The Betrayal

But when Gun grabbed his phone and was ready to call his friend, he showed that message that had just arrived some time ago. The moment he showed that message, his phone dropped from his hand. He was shocked to the marrow. He did not believe what he saw on the phone.

He dropped to the ground in fear, holding his head in his hands. Just by looking at him, it was clear—he was shocked and terrified.

After thinking for a moment, he quickly crawled toward the phone. He picked it up and looked at the message again.

Yes, he had seen it right.

Someone had sent him a message.

He opened it and read carefully.

The message said:

"We've kidnapped your mother. We know you won't believe it, so we've attached a photo of her below."

He tapped on the image and opened it.

After seeing the photo, he became even more afraid.

"Yes... it's real."

His head filled with rage.

In the photo, his mother's hands and mouth were tied, and some people were dragging her into a black car.

He quickly dialed the number that had sent the message.

Riiiiing... Riiing...

Sweat began to drip from his body.

What should I do now? Is this real... or fake?

After a few rings, someone on the other end picked up the call.

A voice answered.

He quickly asked, "Hello? Who are you? Why did you kidnap my mother? What do you want?"

From the other side, a voice replied from the shadows, "Gun, don't panic. Calm down and breathe. What you saw is real. We have kidnapped your mother."

Gun snapped, "Wait—how do you know my name?"

The man replied calmly, "Come on, Gun. I kidnapped your mother, and you think I wouldn't know your name? How foolish can you be?"

Gun shouted, "Cut the crap and tell me—why did you kidnap my mother?!"

The man on the phone replied, "Alright, alright. Don't get so angry. We won't harm her... as long as you do what we say."

Gun fell into deep thought after hearing that. What are they going to make me do? God knows...

He swallowed hard and asked, "How can I trust you? If I do what you say, how can I be sure you'll let my mother go?"

"There's no question of trust. If we wanted to kill your mother, we would've done it already. And you have no other choice, Gun. You either follow our orders—or lose everything."

Gun understood the hint. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Fine. Tell me what to do. I'll follow your instructions. But you have to promise you won't hurt my mother."

The man replied, "I already told you—we won't hurt her. But since you're so desperate, fine... I promise we won't lay a hand on her."

"Are you ready to follow our orders, Gun?" the man asked with a sinister laugh.

With no other choice, Gun replied, "Yes. I'm ready. Tell me what I have to do."

Meanwhile, back in the classroom:

A message suddenly popped up on Ming's phone. When he saw it, an evil smile spread across his face.

He raised his hand and tried to flick his finger, saying, "Reon, you're finished."

Seeing this, Reon understood that something big was about to happen. Every time Ming flicked his finger, something dangerous followed. Reon stepped back and took a fighting stance, thinking, Whatever happens now, it won't be good for us. I have to do something.

He wanted to do something, but his hands and legs were broken, and blood was flowing from all over his body. He was in no condition to fight anymore. On top of that, they had captured Reon's sister and Nyra.

If he tried to do anything, and they ended up hurting the girls, that fear held Reon back from acting.

Switch to Nyra's point of view:

Zack was holding her from behind. She tried her best to break free, but couldn't. Exhausted, she eventually stopped struggling and started breathing heavily.

When she saw Ming raising his hand, she realized something terrible was about to happen. Pushing herself back up, she renewed her efforts to escape.

If this goes on, we'll suffer badly. I have to do something, she thought. As she struggled for a way out, an idea flashed in her mind.

Just as Ming was about to flick his finger, a loud scream came from his side.

He stopped flicking and turned his head to look — he saw Zack injured, grabbing at his own leg and thrashing on the floor.

Ming frowned, wondering what had happened. But more importantly — where was the girl Zack had been holding all this time?

Ming ran over to Zack, shouting, "Where is that girl? And what happened to you?"

Zack was still screaming, clutching his leg. With his hand, he pointed toward Reon.

Ming followed his gaze — and saw Nyra running at full speed toward Reon.

Seeing Nyra running toward him, Reon felt a bit relieved. Nyra is coming to me now, he thought. The danger might be less for a moment. But my sister is still in their hands. I have to do something.

His nerves tightened, and his face turned red with rage. It was clear he was furious with Zack. Ming, trying to control his own anger, kicked Zack in the back.

THUD!

"Aaaagh!"

A massive shockwave exploded from Ming's kick, sending Zack flying backward. He slammed hard into the wall.

CRASH!

The wall cracked, and Zack fell to the floor, unconscious.

Reon's perspective resumes:

Seeing this, Reon was stunned. He could hardly believe what he'd just witnessed.

Ming wasn't this strong a year ago. When I last saw him, he was barely at master level. How did he become this powerful in just one year?

Meanwhile, Rony, who was holding Reon's sister, grew nervous after seeing Zack's condition. He tightened his grip on her and thought, Thank god this girl isn't very strong. No matter what she tries, she can't escape from me.

