"Do you girls know how to use a gun?"
Lin Yi handed a pre-prepared black briefcase to the two sisters sitting in the car.
The CCG had strict regulations regarding weapons, and as newly graduated prospective investigators, Kurona Yasuhisa and Nashiro Yasuhisa didn't possess the qualifications to own them.
Normally, they would be assigned to a branch to handle miscellaneous tasks for about a year before they could start learning under second-class investigators.
Excitedly, the two sisters opened the black briefcase they had received. Inside, they found two shiny black handguns and two boxes of special CCG-branded bullets.
These bullets were specifically designed Quinque bullets, highly effective against low-level Ghouls. They had immense force, capable of penetrating the tough, steel-like skin of Ghouls, and the special Quinque inside hindered their regenerative abilities.
According to CCG rules, only third-class investigators were permitted to carry firearms, while second-class and higher investigators utilized specialized Quinque weapons.
"We received firearms training at the academy," the two sisters responded simultaneously. Even the usually quiet Kurona answered.
"Starting today, these two guns will be assigned to you. Take good care of them, and if you run out of bullets, you can request replenishment directly from the branch," Lin Yi instructed. As the car gradually slowed down, they arrived at a bustling shopping mall. "This is the location of today's investigation. I have other tasks to attend to, but since it's your first mission, I've come to accompany you."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the two sisters became somewhat unnatural. Despite learning a great deal about battling Ghouls and receiving simulated combat training at the academy, they still felt anxious and uneasy about facing it alone.
However, Lin Yi acted as if he hadn't noticed their change in demeanor. He provided them with a brief instruction, informed them that someone would come to pick them up after the mission, and then drove away.
"Sister?"
Watching the car depart, the usually silent Kurona anxiously spoke up, her eyes fixed on the bustling commercial building ahead with fear.
"It's okay, it's just a normal patrol. In theory, there shouldn't be any danger, especially in the 20th Ward, which is the safest area in all of Japan. Everything will be fine," Nashiro reassured her.
The two sisters quickly composed themselves and diligently started patrolling inside the commercial building.
Time flew by, and soon it was almost closing time for the mall. The initially crowded scenes gradually became less congested.
Initially, the two sisters were nervous and overly cautious, but as time passed, they began to relax.
During their several hours of patrol duty, they didn't come across any suspicious individuals or encounter any danger.
They did catch a pickpocket and handed them over to the police.
"Phew, it wasn't as difficult as I thought. I was so worried at the beginning," Kurona said, linking her arm with Nashiro, demonstrating their close bond.
"Don't let your guard down. This is our first mission, and we can't disappoint Lin Yi," Nashiro cautioned.
"I know, I know, Sister," Kurona nodded repeatedly.
The stark contrast between the personalities of the two sisters now and when they first appeared in the original story was like night and day.
But it was understandable. Anyone who experienced the loss of their family and transformation into a monster would undergo a significant change in character. The fact that they didn't become completely deranged was already remarkable.
Nashiro fondly ruffled her sister's hair, exemplifying their excellent relationship.
The two of them had returned to the entrance of the shopping mall, and outside the gate, the crowd was gradually dispersing.
Suddenly, Kurona's eyes widened, and she rushed forward, speaking up.
"Huh? Grandma, let me help you," Nashiro was momentarily stunned. Upon hearing the voice, she looked over and saw an elderly person in shabby clothes, looking dirty, picking through the trash can by the roadside.
Occasionally, she would collect a few empty cans and plastic bottles and put them in the bag she had behind her.
Perhaps due to a momentary lapse in attention, the old woman suddenly stumbled, causing all the items in her bag to scatter onto the ground.
Kurona and Nashiro, being kind-hearted women at heart, couldn't just stand by. They proactively stepped forward, not minding the dirtiness, and started helping the old woman pick up her belongings.
Meanwhile, Kurona approached and helped the old woman to her feet.
"Thank you, girls," the old woman sincerely thanked them, but her tone turned sorrowful as her voice trailed off. "If my granddaughter hadn't been killed by a Ghoul, she would be just like you."
Then, the old woman couldn't help but burst into tears.
Kurona felt a pang in her heart and patted the old woman's back, comforting her.
"Grandma, what happened to your granddaughter?"
As if touching on a sore spot, the old woman covered her heart and soon concocted a tragic story of elderly misfortune—raising her children alone, with ungrateful children who eventually ran away from home. It was a melodramatic tale.
Kurona was clearly taken in by the story. Upon hearing such words, she insisted on escorting the old woman back home, as she couldn't rest assured otherwise.
Fortunately, after some questioning, it turned out that the old woman didn't live far away, in a slum area behind this commercial building.
She made a living by collecting and selling trash.
Where there is prosperity, there will always be destitution.
The slum hid beneath the towering buildings, although it was a bit secluded, far away from the main roads and streets, requiring passing through numerous winding alleys to reach it.
"Grandma, everything will be better. Don't be too upset," Nashiro comforted her along the way.
Kurona had no choice but to follow behind, unable to change her sister's kind-hearted nature.
"Thank you, girls. I'm so happy to meet you tonight. If only my children could be as filial as you," the old woman said with a touch of sorrow.
Nashiro's heart ached, and she supported the old woman all the way.
"Grandma, don't worry. I will come to see you often from now on."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"But I'm just an old woman..."
Unknowingly, the three of them turned into another alley. The streetlights in this alley were all broken, and they had to rely on dim moonlight to find their way.
"What's wrong?" Kurona sensed that something was amiss and asked.
~~~
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