"…You're smart," he said.
"…Not like your brother."
Ren didn't move.
Didn't react.
"I never liked him. He acted like he was something special… untouchable, like he was above everyone else."
"But look what happened to him… he got killed."
He let out a laugh.
"Just like an insect."
The bully's smile grew wider.
"…When we killed him…"
"…I enjoyed it."
Silence.
Heavy.
Cold.
Ren's eyes didn't change.
But something inside him did.
The bully slowly reached into his pocket—
Then pulled out a knife.
The blade caught the light.
Sharp.
He pointed it slightly toward Ren.
"…So what are you going to do now?" he said.
A smirk.
"…You're unarmed."
He took a step closer.
Slow.
Confident.
"…You might've won that one time…"
"…but this time?"
His grip tightened on the knife.
"…you'll die."
Ren stood still.
Calm.
"…It's different now," the bully added.
Silence.
Ren spoke quietly.
"…Kai."
"…You got this."
Kai's voice came, calm and ready.
"…Yeah."
A slight smirk in his tone.
"…Let me beat his ass for you."
The bully froze slightly.
"…What?"
His eyes narrowed.
"…Who are you talking to?"
Ren slowly looked at him.
No hesitation.
"…My dead brother."
"…You killed him."
The air shifted.
Not loudly.
Not violently.
Just enough for something to feel… wrong.
The bully's smirk faltered for a split second.
"…What kind of joke is that?" he said, trying to laugh it off.
But it didn't land the same.
Ren didn't answer.
His hand moved slightly.
The ring faintly pulsed.
"…Olydo."
The world twisted—
And snapped.
Kai stepped forward.
Now in control.
His posture changed instantly.
Looser.
Sharper.
Dangerous.
He tilted his head slightly, staring at the knife.
"…You going to regret saying that," Kai said.
His voice carried something different now.
Something colder.
The bully tightened his grip.
"…Tch—stop playing games!"
He rushed forward—
Knife aimed straight.
Fast.
Desperate.
To be continued...