Chapter 121: Caution

“Detailed information?” Sikong Xu was taken aback. “Where am I supposed to find the information you want?”

“Then how did you recognize the ghouls?” Mu Ning countered.

“Uh…” Sikong Xu was momentarily speechless. He himself wasn’t sure if there was any information about ghouls in this world, let alone how to find it for Mu Ning.

“I encountered these creatures during my training in a fantasy world, so I couldn’t find any data on them in reality. But if you want, I can compile a report for you myself.”

To avoid revealing his knowledge of the two-dimensional world, Sikong Xu made up an excuse to brush off the question.

“Hey, wait. Are you saying that the ‘ghoul’ you mentioned is that girl with the pale violet-blue hair at the café?” Mu Qing suddenly asked.

“Yeah,” Sikong Xu replied.

“Don’t say nonsense. I think she’s just an ordinary girl—maybe a little pretty,” Mu Qing retorted. She had observed the waitress carefully because of her beauty.

No matter how she looked at her, Mu Qing was convinced she was a normal human, not some ‘ghoul’ who had crossed over from a fractured dimension as Sikong Xu claimed.

“You’re being far too naive,” Sikong Xu said mysteriously.

“Though she looks human on the outside, deep within, she’s a flesh-eating ghoul!”

“Ghoul? Haha—sounds like you’ve read too many horror stories!”

Sikong Xu had expected to frighten Mu Qing, but instead, she mocked him.

“Hmph, you’re free to disbelieve, but don’t come crying later,” Sikong Xu shook his head. Mu Qing had never encountered ghouls before, so it was understandable she didn’t grasp their terror.

Those powerful SSS-class ghouls were probably impossible to eradicate even by a whole army, unless they used heavy weapons like machine guns or grenade launchers.

“You really know a lot about ghouls?” Mu Ning asked again.

“Yes, I saw detailed information during my training in the fantasy world,” Sikong Xu explained once more. Mu Ning, the dignified senior, kept pressing this question, which troubled him.

“Could you explain briefly?”

Sikong Xu thought for a moment, then began, “Ghouls are a subspecies of demi-humans. Their unique tongue structure means they can only feed on humans.”

“Normally, they appear no different from humans, but when they eat or fight, their red kakugan—those crimson eyes—become visible.”

“Moreover, their physical abilities are incredibly strong, several times that of an ordinary person. Their regenerative powers are remarkable—rapid healing, even limb regeneration—it’s nothing unusual for a ghoul.”

“Oh, and their feeding organs—the kakuhou. There are different types...”

“So, the disappearances that have been troubling the police station must be related to ghouls.”

Sikong Xu gave them a thorough explanation about ghouls. Fortunately, he summarized the knowledge clearly, and both women understood well.

After half an hour, Mu Ning and Mu Qing finally had a preliminary understanding of ghouls.

“In that case, if ghouls really are as hard to deal with as you say, we should proceed cautiously,” Mu Ning said, her delicate brows furrowed.

According to Sikong Xu, there was more than one ghoul in the café called “Antique,” and some were highly dangerous.

Hearing Sikong Xu’s confident tone, Mu Ning couldn’t help but grow more cautious.

“If possible, I’d like you to contact other squads. I don’t think our team alone can handle the ghouls. Of course, I haven’t witnessed your strength, so if you’re confident, just ignore what I said,” Sikong Xu said seriously. He genuinely didn’t know the capabilities of the second-year seniors, so he left the decision to Mu Ning.

“But…” Sikong Xu paused. According to the original story, the ghouls in the Antique café didn’t necessarily have to be dealt with by force. After all, Kōzen Yoshimura was known as the ‘Owl Who Does Not Kill,’ famous for not harming humans.

“But what?” Mu Ning asked.

“I think we could try talking to the ghouls, resolving this peacefully.”

“Talking?” Mu Ning was about to curse. He had just been going on about how dangerous ghouls were to humans, their relentless hostility, and now he wanted to talk? He must have lost his mind!

“Well, actually, some ghouls are quite friendly toward humans. They usually feed only on those who have died by suicide or sustain themselves with coffee. Oh, by the way, coffee is the only human food they can consume,” Sikong Xu said with a smile.

For the ghouls in the Antique café, negotiation might actually be a viable option.

“If this can really be resolved peacefully, it would benefit both sides. But if ghouls really feed on humans as you say... I think this will be difficult,” Mu Ning said, her brows knitted tightly throughout Sikong Xu’s explanation. She had grown wary of ghouls.

“All right, we’ve investigated all afternoon. Let’s go back for now. Since we know the target, there’s no rush. We should discuss this with the others first.”

For Mu Ning to say this, it was clear she herself wasn’t entirely confident about facing the ghouls.

“That sounds good. My suggestion is to avoid violence if possible,” Sikong Xu said. He didn’t want conflict with Antique’s ghouls either. Due to the original story, he actually had some fondness for them.

Perhaps because Sikong Xu’s descriptions were too chilling, or simply due to caution toward these unknown creatures, it was obvious that without absolute certainty, Mu Ning would not choose to act recklessly.

Thus, the whole afternoon passed. Mu Ning and Mu Qing went back to inform the other team members, while Sikong Xu opted to take a bus home.

As he walked, Sikong Xu pondered. He hadn’t forgotten the recent reports from Cao Dongcheng’s group at the police station about the increasing number of disappearances. This must be directly related to the ghouls.

In theory, the ghouls at Antique seldom hunted humans. Even if they had to, one feeding could last a month. So why was the number of missing people rising steadily in recent days?

There was only one explanation: there must be other ghouls nearby unrelated to Antique!

Lost in thought, suddenly a streak of purple flashed before Sikong Xu’s eyes.

He froze. Purple! Pure purple! It was her—undoubtedly her!

If it really was her, then the increasing disappearances made perfect sense.

She was known by the nickname “Big Ghoul”—Rize Kamishiro!