Tokyo Commission of Counter Ghoul Headquarters, surrounding auxiliary building complex.
Vela stepped into the towering, double-story standalone structure with high steps and a raised foundation. Above the grand doorway, the emblem of the CCG—"White Dove Wings and Bud-Shaped Cross"—was carved prominently.
Familiar with the route, she navigated through winding corridors and passed through multiple Rc detection gates with ease.
Soon, Vela, accompanied by her young adjutant carrying her trench coat, arrived at the CCG Research Lab's main workshop, where the chief researcher was busy at the operating station.
Knock knock. Vela lightly tapped the doorframe.
"Dr. Chigyou."
Hearing the door access switch and someone calling, the man sluggishly turned his head, then brightened with surprise upon recognizing the visitor.
"Associate Special Class Investigator Russell."
"Doctor, an S+ grade Koukaku, an S grade Ukaku, an S grade Rinkaku, and countless complete or partial A-grade Kakuhou, unfolded Kagune samples... Your work efficiency is astonishing. You've already used up all the materials?"
Following behind Vela, young adjutant Akira Mado curiously observed the top expert in CCG's ghoul research and a seasoned Quinque craftsman.
Influenced by her father, Kureo Mado, Akira had been passionate about Quinque research and design courses since her academy days. She had long admired the renowned Dr. Kouitsu Chigyou.
At a glance, he looked rather ordinary—neat and bookish, with dark green mushroom-cut hair, bangs long enough to cover his eyes, and an unkempt mustache. He wore a white lab coat over a short-sleeve shirt, giving off a completely disheveled vibe. He even had dark circles under his eyes.
A textbook image of a stereotypical academic researcher—a true scholar.
However, the doctor paid her no mind at all, perhaps mistaking her for a clerical assistant.
"The 'Arata Proto' Live Armor-Type Quinque Project."
Standing up, Kouitsu Chigyou noticed Vela's gaze and eagerly pointed to the writhing dark-red Kagune cells on the workstation.
"To test its backlash effect on users and whether it possesses ghoul-like 'cannibalistic' devouring ability during combat, I've had to consume a massive number of low-grade Kakuhou."
As he spoke, he touched a button on the workstation. Instantly—Zzzhing!
The previously writhing strand-shaped Kagune flushed red and expanded. Following the preset instructions embedded in the Quinque steel, a memory metal, it underwent plasticity, condensation, and solidification, interweaving like jagged steel to form a set of matte-black living Kagune armor.
Vela stepped forward and knocked on the carapace, producing a muffled metallic clank.
As if sensing flesh nearby, the armor's solidified surface filled with pulsing red veins. A dark red glow flowed through it like blood. Clusters of tentacle-like fleshy tendrils writhed and split, swaying toward Vela's outstretched fingers.
Attempting to envelop her fingers—only to be flicked aside with a snap of Vela's hand.
"Still a bit unstable."
Kouitsu Chigyou shrugged.
"Higher-ups demand at least one safety threshold setting. It must be user-controlled, ensuring backlash remains within tolerable and recoverable limits even when performance is maximized. That said, thanks to Investigator Russell's assistance over the past two months, our development progress has exceeded my expectations."
He then pushed open a partition within the workshop.
"Working overtime, I've already completed improvements on those two Quinques per your specifications, incorporating our latest cutting-edge hybrid Kagune fusion technology... They will be the first batch of Hybrid Quinques ever crafted by my hand. Investigator Russell, thank you for your guidance and help in development."
Vela returned a polite smile.
"You're too kind... Doctor, you're one of the most authoritative scholars in ghoul research and a leading scientist in Quinque manufacturing and innovation. Working alongside you is my honor. For this alone, my tenure in Tokyo is already worthwhile."
And she meant it sincerely.
Why did she come to Tokyo to wade through this chaotic mix of saints and sinners? First, it was a convenient place to rack up battle achievements, polish her resume, and climb the ranks with raises. Second, it was for advanced Quinque crafting techniques.
The inventors of the Quinque were the former Japanese CCG Chairman Yoshitoki Washuu and the then-Director of Germany's CCG, Adam Gehner.
When exactly ghouls began to plague the world is unclear, but one fact remains: in 1890, Daikichi Washuu, head of the Washuu family, established the "Counter Ghoul Institution," the earliest anti-ghoul organization.
