Mask

Rain washed over the earth, leaving traces of varying depths between heaven and earth.

Two people in white trench coats arrived at the top of the building.

"What lovely rain. It dulls their reactions. Isn't this a perfect day for work?" An unsettling smile hung on the white-haired man's lips, giving him a dangerous air.

His name was Kureo Mado, a Senior Ghoul Investigator with the CCG, an organization dedicated to combating ghouls.

"According to the ward branch's report, a predation incident suspected to be Gluttony's work occurred in this building three months ago. A witness at the time reported seeing someone who resembled Jason. There may be some connection between the two S-ranks."

Beside him stood a tall young man with neatly trimmed black hair. His name was Kōtarō Amon, a First Class Ghoul Investigator who served as Kureo Mado's assistant and partner.

"Gluttony and Jason..." No emotion showed on Kureo Mado's sickly face as he heard the names of the two S-rank ghouls.

"There's one more thing. About four months ago, a strange vagrant appeared in Ward 20. Ghoul attacks on humans have occurred in many of the places he passed through," Kōtarō Amon said, looking at the report in his hands.

"The police and the branch both investigated him. He's a vagrant with no identification or household registration. Witnesses reported that he often rummages through trash cans for food and robs passersby."

Amon frowned. For a homeless vagrant to survive for several months, even in the relatively peaceful Ward 20, was almost inconceivable. People like that were usually a ghoul's first choice of prey.

Yet this man had neither been eaten by ghouls nor arrested by the police over all those months.

"Amon, while I don't mind dealing with small fry, our time and energy are limited. Let's wait until the police send us a detailed report on him." Kureo Mado narrowed his eyes. "Gourmet, Gluttony, and Jason... heh heh..."

They were Ghoul Investigators newly assigned to Ward 20. The activities of Gluttony and other ghouls had drawn the CCG's attention to this peaceful ward.

Meanwhile, inside Anteiku...

"Masks?" Louis asked as he listened to the manager.

Just moments earlier, Manager Yoshimura had asked Touka to take him and Ken Kaneki to have masks made to conceal their identities.

"Although you aren't a ghoul, your existence is still rather unusual. This is also to avoid unnecessary trouble," Manager Yoshimura replied calmly. "Two Ghoul Investigators have arrived in Ward 20. Someone has already been killed."

"White Doves?" Touka grew much more serious, the reluctance on her face vanishing in an instant.

"Those people with the briefcases..." Louis thought for a moment, though fortunately, he had already considered this possibility.

"Understood, but there's no need to go to all that trouble." Louis nodded. After making sure no outsiders were present, he directed a stream of cold air over his face.

With a series of faint, strange sounds, a patch of hard blue ice appeared between Louis's brows and rapidly spread outward. Soon, it covered his entire face.

Everyone around him was visibly taken aback. Neither humans nor ghouls had ever seen anything like it.

"This ice-edge mask is connected directly to the flesh of my face. Unless I remove it myself, the only way to take it off is to tear off my entire face." Louis's hoarse, muffled voice emerged from beneath the ice mask.

It did more than conceal his face. Even his voice had changed.

Manager Yoshimura watched for a moment, then nodded. "In that case, Touka, just take Kaneki."

"Understood."

"Hey, Eyepatch." Touka nodded, then fixed Kaneki with a terrifying glare. "In front of the station tomorrow at two thirty in the afternoon. If you're late, I'll kill you..."