The Trap (Part One)

The photo on his phone screen made Tang Yu's blood run cold. Karuizawa Kei was tied to a chair, tape over her mouth, her eyes filled with terror. The background was the school's abandoned old gymnasium. The light was dim, but the location was still recognizable.

[Want to save her? Come alone. Tell anyone, and the photo will be sent to the entire school immediately. —Ryuen]

Tang Yu's fingers tightened around the phone until his knuckles turned white. The System Interface flashed warnings frantically:

[Extreme emotional fluctuations detected]

[Source: Tang Yu]

[Anger: 98/100]

[Fear: 85/100]

After taking three deep breaths, Tang Yu forced himself to calm down. Ryuen had clearly kidnapped Karuizawa to set a trap for him, but her safety came first. He quickly checked his abilities:

[Current Emotion Points: 112300/∞]

[Available abilities: Emotion Weaving Network, Group Emotion Resonance, Emotion Shield (72% restored)]

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

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

[Remaining Emotion Points: 104300/∞]

Tang Yu quickly exchanged for both abilities. A rush of heat immediately spread from his spine throughout his body, and his senses became extraordinarily sharp.

He sent Horikita Suzune a vague message—[Something urgent came up. I might be late for the Debate Tournament]—then headed straight for the old gymnasium.

The setting sun stained the campus blood-red. The old gymnasium stood alone at the far end of the abandoned sports field, most of its windows shattered and its exterior walls overgrown with vines. Tang Yu stopped a hundred meters away and activated "Emotion Weaving Network" to probe inside.

The results made his heart sink—there were at least thirty emotional signals inside, most of them hostile. Ryuen had brought not only students from Class C, but also delinquents from other classes. Worse, the system detected numerous emotional fluctuations around the perimeter, meaning there were spectators too.

What a carefully prepared stage. Tang Yu sneered and took off his uniform jacket and shirt, leaving only his undershirt.

In a brawl, clothing could easily be grabbed and used against him. He hid his phone and the Recording Pen (exchanged through the system for 200 points) in the bushes by the entrance, then strode toward the gymnasium's main doors.

The rusty iron doors creaked open. In the dim light, Tang Yu saw Karuizawa tied to a chair in the middle of the basketball court, surrounded by a sea of people. Ryuen Kakeru leaned against a pillar beside her, wearing a predator's smile.

You came quickly. Looks like our "queen" means a lot to you, Ryuen's voice echoed through the empty gymnasium.

Tang Yu fixed his gaze on Karuizawa. Her cheek was slightly swollen, clearly from being hit, but the fear in her eyes turned to worry the moment she saw him. She shook her head frantically, making muffled sounds as she urged him to leave.

Let her go. Tang Yu's voice was frighteningly calm. Your problem is with me, not her.

Ryuen spread his arms theatrically. Don't rush, transfer student. I went to a lot of trouble to put together such a great show. He snapped his fingers, and the lights on the second floor of the gymnasium suddenly came on—students filled the balcony.

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

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

The rules are simple. Ryuen stepped behind Karuizawa, his fingers tracing her shoulder. You alone against my... well, about thirty friends. Last ten minutes, and she's free.

Whistles and jeers rose from all around the gymnasium. Tang Yu surveyed the crowd. Familiar faces from Class C, such as Ishizaki Daichi and Ibuki Mio, were there, along with numerous athletic-looking students from other classes, their muscles bulging and eyes fierce.

What if I refuse? Tang Yu stalled for time while using "Emotion Weaving Network" to assess each opponent's threat level.

Ryuen pulled a phone from his pocket and waved it around. Then I'll livestream Karuizawa's "special photoshoot" right here for the whole school to enjoy.

Karuizawa struggled violently, the chair scraping against the floor with a shrill noise. Tang Yu noticed that the ropes had already rubbed her wrists raw.

Fine. Tang Yu stepped forward and assumed a fighting stance. Let's begin.

Ryuen grinned and retreated behind the crowd. Make sure our honored guest feels welcome.

The first to charge was Kondo from Class C, a judo club member nearly two meters tall. "Combat Prediction" showed Tang Yu the man's attack trajectory half a second in advance.

He sidestepped and struck Kondo's cervical nerve cluster with a precise knife-hand blow. The big man crashed to the ground, drawing a round of gasps.

Get him! Ishizaki Daichi roared as five or six students rushed at once.

Tang Yu moved like a small boat in a storm, weaving through a flurry of punches and kicks. "Combat Prediction" let him dodge blows aimed at his vitals at the last possible moment.

"Adrenaline Surge" gave him extraordinary speed and strength. A roundhouse kick took down two opponents, and an elbow strike knocked out a third, but even more attackers surged forward.

On the second-floor balcony, the students from Class D watched in horror. Hirata Yosuke tried to rush down and help, but two boys held him back.

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 he was nearing his limit too. His undershirt was soaked with sweat, a streak of blood ran down his left arm, and his breathing had grown labored.

The side effects of "Adrenaline Surge" began to appear—his muscles ached, and black spots crept into the edges of his vision.

He's almost done! Ibuki Mio keenly noticed his weakness and swept a whip kick toward Tang Yu's knee.

Tang Yu barely dodged, but Ishizaki grabbed him from behind. He threw Ishizaki over his shoulder to break free, only to be hit in the stomach by three others at once. The pain doubled him over, and he spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

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

Ryuen watched with satisfaction. Looks like our hero isn't all he's cracked up to be. Keep going. Don't stop.

More punches and kicks rained down on Tang Yu. He barely managed to protect his vital areas, but could no longer fight back effectively. Emotion Shield protected him mentally from being overwhelmed by the pain, but his physical injuries were real. System warnings flashed one after another:

[Stamina: 23/100]

[Time remaining for "Adrenaline Surge": 4 minutes]

[Recommendation: Evacuate immediately]

Tang Yu gritted his teeth and held on. He knew Ryuen wouldn't keep his word, but he had to buy Karuizawa a chance to escape. Just as he prepared to launch one last counterattack, the gymnasium doors suddenly burst open.

Everyone turned to look. Backlit by the light, a tall, slender figure stood in the doorway—Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

Sorry to interrupt. Ayanokoji's voice was unbelievably calm. I think I'm lost.

Ryuen froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. Another one here to get himself killed! Is Class D committing group suicide today?

Ayanokoji walked slowly into the gymnasium and closed the door behind him. His gaze passed over Tang Yu, covered in blood, then Karuizawa, bound to the chair, and finally settled on Ryuen. Let her go.

And why should I? Ryuen sneered.

Ayanokoji didn't answer. He simply started unbuttoning his uniform. Everyone present froze at the sight. He neatly folded his uniform and set it aside, revealing a lean upper body with clearly defined muscles.