"Apologies, I misspoke."
"I'm the one in difficulty. To express our gratitude, the Tsukiyama Group is willing to offer five hundred million."
Tsukiyama Shizukimaru didn't even blink at the cigarette burn on his cheek.
Seeing Akuto's dissatisfaction, he immediately bowed respectfully, "That's all the liquid capital the Tsukiyama Group can raise right now; any more would take time."
"Five hundred million it is, then."
Tsukiyama Shizukimaru exhaled in relief.
Call the police?
A family of Ghouls walking into a police station—what a joke.
The CCG would know exactly whom to arrest; after all, the monster in front of them wasn't a Ghoul.
A dozen minutes later Tsukiyama Shizukimaru was back in his office, his secretary behind him carrying a tray.
On it lay a black-and-gold bank card.
"The PIN is on the back; please accept it." He acted as though Akuto's refusal would be a mortal insult.
Akuto casually slipped the card into his pocket.
Kill Tsukiyama Shizukimaru?
No need—a weakling with no notable combat strength, killing him brought no benefit.
Better to keep him alive; when cash ran low he could always drop by again.
After pocketing the card, the two men stared at each other.
"Sir, do you have any further instructions?"
"You expect me to walk home?"
Tsukiyama Shizukimaru saw the light, "Miri, escort the gentleman to the garage—any car he likes, he may drive away."
"Smart."
Akuto patted his shoulder and followed the secretary, Miri, out.
The moment the door shut Tsukukiyama Shizukimaru collapsed into his chair.
Cold sweat drenched his forehead.
If he never spoke, who would guess the two puddles of mince on the carpet had been human half an hour ago?
"Even an SSS-rated Ghoul's Kagune would struggle against that level of attack."
He swallowed hard.
By his reckoning, his own Kagune and regeneration could keep him alive for barely two minutes under those slashes.
Meanwhile, Akuto, face grave, was running the same numbers.
Moments ago his Domain had been almost exhausted.
With only three fingers, Akuto's Domain Expansion covered less than a hundred metres.
At full output, it lasted a mere ninety seconds.
Yet the two S-rated Ghouls had endured for a full minute thanks to their Kagune and regeneration.
The Koukaku Ghoul could have lasted another twenty seconds had its ally not injured it.
What of SS, or SSS?
Or a Ghoul's Kakuja form?
If they outlasted the Domain and he entered Technique-Flux, Akuto would have little chance of killing powerful Ghouls.
Stalemate—exactly what he didn't want.
"Domain duration's too short; slash strength and density are far from enough."
"I need more fingers." He clenched his fist.
"Bzzzz…"
The electric gate rolled open and Akuto's eyes lit up—super-car heaven.
Luxury cars everywhere, many of them limited editions.
Most were executive models, not his style.
Suddenly!
A big beauty caught his eye.
Low-slung body, M-shaped nose, round outrageous grille.
Bugatti Veyron.
Special-edition Super Sport.
Black overall, orange highlights—rims, side-skirts, all in orange.
Serious yet playful.
"This one. Keys."
He stepped over, stroked the bodywork, delighted.
He had a soft spot for muscular super-cars.
His old McLaren P1 wouldn't launch for three years—this timeline was 2010.
The Veyron was current-year and looked untouched.
Tsukiyama Shizukimaru wasn't a collector; he'd bought it for his son Tsukiyama Shuu.
Now it belongs to Akuto.
Secretary Miri forced a smile; she loathed the robber but dared not offend.
She jogged to fetch the key.
"Roar!"
In the cavernous garage, the Bugatti's lights flared like a waking beast.
"Screeech!"
With a tire-shredding drift, Akuto vanished from Miri's sight.
Miri hurried back to the chairman's office. "Which car did he take?"
"Your new Veyron."
Tsukiyama Shizukimaru closed his eyes, hatred flickering and quickly masked.
"Let it go."
"But Chairman, that car costs far more than five hundred million…"
"Leave me."
He rubbed his temples, exhausted.
Nearly a billion yen snatched by a stranger—no one could stay cheerful.
Meanwhile, Akuto, phone in hand, opened the nav.
"Since I'm in this world, I've got to check in."
He couldn't recall the main plot's location, but he remembered a certain café.
A quick search found it.
"In Ward 20? I'm in Ward 2."
"Let's roll."
He thundered off.
Between hunting fingers, he craved battles with the strong.
In the last world, no one had pushed him; here, plenty could.
Most named powerhouses were tied to the main storyline.
So he'd stake them out, collect fingers, and fight.
"Vroooom!"
The engine howled as he parked, stepped out.
"Look, a hot guy!"
"Go ask for his number."
"You go!"
Girls squealed in the distance.
He scanned the street and locked onto a quaint coffeehouse.
"Ding-a-ling."
"Welcome."
A tall woman with side-swept bangs greeted softly.
European décor, cozy vibe; behind the counter a man and a woman polished cups.
Morning lull—few customers.
He chose a window seat and set his briefcase beside him.
The waitress glanced at the case, relaxed when she saw only the documents.
"What may I serve you?" He looked up.
Who would guess the woman before him was a man-eating Ghoul, leader of the Black Dobers?
"Interesting—monsters learning to live like humans."
Watching anime hadn't prepared him for the real thing.
Creatures that devoured humans, smiling kindly by day.
He understood now.
Farmers dote on livestock until slaughter time.
"Latte, extra sugar, thanks."
"Certainly, one moment."
Irimi Yuki bowed and left; Akuto savoured the sun and reopened the files.
Thousands of leads on fingers lay inside.