Chapter 66: The Rampage of District 24
Half an hour later, the warmth within Su Xiao's body faded, and he immediately checked his personal information.
Contractor No. 13013.
Name: Su Xiao (Hunter)
Level: LV.2. (First Rank. Every 10 levels constitute one rank. Leveling up provides no attribute bonuses; it corresponds to the Hunter's authority within the 'Paradise,' as well as world difficulty, mission difficulty, etc.)
Health: 100% (This attribute cannot be fully digitized and changes based on injury severity.)
Mana: 253 (Intelligence × 10. Current mana recovery rate: 6 points per hour.)
Strength: 15 (13 + 2)
Agility: 13
Endurance: 10 (6 + 4)
Intelligence: 12
Charm: 3
Luck: 1
Kill Talent: Soul Devourer — After killing a target, permanently steal 1–15 points of Mana.
This talent can steal a maximum of 100 Mana per derivative world.
...
As expected, Su Xiao's Strength increased by +2 and Endurance by +4.
Su Xiao clenched his fist, and a crisp cracking sound came from it, accompanied by a surge of power.
Not only that, the increase in Endurance made him feel a noticeable enhancement in various bodily functions—his resilience, stamina, and wound recovery speed had all improved significantly.
At this stage, 10 points of Endurance was already considerable. His three main attributes were all between 12 and 15 points.
Drinking this bottle of [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid] might have been his greatest gain in the Ghoul world.
Su Xiao was adapting to his strengthened body. Since this time the Endurance attribute had increased substantially, there was no imbalance, and he quickly adjusted.
While Su Xiao was acclimating, fierce battles were taking place in the underground passages of District 24.
...
"Boom! Boom!"
Kagune clashed with Koukaku as a group of Investigators fought and retreated through the underground tunnels of District 24.
"Hurry up and confirm the route! I can't hold out much longer!"
Yuna swung her sickle, cutting down a ghoul. She had already donned the 'New' equipment, greatly boosting her combat power.
Even though Yuna kept felling the ghouls before her, their numbers were overwhelming. The underground passages were packed with ghouls—a dense, sprawling mass.
These were all ordinary ghouls, mostly B-rank and A-rank; otherwise, Yuna would have already fallen in battle.
"R-right away! I'm trying to figure out the route!"
A young Investigator frantically used a compass to navigate, his face barely concealing his terror.
"Yuna, Associate Special Class, will we ever make it back to the surface alive?"
Behind Yuna stood several young Investigators.
The reason Yuna had entered District 24 was due to an order from headquarters: she was to lead this batch of rookie Investigators on a training exercise in the outer layers of District 24.
The outer layers weren't too dangerous and were a good training ground. After graduating from the Ghoul Investigator Academy, rookies were usually sent here for some experience.
"Hurry!"
Yuna shouted, kicking away a ghoul that lunged at her.
"Let us through, damn CCG!"
A ghoul suddenly spoke, its face showing a hint of panic.
This puzzled Yuna, but letting these ghouls pass was clearly impossible—she had rookies behind her.
The blood feud between Investigators and ghouls left no room for negotiation.
"Bullshit! If you want through, you'll have to step over my dead body!"
Yuna glanced back at the rookies behind her and sighed inwardly. Her two reliable teammates weren't here; otherwise, these ghouls would be nothing.
"I've got the route! It's to the left!"
The rookie holding the compass showed a look of ecstasy as he traced the path they had taken to find the exit.
"You go first. I'll be right behind."
Yuna spun her sickle, sending blood and flesh flying as several ghouls were slain.
"But, Yuna, Associate Special Class, you—"
"Less talk! Go!"
Yuna's pretty face twisted in frustration—she was annoyed by these useless teammates.
"O-okay, let's go."
The rookie Investigators retreated in a panic. After they had run a certain distance, Yuna swung her sickle with all her might, then turned and fled.
A large number of ghouls chased closely behind Yuna. Strangely, they didn't attack; they just followed at a distance.
Yuna's slender brows furrowed. Though puzzled, she quickened her pace.
Since they were in the outer layers of District 24, Yuna's squad soon reached the metal door leading to the surface. The rookie Investigators were already waiting ahead.
Yuna pulled the key from around her neck and tossed it to the rookies.
The metal door opened. Yuna darted through, and the door slammed shut, locked from the outside.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The sound of pounding echoed from within the metal door, accompanied by faint ghoul roars.
Blood dripped from Yuna's fingertips as she collapsed to the ground with a thud.
"Contact the temporary branch. Report an anomaly in the underground of District 24—a large number of ghouls are trying to reach the surface."
Supported by the rookies, Yuna returned to the surface. Near the entrance to District 24, a dozen temporary tents had been set up.
Around the tents were about twenty Investigators, both men and women, all of whom shared one trait: they were young.
There were quite a few rookie Investigators graduating this time, so Yuna had simply set up camp near the entrance to District 24 for convenience.
Each time, she would take a few rookies into the outer layers of District 24 to fight ghouls, helping them quickly adapt to combat.
As for why she chose District 24, it was because there were plenty of ghouls there.
As long as they didn't go deep into District 24, it wasn't too dangerous, and there was no risk of getting lost.
Su Xiao had previously ventured several hours deep into District 24, while these rookies only went about five minutes in—there was no comparison.
When the rookies near the camp saw Yuna covered in blood, they gathered around. It was the first time they had seen her injured. As an Associate Special Class Investigator, she was a formidable figure in their eyes.
Some rookies with basic first-aid knowledge clumsily began treating Yuna's wounds.
"Kid, what are you doing?"
Yuna glared at a young man, who stumbled back two steps.
"I-I wanted to help treat your wounds."
Yuna pointed to a girl, indicating she should handle the treatment.
The young man turned away, looking dejected. Yuna was young and beautiful, practically a goddess in the eyes of the boy.
"Yuna, Associate Special Class, we've contacted the temporary branch."
A slightly chubby rookie stood straight in front of Yuna.
"What did they say? Did you report the anomaly?"
After her wounds were bandaged, Yuna stood up with some difficulty.
"Yes, but the branch said Special Class Mado isn't available."
Yuna's expression changed.
"The temporary branch said they would relay the message to Associate Special Class Bai Ye."
The chubby rookie spoke with a bit of a pause, but Yuna didn't mind.
"He's back? That puts my mind at ease.
Keep an eye on the entrance at all times. That damn door might not hold much longer. Those ghouls have gone mad."
Yuna gritted her teeth in frustration, accidentally aggravating her wound and causing her to inhale sharply.
But soon, a satisfied smile spread across her face. She could already imagine the ghouls' miserable fate.