[Host: Fushimi Kyo
Age: 17
Skills: Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu Sword Techniques (Lv1+)
Body: Initial Physical Enhancement Complete (Lv1+)
Inventory: Japanese Katana (1)
Evolution Points: 35
Available Enhancement Paths:
Body: Physical Enhancement (Upgrade to Lv2 costs 10 Evolution Points. Proceed? Yes / No)
Skill: Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu Sword Techniques (Upgrade to Lv2 costs 20 Evolution Points. Proceed? Yes / No)]
Staring at the virtual panel before him, Fushimi Kyo didn't hesitate in the slightest.
He chose to enhance both his body and his skills at the same time.
Almost instantly, the panel blurred.
The number in the Evolution Points column dropped from 35 to 5.
At the same moment, Kyo's body underwent earth-shattering changes.
His heartbeat thundered like a war drum, each pulse sending waves of shock through his skull.
Veins bulged violently across his body.
A strange, surging energy erupted within him, rushing through his limbs and organs.
Bathed in that power, his internal organs grew increasingly resilient and tough.
But it didn't stop there.
His already strengthened muscles expanded once more then were forcefully compressed by the energy, refining his physique until every muscle line appeared perfectly sculpted.
Most importantly
Deep within Kyo's body, an immense reservoir of vitality condensed.
If injured, this life force would rapidly repair his wounds.
After more than ten minutes, the second stage of physical enhancement was complete.
Kyo glanced down at his lean, powerful upper body and couldn't help but grin.
At the same time, he felt his understanding of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu deepen dramatically.
Whether it was attack speed, timing, or technique, everything had advanced by more than one level.
"After this evolution…"
"With my current strength, even if I run into an S-rank ghoul, I shouldn't be afraid anymore."
The next morning, Kyo walked along the street.
A giant screen mounted on a commercial building was broadcasting the news:
"Early this morning, multiple unidentified corpses were discovered inside Aqua Tower in the 20th Ward. Substances suspected to be ghoul saliva were found at the scene. The perpetrator is preliminarily identified as a ghoul. Citizens are advised to "
Hearing this all-too-familiar report, Kyo's expression shifted slightly.
"So she's already here…"
"Rize Kamishiro really has entered the 20th Ward."
"She's an extremely dangerous woman."
Having watched the anime, Kyo knew exactly who had caused that massacre.
"Hey, good morning, Kyo!"
Just as he was lost in thought, a pleasant female voice came from behind.
Kyo turned around and saw Touka Kirishima walking toward him, dressed in a fitted blazer and skirt.
"Morning, Touka," Kyo greeted.
As he spoke, his nose twitched slightly.
"That's strange… still no scent at all."
"They're both ghouls so what's the difference?"
"Is it because she doesn't hunt humans?"
"But she still eats human flesh…"
When Touka came closer and noticed Kyo staring at her, she felt uncomfortable.
"Kyo… why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh sorry!"
"You just look really beautiful today. I zoned out for a moment."
Kyo lied smoothly.
"Y-You…"
Touka's face flushed instantly.
This was the first time a boy her age had ever told her she looked pretty.
Despite her usual rough-and-tumble personality and occasional violent tendencies Touka often became flustered when dealing with human friends.
"…Huh?"
Kyo stared at her in disbelief.
He never imagined that the Touka in his memories, the one who violently force-fed Kaneki human flesh could be this shy.
"Let's go," Touka said quickly, changing the subject.
"We're going to be late."
The two walked side by side toward school.
"Sigh… this world is really dangerous," Kyo said softly.
"So many people died again last night."
Touka's body stiffened for an instant before she forced herself to relax.
Kyo noticed the subtle reaction immediately.
"Yes…" Touka replied.
"Ghouls really are dangerous creatures."
"Kyo," she asked casually though her heart was pounding,
"What do you think about ghouls?"
Kyo glanced at her and remained silent for a moment before answering.
"The news says a ghoul can survive for one or two months after eating a single human body."
"I don't understand why the ghoul responsible for last night's massacre would do something like that."
"Judging from her actions, she was no different from a wild beast."
"If all ghouls are like that…"
"They should be exterminated completely."
A chilling killing intent radiated from Kyo as he spoke.
That morning, he had once again awakened from the nightmare.
And he could clearly feel it
His desire to kill ghouls who hunted humans was growing stronger by the day.
Touka's eyes filled with panic.
She hurriedly said, "Not all ghouls are like that! Some of them are very kind; they don't hunt humans at all!"
"Oh?" Kyo asked, feigning ignorance.
"How do you know that, Touka?"
This was a deliberate test.
He wanted to know whether Anteiku in this world truly followed the same principles as in the original story.
"Crap!"
Touka realized she had misspoken in her panic.
Revealing flaws in front of humans was extremely dangerous.
She quickly tried to cover it up.
"Well, think about it! Even among humans, there are good people and bad people."
"Since ghouls are just as intelligent as humans, there must be some who are gentle and friendly toward them!"
"Hahaha good point," Kyo said, nodding in agreement.
Only then did Touka finally let out a sigh of relief.
At that moment
A beautiful figure approached them from the opposite direction.
Kyo's pupils shrank slightly the instant he saw her.