"Zhuo Tiancheng, you're coming with us."

The morning classes had just ended when Ghoul Xueling and another girl with shoulder-length blonde hair flanked me at my desk.

The girl was Xueling’s bestie, Xi Xiaoe—a fellow troublemaker, though unlike Xueling, whose family ran a real underworld syndicate after recently moving to this gaming city, Xiaoe was just an ordinary girl hitting her rebellious phase.

"What do you want?" I looked up, set down my eraser, and asked quietly.

"Still playing dumb? Hand it over!" Xueling slammed her palm on my desk, snarling.

"...Fine." I sighed, stood up. Some things had to be settled—otherwise, certain people wouldn’t let go.

Xueling shot me a venomous glare before turning away with Xiaoe, striding out the classroom’s back door.

I followed silently toward the stairwell.

Suddenly, I spotted Lixiaochun approaching with two classmates. The trio froze. The other girls narrowed their eyes at me, whispered something to Xiaochun, then yanked her aside to take a detour.

Xiaochun’s expression flickered—confused, conflicted, unsure whether to scold me or greet me like the angel she usually was. In the end, she vanished from my sight.

"... " I stayed silent. I didn’t know how to face her either.

But it didn’t matter anymore. None of this did.

---

Xueling and Xiaoe led me wordlessly to the rooftop.

The moment we stepped onto the roof, they cornered me against the wall. No warnings. Just fists and kicks raining down.

*Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack—*

I didn’t fight back. Curled into a ball against the wall, arms shielding my head, I let them hit me.

"Freak! Asking for death!"

Xueling stomped hard on my back. Xiaoe joined in half-heartedly, her kicks light.

This position looked cowardly, undignified—but it was the best option. Let them vent their anger while minimizing my injuries.

It didn’t even hurt much. They wore indoor slippers, not heels. Otherwise, I’d have been skinned alive for days.

"Scumbag! Die! Just die, you pervert!" Xueling panted, her kicks slowing as exhaustion set in.

Xiaoe had already stopped. Truth was, she’d barely tried from the start—just going through the motions to suck up to Xueling. Well~ we had no real beef. She was just tagging along to stay in Ghoul Xueling’s good graces.

"You’re nothing but a dog!" Xueling spat, too tired to kick anymore.

I uncurled my arms from my head, shot her a sidelong glance, then slowly stood up.

"You—! What’s that look for?!"

Xueling flinched at that icy stare.

Those emotionless eyes made her realize her violence was futile. She couldn’t hurt this man. No fear, no resentment—not like the others she’d bullied. Today she’d beaten him; today the whole class had schemed behind his back. Tomorrow? He’d just keep living. Unbothered. Unfeeling.

She felt like nothing but a clown—a fleeting passerby in his life.

"What’s wrong with you?! You’re just a creepy sissy!" Xueling jabbed a finger at my face, furious.

"... " I had no idea why she’d suddenly snapped. Didn’t care enough to argue. I curled back into myself.

"Freak! Disgusting! Trash! Worthless—"

"Xueling, the seniors are here," Xiaoe tapped her shoulder.

"Huh?" Xueling whirled around. Two boys with edgy hairstyles stood at the rooftop door.

"Xueling, Xiaoe—what’d you drag us up here for?"

"Perfect timing. Teach this punk a lesson. We’ve got class."

"Hey, we’ve got class too, y’know?"

"You skip all the time. We’re leaving. Make sure he can’t show his face at school tomorrow."

With that, a still-fuming Xueling stormed off with Xiaoe.

---

"Such pretty underclassmen..."

"Tch. Whatever. If they want this kid beaten, he gets beaten."

One senior suddenly kicked me square in the stomach.

"*Hnngh—*" My face tightened. My whole body trembled. Male strength was on another level.

"Hmph. Tough little—"

***SCHLICK!***

"—*GYAAAH!* WHAT THE—?!"

Blood sprayed from his foot, soaking his pants. He collapsed, writhing on the ground.

His heel had been sliced open—without him noticing.

I rose slowly, a utility knife glinting in my hand. I’d grabbed it from the convenience store this morning.

"*AAAAAH!* MY FOOT!"

"You little bastard! You dare fight back?!" The other senior roared, swinging a fist at my face.

I ducked low into his blind spot, then charged shoulder-first into his chest. He crashed to the concrete.

"You—!"

Silent, I flipped the knife, gripped it tight. Cold-eyed, I raised it high—blade pointed straight at his eye.

"*NO!*" he shrieked.

The blade stopped half a centimeter from his pupil.

He shuddered, frozen in terror. Then he pissed himself.

"Being beaten by girls? I can laugh that off. But men?" I stepped over him, sheathing the knife. "Next time, I’ll kill you first. Then turn myself in. Remember that."

I walked toward the rooftop door.

"And don’t tell Ghoul Xueling about this. Or you’ll regret it."

I left them there—one clutching his bleeding foot, the other lying in a puddle of his own shame.

---

*Woof! Woof! Woof!*

On my way home, I found a stray yellow puppy. I’d take it to the convenience store to raise.

Also...

"Grandma, let me help you cross."

"Oh, young man—you’re such a good soul."

"Mm. Don’t mention it. I’m a good person."