— The Strike —
Capper lunged at Demon, aiming to land a blow — but missed.
Whoosh!
Demon, moving with terrifying grace, sidestepped smoothly and delivered a brutal backhand slap.
CRACK!
The impact dislocated Capper's jaw instantly.
The sound echoed through the room like thunder.
Everyone froze — eyes wide — as reality crashed down upon them.
Even the girl who had been so excited earlier now trembled, her breath quick and uneven. Thump… thump… thump. Her heartbeat rang in her ears.
She couldn't understand how Demon could stand there so casually — so calm — like none of it mattered.
Some of the senior students exchanged glances, their expressions darkening. This wasn't a spar anymore. This was a message.
They didn't just see Demon as a threat now — he was a problem.
A dangerous one.
---
— A Clash of Words —
Suddenly, Butcher screamed at the top of his lungs.
> "You bastard! Don't you care what happened to him?!"
Demon turned slowly, his red eyes gleaming under the dim light.
> "I don't think they're my problem to care about," he replied coldly.
"Besides… can't you see I'm trying to figure out why your guys are so pathetic?"
Butcher's jaw tightened, rage boiling over.
> "The President was wrong about The Unknown! We don't need to feel sympathetic for monsters like you!"
The words hung heavy.
Even some of the heroes listening nearby silently agreed.
Lexy exhaled, her tone sharp and firm.
> "Take him down. He's to be treated as a wanted terrorist."
---
— The President's Arrival —
Before anyone could move — creeeak — the doors opened wide.
Footsteps echoed through the hall. Tap… tap… tap.
The President of the Hero Association entered. His calm presence immediately silenced the room.
He raised one hand.
> "Let the students handle it."
Lexy's head snapped toward him.
> "What? Are you serious?!"
The President's voice came out like cold steel.
> "I'm not making a request. I'm giving an order."
Lexy clenched her fists, voice cracking with anger.
> "This is beyond them! You know it is!"
But the President didn't flinch. His gaze was unwavering — absolute.
Lexy cursed under her breath, biting back frustration, before reluctantly stepping aside.
Around them, heroes exchanged tense glances. The atmosphere was suffocating.
---
— Bunny Awakens —
Meanwhile, at the back of the control room — creak… — a door opened softly.
Bunny walked in, her expression lazy, rubbing her eyes mid-yawn.
Tap… tap… Her soft footsteps echoed faintly as she looked toward the glowing monitors.
Her gaze landed on one screen — and froze.
There he was.
Demon.
Her breath hitched.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Then came the rush — ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum!
Her cheeks flushed crimson.
She rubbed her eyes again as if she couldn't believe it.
And then—
> "KYAAAHH!!"
Her scream tore through the quiet room.
Everyone turned at once, startled.
Lexy stormed over, annoyance written all over her face.
She placed a firm hand on Bunny's shoulder, voice sharp.
> "I know your sister said you're worth something, that you've got potential—but don't think for a second it's because of your family's influence that you belong here."
Lexy leaned closer, her tone cutting deep.
> "Look out there—your classmates are fighting, proving themselves. You don't even look like you know if you belong."
Bunny's eyes darkened, the air around her thickening.
---
— The Brat Bares Her Fangs —
Grip.
Bunny's hand shot up and seized Lexy's wrist — hard.
The sudden pain made Lexy gasp, her body freezing.
Bunny's pupils darkened into a haunting, glowing purple.
She leaned in close, her voice dripping with her signature British accent —
sweet, seductive, and venomous.
> "Y'know what, love? I couldn't give a toss 'bout me sister's opinions.
Nor yours.
Nor the bloody Hero Association."
Her smile curved wickedly, fangs of confidence showing.
> "And I sure as hell don't give a monkey's about this next batch of wannabe heroes."
The room went deathly silent.
> "The only thing I care about…" she whispered, leaning closer, her tone almost a purr,
"…is the one strong enough to satisfy my hunger."
Her voice dropped — darker.
> "And that person… is my baby boy.
Got it?
You weak, sad little girl."
Lexy struggled, trying to pry Bunny's grip off her wrist, but couldn't move.
Then shove!
Bunny released her — violently — sending Lexy crashing into a table. THUD!
Gasps erupted around the room.
The heroes didn't move.
Not from fear — but from sheer shock at the dominance Bunny had just displayed.
Step… step… step.
Without another word, Bunny walked toward the exit, her heels striking the floor with purpose.
The path cleared for her automatically.
Several heroes tried to follow, but Lexy — still coughing, catching her breath — raised a trembling hand to stop them.
She slowly pushed herself up, hand clutching her chest, realization dawning on her face.
She hadn't almost died from injury…
It was from the lack of air.