i am just a student? in Conan world

Fujino took the "Butterfly" and glanced at it. 

The "Butterfly" didn't stand out much in appearance. It was red overall, about the size of a postage stamp. 

In his previous life, Fujino had heard about such a thing but had never seen it in person. 

After examining the "Butterfly" for a moment, Fujino asked, "Explain to me how this differs from other drugs." 

"This stuff is a new hybrid made from hallucinogens and marijuana. It's highly addictive and at least three times stronger than regular drugs. It's designed for those who can no longer be satisfied with ordinary substances," the scrawny man explained. 

He paused before continuing, "Moreover, it temporarily numbs the nervous system, making people feel no pain, and it even enhances physical performance." 

"What about the side effects?" 

Fujino tightened his grip on the red card in his hand, his tone growing colder. "Don't tell me this has no side effects." 

The scrawny man flinched. "The 'Butterfly' is extremely hallucinogenic and can cause complete loss of rationality. Honestly, I didn't want to deal with this stuff anymore, but the supplier's price is just too steep, and the demand from clients—" 

"Losing rationality, huh?" 

Fujino narrowed his eyes and pressed his hidden blade against the man's throat. "One last question—where can I find the supplier selling this stuff?" 

The man glanced at the silver blade. "It's the Sumiyoshi-kai. All the stock I have comes from them." 

"Thank you for your cooperation. Be a better person in your next life." 

Fujino took a deep breath, then drove the blade into the man's throat without hesitation. 

From his investigation, Fujino had discovered that the person who murdered Little Yi's mother had bought the "Butterfly" from this guy. 

In fact, many others had also become murderers after using the "Butterfly." 

Under its influence, they lost their sanity and killed countless innocent people, even their own family members. 

"The Sumiyoshi-kai, huh?" 

Fujino recalled them. 

Last time, he had intercepted that gambling addict, Takeda Masatsugu, from the Sumiyoshi-kai's hands. 

He had heard about what happened afterward. 

Just as expected, the gambler's company went bankrupt, and he couldn't afford the high medical bills. In the end, he jumped to his death. 

His suicide caused no stir and barely made a small column in the local newspaper. 

Not even a photo accompanied the article. 

"I didn't think I'd cross paths with them again..." 

Fujino withdrew the hidden blade now stained with blood. The red liquid soaked his robe, but he didn't seem to care. "It's already stained. Might as well add more tonight." 

--- 

Following the information provided by the scrawny man, Fujino worked his way to the Sumiyoshi-kai's workshop, persuading others with his unique "methods." 

The so-called factory turned out to be a small operation run out of an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. 

Inside were about a dozen people, mostly kidnapped migrants forced to work. 

Even though it was already midnight, the trafficked workers were still toiling away, producing the "Butterfly" to meet the overwhelming demand. 

Using his Eagle Vision, Fujino observed the situation. 

The Sumiyoshi-kai's actual members numbered only three. 

He recognized them—they were the same suited thugs who had tried to chop off Takeda's fingers last time. 

After assessing the situation, Fujino moved into action. 

Using the Assassin Robe's **Night Ranger** skill, he infiltrated the factory. 

He waited for the trafficked workers to take a break, then emerged from the shadows and swiftly plunged his hidden blade into the suited thug's chest. 

With his current strength and the robe's passive effects, Fujino easily subdued the three armed men. 

He confiscated their guns and absorbed their soul energy into the Lotus Medallion. 

As for the kidnapped workers forced to make the "Butterfly," Fujino chose not to harm them. 

Although his moral boundaries had shattered with the blood on his robe, he still adhered to one principle—**he would not kill the innocent.** 

--- 

Time passed quickly. 

Snowflakes fell and accumulated as the day wore on. 

By the next day, the snow on the streets began to melt visibly. 

It was now January 1st. 

Half past midnight, 2:00 a.m. 

The bloodstains on Fujino's robe had dried, leaving a dark crimson hue behind. 

He was riding his motorcycle, heading home.

That night, he had used his hidden blade to kill seven people.

The soul energy of all seven was absorbed into the Lotus Medallion.

Including the earlier victims—Pisuke, Ryuu Samukawa, Gan Jiang Yi, and Mutsumi Nishikawa—the total soul energy he had collected now amounted to 550 points.

As a result, the Soul Lotus level naturally advanced to Level 3.

At the same time, he gained a new skill: 

**[Soul Lotus Origin (Transforms the Soul Lotus into a seed state, sets an anchor point, recalls it to the Lotus Medallion, and allows it to be restored to its original state)]**

Fujino observed the new Soul Lotus skill displayed on the system interface and found it to be quite practical.

Based on the system's description, this skill allowed him to summon the Soul Lotus from far away and return it after use.

*"With this skill, using the Soul Lotus will be much more convenient in the future,"* he thought.

---

**January 1st, Morning**

January 1st, New Year's Day, was a holiday in Japan.

Because of what happened the previous night, Fujino didn't go to bed until 3 a.m. and only woke up around 6 or 7 in the morning.

Everything proceeded as usual.

Ai Haibara woke up and prepared breakfast with Akemi Miyano. 

However, during the meal, Ai Haibara occasionally cast a subtle glance at Fujino, as if deep in thought.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. 

*"Knock, knock, knock!"*

"I'll get it," Fujino said, getting up first.

When he opened the door, he saw four elementary school students. 

At the front was the "Death God" kid detective, Conan.

Behind him stood the short, fat, and tall trio.

"What brings you here?" Fujino asked Conan, squinting slightly.

In his eyes, Conan was nothing short of a walking disaster.

Every time this kid showed up at his house or the Snow King Ice Castle, Fujino was on edge.

After all, if Conan filmed an episode at your place, it wasn't a joke.

If this kid couldn't restrain himself and something happened at Fujino's house, the property's value would plummet overnight.

"Fujino-niichan!" 

Ayumi, who stood behind Conan, greeted him. "We're here to see Haibara!"

"Is Haibara-san home?" Mitsuhiko, standing beside Ayumi, added, "We agreed yesterday to watch the Emperor's Cup final together today."

Fujino thought for a moment and nodded in understanding. "I see…"

The Emperor's Cup final in Japan was usually held on New Year's Day.

Fujino realized today was indeed January 1st. 

Yesterday, it felt like October 11th, and now a whole year had passed, hadn't it? 

He had long gotten used to the bizarre timeline of this Detective Conan world and had no desire to complain about it.

"In that case, how about I drive you all to the stadium?" Fujino offered after a pause. "I enjoy watching soccer, too."

Of course, Fujino didn't like watching soccer. 

Not in his past life, nor in this one.

He only offered to go because he had triggered a new system task: 

**[Detective Career Task: Fifty-Six Thousand Hostages]** 

- **Objective:** Prevent the gun violence threat at the National Stadium. 

- **Reward:** 1,000,000 yen and 100 Detective Reputation Points. 

- **Location:** National Stadium. 

*(End of Chapter)*