Chapter 120: Sakayanagi Arisu – Truly Lonely
"Well, that's the deal. You will provide Class A with supplies worth 200 initial points, and in return, we will pay you a total of 400,000 private points every month until graduation," Katsuragi stated.
According to Katsuragi's calculations, since Sakayanagi was absent, Class A had 39 students. If they used points to exchange for all their food and water, they would need around 140 points per week.
Additionally, other facilities such as tents, toilets, and shower installations also required points. All in all, 200 points would be enough—no need for more.
Although if they negotiated for 300 points with Ryuen, they could completely deplete his class's initial points.
While Class A would be spending private points, they would also be stripping Ryuen's class of its initial points.
By the time the final scores of the exam were tallied, Ryuen's class would undoubtedly be in last place.
However, since Ryuen's class already had a class evaluation score of zero, they weren't a threat.
So, just draining their initial points was already a significant blow; there was no need to spend extra.
For Class A, maintaining their position required two strategies:
1. Raising their class's score significantly to maintain a gap from the other classes.
2.
3. Dragging the other classes down.
4.
If Ryuen's class failed to climb back up in this exam, it would be beneficial for Class A.
Spending only 200 points to achieve this goal meant there was no need to waste 300 points.
Especially because...
This time, Katsuragi had indeed failed. Despite arranging for people to contact senior students and learning about the upcoming uninhabited island exam, he failed to gain any advantage.
Moreover, the agreement with Ryuen involved the entire class, including both his supporters and those who did not support him.
Thus, the cost had to be carefully allocated. Spending more than necessary would make his classmates dissatisfied.
Katsuragi didn't want to leave room for criticism.
Now then—
Logically speaking, since both sides had no objections, they could proceed with signing the agreement.
But Ryuen had no intention of wrapping things up so easily.
Because his real plan was to sell out Class D completely and have everyone forfeit.
That way, they could all return to the cruise ship and enjoy a week-long vacation.
So, for Katsuragi to insist on only 200 points instead of taking the full 300 was not in Ryuen's best interest.
If the entire 300 points were exchanged, he could pocket half of the earnings for himself while ensuring that each of his classmates received at least 15,000 private points as basic living expenses.
15,000 private points wasn't a lot, but it was just enough for them to get by.
Moreover, with his control over his class, he could keep them in check.
But now, with only 200 points in the deal, he could only take half of that, leaving each classmate with just 10,000 private points.
10,000 private points wouldn't be enough for daily life. If his classmates found out he was taking half of the earnings, they would be dissatisfied.
Although Ryuen was strong, he didn't want to rely solely on physical force all the time.
The best strategy was to ensure his subordinates had just enough to get by while keeping them under control.
So, Katsuragi's refusal to trade for 300 points wasn't what Ryuen wanted.
"Oh, I forgot," Ryuen said, deliberately putting on a look of sudden realization and chuckling. "Sakayanagi isn't here, right? Since she's absent, your class should have been penalized 30 points at the start, leaving you with only 270 points. How about 270 points instead?"
"..."
Hearing Sakayanagi's name, Katsuragi's expression darkened, while Yahiko lowered his head meekly without objecting.
But it wasn't because Sakayanagi's name was mentioned.
It was because Ryuen had pointed out that their initial class points had dropped from 300 to 270.
In reality, their current points weren't 270 but 220.
Since the exact points for each class weren't disclosed until the end of the exam, Ryuen was unaware that they had lost additional points.
"200 points," Katsuragi insisted. "After all, we are taking a significant risk as well."
"Besides, 200 points are already enough to cover a class's supplies."
"And Ryuen, your class needs supplies too, doesn't it?" Katsuragi maintained his composed demeanor. "If you give all the supplies to us, what are you going to do? Survive on nothing?"
Of course, they would have nothing.
Because Ryuen never intended to leave any supplies for his class.
Once all their points were spent and they had nothing left, breaking the rules wouldn't matter anymore.
He could simply leave a few spies behind while having the rest of his classmates return to the cruise ship.
