Chapter 1272: Chapter 859: The Moment of the Decisive Battle Chapter 1272: Chapter 859: The Moment of the Decisive Battle In the following days, Duanmu Huai and Mary did relax a bit, avoiding further battles with any ghouls and instead wandered amidst scenic mountains and waters–not that they didn’t want to trouble the ghouls, but most had gone silent and disappeared without a trace.

Of course, not all of them were wiped out. The Tribunal’s warships had been monitoring these ghouls’ movements and found that most had already retreated underground–a piece of good news for Duanmu Huai. So now he was just waiting, waiting for all the ghouls to voluntarily hide underground before he could eradicate them all. Before that… Well, it wouldn’t hurt to enjoy a bit of shopping, right?

But for the ghouls that had gone deep underground, it was a disaster.

Each district had its own ghoul groups. Over the years, they had established their territories, like gangs, each occupying a patch of land for survival, not encroaching on each other.

However, recent events had forced these ghouls to abandon their domains and rush into the underground Ward 24, which caused a severe crisis. After all, Ward 24 also had its local ghoul factions. Suddenly, a large number of ghouls from the surface arrived underground, and obviously, there were not enough resources.

Consequently, they had no choice but to fight for resources and engage in a bloody slaughter.

After all, there are no humans underground. Ghouls can’t survive without eating humans; previously, those living underground would stealthily go up to the surface to capture a few people to eat. But now, with so many ghouls–grabbing a few would hardly suffice; it might take hundreds or even more.

But would humans turn a blind eye to this?

Of course not!

And soon, something more terrifying emerged among the ghouls.

That was cannibalism.

Simply put, ghouls were eating other ghouls.

From a scientific perspective, this was actually quite normal. Human research had shown that ghouls possess a large amount of RC cells, which allow them to mutate, granting them strength and physical quality surpassing that of humans. And it was to replenish RC cells that they chose to consume humans–of course, humans had far fewer RC cells than ghouls.

So, from this aspect, consuming fellow ghouls rich in RC cells was clearly the better choice.

Naturally, for ghouls, this was taboo. The reason is simple: although devouring their kin can satiate their hunger, the excessive intake of RC cells is harmful to ghouls.

Well, that’s normal since even the most beneficial trace elements can be deadly if consumed in excess.

Similarly, an excessive intake of RC cells could mutate a ghoul into a monster that even other ghouls would fear.

So generally, ghouls wouldn’t eat their kind.

But without any other food available, they seemed to have no other choice.

From this point of view, the ghouls in Ward 24 were living in dire straits. Writhing in agony within the shadows, they could only maintain their lives by mutual slaughter and cannibalism.

And as expected… Duanmu Huai couldn’t care less about it. To him, the plight of these ghouls struggling underground was far less significant than the succulent and juicy steak before him.

“Hmm, tastes really good.”

Duanmu Huai picked up the fork, speared a piece of steak, and stuffed it into his mouth, his eyes narrowing with satisfaction from the rich beefy aroma and the overflow of meat juice.

“Is it that delicious?”

Curious about Duanmu Huai’s actions, Mary cocked her head in puzzlement and timidly took a small bite of the beef.

“I feel… it’s probably not as extraordinary as you make it seem, Mr. Duanmu.”

“Ah, eating meat and guzzling wine heartily are the romance of a man. What’s the pleasure in nibbling like a pecking chicken as you do?”

Duanmu Huai waved his hand dismissively.

“You know, back in ancient times, I would stride in and say, ‘Xiao Er, serve up two or three pounds of cooked beef for wine’ and then turn around to deal with a tiger.”

“Uh… why would you want to trouble a tiger?”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s words, Mary looked confused. Honestly, if someone else said this in front of her, Mary would think they were boasting, but Duanmu Huai–judging by the muscles, physique, and height before her, Mary could only say that.

“No reason, it’s just the rule.”

“The rule of eating beef then fighting a tiger? How strange…”

While the two were dining and chatting, the sound of a ringing telephone filled the air. Duanmu Huai picked it up, listened, and responded with a few hums. Then he swallowed the last bite of steak before him and stood up.

“Alright, let’s go. No tigers to beat today, but there’s something else to handle.”

“Ghouls?”

“Correct.”

In response to Mary’s inquiry, Duanmu Huai nodded.

“Inspector Amon just called. The CCG is preparing for a full mobilization. It’s about time to go. Let’s move. I want to see how capable the CCG is now.”

When Duanmu Huai and Mary arrived at the designated location, they saw it was already thoroughly sealed off. Thousands of fully armed soldiers brandishing firearms, along with hundreds of investigators in white suits holding weapons, formed an impressive lineup.

“Mr. Duanmu.”

Upon seeing Duanmu Huai’s arrival, Investigator Yamane quickly came forward, but he couldn’t help changing his expression when he caught the scent of alcohol on Duanmu.