I am a female swordsman.

Constantly destroying what they have always upheld, gradually dismantling and crumbling, their human side collapses and shatters amidst various forms of injustice.

Am I human or a ghoul?

'Ms. Rize, I have indeed been afraid of Yomi-senpai all along...'

………………

The screams that erupted from the depths of his throat were so intense that one wondered if his heart-wrenching, distorted cries would rupture his chest. His body was mutilated, his fingers were mutilated, his toes were mutilated, and the human flesh forcibly stuffed into his mouth brought him endless nausea!

"Ah ah ah ah ah!!!!"

It's not just fingers and toes that get broken; the bottom line gets broken too.

"Hehehe!!"

Wearing a hockey mask, Jason excitedly torments the newly grown fingers and toes of his new toy. This stubborn toy's refusal to count gives Jason a unique pleasure, a pleasure he never experiences when torturing other toys, amidst his frustration. The fragmented lines of ancient poetry, beautifully tormented yet stubbornly enduring.

Creak! Creak! Creak!

"Count! Count for me! How much longer can you endure this pain?! One-eyed!! Hahahahahaha!!"

This toy is so incredibly soothing for him! He's amazingly resilient, both physically and mentally, constantly rebuilding his body after each destruction, and probably just as much so in his mind!

"I will not... admit defeat...to...you!!"

"Really? You've got guts! No wonder you're that woman's disciple. No wonder you beat the bottle and the others so badly. What exactly did you learn? Just some basic swordsmanship, or this... this irresistible willpower! And that woman too! She didn't even flinch after I beat her up like that!!!"

Cut it! Cut it! Twist it! Twist it!

Devastation! Devastation!

Over and over ...

Let's call it a day.

Although he was so excited he almost couldn't resist killing his new toy, if he died so soon, the future would be even more boring. At least before the CCG's white doves attacked, he'd be thoroughly ruined once again. The torture wasn't for obtaining any secrets; the purpose of the torture was simply torture and abuse. This simple and straightforward fact brought with it an uncontrollable despair.

'Who can save me?'

That's not true.

As if triggering some mechanism, Kaneki recalled a morning after a long and arduous training session. His senior, Yomi, sat beside him, her seemingly calm face concealing a sorrow beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

"If I could be as good as you, senior, I wouldn't have to be afraid of anything."

"That's not true."

As she replenished her fluids, Huang Quan's gaze was low and unfocused. It wasn't because she didn't want to be afraid and become stronger—that would be too foolish. From Kaneki's perspective, he could still clearly remember Huang Quan's dejected state at that moment, like a spring stretched to its limit finally relaxing.

"You'll always have things you're afraid of. The only way to stop being afraid is to die. As long as you're alive, you'll always encounter things you're afraid of. So, Kaneki..."

Her smile was like the dawn.

"...Kaneki, why don't you try dying once and see what happens?"

Die once? What does "die once" mean?

'Probably killing himself~~' Like a lingering ghost, Rize Kamishiro's appearance foreshadows Kaneki falling into the illusion he has woven once again.

'I don't understand...'

'I don't understand, I don't understand, I don't understand~~ Hehehe~~ Kaneki-kun, are you still a child?' Even in her own fantasy, Rize Kamishiro revealed an extremely wicked side beneath her gentle exterior. Showing no mercy in her mockery of Kaneki, Rize Kamishiro's eyes suddenly transformed into ferocious ghoul eyes!

The illusion of the underworld shattered instantly, replaced by Rize Kamishiro, who danced with eerie, shimmering scales.

Kaneki really didn't understand.

If suicide could solve the problem... he would have committed suicide when he was very young. He absolutely refuses to give up, even if he's tortured to this state, he won't give up for his goals!

'This is outrageous! Even after becoming a ghoul, they're still so boring~~'

'Ms. Rize?'

'Living such a twisted life, doesn't Kaneki-kun think it's utter nonsense? Wouldn't it be better to live purely for yourself? Like the [Sword Demon], living so beautifully and powerfully for yourself. Hmph, how ridiculous.' Rize Kamishiro stroked Kaneki's face like a lover, lifting his head from his chin.

In his hallucination, Kaneki saw eerie kagune constantly waving, eventually completely filling his field of vision.

'All injustices in this world stem from the inadequacy of the individuals involved.'

'I won't accept your bullshit reasoning.'

"So, what are you going to do, Kaneki-kun?"

His black hair showed signs of turning deathly pale, but it was forcefully suppressed. Kaneki Ken continued to recite the beautiful Chinese Tang poem intermittently, his blurred eyes gradually focusing, like a sharp sword that had been polished to a gleaming shine, revealing a sharp edge.

Chapter 130 Why would I need to peek?

District 11, CCG Branch

Huang Quan, who had been walking hurriedly, suddenly stopped and looked in a certain direction outside the branch. She felt a sudden, inexplicable tremor, a feeling that was strangely strong and deeply connected to her. How to describe it? Perhaps it was as if someone connected to her had suddenly undergone a dramatic change.

"Huang Quan, what's wrong?"

Amen, who was ahead, turned around and looked at his partner, who had stopped, with a puzzled expression.

"nothing……"

She chuckled self-deprecatingly, the feeling quickly fading. The fleeting sensation, the sharp aura reminiscent of her own, reminded her of a certain guy.

"Maybe it's just my imagination." Huang Quan cracked her knuckles, making a crisp popping sound. She still wasn't suited for this kind of covert search; real combat with the enemy was much more exciting.