Back on the floor, Zack was completely unconscious. Reon thought, As expected, after taking a kick like that, anyone would pass out.

On the other side, Nyra finally reached Reon. Tears streamed from her eyes as she hid behind him. Her entire body was trembling, and she was breathing heavily. Reon could tell she was terrified.

"Don't worry," he said. "I'm here now. They can't do anything to you." He gently asked, "How did you escape?"

Nyra's flashback:

While Ming and Reon were talking to each other, no one paid attention to Nyra.

Nyra thought, I have to do something to escape. Then an idea popped into her mind. She noticed that the boy grabbing her from behind was a pervert. Maybe if I seduce him somehow, I can get out of here.

She started moving her body restlessly.

Zack shouted, "Why are you moving around like that?"

Nyra replied, "I have a breathing disorder. I need my inhaler, or I'll die!"

"So what if you die?" Zack sneered. "That's none of my business."

"Please," Nyra pleaded.

"No means no," Zack snapped.

Nyra realized that plan wouldn't work. Plan B, she thought. She shifted her body so her dress slipped slightly, exposing a bit of skin.

Seeing her move, Zack asked, "What now?"

Nyra turned around, making a seductive pose. "Please," she whispered, "I need to breathe for a minute. If you release me, I'll do anything you want afterward."

Zack's eyes froze on her.

Nyra had long, black hair and a beautiful, fair face. She was the number one beauty in the school — every boy's dream girl. Now, with parts of her body exposed, even Zack couldn't resist.

He grinned evilly. "Anything I want, huh?"

Nyra saw her chance. Yes — my plan is working.

"Yes," she said sweetly. "I'll do anything. Just let my hands free for a moment. They hurt from being tied, and I also need to take my medicine."

Zack glanced around — Ming wasn't watching.

"Fine," he said. "I'll untie you for a minute, but you'd better do everything I say later. And don't even think about running away." His face twisted into a disgusting smile.

Nyra felt like vomiting just seeing him.

Still, he untied her hands. Nyra felt a surge of relief.

"Do whatever you need to do," Zack told her. "But hurry up."

Nyra nodded. "Okay, I'm doing it now." She reached into her pocket, pretending to search for medicine.

Zack was distracted, staring at her exposed skin.

She saw her moment. She kicked Zack in the leg with all her strength and immediately ran toward Reon without looking back, ignoring the scream behind her.

Flashback ends / Reon's present POV resumes:

Nyra was still shaking as she finished explaining to Reon.

Reon comforted her. "Don't worry, you're safe now."

Nyra, still crying, asked, "But… your sister is still in their hands. What if they do something to her?"

Reon forced a smile. "Don't worry. Gun is here too. He went to call for backup. Once he brings help, we'll all be safe."

Hearing that, Nyra calmed down a little.

But Reon was not calm at all. He'd only said that to reassure Nyra. Deep down, he was worried. Why is Gun taking so long? He left a while ago to get help… why isn't he back yet?

Suddenly, a terrible thought crossed his mind. Wait — is Gun in danger? Did they do something to him?

He tried to turn toward Ming to ask about Gun, but before he could speak, he saw Ming walk over to Zack, who was lying on the floor. Ming kicked Zack lightly and said,

"Oi, stop pretending. Get up. Did you forget what you have to do?"

Reon was shocked. Wait a minute… didn't he just kick that guy unconscious? Now he's asking him to get up?

Ming kicked Zack's face again, shouting,

"I SAID GET UP, YOU BASTARD! Did you forget what's about to happen? It's your favorite thing!"

At that, Zack — who had been lying motionless — suddenly sprang up and spun around to sit on the floor. An evil grin stretched across his face. His body looked completely fine, as if nothing had happened.

Reon was stunned. How is he okay after a kick like that? Is his body made of steel?

Ming slapped Zack across the face. "Look what you did! You let that girl escape, and now she's with Reon. How are we supposed to threaten him? We'll all be finished now!" Ming put a hand over his face, as if panicking.

Zack replied, "But boss, the other girl is still in our hands. He won't make a move as long as we have her."

Ming kept his hand on his face, almost like he was hiding something.

Reon watched all this in confusion. What are they talking about?

Then he noticed Ming was smiling behind his hand.

Wait… why is he smiling like that? Reon's eyes went to Zack again. Something's off. That guy recovered too easily after a kick from Ming, but fell so hard after a kick from Nyra…

A horrible realization struck him. He tried to turn around, but before he could react, someone smashed something against his head.

CLANG!

He was thrown to the ground, blood pouring from the wound. His breathing slowed, and his vision turned blurry. I'm really going to lose consciousness this time… he thought.

Barely holding on, he looked up to see who had struck him —

When he saw the person's face, he was completely shocked. Words refused to come out of his mouth.

"Nyra… you… why did you do this?"