I am a female swordsman.

As usual, Yomi came to Ward 23 to interrogate Ryoko Fueguchi. He saw her behind the glass wall. Compared to when she was first thrown into prison, Ryoko Fueguchi was no longer as haggard and pale as before, perhaps because she had gradually adapted to the environment.

This wasn't the first time the two had met in the interrogation room, so they avoided any unnecessary greetings.

Huang Quan asked the question directly.

"How much do you know about the core members of [Aogiri Tree]? Has your husband ever mentioned them to you? Titles, characteristics, kagune types, strength—tell me as much as you know." Huang Quan took out a pen and paper, sniffing the air with some annoyance. She had always felt uncomfortable with the environment in [Cokria].

"Please wait a moment, I need to think about it."

Even in this gloomy environment, Mrs. Ryoko, who still appeared beautiful and dignified, was lost in her memories.

After betraying information about the "Sword Demon," her husband, Dr. Fueguchi, was deeply uneasy upon hearing the results of the "Great Ghoul" extermination campaign. He realized that if Yomi hadn't died, he would likely face a combined attack from both the ghouls and the CCG. To save his own life, Dr. Fueguchi dictated the useful information he possessed to his wife, Ryoko Fueguchi, frankly admitting that he had done something wrong and was likely to die, but perhaps this information could save his wife and daughter's lives.

This information includes valuable information about the Bronze Tree.

Yomi didn't execute Fueguchi Ryoko directly because she saw that the opportunistic "Doctor" might have information about her. Instead, she threw her into "Cokria," and this impromptu action actually helped Yomi.

"Jason, a high-ranking officer of Aogiri Tree. I have already explained all the information about him during your previous interrogation. The Bottle Brothers, the main management officers of Aogiri Tree, are characterized by never acting alone; the two brothers are always together. Their kagune is a tail kagune. Ayato, also an officer, is said to be about as strong as Jason. His kagune is a feather kagune..."

Ryoko Fueguchi tried hard to recall the information her husband had given about the identity of the cadres in the "Aogiri Tree" organization.

Because he is a doctor, he occasionally helps severely injured ghouls from other districts. He is actually quite popular, otherwise he wouldn't be such a fickle person.

It was these ghouls who had received treatment who told Dr. Fueguchi a lot of information.

"【Tatara】, the manager of Aogiri Tree... I'm sorry, my husband doesn't know much more about him either, only that he rarely takes action and is a ghoul from China. There's also someone named 【Noro】, who is said to be a strange person who can't speak."

Is there anything else?

"Hmm...right! There's one last one, a girl, her whole body wrapped in bandages, supposedly also a cadre."

"What should I call you?"

"No, the girl in the bronze tree is like a ghost."

Having finished recording all the useful information, Huang Quan habitually pressed the pen repeatedly. This information was extremely important for the [Crow] squad, who were about to go to Area 11 to provide support. The small fry posed virtually no threat to the Crow squad; what they needed to be wary of were the Aogiri Tree's executives.

"Very good, I'll talk to the guards and get you better living conditions."

Putting away her pen and paper, Huang Quan wore a cold, expressionless face. Having achieved her goal, she knew it was time to leave. She didn't want to stay in this place for even a second longer.

"Please wait! Investigator of the Underworld! I've suddenly remembered something very important that might be helpful to you..."

Chapter Eighty-Three: Rescue!

Huang Quan, who had already finished writing and was about to leave, stopped in his tracks upon hearing this. He didn't move his body, but turned his head slightly back.

Ryoko Fueguchi gave her quite a few surprises.

"My husband once rescued several strange ghouls, who were also referred by members of Aogiri Tree. When they were at the clinic, they often mentioned a word, 'Scop.' If you are going to encounter Aogiri Tree, please be careful. I hope this is helpful to you."

After listening, Huang Quan stood there for a while, thinking, her fingers tapping unconsciously.

The word "Scop" sounded vaguely familiar to her.

I think I've seen this term before in the CCG headquarters' database, but it wasn't anything important, so I only have a vague impression. Anyway, it's still some valuable information. I'm going back to the 20th District branch soon, so I'll just connect to the headquarters' network and check it out.

"I see."

Huang Quan's usually cold and unapproachable expression relaxed slightly, and she did not leave immediately after responding.

