Chapter 65: Initial Goal Achieved
After the CCG personnel had cleared the battlefield, they gradually withdrew from the Bronze Tree stronghold.
Su Xiao sat inside a medical vehicle. His wounds had been stitched and bandaged. Although the wound on his lower abdomen had bled considerably, it hadn't damaged any internal organs.
Given his tenacity, an injury like this only required stitching, bandaging, and proper rest to heal quickly.
"Alright, neither of the two wounds hit any vital points. Remember to take your medicine on time."
A young nurse carefully bandaged Su Xiao's wounds before handing him several types of medication.
"Being an investigator is such a dangerous job. You've been injured twice in less than half a month."
The young nurse smiled at Su Xiao.
"You are?"
The stitching and bandaging had left Su Xiao's face covered in cold sweat from the pain. The more he looked at the nurse's delicate features, the more familiar she seemed, gradually bringing back some unpleasant memories.
When he first entered the Ghoul world and fought with Takatsuki Sen, it was this same young nurse who had stitched his wounds.
Remembering the excruciating pain from before, Su Xiao's cheek twitched.
"..."
Even someone who didn't flinch against Takatsuki Sen in battle, Su Xiao really didn't want to see this young nurse again.
Beneath her angelic, sweet smile was undoubtedly a heart with a pink exterior that, when cut open, revealed a black 'demon's heart.'
Her crude method of cleaning wounds had left a deep impression on Su Xiao.
"It seems you remember me. My patients usually don't forget me."
Su Xiao nodded silently and got out of the car.
"Remember to take your medicine. Don't stop."
Su Xiao paused mid-step. It took him a long moment before he finally forced out an "I know."
Police sirens blared all around. Breathing in the fresh night air, a faint smell of blood drifted over.
"My hand, where's my arm?"
"Hurry, this person is losing a lot of blood! Get a blood pack!"
The cries of the wounded were endless. Although the CCG had achieved victory, they had paid a considerable price.
"Doctor, can I still stand up? Answer me!"
An investigator with a pierced spine grabbed the doctor's arm in panic, his lower body already numb.
The doctor turned his head away, signaling other medical staff to lift the wounded man onto the stretcher.
That investigator's face turned ashen. He lay on the stretcher, staring up at the starry sky.
Compared to the CCG's wounded, the Ghouls from the Bronze Tree were noticeably quieter—they were all sealed in body bags.
The CCG convoy withdrew one after another. Around one o'clock in the morning, Su Xiao returned to the 20th Ward branch.
His battle intensity that night had been high. Heavy blood loss had left him extremely fatigued.
After arriving at the quarters Marude Saki had arranged for him, Su Xiao collapsed into bed and fell asleep. When he woke again, the sky outside the window was already bright.
He grabbed the alarm clock by the bedside—it was already ten in the morning.
After washing up, Su Xiao went to Marude Saki's office.
"How was your rest? I saw you took quite a beating yesterday."
Marude Saki put down a stack of documents. He had already guessed why Su Xiao had come.
With the war against the Bronze Tree over, Su Xiao needed to return to the 24th Ward. After all, he was a member of Zero Squad.
"The wound is healing well. It should be fully recovered in three days at most."
Before fighting Kaneki Ken last night, Su Xiao had consumed the last [Salt Rice Ball], which had significantly accelerated his recovery.
Under normal circumstances, his injuries would have taken at least half a month to heal.
"That's good. Leaving now?"
"Leaving now."
"I'll arrange a car for you."
Marude Saki picked up the phone beside him, dialed, and spoke a few words. A few minutes later, a mature woman in a professional suit pushed open the door.
"Mr. White Night, the car has been arranged for you."
After bidding farewell to Marude Saki, Su Xiao got into the vehicle heading back to the 24th Ward.
Soon, the car arrived in front of the 24th Ward temporary branch. Su Xiao got out and entered.
The temporary branch was still the same as before—some ordinary staff members were working.
Su Xiao went straight to the logistics department of the temporary branch. The skinny old man with small round sunglasses was lazily slumped behind the counter.
Su Xiao tapped on the window glass. The old man, who was about to fall asleep, looked up.
"Who is it? Huh? Oh, it's Mr. White Night. What do you need?"
"I want to exchange some things."
The skinny old man immediately perked up.
"Let me see... Your record shows you hold the rank of Associate Special Class. Please select the items you need."
As the old man spoke, an exchange list appeared before Su Xiao.
[Human Gene Enhancement Fluid]
Exchange Condition: 15,000 CCG Contribution Points, Associate Special Class Investigator Rank.
[Crushing Spirit (Premium)]
Exchange Condition: 13,000 CCG Contribution Points, Associate Special Class Investigator Rank.
...
Su Xiao selected [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid]. After choosing it, his CCG Contribution Points began to plummet, finally leaving him with only [Associate Special Class Investigator: Contribution Points 4,823/130,000].
Promotion to Special Class Investigator required 130,000 CCG Contribution Points. Su Xiao didn't need the Special Class Investigator rank, so he directly spent his CCG Contribution Points. Improving his strength as quickly as possible was the wise choice.
Spending CCG Contribution Points wouldn't cause a rank demotion—he had asked Reincarnation Paradise about this earlier.
After the exchange was successful, a bottle of emerald-green liquid appeared in Su Xiao's hand. The liquid was contained in a glass test tube, the outer wall of which was inlaid with dense metal threads for reinforcement.
Holding the [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid], Su Xiao couldn't help but show a hint of joy. To obtain this enhancement fluid, he had ventured deep into the 24th Ward and later participated in the battle in the 11th Ward.
But it was all worth it. After drinking this enhancement fluid, his strength would see a considerable boost.
After exchanging for the [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid], Su Xiao quickly walked toward his room.
"Mr. White Night..."
A staff member tried to call out to Su Xiao, but he had already hurried upstairs. The staff member hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided not to disturb him.
Back in his room, Su Xiao locked the door and drew the curtains. Although this series of actions might seem suspicious, the [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid] didn't specify what reactions would occur after drinking it.
The description only stated that it would enhance attributes without side effects, but it didn't mention what would happen during consumption.
Out of caution, Su Xiao placed the Dragon-Slaying Flash within easy reach.
He uncorked the [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid] and first sniffed it—it had a fresh, plant-like scent.
Taking a deep breath, Su Xiao downed the [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid] in one gulp.
An indescribable taste filled his taste buds, and he furrowed his brow.
"What a strange flavor."
Su Xiao sat cross-legged on the bed, waiting for changes to occur. But a long time passed, and he didn't feel anything unusual.
He checked his Strength and Stamina attributes—no increase.
Could it be that he had bought a fake?!
As Su Xiao was pondering, a warm sensation began to spread through his body.
This warmth was very gentle, gradually diffusing within him. In the end, he felt as if his entire body was soaking in warm water.
His blood flow quickened, the muscles throughout his body began to twitch slightly.
Su Xiao could clearly feel his body growing stronger. His heartbeat became more powerful, his breathing smoother, and even his thoughts seemed clearer.
The injuries he had sustained during the battle in the 11th Ward were healing at a visible rate.
The [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid] truly lived up to its reputation as a Blue-quality enhancement potion. The enhancement effect was obvious, and the process was gentle.