Chapter 3 Iryoku’s Side of the Story

The warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the gym’s high windows as Iryoku remained sprawled on the floor near the gymnasium, feigning sleep. Alessandra had already left after her earlier scolding, and the courtyard was quiet again.

He let out a low sigh, slowly opening one eye to check if anyone was nearby. Seeing no one, he grinned mischievously.

“Alright, back to business,” he muttered under his breath.

Rolling onto his side, he shifted to reveal the air vent hidden behind him. It wasn’t the first time Iryoku had noticed it, but today was as good a time as any to satisfy his curiosity. With a practiced motion, he pried open the metal grate, setting it aside before slipping inside the narrow duct.

“This better not be a waste of time,” he whispered to himself, crawling silently through the cramped space. The vent creaked softly under his weight as he made his way forward, his sharp ears picking up muffled voices ahead.

He smirked when he peeked through another grate, immediately recognizing the girls’ changing room.

“Oh, jackpot,” he muttered, positioning himself for a better view.

Below, several girls from Yumi and Reika’s classes were changing into their gym uniforms. The rustling of clothes and idle chatter filled the air as the girls switched into their bloomers and T-shirts. Iryoku’s eyes widened as his gaze swept over the scene, lingering on Reika’s elegant, refined figure and Yumi’s disproportionately voluptuous curves despite her petite frame.

He couldn’t help but chuckle quietly to himself, shaking his head. "No doubt about it, those three—Yumi, Reika, and Alessandra—they're the hottest girls in the school. Not that anyone could argue otherwise."

As the girls finished changing and left for the gym, the room fell silent. Iryoku stayed in place for a moment longer, enjoying the quiet, then yawned.

“Not bad for today,” he murmured, settling back into the vent.

The rhythmic hum of the building’s air system lulled him into a light sleep, his body stretched out precariously over the fragile frame of the duct. Minutes passed, and the silence was broken only by his soft snoring.

Then, without warning, the metal frame beneath him groaned loudly before giving way entirely.

“Shit—!” Iryoku barely managed to curse before he came crashing down, landing hard on the changing room floor. The impact sent a shockwave through his body, and he groaned as he sat up, wincing.

“Well, that could’ve gone better,” he muttered, rubbing his back.

But his relief was short-lived. He suddenly heard footsteps and voices approaching the changing room again.

“Oh shit,” Iryoku hissed, glancing around desperately. His heart raced as he scrambled to his feet, frantically searching for a hiding spot. The lockers lining the walls caught his eye, and he darted toward the nearest one.

“Please be empty, please be empty!” he whispered, opening the door. Finding it vacant, he squeezed inside just as the door to the changing room creaked open.

Through the narrow slats of the locker, he watched as Yumi and Reika walked in, both of them oblivious to his presence. He held his breath, hoping against hope that neither of them would notice anything amiss.

The girls took their time, chatting idly as they changed back into their uniforms. Iryoku cursed silently, his muscles cramping in the tight space.

“Why me? i just wanted to see some tits” he muttered under his breath, trying not to make a sound.

Just as most of the girls had finished changing and left the room, a strange tremor shook the floor beneath him. Iryoku’s cramped position made it difficult to balance, and he nearly toppled forward as the entire room seemed to shudder and groan.

“What the hell is that?” he whispered, peeking out through the slats.

The air in the room suddenly grew thick with an unexplainable tension. Sparks of electricity danced along the walls, and a sound like shattering glass echoed loudly in his ears. The locker around him seemed to warp and twist, and before Iryoku could react, his entire world went black.

When Iryoku opened his eyes again, he was standing in the middle of a massive, dark hall. The girls’ changing room lockers and benches had been transported with him, scattered haphazardly across the floor. The air was heavy with the metallic stench of blood, and the screams of the dying echoed around him.

“What the hell just happened?” Iryoku muttered, taking a step forward.

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His stomach twisted as he took in the gruesome scene before him. Grotesque creatures roamed the hall, their twisted forms illuminated by the flickering light of torches. Hulking orcs, scuttling imps, and goblins with jagged teeth tore into knights and magicians, their weapons glinting red with blood.

Iryoku’s breath hitched. His fists clenched instinctively, but he didn’t move. Fear gripped him like a vice, and for the first time in years, he felt small and powerless.

“What the hell am I supposed to do here?” he muttered, stepping back.

Then he saw them.

In the distance, Alessandra, Yumi, and Reika were huddled together, their faces pale with fear. Alessandra was using a shield to fend off a group of imps, her movements desperate and strained. Yumi clutched a bow, her trembling hands barely managing to nock an arrow. And Reika stood behind them, her hands glowing faintly with magic as she tried to summon another spell.

A strange warmth spread through Iryoku’s chest, chasing away the icy grip of fear. They were scared, but they were fighting.

He took a deep breath, his gaze sharpening.

“All right,” he said, his voice low. “If they’re not giving up, neither am I.”

Spotting two daggers lying on the ground nearby, Iryoku grabbed them, testing their weight in his hands. The cold steel felt reassuring, and he tightened his grip. A slow grin spread across his face as he glanced at the walls, an idea forming in his head.

