I am a female swordsman.

After receiving the reward for the quest "The Frightened Bird", the quest log returned to its previous clean and tidy state.

If there were any changes, there were indeed subtle shifts. A brightly lit, pending quest was pinned to the top of the screen by the system. With incredibly mixed feelings, Huang Quan felt like he had been tricked into clicking on this new quest.

task:

Steel stained with blood

Mission Requirements: To stain steel with blood is the swordsman's glory! Hunt down ten B-rank ghouls of each of the four different types of kagune, or cause the death of one S-rank ghoul in any way!

Mission Rewards: All class change quests, universal class weapon carriers, and unlocking of all class skill trees.

Accept Mission: Yes/No (Warning! If the host rejects the mission, this mission will never appear again!)

……

The system has gone mad!

This was Huang Quan's only thought after reading the mission description. This system absolutely wanted her to immediately go find an SS-rank, no! It wanted her to go and fight the Kakuja to the death!

The greater the difficulty of the task, the richer the reward. Moreover, the appearance of such tasks often comes at a delicate moment that Huang Quan cannot refuse. This is the case with the previous "Startled Bird" and the current "Blood Stained Steel." Not only are the rewards considerable, but they are also tasks that were already planned to be done anyway, so why not accept them on the side?

It's estimated that the system was also disgusted by Huang Quan's attitude and became furious.

This directly highlights the importance of the task.

The three things involved—job change, skills, and weapons—are almost all that Huang Quan will rely on in the future. Unless she no longer wants to gain power from the system, she wouldn't dare to refuse a mission, risking that she might never get the mission rewards again.

This task cannot be refused.

Huang Quan sighed inwardly. She could vaguely sense the system's extreme dissatisfaction with her attitude. If she refused this task, the system would probably really go berserk. Its destiny was to cultivate a qualified female swordsman, not an ultimate coward!

The task was accepted very readily. The system seemed to have something else to say, but it swallowed it back.

Huang Quan truly follows his heart.

This feeling of being forced to submit stems from one's own cowardice, negativity, and complete ignorance of the future. The system inexplicably swapped bodies and threw the person into an unfamiliar world, leaving the person wondering what the system might do to them next.

"When you dye steel with blood, is it someone else's blood or your own?" Huang Quan stroked the power transfer bracelet, and soon fell into a quiet slumber.

This was perhaps the most peaceful sleep Huang Quan had ever had since arriving in the ghoul world.

There was no need to worry about ghouls suddenly attacking her, no need to worry about the system doing something unexpected, and no need to worry about being completely ignorant of the future. In this strange sense of peace and relaxation, Huang Quan had a dream: she dreamt that she died during her first mission.

The sword was broken by the ghouls' violence, and the dead were devoured beyond recognition.

Become food...

They died without a sound.

This should have been a nightmare, but looking at the power transfer bracelet clinging to her snow-white wrist, Huang Quan truly felt that she possessed the power to tear this nightmare apart. She suddenly understood that following one's heart and being cowardly are actually two fundamentally different mindsets.

The so-called "following one's heart" means listening to the cry of one's soul.

What often limits a swordsman's unwavering resolve in wielding their blade is their own hesitation. This is what is meant by "the blade cuts the flesh, the heart cuts the soul." Only by severing all external obstacles that hinder your swordplay can you truly be called a swordsman whose steel is stained with blood!

Chapter Eight Peace

Just as Yamen had said, Huang Quan, whose physical condition was already quite good, was discharged from the hospital after only one day in bed. The doctor simply advised her not to engage in strenuous exercise for a while, and there shouldn't be any major problems.

When Yomi was discharged from the hospital, Mado Kureo unexpectedly made an appearance.

The white-haired, hunched-over senior investigator carried a suitcase, his face beaming with excitement that even fatigue couldn't conceal. Mado Kureo handed Yomi a pair of sunglasses, which Yomi accepted with a raised eyebrow and a hint of exasperation, putting them on to conceal his striking crimson eyes.

Reaching out to smooth her smooth silver hair, she simply tied it into a neat ponytail, and Huang Quan naturally followed in Mado Kureo's footsteps.

"I've reforged your sword."

Thank you very much.

