Suddenly, the sound of gunshots echoed through the city, interrupting the discussion. The four of them became alert, and the tension increased.

“Was it Kratos?” Viviane exclaimed, worried.

“There were a lot of shots... it could have been him!” San said, with a worried look.

“I thought my father forbade him from shooting inside the city!” Mira said, with a twinge of apprehension.

“He did!” Kay replied, her expression serious. “Something’s wrong. Let’s go!”

As they ran, a familiar voice came over the radio. “Attention, all the ghouls in Kanto City have been defeated!” the veteran announced.

Mira tried to slow down, relieved. “You heard me! The ghouls have already been defeated. Let’s get back to the truck!”

But Kay shook her head. “No, Kratos would never shoot inside the city, even if he was in danger. The prohibition came directly from your father. He wouldn't disobey that unless... — Kay said, his voice becoming serious.

San looked at him with concern. — Unless what?

Kay clenched his fists. — There's only one explanation...

Finally, they reached the area where the shots were coming from and stopped, shocked by what they saw. Around them, all the houses and buildings were reduced to rubble. Pieces of wall and roof tiles were scattered across the ground in a scene of devastation.

Amidst the rubble were the bodies of the three defeated ghouls. However, these ghouls were different: their grotesque bodies had four tentacles coming out of their backs, twisted and covered in a dark, viscous substance. Each tentacle seemed reinforced, like armor, and the smell of blood and smoke hung in the air.

“These ghouls... are different from the others...” San murmured, his voice weak with shock.

Viviane's eyes widened. — No wonder Kratos had to shoot. They... seem to be stronger.

Mira took a step back, startled, while Kay kept her eyes fixed on the fallen ghouls.

— Was it difficult? — Kay exclaimed, as she approached the squad.

Kratos, still panting, looked at him. — The bullets pierced, but those tentacles... are resistant. They used them to protect themselves, it gave the squad a lot of work.

Kay frowned, observing the bodies of the ghouls. — A special Ghoul... even with shots, the tentacles resisted. — He crouched down, analyzing the fallen monsters. — Did they come flying? I can understand those three, but what about the other two? Did they take advantage of the confusion?

Mira approached and frowned, processing Kay's words. — Ghouls can't fly for long, so they must have stopped several times along the way... and still went unnoticed.

— Exactly. Maybe it's because the city is big. Ghouls prefer places with lots of people, they don't stop hunting until they've eliminated all their prey. But still, it's strange that the army doesn't have a strategy for these... — Kay narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

“Maybe they really didn't know,” Mira suggested.

Kay shook his head, disagreeing. — Impossible. They've been fighting these monsters for a long time. Haven't they noticed that these tentacles change shape? Something doesn't add up. — He looked back and saw the veteran of the squad, who seemed surprised to hear the conversation.

“Is this serious? What have they been doing?” Kay muttered suspiciously.

“They'll hear you!” Mira whispered, nudging him.

The radio crackled, and Takemichi's voice sounded firm. “Fourth squad, return to base. Mission complete.”

“Understood. Fourth squad returning!” the veteran replied over the radio, before turning to the recruits. “Come on, time to return.” You two, pass this information to the captain as soon as we arrive.

“What about the ghouls? Are you going to leave the bodies here?” Kay asked, confused.

“Cleaning up and helping the wounded is the job of the Imperial Army. Our job is to protect civilians and eliminate the ghouls. Now, let’s go back!” the veteran ordered.

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On the way back, as they headed to the truck, the sound of a helicopter passed overhead. Everyone looked up to watch.

The veteran, with a rare smile, looked at the recruits. “You may not know, but this was our first mission without any casualties. Normally, the captain informs us of losses before we return... Today, however, you did very well. Congratulations on your first mission!”

The recruits exchanged glances, feeling a mixture of relief and pride, and thanked the veteran.

Kay swung the baton he had used. “This baton isn’t so bad! Since it’s made of iron, I didn’t even have to hold on,” he commented to Mira, as he looked at the weapon.

The veteran, listening to the conversation, commented. — All the weapons we provide for the fight against ghouls are made of Noxium, our greatest scientific advancement. This technology is our main weapon to protect humanity against these creatures.

At the base, the recruits got off the truck and were soon greeted by the movement at the base.

— Is there a problem? Kay exclaimed.

Raven, with her arms crossed, with a discreet smile of someone who doesn't need words to make herself understood. Her look conveyed a confidence that spoke louder than any speech. With a slight sparkle in her eyes, Raven clearly expected the recruits to see how superior she was.

