Chapter 48: Chapter Sixteen: A Small Harvest

Shindo Akira's pause gave the ghoul a chance to escape.

[1] Shinato Akira’s pause gave the ghoul a chance to flee.

The ghoul had just begun to flee when he heard Su Xiao’s threatening words.

[2] The ghoul had just begun to run when he heard Su Xiao’s threatening words.

The ghoul hesitated for a moment, then immediately turned and ran, completely ignoring Su Xiao’s words.

[3] The ghoul hesitated, then turned and bolted, ignoring Su Xiao’s words entirely.

Or rather, it was the right choice—staying meant death, so why not seize even a sliver of a chance to escape?

[4] Or rather, it was the right choice—staying meant death; why not seize even a sliver of escape?

Just as the ghoul had run a few meters, a long blade shot through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

[5] As the ghoul had run only a few meters, a long blade shot past with a tearing wind.

“Splat.”

[6] “Thwip.”

The blade pierced the ghoul’s calf and drove deep into the asphalt street.

[7] The blade pierced the ghoul’s calf and drove deep into the asphalt street.

“Ahh~”

[8] “Ahh~”

The ghoul screamed and collapsed face-first onto the asphalt.

[9] The ghoul screamed and collapsed, his face slamming into the asphalt.

“The right choice.”

[10] “Right choice.”

Su Xiao rose and walked slowly toward the ghoul.

[11] Su Xiao rose and walked slowly toward the ghoul.

In his eyes, the ghoul’s attempt to flee was perfectly normal—if he were in the ghoul’s place, he’d make the same choice.

[12] To him, the ghoul’s flight was normal—if he were in the ghoul’s place, he’d choose the same.

Staying meant death; why not fight for a chance?

[13] Staying meant death; why not try?

“W-what are you going to do?”

[14] “W-what are you going to do?”

The ghoul’s eyes darted in panic as he tried to crawl forward, but the [Zhan Long Shan] remained firmly embedded in the ground.

[15] The ghoul’s eyes panicked; he tried to crawl forward, but the Zhan Long Shan remained firmly pinned in the ground.

Su Xiao gripped the hilt of the [Zhan Long Shan], pulled it free, and the ghoul immediately tried to rise and flee.

[16] Su Xiao gripped the hilt of the Zhan Long Shan, pulled it free, and the ghoul instantly tried to rise and flee.

A flash of blade light cut through the air, spraying a torrent of blood across the asphalt.

[17] A flash of blade, and a spray of blood splattered across the asphalt.

Four strikes—Su Xiao severed the ghoul’s limbs, just as he promised.

[18] Four cuts—Su Xiao severed the ghoul’s limbs, as promised.

Given the ghoul’s resilience, these injuries were severe but not life-threatening.

[19] With a ghoul’s vitality, this was severe injury—but not fatal.

“What now?”

[20] “What now?”

Shindo Akira looked slightly exhausted; the previous battle had drained her, her sweat-soaked clothes clinging to her, her pale blonde hair stuck to her forehead.

[21] Shinato Akira’s face showed fatigue; the battle had worn her down, her sweat-soaked clothes clinging to her, her pale golden hair stuck to her forehead.

“Keep going. Kill every ghoul that shows up tonight.”

[22] “Keep going. Kill every ghoul that shows up tonight.”

Shindo Akira’s heart chilled—there were hundreds, possibly more, ghouls in West District.

[23] Shinato Akira’s heart chilled—there were hundreds of ghouls in Xijie, maybe more.

“Are we really going to be okay?”

[24] “Are we really okay?”

Su Xiao said nothing and began clearing the corpses from the street.

[25] Su Xiao said nothing and began clearing the corpses from the street.

He planned to set a trap—the ghoul whose limbs he’d severed made a perfect bait.

[26] He planned to set a trap—the ghoul with severed limbs made a perfect bait.

But ghouls weren’t stupid; the sheer number of corpses here would only scare them away.

[27] But ghouls weren’t stupid; so many corpses here would only scare them off.

He piled the bodies into a narrow alley and left the bloodstains on the asphalt—the smell of blood would attract ghouls.

[28] He piled the corpses into a narrow alley and left the blood on the asphalt—its stench would draw ghouls.

The ghoul with severed limbs was thrown into the center of the street.

[29] The limbless ghoul was tossed into the center of the street.

He didn’t need to lure ghouls too close—just enough for them to show themselves.

[30] He didn’t need them to come close—just to show themselves.

With Su Xiao’s agility, once any ghoul appeared, escape would be impossible.

[31] With Su Xiao’s agility, once they appeared, they wouldn’t escape.

Hunting low-level ghouls yields few treasure chests, but grants CCG contribution points.

[32] Hunting low-level ghouls yielded few treasure chests, but earned CCG contribution points.

Moreover, his talent, [Soul Eater], grants him a significant boost in mana.

[33] Moreover, his talent, the Soul Eater, granted him significant mana.

Mana is crucial for Su Xiao right now—Qing Gang Ying consumes it heavily.

