Kaiju No.8: Devour and Evolve

Mina's Investigation

Mina Ashiro's swift decision left everyone in the room baffled.

What was going on?

Did Drake Myers' seemingly absurd claims about "Ghouls" actually hold water?

Mina scrutinized Drake, her sharp gaze unwavering. His explanation aligned not only with their preliminary findings but went beyond in precision and detail. Yet, the nagging question remained: Who is he?

Despite the ongoing investigation into Drake's background, nothing extraordinary had surfaced. His life was painfully mundane—if not downright tragic. The kind of existence that would normally escape attention. Yet now, he had become the focal point of countless questions, shrouded in mystery.

A Temporary Solution

Mina addressed him firmly. "Until your identity and claims are fully verified, you'll remain in this hospital room under observation. Treat it as time to recover. Rest assured, your situation will remain classified. No word of 'Ghouls' will leave this room—not under my watch. I stake my honor on it."

Drake leaned back, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Wow. From celebrated kaiju hunter to a hospital detainee. What a twist. I hate the smell of disinfectant."

Mina's tone remained unwavering. "Think of it as mandatory recovery. The battle last night took its toll on you. Even if we're strong, we're still human. Healing properly is essential."

She glanced at Kikoru Shinomiya. "Your quick response and healing supplies were instrumental. Without them, we wouldn't have succeeded."

Kikoru awkwardly scratched her head, feeling the weight of the acknowledgment.

A Feast Delivered

Half an hour later, a group of Defense Force members arrived, carrying an assortment of cooked delicacies: roast chicken, grilled fish, duck, lobster, abalone, and more. Being a coastal nation, seafood was abundant in Sakura Country, and the variety didn't disappoint.

Drake, unabashed, dug in with gusto. "Not bad for emergency rations. But you guys have a long way to go before matching Dragon Country's culinary mastery!"

As he ate, he critiqued the food, earning a mix of amusement and annoyance from the room.

Mina hesitated for a moment before picking up a chicken leg and eating it herself. Her suspicions about Drake gradually lessened—his behavior felt far too human for anything sinister.

Kafka Hibino and Reno Ichikawa, less confident in their ability to ignore recent events, managed only a few bites before excusing themselves to recover their composure.

Mina watched them leave, puzzled. "What's wrong with them?"

Drake chuckled. "Guess they couldn't shake off this morning's excitement."

He handed Kikoru a piece of pork, nudging her playfully. "Come on, have some!"

Kikoru frowned but reluctantly took it. She chewed slowly, mindful of her image in front of Mina.

Drake noticed but refrained from commenting, a sly grin tugging at his lips.

By the time the meal was over, most of the food had been devoured by Drake.

Drake's Warning

Drake leaned back, satisfied. "Alright, Mina. Feel free to verify the info I provided about Ghouls. But tread carefully—you never know who's human and who isn't. I'm unusually cooperative. Others might not be as accommodating."

Mina nodded curtly and left the room without another word, her mind already racing with plans for further investigation.

The Bigger Picture

Outside the hospital, Mina connected with Soichiro Hoshina via comms.

"So, Yokohama might have Ghouls disguised as humans?" Soichiro's voice was heavy with frustration.

Mina replied, her tone measured. "The evidence points that way. I've reported everything to headquarters. We should have an update soon."

Ghouls—a species entirely unknown until now—presented a danger she couldn't yet quantify. Were they more dangerous than kaiju? Mina wasn't sure. But one thing was clear: the balance of power was shifting, and the Defense Force needed to adapt quickly.

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