Trap (Part 1)

The photo on the phone screen made Tang Yu's blood run cold—Karuizawa Kei was tied to a chair with tape over her mouth, her eyes filled with terror. The background was the school's abandoned Gymnasium, the lighting dim, but enough to identify the location.

[Want to save her? Come alone. Tell anyone, and this photo goes to the whole school. --Ryuen]

Tang Yu's fingers tightened on the screen until his knuckles turned white. The system interface flashed warnings frantically:

[Extreme emotional fluctuation detected]

[Source: Tang Yu]

[Anger: 98/100]

[Fear: 85/100]

Taking three deep breaths, Tang Yu forced himself to calm down. Ryuen kidnapping Karuizawa was clearly a trap aimed at him, but Karuizawa's safety was the top priority. He quickly checked his system abilities:

[Current Emotion Points: 112300/∞]

[Available Abilities: Emotion Weaving Network, Group Emotion Resonance, Emotion Shield (Recovering 72%)]

[Redeem "Combat Prediction" (Advanced), cost 5000 points]

[Redeem "Adrenaline Surge" (30 minutes), cost 3000 points]

[Remaining Emotion Points: 104300/∞]

Tang Yu quickly redeemed the two abilities, and a surge of heat immediately spread from his spine throughout his body, his senses becoming exceptionally sharp.

He sent a vague message to Horikita Suzune [Handling an urgent matter, might be late for the debate], then sprinted toward the old Gymnasium.

The setting sun dyed the campus blood-red. The old Gymnasium stood alone at the end of the abandoned playground, most of its windows shattered and its exterior walls covered in vines. Tang Yu stopped a hundred meters away and activated the "Emotion Weaving Network" to probe the interior.

The feedback made his heart sink—there were at least thirty emotional signals inside, most of them hostile. Ryuen hadn't just brought people from Class C; there were delinquent students from other classes as well. More troublesome was that the system detected a large amount of emotional fluctuation on the perimeter, meaning there were onlookers.

What a meticulously prepared stage. Tang Yu sneered, taking off his school blazer and shirt, leaving only a tank top.

In a potential brawl, clothing could easily be grabbed and turned into a weakness. He hid his phone and a recording pen (redeemed from the system, cost 200 points) in the bushes near the entrance, then strode toward the main door of the Gymnasium.

The rusty iron door creaked open. In the dim light, Tang Yu saw Karuizawa tied to a chair in the center of the basketball court, surrounded by a dense crowd. Ryuen Kakeru leaned against a pillar beside her, a predator-like smile on his face.

You came fast. It seems our 'Queen' is very important to you. Ryuen's voice echoed through the empty Gymnasium.

Tang Yu's gaze locked onto Karuizawa. Her cheek was slightly swollen, clearly having been struck, but the fear in her eyes turned to worry the moment she saw Tang Yu. She shook her head desperately, making muffled noises, warning him to leave.

Let her go. Tang Yu's voice was terrifyingly calm. Your issue is with me; it has nothing to do with her.

Ryuen spread his hands exaggeratedly: Don't be so impatient, transfer student. It's not often I prepare such a wonderful show. He snapped his fingers, and the lights on the second floor of the Gymnasium suddenly turned on—it was packed with watching students.

Most were from Class D, but there were faces from other classes too. Kushida Kikyo, Hirata Yosuke, and Horikita Suzune were among them, their expressions ranging from shock to fear.

Tang Yu instantly understood Ryuen's plan—he didn't just want revenge; he wanted to thoroughly humiliate Tang Yu and Class D in front of everyone, destroying the cohesion they had worked so hard to build.

The rules are simple. Ryuen walked behind Karuizawa, his fingers grazing her shoulder. You alone, against my... well, about thirty friends. Last ten minutes, and she goes free.

Whistles and jeers erupted throughout the Gymnasium. Tang Yu scanned the surroundings; familiar faces like Ishizaki Daichi and Ibuki Mio from Class C were there, along with many students from other classes who looked like sports specialists—muscular and fierce-eyed.

What if I refuse? Tang Yu stalled for time, while simultaneously assessing the threat level of each opponent through the "Emotion Weaving Network."

Ryuen pulled a phone from his pocket and waved it: Then we broadcast a 'special photo shoot' of student Karuizawa live for the whole school to enjoy.

Karuizawa struggled violently, the chair emitting a harsh screeching sound. Tang Yu noticed that her wrists had already been chafed raw by the ropes.

Fine. Tang Yu stepped forward, assuming a fighting stance. Let's begin.

Ryuen grinned and retreated behind the crowd: Treat our guest well.

The first to charge was Kondo from Class C, a judo club member nearly 1.9 meters tall. Tang Yu's "Combat Prediction" displayed the opponent's attack path 0.5 seconds in advance.

He dodged to the side, simultaneously delivering a precise hand strike to the nerve plexus on Kondo's neck. The big man collapsed with a thud, drawing a gasp from the crowd.

All together now! Ishizaki Daichi roared, and five or six students lunged at once.

Tang Yu was like a small boat in a storm, weaving through the barrage of fists and kicks. "Combat Prediction" allowed him to avoid vital hits at the very last second.

Adrenaline Surge granted him extraordinary reaction speed and strength; a roundhouse kick took down two, an elbow strike knocked out a third, but more opponents swarmed in.

On the second-floor balcony, the students of Class D watched the scene in horror. Hirata Yosuke tried to rush down to help but was held back firmly by two boys.

Horikita Suzune's face was pale, her fingers gripping the railing tightly. Kushida Kikyo covered her face, peeking through her fingers.

Five minutes later, seven or eight people were already down around Tang Yu, but his stamina was reaching its limit. His tank top was soaked with sweat, there was a bloody gash on his left arm, and his breathing had become heavy.

The side effects of "Adrenaline Surge" began to manifest—muscle soreness, with black spots appearing at the edges of his vision.

He's about to collapse! Ibuki Mio noticed keenly, sweeping a whip kick toward Tang Yu's knee.

Tang Yu barely dodged, only to be grabbed from behind by Ishizaki. He threw Ishizaki over his shoulder to break free, but was struck in the abdomen by three others simultaneously. The intense pain forced him to hunch over, and he spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor.

Tang Yu! Karuizawa's scream pierced through the tape, muffled but heart-wrenching.

Ryuen watched the scene with satisfaction: It seems our hero is nothing more than this. Continue, don't stop.

More fists and kicks landed on Tang Yu. He managed to protect his vitals, but he could no longer effectively counterattack. The Emotion Shield protected him on a mental level from being overwhelmed by pain, but the physical damage was real. The system warnings flashed incessantly:

[Stamina: 23/100]

["Adrenaline Surge" remaining time: 4 minutes]

[Suggestion: Emergency evacuation]

Tang Yu gritted his teeth and held on. He knew Ryuen wouldn't keep his word, but he had to at least buy enough time for Karuizawa to escape. Just as he prepared to launch a final counterattack, the doors of the Gymnasium were suddenly kicked wide open.

Everyone turned to look. Standing in the backlight was a slender figure—Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"Excuse me." Ayanokoji's voice was unnervingly calm. "I seem to be lost."

Ryuen froze for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Another one here to die! Is Class D committing mass suicide today?"

Ayanokoji walked slowly into the Gymnasium and closed the door behind him. His gaze swept over the blood-covered Tang Yu and the bound Karuizawa, finally settling on Ryuen: "Let her go."

"And why should I?" Ryuen sneered.

Ayanokoji didn't answer, simply beginning to unbutton his school uniform. This action left everyone present stunned. He placed his folded uniform to the side, revealing a lean but well-defined muscular torso.