"If that's the case, then what exactly are we?"
Anyone could see that Ryoko Tamiya was seriously considering how to integrate into human society. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone so far as to get pregnant.
"How would I know? You people literally eat other humans just to survive. That's cannibalism. Why do you even do that?" Shinichi asked with some anger.
"It's simple. Because their food source can only be humans. Sure, they can consume ordinary food, but only certain components in the human body can actually nourish them," Silvain replied on Ryoko Tamiya's behalf.
"That's right. We need nutrients that can only be derived from humans," Ryoko added as she looked at Shinichi's right hand. "Didn't you ask your right hand about this already?"
Migi spoke up. "I draw nutrients directly from Shinichi's blood, so I don't understand what food is. Nor do I grasp the concept of cannibalism."
"No wonder you find us so repulsive." Ryoko folded her hands in front of her chest. To be honest, Silvain could sense a scholar's temperament from her. Compared to the dull and rigid Mr. A beside her, she was more like a scientific researcher.
"I've often wondered… does a creature that can't reproduce and must cannibalize others to survive really deserve to exist?"
Shinichi clearly couldn't keep up with such a deep question. "Either way, I don't think you're from this planet. You're probably aliens."
The ongoing conversation clearly agitated Mr. A. He suddenly stood up and said flatly, "This is a waste of time. So what if I understand what I am? It doesn't change anything."
His face twisted with emotion. "I only know one thing—when I'm hungry, I eat. When there are problems, I eliminate them. That's all."
With that, he walked out.
And as he left, he added coldly, "That guy is dangerous. He should be killed."
"Ms. Tamiya, this Mr. A seems like he's lacking in brainpower. Are you sure it's a good idea to let him father your child?" Silvain leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee leisurely.
Rather than getting annoyed at Silvain's teasing, Ryoko actually frowned and started thinking seriously. "At the time, I only considered his physical fitness. I didn't think about this issue. Tell me, would a baby's intelligence really be affected by the parent's IQ?"
Seeing her take the question seriously, Silvain quickly raised both hands. "Hey, I was just joking. For that kind of thing, I'm sure there's credible research online."
"That's true. Anyway, I've got the information I needed. I'll head out first. Shinichi, if anything comes up, call me." Before leaving, Silvain patted Shinichi's shoulder and raised his left hand, making a phone gesture.
After leaving the café, Silvain took a taxi to Ginza, following the location printed on the photocopy.
Ginza was one of Tokyo's central districts. Silvain sat in the back seat, gazing through the window. The area was full of tall buildings and crowded sidewalks. Most passersby were high-level white-collar workers, and luxurious stores lined the streets—places you wouldn't find in an average district.
"We're close." Silvain checked the map in his hand and got out of the cab.
"Are you here for work?" the driver asked kindly as he took the yen. "If so, be careful. There's talk of a psycho killer loose in the area. It's dangerous."
"I'll be careful. Thank you, sir."
Silvain smiled and pocketed the change. Just then, he noticed a well-decorated Japanese restaurant nearby.
"I'll have the 13,000 yen tuna set, thanks."
After placing his order, he casually found a seat and began reviewing the documents Ryoko had given him while waiting for his food.
The service was incredibly slow.
He had almost finished reviewing the material before the food finally arrived.
"Apologies for the wait," a young and beautiful waitress said as she set the tuna platter on the table.
Silvain had just finished reading. Though he felt like complaining, he forced a polite smile and said, "It's fine. Good food's always worth the wait."
After the waitress left, Silvain opened his system panel.
[Transformation Talent Fusing, Current Progress: 51%]
Ryoko Tamiya's data had helped significantly. It had saved him at least half a month of work. Silvain tested his abilities and found he could now control about 50 percent of his body. However, the energy cost was enormous.
Even advanced Parasytes usually only transform the part of the body where they reside. Full-body transformation requires extremely high physical fitness and concentration, making it unsuitable for actual combat.
Unless, of course, the body was segmented and controlled by multiple consciousnesses—like Gotou, the strongest Parasyte.
"As expected of a 13,000 yen meal. The ingredients are top-notch." Silvain dabbed a bit of fresh wasabi on the tuna sashimi and popped it into his mouth.
"Sss!" A sharp rush of wasabi cleared his sinuses instantly.
Just as he was quietly enjoying his meal, an uninvited guest appeared outside.
A woman approached the luxury boutique next door, dressed head to toe in name-brand clothing. But her outfit was strange—it was clearly autumn, yet she was layered in bulky garments like she was trying to wear every luxury label at once.
She stopped at the shop's entrance, silently staring at the display window.
A salesperson inside eventually noticed her.
"Excuse me, would you like to come in and look around?" the clerk asked politely.
"I want everything inside." The woman's head suddenly split open like a Venus flytrap, devouring the clerk's upper body in an instant. Dozens of tiny tentacles extended from her head, each with a tiny eyeball at the end. It was grotesque and horrifying.
The sudden killing sent passersby into a panic. The composed white-collar workers fled in terror. Cars sped up rather than slowing down. The chaos unfolding outside was enough to shatter anyone's sense of reality.
Inside the Japanese restaurant, customers screamed. Even the manager abandoned the shop and ran.
"Tch. So skittish."
Silvain, unfazed, continued eating his meal while watching the unfolding scene through the window.
Parasytes could sense each other's presence.
That was why Ryoko Tamiya had included a map in the photocopy, marking the target's exact location in advance.
All Silvain had to do now was finish his meal... and kill the target.
(To be continued.)