Chapter 70: The True Face of the CCG
A large group of ghouls surged forward. If this had been before taking the [Human Gene Enhancement Fluid], Su Xiao would have struggled somewhat against these ghouls.
But things were different now. His stamina attribute had increased from the original 6 points to 10 points, greatly boosting his endurance.
"They're coming. Get ready for battle."
Fajia Xiangjie shouted, and the other investigators pulled out their respective koukaku.
"Are you sure this is alright, Quasi-Special Bai Ye?"
Fajia Xiangjie asked in a low voice, feeling uncertain.
"No problem."
Su Xiao stood at the forefront of the group, calmly watching the ghouls before him.
These ghouls looked disheveled, some were injured, and others had severe wounds like broken arms or missing eyes.
From the injuries of these ghouls, it was clear that District 24 was extremely dangerous even for ordinary ghouls. It seemed those primitive ghouls and regular ghouls weren't the same type—they would slaughter each other.
Where did those primitive ghouls come from? There had to be a hidden reason behind it.
Understanding the secrets within a derivative world often meant obtaining a large amount of World Source.
And World Source, when settling a derivative world, represented attribute points.
So Su Xiao was very interested in the origins of those primitive ghouls.
But now wasn't the time to think about that. He needed to repel this wave of ghouls first.
As for the idea of annihilating all these ghouls, he never had it. In this narrow tunnel, once the ghouls' casualties reached a certain level, they would flee, unless he took the initiative to attack.
"Brothers, cut a bloody path! As long as we reach the surface, we'll be safe. The surface is full of 'food'—don't worry about the 'King's' orders."
"Kill all these investigators!"
The ghouls, with fierce expressions, shouted and charged forward, getting closer to Su Xiao—ten meters, five meters, three meters.
A flash of gleaming blade light swept through, and the few ghouls at the front instantly fell, blood splattering onto the walls of the tunnel.
The dozen or so investigators all pulled out ranged weapons to cover Su Xiao. Among them, Fajia Xiangjie had the most firepower, holding a cannon barrel as thick as an arm. This was a koukaku called "Void Cave," S-rank, made from a ukaku, capable of firing orange-yellow crystals that could explode.
A brutal slaughter began. The ghouls wanted to break out of District 24, while the investigators had to stop them.
...
District 1, CCG Headquarters, a Japanese-style room.
The sliding paper door was pulled open, and a middle-aged man with a serious expression walked in.
The middle-aged man wore a white suit and had black hair that covered his ears. From his demeanor and actions, it was clear he was accustomed to a high position.
This man was CCG Director Washuu Kichō, holding significant power in the CCG.
After entering the room, Washuu Kichō closed the sliding door tightly and knelt before an old man.
"Father, the barrier deep in District 24 has been breached, and those primitive species have broken out. I've already sent Arima Kishō to handle it."
On the tatami mat inside the room sat an old man.
The old man had a withered face, wore a classic black kimono, and had white hair and beard.
His name was Washuu Tsuneyoshi, the CCG General Chairman, whose authority surpassed Washuu Kichō's. General CCG affairs were handled by Washuu Kichō, but important matters required the General Chairman's approval.
General Chairman Washuu Tsuneyoshi opened his eyes. Those pupils were dim and lifeless, yet they exuded authority and harshness.
"What do the others in V say?"
When General Chairman Washuu Tsuneyoshi spoke, Washuu Kichō kept his head lowered, his demeanor very respectful.
"The other lords want to find a way to clean up those primitive species. After all, they're just failed products."
"Nonsense!"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's hair and beard bristled with anger, and a chilling light appeared in his dim eyes.
"Are those people brainless, or have they been corroded by Rc cells into stupidity? The primitive species may lack reason, but they are indirectly guarding the 'Source.' Without the 'Source,' we'll soon go extinct. Find a way to drive the primitive species back to the deepest underground. You can kill them, but not in large numbers."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi stared coldly at Washuu Kichō, as if Washuu Kichō wasn't his son but just a subordinate.
