Chapter 103: Empty Hands, White Wolf? Dream On

Other duties? Su Xiao frowned; if Kazuki Washinomiya reached out to him voluntarily, it was never a good sign.

“Director, the situation at the entrance of District 24 is critical—I can’t leave right now.”

Su Xiao’s refusal made Kazuki Washinomiya’s expression darken.

"White Night, Provisional Special Class, I hereby appoint you captain of the reinforcement squad, leading thirty investigators to support Special Class Arima. Arima is currently deep within District 24 and requires immediate backup."

Su Xiao’s expression changed instantly.

If this were before he completed his main quest (2), he’d have no choice but to obey CCG’s orders—but now, he could complete main quest (2) at any moment.

As for main quest (3), it’s likely a confrontation task; even if he were expelled from CCG, main quest (3) wouldn’t fail—confrontation tasks simply require eliminating one side.

And once he was expelled from the CCG, the number of CCG-aligned contract holders would drop to zero—then what kind of damn confrontation task could even be enforced?

Putting it all together, it meant Su Xiao was no longer bound by CCG.

If CCG’s orders offered him benefits, he might comply—but orders that were clearly burdensome and offered no reward, he’d never follow.

“Director Washinomiya, I’m afraid my abilities are insufficient—I’m not qualified to lead this squad. I deeply regret disappointing your trust.”

Su Xiao’s meaning was clear: too dangerous, and CCG was trying to get something for nothing—he wasn’t going.

There wasn’t even a hint from the Lunhuileyuan —Kazuki Washinomiya clearly intended to exploit him freely.

“White Night, are you refusing a direct order?”

Kazuki Washinomiya’s voice turned icy.

“Director Washinomiya, there’s a saying in my hometown I don’t know if you’ve heard: when generals are on campaign, they may disregard imperial edicts. The situation at the entrance of District 24 is extremely dangerous—if I withdraw, ghouls may break out into the civilian zones, posing a massive threat to ordinary people. As a ghoul investigator, I won’t allow that to happen.”

Su Xiao’s words were righteous, brimming with moral conviction.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t his true intent—this speech was meant for Kazuki Washinomiya, and also for the dozen or so investigators standing nearby.

If, after this, Kazuki Washinomiya still forcibly recalled Su Xiao, it would leave a lasting impression among these investigators: that CCG didn’t care about civilian lives.

What does CCG use to win loyalty? Protecting civilian safety.

Kazuki Washinomiya held high rank and power, but he couldn’t say civilians’ lives didn’t matter—that would shatter the investigators’ faith.

This massive, righteous hat of “protecting civilians” landed squarely on Kazuki Washinomiya’s head—and it hurt.

Even more shameless, Su Xiao had turned on speakerphone, claiming “the signal’s bad.”

Kazuki Washinomiya noticed the hollow echo in the call and guessed Su Xiao had activated speaker mode.

“White Night, I understand your concerns. I’ve already dispatched personnel to replace your defensive position—rest assured, they’re elite investigators. The mission to reinforce Arima must proceed. Once my team arrives, you’ll lead them deep into District 24.”

Kazuki Washinomiya spoke with polished diplomacy—he’d sensed something off about this White Night investigator. He wasn’t the type to be driven by blind duty.

Su Xiao walked toward the surface, then turned off the speakerphone.

“In that case, there’s no problem.”

Su Xiao quickened his pace and soon reached the surface.

He agreed because a camp mission had reappeared.

【Camp Mission: Reinforcement.】

Difficulty Level: Lv.5.

Mission Brief: Deep into District 24 to reinforce Special Class Investigator Arima Kiyotada, and assist him in handling the Primordial Type.

Mission Info: CCG camp missions will not count toward the completion evaluation.

Mission Duration: 2 calendar days.

Reward: 15,000 Camp Contribution Points.

Failure Penalty: CCG rank reduced by one level—demoted to Senior Investigator.

Reward: 15,000 faction contribution points.

Although the camp mission appeared, Su Xiao didn’t accept it immediately.

“Director Washinomiya, I have a favor to ask of headquarters.”

