I Bet You

If there was any department in the Empire that the great families loathed yet could do nothing about,

the Investigation Department's Fourth Action Division would claim the title, and no other department would dare contest it.

Not for profit.

Not for power.

It was tied to no financial or political group.

From top to bottom, the entire Fourth Action Department had always had only one objective.

To hunt Altered Users.

All it took was suspicion that someone was connected to an Altered User for them to be "invited" to the Fourth Action Department to assist with an investigation.

At the shortest, twenty-four hours.

At the longest, a week, ten days, or half a month.

Amid the great families' struggles for power and open and covert conflicts, losing control for that long was nearly fatal.

By the time someone was finally released on parole from the Fourth Action Department, they might find that their influence and territory had already been completely devoured.

A department that could neither be bought off nor restrained, that could only be pressured through displays of strength—and would strike back if pushed too far—yet wielded such extreme authority was truly impossible for the great families to like.

Su Youzi could fully imagine it... when she returned to the Soga Family with Kujo Ryuko.

How spectacular her uncles' expressions would be.

Compared to that, Kujo Ryuko's threat could seemingly be ignored for the time being.

She just needed to keep a proper distance from Kujo Ryuko—

The relationship between her and Kujo Ryuko

was merely one of mutual exploitation.

Forget raising Kujo Ryuko's favorability. She would not earn even a single "Combat Record" from Kujo Ryuko.

This time... there was absolutely no way this could go wrong, right?

Su Youzi could not even think of a reason for it to go wrong.

It was not as if she really was some kind of "Human Wrench."

If she was this careful and Kujo Ryuko's favorability still kept rising,

then Su Youzi would accept it.

Su Youzi and Kujo Ryuko reached an agreement to help each other.

The only difference from the original terms was... after Little Rabbit argued her case and voluntarily paid to provide lodging, Kujo Ryuko could not stay in Su Youzi's dormitory.

Instead, she moved into the room next to Su Youzi's dormitory.

Other than making Su Youzi feel just a tiny bit... as if she were being kept by a girl,

there was absolutely no problem.

"Then... where is the other survivor?" After reaching an agreement with Su Youzi, Kujo Ryuko's smile became gentle and easygoing again.

She looked like a bright, sunny girl next door.

But... only by looking into those Scarlet Eyes could one discover the cruelty and madness hidden beneath that gentle exterior.

"She's in the school hospital." Unohana Chiyo frowned.

To be honest... she did not really approve of the deal between Su Youzi and Kujo Ryuko.

She was worried that Little Youzi had been blinded by Kujo Ryuko's sexy, alluring appearance.

Kujo Ryuko... was far more dangerous than she looked.

In Unohana Chiyo's eyes, even without making a deal with the Fourth Action Department, Shiritsu Megumi Garden Academy had the ability to protect Little Youzi.

But... since Little Youzi had already made a deal with Kujo Ryuko,

she would not say anything more.

Still... she needed to find an opportunity to remind Little Youzi.

Be careful of Kujo Ryuko.

"Classmate Sakai's condition has only just improved." Watching Kujo Ryuko warily, Unohana Chiyo explained, "Her Anomalous state was very unusual."

"Even though the Anomalous state was lifted in time, her body is still very weak."

"She can't withstand any stimulation."

"What do you intend to do?"

Unohana Chiyo's implication was that she did not want Kujo Ryuko to see Sakai Miho.

"Don't worry—"

"Teacher Unohana." Beneath the sunlight, the girl in the alluring combat uniform smiled.

Yet no matter how softly she smiled,

those scarlet, inorganic eyes that seemed to have had all emotion wiped away made her smile look so cold and perfunctory, even... terrifyingly iron-blooded.

"I understand Huiqun Garden's rules~~~"

Shiritsu Megumi Garden Academy would never hand over its students.

"I only want to see her."

"To get some clues."

The girl raised her hand. At that instant, both Su Youzi and Unohana Chiyo felt a chill crawl down their spines.

It was as if... something horrifying in the darkness was watching them.

Only the somewhat airheaded Little Rabbit felt nothing at all.

Su Youzi knew.

That was Kujo Ryuko's Innate Ability.

"Blood Hounds."

Hounds lurking in the shadows, terrifying assassins who were almost impossible to guard against.

Prey targeted by them basically never escaped death.

Su Youzi had seen Kujo Ryuko's hounds in the game.

Aside from having four legs like dogs, mouths full of Fangs, and being loyal, Su Youzi truly found it difficult to associate those hideous monsters with hounds.

Kujo Ryuko held out her palm toward Su Youzi, and a blood-colored crystal needle fell into her hand.

"I only need one drop of her blood."

"If Teacher Unohana doesn't trust me..."

"Su Youzi can handle it instead."

"Me?" Su Youzi froze for a moment.

Aside from the basic cooperation, she truly did not want anything to do with Kujo Ryuko.

"That works." Unohana Chiyo nodded.

After all... Sakai Miho had been the person involved in the Anomalous state incident.

Following proper procedure... Kujo Ryuko could actually take Sakai Miho away for questioning.

But... after a trip through the Fourth Action Department,

the girl's entire life might be ruined.

Unohana Chiyo did not want to completely fall out with Kujo Ryuko either.

"Then please follow me." She turned and led the way.

Holding Little Rabbit's hand, Su Youzi followed closely behind Unohana Chiyo.

