Chapter 73
She tried to cover the fingers within reach, but Vera flicked them aside.
"It's still somewhat unstable."
Hishikori Kouichi shrugged.
"The requirements from above are that at least a safety threshold needs to be set, controlled by the user, so that the backlash can be kept within an acceptable and recoverable range before maximizing activation performance. In fact, thanks to the help of Russell Associate Special Investigator over the past two months, the research and development progress is much faster than I originally expected."
Then, he pushed open the door to the workshop cubicle.
"Working overtime, I have completed the improvements to those two Quinque as required, using the latest fusion Kagune cutting-edge technology... They will be the first batch of [Hybrid Quinque] born in my hands. Special Class Investigator Russell, thank you for your suggestions and help in the research and development."
Vera responded with a polite smile.
"You're welcome... Doctor, you are one of the most authoritative scholars in the field of Ghoul research, and a top scientist in the field of Quinque production and improvement. It is my honor to work with you. For this reason alone, this trip to Tokyo has been worthwhile."
Vera meant it sincerely when she said that.
Why did she come to Tokyo to wade into this murky world? Firstly, it was a convenient place to accumulate merits, enhance her resume, and get promoted and a raise. Secondly, it was for the advanced manufacturing techniques of Quinque.
The inventors of the Quinque were Washuu Kichou, and Adam Gohanner, then director of the German CCG.
It is impossible to pinpoint exactly when Ghoul became rampant worldwide, but one thing is certain: the 'Ghoul Countermeasures Institute' established in 1890 by the Washuu Clan Washuu Yoshitoki family, was the earliest organization to combat Ghoul.
At least in this world, in terms of investment in and R&D experience with Quinque technology, even the victor in the war, the United States, which economically colonized Japan, was not as good as the Washuu Clan and the earliest established Tokyo CCG.
During the wars of the last century, the Washuu Clan maintained neutrality and made contact with the Allied forces stationed in Japan in advance, thus ensuring their survival.
Of course, it's also possible that the US military doesn't need it. They do have the technology to manufacture Quinque, but compared to these strange and unusual raw materials, most CCG agents in North America are clearly more enthusiastic about firing cannons and blasting their mothers. Open the door, CCG!
There is no market without demand.
In this respect, Tokyo has a unique advantage. After all, Ghoul are everywhere.
As for Hishikori Kouichi, the creators of Quinque from behind, their personal talent and ability are beyond doubt.
Vera, possessing extraordinary 'future vision,' also knows that in the next ten years, he will successively develop [Hybrid Quinque], invent [Quinx Surgery] (including controllable Kakuhou implantation and Half-Ghoul Transformation surgery), and lead the research and development of [high Rc cells food that Ghoul can eat and perceive taste]...
Vera naturally wanted to cultivate a good relationship with such a top expert in the field.
She learned the basics of Quinque making and design at a professional college in the USA.
On the contrary, the USA's agent academy teaches a great deal of special agent disciplines, such as firearms, tactical chemistry, first aid, vehicles, psychology, criminology, and wilderness survival.
During her three months in Tokyo, Vera naturally developed an interest in Quinque manufacturing and design.
While at the 1st Division Headquarters, aside from chatting with Marude Souta and going on duty, he spent most of his time in the workshop assisting Dr. Hishikori Kouichi Kou and observing his production techniques.
Hishikori Kouichi didn't hold back either, just like a teacher guiding an apprentice or a mentor guiding a student, naturally teaching Vera the key points and precautions for making Quinque.
Vera adapted to the role perfectly.
While learning the world's most advanced Quinque manufacturing technology, the help of the original timeline Remembrance and the multi-life, multi-perspective experiences brought by "Heaven's Gift" enabled her to keenly point out the optimal future solution for the project in the hands of Hishikori Kouichi during the experiment, and provided him with new ideas on many occasions.
Although there's a saying that "a trade is like a mountain," there's also a phrase that means "to understand by analogy."
When Hishikori Kouichi and B lacked live Kakuhou, she would work overtime, take on missions from Marude Souta, eliminate the Ghoul, and then deliver the live Kagune and Kakuhou to the doctor's laboratory as quickly as possible.
Many future developments in the original timeline were thus brought to fruition ahead of schedule, to varying degrees, thanks to Vera's influence.
During this process, after confirming that Vera's learning talent and identity were not in question, Hishikori Kouichi even passed on some of the secrets he had figured out to Vera.
There is only one requirement: the spread of Quinque technology must be strictly limited and subject to high standards, especially to prevent its leakage to Ghoul.
Vera naturally had no objections.
She learned this skill purely for herself and for more 'selves'.
