The chaos around me seemed to slow as I watched the small, green-skinned creatures about the height of children, each clutching a dull knife. They moved with an eerie mix of clumsiness and intent, their wild, yellow eyes scanning the students, looking for anyone weak enough to strike. I could feel the panic swelling around me, but my instincts were sharper. Survival was the only thing that mattered.

One creature lunged straight at me, blade raised. Without a second thought, I grabbed Sakura by the shoulders and pushed her forward, using her as a shield. Her startled gasp echoed in my ears as the monster’s knife grazed her arm. She stumbled back, clutching her wound, her eyes wide with betrayal.

I didn’t look back. I darted towards the opposite end of the hallway, heart pounding, every footstep heavy on the trembling floor. I knew I couldn’t afford to stop. If I looked back, I might lose my nerve. And if I hesitated, I’d be just another easy target.

Ahead, a familiar voice shouted through the din. “Everyone, calm down!” It was Rei, the president of the bodybuilding club. Standing like a beacon of order. His elegant features seemed almost out of place here, like a character ripped from a medieval painting. His tall, lean frame radiated authority, belying his position as a club president. Despite his slim build, his presence was magnetic, drawing the attention of panicked students. His gray hair, neatly parted in the middle, framed his sharp features, adding an air of timelessness to his already striking appearance. He stood tall amidst the crowd, unfazed, fists clenched as though he had prepared for this moment his entire life. “They’re goblins!” he announced, his deep voice cutting through the noise. “Weak creatures, even if they’ve got knives. Their weapons are barely sharp enough to cut butter.”

I felt a wave of relief. Rei was strong, maybe even stronger than I had realized. If I could just stick close to him, I might actually have a shot at surviving this. Without sparing a thought for Sakura, I made my way toward him, dodging fleeing students and fallen backpacks scattered across the ground. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Sakura, sitting on the floor, clutching her arm. Her face was pale, and her eyes held an expression of shock—and something else. Hurt. Betrayal.

But I pushed the image aside, focusing on Rei as he swung a goblin’s knife with surprising skill, dispatching another goblin with ease. “Yo, Rei!” I called out as I reached him, forcing a casual tone. He barely glanced my way, his attention still on the goblins around us.

“Oh, it’s you, Hoon.” He paused, frowning in concentration as he blocked an incoming goblin. “You’re the one who keeps asking me for money, aren’t you?”

I managed a shaky grin, though it felt hollow. “That’s me. Got anything sharp I could borrow?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

With a quick movement, Rei pulled a rusty knife from his belt and tossed it my way. I caught it by the handle, testing its weight. It was worn and dull, but better than nothing. “Thanks. I’ll put it to good use,” I said, though I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince—him or myself.

We stood side by side, fending off the goblins. Rei’s strength was impressive, his punches quick and precise. He moved with an ease that surprised me. Every goblin that tried to get close was met with a powerful jab or a swift kick, and it became clear that this wasn’t the first time he’d fought.

As I followed his lead, I tried to keep up, my own movements clumsy in comparison. I raised the knife and swung at a goblin that lunged toward me. It was heavier than I expected, and the blade felt awkward in my hand. My arm shook as I brought it down, and the impact jarred my bones. The goblin let out a shriek as the blade sank into its shoulder, a dark green blood oozing from the wound. For a moment, I froze, the metallic scent filling my senses.

“First time?” Rei’s voice cut through my thoughts, bringing me back to reality.

“Yeah,” I admitted, feeling a strange mixture of pride and disgust. I glanced down at my hand, the blood smeared across my fingers. It reminded me of something distant, something I’d tried to bury. I forced the memory back down, wiping my hand against my shirt, ignoring the way my stomach twisted.

Rei grinned. “You’ll get used to it. You’ll have to, if you want to survive this.”

I tried to match his grin, but my smile faltered as I glanced back toward Sakura. She was surrounded by a small group of classmates, one of them tending to her wound with a makeshift bandage. Her face was pale, and her expression haunted. A pang of guilt gnawed at my chest, but I pushed it aside. She was popular, someone everyone wanted to protect. She’d be fine without me.

We pressed forward, carving our way through the remaining goblins. With every kill, I could feel myself getting a little stronger, a little more confident. My hands stopped shaking, and my breathing steadied. This was a battle, and for once, I didn’t feel bored. I felt…alive.

Once the last goblin fell, Rei and I sank to the ground, catching our breath. Around us, the hall was littered with the bodies of the goblins, their green blood pooling on the floor. My pulse pounded in my ears, and for a moment, I allowed myself to feel a spark of satisfaction.

As we sat, I turned to Rei, curiosity gnawing at me. “So, how did you know about these things?” I asked, gesturing to the goblin corpses around us.

He shrugged, his lips curving into a sheepish smile. “They’re from a manga I read. Been reading about creatures like this for years.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re telling me that all that strength and confidence—and you’re an otaku?”

He laughed, a deep, genuine sound that echoed through the empty hallway. “Strength comes in all forms, Hoon. Muscles aren’t the only thing that makes you strong.” He paused, his gaze thoughtful. “There’s a lot you can learn from books. Sometimes, they’re the only thing that can prepare you for the real world.”

I felt an unexpected pang of admiration. Rei was more than just muscle—he was smart, observant, someone who knew what he was doing. I realized that having him on my side was more valuable than I’d first thought.

From now on, I would stick close to Rei. Maybe he could teach me a thing or two, and I could keep myself out of harm’s way.

“Teach me, then,” I said, surprising myself with the words. “How to get stronger, how to survive this place.”

Rei looked at me, his smile fading into a more serious expression. “Survival isn’t about brute strength, Hoon. It’s about knowing when to fight—and when to run.” He looked toward the distant, still figure of Sakura. “And sometimes, it’s about who you choose to protect.”

The words echoed in my mind, settling deep inside me. I glanced back at Sakura, a flicker of something unfamiliar stirring in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, I’d made a mistake.

But there was no time to dwell on it. Not here, not in this twisted place.