Kujo Ryuko, meanwhile, leisurely followed behind the girls.

She studied Su Youzi's back.

The girl's agile back... without a trace of excess flesh, was quite pleasing to her eye.

But it was only appreciation.

If you enjoy this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you won't lose it next time.

Walking through Shiritsu Megumi Garden Academy,

it was currently class time, and the academy was fairly quiet.

Holding Saotome Yukina's hand with one hand, Su Youzi checked Kujo Ryuko's attributes.

[Operator: Kujo Ryuko]

[☆☆☆☆☆☆]

[Level.32 - Blood Ability User]

[Talent: Anomalous Edge]

[Talent: Sadist]

[Innate Ability: [Deterrence]]

[Innate Ability: Blood Hounds]

[Senior Superintendent of the Imperial Investigation Bureau's Fourth Action Department. Her hatred for Altered Users had long filled the maiden's heart. Beneath that hollow heart, perhaps what awaited was...]

[Initial Favorability: 14 (First Encounter)]

"Very good—"

Su Youzi encouraged herself.

Ever since recruiting Kujo Ryuko, Kujo Ryuko's favorability toward her had remained fixed at fourteen points without budging.

That thoroughly proved Kujo Ryuko's "special preferences."

If she wanted to raise Kujo Ryuko's favorability,

then aside from taking Kujo Ryuko to watch movies together like in the game,

she would probably have to become prey beneath Kujo Ryuko's whip to please her.

But... how could that be possible!

Su Youzi now wished Kujo Ryuko's favorability toward her would drop a little more.

It would be best if it fell to around Yamabuki Nanako's level.

Seeing the familiar crepe shop, Su Youzi suddenly got an idea.

"Teacher Unohana, wait for me..."

Su Youzi jogged over to the crepe shop and bought two rolled Strawberry Cream Crepes.

She handed the crepes to Unohana Chiyo and Little Rabbit respectively.

"Teacher Unohana, give it a try..."

"This shop's Strawberry Cream Crepe is one of its signature items. It should rank among the best in all of Guangzheng District."

"Saotome probably hasn't eaten breakfast yet, right..."

"Even if you want to lose weight, going hungry isn't good."

[Ding—]

[Feeding: Unohana Chiyo's favorability +1]

[Ding—]

[Feeding: Saotome Yukina's favorability +1]

[...]

Listening to the familiar intelligent machine female voice by her ear,

then—

when facing Kujo Ryuko, Su Youzi suddenly changed her tone. "Senior Kujo..."

"Do you need me to buy one for you?"

"No need." Kujo Ryuko was still smiling brightly.

Unohana Chiyo watched with worry in her heart.

She simply could not understand why Little Youzi deliberately kept provoking that woman, repeatedly dancing on the edge in front of Kujo Ryuko.

Especially when... Saotome Yukina saw that Su Youzi had bought only two.

Little Rabbit rose slightly onto her tiptoes.

She insisted that Su Youzi take a bite first before she would eat.

Su Youzi and Saotome Yukina's heads were nearly pressed together.

Su Youzi could even feel... the astonishing heat radiating from the girl's ear tips.

Yet even so, Kujo Ryuko's favorability remained as if it had been anchored at fourteen points.

It did not move at all.

On the contrary... Teacher Unohana's favorability hearts had begun to thump wildly.

Very soon, the school hospital came into the girls' view.

Su Youzi specifically bought a fruit basket and even wrote a gift card by hand.

Kujo Ryuko glanced at Su Youzi's handwriting.

"Wishing... recovery..."

Kujo Ryuko suddenly sneered. "Recovery?"

"Can someone who has entered an Anomalous state ever recover?"

"Her ability will remain forever stuck before the First Sequence. She will never successfully enter the First Sequence for the rest of her life."

Su Youzi's heart suddenly thudded.

Having once been bound to Level.0 - Telekinetic Ability, she could understand... exactly what it felt like to discover that her ability could not advance no matter what she did.

Without even needing a ding in her head,

Su Youzi looked at her Material Slot, then looked at Kujo Ryuko.

A bold idea suddenly arose in her heart.

"She can never enter the First Sequence for the rest of her life?"

"Then..."

"Senior Kujo, do you dare make a bet with me?"

"Hm?" Kujo Ryuko tilted her head with interest. "Bet on what?"

"Let's bet on whether Sakai Miho can break through to the First Sequence." Su Youzi looked at Kujo Ryuko.

"Fine!" Kujo Ryuko's lips curled up wantonly. "But I get to decide the loser's punishment."

"The loser..."

"Will get down on all fours in front of the other person and act like a little dog."

Kujo Ryuko looked into Su Youzi's pair of gorgeous crimson eyes.

Honestly... she was starting to wonder whether girls had some masochistic tendencies, or whether Su Youzi liked her.

Otherwise... why would she wrap herself up so nicely and deliver herself right to her door?

She was rather looking forward to Su Youzi getting down in front of her, raising one hand and letting out a soft, puppyish "woof woof."

She... loved dogs the most.

As for... losing?

Kujo Ryuko had never even considered the possibility of losing.

How could she lose with such an overwhelming advantage?

Someone who had entered an Anomalous state?

How could she possibly still break through?

This round... this round wasn't merely a guaranteed win. She simply had no idea how she could lose.