Chapter 71: Getting Something for Nothing? Dream On
Other work? Su Xiao showed a puzzled expression. It was never good news when Washuu Kichou took the initiative to contact him.
"Director, the situation at the entrance of District 24 is critical right now. I might not be able to leave."
Su Xiao's polite refusal made Washuu Kichou's expression turn somewhat unpleasant on the other end of the phone.
"Associate Special Class Bai Ye, I hereby appoint you as the captain of the District 24 reinforcement team. Lead thirty investigators to reinforce Special Class Arima. Special Class Arima is currently deep in District 24 and requires reinforcements."
Su Xiao's expression changed.
If it were before he completed his main mission (2), he would have had no choice but to obey CCG's mandatory orders. But now, he could complete main mission (2) at any time.
As for main mission (3), it should be a confrontation mission. Even if he were expelled from CCG, main mission (3) likely wouldn't fail. Confrontation missions were simply about eliminating one side.
Moreover, once he was expelled from CCG, the number of CCG faction contractors would become zero. What kind of confrontation mission could be carried out then?
Connecting these points, it meant Su Xiao had already broken free from CCG's constraints.
If CCG issued orders that benefited him, he might consider doing them. But for orders that were clearly thankless and troublesome, he would absolutely not execute them.
"Director Washuu, I'm afraid I lack the ability. I am 'unqualified' to serve as captain. I truly have let down your trust."
Su Xiao's meaning was clear: it was too dangerous, and CCG wanted to get something for nothing. He wasn't going.
There wasn't even a prompt from the Reincarnation Paradise. Washuu Kichou was clearly trying to use him for free.
"Associate Special Class Bai Ye, are you disobeying orders?"
Washuu Kichou's voice turned somewhat cold.
"Director Washuu, there's a saying from my hometown that I'm not sure if you've heard: 'A general in the field may refuse the sovereign's command.' The situation at the entrance of District 24 is very dangerous right now. If I withdraw, the ghouls could very likely break out of District 24, posing a huge threat to ordinary civilians.
As a Ghoul Investigator, I will not allow such a thing to happen."
Su Xiao's words were righteous and filled with a sense of justice.
Unfortunately, that wasn't his intention. These words were said for Washuu Kichou to hear, but also for the dozen or so investigators around him.
After this speech, if Washuu Kichou still forcibly transferred Su Xiao, it would leave an impression in these investigators' minds that he didn't care about civilian lives.
What did CCG use to win people's hearts? Protecting civilian safety.
Washuu Kichou held a high position and wielded great power, but he dared not say something like "civilian lives don't matter." That would shake the beliefs of the Ghoul Investigators.
This hat of protecting civilian safety was a heavy blow to Washuu Kichou.
Even more shamelessly, Su Xiao had put the phone on speaker, claiming the underground signal was poor~.
Washuu Kichou noticed the hollow sound on the phone and guessed Su Xiao had turned on the speaker.
"Associate Special Class Bai Ye, I understand your concerns. I have already dispatched personnel to take over your defensive position. Rest assured, they are excellent investigators.
The mission to reinforce Special Class Arima must be carried out. As soon as my people arrive, you will lead them deep into District 24."
Washuu Kichou's words were very smooth. He also sensed that this Investigator Bai Ye was somewhat off, not the type bursting with a sense of mission.
Su Xiao walked toward the surface while turning off the speaker.
"If that's the case, then of course there's no problem."
Su Xiao walked faster and soon reached the surface.
The reason he agreed was that a faction mission had appeared again.
[Faction Mission: Reinforcement.]
Difficulty Level: Lv.5.
Mission Brief: Go deep into District 24 to reinforce Special Class Investigator: Arima Kishou, and assist Special Class Arima in dealing with the Original Species.
Mission Info: CCG faction missions will not be counted in the clearance evaluation.
Mission Time Limit: 2 natural days.
Mission Reward: 15,000 faction contribution points.
Failure Penalty: CCG official rank reduced by one level, demoted to Senior Investigator.
...
