Bully Lord

Part-54

The clearing, once again, held its breath.  James stood there, chest heaving, his right hand throbbing where it had met the bully's kick.  His initial triumph was overshadowed by a cold realization – this wasn't over.  The sneak attack was a testament to the ruthlessness of these bullies.

James winced, the throbbing pain in his hand a stark reminder of the bully's parting shot.  He scanned the clearing, taking in the scene.  The two remaining girls, their faces pale with fright, stood rooted to the spot, wide-eyed witnesses to the sudden turn of events.  The element of surprise had been on James' side this time, but he wasn't naive enough to believe his victory guaranteed future peace.

He decided to take a page out of the bully's playbook, hoping to solidify his dominance and deter any further attacks.  With a forced bravado that sent shivers down his own spine, James let out a harsh laugh, devoid of any humor.  "Looking at me, pipsqueaks?  Want a taste of your own medicine?"

The effect was immediate.  The girls, their fear now a palpable presence, didn't even dare to reply.  With panicked glances at their fallen leader, they turned and fled into the gathering darkness, their retreating figures swallowed by the shadows.

James watched them go, the bravado slowly draining away.  He wasn't a bully, not at heart.  But in this strange world governed by the System, he was quickly learning that sometimes, a display of strength, even a manufactured one, was necessary for survival.

A soft groan drew his attention back to the downed bully leader.  The other boy, the scrawny one with nervous eyes, was attempting to help his friend to his feet.  Muttering curses under their breath, they cast a final glare at James, a mixture of hatred and grudging respect flickering in their eyes.  Then, with the leader limping heavily, they too disappeared into the night.

Silence descended once more, broken only by the chirping crickets and the distant hum of traffic.  James stood there, catching his breath, a wave of exhaustion washing over him.  His body ached, his hand throbbed with a dull pain, but a sense of accomplishment, tinged with a hint of unease, filled him.

Then, a translucent blue screen materialized in the air, hovering above the spot where the leader had fallen.  It pulsed with a soft light for a moment before solidifying into a message.

**[Congratulations: Mission Cleared. Reward: Snake Jab Rank: E (0/500)]**

James stared at the message, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him.  He had won, completed the mission, and earned a reward – the Snake Jab technique.

Despite the throbbing ache in his hand and the lingering adrenaline, a cocky smirk played on James' lips.  Those bullies weren't that tough.  Sure, the surprise attack had stung, but overall, they were a joke compared to the real threats lurking in this school.  In his mind's eye, he saw Tony and Mark, the muscle of Lemon's gang, notorious for their cruelty and sheer physical power.  These guys tonight were just cannon fodder, wannabe bullies with more bark than bite.