"Hayashi, you really are delicious~ It was worth the effort of holding back for so long."
Rize wiped her lips and sat up from the bed. Her delicate, alluring face carried a trace of satisfaction, looking thoroughly pleased.
"Thanks to you, my wounds have completely healed."
Admiring her smooth, unblemished skin without a single scar, Rize seemed very content.
"Your wounds may have healed, but I'm about to die" Hayashi panted heavily, looking utterly drained.
Right now, he felt as if he had been squeezed completely dry. Although the Horse Talisman allowed him to regenerate endlessly, constant recovery still took its toll. Especially when facing someone like Rize, whose appetite was enormous — he felt absolutely exhausted.
"But what exactly are you?"
Rize knelt on the bed, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity. During her feeding, she had once again been shocked by Hayashi's regeneration. Even among the ghouls she knew, none possessed such an exaggerated healing ability.
Such speed of regeneration — did it even belong to the category of humans? No, not even ghouls could reach this level. Then what was he?
"I really am human, born and raised. I just happen to have better physical qualities."
Hayashi shook his head helplessly, unsure how to explain. After all, he couldn't just say he was an otherworldly soul who crossed into this world and obtained a system. This wasn't a novel or a movie — who would believe such a thing?
"Forget it. Asking you won't get me anywhere..."
Seeing there was no point, Rize didn't press further. She lifted her head, her eyes sharp and serious.
"You're a CCG investigator. Your duty is to exterminate ghouls. We are supposed to be enemies. But why have you spared me multiple times? What exactly are you thinking?"
Hayashi fell silent for a long while before slowly speaking:
"It's all because..."
Hearing this, Rize swallowed nervously, her attention focused.
"Because I like you!"
"From the moment I first saw you, I fell in love at first sight."
His words were filled with sincerity, his eyes as clear as a student's.
"There's no other reason, really!"
Rize blinked in surprise, her expression frozen with confusion, as if turned to stone.She had imagined countless possibilities—even that he wanted to use her to bargain with the Washuu clan.But she had never expected such a shallow reason?
Was it really just because he liked her, just desire?Would an investigator really risk his life to save a ghoul for such a ridiculous reason?
For a moment, Rize didn't know what to say.
"But do you realize what saving me means?"
After a long silence, Rize decided to reveal the truth. She needed to tell this young investigator the secret of the CCG.
If Hayashi knew the Washuu Clan controlling the CCG were ghouls themselves, and that they were hunting her, he would likely hand her over or avoid getting involved.
At the very least, it might give him a chance to live.
Taking a deep breath, Rize was just about to speak—
"I know. It means I'm going against the entire Washuu Clan."
Hayashi nodded calmly.
"Huh?"
Rize was dumbfounded. How could this be? How could a mere investigator know such a secret?
"The Washuu Clan being ghouls — I've known for a while."
Hayashi waved his hand casually, looking calm and natural.
"Don't worry. I won't betray you or hand you over to them."
"But aren't you afraid they'll kill you if you oppose them?"
Rize stared at him in disbelief. After all, the CCG belonged to the Washuu. Quinque were their invention. Even if he were a Special Class Investigator, they could dispose of him as easily as trash.
So where did his confidence come from to say such things?
"Kill me?"
A faint smile curved Hayashi's lips. What was the Washuu clan compared to him?
He held the power of the Twelve Talismans — power that originated from Shendu, the mythical dragon, a godlike existence.
The Washuu clan? They were nothing.If they ever discovered him, he would simply kill them all. One by one, pair by pair—exterminate the Washuu clan entirely, and the problem would be solved at the root.
Thinking this, Hayashi remained calm, even disdainful.
"If the Washuu want to try, let them come."
At those words, staring at the white-haired, red-eyed youth before her, Rize froze.
Only now did she realize she had vastly underestimated him. What he had shown so far was likely just the tip of the iceberg.
But who was he, really?
Rize's curiosity about his identity deepened. Yet, alongside that curiosity, a strange admiration grew in her heart.
Every woman loves strong men, and someone like Rize—a strong woman herself—even more so. But until now, she hadn't met many stronger than her.
With Hayashi, she felt an unprecedented pressure—and a sense of security. Only by staying near him could she truly relax.
"I see..."
She lowered her head, whispering softly.
"But you can't go home for now. Your original place is too dangerous, it might be under surveillance. I'll find a safe place for you to live as soon as I can. Until then, you'll have to stay with me."
Hearing this, Hayashi sank into thought. The steel beam incident must have drawn attention—perhaps even Aogiri Tree had noticed.
Which meant that future enemies could include them as well. He might even end up fighting Tatara or Eto.
Too troublesome... he'd just deal with it step by step. If needed, he'd simply crush them all. Easy and simple.
With that in mind, Hayashi felt more at ease.
But just then, a faint fragrance wafted toward him.
"Hayashi, earlier you said you liked me, right?"
Rize's slender hands wrapped around his neck from behind, her voice soft and sultry.
"Yeah, I did say that."
Hayashi swallowed, suddenly tense.
"Then I have something to trouble you with."
Rize giggled, her voice like silver bells, sweet and tempting.
"I've always been curious about the physiology of humans and ghouls. I've heard that when a human and a ghoul mate, the child becomes a one-eyed ghoul. Of course, that's just a rumor... but I've always been curious~"
"Oh right, Hayashi, you're human, aren't you?"
She paused, smiling.
"Uh..."
Hayashi had a bad feeling.
"In that case~"
Rize leaned closer, gently nibbling his ear.
"Why don't we test it out? Let's see what happens when a ghoul and a human reproduce..."