The old ghoul never finished his sentence.
Carnage didn't even bother using its tentacles.
Instead—
The massive scythe-like claw lifted casually.
And flicked forward.
"Swoosh—"
The elderly ghoul's head separated from his neck instantly.
His freshly formed kōkaku armor, which should have been his strongest defense, split apart like butter beneath a hot blade.
The headless body staggered forward two steps.
Blood sprayed into the air.
Then—
It collapsed heavily onto the ground.
The severed head rolled across the blood-soaked floor until it stopped near Carnage's feet.
Its gold-rimmed glasses shattered.
The expression frozen on the face was one of disbelief.
And terror.
Carnage looked down.
Mockery filled its deep voice.
"Whose territory?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Why aren't you answering?"
The scene shattered the last fragments of confidence among the ghoul elites.
These ghouls possessed stronger kagune than the common ones below.
But before absolute power—
Strength meant nothing.
They screamed.
Ran.
Scrambled through collapsed corridors and broken balconies like terrified rats.
Some searched desperately for hiding places.
Others fought violently for a path to escape.
But Carnage gave them no opportunity.
Tentacles lashed forward.
Each strike found its target precisely.
A female ghoul attempting to escape using her ukaku kagune was pierced from behind.
A crimson tendril passed straight through her chest.
She hung suspended in the air.
Struggling weakly.
Like a butterfly pinned to a specimen board.
Moments later—
Her body went limp.
With a flick of the tentacle—
She was hurled against the wall.
Her corpse slid down slowly.
Another ghoul charged forward in desperation.
His rinkaku burst violently from his lower back.
He attacked with reckless fury.
His kagune slammed into Carnage's chest.
"THUD."
A dull impact echoed.
Carnage did not move.
Not even a step.
The ghoul's full-strength strike barely dented the dark crimson symbiote flesh.
The viscous surface rippled.
Then returned to normal.
"What…?!"
The attacker's ferocious expression instantly turned to horror.
Carnage lowered its head.
Pale, pupil-less eyes stared down at him.
No words.
Only action.
The massive claw descended.
Its fingers closed like a steel trap.
"CRUNCH."
Bone shattered.
The ghoul's kagune.
His torso.
Everything above his waist was crushed instantly into a grotesque mass of blood and flesh.
Fragments dripped from Carnage's claws.
When it released its grip—
Only shredded remains fell to the ground.
Below—
At the edge of the ruined arena—
Ken Kaneki stood frozen.
His face was pale.
His stomach churned violently.
Everything happening above him—
Every swing of Carnage's claws.
Every strike of the tentacles—
Meant death.
This was not battle.
It was annihilation.
Those ghouls who once treated humans as worthless prey—
Now looked even more fragile.
Before Ren—
They were nothing.
Carnage eventually seemed to lose interest in the slaughter.
It raised its spiked head.
Then roared again.
"ROAR—!!!"
Suddenly—
The largest tentacles behind it expanded dramatically.
They slammed into the massive stone pillars supporting the structure.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
Each strike was like a battering ram.
Cracks spread across the pillars instantly.
Stone fragments broke away.
Decorative reliefs collapsed.
Heavy debris crashed onto the blood-covered arena floor.
The walls split open.
Revealing raw concrete beneath the luxurious decorations.
Above—
The enormous crystal chandelier swung violently.
Metal chains screeched.
Finally—
The structure collapsed.
"CRASH!"
Thousands of crystal fragments shattered across the hall.
Dust.
Blood mist.
And screams filled the air.
What had once been a luxurious ghoul dining hall—
Now resembled hell itself.
Carnage stood atop the collapsing second floor.
Blood soaked the ruined carpets beneath its feet.
The crimson symbiote covering its body had grown thicker—
Darker—
After absorbing so much flesh and blood.
Carnage looked down at the devastation.
Almost admiring its own work.
At this point—
Most ghouls were either dead.
Or had fled.
Only two figures remained inside the ruined restaurant.
Carnage.
And Kaneki.
Inside the monster's mind—
Ren finally spoke.
"Had enough?"
His voice was cold.
"Then leave."
Carnage grumbled slightly.
"…Mm."
Its massive body crouched.
Then—
It jumped.
A violent force erupted.
The crimson tentacles spun rapidly around its body.
Forming a swirling vortex.
A crimson tornado.
"Take Kaneki with you."
Two tendrils shot downward instantly.
Wrapping around the stunned Kaneki.
The tornado smashed into the outer wall.
"BOOM!!!"
The reinforced wall exploded outward.
Smoke and rubble scattered everywhere.
Then—
The storm dissipated.
Carnage emerged from the debris.
Still holding Kaneki.
It gently placed him on the ground.
Then—
The crimson symbiote receded rapidly.
Flowing back into the body.
Soon—
Ren stood there again.
As if nothing had happened.
"Don't just stand there."
His tone returned to its usual calm.
"It's time to go back."
Kaneki blinked repeatedly.
"…Oh… yes…"
His voice trembled.
They left the ruined restaurant behind.
…
When they returned to Anteiku, the café was preparing to close.
Behind the counter—
Enji Koma and Kaya Irimi were finishing their work.
Koma waved cheerfully.
"Yo!"
"You two are back."
Kaneki lowered his head.
"Kiryu-nii…"
"I'm going to my room."
Without waiting for a response—
He hurried upstairs.
Almost running.
Clearly—
What he had witnessed today had shaken him deeply.
Irimi watched Kaneki disappear up the stairs.
Her brows furrowed.
"Is he alright?"
Ren sighed quietly.
"Let him rest."
He had grown rather fond of Kaneki during their time working together.
The shy boy had become something like a friend.
But there were limits.
He couldn't protect Kaneki forever.
The ghoul world was cruel.
And Kaneki—
Would have to grow stronger on his own.
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