Though 15,000 Camp Contribution Points were valuable, they didn’t sway Su Xiao—he could imagine how perilous entering District 24 now would be.

"Director Washuu, I have a matter to request from headquarters."

Kazuki Washinomiya’s tone was clearly gritted-teeth—CCG’s high command was used to ordering investigators around, but Su Xiao’s defiance gave him a headache.

More importantly, Su Xiao was powerful—and CCG needed his strength.

Aside from Arima Kiyotada, other strong CCG figures couldn’t afford to show their faces in this matter—their identities were too compromising; they were all…

“Director Washinomiya, during my battle with Kyouko, I severed one of his Kaku. I’d like to forge it into a Quinque. Crafting a Quinque of this caliber… requires…”

Su Xiao didn’t finish. Kazuki Washinomiya fell silent. After a long pause, he broke it first.

“Fine. If you successfully reinforce Arima, you’ll receive the Quinque upon your return. As a Provisional Special Class investigator, you deserve one.”

Kazuki Washinomiya’s sudden willingness surprised Su Xiao.

“Then thank you, Director Washinomiya.”

After hanging up, Su Xiao sat on a large rock amid the overgrown wild grass.

He wondered why Kazuki Washinomiya had agreed so readily—forging even a single Quinque, especially an SS or SSS-class one, required rare materials and complex procedures.

Perhaps CCG’s high command intended to mold him into another Arima Kiyotada? It wasn’t impossible.

CCG’s attitude, the massive changes deep in District 24, and Arima’s premature arrival there—all raised suspicions.

He wondered why Washuu Jiki had agreed so readily—after all, crafting a Quinque, especially an SS- or SSS-class one, required rare materials and intricate procedures.

First: leverage his current Provisional Special Class investigator status to extract benefits. He still had several days before the deadline for main quest (2)—plenty of time to complete this camp mission.

Second: prepare to complete main quest (3). Once done, he could return to the Lunhuileyuan .

Third: the Hunt Mission.

Thinking of the Hunt Mission, Su Xiao felt a pang of frustration—no hints, and after so long in Tokyo, he hadn’t encountered Violator #12470.

If not for the Hunt Mission still showing as active, he’d suspect Violator #12470 had already returned.

He even doubted the one-kilometer tracking range was real.

For the Hunt Mission, Su Xiao had adopted a fatalistic attitude: if he completed it, great; if not, no penalty.

He felt the Lunhuileyuan wouldn’t let him fail to find Violator #12470.

Even if he didn’t approach the target, the Lunhuileyuan would arrange a mission to bring the target to him.

As Su Xiao pondered, dozens of CCG vehicles arrived at the entrance of District 24.

Familiar faces appeared: Suzuya Shuzo, Marume Saito, Kuroiwa Iwa, and Shinodo Akira all arrived.

Several investigators Su Xiao didn’t recognize were also present—among them, one female investigator stood out.

The female investigator walked side by side with Marume Saito and Kuroiwa Iwa—clearly, she too was a Special Class investigator.

“White Night, your injuries seem to have healed well.”

Marume Saito stepped forward and gave Su Xiao a hearty bear hug.

The female investigator walked alongside Maruki Sai and Kuroiwa Iwa, which made it clear she was also a Special Rank investigator.

Marume Saito’s warmth caught Su Xiao off guard.

“Let me introduce you—this is Anpu Seiko, Special Class investigator. A formidable woman.”

It was clear Marume Saito knew Anpu Seiko well.

Anpu Seiko was of average height, around thirty, dressed in a black suit, her blue hair tied up in a bun.

“Hello, I’m Anpu Seiko.”

“Hello, I’m White Night.”

They shook hands. Marume Saito cleared his throat.

“White Night, hand over Kyouko’s Kaku to me—I’ll arrange for it to be sent to headquarters. Director Washinomiya already told you—the reinforcement squad is ready. We can depart at any time.”

"Hello, I'm Baiye."

The two shook hands, and Marushai cleared his throat and spoke.

"Baiye, hand over the owl's Hezi to me—I'll send someone to deliver it to headquarters."

Director Washuu should have told you—the reinforcement team is ready and can depart at any time."