"That's truly rare. It's unimaginable that someone as sharp-witted as you could be wrong." Amon Kotaro couldn't help but chuckle. If his partner's intuition was flawed, he would be the first to question it. However, as he chuckled, Amon's expression changed.

Huang Quan doesn't have a habit of joking.

Could it be a special case?

"Don't be too nervous, it's just a minor incident." As if reading through his partner Amon's thoughts, Huang Quan tapped his own head, indicating that he wasn't too nervous. It was just that he hadn't encountered any ghouls all day, and his daily life had suddenly returned to calm after the intensity, so it was inevitable that he would seem a little listless.

"Get some rest."

"Yes, I need to get some rest." Huang Quan stopped again, her scarlet skin glowing exceptionally deep and alluring under the light.

It's as if we can already see the intense clash between CCG and [Bronze Tree] in the not-too-distant future.

If they don't seize the time to rest, according to information from the Countermeasures Division 1, the rest time for all the investigators in Area 11 will be infinitely compressed. Forget about leisurely sitting and drinking coffee; even basic sleep will be nonexistent. It will be a huge test for everyone.

Huang Quan suddenly felt a faint sadness for no apparent reason.

She could already feel the invisible pressure closing in. How much longer she could remain in this world was unknown, but it certainly wouldn't be much.

………………

Changing room

"What a coincidence, Huang Quan, third class." Pushing open the door, I saw Mado Akira, who was about to change her clothes. Her skirt was just half down, half covering Huang Quan.

That's quite a coincidence.

Huang Quan didn't reply, her gaze naturally shifting away from Mado Akira's alluring curves. The black stockings accentuated her shapely, beautiful figure, which was pleasing to the eye. But Huang Quan herself felt nothing; this was probably related to the fact that she could see her own body completely unprotected every time she showered.

After seeing it so many times, you get used to it...

With a rustling sound of clothes being undressed, Yomi, with her back to Akira Mado, quickly took off her white coat. Then came her underwear, her movements fluid and natural, without the slightest bit of embarrassment.

Akira Mado glanced at him a few times without thinking.

Perhaps a week ago, something Igarashi said during his incessant chatter about center of gravity and balance caught Mado Ni's attention. Out of concern for her comrade and a competitive spirit as a woman, she secretly watched Yomi change her clothes. But Mado Ni, clearly inexperienced in this kind of thing, was quickly caught red-handed by the perceptive [Sword Demon].

Are you spying on me?

"Why would I need to peek?"

"It wasn't peeking, it was looking openly." Akira Mado mentally offered this explanation, but while admiring Yomi's fair and delicate skin, another question arose: why were there no scars? Logically, the [Sword Demon] should have quite a few scars, right?

Various wounds left from fighting ghouls.

Ignoring Mado Akira's strange gaze, Yomi quickly changed her clothes before glancing over. Wow, that's a really daring type of lingerie! How shameless!

"Want to go back together?"

After all, they were only temporary neighbors, and both belonged to the [Crow] faction, so Huang Quan couldn't very well ignore Mado Akira and go back on his own.

"That's what I meant."

"Please be sure to take me with you!!!"

Igarashi jumped out of the locker, startling Mado Akira and Yomi! She fell to the ground, giving Yomi an embarrassed smile! She'd been exposed!

"Igarashi, you third-class clerk, what's wrong with you?!" Akira Mado's chest heaved violently. She had no idea when this guy had sneaked into the changing room or what his purpose was. If it had been a stranger, Akira Mado would have beaten her to a pulp!

"Captain! Lord Huang Quan! Please forgive my rudeness!"

"No, I think I know what's going on..." Huang Quan, who knew perfectly well what was going on, glanced at the clothes she had changed out of and hid them behind her back. It was obvious that after Huang Quan did this, Igarashi Kamui's face showed a deep sense of regret.

This is too blatant...

Looking at the shameless Igarashi, Huang Quan subconsciously reflected on himself.

Is it possible that I have some hidden aura that makes me a favorite of perverts? Both Dr. Koyasu and San-den Igarashi seem to have become strange after interacting with her.

"I just can't do anything with you."

Akira Mado helplessly reached out and pulled Igarashi up from the ground. This guy's worship of Yomi was a bit too enthusiastic.

"Then, let's go together." Huang Quan looked at Igarashi, who seemed a little afraid of being scolded, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

She turned around and brushed her long silver hair aside.

That graceful and slender back view immediately brought a touching smile to Igarashi's face!

"Hi!!"

Igarashi Kamui has also moved into a temporary apartment in the 11th district. Coordinates 303, right next to Yomi's. However, Yomi and her mission schedules have been overlapping lately, so they rarely go back together. After several inquiries and persistent requests today, an opportunity finally arose.

Click!

The moment Huang Quan stepped out of the CCG branch, she looked towards the parking lot and keenly sensed that someone was secretly watching her.

Without letting Akira Mado and Igarashi notice, Yomi took a deep look at the dark undercarriage of a car in the parking lot. Her crimson eyes narrowed, and the killing intent she had gathered was conveyed without reservation.

'There will be a next time, I'll kill you.'

Huddled under the car, a girl who had never feared death and lived only for filming experienced for the first time what uncontrollable terror truly meant. A third-class investigator from the underworld, her body harbored a demon—a primal fear more despairing than that of ghouls!