"No need to be polite. I didn't use a Quinque, and I suppose you, Yomi, don't need one either." Mado Kureo, his eyes wide with disparity, was clearly a little too excited. The fact that Yomi's swordsmanship could inflict such damage on a B-rank ghoul's kagune with a non-Quinque melee weapon showed its astonishing power.

Mado Kureo was very curious.

If Yomi, who could inflict such illogical wounds on a kagune, could bring her swordsmanship to its pinnacle, what kind of powerful ghouls could she face? An S-rank, or even a half-ghoul?

"Who knows?"

Yomi's eyes narrowed slightly behind her sunglasses. She wasn't too surprised that Mado Kureo had discovered her secret. Being able to defeat a B-rank ghoul with just a sword was already incredibly difficult. For an investigator like Mado Kureo, who was constantly on the front lines of ghoul hunting, the anomaly was immediately apparent!

No matter how others speculate or imagine, Huang Quan can always be attributed to swordsmanship.

Mado Kureo's wife died tragically at the hands of ghouls, so Yomi could roughly guess his thought process. As long as she stood on the opposite side of ghouls, there was no need to fear that Mado Kureo would harm her.

In fact, Yomi, who displays pure human power, might become the object of Mado Kureo's protection.

Huang Quan thought this with utter malice.

If Mado Kureo, that madman, were to one day find out that the CCG's higher-ups and the Washuu family were the strongest ghouls, would this old man unleash astonishing power and chop up all the CCG's upper echelons? Don't underestimate the power of hatred; even an ordinary person, steeped in hatred, can become a monster with incredible destructive power.

The Heshu family, a family born with the power of ghouls.

It possesses the powerful force to change the world.

Compared to the dark secrets of the ghoul world, Yomi is currently too weak. Let alone a Kakuja, even a single A-rank ghoul could force her into a desperate situation where she has to fight to the death. However, this should not lead to underestimating Yomi; the power of the female demon sword is enough to unleash a force that shatters all the darkness.

………………

Mado Kureo brought Yomi to the CCG headquarters, Chiyoda Ward, District 1.

Like Ward 24, Ward 1 is garrisoned by a large number of elite ghoul investigators trained by the Ghoul Investigator Training Academy, symbolizing that the CCG's overt military presence has become a means of intimidating ghouls.

It is precisely because of the absolute military advantage of the headquarters that Ward 1 has not become a dangerous area like Ward 4, Shinjuku Ward, where many ghouls gather and compete for the ghoul arena.

Bringing Huang Quan here certainly wasn't for a visit.

As Huang Quan entered the CCG building, she clearly noticed that many investigators greeted Mado Kureo proactively along the way, showing a level of genuine respect that few could earn. Although the original story didn't delve too deeply into this man, Mado Kureo certainly possessed another side of his charismatic personality.

"Is that Mado no Ueshi's daughter?"

"What nonsense! She's not Mado Ni-san!"

"Really? But the vibes match perfectly. I really want to see what's behind those sunglasses."

The CCG headquarters members noticed that Mado Kureo and Yomi were somewhat excited. It was quite intriguing that a respected senior like Mado Kureo had brought a strange woman to the CCG headquarters.

It feels very uncomfortable to be watched by others.

Huang Quan was used to quiet solitude, and suddenly facing so many gazes with various emotions, he couldn't help but feel a little awkward.

Mado Kureo barely paid attention to the others, leading Yomi hurriedly towards the workshop. While she was indeed a respected senior at work, her personal life was less so…

"Hey, Mado-sama, you're back faster than expected." In the workshop, a man wearing a white coat with chestnut hair and eyes almost completely covered by his bangs greeted Mado Kureo warmly.

Earth Path A and B, CCG's chief researcher, is responsible for the design of almost all Kunk weapons!

Because Mado Kureo is a weapons-making fanatic and is obsessed with Quink, the two often exchange new insights, so their relationship with Jigo Kou is quite good.

"Dr. Earthwalker, I'll have to trouble you again this time."

"Haha, it's alright. If it's really as you say, it's a completely new perspective for me." Earthwalker A and B's gaze quickly fell on Huang Quan, and the chestnut-haired man smiled slightly.

There was no intention for Huang Quan to specifically get to know the Earthly Element A and B.

Mado Kureo arrived at the workshop's manufacturing table and abruptly lifted the curtain. A straight and slender single-edged sword lay quietly on it, gleaming with an eerie luster under the bright lights of the workshop.