For at least a long time, she had no intention of taking on apprentices.
"Although it's an improvement, implementing it on 'Gun III' and 'Black Abyss III' is equivalent to starting from scratch."
"I'm really looking forward to it."
Upon entering the workshop, Vera saw many completed silver Quinque briefcases, each bearing the nameplate of its respective investigator. On the long table that Hishikori Kouichi walked over to, there were three Quinque briefcases: two silver and one black.
The junior adjutant Mado Akira, exclaimed in disbelief, "A black gold box?!"
As far as she knew, within the CCG, only the 'The White Reaper' possessed the Special Class Investigator, Kouma Kishou, and used the Black Gold Box. Generally speaking, the Kagune prototypes used by Quinque of this rank had extremely high levels of quality and potential!
"This is..."
Looking at the three Quinque cases in front of her—two silver and one black— Vera chuckled and looked at Hishikori Kouichi, who had their hands in their pockets, with considerable surprise.
"Is this a gift for me?"
"I heard you're about to head to the District 20... the Aogiri Tree, an organized and premeditated Ghoul organization that's expanding rapidly. 'Oogiri,' 'Yamori,' 'Gourmet'... they're all at least S-rank, vicious and ruthless villains."
Hishikori Kouichi placed their hands on the black gold box.
"More strength means more security. It originally belonged to Special Investigator Shinohara, but after learning about the difficulty of Special Class Investigator Russell Special Investigator Shinohara's mission, he specially gave up his spot and asked me to give it to you first. His share of the extension is also fine."
After listening, Vera couldn't help but sigh, "This is the advantage of having the right system and the right path."
Perhaps the top echelons of the CCG, as well as a few districts and individuals, are utterly corrupt, but the CCG's founding principles are sound. The majority of the middle and lower ranks, and the ordinary humans in the Special Class Investigator positions, all harbor the ideal of expelling Ghoul and are prepared to die for it.
They're really capable when things get tough.
It's nice and comfortable to be with colleagues like this.
"Please convey my gratitude to Special Investigator Shinohara. I will return a Quinque to him."
Vera picked up the "Black Abyss III" briefcase, click. She pressed the fingerprint verification switch, buzz!
She held in her hand a two-handed knight's lance, about three meters long, entirely black, with capillary-like patterns shimmering with a purplish-red glow, and a spiral-shaped spearhead. It felt heavy in her hand. Compared to the Type I, it was heavier and larger.
Weighing the weight, Vera casually twirled the gun a few times, the air crackling with each swing.
Hishikori Kouichi explained in a timely manner, "Based on 'Black Abyss II,' a second mixing and incorporation of Koukaku has increased its hardness and weight. While retaining its variable protective wall and separable/combinable characteristics, the addition of the Ukaku has stabilized its balance and high toughness, slightly enhancing its deformation..."
This is an explanation for Mado Akira.
"As expected of Dr. Chigyou's work."
Vera nodded, placed "Black Abyss III" horizontally in front of her, and with a hum, it disappeared into her briefcase like a non-Newtonian liquid.
Compared to living Kagune, Quinque are dead bodies, and can only have a relatively stable shape and abilities according to a predetermined design, unlike Kagune which can deform and stretch significantly.
"Black Abyss III" can expand, contract, and deform slightly, and can be separated, which is already a testament to the advanced skills of the Hishikori Kouichi.
Next up is "Gun III". The moment she opened the briefcase, the pinkish-white Memory Metal enveloped her left hand like a living thing. Compared to the Type II, the short gun barrel has extended from the wrist to the forearm and fits the arm better.
In addition to the main gun muzzle that originally fired explosive Ukaku bullets, there are six smaller firing ports.
"The main material, the Ukaku, hasn't changed much in power, but I've added six rapid-fire ports using new Ukaku material. According to your design, this thing is meant to clear out 'grunts' below S-rank. The key to the adjusted Quinque Steel design is the integrated Rinkaku; its original owner must have engaged in cannibalism, resulting in regenerative abilities and extremely high plasticity..."
Before Hishikori Kouichi could finish speaking, Vera stretched out her hand and tapped the armored surface of the cannon barrel.
In an instant, the pinkish-white cannon barrel armor retracted and extended, flashing red light, fitting her left arm like an arm armor with gauntlets, along with her fingers, palms, forearms, joints, and part of her upper arm.
As Vera moved her left arm, the tips of her five fingers sharpened and elongated the Quinque armor to a length of 3 inches, like a blade. Then, as her five fingers closed, they merged together, like a broad-bladed short sword...
Vera closed the silver-white box, showing no intention of putting Quinque back into her briefcase.
"Well?"
Mado Akira blinked and paused for a moment.