“Let’s see how you bastards like this.”

Without hesitation, he darted toward the wall, using the uneven stone surface to climb higher. Reaching a chandelier overhead, he swung himself forward with all his strength, aiming directly for the massive minotaur at the center of the chaos.

With a roar, Iryoku drove both daggers into the creature’s eyes, the impact reverberating through his arms. The minotaur howled in rage, flailing wildly as Iryoku held on for dear life.

“Time to even the odds!” Iryoku shouted, his adrenaline drowning out the fear.

"Calm down, you stupid cow!" Iryoku shouted, gripping the daggers embedded in the minotaur’s eyes as the enormous creature bucked and thrashed beneath him.

The minotaur roared in rage, its blazing red eyes filled with fury. It swung its massive head from side to side, its horns tearing through the air with terrifying force. Each movement sent tremors through the ground, toppling smaller monsters and scattering debris.

Iryoku clenched his teeth, his knuckles white as he clung tightly to the beast’s thick neck. His arms burned, his muscles screaming in protest as the minotaur’s wild movements jostled him. Blood trickled down his face from a gash on his forehead, blurring his vision.

"Stupid monster... just go down already!" Iryoku muttered, his voice strained as he drove the dagger deeper into the minotaur’s thick skull.

The creature bellowed in agony, its thrashing becoming even more erratic. Nearby imps and goblins were sent flying, crushed beneath the minotaur’s massive hooves as it lashed out in blind fury.

Below, Alessandra, Reika, and Yumi watched in horror as Iryoku held on, his body battered and bleeding.

"Idiot!" Alessandra shouted, her voice trembling as she gripped her shield tightly. Her eyes were fixed on Iryoku, a mix of anger and deep concern flickering in them. "What is he even trying to prove?! He’s going to get himself killed!"

Yumi stood beside her, gripping her bow with trembling hands. Her lips were pressed into a tight line, her expression a mixture of fear and disbelief.

"Why won’t he just let go?" Yumi whispered, her voice barely audible.

Reika shook her head, her usual composure replaced with visible panic. "This is madness. No one can survive that..."

The minotaur let out another deafening roar before charging toward the girls, its massive horns aimed directly at them.

"Move!" Alessandra shouted, grabbing both Reika and Yumi and pulling them out of the way just in time. The beast’s horns slammed into the stone wall behind them, leaving deep cracks in the surface.

Iryoku winced as the impact sent another jolt of pain through his already aching body. His grip on the daggers faltered for a moment, but he forced himself to hang on.

"Damn it... this thing’s built like a tank," he muttered under his breath. He glanced down at the girls, who were struggling to keep out of the minotaur’s reach. His jaw tightened. "I can’t let go... not yet."

The minotaur continued its rampage, ramming into walls and pillars with reckless abandon. Each collision sent chunks of stone and dust raining down onto the floor. The girls ducked and dodged, barely avoiding the debris as they tried to stay out of the creature’s path.

"He’s completely reckless!" Alessandra snapped, her knuckles white as she tightened her grip on her shield. Her eyes remained locked on Iryoku, her chest tight with worry. "But... he’s not going to quit, is he?"

Yumi glanced at her, noticing the uncharacteristic softness in Alessandra’s tone.

"He’s stronger than he looks," Reika said hesitantly, though the doubt in her voice was clear.

The minotaur slowed briefly, its massive frame heaving as it grew tired. Iryoku’s own strength was nearing its limit. His body trembled, and his breaths came in ragged gasps.

"Just a little more..." he whispered to himself, his vision swimming as exhaustion threatened to overtake him.

Then, suddenly, the minotaur snarled. Its muscles tensed, and with a violent shake of its head, it flung Iryoku into the air like a ragdoll.

"No!" Alessandra cried, her voice laced with panic as she took a step forward, her shield raised instinctively.

Iryoku crashed into the ground several meters away, his body skidding across the stone floor. He groaned, coughing as he pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. Blood dripped from fresh cuts, and his arms trembled under his weight.

"Iryoku!" Alessandra shouted, her voice breaking slightly as she ran toward him.

Iryoku slowly got to his feet, his body swaying unsteadily. He turned to face the girls, placing himself between them and the minotaur.

"Stay back," he said, his voice hoarse but firm. He took a shaky step forward, his body hunched as he held his fists up. "I’m not letting that thing get to you."

The minotaur glared at him, his eyes had already healed. its bloodied head lowering as it prepared to charge again. For a moment, the hall was eerily quiet, save for the heavy breathing of the monster and the girls.

Then, a deep rumble echoed from the massive hole in the wall where the monsters had first emerged. The sound was low and guttural, like the growl of some massive beast.

The girls’ eyes widened as the noise grew louder, accompanied by the heavy thud of footsteps.

"What... what is that?" Yumi whispered, her voice shaking.

Iryoku’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the dark opening, his fists clenching tightly.

"Whatever it is," he muttered, his voice low, "it’s not friendly."

The air grew heavy,

The fight wasn’t over. It had only just begun.