As for the spies—since they were spies, they would be leeching off other classes' supplies. Why would they need their own?
So in reality—
Ryuen had no need to exchange for supplies at all.
In that case, he decided to push Katsuragi a little harder.
"200 points, huh... Fine." Ryuen agreed.
"Then let's sign the contract quickly," Yahiko interjected, standing beside Katsuragi.
When Ryuen initially proposed the deal, Katsuragi saw no real benefit for Class A.
However, if Ryuen's class could obtain information on the leaders of both Class B and Class C, then the advantage became clear.
If they could identify the opposing leaders, they could guess their identities.
If they guessed correctly, not only would the opposing class lose their base camp points, but they would also receive a penalty.
A correct guess would immediately deduct 50 initial points from the targeted class (if they still had any left). And that was just if one class made the guess. But what if both Katsuragi's class and Ryuen's class guessed correctly?
That would mean a minimum gap of 50×2 points.
Aside from Class C, which aggressively occupied most of the base camps, this would also drag Class B—currently the closest competitor to Class A—down in the rankings.
Thus, the deal became profitable.
Katsuragi glanced at Yahiko. Though Yahiko was anxious, there was no issue with signing the contract.
Katsuragi agreed.
However—
"We can sign the contract," Ryuen said. "But you're certain you're only exchanging 200 points' worth of supplies, correct?"
"Yes."
"Then, that means you have no right to interfere with how I use the remaining 100 points and who I exchange supplies with," Ryuen stated.
"?"
Katsuragi furrowed his brows slightly.
"What I mean is, since I'm selling you 200 points' worth of supplies, I can also sell 100 points' worth to Class B," Ryuen continued.
"..." Katsuragi.
"..." Yahiko.
"That's not acceptable!" Yahiko immediately objected.
The biggest advantage of the deal with Ryuen was gaining information on Class B's leader.
If Ryuen also traded with Class B, did that mean he wouldn't be sending spies there?
Furthermore—
In this deal, Class A was spending private points, but they were saving the remaining 220 initial points, which would be calculated at the end of the exam.
Other classes didn't have this luxury; they had to use their points to buy supplies, ensuring that Class A would maintain a lead over Class B.
But if Class B also had access to supplies…
And if they managed to maintain their 300 initial points, they could come out on top in this exam!
"These are my points, and how I sell them is my business," Ryuen stated. "I already gave you the chance to buy all 300 points in one go. You only wanted 200. Now, if you want the full 300, the price goes up by 20%."
Ryuen outright raised the price.
"This is outrageous!" Yahiko exclaimed.
Even so, he quickly turned to Katsuragi, waiting for his decision.
Katsuragi closed his eyes.
He could confirm that Ryuen was absolutely capable of doing such a thing.
Because the fact that he was even offering to sell his initial points meant his class had completely abandoned the exam.
Even though they were giving up, securing a stable source of income still had value.
For Ryuen, this was a massive profit.
"300 points," Katsuragi said. "Class A will take all of it. And Ryuen, don't try to make excuses—Class B's students won't agree to trade with you that easily."
After all, Class B's students were like little angels.
Even if Ryuen really tried to sell to them, they might see it as unfair or against the rules and refuse to participate.
So if Ryuen did go to Class B, he might just end up humiliated.
But Ryuen only smiled slightly and agreed to sign the contract.
Because his goal had already been achieved.
Now, his class had secured a free meal ticket.
And he himself would receive a hefty sum of money every month, giving him even more leverage to manipulate things.
That thought made Ryuen grin as he extended his hand toward Katsuragi. "Pleasure doing business."
Smack!
Katsuragi gave Ryuen a deep look, then reached out and shook his hand firmly. In a low voice, he said, "Pleasure doing business."
Ryuen's approach was incredibly calculated—it was an excellent strategy for this exam.
Next time, Katsuragi would need to be wary of Ryuen.
That guy was a real threat.
But for now, the outcome was satisfactory.
With this deal, Class A could preserve their initial points.
As for the other classes…