Kaiju No.8: Devour and Evolve

Aya Shiramine waited anxiously for orders from HQ while using the information Drake Myers had provided to search for traces of ghouls in Yokohama. This task was no small feat—every year, countless families were displaced by kaiju attacks. Local relief efforts were barely enough to provide temporary aid, let alone resolve deeper issues.

Ghouls were a new and disturbing threat. The notion of creatures capable of infecting humans was unnerving. Although Drake's intelligence was invaluable, Aya wasn't ready to trust him completely just yet.

Vice-Captain Shiro Amamiya was eager to take action. For him, it didn't matter whether the culprits were kaiju or ghouls—anything preying on humans needed to be eradicated.

As a precaution, Drake remained under surveillance. Until conclusive evidence about his identity and allegiances came to light, this enigmatic young man couldn't be left unattended.

Drake had argued for the principle of "innocent until proven guilty," and this gave Aya and Shiro pause for thought. Although they had the means to interrogate him more aggressively, both were reluctant to resort to such measures without good cause.

Meanwhile, information about Drake had reached higher authorities. Fournoji Palace's house steward, Saeba Yasu, had already reported the situation to Kugo Shirogane, a prominent figure in the Defense Force's leadership. Recognizing Drake's potential, Kugo quickly secured his records, shielding them from prying eyes.

In the shadows of Yokohama, however, another story unfolded. A specialized branch, the CCG, was discreetly monitoring ghouls. While kaiju were a more direct, large-scale threat, ghouls operated in secrecy, preying on humans while maintaining human-like appearances.

Yokohama General Hospital

Drake found himself conversing casually with Kafka Hibino and Reno Ichikawa, encouraging them to join the Defense Force and to improve their skills.

"Kafka, no matter what happens, make sure you stay alive," Drake said firmly.

"Hey, you don't need to tell me that," Kafka replied with a grin, his optimism unwavering.

Nearby, Kikoru Shinomiya watched the interaction with mild disinterest. While Reno seemed unapproachable and Kafka appeared wholly ordinary, her curiosity was fixated on Drake.

His confidence and skill in combat left a lasting impression. Despite his mysterious past, Kikoru couldn't deny his charisma.

The Hunt Begins

Aya Shiramine led the charge in investigating the ghouls, an enemy she was determined to eliminate. Over three days, Yokohama experienced an eerie calm—no kaiju sightings, no large-scale incidents. This brief respite allowed the Defense Force to hone in on smaller threats.

Their efforts paid off. Using advanced detection equipment, they uncovered three ghouls and two parasitic creatures hiding among humans. Real-time footage of the ghouls' feeding left the Defense Force shaken.

"Eliminate them all!" shouted Kaede Kunikida, clenching her fists in righteous anger.

Unlike kaiju, ghouls and parasites actively targeted humans, making them far more insidious threats. The Defense Force launched a coordinated strike under Aya's command. High-tech weaponry ensured swift victories.

Despite their cunning, the parasites' fragile nature made them no match for the Defense Force's explosive arsenal. The battle ended in under 30 minutes. Two ghouls were captured alive, though both succumbed to their injuries before reaching HQ.

Meanwhile, Shiro Amamiya interrogated the surviving ghouls. Their disorganized nature became apparent—they lacked the cohesion or ambition of a true organization like the "Bronze Tree."

For now, Shiro was reassured that the ghouls had no connection to Drake. However, the young man's unnerving familiarity with their habits continued to weigh on everyone's minds.

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