If it were before, Lancer would probably be jumping for joy to get the position of Associate Special Class, right? But now, he has come to terms with it. Whatever position he gets is only to complete his plan.
However, what he didn't expect was that he received a special 'gift' after becoming an Associate Special Class Investigator.
"Is this the legendary 'Arata' series armor?"
The essence of Quinque is to allow ordinary people to use the Ghoul's Kakuhou through special means, but the most special among them is the 'armor'. It can be said that 'Quinque' gave ordinary people the opportunity to kill Ghouls, but humans were still incredibly vulnerable to Ghoul attacks. Even a Special Class Investigator could be killed by an ordinary Ghoul if they were not careful, as the characteristic of 'Kagune' is possessed by all Ghouls.
However, the appearance of 'Armor-type Quinque' changed this. Using the armor's defensive power, Investigators could also confront Ghouls head-on in battle.
"This set of the 'Arata' series armor is rare due to the scarcity of raw materials, so there are only a few sets. Therefore, I hope Associate Special Class Lancer can make good use of it."
The smile on Yoshitoki Washuu's face made Lancer feel incredibly… strange?
Yes, strange. He was a man who had seen the world, and he had some recognition of the most basic facial expressions like a 'fake smile', but he didn't know what was going on, because this equipment was indeed a good thing. In the 'original worldline', Yukinori Shinohara and Iwao Kuroiwa relied on the 'Arata Series Armor' to directly confront 'Eto Yoshimura' head-on, and finally almost killed the Manager.
"I will make good use of it."
Whether this was a sugar-coated bullet or not, even if it was, he would choose to eat the sugar coating and throw the bullet back, so he accepted it directly.
Seeing Lancer accept it, the opponent also smiled and introduced some of the armor's shortcomings to Lancer. For example, in order to maximize the armor's defensive capabilities, the characteristics of the Kakuhou were not completely removed, so this armor could not be used for too long.
After the opponent finished speaking, he patted Lancer shoulder with a smile on his face, looking like an ordinary senior who was full of expectations for his junior.
— — — — — —
After the party ended, Lancer also specially went to the training ground to try on this so-called 'Arata Series Armor', and the feeling it gave him was a bit strange.
Unlike the cold feeling of normal armor, when he put on this armor, he could even feel the 'blood' flowing in the armor, as if the armor itself was a living thing. But besides that, there was no other special feeling. According to the introduction, the defensive capability was no less inferior to an SS-rated Ghoul, and it could even be further strengthened by fully releasing it when needed.
It can be said that after losing the enhancement of the 'Heroic Spirit Template', his armor called 'Ghost' was not as useful as this set now, because this armor could automatically regenerate as long as it was given enough flesh and blood.
'It's simply perfect for the current me.'
Originally, Lancer didn't expect to gain anything when he returned to this world; he simply hoped to fulfill the vow he had made. But he received such a pleasant surprise, so how could he not be happy?
"Lancer!"
And just at this moment, a shout suddenly came from behind, and Lancer saw Koutarou Amon wearing plain clothes.
Speaking of which, the two of them hadn't met for a while, but this was unavoidable. After all, as one of the leaders among the younger generation of Investigators within the CCG, his workload was very heavy. By the way, although Lancer seemed to often slack off, his subjugation numbers were among the top, so naturally, no one would speak ill of Lancer.
"Have you finished your mission?"
"Yes, it's a pity that I didn't come to drink with you when you got promoted today."
"Haha~ that's really a shame. After all, in public, I won't need to salute you anymore, but I missed a good opportunity~"
Facing Lancer teasing, Koutarou Amon just smiled and waved his hand.
Then he showed a serious expression.
"Lancer, have you seen Mr. Mado?"
Lancer only shook his head in response. Lancer hadn't seen him when the meeting was held before. Lancer originally thought that the other party, like other Special Class Investigators, did not attend the meeting, but when the other party was also absent during the evening banquet, it was indeed a bit strange.
"Mr. Mado isn't here with you either? Then there is only one answer left…"
Before Koutarou Amon could finish his sentence, Lancer roughly guessed what he was going to say, but it was precisely because of this that his expression became extremely serious.
"'The Owl', the inner demon that has always been around Mr. Mado's heart, is finally going to be subjugated by our own hands…"
Undoubtedly, Kureo Mado must be making his final equipment adjustments now, just to be in the best condition for the subsequent battle with 'The Owl'. Perhaps some people might have some thoughts when their most respected senior did not attend their promotion banquet, but neither Lancer nor Koutarou Amon would overthink it, because they knew this was the Kureo Mado they knew.
While Lancer and Koutarou Amon were chatting, his emergency communicator rang, but when he connected it with some nervousness, a smile appeared on his face.
"What's wrong?"
"My dedicated Quinque is finally finished!"
Lancer did not expect Dr. Kimi Uikanae to be so efficient, actually completing his Quinque before the start of the 'Aogiri Tree Subjugation Battle'.
Koutarou Amon on the other side was naturally happy for Lancer. Although he didn't know what was going on with Lancer red long spear, according to Koutarou Amon's observation, it was not a Quinque. Although he didn't know what kind of weapon it was, there was no doubt in his eyes that 'Quinque' was naturally more useful for dealing with Ghouls.
"Want to go take a look with me?"
Koutarou Amon glanced at his watch. It was only 9 o'clock now, and the subjugation battle would start early tomorrow morning. After the two of them made a round trip, there would be enough time to rest…
"No problem."
— — — — — —
On the other side, in the personal laboratory of the CCG headquarters, Kureo Mado looked solemnly at the Quinque in his hand, while Akira Mado also stood beside him with a serious expression.
Undoubtedly, since Lancer and Koutarou Amon could guess the answer, how could Akira Mado, who had the same obsession with the opponent, not guess it?
The father and daughter stood in front of the experimental bench in silence. They both knew what tomorrow represented.
But just at this moment —
"Akira, tomorrow you… be careful."
Kureo Mado, who originally wanted to continue giving instructions, stopped talking after turning around and seeing Akira Mado's face, and then froze for a moment.
'Time flies so fast. Akira has grown up from that little girl. Kasuka… did you… see it? She is already just like you were before…'
Undoubtedly, in Kureo Mado's eyes at this time, his daughter was no longer the little girl he needed to nag, but an excellent Investigator just like his former wife.
After realizing Akira Mado's growth, the expression in his eyes became even more determined…