After reverting my transformation, exhaustion washed over me again. Had I overdrawn my magic once more?

I tried to recall. I’d used about five spells. Plus the Awakening Card, that made six cards total.

That I could still stand felt like a miracle. Before, just two skill cards would drain me completely. Had my magic grown?

Brimming with questions, I leaned against the alley wall. I moved slowly, pondering the answers.

“I should ask Kyuubi.” I’d thought hard but had no certainty. Lately, I turned to Kyuubi for everything. To me, no question was beyond its knowledge. It rarely hid things, sharing most answers freely. This shouldn’t be unanswerable.

Another thing nagged me: Yang Hailiu’s shattered gem necklace. I remembered Wang Xiudong had one too. Shen Shiyu also wore such a necklace. Was it proof of a contract?

I stroked my chin, lost in thought. Those with necklaces were Wang Xiudong, Shen Shiyu, and the late Yang Hailiu. When Yang Hailiu’s gem shattered, her power evolved further. I sensed it during our fight.

I still couldn’t shake Yalkotira, but my arms tingled from the impact. I found zero chance to counter. Without Rusted Iron’s Fading Glow disrupting her focus, I’d have stayed trapped in that beating. She’d have overwhelmed me completely.

But without Yang Hailiu willingly offering the gem, I wouldn’t have felt that pressure. Had she traded her existence to Nothingness for power? Her reaction flashed in my mind—like Nothingness had betrayed her. Was her existence truly stolen? And if so, what did Nothingness want with it?

“This is hopeless!” Questions tangled like endless loops. I scratched my head hard, seeking clarity. Yet the puzzle pieces refused to fit. They stayed scattered.

“Sigh, I’ll wait for Kyuubi to return.” I shook my head clear, abandoning these thoughts. They only gave me a headache. Only Kyuubi could solve this.

Could that necklace be a Soul Gem? Kyuubi’s image popped into my mind. Its cute design reminded me of Gen Urobuchi’s work. I started speculating darkly: was it like the Soul Gems from that anime? When the gem shattered, Yang Hailiu instantly degenerated into a corrupted state. Just like a tainted Soul Gem turning its owner into a witch. I didn’t know what a “Tunran” was, but it sounded terrible.

Absorbed in thought, I walked on unconsciously. Soon, I’d left the alley and reached the main road.

“Whoa!” My vision spun—I’d been slammed into something. The force knocked me flat on my butt. The impact sent excruciating pain through my rear. I yelped before I could stop myself.

“Hey, watch where you’re going, loser!” A sneering voice cut in before I could look up. He shifted blame—I’d fallen because I “suddenly appeared.” He took zero responsibility. According to him, it was all my fault.

“You bumped into me! Apologize and help me up!” I snapped, rubbing my sore rear. I glared up at the culprit.

He was a punk-looking teen: golden hair with a red streak, a black leather jacket hanging open. His ripped jeans had holes everywhere. How wasn’t he freezing in this cold? Just looking at him gave me chills.

“Who the hell are you to order me around?” he sneered. “Get a mirror! If you were hot, maybe I’d help. But with that plain face? No way. And you hurt me—pay up!” Instead of helping, he towered over me, spitting insults. Then he demanded compensation.

“You knocked me over, and I haven’t complained yet—you’re blaming me?” I gaped at him. I’d met shameless guys before, but this was next level. I was the victim here.

“Pay up, or I’ve got a hundred ways to make you cry for it!” He crossed his arms, smirking. After the insults, he piled on threats. The message was clear: refuse, and I’d suffer.

“Show me one of those hundred ways.” He was clearly bluffing—I doubted this dumb thug had even one. I stuck my tongue out at him. Then I winced, pushing myself up while rubbing my sore rear.

“Plain face, refusing a good deal and choosing trouble? Fine! Today, I’ll teach you a lesson!” My calm face finally pissed him off. He bellowed, then pulled brass knuckles from his pocket and slipped them on. Ready to show his “power.”

“Hey, beating someone in public isn’t smart,” I warned, nodding at the growing crowd. I was doing him a favor. If he swung, he’d regret it.

“What’re you staring at? Never seen a gangster discipline a punk?” he snarled at the onlookers. “Keep looking, and I’ll pluck your eyes out!” His glare sent them scattering. No one dared step in.

But I spotted something as they fled: several people pulled out phones and dialed. Too far to see the number, but... I knew what call it was. The police. This idiot blond actually thought he could intimidate everyone?

“Heh!” He hadn’t noticed the phones. I covered my mouth, stifling a laugh.

“You’re pissing me off! Pay up, or I’ll get nasty!” His eyes snapped back to me, missing my smirk. He glared down, raising his brass-knuckled fist. A clear warning: back off.

“If you can make me cry for it, try me.” His threats didn’t faze me—I almost laughed. Sure, he was taller, but... I wasn’t some helpless doll.

Fed up with my defiance, the blond thug lunged. His fist shot toward my face.

“Too slow!” I’d seen it coming. I ducked my head slightly—the fist whistled past my ear, ruffling my hair.

He missed, and instantly shifted to a horizontal swing. But I was faster. As his arm pulled back, I dropped low and swept my leg at his ankles.

“Wha—?” The sweep connected. He hadn’t expected a low attack. Eyes wide, he crashed onto his back, limbs splayed. That had to sting.

I was exhausted, but not helpless. I could still manage that sweep kick. Though it drained my last ounce of energy. If he didn’t back down now, I was screwed.

“Where are those hundred methods now?” I quipped. Even as my legs trembled, I stayed put. I tilted my head, feigning curiosity at the downed thug.

“You... just wait till I’m up—” “Up for what?” A stern voice cut in from behind me.

“Brother? What are you doing here?” That voice—I knew it instantly. Without turning, I called out with mock surprise.

“I was coming to check on you at home,” he said, stepping out of the alley. “Guess I took the right turn.” He looked as bright and upright as ever—no trace of the raggedness from the Fallen World. Just seeing him made me feel safe.

“I ain’t scared of nobody! Who’re you, punk? Know who you’re messing with?” My brother’s arrival only fueled his arrogance. He puffed out his chest, ready to boast.