Tokyo Ghoul: Starting with Kamui!

"Hmm..."

Yoshimura Eto extended her right hand and shook hands with Uchiha Byakuya.

A brief moment later, she let go.

Byakuya's impression was that her hand was soft yet cold.

But this seemingly fragile and adorable young girl was, in reality, the SSS-rated Ghoul known as the One-Eyed Owl—the greatest threat in Tokyo.

Ghouls, when not in combat, were virtually indistinguishable from normal humans. As long as they were careful, they could blend seamlessly into human society.

However, once they fought, the differences became undeniable. Their eyes would transform into their Kakugan, glowing red with a black sclera.

Additionally, their specialized organ—the Kakuhou—would release their predatory appendages, known as Kagune.

Kagune were highly lethal and offered impressive defensive capabilities. They were categorized into four types:

Ukaku – Wing-like and fast, good for long-range attacks.

Koukaku – Armored and tough, excellent for defense.

Rinkaku – Whip-like and flexible, known for rapid regeneration.

Bikaku – Tail-like and well-balanced, versatile in battle.

Each Kagune had its own strengths, and they also had counterplay against one another.

Eto's original Kagune was Rinkaku-type.

But beyond these, there existed an even stronger form—a stage that surpassed ordinary Ghouls: Kakuja.

A Kakuja was a Ghoul that had consumed its own kind, developing multiple Kakuhou in the process. Their Kagune would cover their entire body, transforming them into monstrous figures with overwhelming power.

And the girl standing before Byakuya—Yoshimura Eto—was already a Kakuja.

In the chaotic 24th Ward, she had been forced to consume countless Ghouls just to survive. In that lawless region, if you didn't kill and eat others, you would be killed and eaten.

Kakuja transformations often resulted in massive size increases.

Normally, Eto was a petite girl, standing only around 1.4 to 1.5 meters tall. But once she activated her Kakuja, she would swell to at least three to four meters—and as she grew stronger, her monstrous form would become even larger.

This was precisely why, despite launching multiple attacks on the CCG, assaulting CCG branches, and even raiding Ghoul detention facilities—her true identity had never been discovered.

Her Kakuja form was simply too different from her everyday appearance.

Just then, Byakuya received a system notification.

[Ding! The host has successfully completed "Mission 1: Become Yoshimura Eto's Responsible Editor."

Reward received: +10 Attribute Points!]

Mission 1 complete. Unlocking Mission 2!

[Mission 2: Successfully Publish and Sell Dear Kafka.]

[Time Limit: Within Six Months.]

[Reward: 50 Attribute Points.]

Byakuya immediately realized something—this mission chain was going to be long.

Publishing the book was just the first step.

After that, there would likely be missions for monitoring its sales, for publishing a second book, a third book...

All of these could be future objectives.

His time as an editor might not last long, but as long as he secured the attribute points, that was all that mattered.

Six months was actually a reasonable timeframe for publishing a book.

Unlike web novels, which could be posted online and monetized within days, traditional publishing required many steps.

Everything—from editing, printing, distribution, and marketing—had to be handled.

That said, Byakuya wasn't going to waste a full six months just waiting.

He could use this time to trigger other hidden missions.

"That being said... I won't be getting paid immediately, will I?"

Yoshimura Eto suddenly asked.

While signing a publishing contract was exciting, she was desperately in need of money right now.

"That's right. You'll only start earning royalties after the book is published and sold."

Byakuya explained before adding,

"But if you're struggling financially, I can help you out."

"Really? Then thanks."

Eto nodded.

It wasn't often she met a kind-hearted human.

If she had to guess, Uchiha Byakuya's kindness was probably half genuine concern… and half self-interest.

After all, if she couldn't afford to survive, his mission would become a lot harder. Without her book being published, he wouldn't earn those precious attribute points.

"Do you have a computer? If possible, I'd like a digital copy of your manuscript—it'll be easier to refine before the final version is published."

Byakuya asked.

"I don't have a computer... actually, I don't even have a home."

Eto answered bluntly.

Byakuya, of course, already knew that she had neither.

But since he was pretending to be an ordinary human editor, he had to ask anyway.

"I see. In that case, let's head to a print shop and get your manuscript scanned into a digital format."

Byakuya suggested.

"And if you ever need to make revisions, you can just use my computer."

Eto had three options for editing her work in the future:

1. Using an internet café – Too expensive.

2. Using an office computer – Not allowed for outsiders.

3. Using Byakuya's computer – The most convenient option.

Given the circumstances, the third option was the only real choice.

"Alright, I appreciate it."

Eto agreed without hesitation.

She didn't sense any suspicious intent from him.

And even if he did have ulterior motives… well, he'd just become her next meal.

"Let's go. First stop—the print shop."

They entered a nearby store, where the staff began scanning Eto's massive manuscript into a digital format.

It was several hundred pages long—apparently the complete manuscript for Dear Kafka.

Once the edits were done and the publishing process was finalized, it would be ready for release.

Of course, digitizing this much text was time-consuming—and expensive.

Fortunately, Byakuya had enough money on hand.

Even though he had only just transmigrated, the system had already set up a complete identity and background for him.

In simple terms—his past self and his current self were the same person.

He wasn't a soul transmigrator or a body snatcher.

Instead, the system had directly modified the memories of everyone who knew him, making them believe he had always existed in this world—including his CCG colleagues and the Sunlit Garden members.

The system had even fabricated a backstory for him—one of a parentless orphan.

In reality, his supposed "parents" had never existed in this world.

To complete his integration, the system had also modified his body, turning him into a Half-Human.

Compared to normal humans, Half-Humans had superior physical abilities—but suffered from a drastically shorter lifespan.

Unless he found a way to extend it, Byakuya would likely die in his mid-thirties—just like Arima Kishou.

Of course, with the system, that problem was probably solvable.

For now, he received two salaries—one from the CCG and one from Shoei Publishing.

Though he had only just joined Shoei, meaning he hadn't been paid yet, his CCG salary was enough to cover both his own expenses and help Eto survive.

Standing beside him, Eto watched as her manuscript was slowly scanned into an electronic file.

The cost… was far more than she expected.

At that moment, she realized; Without this human's help, she probably wouldn't have made it very far at all.