After clearing the battlefield, the CCG personnel gradually withdrew from the Aogiri Tree's stronghold.
Su Xiao sat inside a medical vehicle. His wounds had been stitched and bandaged. Although the wound on his abdomen had bled significantly, it hadn't harmed his internal organs.
Given his tenacity, this kind of injury only needed stitching and proper rest to heal quickly.
"Alright, neither wound hit any vital areas. Remember to take your medicine on time," said a young nurse as she carefully bandaged his wounds and handed him a few medications.
"Being a search officer is such a dangerous job. You've been injured twice in less than half a month," she added with a smile as she looked at Su Xiao.
"Who are you?" Su Xiao asked, still feeling pain from the stitches. The nurse's delicate face seemed familiar, and he slowly recalled some unpleasant memories.
When he first entered the ghoul world, he fought against Takatsuki Izumi, and it was this same nurse who helped stitch his wounds afterward.
Recalling the agonizing pain from before, Su Xiao's face twitched.
"Seems like you remember me now. My patients generally don't forget me."
Su Xiao nodded silently and got out of the vehicle.
"Remember to take the medicine. Don't stop." the nurse called out as he walked away.
Su Xiao paused for a moment and, after a long while, barely managed to mutter, "Got it."
Around him, the sound of sirens blared, and he could smell a faint trace of blood in the air.
"My hand, my arm, where is it?"
"Quick, there's someone losing a lot of blood, get the blood packs!"
The cries of the wounded were endless. Although the CCG had won, they had paid a heavy price.
"Doctor, can I still stand up? Please, answer me," one search officer, whose spine had been pierced, frantically clutched the doctor's arm, his lower body now numb.
The doctor turned his head and gestured to the other medical staff to lift the injured officer onto a stretcher.
The officer, his face ashen, lay on the stretcher, staring at the starry sky.
Compared to the CCG's injured, the ghouls from the Aogiri Tree were much quieter, all wrapped in body bags.
The CCG convoy continued to retreat. Around 1 A.M., Su Xiao returned to the 20th District branch.
The battle had taken a toll on him, and the significant blood loss left him extremely fatigued.
Arriving at the accommodation arranged for him by Marude Itsuki, Su Xiao immediately collapsed into bed. When he woke up again, daylight was already breaking.
He glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table, and it was already 10 a.m.
After washing up, Su Xiao went to Marude Itsuki's office.
"How was your rest? I saw that you were quite injured yesterday," Marude Itsuki said, setting down a pile of documents, already guessing what Su Xiao had come for.
With the battle against the Aogiri Tree over, Su Xiao needed to return to the 24th District. After all, he was a member of the Zero Squad.
"The wound is healing well. It'll be fully healed in about three days," Su Xiao replied. Before the battle with Kaneki Ken, he had eaten his last [Salt Rice Ball], which accelerated the healing process.
Under normal circumstances, his injuries would have taken about half a month to heal.
"That's good to hear. Are you leaving now?"
"Yes, now."
"I'll arrange a vehicle for you."
Marude Itsuki picked up the phone beside him, made a few calls, and within minutes, a mature woman in office attire entered the room.
"Mr. White Night, the car is ready for you."
After bidding farewell to Marude Itsuki, Su Xiao got into the vehicle heading back to the 24th District.
The vehicle soon arrived at the temporary branch in the 24th District, and Su Xiao got out the vehicle and entered the branch.
The temporary branch was as usual, with ordinary staff working in their offices.
Su Xiao went straight to the logistics department in the back. The thin, elderly man wearing small round sunglasses was lazily slouching behind the counter.
Su Xiao knocked on the glass of the window, and the old man raised his head.
"Who is it? Hmm? Oh, it's Mr. White Night. What can I do for you?"
"I need to exchange for some items."
The elderly man quickly became more alert.
"Let me check... You're an Associate Special-Class Investigator. Go ahead and choose the items you need."
As he spoke, an exchange list appeared before Su Xiao's eyes.
[Human Gene Strengthening Fluid]
[Exchange Condition: 15,000 CCG Contribution Points, Associate Special-Class Investigator Position.]
...
[Crushing Spirit (Premium)]
[Exchange Condition: 13,000 CCG Contribution Points, Associate Special-Class Investigator Position.]
...
Su Xiao chose the [Human Gene Strengthening Fluid]. After confirming his choice, his CCG contribution points quickly dropped, leaving him with only [Associate Special-Class Investigator: 2,723/130,000].
To become a full Special Class Officer, he needed 130,000 CCG contribution points, but Su Xiao wasn't interested in that position. He was focused on enhancing his strength, which was the wiser choice.
Spending CCG contribution points wouldn't lower his rank, as he had already confirmed this with the Reincarnation Paradise.
After the exchange, Su Xiao held a green-colored vial in his hand. The vial was reinforced with fine metal wires to protect it.
Holding the [Human Gene Strengthening Fluid], Su Xiao couldn't help but smile. He had ventured deep into the 24th District and even participated in the battle in the 11th District just to get this vial.
It was all worth it. After drinking the fluid, his strength would see a significant improvement.
After completing the exchange, Su Xiao quickly walked toward his room.
"Mr. White Night…" a staff member tried to call out to him, but he was already hastily heading upstairs.
The staff member hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose not to disturb him.
Back in his room, Su Xiao locked the door and closed the curtains. Although his actions seemed suspicious, the [Human Gene Strengthening Fluid] didn't indicate any potential reactions after consumption.
It only stated that it would improve his attributes without any side effects, and it didn't mention anything about what might happen during consumption.
Being cautious, Su Xiao placed Dragon Flash within arm's reach.
He uncorked the vial and sniffed the contents. It had a fresh, plant-like scent.
Taking a deep breath, Su Xiao drank the [Human Gene Strengthening Fluid] in one gulp.
An indescribable taste filled his mouth, and he frowned.
"What is this strange taste?"
Su Xiao sat cross-legged on the bed, waiting for any changes to occur. After a long while, he still didn't feel anything unusual.
He checked his strength and stamina attributes, but they hadn't increased.
Could it be that he had bought a counterfeit?
Just as Su Xiao pondered this, a warm sensation began to spread inside his body.
The warmth was gentle and gradually spread throughout, making him feel as though he were soaking in warm water.
His blood circulation sped up, and his muscles subtly twitched.
Su Xiao clearly felt his body growing stronger, his heartbeat became more powerful, his breathing smoother, and even his thoughts seemed clearer.
The injuries he sustained in the 11th District battle were healing at a visible rate.
The [Human Genetic Enhancement Serum] was indeed a high-quality blue-grade strengthening potion. Its effects were significant, and the process was gentle.
(End of Chapter)
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Translator's Note :- I am Not that familiar with a lot of the fictional worlds mentioned in the story. So if I make a mistake naming something please correct me by writing a paragraph comment on the mistake. Thank you.