Chapter 9 —Only ancient massage therapists should be allowed to step on people and profit from it—

Chapter 9

—Only ancient massage therapists should be allowed to step on people and profit from it—

Life shifted when I hit my teens. Games gave way to movies and series. So I only finished the first chapter of G.O.A.T TRICKS.

Each chapter of G.O.A.T TRICKS ran over twenty hours deep. You could say one chapter had content equal to a thick novel.

What I knew: the first chapter was cowboy-themed. The second was a road trip adventure. The third went full Japanese.

The game had five chapters now, with more promised. Still, I knew enough about Himura Asuka to understand why she drew such devotion.

She was beautiful in that classic Japanese way. Long black hair cut in a perfect hime style. Skin white as fresh snow. Her face promised a proper, cold girl. But word was she spoke with a forked tongue. Slender as a reed, not busty enough to turn heads, but that only made her charm burn brighter.

What I knew: she was one of the villains. Divine blood ran through her veins. Her power looked like a black-flamed phoenix.

But I didn't know her story. Her background. Her reasons.

Why was she here? A sub-boss from chapter three, appearing now? The first chapter hadn't even started yet.

Damn it. I knew nothing about her story.

She closed her eyes like she was meditating. The black flames around her died. The demon-like appearance vanished. She became the beautiful girl I'd first seen.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

Her voice came out polite. Heaven after hell.

She looked like any teenage girl now. Like one of my sisters. But I still felt fear crawling up my spine. That demonic aura painting everything black. That face of despair I'd just witnessed.

Who could forget that easily?

My body went rigid.

Terrifying as hell.

After that horror show, she wanted to play the gentle schoolgirl?

This wasn't cool or aloof. This was straight-up yandere territory.

Think, brain. Work out how to handle this.

The sequence was clear: I fell from the mountain → she used dark NEX power to save me → she asked if I was okay with genuine concern.

I should thank her. Simple as that.

No—she'd saved my life. Thanks wasn't enough. I owed her something.

But I couldn't speak. Like her dark aura had swallowed my gratitude whole.

"Oh, your right finger is bleeding."

She pointed it out and I felt the pain. My left ring finger was cut and bleeding. When I'd fallen, I'd heard something crack. Might be broken.

While examining the wound, I realized I'd looked away from the person I should fear most.

I snapped my attention back. She wasn't standing where she'd been.

She was right in front of me. Her eyes and hands busy wrapping her scarf around my injured finger.

"Let me bandage this. Keep the bone from moving too much."

There it was again—eyes reflecting nothing but concern.

This wasn't a demon, was it? Just a kind-hearted high school girl?

"..."

Then why couldn't I say thank you?

Why was I still afraid?

"This isn't enough though. You should see a doctor quickly."

She stepped away from my injured hand. Moved to support my right arm.

"Come on. I'll help you walk."

"..."

The role of a mob character was simple: be a punching bag for villains to show their cruelty.

"Don't!"

Fear shot through me like lightning. I yanked my arm away violently.

"Stay away from me. Please..."

My movement knocked her down. And I'd shouted at her—the person who'd saved my life.

Her eyes changed again. This time, only sadness lived there.

Look, I didn't know what would happen. But a mob character like me getting involved with a chapter three sub-boss? That couldn't end well.

Kiebler's Char Assault Shot had nearly killed me, and he was just a side character. What about a sub-boss's finishing move? Even if it didn't kill me, I'd be badly hurt.

I had training to do. Money to earn for my family. Siblings to protect. My mother's love to repay.

Too much left undone.

I couldn't die yet. Couldn't even get seriously injured. Every second mattered for training. I wouldn't waste time lying in a hospital bed.

Sure, maybe she meant no harm. Maybe she was just a kind-hearted demon wanting to help humans.

But what if she didn't? What if this was all a plan to make me drop my guard?

I wouldn't risk my family's future.

"Rush Up!"

I activated the skill.

MP remaining: 60/100

White smoke exploded from my body. The air turned white as mountain fog at dawn.

Rush Up Level 1 boosted speed fifty times for ten seconds. My body vanished from sight like a ghost.

With this massive speed increase, it was one of the game's most broken skills. Perfect for dribbling, finding gaps, or making tackles. The MP cost was high, but worth every point.

Yesterday, learning I'd gained this skill from bonding with my mother had made me ecstatic.

I'd never imagined my first use would be running for my life.

I ran full sprint without looking back once.

I left that place drowning in fear and guilt.

Heat from the sun and exertion built until I was gasping for breath.

Back in town, sure she hadn't followed, I found a fountain in the public park to cool down and drink.

The water flowed strong and ice-cold. The heat and exhaustion melted away. I almost felt cold instead.

But one heat remained. A warmth around my eyes that wouldn't fade.

I splashed water on my face, but the warmth stayed.

My exhaustion was gone, but I still couldn't control my breathing.

My finger was definitely broken, but why did my chest hurt? Why did my heart ache?

Why was I asking myself these pointless questions? I already knew the answer.

"Huff... huff..."

I felt like complete shit.

What the hell did I just do?