"What about the casualties among the investigators?"
Washuu Kichō tentatively asked.
"As long as they don't all die, it's fine. The human population is vast. With a little training and brainwashing, there will be a new batch of investigators."
With just a few words, Washuu Tsuneyoshi's cruelty and harshness were fully revealed. This old man didn't care about the lives of the investigators.
"I understand, Father. Take care. I'll take my leave."
Washuu Kichō lowered his eyelids, lost in thought.
"Wait."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi suddenly spoke.
"Has that guy Yoshimura Kōsan shown up recently?"
When mentioning Yoshimura Kōsan, a slight ripple appeared in General Chairman Washuu Tsuneyoshi's indifferent tone.
"Yes, Father. The Cleaner has appeared, his intentions unclear. It seems he's helping Aogiri Tree, but some of his actions don't match that."
Hearing his son's answer, Washuu Tsuneyoshi sneered.
"He's old too. He was actually repelled by a newly emerged Quasi-Special. Yoshimura Kōsan was once our Cleaner; he knows too many secrets. Since he dares to show his face again, eliminate him."
Upon hearing his father's words, Washuu Kichō's face changed drastically, and he said urgently, "Father, the Cleaner once served us in V. He..."
"Shut up. Get out. Carry out my orders."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's face hardened as he coldly stared at his son. At this moment, if Washuu Kichō dared to speak again, the consequences would be severe.
Washuu Kichō's face changed several times, but in the end, he could only bow and withdraw.
Only Washuu Tsuneyoshi remained in the room. This cold-hearted ruler picked up a stack of documents, seemingly considering something.
"Quasi-Special Investigator, orphan of a former investigator. A good pawn. I'll use him to deal with Yoshimura Kōsan. Even if it fails, there's no loss. Just a human."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi put down the documents, closed his eyes, and sat cross-legged. On the photo in that file was unmistakably Su Xiao.
...
In the underground passage of District 24.
Su Xiao held a bucket of self-heating instant noodles, eating with relish, completely unfazed by the smell of blood around him and the pile of corpses he was sitting on.
As he expected, after more than a third of these two hundred-plus ghouls were killed or wounded, they began to rout.
Leaving behind many corpses, the ghouls were driven back.
The other dozen or so investigators also held instant noodles, but except for Fajia Xiangjie, who could eat normally, the others looked pale.
Takizawa Seidō was even retching repeatedly, spilling most of his noodles.
Since battle could break out at any moment, they had to fill their stomachs quickly. Combat supplies hadn't arrived yet, so they had to make do with instant noodles.
As Su Xiao was eating, his phone in his coat pocket rang. This phone was issued by the CCG, and all investigators had to carry it at all times.
Taking out the phone, he saw the number was labeled with a name: Washuu Kichō, the CCG Director.
"This is Quasi-Special Investigator Bai Ye. Hello, Director."
Su Xiao was now a CCG investigator, so he had to maintain appearances.
"Quasi-Special Bai Ye, what's the situation at the entrance to District 24 now?"
Washuu Kichō's voice came through the phone. This was Su Xiao's first contact with the CCG's upper echelons.
"There's no immediate danger of a breach, but it's not far off. We need a large number of reinforcements here."
Although killing ghouls earned him CCG contribution points, Su Xiao didn't want to fight for the CCG. Unless there was some benefit, once the number of incoming ghouls exceeded three hundred, he would immediately submit Main Mission (2) and then leave.
The situation was clear now: District 24 was fraught with danger. Without benefits, Su Xiao wouldn't take risks, so he immediately requested reinforcements.
"I've already dispatched additional personnel, at least two hundred or more, with more reinforcements to follow.
Quasi-Special Bai Ye, you can leave guarding the exit to others. I have other work for you."
Hearing Washuu Kichō's words, Su Xiao's lips curled into a smile. He smelled the scent of a fat sheep.