Although it was Lancer's first time witnessing this sort of 'abnormal' Kagune—and despite the form being something the other party shouldn't even possess—one word immediately surfaced in his mind——Kakuja.
"I can't let him succeed!"
The folks from Anteiku weren't panicked at all; after all, Yoshimura was quietly holding the line in the back. But Lancer was panicking! The Special Class Investigators sent by HQ weren't here yet. Sure, if he went all-out, Lancer could indeed trade blows with an SS-rated Ghoul. But even among Ghouls of the same rating, there was still a distinction between strong and weak, and this so-called 'Kakuja' or 'half-Kakuja' wasn't exactly a clear Ghoul rating—it was more like a buffed state, a kind of abnormal condition.
The same S-rated Ghoul entering a Kakuja state might become stronger than an SS-rated Ghoul, or weaker; either way… Lancer wasn't planning to let him continue, because whatever the result, it would definitely become more troublesome.
But it seemed the members of Aogiri Tree had also caught onto Lancer's thoughts, immediately stepping forward to shield Naki as they sensed the changes happening around him.
Without a doubt, the fragile equilibrium that held the battlefield together instantly boiled over again.
And while most of Anteiku's group leisurely stalled to train their newbies, Lancer—as the CCG commander—received 'special attention.' At least a fifth of the Ghouls had locked their targets firmly onto him.
This stalemate persisted tens of seconds without any shift. The only technique Lancer had capable of breaking the deadlock had a massive drawback; using it at a moment like this was just asking to die. And thus, the result was simply——
Just after knocking away several Kagune aimed his way, Lancer felt a rush of wind behind him. He barely had time to spin around, bracing his spear horizontally in front of him.
BANG!!
"Ugh...!"
His previously flushed cheeks drained pale from the impact. Where 'Naki' had stood earlier, the white-suited Ghoul had vanished—replaced by a 'monster' whose upper half was entirely encased in bluish Kagune armor, with exposed head and right shoulder dripping in fresh blood.
"Kill you!!"
Alongside this furious roar, a long-forgotten voice echoed clearly in Lancer's mind.
[EMERGENCY MISSION | NAKI]
[OBJECTIVE]:
ELIMINATE S-RATED HALF-KAKUJA NAKI.
[REWARDS]:
x1 RANDOM PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
But despite finally triggering a mission, Lancer felt not the slightest hint of joy, because the half-Kakuja Naki—having just knocked Lancer flying—was already barreling toward him again.
Naki's Kagune-clad form resembled a giant—though strangely, this giant possessed only 'most' of its body. Yet each swing of his arm, every fierce stomp left craters deep enough to withstand grenade blasts in the 'ground.'
Meanwhile, Lancer—abandoning his earlier offensive stance—was forced into frantic evasion. Fortunately, while Naki's strength had drastically surged, the already crazed Ghoul had descended even further into madness under the pressure of his 'half-Kakuja' state.
Those white-suited members fared decently enough; the real tragedy befell ordinary Aogiri Tree members. Initially thrilled by Naki's transformation, none of them imagined their cheers would be greeted by a brutal slap—leaving the ground stained by grim 'flowers of blood.'
Even more absurdly irritating for Lancer: Anteiku's group actually retreated now of all times?!
Did I accidentally shout, "I'm about to start showing off!" or something?
But regardless, others could retreat; he couldn't. Earlier he'd run circles, borrowed knives to kill plenty of Ghouls—but now all the easy prey were gone. Those remaining had fled; continuing to dodge would only waste precious stamina.
Planting his foot, he spun suddenly, braced his spear handle against the ground, stepped forward aggressively, forming a triangle with his body and the ground, and thrust downward—
Puchi!
The half-Kakuja clearly hadn't expected the tiny bug running away earlier to fight back. Regardless, the pain of the spear piercing his chest triggered another furious howl. The Kagune-made giant hand grabbed fiercely at his chest, unclear whether intending to slap Lancer away or outright crush him. But no matter his intentions, Lancer certainly wouldn't wait obediently to die.
After exploiting his opponent's momentum to deliver a vicious strike, Lancer performed something no one anticipated—he actually 'retracted' his weapon.
Kicking off Naki's chest, he dived toward the ground, rolled deftly with one hand, narrowly dodging the incoming swipe—and then boldly leapt straight onto Naki's back!
Though a Kakuja might look monstrous, the body beneath that monster was merely Kagune transformed, akin to leaping straight onto the enemy's weapon. Yet perhaps this reckless action precisely defied everyone's expectations.
Clutching his spear tightly in both hands, Lancer resembled an old sailor hunting monstrous whales upon stormy seas, a ferocious grin splitting his face as he drove the weapon down into Naki's back.
"ROOOAR!!!"
Amidst splashes of blood erupted an inhuman howl, and Naki instantly began slamming violently into surrounding walls.
With each brutal collision between shoulder and concrete, Lancer—still gripping his spear—was likewise hurled mercilessly against the wall.
BANG!!
Crack!
Though much quieter than the booming impacts, the sound of breaking bones echoed loudly enough in Lancer's ears. No one else could know better than him the severity of his condition: he'd surely snapped two or three ribs, his arm possibly fractured. Yet he still refused to loosen his grip—his expression only growing more savage as blood streamed from Naki's wounds onto him.
He absolutely could not let go! The tip of his spear now rested directly against the opponent's Kakuhou—piercing it would instantly dispel the half-Kakuja state and render Naki nearly powerless.
BANG!!
BANG!!
BANG!!
Their formerly tactical battle devolved into a brutal slugfest devoid of elegance.
Though each collision weakened Naki's strength, the Kakuhou injury leaving his attacks less forceful each time, all present wore expressions heavy with tension, watching two fighters reduced to bloodied ruin.
Several considered shooting, but no one had confidence they'd avoid hitting Lancer amidst Naki's erratic movements. Ghouls, meanwhile, dared not approach, lest they also become 'blood flowers,' a fate already proven by unfortunate bystanders.
Amidst everyone's anxious uncertainty about when this bloody stalemate might end, the rampaging Naki suddenly stumbled forward, sending Lancer flying off his back.
Yet Lancer, though thrown clear, slowly rose using his spear as support…
Is it finally over? The crowd thought simultaneously.
"Stop them!!"
"Support him!!"
Both sides roared almost simultaneously. Amon Koutarou took the lead, brandishing 'Doujima' as he charged, while the wounded Mado Akira—freshly bandaged, pale from blood loss yet unhesitating—followed closely, wielding 'Amatsu' in support.
But Lancer had no spare attention for those behind. Though Naki, lacking rationality, might pose less strategic threat than an intelligent SS-rated Ghoul, his destructive power was no lesser. Lancer was certain that inside, apart from broken bones, his organs might have turned into mush.
Yet even in this state, he hadn't forgotten his duty.
Staggering, he approached Naki—who remained senseless, tears streaming from his eyes as he murmured repeatedly "Aniki," perhaps tormented by failing to fulfill his subordinate's last wish, or despairing at his inability to avenge someone he idolized…
But that was no concern of Lancer's. His job was only one thing——
"If there's a next life, go become human with Jason!"
Accompanied by Lancer's 'blessing,' the spear pierced directly through Naki's heart.
---
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