"Ms. Ryoko Fueguchi, I'm leaving Ward 20." After saying this, Yomi didn't linger, and her tall, white figure quickly disappeared into the darkness at the other end of the interrogation room.

Ryoko Fueguchi watched as Yomi disappeared behind the isolation window.

She was taken aback at first, because Yomi, who was always very businesslike, had almost never talked about such things before, so it was understandable that she was momentarily confused. But Fueguchi Ryoko quickly realized the implication: if the [Sword Demon] left the 20th ward, it would mean that her daughter, Fueguchi Hinami, would have a safer living environment.

This can be considered Huang Quan's reward for Fueguchi Ryoko's good cooperation.

District 20, CCG branch building.

[Scott], a mercenary organization. Since it's listed in the CCG's database, it's naturally connected to ghouls.

And this mercenary organization is entirely composed of ghouls!

In chaotic and lawless zones, many things that are unimaginable in peaceful environments will emerge, such as ghoul mercenary organizations. Their superhuman physical abilities and firearms skills, combined with their proficiency on the battlefield amidst flying bullets, give them formidable combat power, and they certainly don't have to worry about food.

[Scop] actually got together with [Bronze Tree]...?

Huang Quan raised an eyebrow, closed the documents, and hurriedly walked towards Mado's office.

Having coexisted and fought each other for so long, ghouls and humans have long since established an unspoken rule that is mutually recognized. Both sides refrain from escalating the conflict, and when dealing with ghouls, White Dove prioritizes dealing with troublesome individuals, such as dangerous guys like [Big Ghoul] and [Jason], while giving the least priority to the more docile looters.

After all, Tokyo is a bustling metropolis!

Every day, many people die from various accidents. The CCG's highest priority is to protect the safety of civilians, which is also known as maintaining stability.

The fact that the ghoul organization Aogiri Tree and the ghoul mercenary organization Scop have colluded undoubtedly breaks the unspoken rule that exists between humans and ghouls!

The conflict will escalate into war!

"Danger in Area 11!"

After hearing Yomi's speculation, Mado Kureo immediately stood up and paced anxiously back and forth in his office.

Based on his current understanding, the situation in Area 11 isn't yet dire enough to escalate into war; the conflict between ghouls and investigators remains restrained. Most importantly, the Scop mercenaries haven't yet engaged in combat, likely to lull the CCG into a false sense of security.

Once the CCG lowers its guard, then [Aogiri Tree], in conjunction with [Scop], will destroy the ghoul investigators in Area 11!

"Go immediately and inform Amen to prepare to depart tonight!"

"tonight?"

Huang Quan hadn't expected that her teacher, Mado, was even more anxious than she was, planning to depart for Area 11 tonight. This departure wasn't simply about sending the "Crows" to provide support; it was about integrating the investigators who had withdrawn from Area 11, with the Crow Squad leading them back into the battlefield.

This necessitates having a commanding and authoritative investigator to lead the team.

Of the 20 wards, only Senior Investigator Mado Kureo truly met the requirements. As for Yomi and Amon, one was too inexperienced, and the other lacked any distinguished achievements. Therefore, Mado Kureo had been running around these past few days, busy with this matter. Yomi was somewhat worried that her teacher might not be able to handle such a hasty departure.

"That's right, tonight."

Mado waved to Yomi to get to work; he still needed to contact his old superior, Marude, to warn Area 11 not to let its guard down just because reinforcements were about to arrive.

The support doesn't just come from [Crows]!

In addition to [Crow], the headquarters also mobilized another batch of high-ranking white pigeons, intending to cooperate with the existing forces of Area 11 to crush [Aogiri Tree], which dared to offend the CCG's authority, in one fell swoop.

However, if Area 11 explodes before reinforcements arrive, the senior investigators in charge of providing support will be powerless to do anything about it. In the case of a large-scale incident affecting an entire area, even the most capable individual investigators will have minimal impact.

The atmosphere in the 20th Ward branch became extremely tense as one urgent order after another was sent from Mado Kureo's office.

Even Huang Quan, who had just completed his mission, was brought in to serve as an integration manpower member.

We set off immediately that very night!

Some of the investigators who had just withdrawn from Area 11 were ready to go again. They had escorted their wounded comrades to Area 20 during the battle with the Bronze Tree, and now they had just caught their breath and had to return to Area 11 as soon as possible.

