Was it strange? Why did Lancer pick the skill with the greatest limitations? The answer was simple—right now, Lancer deeply lacked a sense of security. Perhaps Mind's Eye would serve him better in the future, but that assumed he had a future to begin with.
That previous quest—First Battle—had made something crystal clear. The attack he suffered on the first day in this world didn't even count as a system-recognized battle. Then what was it? Simple—just a spawn-kill. All it proved was how abysmal his luck was.
He now had a deeper understanding of Luck E.
Having "Luck E" didn't mean he'd randomly trip walking down a flat road. Rather, it was like pulling nothing but R cards in a gacha, only ever hitting the pity SR—or encountering not one but two Ghouls during his first official quest.
Yes, although he had no concrete proof that Mado Kureo's initial test was supposed to involve only one Ghoul, recalling how he'd nearly gotten spawn-killed on his first day and factoring in his permanent Luck E, he strongly suspected anyone else would have faced only one Ghoul.
All this to say—Lancer was genuinely terrified he wouldn't survive long enough for his skills to truly mature. Thus, he made the shortsighted choice of the simplest-looking skill. But the moment he chose it, he realized how naïve he'd been—this "simple skill" wasn't simple at all.
Ghoul Predator E — ATTACK ON GHOULS ENHANCE QUINQUE ATTRIBUTES
INCLUDES UPGRADE QUESTS.
Ghoul Predator D — PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES +4 | QUINQUE STRENGTHENED BY 10%
REQUIREMENT: HUNT 50 ORDINARY GHOULS
Ghoul Predator C — PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES +10 | QUINQUE STRENGTHENED BY 25%
REQUIREMENT: HUNT 5 S-RANK GHOULS.
Ghoul Predator B — PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES +15 | QUINQUE STRENGTHENED BY 50%
REQUIREMENT: HUNT 2 SS-RANK GHOULS.
Ghoul Predator A — PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES +20 | QUINQUE STRENGTHENED BY 100%
REQUIREMENT: HUNT 1 SSS-RANK GHOULS.
Undoubtedly, this skill was extremely fitting for this world—but it was far from simple. The first quest was doable enough, provided he had sufficient time. But every subsequent quest escalated drastically. The female protagonist alone was S-rank. SS-rank included infamous Ghouls like Kamishiro Rize, Yomo Renji, and Uta (at least early in the story). And as for SSS-rank—the big bosses themselves held that rank.
From the Investigator's standpoint, SSS-rank corresponded to Special Class Investigators, SS-rank to Associate Special Class, and S-rank to First Class. And as for Lancer himself? His strength probably didn't even reach First Class Investigator yet—though that was already astonishing enough for most. After all, just two months ago he'd been a mere otaku shut-in.
Well, I already chose it. Not like I can ask for a refund. Besides… hunting Ghouls suits me just fine.
...
Over a month later…
Wearing a sharp black suit, Lancer walked out of CCG headquarters. Many Investigators on the way out couldn't help glancing his way, but he'd long grown accustomed to these stares. The only difference now was that those stares carried not just curiosity but respect—even awe.
After all, he'd advanced from an "Intern Investigator" to a proper Rank 2 Investigator in just over a month.
Rank 2 Investigators weren't especially rare at CCG headquarters—but a Rank 2 Investigator with the "Silver Osmanthus Medal" was another story entirely. Even more unusual was the timing of the medal itself. Typically, these medals were awarded only at the annual ceremony. Even the lowest-tier "Osmanthus Medal" required hunting at least 30 Ghouls—averaging two to three Ghoul hunts every month.
But what about Lancer? He'd hunted over 50 Ghouls in just forty-odd days. Although not quite a record-breaker, it still showcased incredible dedication. Thus, when Mado Kureo personally applied him for the medal, CCG headquarters agreed after brief deliberation. Lancer's achievements spoke for themselves; receiving the medal was merely a matter of time.
Yet, earning this symbol of honor also stirred up resentment. Not everyone enjoyed being outperformed by a junior colleague. Moreover, among Ghouls in the 20th Ward, rumors about him were spreading so wildly he'd started wondering whether he'd become labeled an "SS-rank" threat himself.
Receiving this medal also led him to a significant decision—to visit Anteiku.
Lancer knew the plot, knew exactly what sort of Ghouls gathered there, but he also found himself conflicted. The original story was told entirely from Kaneki Ken's perspective, in which the café staff were undoubtedly "good people." But after three months in this world, he'd lost such naïve illusions.
On numerous hunts, he'd encountered partially devoured human corpses. Undoubtedly, until artificial Ghoul food was invented, humans and Ghouls were fundamentally incompatible. So, he resolved to confirm it with his own eyes.
If the people at Anteiku really were the same as in the original story, he'd pretend he knew nothing. But if they, too, were secretly hunting humans like the other Ghouls he'd encountered, he wouldn't hesitate.
Before going, though, he needed some preparation.
According to the plot, Anteiku's weakest members were S-rank, and most others reached SS-rank. For an Investigator to go there alone would practically be suicide—Lancer wouldn't put his life in others' hands.
Thus, he sought out—Amon Koutarou.
Of course, he didn't approach Amon intending to directly confront Anteiku. Currently, both were merely Junior Investigators; seeking trouble with Anteiku would mean certain death. Lancer's purpose wasn't battle—it was to have Amon serve as a "witness."
His plan was straightforward.
Both of them would head to the café together, but midway he'd send Amon away. Then he'd quietly observe the café's employees. During this observation period, he'd remain relatively safe. After Amon returned safely to the dormitory, Lancer would leave. If anything suspicious happened to Lancer during this period, investigations would lead straight to the café, leaving him somewhat secure.
Anteiku wasn't completely unknown to Investigators; they surely wouldn't expose themselves for two Junior Investigators. Bringing Amon along was merely a precaution.
Meanwhile, Amon Koutarou was briefly stunned by Lancer's sudden invitation to head home together, but gladly accepted. In his mind, Lancer was every bit the workaholic Mado was, but since they worked together under Mado, their relationship was decent enough. Being invited home together wasn't too strange.
But…
"A café?"
Amon's expression turned subtly strange as he stared at the perfectly ordinary coffee shop before him.
As he'd imagined before, Lancer was undoubtedly a complete workaholic.
In the last month alone, he'd hunted over 50 Ghouls—averaging at least one every day. In his off-hours, aside from essential rest, he trained obsessively. Even Amon, who loved training himself, considered Lancer's behavior extreme, as if something unseen was relentlessly pushing him forward.
Forget coffee—Amon could barely recall seeing Lancer eat anything other than high-energy nutritional foods. So why was he suddenly interested in coffee today?
Burning with curiosity, Amon followed Lancer into the seemingly ordinary café…
"Welcome~"
At that exact moment, a clear female voice called from ahead. Instantly, Amon sensed Lancer stiffen slightly. Following Lancer's line of sight, he noticed a purple-haired girl dressed neatly in a café uniform, staring nervously back at them.
It wasn't particularly odd. Investigators were naturally mysterious to civilians. But the girl was indeed quite attractive. Could Lancer's sudden stiffness be because of her?
Amon Koutarou's expression softened into a knowing smile.
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T/N: HUHEUHEUUEHUEHUEHUEHUEH hmmmmm ima just imagine MC as kinda like proto cu at least in looks