Just as if blood had been freshly wiped away, the moment it was displayed, everyone could feel the temperature around them drop significantly. With its elegant silk-threaded handguard, straight and rugged blade, and all-around enhanced performance, Huang Quan was quite fond of this sword after acquiring it.

It is about half a foot longer than before, but its weight has decreased by a third.

Moreover, its length allows for smooth wielding in combat, whether with one or two hands. No wonder he's a weapon-making fanatic; the repaired and modified single-edged sword is even more convenient for Huang Quan.

Perhaps because it lacks the biomaterial of Kunk steel, this single-edged sword exudes a cold and chilling aura, clearly a murder weapon used to take lives, quite different from the Kunk weapons used by the investigators.

"This weapon, in terms of sharpness alone, is no less than a B-grade Quinque. Its only drawback is that it requires a high level of skill from the user. If you don't have superb swordsmanship, you'll be laughed at by those bastards." Mado Kureo watched as Yomi quickly adapted to the new weapon and his entire demeanor suddenly changed. His neurotic smile turned into one of satisfaction.

"How are you, Huang Quan? How are you?"

"It can't get any better than it is now."

Looking at the crimson eyes reflected on the bright sword, Huang Quan felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

Chapter Nine: The Competition

CCG Headquarters, Investigator Training Ground

As elite investigators stationed at headquarters, this place is frequently used for various training sessions. Any shortcomings must be made up for with hard work; otherwise, there would be no opportunity to train when facing relentless ghouls.

However, today, there was an extra person at the training ground who was not an investigator.

Her fingers gently caressed the cool blade of her new weapon, and Huang Quan's serene and contented smile gave the illusion that she was caressing a lover's skin. At this moment, Huang Quan exuded a sharp aura, and staring at her would make one want to look away.

If one's willpower is insufficient and one tries to force it, one might be wounded by this astonishing sharpness in one's spirit.

Standing opposite Huang Quan was CCG First Class Investigator, Amon Kotaro.

Because he couldn't be better off, Mado Kureo summoned Amon and had him fight Yomi, who had just acquired her weapon. Amon, who was initially somewhat reluctant, immediately abandoned any distracting thoughts upon seeing Yomi's astonishing aura and faced her with utmost seriousness.

"Please guide me, Amon-kun." Huang Quan bowed slightly to show respect to his opponent.

"Nice to meet you too, Miss Huang Quan."

After noticing Huang Quan's clear and bright eyes, Yamen's previously somewhat bewildered heart gradually calmed down.

'Miss Huang Quan possesses a strength of will that is unimaginable to ordinary people. Is this the spirit of a swordsman?'

Perhaps not wanting to disappoint Yomi or betray that beautiful will, Amon Kotaro also mustered his fighting spirit. He had hunted down numerous ghouls alongside Mado Kureo, and when it came to sheer momentum, he was certainly no less formidable than Yomi!

A swordsman whose steel is stained with blood vs. a white dove that hunts ghouls.

A faint smile curved Huang Quan's lips. The moment she took a step forward, her previously calm and composed crimson eyes instantly flashed with a sharp light! The long, straight blade of her sword was aimed directly at Yamen's right hand!

Facing this battle of wills, Yamon had the illusion that a chilling sword was piercing straight into his eyes.

Yamen even had a strong premonition that if he didn't resist, he might die by the Yellow Springs Sword.

"drink!!"

With a click, the heavy weapon in the suitcase transformed, its bulky weight creating a low whistling sound as it executed a beautiful sweeping attack that successfully forced back Huang Quan, who was charging forward.

If Yomi's weapon is a sharp sword, then Amon's weapon should be a blunt weapon; a large, powerful metal rod that can easily smash a ghoul into internal bleeding.

After being forced back, Huang Quan only hesitated for a moment before, as if it were instinct, and his swift figure attacked Yamen again.

As the blade flashed, silver rings formed, slicing fiercely through the air. Yomi's skillful swordsmanship gave Amon a unique combat experience. Completely different from facing ghouls, Yomi's swordsmanship was like a piercing gust of wind, making Amon feel the terrifying power of the swordsman. This was a sword of slaughter, steeped in the stench of blood!