22- He’s completely nuts!

Back in the forest, Leorio and Celeste veered off the trail, leaving the knocked-out candidate behind. Leorio led the way, his stick slung over his shoulder, scanning the surroundings. "Where to now?" he asked, irritation creeping into his voice. "I'm not in the mood to deal with your damsel-in-distress act again."Celeste giggled, skipping behind him. "You're no fun. We find another spot, we do it again. Your turn to scan this time.""Yeah, yeah," he muttered. 'She's a pain, but it's working.' He glanced at his watch. Still at +500.Celeste hummed an annoying tune, her mind elsewhere. 'He's perfect. Naive, strong, and follows my plans without too many questions. A few more badges, and I'm out.' She smirked, pleased. 'Sorry, big guy, but you're just a stepping stone.'A rustle came from the bushes. Leorio froze, raising a hand. "Hear that?" he whispered, gripping his stick.Celeste tensed, her eyes darting to the thicket. "Yeah. Hide!" She ducked behind a tree, Leorio right beside her. 'No way it's another candidate already,' she thought. 'We just scored one. Then…'Two hulking figures emerged from the foliage. Twins, identical down to the scars slashing across their rugged faces. Their tattered orange jumpsuits revealed bulging muscles, and they clutched crude clubs, their eyes glinting with sadistic glee."Well, well," one growled, his voice gravelly. "A candidate and a chick. This'll be fun."The other smacked his club against his palm, snickering. "Jackpot, bro."A chill ran down Celeste's spine. "Leorio, we gotta run!" she hissed. 'These guys are beasts!'But Leorio stepped in front of her, fists clenched. "Stay back," he said, his voice shaky but firm. "I've got this.""Are you insane?!" she yelled. "They'll slaughter you!"The first twin charged, swinging his club at Leorio. He dodged just in time, but the second twin slammed his club into Leorio's ribs. Leorio crumpled with a grunt, pain exploding in his side. "Damn it…"Celeste tried to bolt, but one twin grabbed her by the hair, throwing her to the ground. "You're not going anywhere, chick!" he sneered, his foul breath burning her face. She clawed at his arm, but he pinned her with crushing force."Let her go!" Leorio roared, staggering to his feet. He charged, landing a punch to the twin's face. The blow forced him back, but the other twin smashed his club into Leorio's back, sending him crashing against a tree. Blood trickled from his forehead, staining his glasses."Idiot, run!" Celeste screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks.He spat blood, standing again. "I promised… we'd help each other," he panted, eyes blazing. "I keep my word."Celeste stared, dumbfounded. 'He's completely nuts! Why's he risking his life for me?'The twins burst out laughing. "Pathetic hero!" one mocked, raising his club. He struck Leorio's leg, dropping him to his knees. "Go night-night."The other turned to Celeste, a twisted grin spreading. "Your turn, sweetheart." He grabbed her wrist, tearing a strip of her jumpsuit. She screamed, thrashing, but he was too strong. "Quit squirming, chick! We're on the same team, right?""Touch her, and you're dead!" Leorio growled, crawling toward them. He grabbed the twin's ankle, yanking with all his might. The man stumbled, furious, and smashed his club into Leorio's shoulder. Leorio cried out in pain.Celeste's heart pounded, the twin's grip tightening on her wrist, pain shooting through her arm. She forced herself to stay calm, swallowing the panic threatening to overwhelm her.'Why am I still in this mess?' she thought, teeth gritted. 'Always fighting, always running, always playing a part to survive.'She glanced at Leorio, sprawled on the ground, face bruised, blood dripping from a split lip. He was still trying to stand, his arms trembling with effort.'What an idiot. Why's he so stubborn? His hero complex makes me sick.'She looked away.The twins, cackling like hyenas, were enjoying the show. The one who'd hit Leorio wiped blood off his club onto his pants, a cruel smirk on his face. "You're tough, but you're done," he said, kicking Leorio in the ribs. Leorio groaned, his body folding under the blow, but he didn't scream. His eyes, despite the pain, stayed locked on Celeste, burning with a resolve she couldn't fathom."Leave him alone!" she shouted suddenly, her voice cutting through the heavy air. The twins turned, surprised. She took a shaky breath, feeling the torn fabric of her jumpsuit slip off her shoulder, exposing her skin.'I've got to play the game. Again.'"His badge has already been scanned twice. He's out, useless. You're wasting time on him." She forced a smile and straightened slightly, letting the fabric fall further to reveal more of her body. "Me, on the other hand… what if I joined your side? I know how to play ball. I can… satisfy your needs."The twins exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with greed. The one not holding her stepped closer, his twisted grin widening. "Oh, chick, you know how to talk to guys," he said, his voice rough. He reached for her face, but she didn't flinch, keeping her smile plastered on. The other twin, still gripping her, laughed and hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack. "Let's go, beauty! We're gonna have a blast!"Celeste went limp, her body slack against his shoulder. His hot breath grazed her skin, and her stomach churned with disgust. But she didn't resist.'This is how you survive,' she told herself. 'Play the game. Buy time.'She stole one last glance at Leorio, clawing at the dirt to pull himself up, one hand clutching his injured shoulder. "No!" he roared, voice raw with pain. "I won't let you take her!"Anger surged through her. 'He doesn't get it!'"Shut up, you moron!" she spat, venom lacing her words. "You're such an idiot! I should've killed you in that cave—it would've spared me this! Be grateful we're letting you live, you pathetic loser!"The twins roared with laughter, their voices echoing in the clearing. "Hear that, hero? Even your girl's spitting on you!" the one carrying Celeste taunted, smacking her backside. She clenched her teeth, swallowing the humiliation. The other twin kicked Leorio again, who collapsed with a muffled groan.But against all odds, Leorio lifted his head. His eyes, clouded with pain, were sharp, piercing. He locked onto Celeste, ignoring the twins. "I see through your act, you snake," he said, voice low but steady. "You play tough, put on a show, but I know why you're doing this. You think sacrificing yourself will save me. But I'm not having it." He coughed, spitting blood, but kept going. "I'm a man! I'm supposed to protect you, not the other way around."

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