At least in this world, when it comes to Quinque technology and R&D experience, even the victorious wartime Americans who economically colonized Japan couldn't compare to the Washuu family and the Tokyo CCG founded at the dawn of it all.
During the last century's wars, the Washuu family remained neutral and aligned early with the Allied Occupation Forces, thus preserving themselves.
Of course, maybe the U.S. forces simply didn't need it. The Quinque crafting tech existed—but compared to these bizarre raw materials, most North American CCG agents clearly preferred blowing things up with heavy artillery. Open up! CCG!
No demand, no market.
In that regard, Tokyo had natural advantages. After all, ghouls were everywhere.
And as a latecomer Quinque craftsman, Kouitsu Chigyou's talent and ability were beyond question.
With her unique "Divine Gift" foresight, Vela knew that in the coming decade, he would go on to develop Hybrid Quinques, invent the Quinx surgery, create controllable Kakuhou implants and half-ghoul transformation surgery, and even lead the R&D of ghoul-edible, taste-perceivable high-Rc cell foods...
With such a top-tier expert in a specialized field, Vela naturally intended to cultivate a good relationship.
Her education in Quinque crafting and design back in the USA had only covered the basics.
In contrast, subjects like firearms, tactical chemistry, first aid, vehicles, psychology, criminology, survival training—those had been taught in depth at the USA's agent academy.
In the three months since arriving in Tokyo, Vela had naturally shown a keen interest in Quinque crafting and design.
While stationed at the 1st Ward headquarters, aside from chatting and occasionally working missions with Yukinori Shinohara, she spent most of her time in the workshop assisting Dr. Kouitsu Chigyou, observing his techniques.
Kouitsu Chigyou never held back. Like a mentor with an apprentice, he naturally taught her the core principles and precautions in Quinque crafting.
And Vela adapted to the role flawlessly.
While learning the world's most advanced Quinque crafting techniques, the help of original timeline memories, the multi-life, multi-perspective experience granted by "Divine Gift," allowed her to sharply identify the optimal future solutions for Kouitsu's projects, repeatedly offering him new ideas.
While it's often said that different fields have steep barriers, there's also the saying: knowledge connects across domains.
When Kouitsu lacked active Kakuhou, she even volunteered for fieldwork—taking on missions from Shinohara, eliminating ghouls, and delivering fresh Kagune and Kakuhou back to the lab as fast as possible.
Many future achievements from the original timeline emerged early under Vela's influence.
Throughout this process, once Kouitsu confirmed Vela's talent and credentials, he even shared some of his personal secrets.
His only condition: Quinque technology must be strictly controlled, with high standards for sharing—and absolutely must never fall into ghoul hands.
Vela, of course, had no objections.
She was learning this tech purely for herself—for more versions of "herself."
At least for a long while, she had no thoughts of taking students.
"Though technically an improvement, the overhaul on 'Gun III' and 'Black Abyss III' is essentially a complete remake."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Entering the workshop's inner room, Vela saw many completed Quinques stored in silver carrying cases, each marked with their respective investigator's ID tag. On the long table where Kouitsu Chigyou now stood, three cases stood out—two silver, one black.
Akira Mado exclaimed in surprise, "A black-gold case?!"
To her knowledge, within the CCG, only the "White Reaper" Arima Kishou used such a case. Generally speaking, Quinques of this level had extremely high-ranking Kagune origins and extraordinary potential.
"Is this..."
Looking at the two silver and one black Quinque cases before her, Vela let out a soft laugh, glancing with amused surprise at Kouitsu Chigyou, hands tucked in his coat pockets.
"Is this a gift for me?"
"I heard you're about to deploy to the 20th Ward... A ghoul organization called Aogiri Tree is expanding there, organized and premeditated. 'Glutton,' 'Gecko,' 'Gourmet'—each one at least S-rank, all vicious criminals."
Kouitsu Chigyou placed a hand on the black-gold case.
"An extra bit of firepower is an extra bit of safety. This was originally meant for Special Class Investigator Shinohara. But upon learning the severity of your mission, he voluntarily relinquished his allocation, requesting I give it to you first. His can wait."
After hearing that, Vela couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude—that was the strength of a sound system and righteous path.
Perhaps the CCG's top brass, certain wards, and individuals were deeply rotten, but the founding principle of the CCG was not wrong. Most of the middle and lower ranks, even many Special Class Investigators, were just humans who bore the ideal of driving out ghouls—willing to die for it.
