Kai moved.
Cleaner.
He stepped to the side—
The blade missed.
A small shift of his body—
And—
THUD.
Kai's fist drove straight into the bully's stomach.
The air left him instantly.
He stumbled—
But didn't fall.
"…You—!"
He swung again wildly.
Kai caught his wrist.
Firm.
Unmoving.
The knife stopped inches away.
Silence.
Kai looked at it.
Then at him.
"…This what you used?" he said quietly.
The bully struggled.
"…LET GO!"
Kai tightened his grip slightly.
Not enough to break—
But enough to make it clear.
"…You talk a lot for someone who hides behind a knife."
The bully panicked—
And tried to stab with his other hand.
Kai reacted instantly—
He twisted the wrist—
The knife slipped—
CLANG.
It hit the ground.
Silence.
The bully froze.
Fear creeping in now.
Kai stepped closer.
"…Where's your confidence now?"
The bully backed up—
Stumbling slightly.
"…You're not normal…"
Kai smiled faintly.
"…Yeah."
A step forward.
"…You finally noticed."
The bully turned—
Trying to run—
Kai moved faster.
He grabbed his collar—
SLAM.
Against the wall again.
Hard.
"…We're not done," Kai said.
His voice dropped.
Serious now.
"…You said you enjoyed it."
Silence.
The bully shook his head quickly.
"I—I was just talking—!"
Kai didn't blink.
"…No."
"…Say it again."
The bully's breathing broke.
"…I—"
Kai leaned closer.
"…Say it."
Silence.
Then—
"…I didn't mean it!"
Kai's expression didn't change.
"…Wrong answer."
From inside—
Ren's voice came.
Calm.
Controlled.
"…Kai."
"…Don't lose control."
Kai clicked his tongue slightly.
"…I know."
But his grip stayed tight.
Ren continued,
"…We need information."
Silence.
Kai exhaled slowly.
Then looked back at the bully.
"…You're lucky," he muttered.
The bully didn't understand.
But he felt it.
Kai loosened his grip—
Just slightly.
"…You're going to tell us everything," Kai said.
"…About the messages."
"…About the symbol."
"…About the man in red."
The bully shook his head fast.
"I—I don't know anything!"
Kai's eyes sharpened.
"…Then start remembering."
Silence.
The night felt heavier.
And for the first time—
The bully realized something terrifying.
This wasn't just a Ren he could mess with anymore.
This was someone else.
And he was already in too deep.
To be continued...