Chapter 104: Deadly Poison

At the entrance of the 24th Ward, because of the major change deep in the 24th Ward, over two hundred investigators had arrived one after another.

Su Xiao took out the manager's ghoul organ and handed it to Itsuki Marude.

With so many investigators present to witness this scene, Su Xiao wasn't afraid of Yoshitoki Washuu reneging on the debt.

"Who are the members of the reinforcement team?"

As the captain of the reinforcement team, Su Xiao now had the authority to command the members of the reinforcement team regardless of rank, even if the other party was a Special Class investigator.

As soon as he finished speaking, over twenty investigators walked out of the crowd, among whom there were inevitably familiar faces.

Among these people, the strongest was Special Class investigator Iwao Kuroiwa. During the 11th Ward operation last time, Iwao Kuroiwa's injuries were relatively light, so he was urgently transferred here.

After Iwao Kuroiwa, Juuzou Suzuya, Akira Mado, and others walked out one after another.

Su Xiao was very satisfied with Juuzou Suzuya's combat power. As long as there was a suitable Quinque, this little white-haired guy could completely be used as a Special Class.

As for Akira Mado, she was a good assistant, but Su Xiao thought it would be difficult for her to leave the 24th Ward alive, unless her luck was off the charts.

There were also several Senior, First Class, and Second Class investigators. These were all sent by Yoshitoki Washuu to serve as cannon fodder.

The Senior investigators looked solemn and worried, while those First Class and Second Class investigators were eager to try. It seemed they hadn't gone deep into the 24th Ward and didn't know how terrifying it was there.

"Are these the ones? I only have one requirement after going deep into the 24th Ward: no matter what situation you encounter, don't drag others down. Even if you die, understand?"

Su Xiao's head-on blow startled those First Class and Second Class investigators.

"Captain Bai Ye, how dangerous is it deep in the 24th Ward?"

A Second Class investigator asked tentatively.

"As long as you dare to fight for your life, the chance of survival is not small."

Su Xiao didn't tell the truth. The real situation was that among the twenty-plus people present, it would be a blessing if five could return alive.

Su Xiao wouldn't say such morale-dampening words out loud.

"Ten minutes to organize supplies. Assemble in ten minutes."

The thirty members of the reinforcement team hadn't all arrived. Some investigators from areas further from the 24th Ward still needed some time.

Su Xiao wouldn't wait for them anymore. The main combat power had arrived. For those who hadn't, the strongest was just a Senior investigator.

Senior investigators were just cannon fodder deep in the 24th Ward; having one more or one less didn't matter.

The members of the reinforcement team began to organize supplies, and Akira Mado came to Su Xiao.

"Quasi-Special Bai Ye, I have something to say."

"Hmm? What?"

Su Xiao was thinking about how to act deep in the 24th Ward when he was suddenly interrupted by Akira Mado.

"If my research is correct, I seem to understand the route of the 24th Ward."

Su Xiao looked at Akira Mado in surprise. One had to know that the terrain of the 24th Ward was constantly changing. Akira Mado was only a Second Class investigator; at most, she had come to the outer perimeter of the 24th Ward after graduation.

"Tell me about it."

Although puzzled, Su Xiao wanted to hear what Akira Mado had to say.

"It's like this: my mother sacrificed herself in the 24th Ward."

Akira Mado paused here. After taking a deep breath, she continued: "So I pay close attention to the 24th Ward. I also understand some information about the 24th Ward. The reason it's difficult to explore is that the terrain is constantly changing.

Previously, my father had also explored the 24th Ward and left behind some hand-drawn maps. Adding those maps published by headquarters, I discovered that the changes in the 24th Ward have a certain pattern."

Su Xiao became more interested the more he listened. Could it be that Akira Mado could identify the route of the 24th Ward?

"If you go deep into the 24th Ward, can you identify the route?"

Akira Mado pondered for a while, nodded, and then shook her head.

"I can roughly identify the route for an hour of travel. Beyond that, because there isn't much reference, I can't identify it."

Akira Mado's answer made Su Xiao's eyes light up.

"This is a detailed map of five hours deep into the 24th Ward. It's what I drew before; it's useless now. Take it for reference."

Having someone who could identify the route in the 24th Ward was undoubtedly a good thing. Su Xiao didn't expect Akira Mado to thoroughly identify the route; as long as she could give a general direction, it would be enough.

