Anime Card System

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The sky outside had turned completely dark. Russell sighed, resigning himself to spending the night in his now-compromised apartment. He had Kaneki lift the heavy, bent iron door back into its frame, closing it loosely to provide at least the illusion of security. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he began to map out his next move.

First, he had to figure out what to do with his money. He was lucky; being alone in the world meant he didn't have much property to worry about. He always carried his bank card and his most valuable possession—the [Flesh and Blood Demon] (Gold) card—on his person. If he hadn't, he would have been cleaned out completely.

Thinking of the attacker's body, a thought struck him, and his face froze. He hadn't searched the corpse for materials. Forget it, he told himself, trying to rationalize the missed opportunity. Even if I had, the Association would have likely confiscated anything I found.

Pushing the random thoughts aside, Russell focused on the 370,000 he had on hand. He mentally allocated 70,000 for daily expenses. The remaining 300,000 would be best used to purchase materials for a new prop card, either to enhance Yoriichi's combat power or for his own self-defense. An idea began to form in his mind, but he had expended far too much mental energy today. He was in no condition to attempt making a new card.

"I'll need you two to keep watch tonight," Russell said quietly to Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Kaneki, who stood silently in the room.

He wasn't a fool. After an attack like this, he couldn't afford to drop his guard and meditate alone. His mental strength was vast enough to sustain both cards through the night, as long as there was no fighting.

At that same moment, in a dark corner of the Happy Home Complex, a tall, thin figure spoke to his companion. "Boss, should we just rush in there and grab the kid? What happened to Gus... it has to be connected to him."

The sturdier figure, the boss, slapped the tall man across the face. "Idiot!" he hissed. "How many times have I told you we need to keep a low profile? How are you so sure this kid isn't bait set by the Cardmaker Association?"

He was seething, his voice a low growl. "And that moron Gus today! Who told him to act on his own?! If he hadn't made contact, he would have ruined the President's entire plan. Ten of his lives wouldn't be enough to pay for that failure!"

"So, what then, boss?" the tall man asked, covering his stinging cheek. "We just let it go?"

A cold sneer spread across the boss's face. "Anyone who offends our Spirit Begging Society pays the price. We'll watch him for a few days. See if he's really just bait."

Just then, a bright beam of light swept over them. It was a security guard from the complex. "What are you two doing skulking around here?" the guard asked, his voice laced with suspicion. After the major incident that afternoon, management had ordered them to increase patrols to show they were taking it seriously. Not that they would be any help if they actually encountered a real criminal.

The sturdy figure froze as the flashlight beam illuminated his shiny, bald head. He forced a nervous smile. "We're, uh... just out for a night run. Yeah. We're just leaving now." He grabbed his subordinate and the two of them quickly jogged out of the Happy Home Complex.

The security guard knew something was off about the pair, but he was just an ordinary man earning 3,000 a month. He wasn't paid enough to risk his life over it.

"See you tomorrow, Nancy," Russell said the next evening after school. He waved goodbye to Nancy Whitemore and hurried straight to a real estate agency. He needed to find a new place to live, and fast.

"Mr. Russell, do you have any specific requirements for your new home?" the agent asked with a professional smile, not looking down on him for his youth. In a world with super-powered cardmakers, it paid to be polite. You never knew who you might be offending. Aside from a fool like Darren, Russell had found that most people were quite discerning.

Russell thought for a moment. "It needs to be in the Evergrove District," he began. "And I'd prefer a single-family house. Something quiet, if possible."

He was set on a detached house this time. His former neighbor, Auntie May, was still in the hospital because of him. He couldn't risk that happening again. A quieter location would also make it easier for him to concentrate on the delicate process of cardmaking.

The agent's eyes lit up. "Yes, of course! I have two properties that fit your requirements perfectly." He quickly pulled up listings on his phone and handed it to Russell. "This is the first one. It's surrounded by commercial districts, very popular, and great for travel."

Russell looked at the photos. For an ordinary person, it would be ideal. But with Pidgeot, convenient travel wasn't a primary concern for him.

Sensing his hesitation, the agent swiped to the next listing. "And this is the second one. The landlord has already taken care of the utilities and network connection, so you can move in immediately. The only downside is that it's a bit remote."

"So, which one do you think is more suitable?" the agent asked.

Russell weighed his options. He didn't know for sure if he was being targeted by the Spirit Begging Society. Logic dictated he choose the first house in the busy downtown area, where the Society wouldn't dare make a move. But was he willing to gamble with the lives of innocent bystanders?

He made his choice. "I'll take the second one. Can we sign the contract today?"

I can't put others in danger because of my problems, he sighed inwardly. Besides, the only person who knew he was moving was Nancy's father, Jonathan Whitemore. It should be safe enough.

The agent was slightly disappointed—the commission on the first house was higher—but a sale was a sale. "Excellent choice! Please follow me, sir."

A short while later, the contract was signed. The rent was four thousand a month, with a standard deposit. The agent then drove Russell to his new residence in Evergrove Hills.

The house was well worth the price. It was a two-story detached home, covering an area of about 100 square meters. When he stepped inside, he found it surprisingly clean, with very little dust. The landlord clearly had it cleaned regularly.

"Well, Mr. Russell, I'll be on my way," the agent said after handing him the keys.

As Russell began to explore his new home, a bald man in the house next door was sweating profusely. The sound of the agent's car had drawn his curiosity to the window, and he had seen Russell.

What is going on? Am I exposed? The bald man was filled with suspicion. He had just been investigating Russell last night, and now the kid had moved in right next door to him. It was too much of a coincidence. A knot of irritation and panic tightened in his stomach. He decided he had to find out what was going on.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang, pulling Russell from his thoughts. He was confused. Only Nancy and her father knew he had moved. Had they somehow found him already? But he hadn't even told them his new address.

Russell opened the door, his mind full of questions. He was met with the sight of a dazzlingly bald head.

He was stunned for a moment before asking tentatively, "Brother Tiger?"

It was none other than the thug from Duoduo Finance.

Brother Tiger forced a strained smile onto his face. "Long time no see, Russell. I, uh… I live next door. I just saw you move in and wanted to come over and say hello."

Russell was shocked. What are the odds? He kept his composure, however, and offered a simple explanation. "The old place was getting a bit run-down. I came into some money, so I figured it was time for an upgrade." He wasn't close enough with Brother Tiger to tell him the real reason.

Brother Tiger laughed, a hollow sound. "Well then, please take care of me in the days to come, neighbor. I have something else to do, so I'll be going now."

"Alright. Take care."

What Russell didn't see was the way Brother Tiger's friendly expression instantly curdled into a dark, menacing scowl the moment he turned around.

(End of Chapter)

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