Chapter 104

At the entrance to District 24, over two hundred investigators had gathered due to the massive changes deep within the district.

Su Xiao handed the shopkeeper’s hè bag to Marume Saji.

With so many investigators present witnessing this, Su Xiao wasn’t worried about Washinoki Jishi denying the claim.

“Who are the reinforcements?”

As captain of the reinforcement team, Su Xiao could now override rank-based orders to assign team members—even if the recipient was a Special Class investigator.

As soon as he spoke, over twenty investigators stepped forward from the crowd, some of them familiar faces.

The strongest among them was Special Class investigator Kuroiwa Iwa, who had sustained minor injuries during the last operation in District 11 and was hastily reassigned.

After Kuroiwa, Suzuya Shuzo, Mado Akira, and others followed suit.

Su Xiao was satisfied with Suzuya Shuzo’s combat power; with the right Kynque, this white-haired brat could easily pass as a Special Class.

As for Mado Akira, she was a decent assistant, but Su Xiao believed it would be difficult for her to survive leaving District 24—unless she got unbelievably lucky.

There were also several First, Second, and Third Class investigators—all sent by Washinoki Jishi to serve as cannon fodder.

The Third Class investigators wore grim expressions, deeply anxious; the First and Second Class ones, however, looked eager, clearly unaware of the horrors deep inside District 24.

“So it’s you? Once we enter District 24, I have one rule: under any circumstance, don’t slow down the others. Even if you die, understood?”

Su Xiao’s blunt warning startled the First and Second Class investigators.

“White Night, Assistant Special, how dangerous is it deep in District 24?”

One Second Class investigator ventured to ask.

“If you’re willing to fight to the death, your chances of survival aren’t small.”

Su Xiao didn’t tell the truth: in reality, if more than five of the twenty-plus here returned alive, it would be a miracle.

He wouldn’t voice words that crushed morale.

“Ten minutes to prepare supplies. Assemble in ten minutes.”

The reinforcement team hadn’t yet reached full strength; investigators from areas farther from District 24 still needed time to arrive.

Su Xiao wouldn’t wait for them. The main combat force had arrived; those missing were, at best, Third Class investigators.

Third Class investigators were mere cannon fodder deep in District 24; one more or less made no difference.

The reinforcement team began organizing supplies. Mado Akira approached Su Xiao.

“White Night, Assistant Special, I have something to say.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Su Xiao was contemplating how to move through District 24 when Mado Akira interrupted him.

“If my research is correct, I think I understand the route through District 24.”

Su Xiao stared at her in surprise. District 24’s terrain constantly shifted; Mado Akira was only a Second Class investigator, and at most she’d visited the outer edges after graduation.

“Go on.”

Though puzzled, Su Xiao wanted to hear what she had to say.

“It’s like this—my mother died in District 24.”

Mado Akira paused here, took a deep breath, then continued: “So I’ve paid close attention to District 24. I’ve gathered some information about it. The reason it’s so hard to explore is because its terrain keeps changing.

My father once explored District 24 and left behind some hand-drawn maps. Combined with the maps released by headquarters, I’ve noticed a pattern in the changes.”

The more Su Xiao listened, the more intrigued he became. Could Mado Akira actually recognize the routes in District 24?

“If you go deep into District 24, can you identify the path?”

Mado Akira hesitated, then nodded, then shook her head.

“I can roughly identify the route for about an hour’s travel. Beyond that, without enough reference points, I can’t recognize it.”

Mado Akira’s answer lit up Su Xiao’s eyes.

“Here’s a detailed map of a five-hour route deep into District 24—I drew it before, but it’s useless now. Take it for reference.”

Having someone who could identify routes in District 24 was undoubtedly beneficial. Su Xiao didn’t expect Mado Akira to map the entire route—just giving a general direction would be enough.

As previously mentioned, District 24 is funnel-shaped, with the wide end deep inside. The deeper you go, the more complex the paths become. Although headquarters provided Kaga’s tracking device, finding the correct route was still essential.

