Chapter 277: The Demon from Shuchiin

"Hello? Mm… you'll be handling this matter. Try to speed things up a little. Yeah, good."

Standing in the clubroom, Rinji held his phone to his ear, giving instructions to someone on the other end. Once he was done, he slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"Alright, let's go."

"Huh? Go where?"

Seeing Rinji about to leave, Nanami quickly followed him.

"Let's see if there's anyone who needs help from the Anti-Gambling Club. Consider it door-to-door service," Rinji replied. "Just target those labeled as 'livestock' by the student council."

"I'm coming too."

Rinji opened the door and stepped out, with Nanami following right behind.

This was Rinji's second day at the school. For him, the only meaningful thing about the first day was establishing the Anti-Gambling Club. That alone had laid the groundwork for everything that was to come.

Of course, things like gouging out a student's eye, injuring an entire class, turning Manyuda Kaede into a mummy, and shooting Midari Ikishima were all brushed off as harmless little incidents.

At least, that's how Rinji saw it.

Walking down the hallway, the black uniform of Shuchiin Academy that he wore made him stand out sharply.

Given everything that happened yesterday, every single thing Rinji had done at this closed-off school was enough to cause a stir. So now, nearly every student who caught sight of his distinct Shuchiin uniform quickly stepped aside in fear.

"Did you see that? I think that's him."

"The 'Demon from Shuchiin'? That's him? I heard he's the one who destroyed Class Tsubaki in Year 2."

"I heard twelve students suffered full-body fractures."

"Terrifying…"

"Who's that girl with him? She looks like one of the 'livestock'."

The students whispered among themselves about Rinji, deliberately keeping their voices low so he wouldn't hear them.

"I heard there was a survivor from their class yesterday… I think his name was Jun Kiwatari. They say he transferred to Class Hana today."

"Hmm?"

The moment Rinji heard that name, his gaze shot toward the two whispering girls.

The instant his eyes locked onto them, the two girls broke into a cold sweat, trembling as they saw Rinji walking straight toward them.

"Hey."

"D-Don't kill me…"

"I'm just here to ask about someone named Kiwatari. Do you know where he is right now?"

Without paying any attention to the two girls now huddled together in fear, Rinji asked the question plainly.

"H-he's in Year 2, Class Hana…"

"Thanks."

Rinji nodded and turned to Nanami behind him.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

After the two left, the two girls collapsed to the ground and let out a sigh of relief.

"So scary..."

"He was looking for Kiwatari... Is he planning to finish off the last survivor too?"

"That's just cruel..."

The students continued whispering about Rinji, but that was no longer within his area of concern.

---

Year 2 Class Hana — the same class that Jabami Yumeko was in.

Rinji found that gambling-obsessed girl extremely irritating, which was why he hadn't chosen this class during the initial class placements.

But because of that decision, the students in this class had temporarily avoided disaster.

Otherwise, it would've been Class Hana Rinji destroyed instead of Class Tsubaki.

When Rinji walked into the Class Hana classroom, the scene inside was the same as Tsubaki or any other class — everyone was immersed in gambling. Various gambling games were being held in every corner of the cramped classroom.

A human betting match had just ended. One student scratched his head in frustration after losing money, and when he looked up, he spotted Rinji standing at the door. His eyes widened instantly, and he took two steps back in fear.

"Bl-black uniform... it's the Demon of Shuchiin!"

"What!?"

His shout echoed through the classroom, and every student looked up at the door. Regardless of whether their games had ended, they all stood and backed into the corners.

Rinji stood in the doorway, a wide space instantly forming before him.

His infamy had spread throughout the school. Without exception, all the students assumed Rinji had come to beat them up.

"Saotome, you go."

"Eh? Why me?"

"Are you dumb? You're the only 'livestock' in the class!"

A beautiful blonde twin-tailed girl was shoved out from the crowd.

She turned around and was met with the cold stares of her classmates.

Knowing there was no way out, the girl clenched her teeth, silently vowing to get revenge on these people one day. Slowly, she walked toward Rinji.

She had heard rumors about Rinji — and the more they spread, the more exaggerated they became.

Originally, Rinji became known in the school for injuring an entire class, but now, the stories had taken on various forms.

Some said this transfer student used to be an assassin. Others claimed he was a mercenary who had fought in wars overseas. There were even tales that he was the son of a massive conglomerate's CEO. In any case, the rumors became increasingly outlandish.

And yet, they weren't exactly wrong.

As Saotome looked at Rinji, her heart pounded with unease. She was absolutely terrified of someone with such a fearsome reputation.

"Um... Takamine-san."

She bowed slightly to Rinji and forced a smile.

"Welcome to Class Hana. My name is Saotome Mary. May I ask what brings you to our class?"

Rinji had been scanning the room for Jabami Yumeko's presence, puzzled that she wasn't there. Seeing a girl greet him, he replied:

"Saotome-san, I heard Kiwatari transferred to your class. Do you know where he is?"

"Kiwatari... He..."

Mary panicked.

She had no idea where that student who transferred from Class Tsubaki had gone — he always disappeared after class.

'What do I do? What if I say I don't know and get killed?'

"So, you don't know."

"I..."

As he looked at the frightened Saotome Mary, Rinji noticed the badge hanging from her chest that read "Stray Cat".

"You're a 'livestock'?"

"...Yes."

"I see. Are you interested in joining the Anti-Gambling Club?"

"Huh?"

Seeing Mary's stunned expression, Rinji smiled and said, "Our club is dedicated to helping students in debt. If you join us, we'll pay off everything you owe, and the student council won't demand tribute from club members."

"Eeh? That good?"

"Of course," Rinji said with a smile. "The condition is — you must quit gambling for good."