When things happened, they truly showed up.
Working alongside such colleagues—wasn't bad. It was actually quite comforting.
"Thank Special Class Shinohara for me. I'll return the favor with a Quinque of my own."
She picked up the case for "Black Abyss III." Click. Vela pressed the fingerprint-locked switch. Buzz!
A nearly three-meter-long, jet-black, double-handed knight lance with purple-red glowing vein-like patterns and a spiral tip extended into her hand. Heavier and larger than the first-generation model.
Weighing it in her grasp, Vela casually twirled the lance, spinning it through the air with a whoosh.
Kouitsu Chigyou chimed in with a timely explanation: "Based on 'Black Abyss II,' a secondary fusion with Koukaku increased its hardness and weight. It retains variable shield deployment and detachable configurations, while the inclusion of a Bikaku stabilized balance and tensile strength. Slight shape-shift improvement..."
He was speaking for Akira Mado's benefit.
"As expected of Dr. Chigyou's work."
Vela nodded, then held "Black Abyss III" horizontally in front of her—buzz—it flowed like a non-Newtonian fluid, retracting into the carrying case.
Unlike living Kagune, Quinques were dead tissue—only capable of retaining stable shapes and abilities as per design. They couldn't extend or morph dramatically like true Kagune.
That "Black Abyss III" could undergo minor extensions and separations was already a testament to Kouitsu Chigyou's mastery.
Next came "Gun III." The moment the case was opened, pale pink memory metal wrapped around Vela's left hand like a living thing. Compared to the second-gen model, the short cannon now extended from wrist to forearm and fit more snugly to her arm.
In addition to the main barrel capable of firing explosive Ukaku rounds, six smaller firing ports were added.
"Primarily Ukaku-based. Firepower remains about the same, but with new Ukaku materials, I added six rapid-fire nozzles. As per your specs, this one's made to clean up sub-S-rank fodder. I also tweaked the Quinque steel framework—key is the integrated Rinkaku. Its original owner was definitely a cannibal—great regeneration, exceptional malleability..."
Before Kouitsu Chigyou could finish, Vela tapped the cannon's armored casing.
Immediately, the pink-white armor retracted and extended, glowing red. It molded perfectly to her fingers, palm, forearm, joints, and part of her upper arm—like an arm bracer with an integrated gauntlet.
As she moved her left arm, the Quinque armor at her fingertips sharpened and extended—up to three inches. Like blades, they joined into a wide short sword when her fingers closed together...
Clack.
Vela shut the silver case but made no move to return the Quinque to storage.
"Eh?"
Akira blinked, puzzled.
"Got gloves?" Vela asked Kouitsu Chigyou. "Of course," he replied, clearly prepared for this.
"Constant-State Quinque—micro-sized and body-fitted for concealed armament. Tempting project, sure, but manipulating a Quinque is already challenging. Maintaining one on your body constantly? Mental strain. Very few can manage that. Russell, I don't recommend it."
Saying this, he handed her a pair of white gloves.
"Let me try. I know my limits."
Vela glanced at the ultra-thin gauntlet state of "Gun III" beneath her suit sleeve. Slipping on the slightly oversized gloves, she took her trench coat from Akira, picked up "Black Abyss III" and the black-gold case, and turned to leave.
"Not going to test the 'Arata Proto'?"
"No need. Doctor, I helped design and build it—I know it."
Kouitsu Chigyou chuckled with hands in pockets. "For constant deployment, I prepared a case of Rc cell supply boosters. Don't forget."
Rc cell supply was essential to sustain active Quinque states.
"Akira," Vela simply said.
"Mm." With a crisp nod, Akira bowed to Kouitsu Chigyou, picked up the box of Rc boosters, and followed.
Just before leaving, Vela gave Kouitsu Chigyou a slight nod. "Doctor, next time I'll bring you a Kakuhou from a Kakuja."
"Don't die, Russell."
"Of course."
...
CCG Headquarters parking lot. In front of her assigned vehicle, Vela looked toward the 20th Ward. The sky was gray and overcast—rain was coming.
Turning around, she looked behind her.
A team of investigators in white trench coats, each carrying a Quinque case, had already assembled. Four elite squads, each led by a First-Class Investigator, personally transferred by Yukinori Shinohara.
"Move out."