Ten minutes passed. The reinforcement squad had assembled, standing neatly before Su Xiao.

Although Kuroiwa Iwa held a higher rank than Su Xiao, Su Xiao was now captain of the reinforcement team and had authority over everyone in it.

“White Night, Assistant Special, we have twenty-seven reinforcements assembled. Three are still en route.”

Mado Akira naturally assumed the role of assistant—she had previously served as Su Xiao’s secretary.

“Remaining three won’t wait. Assign positions now: Kuroiwa, Special Class, you’ll take the rear.”

Su Xiao looked at Kuroiwa Iwa—a steady, capable veteran investigator, perfect for handling emergencies. He was the ideal choice for rear guard.

“Understood, Captain White Night.”

Kuroiwa showed no arrogance; he knew internal conflict would make the team even more vulnerable inside District 24.

“Yutai, Assistant Special, you’ll join Kuroiwa in the rear.”

“Shuzo, you’ll be with me at the front. Mado Akira, center…”

Su Xiao placed Kuroiwa at the rear, himself and Shuzo at the front. Mado Akira’s combat power was weak, but she could identify routes, so she was positioned in the center to prevent this beautiful woman from dying and dragging others down. The rest were assigned positions suited to their abilities.

“That’s the formation. Move out.”

“Yes.”

Su Xiao led the way, guiding over twenty men into the entrance of District 24.

Nearby investigators watched them go, their gazes following the team.

“What an impressive guy—he’s already standing on his own so quickly.”

Special Class investigator Anpu Kiyoko stared at Su Xiao’s back, her beautiful eyes filled with unreadable thoughts.

…

In the underground tunnel.

Su Xiao had learned from his last mistake—he now carried ten compasses in his storage space.

Last time, Yuna and Kaga each had one, but both were lost in battle. This time, Su Xiao carried ten—he could kick them around like balls.

“It’s been a while since I was here. I’m looking forward to it—how many kagune will we encounter this time? I’ll definitely kill a lot.”

Shuzo, the little angel, smiled brightly, utterly calm—as if he weren’t entering District 24, but going on a picnic.

“Shuzo, is this the Kynque assigned to you by headquarters?”

Su Xiao glanced at the two Kynque cases Shuzo carried, puzzled—why would CCG’s high command be so generous?

“No, these are Shinohara’s Kynque. He’s recovering from injuries and, knowing I’m going deep into District 24, lent them to me.”

Shuzo lifted the two Kynque cases, rubbing them against his cheeks, clearly fond of them.

Shinohara Yukiki’s Kynque? That was “Shin.” If Shuzo used “Shin,” his power would surge dramatically.

This was undoubtedly good news. Shuzo, in some ways, might now be stronger than Kuroiwa Iwa.

“Drip.”

A drop of liquid fell. Su Xiao instantly stepped aside—the emerald-green fluid hit the ground, hissing as it corroded the surface.

It came from the glowing vine-like plants on the ceiling. Their secretions were highly toxic.

“Stay alert. Watch out for dripping plant fluid from above.”

No sooner had Su Xiao spoken than a scream erupted from the center of the team.

“Ahh~!! Something landed on my head—it hurts! Help me!”

A Second Class investigator rolled on the ground, clutching his head. A wisp of smoke rose from his scalp—something was eating through his skin.

Su Xiao pushed through the crowd and rushed to the investigator’s side. By the time he arrived, the man’s struggles were already weakening.

The Second Class investigator’s eyes rolled back, veins bulging on his neck, turning pale green.

Less than ten seconds later, he was dead—eyes wide open, mouth agape, his death grotesque.

This bizarre death sent clear fear through the rest of the reinforcement team.

“Keep moving. Watch your heads.”

The reinforcement team pressed forward. Except for Su Xiao and Suzuya Shuzo, every other investigator kept their eyes fixed on the ceiling.