It was mentioned before that the 24th Ward was funnel-shaped, and the deep part was the large end of the funnel, so the deeper one went, the more complex the route would become. Although headquarters provided Kisho Arima's tracker, one still needed to find the correct route.

Ten minutes passed, and the members of the reinforcement squad arrived, standing neatly in front of Su Xiao.

Although Iwao Kuroiwa's rank was higher than Su Xiao's, Su Xiao was now the captain of the reinforcement team and had the authority to command everyone in the reinforcement team.

"Quasi-Special Bai Ye, the reinforcement team has assembled twenty-seven people. Three are still on their way."

Akira Mado naturally acted as an assistant; previously, she was Su Xiao's little secretary.

"We won't wait for the remaining three. Now, let's arrange everyone's positions. Special Class Iwao Kuroiwa, you take the rear."

Su Xiao looked at Iwao Kuroiwa. This was a steady and capable old investigator, suitable for dealing with emergencies, so taking the rear was most appropriate.

"No problem, Captain Bai Ye."

Iwao Kuroiwa didn't have any airs. He also understood that if they had internal strife now, the reinforcement team would be even more dangerous within the 24th Ward.

"Quasi-Special Youta, you and Special Class Iwao Kuroiwa will take the rear together.

Suzuya, you and I will be at the front of the team, Akira Mado in the center..."

Su Xiao arranged Iwao Kuroiwa at the tail of the team, himself and Suzuya at the front. Akira Mado's combat power was touching, but she could identify the route, so she was arranged in the center position to avoid this beautiful flower hanging up. Other investigators were also arranged in suitable positions.

"That's the general formation. Depart."

"Yes."

Su Xiao walked at the front of the team, leading twenty-plus people into the entrance of the 24th Ward.

The investigators nearby cast their gazes, seeing off the reinforcement team as they left.

"Truly an amazing guy, able to stand on his own so quickly."

Special Class investigator Kiyoko Aura watched Su Xiao's back, not knowing what she was thinking in her beautiful eyes.

In the underground tunnel.

Su Xiao learned from his last lesson. This time, he packed ten compasses in his storage space.

Last time, it was one for Yuna and one for Kisho Arima, but both were lost in battle. This time, Su Xiao brought ten, enough to kick around like balls.

"Haven't been here for a long time, truly looking forward to it. How many ghouls will we encounter this time~? Must be able to kill many."

Little Angel Suzuya had a full smile, not nervous at all, as if they weren't going deep into the 24th Ward, but out for an outing.

"Suzuya, is this the Quinque assigned to you by the higher-ups?"

Su Xiao looked at the two Quinque boxes Juuzou Suzuya was carrying, somewhat puzzled. How could the CCG high-level management be so generous?

"No, this is Mr. Shinohara's Quinque. He is recuperating from his injuries. Knowing I was going deep into the 24th Ward, he lent me the Quinque."

Juuzou Suzuya lifted the two Quinque boxes he was holding, rubbing them against his cheeks, looking very fond of them.

Yukinori Shinohara's Quinque? That wasn't "Arata"? If Juuzou Suzuya used "Arata," his strength would increase significantly.

This was undoubtedly good news. The current Juuzou Suzuya might be stronger than Iwao Kuroiwa in some aspects.

"Drip."

A dripping sound came. Su Xiao immediately moved aside, and a drop of dark green liquid dripped onto the ground, corroding the ground with a hissing sound.

It was the glowing vine plants on the top wall of the tunnel. The juice secreted by this kind of vine plant was highly toxic.

"Everyone, be vigilant. Watch out for the plant juice dripping from the top wall."

As soon as Su Xiao finished speaking, a scream came from the center of the team.

"Ah~!! Something fell on my head, it hurts so much, save me!"

A Second Class investigator rolled on the ground holding his head, and a wisp of blue smoke rose from the top of his head. Something was corroding his scalp.

Su Xiao pushed through the crowd and hurried to the investigator's side. By the time he arrived, the investigator's struggle had begun to weaken.

The Second Class investigator's eyes turned white, the blood vessels on his neck bulged, and the blood vessels turned light green.

In less than ten seconds, the Second Class investigator died, his eyes wide open, his mouth wide open, his death appearance very miserable.

This strange death made the others in the reinforcement team clearly somewhat terrified.

"Continue forward, watch your heads."

The reinforcement team continued forward. Except for Su Xiao and Juuzou Suzuya, the other investigators kept their eyes fixed on the top. ===== CHAPTER 105 =====