

Ryoko Fueguchi's words caused Yomi's bright red pupils to contract slightly. The value of the "mother and daughter" seemed to be greater than expected. This ordinary search mission was full of surprises.

"You know what your husband did."

"……Know."

Ryoko Fueguchi knew that Dr. Fueguchi had betrayed Yomi's information to Jason and Oogami. She wanted to dissuade her husband from doing such a dangerous thing, but he told her it was unavoidable. Whether it was the CCG or their own kind, the combined forces were far beyond what a mere defecting ghoul could withstand. For his wife and daughter, Dr. Fueguchi had no choice but to do it.

Perhaps this is karma.

“That’s good. The situation has become like this. I have a suggestion that you can consider, Mrs. Ryoko.” Yomi lowered her gaze to Fueguchi Hinami. It was clear that Fueguchi Ryoko was much more valuable than Fueguchi Hinami.

"I prefer you to Hinami Fueguchi."

For Yomi, obtaining information from Ryoko Fueguchi about why Jason lingers in District 20 and how to track down the organization behind Jason would be crucial.

"So? Are you willing to make a trade?"

Chapter Sixty-Six: Don't Hate

Trading the clueless Hinami Fueguchi for Ryoko Fueguchi, who knows certain ghoul secrets, is the best option for Yomi. Especially with her partner Amon Quink already destroyed, continuing the fight could very well lead to her being unable to protect Amon and causing his death.

This is a scene that Huang Quan would absolutely not want to see.

Then let's make an exchange!

Using a daughter to exchange for a mother—a proposal that would surely be very persuasive, given that the husband was brutally murdered by his enemy.

Because without exchanging heads, it's impossible to determine whether the [Sword Demon] would be cruel enough to sever Hinami Fueguchi's young head. Moreover, given Yomi's infamous reputation among ghouls, no one would dare say that Yomi, who has maintained a zero-tolerance attitude towards ghouls until now, would hesitate to harm a ghoul just because it's a child.

You should know...

The Sword Demon didn't even spare the elderly ghouls.

"How about it? Ms. Fueguchi Ryoko, this is the only condition I can accept: you become my property in exchange for Fueguchi Hinami." Yomi grabbed Fueguchi Hinami by the neck and lifted her up. The gleaming blade of her sword flashed with a chilling light, and her figure standing tall in the rain exuded a captivating yet dangerous aura!

"We can't agree to her request!"

Before Mrs. Ryoko could speak, the quick-tempered Touka blurted out that it was the most foolish thing for a ghoul to believe the white dove. Who knew if the [Sword Demon] would go back on his word?

If Mrs. Ryoko surrenders without resistance, Hinami will obviously be of no value to [Sword Demon]!

A ghoul without value has only death as its destiny!

"Keep fighting, she must have wounded too!" Touka's murderous eyes locked onto Amon behind Yomi. As long as they could control the other crow who had lost Quink, [Sword Demon] would obviously have more concerns than they did, and they could force her to back down!

"Why not give it a try, [Rabbit]?"

Upon realizing the rabbit's intentions, Huang Quan's bright red eyes revealed a strong determination. She was not one to hesitate and would absolutely not allow the situation to continue to deteriorate.

"Enough!!"

That usually gentle and generous voice was now filled with strength and composure as Fueguchi Ryoko pulled Kirishima Touka and Irimi Kaname behind her.

Even if they couldn't see right now, they could tell that the two of them had gone through a fierce battle for her and Hinami. That's enough, everyone from [Antiques], please don't fight any longer for her.

Some even said they would pay with their lives for it.

"Mrs. Ryoko..."

"Everyone, this is the sin my husband committed. Please let it end with me and not let it spread to more people." Ryoko Fueguchi's face showed a look of resignation in the rain. She had been tempted the moment [Sword Demon] made the suggestion.

This is the twisted and vicious cycle between humans and ghouls.

Those who lost their loved ones to ghouls became white doves, transforming into demonic beings to hunt ghouls. Ghouls, who also lost their loved ones, hated humans even more, and their predation of humans intensified. To break this vicious cycle, not only immense power is needed, but also unbearable pain.

"Mom, Mom?"

"Put Hinami down, Yomi Investigator, I promise you. My only request is that I say a few more words to my daughter." Fueguchi Ryoko groped her way forward. Touka and Irimi, who witnessed this scene, were unwilling, but could not go against Fueguchi Ryoko's decision.

Huang Quan looked at Fueguchi Ryoko, remained silent for a few seconds, and then released his hold on Fueguchi Hinami.

All she cares about is her mother; nothing else matters.

The little figure ran and rushed into her mother's arms. Seeing the blood and gore around her mother's eyes, Hinami trembled, unsure whether she should wipe away the dripping blood.

Ryoko Fueguchi touched her daughter's warm face with both hands, her gentle expression as always.

She carefully wiped her daughter's cheeks, again and again, as if she wanted to remember her daughter's appearance by doing so.

"Hina, never hate anyone, grow up quickly... You will definitely encounter a lot of painful and sad things in the future, you must stay true to yourself, believe that everything will get better, and strive to realize your dreams... There is so much more for Mom to say, so many things I want to tell you, and I really want to be by your side... You must be strong!"

Tears mixed with rain and blood dripped continuously from Ryoko Fueguchi's face, landing on Hinami's face.

"No, Mom...don't go!!"

Meanwhile, Kaneki, who had secretly hidden himself at the alley entrance, bit his arm with all his might to suppress the indescribable grief he was overwhelmed with. He understood the pain Hinami was about to endure, the agony of losing her mother!

"...And also, I love you, Hinami."

"Mother!!!"

The mournful cry of the fledgling bird pierced through the rain and soared into the sky. Everyone who witnessed this scene was deeply moved, even the usually expressionless [Sword Demon] Huang Quan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Mrs. Ryoko steeled herself and forcefully broke free from Hinami's grasp, then came to Yomi's side and quietly lowered her head.

Have you said goodbye yet?

"Yes, thank you."

On the other side, Touka embraced the weeping and struggling Hinami, her eyes unusually ferocious as she stared intently at Yomi. She hated Yomi, not only because of Hinami and Ryoko, but also because of the source of this tragedy. This hatred was so intense it could burn everything!

"Where are you taking Mrs. Ryoko?" Irimi Kaname, who was still able to remain calm, looked at Yomi and her group, who were gradually becoming blurred in the rain, and asked them directly.

Hearing Iruma's calm voice, Huang Quan tilted his head but did not turn around.

Do you want to take her back?