Chapter 30: Geheros Organ
After Roland broke through the encirclement of the 'Bronze Tree' adventure group, someone quickly caught up with him.
Quietly releasing the eye of ishu, he looked through the connected eyepiece and discovered a group of people in black tactical armor, always maintaining a set distance from him.
With some suspicions in mind, Roland continued to run forward. As he passed an intersection, a bullet struck from a distance, instantly sinking into the ground to his right with a muffled thud.
Roland understood immediately and turned toward his right hand side.
For the rest of the journey, bullets would guide his direction from time to time. Before long, he passed through a semi-collapsed building and entered an underground space.
"Show yourselves and meet me, everyone!"
In the darkness, Roland spoke in a clear, loud voice.
A beam of light appeared. Walking toward it, he discovered an elevator hidden between two pillars.
As Roland approached, the alloy elevator doors opened to either side. Once inside, several hidden laser beams scanned his body back and forth.
When the elevator doors opened again, he was greeted by the group of black-armored soldiers who had been following him.
"Welcome to the Geheros Organ, the only remaining human sanctuary in this island nation!"
The leading man stepped forward and extended his right hand toward Roland.
Roland raised his left hand to shake it. Looking around at the pure white environment, he couldn't help but ask:
"Even though it's underground, you aren't far from the Ghouls' base. Isn't it dangerous for a sanctuary?"
The man chuckled and replied:
"They won't come near this place. After all, they don't want to wake up from that beautiful dream."
The man took off his helmet, revealing the face of a middle-aged man.
"Let me introduce myself. I am Arima Kishou, the person in charge of this Geheros Organ."
Roland tilted his head, remained silent for a long while, and then said:
"Forgive my bluntness, but your appearance is quite different from the 'Arima Kishou' in my memory."
'Arima Kishou' gave a bitter smile and didn't deny it:
"To be precise, we are indeed two different people!"
He showed the back of his head, which was embedded with machinery, to Roland and explained:
"This brain-computer stores the digitized memories of 'Arima Kishou'. I am indeed not that White Reaper, but I possess all his memories from birth to death."
Roland nodded, indicating he understood the situation. Changing the subject, he asked again:
"You just said they won't come near here, and mentioned that 'beautiful dream'. Do you mind elaborating on that?"
'Arima Kishou' gestured for them to talk while walking:
"It's literally what it sounds like. Rize Kamishiro, Kanou Minhiko, and... Kaneki Ken. These individuals have collectively woven a beautiful dream for all Ghouls."
Using the rc cells in their bodies as a medium, the Ghouls were all dragged into it. Once they accept that illusory beauty and become obsessed with it, they become new weavers, making the dream increasingly unbreakable."
"Sounds like mass hysteria."
Roland said.
'Arima Kishou' nodded, agreeing with his view:
"You can understand it that way, except this mass hysteria has undergone a terrifying mutation within the biology of Ghouls."
A few children chasing and playing suddenly rushed out from the narrow corridor ahead. One of the girls accidentally bumped headfirst into Roland's thigh.
She looked up with watery eyes, staring unblinkingly at the handsome person before her, her little face gradually turning red.
"Ha! I think I understand a bit why those Ghouls don't dare come near here! Geheros... Big Clock... I assume you have some means of making Ghouls within a certain range wake up from this mass hysteria."
With a smile, Roland patted the girl's head, took out the box of Fruit Fried Rice, stuffed it into her hands, and sent her back to her companions.
'Arima Kishou' continued to lead him deeper:
"You should more or less understand the biological structure of Ghouls. The higher the concentration of rc cells in their bodies, the stronger their combat power, and naturally, the stronger the effect of the 'hysteria' they experience."
Furthermore, if a large number of Ghouls occupy an area for a long time, it's as if the region generates a special field, intensifying the 'hysteria' of Ghouls in that area.
So, our machines aren't as powerful as you think; they can only barely manage to protect us from being attacked by Ghouls."
"Even so, it's already very impressive!"
Roland praised sincerely, then asked another question he was concerned about:
"So, why did you provide help to me while I was being besieged by Ghouls?"
'Arima Kishou' replied quickly in a matter-of-fact tone:
"Life is incredibly precious! Especially for the humans who have survived on this land until now! As a fellow human, I couldn't just stand by and watch you die at the hands of those Ghouls!"
Roland kept smiling and didn't follow up, simply gazing at 'Arima Kishou's' profile.
*Cough, cough!*
'Arima Kishou' coughed twice and immediately added:
"Of course, if possible, we at the Geheros Organ also hope to receive your help. Rest assured, we will pay you a reward that will satisfy you!"
Roland didn't answer the question directly, but asked again:
"Having survived in this hellhole for so long, besides the 'Big Clock', you must have other means to resist Ghouls, right?"
'Arima Kishou' seemed to see through his thoughts and spoke plainly:
"Before the chaos caused by 'hysteria' went completely out of control, CCG researchers had two technological breakthroughs. One is the 'Big Clock' you mentioned, which is the core of this Geheros Organ."
The other is the 'New Quinque Armament'. This is a type of weapon that requires extracting human life force as energy. Its power is astonishing, especially in battles against Ghouls where its attack power is particularly formidable."
Roland's eyes lit up, and he quickly followed up:
"How much stock do you have of these 'New Quinque Armaments' you mentioned?"
'Arima Kishou' deliberated for a moment before finally telling the truth:
"Before the fall of CCG, all finished and semi-finished products were transferred to the interior of the Geheros Organ. After all these years of use, there should be about three or four hundred sets left in stock. If you need one, we can provide you with a suit."
Roland shook his head gently and said with a smile:
"You've misunderstood! I don't just want one 'New Quinque Armament'. Rather, without affecting your own use, can we discuss handing over most of the stock to me?"
'Arima Kishou' was shocked by his lion-like appetite. Just as he was about to refuse, he heard the man before him say:
"As for what you want me to do, I can roughly guess. It's nothing more than solving your current survival predicament!"
After everything you've said, I understand where the source of the problem lies! Give these weapons to me! I'll go and kill those three guys for you: Rize Kamishiro, Kanou Minhiko, and Kaneki Ken!"