The CCG's armored convoy was arrayed like a steel square, exuding an indescribable, extremely heavy atmosphere of killing intent. Before setting off, Mado Kureo's words, though brief, greatly boosted morale!

"Our leader for this mission is [Crow]! Gentlemen, may our martial arts prowess be abundant!"

With the Raven Squad, renowned for its distinguished military achievements, leading the charge, the morale-boosting effect was naturally extraordinary.

Huang Quan, a rising star investigator with immense popularity in the CCG, always stands at the forefront. Usually clad in a white coat, Huang Quan is now wearing a close-fitting and flexible battle armor, carrying a mechanical-style longsword, exuding an imposing and awe-inspiring aura at all times.

"Set off!!"

With a command from Mado Kureo, the support team set off in a grand procession, the deep roar of the steel tanks' engines merging together to form the prelude to an inspiring war symphony.

Sitting in the back seat of the lead chariot, Huang Quan closed his eyes to rest, his expression unusually solemn.

Even with her usual calm and indifferent demeanor, Huang Quan's heart raced as she was infected by the intense, burning fighting spirit of this group she had never encountered before. Meanwhile, the coolness of Pan Ming emanated from her sensitive fingertips; the two combined to create an unusually clear mind and a surge of adrenaline!

Chapter Eighty-Four: Radiant Brilliance

task:

【Radiant and magnificent】

Mission Requirements: Shine brightly, like the halo of the sun, bringing a ray of light to this distorted birdcage! Crush the large-scale attack by the ghoul organization [Aogiri Tree] to overthrow the CCG's control in Area 11, until [Aogiri Tree] is eradicated from its base in Area 11!

Quest Reward: Title: [Sword Demon]

Accept the task: Yes/No

As the support convoy entered the 11th district, the system, which had been playing dead, suddenly popped up, prominently notifying Huang Quan that she had triggered a mission.

Huang Quan, who was resting with his eyes closed, remained calm and composed.

It was another easy task, and it even involved a title slot that had always been blank in Huang Quan's attribute panel. Without rushing to refuse or accept, Huang Quan focused on considering the difficulty of the task.

If she were alone, the [Radiant Glory] mission would undoubtedly be a hundred times more difficult than the previous two missions combined. However, this time, in response to the [Bronze Tree], in addition to support from the 20th District, CCG headquarters also dispatched a significant number of high-ranking investigators to the battlefield.

Therefore, this task should not actually be very difficult.

It's even said to be very easy!

After all, Huang Quan is at most a third-class investigator; her combat strength isn't strong enough to single-handedly control an entire expedition like the "White Reaper." Logically, having accepted this mission, she only needs to cooperate obediently with the CCG's overall operation to smoothly pocket the reward!

But the problem is...

'Would the system be so kind as to give away rewards for free?'

In the first mission, he survived largely due to luck, having been used as bait by an unexpected event. In the second mission, near the end, he was attacked by multiple ghouls and seriously injured.

This third task must have left Huang Quan with mixed feelings.

However, things are different now, and Huang Quan calmly accepted the task with only a few sighs and reflections.

The task reward is a title, but its purpose is unclear. While the system is somewhat cunning, it hasn't seemed stingy with rewards, so Huang Quan still holds some hope. Regarding the title, Huang Quan has also noticed some clues.

"Sword Demon" is the official title given to Yomi by the CCG and the ghouls, a title of recognition similar to Arima Kishou's "White Reaper." This recognition, processed by the system before being given to Yomi, might create hidden benefits in the ghoul world, such as faction reputation.

Otherwise, why would the system choose "Sword Demon" as the quest reward instead of other titles?

Huang Quan, who was resting and contemplating with her eyes closed, suddenly felt a terrifying sense of danger enveloping her! This intense sense of danger even made her entire body tremble! Even inside the armored vehicle, this murderous intent that gripped Huang Quan's throat was frantically warning her that staying in the vehicle would mean certain death!

Before anyone could warn them, Huang Quan opened his eyes, redirected his energy, and hurled his sheathed sword with all his might at the troop carrier's window!

Boom!!!

The convoy was suddenly attacked from the side by a tall building, and the number of troop carriers was instantly engulfed by a huge fireball!

Firearms! The attackers used firearms!!