After finally seeing the fallen investigator's body in front of him, Hayato sighed.
He had won; he was the victor.
Soon, his maniacal smile slowly faded away.
''I need to regain consciousness soon; I can't become like that lunatic.'' Hayato said as he looked at Jason's body on the ground.
Turning his attention back to himself, he felt something strange within. He felt a hunger and an extreme pain where his organ storing RC cells resided.
''Hunger, intense hunger.''
Advancing toward Jason's body, he tore into the ghoul like a dog rummaging through a garbage bag for food.
After finally finding what he wanted, he ate.
It was just another RC pouch that Hayato had ripped from another ghoul, sure, it belonged to the infamous cannibal ghoul Jason, but there was nothing too different about it.
But why was it so delicious to Hayato? When he took the first bite, nostalgia overwhelmed him. The first time he tasted human flesh as a child—it was an unforgettable feeling.
'Delicious,' Hayato continued devouring.
When all that remained in his hand was just blood, he felt empty again, hungry.
His body seemed to demand more.
It wasn't like before when he ate to grow stronger; it was genuinely a desire he couldn't control.
''I need to know what's happening to me... but first, I'll get out of here,' Hayato murmured as he stood up from the crouched position next to Jason's body.
Running through the room, he felt anguish at leaving that investigator's armor behind; he could easily devour it. But other investigators would be arriving; he needed to be quick.
*
It didn't take long for him to finally reach the door leading to the top of the building, but he couldn't help feeling a strange sensation when he put his hands on the doorknob.
Deciding to open it, soon his strange feeling proved correct.
''You're Hayato Kato, aren't you?''
Looking in the direction of the voice, two figures entered his view.
''Hey, answer me,'' Ayato Kirishima said impatiently.
Looking at the boy with blue hair, a mocking gaze could be seen.
But it was different from the one standing beside him.
'Tatara,'' Hayato casually spoke.
How could he not recognize one of the leaders of Aogiri? Whenever he talked with Eto, he was right behind her, those red eyes viewing Hayato as trash.
''What do you want?'' Hayato approached where the two ghouls stood.
Noticing Hayato's arrogance, Ayato restrained his anger. He wanted to tear this guy apart, but it was an order from the boss, so he kept silent.
''My congratulations, Hayato Kato,'' Ayato opened his arms. 'You are officially invited to join Aogiri.'
''Again? If you'll excuse me, I need to go,'' Hayato replied with a sarcastic smile and walked away to leap to the adjacent building.
''Hayato, this isn't an informal invitation like before... do you understand?'' Tatara said as his kakugan could be seen active in his eyes.
Hayato stopped midway upon hearing that annoying voice; he had forgotten how much he loathed it.
He assessed the situation; he had just come out of a fight against one of the strongest individuals in Japan. Fatigue began to set in. His body gave small spasms of exhaustion, and a hunger he had never felt before now surged stronger than ever.
Turning toward the two ghouls, Hayato made his decision.
''I accept the invitation. I hope to do my best alongside all of you. Friends...'' an innocent smile formed on his face.
Ayato felt a chill down his spine.
While Tatara continued his cold gaze on Hayato.
[END OF VOLUME ONE]
Author's Notes: Thank you to everyone who read until the last chapter of the first volume.
It's the first time I've done such a big power scale, I don't know how to write the scenes very well or finish them in my opinion. But I'm trying my best.
I need to review the original work through the manga since my knowledge is only based on the anime, and from what I know they cut a lot of things.
Until the next volume, readers.