"Do you have gloves?" Vera asked the Hishikori Kouichi. "Of course," he replied, clearly having anticipated Vera's actions.
"[Constant Quinque] is a small, compact weapon that fits snugly against the human body. While the project is tempting, controlling Quinque is inherently very difficult. Maintaining a normal state requires constant focus and energy, and few people can do it. Russell, I don't recommend you do it."
As he spoke, he handed Vera a pair of white gloves.
"Give it a try. I know what I'm doing."
Vera glanced at the "Gun III" covering the cuffs of her suit, maintaining its ultra-thin gauntlet state, put on the slightly oversized gloves, took a trench coat from Mado Akira, picked up "Black Abyss III" and the black gold box, and walked outside.
Why not give the new proto a try?
"No need. Doctor, after all, I am also one of its designers and participants in its production."
Upon hearing this, Hishikori Kouichi and B smiled, hands in their pockets, "If you want to maintain the normal state, I've also prepared a box of Rc cells supply agents for you. Don't forget to take it." To maintain the Quinque's state, Rc cells supply is essential, especially in a continuously stimulated state.
"Xiao," Vera simply said.
"Hmm." Mado Akira bowed neatly to the two men on the Hishikori Kouichi, picked up the box containing the Rc cells supply agent, and followed them.
Before leaving, Vera Hishikori Kouichi crew. "Doctor, next time I'll give you a Kakuja's Kakuhou."
"Don't die, Russell."
"Certainly."
In the main parking lot, in front of her car, Vera looked towards the District 20. The sky was overcast and gloomy; it looked like it was going to rain.
She turned around and looked behind her.
Teams of investigators, dressed in white trench coats and carrying Quinque cases, were already in position. These were four elite squads, each led by a senior investigator, transferred from Marude Souta.
"Set off."
Chapter 79: Vera is here, and the Anteiku is in turmoil!
District 20.
Cloudy day.
The sky was covered as if by a thick gray velvet cloth, with low-hanging clouds that seemed almost within reach, foreshadowing an impending rain.
The interior of the "Anteiku" café is currently closed and marked "Closed".
"The following is the latest news: Just now, according to the decision of the CCG Washuu Tsuneyoshi, Special Class Investigator Marude Souta has issued an order to dispatch additional investigators to the District 11, District 13, and District 20..."
The relaxed and pleasant atmosphere inside the store was instantly shattered by this unexpected news broadcast.
"Tch... Why would the CCG suddenly send investigators at a time like this?"
With her short, shoulder-length blue hair and blue eyes, the seemingly quiet and shy girl pouted in annoyance. She had just put on a green turtleneck hooded jacket and was about to leave when she suddenly lost all interest in going out. She sprawled on the sofa, crossed her legs in a very rebellious manner, and complained.
"It's precisely at times like these that we need to be patient, Touka- chan."
A man dressed as a coffee shop receptionist, with a suit-style haircut, light-colored hair, and a thick nose, crossed his arms and said in a deep voice:
"What is certain is that the CCG's sudden reinforcement of troops this time is not due to us. The continuous activities of 'Big Eater', 'Yamori', and 'Gourmet' in the District 20 have attracted the CCG's attention... We were prepared for this."
"Kuma is right, our reserves of 'corpse flesh' are enough to sustain us for a while." The mature woman with black hair and brown eyes, dressed similarly as a receptionist, nodded.
"During this period, Touka, all of us must be on high alert, especially you and Nishio Nishiki. Do not act impulsively or hurt anyone. Since the CCG has also reinforced its forces in the District 11, it means that this case is a cross-regional case. As long as there is no major trouble in the District 20, they will soon turn their attention to the District 11."
"Yes, Kaya."
Although she was annoyed, the girl who was called 'Touka' still sat down properly and nodded seriously.
She was not a spoiled, rebellious girl who didn't know what was important or urgent.
She simply disliked this feeling of having to hide, like a rat in a sewer, unable to see the light of day.
They clearly also yearn for... an ordinary life under the sun.
Wearing a striped vest, with gray hair and wrinkles on his face, the elderly man, who looked very elegant, nodded gently with a kind smile.
As he continued making coffee, he turned to the handsome man standing next to him, who had silver hair and wore a simple, solid-colored turtleneck coat, and asked, "Sifang, what was the strange activity in District 14 and District 13 a few days ago?"
"Manager, do you remember the news about the international inspection team that the North American CCG sent to Tokyo more than three months ago?" The man called 'Yoshika' looked around the room and spoke.
Immediately, everyone in the room put down what they were doing and what they were thinking, and listened attentively.
"The international inspection team?"
The old man looked thoughtful.