[34] Mana was crucial now—Qinggangyingsuo drained it heavily.

Su Xiao stood at the center of the street, [Zhan Long Shan] in hand, while Shindo Akira stood beside him.

[35] Su Xiao stood at the street’s center, Zhan Long Shan in hand; Shinato Akira stood beside him.

“Will ghouls really show up? This place just had a battle.”

[36] “Ghouls will come—this place just had a battle.”

Su Xiao ignored Shindo Akira—ghouls that feed on each other are beasts; the scent of blood won’t scare them off, it’ll draw them in.

[37] Su Xiao ignored Shinato Akira—ghouls that fed on each other were beasts; blood would not scare them—it would lure them.

Just two minutes later, the first ghoul appeared.

[38] Only two minutes passed before the first ghoul appeared.

It was an elderly ghoul, gaunt and frail.

[39] An elderly ghoul, gaunt and frail.

Seeing Su Xiao with his blade, the elderly ghoul hesitated, then chose to retreat.

[40] Seeing Su Xiao with his blade, the elder ghoul hesitated, then chose to retreat.

Too bad—it was already too late. Su Xiao had already charged forward with his sword.

[41] Too late—he couldn’t escape now; Su Xiao had already charged forward with his blade.

One minute later, Su Xiao returned to his spot, his sleeve stained with blood, waiting for the next prey.

[42] One minute later, Su Xiao returned, blood staining his sleeves, waiting for the next prey.

On the rooftop of a high-rise in West District.

[43] On the rooftop of a high-rise in Xijie.

The night wind blew, and under the moonlight, two figures could be seen standing on the roof.

[44] The night wind blew; under the moonlight, two figures stood on the roof.

“What do we do? If we do nothing, all the ghouls here will be killed.”

[45] “What do we do? If we do nothing, all the ghouls here will be slaughtered.”

Kiriya Junto, wearing a black rabbit mask, spoke, his gaze toward Su Xiao filled with wariness.

[46] Kiriya Aritomo, wearing a black rabbit mask, spoke, his gaze toward Su Xiao filled with wariness.

Doro Ryō said nothing, silently watching the scene before him.

[47] Tachibana remained silent, watching the scene before him.

This was one of Aogiri Tree’s “recruitment grounds,” where high-ranking members often came to recruit stronger ghouls.

[48] This was one of Aogiri Tree’s “recruitment grounds”; its officers often came here to recruit stronger ghouls.

For example, the Bin brothers were recruited here by Aogiri Tree.

[49] Like the Bin brothers—they were recruited here by Aogiri Tree.

“Abandon it.”

[50] “Abandon it.”

Doro Ryō’s words left Kiriya Junto frustrated.

[51] Tachibana’s words left Kiriya Aritomo resentful.

“But this place…”

[52] “But this place—”

Kiriya Junto had barely begun speaking when he noticed Doro Ryō staring at him.

[53] Kiriya had barely begun when he noticed Tachibana staring at him.

“Are you going to stop that monster yourself?”

[54] “Are you going to stop that monster?”

Kiriya Junto fell silent, turning his head away—the memory of Su Xiao’s blade slashing toward him still burned vividly.

[55] Kiriya fell silent, turning his head away—the slash Su Xiao had aimed at him was still vivid in his memory.

“So… you want me to go?”

[56] “So… you want me to go?”

Doro Ryō’s eyes flickered with murderous intent.

[57] Tachibana’s eyes flickered with murderous intent.

“No—I mean gather our members and kill this human.”

[58] “No. I mean gather our members and kill this human.”

Clearly, Kiriya Junto harbored deep resentment toward Su Xiao—he’d nearly been killed by him.

[59] Clearly, Kiriya Aritomo harbored deep hatred for Su Xiao—he’d nearly killed him.

Doro Ryō pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

[60] Tachibana thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“The cost is too high. Even if we succeed in killing this man, you and I might die in the battle.”

[61] “The cost is too high. Even if we succeed in killing this man, you and I might die in the fight.

“Let’s go. From now on, completely abandon this place. Knowing that this monster is in District 14 is valuable intelligence.”

[62] Let’s go. Abandon this place entirely. Knowing this monster is in District 14 is valuable intelligence.”

Although Aogiri Tree had more than one recruitment ground, abandoning this one came at a heavy cost—but they had no choice.

[63] Though Aogiri Tree had other recruitment grounds, abandoning this one meant heavy losses—there was no choice.

Doro Ryō and Kiriya Junto left, leaving the ghouls here without support.

[64] Tachibana and Kiriya Aritomo left; the ghouls here lost their support.

……。

[65] ……

The sun slowly rose, casting a golden morning glow.

[66] The sun rose slowly, a golden dawn light appearing.

In the center of West District, Su Xiao sat exhausted on the street.

[67] In the heart of Xijie, Su Xiao sat on the street, exhausted.

Every few meters across a half-kilometer radius, pools of blood stained the pavement; the thick stench of blood filled the air.

