Bully Lord

Part-96

James' blood ran cold. He couldn't believe the escalation.  Ignoring the groceries still clutched in his hand, he surged forward, adrenaline coursing through his veins.  He reached the scene just as the leader boy loomed over the fallen woman, his face contorted with a mix of anger and fear. 

"Leave her alone!" James roared, his voice echoing in the stunned silence.  He placed himself between the enraged boy and the vulnerable woman, his stance defensive.  The System, ever vigilant, silently calculated his options, analyzing the boy's strength and potential moves.

The leader boy, momentarily taken aback by James' sudden intervention, sneered at him.  "Who are you supposed to be, her bodyguard?" He spat, his eyes flashing with defiance.

"Someone who doesn't tolerate bullies," James retorted, his voice surprisingly steady despite the churning in his stomach.  He knew he wasn't physically stronger than the group of boys, but he wouldn't back down.  The memory of his past self, the one who had always avoided conflict, flickered in his mind, but it was quickly overshadowed by a newfound sense of resolve.  He wouldn't let these thugs intimidate him or anyone else.

The situation hung in the balance.  The leader boy, fueled by anger and humiliation, glared at James, his hand instinctively reaching for something hidden in his pocket.  The other boys, emboldened by their leader's defiance, shifted closer, their faces mirroring his aggression.

James, his gaze locked on the leader, braced himself for the possible confrontation.  He knew he might not win a straight-up brawl, but he wouldn't let them intimidate him.  A part of him wondered if using Auto Combat was the best option here.  The situation wasn't life-threatening, and using the Crazy Mode in public could lead to unwanted attention. He yet to know full extant of it's violant nature.

The leader boy, nostrils flaring, shoved his face right into James' personal space.  "Get lost," he growled, his breath reeking of cheap candy and something vaguely sour.  "This doesn't concern you.  You wanna get destroyed?"

James held his ground, the stench of the boy doing little to deter him.  He met the boy's gaze head-on, a newfound determination hardening his features.  "This concerns everyone who believes in doing what's right," he countered.  "Now, you can either leave these people alone or face the consequences."

The leader boy scoffed, a harsh laugh erupting from his throat.  "Consequences?" he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm.  He glanced back at his buddies, a shared amusement flickering between them.  "What are you gonna do, huh?  This little runt?" he sneered, gesturing dismissively towards James.

Before James could retort, the leader lunged forward, throwing a powerful punch aimed at James' face.  However, the days of relentless training, the lessons in awareness and anticipation, paid off in that split second.  James, with a practiced movement honed from countless throws and dodges, dipped his head under the swinging fist.  The punch whistled past his ear, the force of it creating a small gust of wind that ruffled his hair.