Even without opening her mouth, Raven emanated an air of superiority. Her expression made it clear to everyone that she had done more than just "fulfill" her mission. It was a restrained pride, but impossible to ignore, as if she were saying: I took care of the ghouls. And you?

— I understand! — said Kay.

— Now you know how... — Raven began, being interrupted by a sudden pat from Kay.

— Good girl. — Kay said.

— What are you doing? — Raven exclaimed, embarrassed.

— Didn't you want to be praised? — Kay asked.

— From you? Never! — Raven replied.

— Then it must be you, veteran! — Kay said, moving away.

Raven turned red with anger and embarrassment. The recruits, to avoid trouble, already left quietly, following Kay.

— Good job! — said the veteran.

— Get out! — said Raven, also leaving.

— I thought I was supposed to praise you! — said the veteran, sadly.

Suddenly, the scientist's voice sounded through the barracks' sound system:

— Attention, Kay and Mira from the third division, report immediately to the captain's office!

— Why is that? — exclaimed Kay.

— What did Kay do this time? — Mira thought, worried.

The scene changes.

“You were summoned by the king!” Takemichi announced.

“By the royal family, to be more precise!” the scientist added.

“Why?” Mira exclaimed.

“No, I don’t want to! I need a shower, and now that I think about it, I’m hungry!” Kay said.

“True, we didn’t have lunch!” Mira agreed.

“The royal family, together with the research institute, wants to reward you for the discovery you made!” Takemichi explained.

“Us? What discovery?” Mira asked, surprised.

“The crazy girl here informed the research institute about the ghouls’ ability to fly. They haven’t proven it yet, but this is information that came from witnesses... that is, from you two. The research institute informed the royal family, and they calculated that this is the most likely explanation for how the ghouls are entering the kingdom without being seen by the guards!” They're just going to ask you a few questions and give you a prize, and refusing is not an option! The other teams are on their way back; as soon as they arrive, we'll go! — Takemichi concluded.

— It's valuable information, especially for the safety of the kingdom. — said the scientist, excited.

— Hm... great, a royal reception, just to explain that we saw a ghoul flying — replied Kay, scratching the back of her neck. — But seriously, I just wanted a bath and a meal before anything else.

The scientist, laughing, patted Kay on the shoulder.

— Their prize probably includes a banquet. And if you want to survive this hearing, you better have good manners — joked the scientist.

— Okay. If it helps protect the kingdom, it's worth it. And... maybe receiving a reward from the royal family isn't that scary after all. — said Mira

Takemichi forced a smile, watching the two.

— No soldier other than the captain has the authority to enter there with weapons! You can go with the suit in case of an urgent summoning! said Takemichi

Noises of helicopters were heard approaching.

— Let's go! — said Takemichi, standing up.

In the courtyard, the helicopters landed. The squad leaders got out of the vehicles, accompanied by some of their most talented members.

“Captain, we’re back. Some injured, but not life-threatening!” Joana reported.

“Ryuji has already radioed the report. You did a good job. I’ll be leaving with these three; take care of the base as usual!” Takemichi said.

“Okay!” the leaders said.

They got into the helicopter and the pilot started it up.

“Put on those headphones, it’s too loud in here!” the scientist said.

Everyone put on their headphones.

“How did you find out about the ghouls if the veteran hadn’t even informed my father yet?” Mira exclaimed.

“By listening in on Kay’s cell phone!” the scientist replied.

“On my cell phone?” Kay exclaimed, surprised.

“You didn’t know?” the scientist exclaimed, looking away, realizing she had said too much.

— That's cool! You can take it off, Fernanda! — Kay said excitedly.

— Don't be so mean; this is to keep you safe! — replied the scientist, Fernanda.

— You can take it off! — Kay repeated, insisting.

— Okay, I get it. — Fernanda said reluctantly.

A silence took over the helicopter.

— Mean! — Fernanda muttered.

— And where is my privacy? — Kay exclaimed.

— Boys! — Fernanda muttered exasperatedly.

— Be quiet! — Kay replied.

They continued the journey in silence.

The helicopter finally landed at a location designated for the armies and high-ranking officials. It wasn't too far from the central government, but far enough so that the noise of the helicopters wouldn't bother the authorities. A car was waiting for them there.

— Captain! I'll take you to the government headquarters! — said the driver, saluting.

“Is he wearing suits too?” — thought Kay.

“I’m counting on you!” replied Takemichi, sitting in the front seat.

They got into the car and the driver started the car.