CCG Headquarters, Strategy Conference Room
The heavy soundproof door silently closed behind him, isolating all outside noise. Inside the conference room, only the faint hum of the large holographic projector could be heard.
Around the oval conference table, six figures sat in silent repose. The 'Toku' insignia on their epaulets, symbolizing CCG's highest combat power and authority, gleamed with a hard luster under the cool white overhead lights.
"Arima Toku is absent again?" Anpo Kiyoko's gaze swept over the empty seat, her brows slightly furrowed. "He didn't attend the last Toku meeting either."
"Boy, this is a glorious Toku Officer meeting." Tanakamaru Nozomu instinctively tidied his meticulously trimmed mustache.
"He never cares about these formalities," Marude Itsuki interjected coldly. "He's always been like this."
Evidently, everyone present was already accustomed to Arima Kishou's unconventional style.
"Shinohara-san just got discharged from the hospital, yet he's still on time..." Uie Gun's tone carried respect.
"Thanks to everyone, my body is fine now." Shinohara Yukinori responded in a deep voice, his rough fingers unconsciously caressing the tabletop. "I've caused you all trouble this time."
Just then, the conference room door was pushed open again, and Washu Yoshitoki walked in with steady steps. Everyone immediately stood up and saluted.
"The Toku Officer meeting will now begin."
"Yes."
...
"Regarding the Bronze Tree's attack on Kukulia, a preliminary discussion has already taken place at the Search Officer assembly just now." Washu Yoshitoki's voice was exceptionally clear in the silent conference room. "Gentlemen, the focus of this Toku meeting is for you to personally evaluate this."
As the meeting's host, he wasted no time with pleasantries, cutting straight to the chase. The massive holographic screen lit up, beginning to play emergency-repaired surveillance footage – all of it from Kukulia's temporary control room and surrounding corridors.
The image shook violently, covered in glaring static, and distorted alarm sounds ripped through the air. But even through this fragmented record, the scene presented was enough to make one's heart pound.
An indescribable crimson figure rampaged through the corridor. Dismembered limbs flew like torn dolls, and the guards' resistance seemed futile and fragile before the crimson monster. Kouink weapons had no effect on it whatsoever.
The guards' figures fell one after another in the footage.
Even these Toku Search Officers, who were accustomed to life and death, couldn't help but tense their expressions at this moment.
The second segment of the footage began at that specially made alloy door. It was struck by immense force, instantly twisting and caving inward. Then, the indescribable crimson figure squeezed through the doorframe, its massive body blocking the entire entrance.
The subsequent footage made several Toku Search Officers unconsciously hold their breath.
The two staff members closest to the door didn't even have time to scream. Their upper bodies instantly exploded as if run over by heavy machinery, and the immense impact slammed their mangled remains against the equipment racks in the distance.
Subsequently, the monster's massive crimson claw blade slashed diagonally towards the staff members huddled in the corner. Amidst terrifying tearing sounds, everything in the path of the claw blade was cut open without resistance, and several staff members were severed in two.
In just a few seconds, there was no longer a single living person in the temporary control room. The crimson monster's massive body slowly stepped into this sea of blood, and then, he did something that sent shivers down the spines of all observers – he extended a blood-soaked crimson claw and slowly began to write on the wall.
Screech—Screech—
The piercing sound of the claw scraping against the metal wall seemed to grate directly on everyone's eardrums.
Finally, the footage froze, and the relatively clean wall was magnified to fill the entire screen.
The word "CARNAGE" written in un-dried blood assaulted the visual nerves of everyone present.
The conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only heavy breathing rising and falling. Anpo Kiyoko's face was somewhat pale, Uie Gun unconsciously clenched his fists, and even the usually composed Kuroiwa Iwao had a solemn expression.
"...In summary," Washu Yoshitoki's voice broke the silence, "Based on the scattered testimonies of Kukulia incident survivors, the on-site investigation results, and the video footage you have just seen, we confirm that the Ghoul in the footage is an extremely dangerous individual with no prior record."
His gaze slowly swept over every Toku Search Officer present.
"The destructive power and regenerative ability he displayed have far exceeded conventional evaluation standards. Following an emergency assessment by the analysis department, this Ghoul is now officially designated as – SSS-class."
The air seemed to grow several degrees colder the moment that word was spoken.
"According to the... 'signature' he left behind," Washu Yoshitoki's tone was calm, "his provisional codename is –"
"Slaughter." Shinohara Yukinori's deep voice took over.
He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over his colleagues, finally settling on the bloody word on the screen. "He told us himself. This is his name."
Shinohara Yukinori paused, then slowly added:
"I believe, judging by the power he has displayed so far, this 'Slaughter's' threat level is absolutely no less than, and may even surpass, any SSS-class Ghoul we know, including... One-Eyed Owl."
As the words fell, the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became even more oppressive.
To directly compare a newly appearing Ghoul to One-Eyed Owl, and to have it said personally by the experienced Shinohara Yukinori, its weight was considerable.
"Hmph, 'Slaughter'? It certainly picked a fitting name for itself." Marude Itsuki tapped the table with his finger, his tone carrying his usual sharpness. "Director, I believe he must immediately be listed as one of our top priority targets.
"Surpass Owl?" Tanakamaru Nozomu, with a slightly exaggerated expression, stroked his chin. "Boy, that's quite an astonishing evaluation. It seems if we encounter him next time, we'll have to go all out." His tone seemed relaxed, but his eyes had become incredibly serious.
Washu Yoshitoki listened quietly to each Toku Search Officer's opinion until the last person had finished speaking. He slowly stood up, placing his hands on the table, leaning slightly forward, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"Shinohara's judgment aligns with my concerns." His voice was steady and powerful. "'Slaughter,' this codename will be officially adopted. He is no longer a potential threat, but an existing disaster that is highly likely to occur again."
"Bronze Tree, One-Eyed Owl, Slaughter..." Washu Yoshitoki finally turned his gaze to the solidified bloody word on the screen. "CCG is currently facing an unprecedented severe challenge. Gentlemen, raise your vigilance. This is not the end; perhaps it is only the beginning."
"Meeting adjourned."