"Alright. Thank you, Byakuya-senpai."
Hairu's smile was sweet, her voice even sweeter.
Yet with that same sweet smile, she gripped her Quinque and delivered the final blow to the half-kakuja ghoul.
A spray of blood splashed across Hairu's face, but she paid it no mind.
She wasn't done yet—several other ghouls remained.
"Byakuya-senpai, leave the rest of these to me too."
"Mm. Don't let your guard down."
Byakuya reminded her.
Seeing Hairu's smile only made those ghouls feel a chill run down their spines.
With their boss already dead, staying here meant certain death. They immediately scattered in panicked flight.
"Stop them!"
Hairu barked orders to her squad members while dual-wielding her Quinques—the longsword-type Aus in one hand and the cannon-type T-Human in the other.
Like a warrior entering musou mode, she cut through the ghouls.
...
Before long, all the S and A-rated ghouls had fallen to Hairu's blade.
In another location, Roma and Uta had also helped Byakuya eliminate a batch of this faction's allies.
The force that had been sent was entirely elite—multiple S-rated ghouls with all others being A-rated, led by an SS-rated half-kakuja.
Ihei Squad had handled half of them. The other half had been dealt with by Roma and Uta.
No matter how elite they were, S-rated ghouls stood no chance against SSS-rated Roma and SS-rated Uta.
"You... you're the MC and auctioneer! Why are you helping the 'Doves' against us?!"
In an area the investigators hadn't yet searched, over a dozen ghouls lay dead or wounded. The few survivors faced Roma and Uta, who had attacked them, with furious indignation.
"Please don't misunderstand. We're not helping the 'Doves.' We're just looking out for ourselves."
Uta spread his hands helplessly.
"You can only blame yourselves for offending Byakuya-sama. Regret it in your next life~"
Roma smirked mockingly.
As she finished speaking, multiple sharp rinkaku kagune erupted from the ground beneath her feet, piercing through the remaining ghouls' bodies.
"Ah, finally done. We can leave now, right?"
Roma stretched lazily. "This really wasn't much fun. Nearly got myself killed."
"It worked out fine in the end. After all, your Byakuya-sama is quite lenient."
Uta smiled faintly.
Roma and Uta then slipped away from the auction building without a trace. The investigators stationed outside never even noticed them...
...
Matsumae and Kanae hadn't been idle either. They had secretly helped Byakuya eliminate several ghouls who had slipped through the cracks.
Finally, they encountered Mirumo Tsukiyama on the building's rooftop.
"I thought I saw you two earlier. So you were also at this auction."
Mirumo spoke first.
"Master, we're here on our master's orders."
Kanae immediately bowed to Mirumo and answered honestly.
Mirumo waved his hand dismissively. "No need for that. You work for Director Amaha now. Being so formal with me is rather inappropriate."
"But..."
Kanae felt uncomfortable with the change.
After all, she had served this master for so many years.
"There's no 'but.' You should head back soon. I'll be taking my leave."
Mirumo continued, "If there's an opportunity, please invite Director Amaha to visit our home sometime."
"Understood."
Kanae nodded.
Mirumo then turned and disappeared into a hidden passage.
The passage led outside without detection by investigators.
...
"Byakuya-senpai, the mission is complete. Can we head back now?"
By this point, Hairu had already returned both Quinques to their cases.
"Mm. Nothing else to do here."
Byakuya nodded.
"But you were a bit reckless earlier. Is your body okay?"
Byakuya asked.
He was referring to Hairu using two Quinques simultaneously.
Every investigator knew that dual-wielding Quinques placed enormous strain on the body. Even Special Class investigators, save for Arima, didn't attempt it.
"I'm fine. Just a bit tired at most."
Hairu shook her head slightly. "Thank you for your concern, Byakuya-senpai."
"Good then."
Byakuya said nothing more.
It was likely that absorbing the Dragon toxin earlier had elevated Hairu's already-superhuman physical capabilities to another level.
Meanwhile, Mutsuki watched Byakuya and Hairu chatting and laughing from behind. She couldn't help but feel something stirring inside her.
She suddenly recalled how Yonebayashi and Shirazu had privately discussed the relationship between Director Amaha and First Class Ihei.
They were apparently... already dating...?
Though her curiosity grew, Mutsuki didn't dare ask. It was Director Amaha's private matter, after all.
How nice...
Ihei-senpai was so beautiful and so capable—able to hold her own against an SS-rated ghoul. Unlike herself, who could barely handle a B-rated...
Mutsuki thought that Director Amaha surely preferred girls like Ihei-senpai...
Her expression became increasingly pensive.
Byakuya noticed the look on Mutsuki's face and asked, "Is something wrong, Rank 3 Mutsuki?"
"No! It's nothing..."
Mutsuki hastily shook her head, too embarrassed to voice what she was thinking.
"If you're worried about something, Tooru, you can just say it. If there's anything Byakuya-senpai or I can do to help, we will."
Hairu smiled warmly at Mutsuki.
"Mm..."
Mutsuki nodded, feeling somewhat guilty.
Ihei-senpai was so kind and considerate—it only made her feel she had even less of a chance...
...
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