27. The Anthem of Humanity Is the Anthem of Courage!

When he heard those words, Shiraishi Mori didn’t smile. Instead, his brows furrowed as he stared at Shiki with suspicion.

"You want to help me? Why?"

Shiki gently removed his glasses, breathed on them, and wiped them with his sleeve.

“No reason.”

“If I had to give a reason, maybe it’s because you’re brave enough?”

Shiraishi Mori's brows furrowed even more.

“Brave?”

What kind of reason is that?
No matter how he looked at it, Shiraishi Mori didn’t think Shiki was the kind of person who would help someone just because they had some admirable quality.

“To be more precise, your courage made me have a bit of hope for your future.”

“Of course, the most important reason is… I’m curious what will happen if you get a Kagune implanted.”

Shiki slowly put his glasses back on. In the dim light, the lenses reflected a cold gleam.

“Kagune?”

Shiraishi Mori had a guess, and Shiki confirmed it immediately.

“That’s right. The same thing that was implanted in your parents’ bodies.”

Shiki’s casual tone immediately ignited Shiraishi Mori's fury.

After all, the thing he mentioned so lightly might have caused his parents unimaginable suffering!

Shiraishi Mori glared at Shiki, trying to suppress his anger. “That cursed thing… it was you who brought it here, wasn’t it?”

“Cursed thing? That’s not a bad way to describe it.”

Shiki nodded slightly with a smile, acknowledging Shiraishi Mori's suspicion.

“You’re too weak.”

“Human strength is limited. Only by transcending humanity can one gain greater power.”

Then he revealed a playful smile, flipped his hand to reveal a Kagune, and asked:

“So, do you need this…”

“…cursed thing?”

Staring at the crimson, repulsive, egg-like creature in Shiki’s hand, Shiraishi Mori's rage quickly turned into eerie calm.

There was no doubt—deep down, Shiraishi Mori rejected this thing.

But the problem was—he had just learned from Shiki’s mouth that his parents were fighting for their lives in the Octagon Arena to save him.

With his current strength, let alone saving them, he couldn’t even escape on his own.

Therefore, if he wanted to save them, this seemed to be the only option.

“Transcend humanity, huh?”

Even though Shiraishi Mori had no interest in such things and didn’t agree with Shiki’s thinking, at this moment, he showed a decisiveness that surprised even Shiki.

“I’ll do it.”

He stood up and asked coldly:

“If I eat this thing, can I really gain the power to save my parents?”

Faced with the question, Shiki raised a finger and wagged it slightly.

“There’s no such thing as an absolute in this world. Even the strongest power needs a suitable vessel.”

“So, I can’t answer your question. If I had to give an answer, it would only be…”

“…Maybe.”

Shiraishi Mori scoffed at Shiki’s cryptic words.

Ignoring his rudeness, Shiki continued, “Friendly reminder: eating a Kagune carries a certain chance of instant death, a certain chance of losing control, and a certain chance of becoming a Ghoul who has transcended humanity.”

“Anything is possible. Think carefully before you decide.”

“Shut up already!”

Shiraishi Mori ignored the warning completely, snatched the Kagune from Shiki’s hand, and shoved it straight into his mouth.

Shiki smiled faintly and turned to leave the cell.

As he walked away, agonized screams erupted behind him.

Then, countless more screams joined in.

Dozens of terrifying auras exploded all at once, and pairs of crimson eyes lit up in the darkness.

That’s right—Shiki didn’t give the Kagune only to Shiraishi Mori.

He gave them to the other slaves in the prison too.

Of course, not everyone was willing to accept Shiki’s “kindness.”

But there were still many who refused to bow to fate, who wanted to burn their lives and shine with one last blaze of glory.

After all…

The brave devour all. The coward eats dust.

The prison erupted into chaos.

Painful screams, crumbling walls, and haunting wails swirled around Shiki like a twisted symphony.

Just as he stepped out of the prison, he reached up and calmly adjusted his glasses.

“The anthem of humanity is the anthem of courage.”

“I’m looking forward to your performance.”

The Octagon Arena was in full frenzy.

The audience was ecstatic. Even as nobles, it was their first time watching such a unique show.

On the field were a husband and wife—clearly in love—but they were forced to use that thing called Kagune to fight to the death.

That dual impact—emotional and visual—brought an indescribable thrill to the spectators.

“Time’s about up.”

Abu’s voice echoed like a grim reaper’s whisper.

The expressions of Ao and Keiko instantly stiffened, bitterness heavy on their faces.

Time up meant… one of them had to make a sacrifice.

“Come, Ao.”

Keiko spoke without hesitation and charged straight at him.

“Keiko…”

Ao gritted his teeth, body trembling.

Though she appeared to be attacking, she was completely defenseless. If he simply swung his Kagune, he could easily kill her.

Only by doing so could he and their son have a chance to live. But even so—

“Don’t hesitate! Do it!”

Keiko whispered urgently.

“If the audience notices something’s wrong, it’ll all be for nothing!”

Under this terrifying pressure, Ao finally swung his Kagune.

Just as the spectators prepared to cheer—thinking the performance had reached its climax—suddenly, a violent tremor brought everything to a halt.

“What’s going on?!”

Sakamoto naturally flew into a rage.

Before he could grasp the situation, the arena doors were blasted open!

Twisted iron, shattered walls, and broken human corpses flooded in like a tidal wave.

Silence instantly fell.

Through the swirling smoke, a towering black figure emerged.

It was Shiraishi Mori—who had broken through the prison and stormed all the way to the arena.

He no longer looked human. His entire body was covered in thick black exoskeleton, dripping with blood and radiating an overwhelming aura of death.

His crimson eyes glowed like a beast’s.

He looked like a feral wolf king—and the moment he entered the arena, the crowd scattered like sheep before a predator.

Shiraishi Mori passed through the chaos, step by step, until he stood before the Octagon cage.

Then, under the shocked gaze of Ao and Keiko, he grabbed the steel bars.

His exoskeleton-covered arms bulged—and he tore apart steel as thick as a forearm!

Shiraishi Mori opened his mouth, blood mist spilling from his lips.

“Dad…”

“Mom…”

“I’m here!”