Kaiju No.8: Devour and Evolve

Watching his daughter's confusion, Kureo Mado simply shook his head without offering a reply.

The young man, Drake Myers, possessed immense strength at such a young age. It was likely that he had inherited the teachings of some powerful family or lineage. A person like him was bound to rise in prominence. If they didn't recruit him now, there would be no chance in the future.

The truth was, the Defense Force had placed too much pressure on Drake, creating unnecessary tension.

Standing to the side, Kotaro Amon observed Drake's departing figure, his thoughts singular: he needed to become stronger. Without power, one didn't even have the right to survive in this world.

After wrapping up the battlefield, Mado and his team already had Drake's contact information and left without further interaction. Drake, meanwhile, returned to his room to continue drinking, seemingly unaffected by the events.

In his mind, the seeds had been sown—it was now a matter of waiting for the harvest. Fortunately, he was in the world of Kaiju No. 8. Had it been another world, he wouldn't have trusted strangers so easily. His faith in Kafka, Kikoru Shinomiya, and the others stemmed solely from his understanding of their characters.

Drake wasn't naive. As an adult, he knew that without a bit of caution, survival in society was nearly impossible.

The Defense Force personnel tasked with monitoring Drake barely took note of his brief interactions with Mado's team.

In the meantime, Soshiro Hoshina had been nothing but genuine with Drake, going so far as to share his knowledge of swordsmanship, hoping to recruit him into the Defense Force.

Over the past month, Drake and Kikoru had grown closer, often sharing conversations about their goals. They even promised to surprise each other the next time they met.

However, Drake had kept his distance from Mina Ashiro. He wasn't particularly interested in joining the crowd of admirers vying for her attention. For him, the priority was becoming stronger, not chasing relationships.

The night passed peacefully, though the undercurrents of unrest continued to swirl in the shadows.

Yokohama General Hospital

Rize Kamishiro, known as the Binge Eater, had recently been injured during a fight with Yamori, also known as Jason. Her elder sister, Tsukiyama Kamishiro, had quit her job to care for her.

Rize, with her facade of an elegant and intellectual woman, often lured unsuspecting victims into her trap, only to devour them. Unlike her, Tsukiyama was calculating and more strategic in her approach.

The two sisters, raised in an orphanage, had a complicated yet deeply rooted bond, relying on each other for survival.

Now, Tsukiyama had her sights set on Drake, hoping to devour him to further her own strength. Her unique ability allowed her to manipulate the perception of those within her vicinity, making her an expert at infiltration. She wasted no time moving into a residence on the same floor as Drake's.

Unbeknownst to him, many eyes were already watching him.

But with his heightened senses, including smell, hearing, and a defensive barrier ability, Drake remained confident in handling any potential threats.

The Third Night

Kureo Mado reached out to Drake, inviting him to join an operation against the infamous Yamori, Jason's alternate persona.

The speed at which Mado located Jason's base of operations was impressive, and the CCG had already deployed investigators from Tokyo. Most were cannon fodder, as the CCG lacked truly powerful agents. Modern combat required technological advantages, and while Quinques were the standard, other weapons like gas grenades and specialty bullets provided crucial support.

With Mado's presence as a top-tier investigator, there was no need for stronger reinforcements from the CCG.

Mado's invitation to Drake was partly to evaluate his strength and, if suitable, potentially introduce him to other powerful figures like Bang and the Atomic Samurai.

Drake readily agreed. Jason, with his monster-like regenerative abilities and dual personalities, posed a unique opportunity for Drake to absorb and evolve further.

The Operation Begins

Dressed in a black battle suit, long hair cascading down his back, Drake carried a longsword, his pale and sickly appearance masking his latent power.

Akira Mado gave him a quick once-over, her eyes narrowing slightly. Despite his reputation, she still felt more secure with Kotaro Amon by her side.

Kureo Mado handed Drake an earpiece. "Let's begin."

Meanwhile, at the Tachikawa Base, Kaomi Ogino observed the live feed on a large monitor, her eyes following Drake's movements.

"Do you think he'll really join the Defense Force?" she asked.

Hoshina, standing behind her with his ever-present grin, replied, "If we don't act fast, the CCG might snatch him away."