Ward 13, the top floor of an abandoned construction site.
A figure wearing a pumpkin-head lantern, and a man wearing only a mask.
"Damn Pumpkin Head, the 'Doves' Ghoul Investigators appearing in Ward 13 recently seem to be increasing. It is all because you all eat without restraint."
This masked, burly man was precisely Ward 13's [Jason].
"It is not only those investigators we need to be wary of. There is also a student..."
[Pumpkin Head] said in a low voice.
"...A student? Just some brat who has not even grown his hair yet. What is there to be afraid of?"
[Jason] did not take it seriously at all.
"It is different. He is not an ordinary brat. [The Barber] was killed by him."
[Pumpkin Head] said.
"What?! [The Barber] actually..."
[Jason] was immediately incredulous.
In Ward 13, the larger forces were himself, [Pumpkin Head], and [The Barber]. No matter what, [The Barber] was still an A-rated ghoul. He was actually killed by a brat?
[Pumpkin Head] continued, "Although that idiot's own factors played a part, that brat is indeed not someone to be trifled with. He has a Ghoul Investigator's weapon in his hand. You should know what that means, right...?"
"A Ghoul Investigator's weapon...?"
[Jason] was once again surprised.
But he immediately snorted with disdain. "Hmph. So what if he is a Ghoul Investigator? I will eat him all the same. At most, he is just a brat holding a toy and making noise."
"..."
[Pumpkin Head] remained silent.
However, [Jason] did not notice the strangeness within this at all.
...
The agreed day arrived.
Ihei Byakuya and Minami Reika arrived at the abandoned construction site as if they were taking a stroll.
[Jason] was hiding behind a certain pillar.
He judged through scent and footsteps.
When the targets approached to a certain distance, [Jason] immediately rushed out from behind the pillar.
Originally, what he had agreed upon with [Pumpkin Head] was that [Pumpkin Head] would lure that student here, then he, lying in ambush in secret, would seize the right timing to launch a surprise attack, while [Pumpkin Head] would strike from the front and rear.
In his view, that brat would definitely die.
He was completely unaware that he had been calculated against from the very beginning.
The massive [Jason], Yamori, was wearing a proper black suit. His eyes turned into red Kakugan as he threw a punch toward Ihei Byakuya, who seemed not to have reacted yet.
However, what Yamori never expected was that the other party not only reacted instantly, but even directly used his fist to clash head-on with him.
This damn brat is looking down on me?
Yamori's gaze suddenly became even more ferocious. He could already foresee that in the next moment, the brat's hand bones would twist into a horrible shape.
However...
Crack.
As the sound of space shattering suddenly rang out, a terrifying energy instantly erupted. Yamori, who bore the full force, was immediately sent flying, smashing through several pillars before hitting the ground.
The situation he had originally anticipated did not occur. On the contrary, it was his own fist whose five fingers were completely shattered by the shock.
Yamori was unable to move for a moment and struggled to release his Kagune.
Compared to [The Barber], [Jason]'s body was much stronger, and he did not immediately lose his combat ability.
Yamori barely lifted his head, only to discover that [Pumpkin Head], in human appearance, was still standing there without moving.
That cute girl wearing a school uniform was actually [Pumpkin Head]'s true appearance. This was the first time Yamori had seen her true face.
But at this moment, how could he care about such a thing. He hurriedly urged [Pumpkin Head], "Damn Pumpkin Head! Why are you not making your move yet?!"
Yamori clearly had still not fully understood his situation.
At this time, Ihei Byakuya took the Quinque out of his bag. After unlocking it, it immediately transformed into a tachi form.
Yamori immediately released his Rinkaku to try to defend.
But after being injured, Yamori's speed was not enough in front of Byakuya.
[Jason]'s Rinkaku was not very long to begin with. The defensive line he constructed with his Rinkaku was easily broken through by Byakuya.
Ihei Byakuya held the tachi and slashed upward. A huge wound was cut open across Yamori's jaw.
Immediately after, Byakuya's other palm pressed against the end of the hilt and exerted force. The tip of the tachi pierced through Yamori's throat, pinning him to the pillar behind him.
"Gahhhhhh!"
Yamori struggled desperately, his Kagune attacking wildly.
However, Ihei Byakuya's hand was already pressed against [Jason]'s abdomen, wrapped in a mass of white light.
Boom!!
The power of an earthquake burst forth. [Jason]'s expression instantly twisted, and countless cracks immediately appeared in the pillar behind him.
Those cracks even spread to the ceiling above and the ground below. The entire abandoned building began to teeter on the verge of collapse.
Ihei Byakuya's strength had grown stronger again, because he had completed his stat allocation before coming.
Previously, his Strength value was 33; this time, he had further increased it.