[68] Every few meters along the streets within half a kilometer, large pools of blood stained the ground; the thick stench of blood filled the air.

Su Xiao had lost count of how many ghouls he’d killed that night—by the end, not a single ghoul remained in West District.

[69] Su Xiao couldn’t remember how many ghouls he’d killed; by the end, not a single ghoul remained in Xijie.

The overwhelming stench of blood made the ghouls wary; rumors spread quickly among them.

[70] The overwhelming stench of blood made ghouls wary; a rumor spread among them in Xijie.

Never approach the central zone—there’s a terrifying human there!

[71] Never approach the center—there’s a terrifying human there!

Though covered in blood, Su Xiao meticulously cleaned his [Zhan Long Shan], then stored it in his inventory—he cherished his weapons.

[72] Though his face was caked in blood, Su Xiao meticulously cleaned the Zhan Long Shan and stored it in his storage space—he cherished his weapons.

Su Xiao activated his imprint to check his night’s gains.

[73] Su Xiao activated his mark and checked his night’s gains.

First, contribution points: [Second-Class Investigator, Contribution: 390/400].

[74] First, contribution points: [Second-Class Investigator, Contribution: 390/400.]

In just one night, Su Xiao earned 340 contribution points—evidence of how many ghouls he’d slain.

[75] In one night, Su Xiao gained 340 contribution points—evidence of how many ghouls he’d killed.

Not only that, his talent, [Soul Eater], had absorbed 68 mana points.

[76] Beyond contribution points, his talent, the Soul Eater, had absorbed 68 mana points.

His current mana total was now 238, greatly extending the duration of Qing Gang Ying.

[77] His mana was now 238—Qinggangyingsuo’s activation duration increased significantly.

In his inventory lay three white treasure chests.

[78] Three white treasure chests remained in his storage space.

He’d killed so many ghouls that even with a low drop rate, he’d still collected three chests.

[79] He’d killed so many ghouls that even with low drop rates, he still obtained three chests.

“White Night, Second-Class, let’s head back—I can’t go on.”

[80] “Second-Class Byakuya, let’s go back—I can’t anymore.”

Shindo Akira lay flat on the street, no longer caring about her ladylike demeanor.

[81] Shinato Akira lay flat on the street, no longer caring about ladylike decorum.

“I’m at my limit too. Let’s return to the division.”

[82] “I’m at my limit too. Let’s return to the branch.”

Su Xiao stood and took a few steps, only to find Shindo Akira still lying on the ground.

[83] Su Xiao rose and took a few steps, then noticed Shinato Akira still lying on the ground.

“I… I’m completely drained.”

[84] “Um… I’m completely drained.”

Shindo Akira’s tone sounded unnatural.

[85] Shinato Akira’s tone sounded unnatural.

Most of the night, Su Xiao had done the hunting while Shindo Akira handled the corpses—she hadn’t even fought directly, yet she was utterly exhausted.

[86] Last night, Su Xiao had done nearly all the killing; Shinato Akira had only handled corpses—not fought—and still, she was utterly spent.

Su Xiao walked over, lifted Shindo Akira onto his shoulder, and felt the soft, full warmth against his back.

[87] Su Xiao walked to Shinato Akira’s side, slung her over his shoulder, and felt the soft, full weight against his back.

“Please don’t take me back to the division—I look too pathetic like this.”

[88] “Please don’t take me back to the branch—I look too disgraceful like this.”

The intimate contact made Shindo Akira blush.

[89] The physical closeness made Shinato Akira’s cheeks flush.

“My apartment is nearby—just a few minutes by car.”

[90] “My place is nearby—just a few minutes by car.”

Su Xiao considered it—her suggestion made sense; he too needed rest.

[91] Su Xiao considered it—Shinato Akira’s suggestion was sound; he too needed rest.

Arriving at the base of Shindo Akira’s building, she’d regained some strength and could at least walk on her own.

[92] They drove to Shinato Akira’s building; along the way, she regained some strength—at least enough to walk on her own.

Shindo Akira lived in a small, cozy one-bedroom apartment. Upon entering, Su Xiao, to her stunned gaze, stripped off his shirt and headed straight for the bathroom.

[93] Shinato Akira lived in a small but cozy single apartment. After entering her home, Su Xiao, under her stunned gaze, stripped off his shirt and headed straight for the bathroom.

He was covered in dried blood from the night’s slaughter—it was unbearable.

[94] He was caked in blood; the dried blood on his skin had become unbearable after a night’s work.

As Su Xiao rinsed his body with warm water, someone knocked on the bathroom door.

[95] As Su Xiao rinsed his body with warm water, someone knocked on the bathroom door.

“Second-Class White Night, hurry up—I need to bathe immediately. I—I have a severe cleanliness fetish; dried blood on my skin is a nightmare.”

[96] “Second-Class Byakuya, hurry up—I need to bathe immediately. I—I have a cleanliness obsession. Dried blood on my skin is a nightmare.”