Chapter 12 (continued): Sudden Fall

Kenta was on the ground.

The room, silent, breathed tension. His short breaths broke the stillness. His neck pressed against the cold wall, he tried to understand.

— “What was that…?”

Winner looked down at him. No arrogance. Just that… empty stare. A total absence of emotion. As if he had just stepped on an ant.

— “You lost.”

Those words, spoken calmly, struck deeper than the blow itself.

Kenta winced. He got up slowly, staggering, legs trembling. His lip was bleeding. But his eyes burned with hatred.

— “You… monster.”

Winner tilted his head slightly.

— “No. A monster is someone who has no control over what they are. I’m perfectly aware.”

Kenta let out a cry of rage and tried one last attack. A punch thrown with all his strength, fueled by anger, despair… and fear.

But it hit nothing but air.

Winner moved—fluid, precise, merciless.

A strike to the wrist. A backhand to the chin. Then a sweep.

Kenta collapsed, face down.

The leader of Class C was nothing more than a broken puppet.

Winner crouched, grabbed him by the hair, and brought his face close.

— “You thought you could draw me out by taking Salia? All you did was sign the end of your influence.”

He let him go. Kenta hit the ground, limp.

— “And don’t you ever touch my class again. Or I’ll shut you down. Permanently.”

Kenta didn’t respond. His eyes were open, but he no longer saw anything. Humiliation… failure… fear.

---

Outer hallway.

Salia walked, leaning against the wall. She held her shoulder, still bruised. Behind her, Winner caught up without a word.

She looked at him.

— “What did you do to him?”

— “I showed him what lies at the bottom of the abyss.”

— “… You scare me.”

— “That’s a good sign.”

Silence.

Salia whispered:

— “You knew he’d take me hostage… You planned everything.”

Winner lowered his eyes, then looked up.

— “He thought I was like him. But the difference is, I don’t play for ego. I play to win.”