章 8: Chapter 8: Veiled Threat
Chapter 8: Veiled Threat
Kaneki knew that reaching out to a CCG investigator was an idea filled with risks, but he couldn't shake the image of that empty, hollow-eyed woman from his mind. This parasite was like a hidden disease spreading through Tokyo, infecting people without them even knowing, and he was helpless to detect it on his own.
After a day of hesitation, he made up his mind. He would seek out the investigator he'd saved, hoping they could provide some information on recent unusual disappearances or unexplained behavior reports. The idea of working with the CCG felt wrong, but this wasn't about humans versus ghouls—it was about something darker, something that could take hold of anyone without a trace.
Moving through Tokyo's quieter streets, he kept his mask on, careful to avoid crowded areas. He knew the investigator's name was Takashi Asano, a seasoned CCG agent stationed in Tokyo's 20th Ward. The fact that he was stationed here meant he'd likely seen the darker side of the city, enough to be wary of unusual cases.
---
After some covert questioning among other CCG field agents, he finally located Asano at a small coffee shop that seemed well away from his usual haunts. Kaneki entered, choosing a seat by the window where he could observe without drawing too much attention. Takashi was already there, nursing a drink, his gaze focused on the empty street outside.
Kaneki cleared his throat, drawing the investigator's attention.
Asano's gaze sharpened instantly. "You again. The ghoul who helped me." His voice was a mix of surprise and something close to suspicion. "Why are you here?"
Kaneki pulled his mask down slightly, keeping his expression neutral. "I'm not here for a fight. I need your help."
The investigator scoffed, looking him up and down. "A ghoul asking for help from the CCG? That's a first. You expect me to trust you?"
"Trust doesn't matter right now," Kaneki replied, keeping his voice steady. "There's something happening in Tokyo—something neither of us can ignore."
He noticed Asano's skeptical look shift slightly, a hint of curiosity breaking through the distrust. "Go on."
"People are disappearing—both humans and ghouls. The ones who don't vanish outright come back… different," Kaneki said, his tone grim. "I think it's a parasite of some sort, controlling people without them realizing it."
Asano's fingers tightened around his cup. He didn't dismiss Kaneki immediately, which was a good sign. "Let's say I believe you. What proof do you have?"
Kaneki hesitated. "I don't have solid proof yet. But the people I've seen—it's like they're there, but… hollow. Like they're shells of themselves, moving without any real emotion."
The investigator's eyes narrowed. "I've heard rumors. A few cases of people acting strangely, then vanishing again before we could get a closer look. Most of us thought it was just the usual ghoul attacks, but if what you're saying is true…"
"It's more than that," Kaneki interrupted. "This isn't about ghouls versus humans. If this parasite can control anyone, it's a threat to both of us."
Asano stayed silent, his gaze hardening as he weighed Kaneki's words. "And what do you expect me to do?"
"We form an alliance. We share information," Kaneki said, the words tasting strange on his tongue. "You've seen things I haven't, and I can detect… certain signals, like traces of the parasite's presence."
The investigator studied him, his expression unreadable. "Alright. But if this turns out to be some sort of trick, you'll regret it."
Kaneki nodded, hiding his relief. The alliance was uneasy, and it would be dangerous for both of them if they were discovered. But it was a start.
---
Once they'd established the basics of their alliance, Kaneki shifted his focus to improving his detection ability, training with the System's guidance. It was the only way he could pinpoint the parasitic signal.
Sitting alone in a quiet corner of the city, he focused on reaching within himself, trying to channel the System's energy. His vision blurred momentarily, a faint static buzzing at the edges of his awareness.
[System Update: Detection Ability Unlocked. This ability allows the identification of parasitic signals, but is limited by range and requires concentration. Extreme usage may result in mental strain.]
The moment the message appeared, Kaneki felt a tingling along the back of his neck. He tried to push the sensation outward, like extending a net into the surrounding area. Images flashed—people walking, ghouls lurking in alleys, the faint traces of life in the buildings around him. But then, something cold and unnatural pulsed, just at the edge of his awareness.
He focused harder, trying to sharpen the sensation, but his vision wavered, and he felt a wave of nausea hit him.
[Warning: Overuse Detected. Detection may lead to unstable perceptions.]
Gasping, he pulled back, the coldness retreating as he regained his senses. He could sense the ability's potential, but it was imperfect and exhausting, like trying to look at an image through a fogged-up window.
---
Two days later, he met Asano again. This time, their uneasy alliance was tested in the field.
Kaneki had detected a faint signal in the crowded downtown area, and he'd tracked it to a young man wandering aimlessly through the crowd. His movements were strangely robotic, his eyes unfocused, his expression blank.
"There," Kaneki whispered, keeping a low profile beside Asano. "See him? The man with the gray coat."
Asano nodded, following his gaze. "He does look… off."
They watched as the man drifted through the crowd, his steps almost mechanical. Then, without warning, he turned into a side alley. Kaneki and Asano followed from a distance, keeping out of sight.
When they rounded the corner, they found the man standing still, staring blankly at the wall. He looked like he was waiting for something, his posture unnatural.
Kaneki's detection ability buzzed faintly, confirming the presence of the parasite. He took a step closer, his heart racing. If they could catch this host, maybe they could find a way to understand the parasite better.
But before they could approach, the man suddenly turned, his eyes blank but with a glint of something malevolent. His voice was low, almost a growl. "You shouldn't have come here."
Without warning, he lunged at Asano, moving faster than Kaneki expected. Asano reacted quickly, drawing his quinque to block the attack. Kaneki moved instinctively, grabbing the man from behind to pin him down.
But the man twisted, his strength unnatural, as if the parasite was lending him more power. He thrashed, almost breaking free from Kaneki's grip.
"Hold him!" Asano shouted, bringing his quinque down to strike the man's shoulder, pinning him against the wall. The man's eyes flickered, a hint of pain breaking through the blank expression, but he showed no sign of surrender.
Kaneki focused his detection ability, trying to pinpoint the parasitic energy within the host. But the strain was too much—the signal was chaotic, flickering in and out, like a broken transmission.
The man let out a guttural scream, the sound almost inhuman, and then he went limp, the unnatural strength fading from his body. Asano lowered his weapon, watching the man carefully.
"He's… gone," Kaneki murmured, his voice hollow. The man's expression was blank, his eyes lifeless. Whatever the parasite had been using to control him, it was gone, leaving only a shell.
Asano looked grim, his eyes darkening as he sheathed his quinque. "If what you say is true, we're dealing with something far worse than ghouls."
Kaneki nodded, his hands still trembling from the encounter. "We need to stop it before it spreads further."
As they left the alley, Kaneki couldn't shake the sense of dread settling over him. This parasite was far more dangerous than he'd realized. It could control anyone, ghouls and humans alike, turning them into tools for its own unknown purpose. And now, he knew just how difficult it would be to fight something that could hide so easily within its host.
Asano glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "We keep each other updated. For now, I'll look into recent disappearances. If you sense anything unusual, you let me know."
Kaneki agreed, understanding the stakes. This alliance was dangerous, but it was their best hope. They were up against an invisible enemy, one that neither of them fully understood, but if they worked together, maybe—just maybe—they had a chance.
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