64
Chapter 64: Killing Gecko
[Ding! The host has defeated the S-rated ghoul 'Gecko' and earned a reward: 30 fusion points!]
[Ding! The host has defeated a Kakuja user for the first time and earned an additional reward: 20 fusion points!]
Two system prompts echoed in Kanzaki Ryoma's mind.
Yakumo Oomori lay motionless on the scorched pavement, his body charred and broken. Even if Ryoma left him alone, the flames would consume what little life he had left.
Just as Ryoma prepared to leave, the system chimed again.
[Ding! The host has triggered a mission — God-Level Choice activated!]
[Choice 1: Finish off Yakumo Oomori and receive the S+ Quinque 13's Jason. Reward: 1 fusion point.]
[Choice 2: Leave Yakumo Oomori alive and ensure he's sent to "Cochlea" for continued torture. Reward: 20 fusion points.]
[Choice 3: Spare Yakumo Oomori, subdue him, and attempt to recruit him. Risk of betrayal included. Reward: 50 fusion points.]
Ryoma glanced at the options.
Choice 3's reward was tempting, but keeping Oomori alive was a gamble — one Ryoma wasn't willing to take. A man like Oomori was a walking time bomb.
Besides, securing an S+ Quinque was the most practical move. His current Quinque, a B-rank weapon, wouldn't hold up forever against stronger foes.
With his mind made up, Ryoma jumped from the rooftop and landed smoothly in front of Oomori.
Oomori, barely clinging to life, lifted his head with what little strength he had left. Blood seeped from his mouth as his blurred vision locked onto Ryoma.
Through the haze of pain and exhaustion, Oomori saw Ryoma reach up and slowly remove his mask.
The swirling orange mask came off, revealing Ryoma's face — and the unmistakable glow of his Sharingan.
"You...!"
Oomori's eyes widened in disbelief, his pupils trembling in shock.
The Sharingan's crimson gaze stared back at him coldly.
His mind sharpened briefly — that brief moment of clarity before death.
The truth hit him like a freight train.
This masked man... was that same human investigator — the one he'd dismissed as insignificant.
Until moments ago, Oomori had assumed the masked figure was a ghoul. After all, fire manipulation wasn't unheard of among powerful ghouls. The "Aogiri Tree" had plenty of freakish abilities like that.
But now… now he knew better.
"A human... did this...?"
Confusion twisted with rage in Oomori's final moments.
His mind collapsed into bitter regret and disbelief as his breathing slowed.
His wide, bloodshot eyes stared blankly as life faded from them.
[Ding! The host has completed Choice 1 and received the reward: 1 fusion point.]
Ryoma stared down at Oomori's lifeless body without emotion.
Whatever regrets or grudges the man carried… they no longer mattered.
He quietly cleaned up the area, dispersing the remaining flames. The scorched pavement and lingering smoke were hard to conceal, but Ryoma knew it wouldn't matter.
No one would suspect a human investigator of unleashing flame techniques like his. The CCG's RC scan gates would easily prove his human status.
Once the area was secure, Ryoma dialed the 20th Ward's CCG branch.
"This is Second-Class Investigator Kanzaki Ryoma," he said calmly. "I engaged an S-rated ghoul — 'Gecko.' He's been neutralized. The body's located at..."
He gave the address and ended the call.
Since no other investigators had witnessed the fight — and no civilians had dared to approach — Ryoma could take full credit for the victory without raising suspicion.
With Oomori's death confirmed, the CCG would reward him with 13's Jason, an S+-rated Quinque.
As for Touka and the Fueguchi family, Ryoma knew they had no reason to report anything to the CCG. They wouldn't risk exposing themselves.
"Good enough," Ryoma muttered.
—
Meanwhile, at the 20th Ward's CCG branch...
"What?! An S-rated ghoul taken down by a Second-Class Investigator?"
The assistant investigator on duty bolted upright, gripping the phone tightly.
"Yes, sir! Kanzaki Ryoma reported that he killed 'Gecko.' He may be seriously injured. We should dispatch backup and medical support immediately."
The office erupted in chaos.
"A Second-Class investigator... killed an S-rated ghoul alone?"
"That's insane! Are you sure it wasn't a mistake?"
"Doesn't matter! If that investigator's injured and we delay treatment, we're screwed! Move it!"
The room buzzed with urgency. They knew losing an investigator — especially one capable of defeating a ghoul like Oomori — would be a major loss.
Within minutes, a squad of assistant investigators and third-class investigators mobilized, fully armed and prepared for the worst.
—
When they arrived at the scene, they were met with two unexpected sights.
First, Yakumo Oomori's charred corpse — barely recognizable and riddled with deep burns.
Second, Kanzaki Ryoma — completely unharmed — standing casually by a wall, arms crossed.
The investigators stood frozen in disbelief.
"Wait... that's him?"
"He's... not injured?"
"No way... A Second-Class Investigator beat an S-rated ghoul without a scratch?"
They couldn't believe it.
In the CCG, even senior First-Class Investigators often suffered serious injuries when battling ghouls of Oomori's caliber.
Yet Ryoma stood there, looking as if he'd just finished a casual patrol.
"...This guy's a monster," one of the investigators muttered.
For the first time, Kanzaki Ryoma's name spread throughout the CCG — not just as a promising investigator... but as a rising legend.
###
T/N: satisfied now? He has finally started being bold and started using his powers more...