Two Ghoul Investigators ran down the corridor.
Upon hearing Lan Qing’s shout, they immediately lifted their briefcases and retrieved their quinques.
One investigator’s quinque was a massive club, its head encased in red crystals, resembling a mace without spikes.
The other’s quinque appeared peculiar, like a strangely shaped submachine gun.
The next instant…
Both simultaneously attacked Bai Ye. The investigator with the gun swiftly pulled the trigger, and blood-red crystals were fired one by one, sweeping towards Bai Ye.
“Leizhen!”
Bai Ye extended his hand forward, and currents continuously surged from his body, emitting a crackling sound.
An invisible wave spread outwards, repelling the incoming red crystals, which shattered against the walls.
At the same time, the other Ghoul Investigator closed in, raising his club to smash down on Bai Ye.
Then…
Clang!
Bai Ye raised Lei Ya Nu Shou horizontally, deflecting the opponent’s attack.
Seizing this opportunity, Lan Qing scrambled to his feet and fled.
Those two Ghoul Investigators were no match for Bai Ye. As long as he could buy himself time to escape, that would be enough.
Bai Ye didn’t pay attention to Lan Qing, as he was distracted by something else.
Because…
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit proficiency had increased.
Rumble-Rumble Fruit (Devil Fruit) (Item) (Gold): Consuming this top-tier Logia-type fruit allows the user’s body to become elemental. One can transform their body into lightning. In this lightning state, physical attacks are rendered ineffective, as are some energy attacks. Lightning can be unleashed for offense. Through mastery of its abilities, the power of attacks can be enhanced, and more techniques can be learned.
Weakness: Cannot touch saltwater or Seastone.
Current Proficiency: 0/8000
Techniques Unlocked: 4/12
Effects: Teleportation…
Lightning…
Leizhen…
Raibyu (Releases a giant beast-shaped lightning, possessing physical attack effects, aimed at ground attacks and defense)
Bai Ye had been away from the ancient town for many days, encountering numerous dangers along the way. During combat, Bai Ye had deliberately utilized the abilities of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
Therefore, his proficiency was on the verge of increasing, and it had now reached the full three thousand points.
As expected, a new offensive technique had been unlocked.
Simultaneously, his proficiency had increased from 3000 points to 8000 points.
Bai Ye watched the screen while brandishing Lei Ya Nu Shou forward.
Crackling!
An ear-piercing electric sound ensued.
A large net of current formed, blocking all incoming attacks.
The next moment, Bai Ye raised his fist, intending to unleash a punch forward.
“Let’s try the new move, Raibyu…”
As soon as Bai Ye finished speaking, before he could attack, a figure suddenly zipped past along the ceiling. Immediately after, a pair of crimson wings unfurled in the air.
The blood-red crystalline feathers were exquisitely beautiful.
However, beauty often harbored danger.
Boom, boom, boom.
As the red crystalline feathers landed, the ground repeatedly erupted with explosions. The surrounding walls also collapsed, and a large amount of dust billowed within the corridor.
Bai Ye held his fist, unsure whether to strike.
What was happening?
A moment later, as the dust settled, the two Ghoul Investigators revealed themselves. One was pinned beneath a collapsed wall, with only an arm exposed, from which blood was continuously seeping.
The other Ghoul Investigator, upon seeing this, immediately rushed towards his comrade, reaching out to pull away the stones, trying to dig him out. At this moment…
A figure suddenly appeared behind that Ghoul Investigator and violently stomped down on his head.
With a bang, the opponent’s head smashed against the ground, a large amount of blood splattering outwards.
Bai Ye also got a clear look at the attacker: a black hoodie and leather pants, with slightly long, curly blue hair. His face was obscured by a mask, but from the visible parts, his age didn’t seem to be too great.
As Bai Ye pondered, he activated his bio-mask for scanning.
Bio-scan initiated…
Bio-scan completed…
Ayato Kirishima (Native) (Healthy): A ghoul from the spiritual zone, currently affiliated with the organization Aogiri Tree.
Strength…
Speed…
…
At this moment, Ayato Kirishima turned his head towards Bai Ye, his gaze lingering on Bai Ye’s mask for a moment before he said, “You are the Eater?”
Bai Ye asked, confused, “What?”
“It seems you don’t know the codename the doves gave you?” Ayato Kirishima said, hands in his pockets. “As a pervert specializing in attacking women in Ward 11 and consuming their bodies, the doves gave you the codename Eater and have officially initiated your arrest.”
As Ayato Kirishima spoke, he walked towards the back, brushing past Bai Ye.
“Let’s go. I’m here to save you,” Ayato Kirishima said. “Seeing that you could keep them occupied for so long, your strength should be decent. I hope you’ll be useful.”
If you hadn't come, I would have electrocuted those two guys into charcoal.
However, the current situation didn’t seem to allow Bai Ye to argue.
From a purely deductive standpoint, there was a group called Ghoul Investigators trying to kill him, and another group called Aogiri Tree ghouls seemed to want to save him.
Good grief, if he told them now that they had the wrong person, that he was just passing by…
Bai Ye felt that he would immediately be forced into a fight with Ayato Kirishima.
Bai Ye sighed, resigned to following him obediently.
What went wrong somewhere along the line to make things turn out like this?
Bai Ye was utterly bewildered. Didn’t he just want to make some money and happen to witness a murder?
How had he become the target of both sides?
A hidden mission?
Bai Ye glanced at the screen…
There was no hidden mission!
Bai Ye became even more depressed. If there was a hidden mission, it would be somewhat better, but without one, it meant…
He was purely unlucky?
Bai Ye listlessly followed Ayato Kirishima into the elevator, then directly to the underground parking lot. After getting into a car, they quickly drove away.
As they passed the hotel entrance, Bai Ye discovered that it was unusually lively. Many ghouls and Ghoul Investigators were fighting, and the pedestrians on the street had already been evacuated.
Ayato Kirishima glanced around, then picked up his phone and said, “Tell everyone to retreat. I’ve found the person.”
After speaking, Ayato Kirishima drove the car away rapidly.
Bai Ye looked out the car window and asked, “Where are we going?”
Ayato Kirishima replied, “To Aogiri Tree’s headquarters, of course.”
“Aogiri Tree?” Bai Ye asked, “Can you explain to me what exactly is going on? I’m a bit confused right now.”
…