(Warning: This and the following chapters contain graphic violence and descriptions of injury. Reader discretion is advised. Skippable.)

Waiting for Nakazato and his gang to arrive, Shoot climbed the stairs to the rooftop. Entering, he found them already there, as planned. The midday sun beat down, making the rooftop hot.

“W-what the hell…? Is that really that loser Mitsuki!?”

“No way, he’s completely different!?”

“Seriously, he’s changed too much!?”

Tanimoto, Ohigashi, and the other delinquents reacted similarly to the students in 2-A. They kept asking Nakazato and Gohara if it was really Shoot. They could only confirm it was.

“…”

As Shoot approached, his thoughts turned to the trauma of his past bullying. Even this morning, during homeroom, he'd felt a pang of fear when confronted by Nakazato.

(…Yeah. I’m okay now.)

But this feeling was quickly replaced by a darker emotion—intense anger and hatred. He was different now; his fear was gone.

Now, only overwhelming rage and resentment fueled his actions. He had to take revenge, inflict terrible retribution.

(I’ll never forgive them… I’ll make them suffer, until they’re almost dead. And I’ll make them realize what they’ve done…)

Gritting his teeth, Shoot approached as Nakazato and his gang smirked.

“Haha! You used to cower before us, but you’re acting tough today. Because of your plastic surgery?

—It’s annoying. You’re still weak, Mitsuki.”

Nakazato’s demeanor shifted from smug to furious. His fists trembled with rage.

“What was that this morning? You told the teacher about the bullying. Even though you told that idiot teacher everything, he didn’t believe you.

I’m the son of a major corporation’s chairman! I’m at the top, and you’re at the bottom. It’s obvious who they’d believe!”

Nakazato laughed, taunting Shoot. Tanimoto and the others joined in.

“Shut up, you garbage,”

Shoot’s calm statement cut through the laughter.

“…What was that?”

“Are you deaf? I said ‘shut up, you garbage.’ Do you understand?”

Shoot now taunted them, tapping his ear. Nakazato’s face contorted with rage.

“You’re so annoying! Just because you look better now, you’re acting all high and mighty? You’re still a loser!”

“You’re far worse, ganging up on someone weaker than you. I’m talking about you, Nakazato.

All you do is brag about your father. He’s the one who’s successful; you’re just a privileged brat!”

“…You seem to be suffering more than usual today.”

Nakazato closed the distance, intending to inflict pain.

“Today, I’m targeting that annoying face. I’ll ruin your precious plastic surgery. Then, I’ll take pictures of your swollen face and post them on the bulletin board.”

The delinquents prepared to record Shoot’s humiliation, planning to spread it online. Shoot saw their malicious smiles.

“Posing for the cameras is fine, but it’s better if all of you attack. This is a warning.”

“What? You’re the one posing. How long are you going to act tough?”

As Nakazato moved to strike, Shoot mentally planned his revenge.

(First, I’ll show them the difference in strength. I’ll let them hit and kick me. But I won’t do nothing. I’ll use “Tough Body” to strengthen my body.)

Activating “Tough Body,” Nakazato delivered a powerful kick to Shoot’s stomach. His kick would have sent the old Shoot sprawling, but…

BAM! “~~~!? I-it hurts… !?”

Shoot felt no pain; Nakazato was the one clutching his leg in agony. Tanimoto, Ohigashi, and Gohara were shocked.

Shoot found Nakazato’s kick unbelievably slow. He wondered why he'd ever been hurt by such attacks. His otherworldly experiences had made him tremendously strong.

“Th-there’s something wrong with his stomach!? Then—his face!”

Ignoring the pain, Nakazato stood, punching Shoot’s face. Again, he only hurt his own hand. Shoot didn’t flinch. He’d received minimal damage.

“Wh-what’s with this… hardness!? Why… isn’t he reacting!?”

Confused, Nakazato ordered the others to attack. They surrounded Shoot, intending to beat him up as usual, unaware of their impending doom.

“You know, Mitsuki’s really annoying today! That stalker, who hit on Nene!”

Tanimoto punched at Shoot’s cheek. Shoot countered by hitting his forehead against Tanimoto’s fist, crushing his knuckles.

“Gyaaaaaaaaaah!? M-my fingers… broken!?”

“You fabricated that stalking story.”

Shoot looked down at Tanimoto, clutching his injured hand. Seeing Nakazato and Tanimoto defeated, Ohigashi panicked but joined the attack, swinging a baseball bat at Shoot's shin. The others, clutching their injuries, were shocked that Shoot wasn’t affected. Ohigashi repeatedly swung his bat, but Shoot swatted it away like a fly, sending Ohigashi sprawling.

(This is too easy.)

The fight was child's play for Shoot. It wasn’t even a tutorial battle. He was furious; he’d been tormented by these weaklings.

(But those days are over…!)

Nakazato realized Shoot was different, feeling a primal fear.

“Why… are we tired and injured… !?”

Trying to convince himself it was a coincidence, Nakazato and his gang attacked again. He wore a brass knuckle.

Shoot, unimpressed, dodged their attacks, grabbing Nakazato’s fist and crushing the brass knuckle.

Nakazato was stunned. Having finished defending, Shoot grinned cruelly, holding Nakazato's fist.

“My turn.”

WHAM! “Ogh…!”

Shoot delivered a powerful kick to Nakazato’s stomach, sending him flying. It was payback for Nakazato’s initial kick.

Shoot then began his revenge on Nakazato and his gang.