Chapter 55: Helplessness and Resentment
The helicopter swept over the highway, where dense traffic flowed below.
This road had been sealed off, with all other vehicles prohibited. Even so, the CCG convoy’s progress was painfully slow—there were too many cars.
Ahead, police cleared the way, while helicopters roared overhead one after another. The scale of the operation was extraordinary.
At that moment, every television station in Tokyo was broadcasting a scene.
“This joint operation between the CCG and police forces has launched a bold assault on District 11, led by Special Class Investigator Marude Shiki. Multiple Special Class Investigators have been deployed for this mission.
Below is a statement from Special Class Investigator Marude Shiki.”
Nearly all of Tokyo’s citizens were glued to their screens, eagerly awaiting Marude’s words.
On the command vehicle at the front of the convoy, Marude Shiki was directing operations methodically. Su Xiao was also inside.
The command vehicle’s interior was spacious. Along three walls, dozens of monitors of various sizes were installed, giving Marude a clear view of the battlefield.
“Bai Ye, help me deal with the TV station. I don’t have time right now.”
Marude held up a camera, signaling Su Xiao to handle the interview for him.
Su Xiao’s face darkened. He had no desire to be interviewed—it looked like a hassle.
“Uh… I have no experience with interviews.”
Marude thought for a moment, then finally took off his Bluetooth headset.
“See that white cloth? Hold it up behind me.”
The cloth was printed with the CCG emblem. Su Xiao grabbed it and held it up behind Marude.
Marude adjusted his hair, cleared his throat, and turned on the camera.
“I am Marude Shiki. The early stages of the operation have gone smoothly, however…”
He paused, gathering his thoughts.
“We stake our lives to ensure 99% of the residents’ safety. The remaining 1% requires your cooperation. I hope everyone will work with us to restore peace to District 11.”
With that, Marude turned off the camera and let out a long breath.
This was a live broadcast, transmitted directly to Tokyo’s citizens.
“Hey, did you record it? This pose is ridiculous.”
“It’s done. Where were we?”
Su Xiao set down the white cloth and tossed it aside carelessly.
“You were saying I should guard the rear…”
Before he could finish, an urgent voice crackled through the headset beside Marude’s hand. It was so loud that even Su Xiao could hear it.
“Marude, the camera isn’t off! What the hell are you and Bai Ye doing?”
Marude froze in shock, then frantically grabbed the camera. His large face appeared on millions of television screens.
This was live—delayed by less than a minute.
To boost ratings, the TV station hadn’t cut out Su Xiao and Marude’s conversation.
Tokyo’s citizens were bewildered. The CCG logo they’d been seeing was actually being held up by a young man in a white coat.
This amusing scene became a hot topic among viewers.
“This damn machine keeps getting more complicated.”
Marude fumbled for the switch but couldn’t find it. Instead, he found something that looked like a battery.
With a crisp *crack*, the expensive camera was ruined.
Su Xiao clearly saw Marude’s body flinch—that thing must have cost a fortune.
…
Half an hour later, the CCG convoy arrived in front of the Aogiri Tree stronghold in District 11.
The convoy stopped. A large group of investigators in combat suits rushed out and began setting up defensive lines in front of the stronghold.
The Aogiri Tree stronghold was nothing more than an abandoned building.
Marude was already busy inside the command vehicle. Su Xiao stepped out, jumped onto the roof of the command vehicle, and sat comfortably on the radar antenna. From this high vantage point, he could clearly observe the battlefield.
The sounds of running and urgent shouts filled the air.
“Hurry! The defensive line must be set up within a minute!”
The CCG’s defensive line was simple: a wall of bulletproof shields placed in front of the vehicles.
This formation had two advantages: it was easy to grab ammunition from the vehicles, and even if injured, one could take cover inside. All the vehicles were bulletproof, with a high level of protection.
The line was quickly established. The CCG combat personnel were well-trained, remaining quiet after setting up.
It was around eight in the evening. The sky was pitch black, and the Aogiri Tree stronghold ahead was also shrouded in darkness.
The old building of the stronghold had large chunks of its outer wall peeling off. All the windows had been violently removed by ghouls.
Though it was dark, Su Xiao could vaguely sense that there were many ghouls inside—at least several hundred.
Marude didn’t immediately give the order to attack. He seemed to be waiting for something.
On the rooftop of a nearby building, a few ghouls stood or sat.
“Faster than I expected.”
Eto, wrapped in bandages, sat at the edge of the roof, gazing down at the CCG forces below.
“Yeah.”
Tatara responded, turning to look at the others behind him. These were the executives of Aogiri Tree. He began issuing combat orders.
After assigning specific tasks, Eto and Tatara left.
“Are we really okay this time? I saw that guy.”
With only Tatara beside her, Eto didn’t use her fake voice. Tatara remained silent—he was also worried.
Within Aogiri Tree, Tatara was similar to Marude—a field commander.
“No matter how strong he is, he has limits. At worst, we’ll lose some subordinates. As long as we can weaken the CCG’s strength, it’s worth it.
Right now, the CCG’s higher-ups are clear in their intentions. We’ve broken the ‘balance,’ so they want to purge us.”
By the end, Tatara was gritting his teeth.
Eto looked up at the sky, helplessness and resentment in her eyes.
Resentment at the world’s unfairness, helplessness that she had to live in it.
“One day, I’ll make it so ghouls don’t have to hide in the dark underground. I swear it.”
Eto recalled her childhood. In the foul air of the underground world, she had spent her early years. It wasn’t until she was fourteen that she came to the surface, picked up a pen, and wrote a novel. That same year, she founded Aogiri Tree.
…
After the CCG forces had waited for a long time, Marude received orders from headquarters.
“Prepare to fire flares. After the flares, lay down suppressive fire.”
With Marude’s command, a flare shot into the sky, arcing diagonally upward.
Like a sun, its intense light illuminated the surroundings, casting the Aogiri Tree stronghold in bright clarity.
From the two rows of high windows in the stronghold, ghouls draped in red robes raised their rifles.
“Open fire!”
“Open fire!”
The CCG and the ghouls gave the order almost simultaneously. The crackling sound of gunfire erupted.
“Rat-a-tat-tat…”
Sparks flew everywhere. Stray bullets ricocheted across the battlefield.
Su Xiao jumped down from the vehicle roof. He had no intention of becoming a target.
The situation was different from what he had imagined. Though the CCG had better equipment, the ghouls had better defenses. Their kagune served as natural bulletproof shields.
The battle reached its climax from the start. Both sides poured out their strongest firepower, intent on annihilating the other.
Su Xiao crouched behind a tall bulletproof shield, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He wasn’t even holding a gun.
It wasn’t yet time for him to act. There were more important matters waiting for him.
If things went smoothly, after this operation, he would be able to redeem that bottle of [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid].