Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters.
Chaotic shouts and the sounds of gunfire rose and fell intermittently.
Meanwhile, on the upper floors, senior officials of the Metropolitan Police Department had gathered together.
"Has the Special Operations Unit been deployed?"
"The Special Operations Unit has been completely wiped out."
"What about the left-behind Bujin-shū special squads?"
"Two squads have lost contact. The remaining squads are attempting to intercept the target."
Hearing these exchanges, Takashi Baji - who had almost certainly secured his position as the Metropolitan Police Department's highest-ranking officer - sighed and asked Kiyonaga Matsumoto, who was standing beside him:
"How far has the target penetrated?"
Hearing this, Matsumoto lowered his gaze, the scar over his right eye seeming to droop slightly as well:
"They've reached Underground Zone 3. Barring any unexpected developments, judging by their movement pattern, their target appears to be the secret prison in Underground Zone 6."
Hearing this, Baji - who knew exactly what was housed in Underground Zone 6 - immediately paled.
"I recall there should be something recently transported to Sector Six..."
Kiyonaga Matsumoto's expression darkened as he spoke in a low voice:
"Most likely that is the enemy's target."
Having clarified the enemy's objective, Takamichi Shiraishi murmured to himself:
"The Five Great Powers... or perhaps someone from the SDS..."
Realising the possible identity of the enemy, Takamichi Shiraishi immediately understood something and turned to the communications officer beside him:
"Notify Unit 013 - personnel responsible for interception must prioritise preserving combat effectiveness above all else."
"What?" The communications officer was momentarily stunned, seemingly unable to immediately comprehend.
"No questions. Execute the order."
"Yes!"
After issuing the command, Takamichi Shiraishi turned back to glance at Kiyonaga Matsumoto, then took a deep breath:
"Matsumoto, it seems we'll be fighting side by side in the apology seats."
Hearing this remark, Kiyonaga Matsumoto forced an awkward smile onto his square-jawed face.
Just then, Takamichi Shiraishi exhaled and declared:
"My division has exhausted all efforts to intercept the enemy, but due to objective circumstances, Underground Sector Six has fallen. Emergency measures are currently being implemented."
After speaking, Takamichi Shiraishi thought of the highest position he had yet to attain and couldn't help showing a resigned expression:
"Once the enemy enters Sector Six, report this statement to the Cabinet."
...
Just as the high-ranking officials of the Metropolitan Police Department had effectively announced their surrender...
The ceiling of Underground Sector Six.
With a tearing sound.
The sturdy, special alloy passageway was sliced open like tofu, creating a massive gap.
Then, with a thud.
A sharp, snow-white claw over a metre long pierced through the metal gap and, amid screeching friction, forcibly tore open the metal floor, revealing a ferocious, one-eyed visage.
"Have you arrived?"
Facing the enemy above, the swordsman guarding this place - holding a katana and wearing a dark kimono - silently assumed an iaijutsu stance.
In response, Takatsuki Izumi, clad in Kagune armour, merely shifted her gaze, glanced at the swordsman, then turned her attention to the massive silver metal door behind him.
Upon seeing that portal, Takatsuki Izumi's deep voice immediately rang out:
"Weak life signals... It seems I haven't come to the wrong place."
At the same moment these words fell, a silvery-white blade arc traced a crescent-shaped trajectory through the air.
Its target was clearly Takatsuki Izumi's crimson single eye.
With two slicing sounds.
Like a hot knife through butter, the katana plunged directly into the single eye.
Simultaneously, the sharp, ferocious claws pierced through the swordsman's abdomen, the crimson fingertips emerging from his back.
"...What? You're not even going to dodge?"
"Did I bet wrong?" The swordsman looked at Takatsuki Izumi before him, who showed no discomfort and could still speak, and revealed a regretful expression.
He had clearly sensed the concentration of energy in the head.
Just then, the enormous, monstrous head split open sideways like a living creature, revealing the slender, petite figure within:
"No, you bet correctly."
Takatsuki Izumi gripped the blade tip tightly, snapped it with force, and exposed her completely unharmed collarbone, which glowed with a faint golden hue.
In the end, Takatsuki Izumi lowered her gaze, looking down at the swordsman as she said:
"Pity, you failed to breach my defence."
Hearing this, the swordsman who was already at death's door finally realised the problem and muttered in astonishment:
"A Class user?"
Takatsuki Izumi didn't respond; her right Kagune eye ignited with golden Dying Will Flames.
Though she hadn't obtained a ghoul-specific Class, Takatsuki Izumi still embarked on the path of a Death Flame Sorcerer.
Having only preliminarily reached Excellent Rank, yet combined with her fundamental ghoul attributes, she clearly possessed overwhelming superiority against daytime Hero Rank opponents.
Glancing at the dead swordsman in her hand, Takatsuki Izumi merged back into that ferocious one-eyed monster.
Casually tossing the corpse aside, Takatsuki Izumi leapt down to the sixth underground level and, amidst roaring explosions, launched an assault against the metal door.
...
Underground headquarters of the Ministry of Environment's Abnormal Life Containment Division.
A group of containment personnel wearing brand-new white uniforms watched the massive instrument before them with unnatural expressions, occasionally shifting their gazes toward the suited man with silver-blue short hair standing behind them.
Not far from the suited man, several corpses with massive wounds on their backs leaned limply against the door.
These corpses were, of course, the handiwork of the suited man, Hong Ruowang.
Casually licking the blood from his hand, Hong Ruowang fixed his red eyes on everyone and declared:
"Those who recommended retreat have already withdrawn their suggestions."
"Does anyone else have objections?"
Hearing this, the support personnel who had been transferred from various Cabinet Direct Units felt a chill run through their hearts.
Seeing everyone fall into line, Hong Ruowang narrowed his eyes and looked up at the surveillance screen showing Giada Kukulcan wielding a fiery flame spear - dispatching obstructors one by one while stomping through floor after floor.
Finally, Hong Ruowang immediately ordered:
"Reduce energy supply to barriers one through five, concentrate power to activate the sixth barrier."
Upon hearing this, a bald technician gritted his teeth and said:
"The sixth barrier's power reactor cannot handle such massive energy input. Forcing it could risk self-detonation."
"Then let it self-detonate."
Hong Ruowang turned his gaze to the technician and stated:
"Understood?"
The technician silently returned his hands to the control panel, sighed, and began his work.
Just then, Hong Ruowang looked up, frowning at the screen showing Giada's effortless advance, and murmured to himself:
"Another primogenitor..."
"This level of power seems somewhat excessive..."
...
Iman, who had just arrived and was attempting to contact Giada and Krul to stop the violence, watched with a greenish complexion as the Cabinet Secretary risked his life to seek an audience.
"Your military operations are truly unbearable for us. We beg you to show mercy and suspend current military actions."
"Please, we implore you to order the cessation of operations!!"
Looking at this white-haired old man who had stopped his official vehicle, tricked him into getting out, and immediately prostrated himself in dogeza, Iman felt the urge to kill for the first time.
What Iman found even more unacceptable was the sudden appearance of over a dozen camera-wielding disasters frantically pressing their shutters nearby.
Reporters?
You actually arranged for reporters, too?
Staring at the death-defying pleading Cabinet Minister, Iman's face turned from green to nearly black as he hurriedly shouted at the reporters:
"No filming! Absolutely no photography!!"
As he shouted, Iman kicked the stunned defence personnel beside him and screamed hoarsely:
"Hurry up and take out their cameras!!!"