Half an hour later, the warm feeling inside Su Xiao disappeared, and he quickly checked his personal information.
Contractor No. 13013.
Name: Su Xiao (Hunter)
Level: LV.2 (First Stage). Every 10 levels is a stage. Leveling up does not grant any attribute bonuses; it corresponds to the Hunter's authority in the 'Paradise', as well as the world's difficulty and task difficulty.
Health: 100% (This attribute cannot be fully quantified and changes based on injury severity)
Mana: 253 (Intelligence × 10, current mana recovery speed is 6 points per hour)
Strength: 15 (13+2)
Agility: 13
Stamina: 10 (6+4)
Intelligence: 12
Charm: 3
Luck: 1
Killing Talent: Soul Devourer, after killing a target, will permanently steal 1-15 points of mana.
This talent can steal a maximum of 100 mana in each derived world.
As expected, Su Xiao's strength increased by 2, and stamina increased by 4.
He clenched his fist with one hand, and a crisp cracking sound echoed, filling him with a sense of powerful energy. Not only that, but the increase in stamina made him feel like all his bodily functions had improved significantly, including his ability to take hits, endurance, and recovery speed from injuries.
At this stage, having 10 points in stamina is already quite good, and his three main attributes are all between 12 and 15 points. Drinking this bottle of [Human Gene Enhancement Liquid] might be his biggest gain from entering the Ghoul world.
As Su Xiao adapted to his stronger body, this time the significant increase in stamina meant there was no imbalance, and he quickly adjusted.
While Su Xiao was getting used to his body, a fierce battle was happening in the underground passage of Area 24.
"Boom! Boom!"
The clash of Kakuja and Quinque echoed as a group of CCG investigators fought and fled in the underground passage of Area 24.
"Quickly confirm the route, I can't hold on much longer!"
Yuna swung the scythe in her hand, killing a ghoul. She had already put on her 'New' gear, greatly enhancing her combat power.
Even though Yuna kept cutting down the ghouls in front of her, there were just too many of them. The underground passage was filled with ghouls, a dense mass of them.
These were all ordinary ghouls, mostly B and A rank; otherwise, Yuna would have been dead long ago.
"Come on, I'm trying to find the route!"
A young investigator, looking panicked, was trying to use a compass to find their way, fear evident on his face.
"Yuna, do you think we can make it back to the surface?"
Behind Yuna, a few younger investigators looked worried.
Yuna had entered Area 24 because the headquarters had assigned her a mission to lead this batch of rookie investigators for training in the outer layer of Area 24.
The outer layer of Area 24 wasn't too dangerous, making it a good training ground. After graduating from the Ghoul Investigator Academy, all newcomers would be sent here for some experience.
"Move it!"
Yuna shouted, kicking a ghoul that had pounced on her.
"Let us through, damn CCG!"
One of the ghouls suddenly spoke, looking somewhat frightened.
This puzzled Yuna, but letting those ghouls pass was clearly not an option; she had rookies behind her.
The blood feud between investigators and ghouls made any chance of negotiation impossible.
"Dream on! If you have the guts, step over my dead body!"
Yuna glanced back at the rookies behind her, sighing inwardly. If her two strong teammates were here, these ghouls would be nothing.
"I found the route, to the left!"
The rookie with the compass showed a look of joy, having found the way out based on their previous route.
"You all go ahead, I'll be right there."
Yuna spun her scythe, blood splattering as she killed several ghouls.
"But Yuna, you..."
"Less talking, just go!"
Yuna's beautiful face twisted in frustration; she was annoyed by her incompetent teammates.
"Okay, okay, we're going!"
The few rookie investigators were quite shaken, retreating in a panic. After they had run a short distance, Yuna swung her scythe with all her might and then turned to run.
Many ghouls followed closely behind Yuna, strangely not attacking, just keeping a distance.
Yuna's delicate brows furrowed. Though confused, she quickened her pace.
Being in the outer layer of Area 24, Yuna's team quickly reached the metal door leading to the surface, where the rookie investigators were already waiting.
Yuna yanked the key from around her neck and tossed it to the rookie investigators.
The metal door opened, and Yuna rushed out, the door slamming shut behind her and locking from the outside.
"Bang! Bang! Bang..."
The sound of banging echoed from inside the metal door, and faintly, the roars of ghouls could be heard.
Blood dripped from Yuna's fingertips as she plopped down on the ground.
"Contact the temporary branch and tell them there's an anomaly in the underground of Area 24; a large number of ghouls are trying to enter the surface."
With the help of the rookie investigators, Yuna returned to the surface, where several temporary tents had been set up near the entrance of Area 24.
Around the tents were about twenty investigators, both male and female, all sharing one characteristic: they were young.
This time, there were quite a few rookie investigators graduating together, so Yuna decided to set up camp near the entrance of Area 24 to make things easier.
She would take a few rookie investigators into the outer layer of Area 24 to fight ghouls, helping them adapt to combat quickly.
As for why she chose Area 24, it was because there were many ghouls here.
As long as they didn’t go deep into Area 24, it wasn't too dangerous, and there was no risk of getting lost.
Su Xiao had ventured deep into Area 24 for several hours, while these rookies had only gone in for about five minutes, making it an unfair comparison.
When the rookies nearby saw Yuna covered in blood, they all rushed over. It was their first time seeing Yuna injured; she was a special investigator, a powerful figure in their eyes.
Some rookies who knew first aid awkwardly tried to help Yuna with her wounds.
"Kid, what do you think you're doing?"
Yuna shot a glare at one boy, who took two steps back in fright.
"I-I just wanted to help you with your wounds."
Yuna pointed to a girl, signaling her to help with the wounds.
The boy turned away, looking a bit downcast. Yuna was not only young but also beautiful, a goddess in the boy's eyes.
"Yuna, we've already contacted the temporary branch."
A chubby rookie stood straight in front of Yuna.
"What did the temporary branch say? Did they tell them about the anomaly here?"
After bandaging her wounds, Yuna struggled to stand up.
"They reported it, but the branch said Matt and others are not around."
Yuna's expression changed.
"The temporary branch said they would inform Special Investigator Bai Ye."
The chubby boy spoke while panting heavily, but Yuna didn’t pay much attention.
"Has that guy come back? Then I can relax. You all keep an eye on the entrance; that damn door might not hold for long. Those crazy ghouls, have they lost their minds?"
Yuna gritted her teeth in frustration, inadvertently pulling at her wounds, causing her to gasp in pain.
But soon, a satisfied smile appeared on her face as she imagined the ghouls' miserable state later on.
(End of Chapter)