The Trap (Part 1)

The photo on his phone screen made Tang Yu's blood freeze. Karuizawa Kei was tied to a chair, tape over her mouth, her eyes full of 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 this photo will be spread across the whole school immediately. -Ryuen]

Tang Yu's fingers tightened around the phone, his knuckles turning 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 taken Karuizawa as bait for a trap aimed at him, but her safety came first. He quickly checked his system abilities:

[Current Emotion Points: 112300/∞]

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

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

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

[Remaining Emotion Points: 104300/∞]

Tang Yu quickly purchased both abilities. A wave of heat immediately spread from his spine through his whole body, and his senses became exceptionally sharp.

He sent Horikita Suzune a vague message: [Something urgent came up. I may be late for the Debate Tournament.] Then he headed straight for the old gymnasium.

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

The results made his heart tighten-there were at least thirty emotional signals inside the gym, most of them hostile. Ryuen hadn't just brought people from Class C; there were delinquents from other classes too. More troubling, the system detected a large number of emotional fluctuations outside. That meant there were spectators as well.

What a carefully prepared stage. Tang Yu gave a cold laugh, took off his school jacket and shirt, and left on only a tank top.

In a possible brawl, clothes could easily be grabbed and become a weakness. He hid his phone and a Recording Pen (exchanged through the system for 200 points) in the bushes by the entrance, then strode toward the gym's main door.

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

That was fast. Looks like our "queen" means a lot to you. Ryuen's voice echoed through the empty gym.

Tang Yu's gaze fixed on Karuizawa. Her cheek was slightly swollen, so she had clearly been hit, but the fear in her eyes turned to worry the instant she saw Tang Yu. She frantically shook her head and made muffled sounds, warning him to leave.

Let her go. Tang Yu's voice was frighteningly calm. Your problem is with me. She has nothing to do with it.

Ryuen spread his hands theatrically. Don't rush, transfer student. I've gone to the trouble of preparing such a great show. He snapped his fingers, and the lights on the second floor of the gym suddenly came on-students stood packed up there, watching.

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 a mixture of shock and fear.

Tang Yu instantly understood Ryuen's plan-he didn't just want revenge; he also intended to humiliate Tang Yu and Class D in front of everyone and destroy the solidarity they had worked so hard to build.

The rules are simple. Ryuen walked behind Karuizawa and ran a finger across her shoulder. You, alone, against my... well, about thirty friends. Hold out for ten minutes, and she's free.

Whistles and jeers rang out across the gym. Tang Yu surveyed the area. Familiar faces from Class C, including Ishizaki Daichi and Ibuki Mio, were there, along with plenty of athletic-looking students from other classes, muscular and fierce-eyed.

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

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

Karuizawa struggled violently, and the chair scraped across the floor with a harsh squeal. Tang Yu noticed that the ropes had already rubbed her wrists raw and bloody.

Fine. Tang Yu stepped forward and took 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 one meter and ninety centimeters tall. Tang Yu's "Combat Prediction" showed his attack trajectory 0.5 seconds in advance.

Tang Yu dodged sideways and struck precisely at the nerve plexus in Kondo's neck with a knife-hand blow. The big man crashed to the floor, drawing a chorus of gasps.

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

Tang Yu moved like a small boat in a storm, weaving through a flurry of punches and kicks. "Combat Prediction" let him avoid vital spots at the last possible moment.

"Adrenaline Surge" gave him extraordinary reflexes and strength. A spinning kick knocked two men down, and an elbow strike knocked out a third, but more opponents surged toward him.

On the second-floor stands, Class D's students 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 had fallen around Tang Yu, but his stamina was near its limit too. His tank top was soaked with sweat, his left arm had a bloody gash, and his breathing had grown heavy.

The side effects of "Adrenaline Surge" began to show-his muscles ached, and black spots appeared at the edges of his vision.

He's almost done for! Ibuki Mio realized sharply, sweeping a whip kick toward Tang Yu's knee.

Tang Yu barely dodged it, but Ishizaki grabbed him from behind. He broke free with a shoulder throw, only to be struck in the abdomen by three other people at once. The excruciating pain made him double over, and he spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

Tang Yu! Karuizawa's scream pierced through the tape, muffled but heartbreaking.

Ryuen watched with satisfaction. Looks like our hero isn't much after all. Keep going. Don't stop.

More punches and kicks rained down on Tang Yu. He barely managed to shield his vital spots, but could no longer counterattack effectively. Emotion Shield protected him mentally from being overwhelmed by the pain, but the physical injuries were real. System warnings flashed continuously:

[Stamina: 23/100]

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

[Recommendation: Emergency retreat]

Tang Yu gritted his teeth and held on. He knew Ryuen wouldn't keep his word, but he had to at least buy Karuizawa a chance to escape. Just as he was about to launch one last counterattack, the gym's door was suddenly kicked open.

Everyone turned to look. Against the light stood a tall, slender figure-Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

Sorry to interrupt. Ayanokoji's voice was impossibly calm. I think I've gotten lost.

Ryuen froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. Another one coming to die! Is Class D committing mass suicide today?

Ayanokoji walked slowly into the gym and casually closed the door. His gaze swept over Tang Yu, covered in blood, then Karuizawa, tied up, and finally settled on Ryuen. Let her go.

Why should I? Ryuen sneered.

Ayanokoji didn't answer. He simply began unbuttoning his school uniform. The gesture left everyone present stunned. He neatly folded his uniform and set it aside, revealing a lean upper body with clearly defined muscles.