Do you understand the dark forest law?

"Ah, class is finally over. I feel so tired."

"Yeah, it's been ages since we last had a lesson. Suddenly sitting through one is exhausting—my brain feels like it's rusting."

"It's not that bad, not too tiring. The stuff we're learning is pretty simple."

"Simple, sure, but it's my first time with high school coursework. I'm still a little nervous."

"First time? Looks like you've got some catching up to do, Shiramami. I already finished half the high school curriculum at my old cram school."

After class, everyone in the room started gathering in groups, chatting away and getting to know each other.

The boys clustered together, sharing common interests, while the girls talked about studies or newly discovered treasure shops.

"Everyone, quiet down. I need some helpers right now."

Yuki Gyakukai pushed through the crowd and stepped up to the podium once more.

"Me!"

Even though he hadn't said what the task was yet, someone eagerly shot their hand up, face bright with excitement as they volunteered.

"You're Shibata, right? I haven't even said what we're doing, and you've already raised your hand. But it doesn't matter—since you're volunteering, you're in."

The one suddenly called out was Shibata Hayate, a sunny, handsome guy with blond hair.

He scratched his cheek a little sheepishly. No matter how thick-skinned he was, being stared at by the whole class was a bit embarrassing.

"I'm gathering people to contribute to the class. I only need four for now. If you want in, just volunteer."

Without keeping everyone waiting long, he quickly summarized what needed to be done and how many people he needed.

"Contribute? Gyakukai, can you count me in?" Honami Ichinose waved from within the crowd surrounding her.

"I want to go too. Can I have a spot?"

"..."

"Not really... um, well... c-count me in."

Young lady, you don't seem too willing. But whatever.

Since you're so reluctant, I'll definitely pick you later.

The atmosphere in Class B was lively. Yuki Gyakukai glanced at the time, knowing there wasn't much of it, so without hesitation, he called out a few names:

"Shibata Hayate, Honami Ichinose, Ryuji Kanzaki, and Chihiro Shiramami—come with me."

"Huh!" Chihiro Shiramami blinked in disbelief, clearly not expecting her name to be called.

She really didn't want to go... Ugh.

But since she'd been singled out, there was no helping it. She reluctantly stood up and, under the envious gazes of her classmates, followed the others out of the classroom.

The group walked briskly down the hallway.

"So, Gyakukai, what exactly do you need us to do?" As the heir to the Kanzaki financial group, Ryuji Kanzaki had listened to Gyakukai's explanation of the rules yesterday and genuinely admired him.

That was why, when Yuki Gyakukai asked for helpers, he hadn't hesitated to volunteer.

Without slowing his pace, Gyakukai continued leading the four behind him:

"Do you know the Dark Forest Law?"

Except for Ryuji Kanzaki, everyone else looked blank.

The Dark Forest Law was famous, but clearly not everyone had an interest in delving into that unknown territory.

"Looks like you don't. Kanzaki, explain."

And so, the scene became Yuki Gyakukai leading the way while the other three listened to Teacher Kanzaki's concise explanation of what the Dark Forest Law actually was.

Once they had a clearer understanding of the Dark Forest Law, a path formed in their minds.

Dark Forest Law = School's special rules.

"Right now, only our class among the first-years knows the special rules. In practice, we could be the hunters."

"But the weapons in our hands can't deal real damage, and their effectiveness only lasts for this one month."

Honami Ichinose looked thoughtfully at the group. "So, are we going to announce these hidden rules?"

"Ichinose, don't assume everyone's a good person. Even though Class B is full of nice people, we still need to understand the situation in the other classes. That's what you're here to do."

"So, what exactly are we doing?" Chihiro Shiramami raised her little hand to ask.

"Right now, during the break, we're heading to Class A. We're going to sell them some of the rules we've already figured out, turning Class A into hunters too. Class C is also under consideration."

"We don't need too many classes knowing the rules. After they learn them, we can sign a contract to make sure they don't interfere with Class B for this month. That buys us a safe period."

"The other two classes that know the rules will inevitably make moves. They'll end up checking each other."

Though it might sound a bit like armchair strategy, Yuki Gyakukai had thoroughly read the full story and knew every class's situation inside out.

Class A was split into two major factions plus a neutral faction, and it even had an "internal war god" among them.

Class B was full of goody-two-shoes. Their class cohesion was the strongest of all, but their offensive power was also the weakest.

Class C was a bunch of punks, just a violent group held together by Sho Ryuuen's brute force.

Class D is a mixed bag—some are genuinely coasting, some are true dragons, and mixed in among them are mongrels as well.

"Indeed, even though we now know the hidden rules, once all the rules are announced in a month, every advantage we have will vanish completely."

"Rather than playing at being false hunters, it's better to strike now and secure greater benefits for the class."

The group walked and talked, soon arriving at Class A's classroom.

"You're finally here, Yuki—because of you, Teacher's been standing here feeling so awkward."

"Teacher Hoshinomiya?"

The four following behind couldn't help but glance at Hoshinomiya standing at Class A's door.

"Teacher Hoshinomiya, with me in Class B, you should be counting your blessings—and here you are, picking and choosing."

"Alright, alright, Teacher's been dismissed by her student again."

This time, ignoring Hoshinomiya's antics, Yuki Gyakukai turned his gaze to the sharp, capable man beside her.

Class A's homeroom teacher, Tomoya Mashima—in the original story, a fitness enthusiast and a teacher with a strong sense of justice, still unmarried but frequently changing girlfriends.

"Good day, Teacher Mashima. Since it's break time, I hope you don't mind me dropping by Class A."

"Not at all."

"Then, Class A students, please excuse the interruption."

Yuki Gyakukai lightly knocked on Class A's door, ensuring everyone could hear, then led the people behind him into the classroom.

With their entrance, all of Class A's students turned their eyes toward them.

"Wow, it's that handsome guy from the bus earlier!"

"So jealous—he's even better-looking than our class's Satonaka."

"..."

"Everyone, quiet down. We're here on behalf of Class B to propose a deal."