Part-54

  The clearing, once again, held its breath. James stood there, chest heaving, his right hand throbbing where it had met the bully's kibsp; His initial triumph was overshadowed by a cold realization – this wasn't over. The sneak attack was a testament to the ruthlessness of these bullies.

  James wihe throbbing pain in his hand a stark reminder of the bully's parting shot. He sed the clearing, taking in the se. The two remaining girls, their faces pale with fright, stood rooted to the spot, wide-eyed wito the sudden turn of events. The element of surprise had been on James' side this time, but he wasn't naive enough to believe his victuaranteed future peace.

  He decided to take a page out of the bully's pybook, hoping to solidify his dominand deter any further attacks. With a forced bravado that sent shivers down his own spine, James let out a harsh ugh, devoid of any humor. "Looking at me, pipsqueaks? Want a taste of your own medie?"

  The effect was immediate. The girls, their fear noalpable presence, didn't even dare to reply. With panicked g their fallen leader, they turned and fled into the gathering darkness, their retreating figures swallowed by the shadows.

  James watched them go, the bravado slowly draining away. He wasn't a bully, not at heart. But in this strange woverned by the System, he was quickly learning that sometimes, a dispy of strength, even a manufactured one, was necessary for survival.

  A soft groan drew his attention back to the downed bully leader. The other boy, the sy oh nervous eyes, was attempting to help his friend to his feet. Muttering curses uheir breath, they cast a final gre at James, a mixture of hatred and grudging respect flickering in their eyes. Then, with the leader limping heavily, they too disappeared into the night.

  Silence desded once more, broken only by the chirping crickets and the distant hum of traffibsp; James stood there, catg his breath, a wave of exhaustion washing over him. His body ached, his hand throbbed with a dull pain, but a sense of aplishment, tinged with a hint of unease, filled him.

  Then, a translut blue s materialized in the air, h above the spot where the leader had fallen. It pulsed with a soft light for a moment before solidifying into a message.

  **[gratutions: Mission Cleared. Reward: Snake Jab Rank: E (0/500)]**

  James stared at the message, a plex mix of emotions swirling within him. He had won, pleted the mission, and earned a reward – the Snake Jab teique.

  Despite the throbbing ache in his hand and the lingering adrenaline, a cocky smirk pyed on James' lips. Those bullies weren't that tough. Sure, the surprise attack had stung, but overall, they were a joke pared to the real threats lurking in this school. In his mind's eye, he saw Tony and Mark, the muscle of Lemon's gang, notorious for their cruelty and sheer physical power. These guys tonight were just on fodder, wannabe bullies with more bark than bite.