Byakuya slowly removed his backpack, holding it by the straps.
"Hm, a student? But young flesh is more tender. Just my type."
"The Binge Eater? I've heard of her. Enormous appetite, but she's not particularly picky, is she? Her targets aren't necessarily delicious."
"Forget the 'Binge Eater'—this is from Mr. MM. You might doubt her, but you can't doubt Mr. MM."
"Oh, MM-shi... MM-shi's 'offerings' are always excellent."
"..."
While the distinguished guests murmured among themselves, the man called "Mr. MM" rose from his seat. He wore a crescent-moon mask covering most of his face, leaving only the right half exposed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, come! Please enjoy the ultimate cuisine. I stake my name on it—this is absolutely the most exquisite delicacy you've ever tasted!"
Tsukiyama declared confidently.
While guests applauded and cheered, the clown-masked Furuta showed little reaction.
His gaze remained fixed on Byakuya below. This kid showing up here was mildly surprising.
He knew one thing: Byakuya was already a CCG investigator who had eliminated "Yamori."
After all, Furuta was Washuu. Learning CCG matters was no challenge.
That backpack almost certainly contained a Quinque.
Though Furuta had no intention of confronting Byakuya directly, he wasn't leaving—he wanted to watch the show.
"This... what do we do now...?"
Kobachi's legs gave out in terror.
Ami was too frightened to keep screaming.
"Now, let tonight's dinner show begin!"
As the MC's announcement ended, a door in the side wall slowly rose.
"Tonight's 'Scrapper' has arrived! Ladies and gentlemen, the 'dismemberment show' is about to begin!"
Amid the announcement and audience cheers, a massive, incredibly muscular man emerged—shirtless, head wrapped in cloth, carrying specialized butchering tools.
"Please... be gentle..."
The Scrapper's voice was childlike, incongruous with his fearsome appearance.
"Itadakimasu."
The Scrapper slowly approached the three, quite politely.
"Haha... I see... This must be performance art, right? I encountered similar dining experiences while researching in France—enjoying cuisine while experiencing heart-pounding thrills!"
Even now, Kobachi fantasized this was all a joke.
The distinguished guests above looked at him like he was an idiot.
"..."
Byakuya was rather exasperated with this guy too.
Just as the Scrapper drew close, Ami—having realized this was no act—suddenly lunged forward, kicking hard at Byakuya's back.
Obviously, she hoped to use him as a distraction while she escaped.
But Byakuya had anticipated this. He sidestepped, grabbed Ami's collar, and with tremendous force, hurled her at the Scrapper.
Given Byakuya's strength combined with Ami's considerable mass—even though the Scrapper was at least twice her size—he was knocked down by the flying impact.
"Wuwu... it hurts! Mama, it hurts!"
The Scrapper whined like a child.
The commotion above fell silent.
This was unexpected—a human who could resist the "Scrapper" like this?
Ami scrambled to her feet to flee, but after a few steps, her legs suddenly went numb and she collapsed.
"What... what's happening?!"
Ami was baffled.
Byakuya immediately understood—the coffee had been poisoned. It was taking effect now, and Kobachi was also paralyzed on the ground.
Good thing he hadn't touched that coffee. He couldn't recall all the original details—like the poisoned coffee—but his instincts had saved him.
Byakuya now pulled the Quinque briefcase from his backpack.
Seeing that familiar-looking "case," several ghouls reacted.
"That! That's a 'dove' weapon! He's a 'dove'!"
"Mr. MM! What's the meaning of this? You brought us a 'dove'?!"
"Are there other 'doves' who've infiltrated the 'Ghoul Restaurant'?!"
"..."
The briefcase's appearance triggered panic.
Tsukiyama hadn't expected Byakuya to be an investigator, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Ladies and gentlemen, please don't worry. This is my surprise for you—isn't a delicious ghoul investigator even finer cuisine?"
This building was his territory. He was certain no other investigators had infiltrated.
As for Byakuya—young as he looked—he probably wasn't a serious threat.
Tsukiyama's eyes beneath his mask grew cold. He truly hadn't expected Rize to be involved with an investigator, but fortunately this was just a greenhorn. Tonight's "banquet" shouldn't be ruined.
With Tsukiyama's reassurance, the other ghouls relaxed.
"The true feast now begins..."
Byakuya spoke quietly as he unlocked the briefcase's biometric seal. The sword-form "13's Jason" materialized.
He'd already scanned the ghouls above. Besides Furuta, he spotted no one particularly dangerous—like the SS-rated "Big Madam" from the original timeline, who wasn't present.
"Baby, fight! Do well and Mama will reward you handsomely at home!"
A woman in the gallery wearing sunglasses and heavy makeup called out loudly.
This was "Madam A"—owner of tonight's "Scrapper."
But just then, two figures appeared behind Madam A.
Kurona and Nashiro Yasuhisa—assigned to protect her, as she was Dr. Kanou's assistant who helped raise his "specimens."
And at this moment, they spotted Byakuya below, alone and surrounded...
///
If you're reading this, please leave a review for this novel, it costs you nothing and it really helps me :), we only have 8 so far