NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: 24th Ward
"Is it really that exaggerated? Maybe I just have a natural talent for this?"
Eto smoothly brushed off the topic.
Her works were indeed influenced by her own experiences, but there was no way she could let anyone know about them.
"True, Miss Takatsuki is undoubtedly a genius"
Byakuya did not question further but agreed instead.
"See you tomorrow... Oh wait, I have something to attend to tomorrow, so perhaps in a few days"
After saying goodbye, Eto left.
It sounded like a casual remark, but it piqued Byakuya's curiosity.
If Eto mentioned being busy for the next few days, it was certain that she had some plan in motion as her alias, the One-Eyed Owl...
However, Byakuya couldn't fully predict what she'd be doing, especially since this timeline takes place ten years before the events of the original series, and not much is known about this period.
...
[Ding! The host has completed the daily check-in and received 1 attribute point!]
[Ding! The host has checked in for seven consecutive days and received a bonus of 5 attribute points!/
Today, Byakuya reported back to the CCG branch.
"It seems that there are no issues with Investigator Byakuya, so let's have him officially rejoin the team today"
Captain Sakai confirmed that Byakuya was officially back on duty.
"Captain Sakai, are there any recent missions involving the 24th Ward?"
At that moment, Byakuya asked Sakai.
He speculated that the One-Eyed Owl, Eto Yoshimura, might be acting in the 24th Ward. Eto had emerged from the 24th Ward and later founded the organization known as Aogiri Tree, which would eventually establish its base there and become its ruler.
"The 24th Ward? Yes, actually. Recently, headquarters has been gathering personnel from various branches to form an investigation squad tasked with exploring the 24th Ward" Sakai said.
"But what do you plan to do? The 24th Ward is a highly dangerous and chaotic region, shrouded in mystery. It's said that the One-Eyed Owl hails from there."
"Which investigators have already joined this squad?"
Byakuya pressed for more details.
"I'm not sure about everyone, but I know there's one Special Class and one Associate Special Class Investigator: Special Class Investigator Marude and Associate Special Class Investigator Kasuka" Sakai responded.
The fact that the squad included a Special Class and an Associate Special Class Investigator reflected just how perilous the 24th Ward was and how seriously the CCG regarded it.
Kasuka, the Associate Special Class Investigator, was none other than Kasuka Mado, recognized as the most powerful female investigator within the CCG at present. She had reached Associate Special Class at just 28 years old.
However, in the original story, her fate was tragic...
"I would like to apply to join the 24th Ward investigation squad"
Byakuya said decisively.
He was now certain that Eto would be acting in the 24th Ward in the coming days.
His goal in joining the squad was not to seek Eto, but to prevent a series of impending tragedies.
Byakuya knew what would happen: the investigation squad, while deep within the 24th Ward, would encounter the One-Eyed Owl. When they found themselves outmatched, Marude would order a full retreat, leaving behind Kasuka, the squad's strongest member.
The rank of an investigator did not solely reflect combat ability but also achievements. Thus, Marude's strength did not surpass Kasuka's, who would have eventually reached Special Class if not for her demise.
When the squad returned, they discovered Kasuka's body, horribly mutilated by the One-Eyed Owl.
Worse, her husband, Kureo Mado, was part of that team. Witnessing his wife's death broke him mentally, leading to a pathological obsession with avenging her and a violent hatred toward ghouls, even showing extreme cruelty to those with kind dispositions.
In the original series, tragedies such as those of Arata Kirishima, Touka Kirishima, and Hinami Fueguchi's parents stemmed directly from Kureo's actions.
Yet, Kureo's madness began with the brutal death of his wife at the hands of the One-Eyed Owl. No husband could bear such a loss.
Thus, Byakuya intended to intervene and prevent this chain of tragic events from the start.
[Ding! The host has applied to join the 24th Ward investigation squad, activating the hidden quest "24th Ward Investigation Squad"!]
[Quest 1: Successfully join the squad and proceed to the 24th Ward.]
[Quest Reward: 10 attribute points.]
The activation of this hidden quest only strengthened Byakuya's resolve.
"You're serious about joining that squad? Think it over carefully. Previous expeditions to the 24th Ward have ended with heavy casualties and little to show for it. The place is basically a nest for ghouls—no humans live there" Sakai cautioned.
He saw potential in Byakuya and didn't want him to meet an untimely end before realizing it.
The 24th Ward was too dangerous, not suitable for someone like Byakuya, who was only a Second-Class Investigator.
Although Sakai knew Byakuya's real strength exceeded that of a Second-Class Investigator, his rank only entitled him to a B rated quinque. A quinque's rated was crucial, as it significantly impacted an investigator's combat capabilities.
"I've made up my mind" Byakuya said firmly.
"Alright then, be careful. Stick close to Kasuka, the squad's strongest member"
Sakai emphasized.
Little did he know, the enemy awaiting the squad in the 24th Ward would be the One-Eyed Owl, an opponent even Kasuka couldn't defeat...
"Understood..."
Byakuya nodded, saying no more.
"I'll submit your application shortly. If all goes well, you should hear back by the end of today or tomorrow. Given that assembling a full squad for the 24th Ward is tough due to its dangers, your application will likely be approved"
Sakai assured him.
"Thank you, Captain Sakai"
Byakuya said.
...
As expected, by the afternoon, Byakuya received news that his application had been approved.
He had now been temporarily transferred from Sakai's squad to the 24th Ward investigation squad, with Special Class Investigator Itsuki Marude and Associate Special Class Investigator Kasuka Mado as his superiors.
Byakuya was required to report to the 23rd Ward, where the squad was assembling, ready to move into the 24th Ward once all members were accounted for.