Although the faction mission had appeared, Su Xiao did not immediately accept it.
"Director Washuu, I have a matter to trouble the headquarters with."
Although 15,000 faction contribution points were valuable, they didn't tempt Su Xiao. It could be imagined that going deep into District 24 at this time would be extremely dangerous.
"Speak."
Washuu Kichou's tone was clearly gritting his teeth. CCG high-ranking officials were used to ordering investigators around freely. Suddenly encountering a thorny character like Su Xiao gave Washuu Kichou a terrible headache.
More importantly, this thorny Su Xiao was very capable. CCG needed Su Xiao's combat strength.
Besides Arima Kishou, other strong individuals in CCG were inconvenient to step in on this matter. Their identities were too disgraceful. They were all...
"Director Washuu, when I fought the Owl earlier, I cut off one of his kagune. I want to have this kagune made into a koukaku. For this level of koukaku, the manufacturing process..."
Su Xiao didn't continue, and Washuu Kichou fell silent. After a long pause, Washuu Kichou broke the silence first.
"Fine. As long as you successfully reinforce Special Class Arima, you will receive the koukaku when you return.
As an Associate Special Class Investigator, you indeed deserve a koukaku."
Washuu Kichou's straightforwardness surprised Su Xiao.
"Then thank you, Director Washuu."
After hanging up, Su Xiao found a large rock in the overgrown wasteland and sat down.
He was thinking about why Washuu Kichou had agreed so readily. Making a koukaku, especially an SS-class or SSS-class one, required precious materials and complex procedures.
Perhaps CCG high-ranking officials wanted to groom him into a fighter like Arima Kishou? That possibility couldn't be ruled out.
CCG's attitude, the upheaval deep in District 24, and Arima Kishou's early arrival deep in District 24 were all suspicious.
Su Xiao began planning his actions.
First, he needed to use his current status as Associate Special Class Investigator to reap benefits. Main mission (2) still had a few days left, enough time to complete the faction mission.
Second, he needed to prepare to complete main mission (3). After completing it, he could return to the Reincarnation Paradise.
Finally, there was the hunt mission.
Thinking about the hunt mission, Su Xiao felt a headache. Not only was there no hint, but he had been in Tokyo for so long without encountering that violator 12470.
If not for the hunt mission showing "in progress," he would have suspected that "Violator No. 12470" had already returned.
That one-kilometer tracking range made Su Xiao doubt its authenticity.
Regarding the hunt mission, Su Xiao had adopted a "let fate decide" attitude. Completing it would be good, but failing it had no penalty.
Su Xiao felt that the Reincarnation Paradise wouldn't let him fail to find "Violator No. 12470."
Even if he didn't approach the target, the Reincarnation Paradise would arrange a mission to make the target approach him.
As Su Xiao pondered, dozens of CCG vehicles drove to the entrance of District 24.
Some familiar faces appeared: Suzue Juzo, Marude Shiki, Kuroiwa Iwao, Mado Akira, and others all arrived.
There were also some investigators Su Xiao didn't recognize. One female investigator was particularly eye-catching.
The female investigator walked side by side with Marude Shiki and Kuroiwa Iwao. From this, it could be seen that she was also a Special Class Investigator.
"Bai Ye, it seems your injuries have healed well."
Marude Shiki walked up and gave Su Xiao a bear hug.
"Still... still passable."
Marude Shiki's enthusiastic attitude surprised Su Xiao.
"Let me introduce you. This is Special Class Yasuhisa Kiyoko, a formidable female investigator."
It seemed Marude Shiki was very familiar with Yasuhisa Kiyoko.
Yasuhisa Kiyoko was of average height, around thirty years old, wearing a black suit with her blue hair tied up.
"Hello, I'm Yasuhisa Kiyoko."
"Hello, I'm Bai Ye."
The two shook hands. Marude Shiki cleared his throat and said.
"Bai Ye, just hand over that Owl's kagune to me. I'll have it sent to headquarters.
Director Washuu should have told you. The reinforcement squad is ready and can depart at any time."