Chapter 12
In the original story, Karuizawa Kei was constantly bullied, leaving her with a deep-seated lack of security. Her instinct was to seek protection from the strongest person available.
That's why Ayanokoji's approach was crude but effective: demonstrate overwhelming power, engineer a crisis using others, then swoop in at her lowest moment. Become the hero in her heart—the savior who could shield her. Make her trust and rely on him completely, turning her into a useful tool.
The method was clichéd, but undeniably effective.
Ye Yu, however, wasn't like Ayanokoji. He didn't need tools or pawns.
His goal was far more mundane—and vulgar.
All he had to do was show his strength and convince her he could protect her.
When Karuizawa heard his words, she froze as if struck by lightning.
Fresh tears welled up before the old ones had even dried.
Looking at the incredibly handsome boy in front of her, an overwhelming wave of emotion flooded her chest.
Unless you'd lived through her hell, you could never understand how she felt right now.
She couldn't remember when it started—the unexplained targeting from classmates.
At first it was small pranks: textbooks vanishing, nasty notes stuck to her clothes.
Then it escalated into full-class bullying.
Even when she went to teachers, they'd just punish everyone equally.
Sometimes they'd even say, "Flies don't bite seamless eggs." Why are they only bullying you? Maybe there's something wrong with you.
She'd endured that despair through middle and high school.
Finally escaping to university—where no one knew her past—she reinvented herself as a bright, outgoing gyaru.
For a whole year, she'd lived in peace.
Just when she thought the shadow was gone for good… the same familiar recipe returned—classmates, teachers, everything.
Countless nights in nightmares, she'd dreamed of someone saying those words:
It's okay now. I'll protect you from now on.
"I'll protect you from now on."
Ye Yu dropped his playful expression, looking at her with genuine seriousness and warmth as he repeated it.
After a long moment, Karuizawa finally reacted.
She gazed up at him through tear-filled eyes, then broke into a radiant smile.
"…Okay."
…
Watching her retreating figure, Ye Yu's lips curved slightly.
He'd told her to go home—he'd handle the rest.
He didn't need to ask who had bullied her.
He'd know soon enough.
After fleeing the corner, the four bullies ran like mad for two full blocks before collapsing, gasping for air.
"What are we going to do?"
The leader's eyes glinted with malice.
"Call the police, obviously! He thinks he can just beat us and walk away? And my brand-new phone—I'll make him buy me a better one!"
"Yeah! I want him in jail. That bastard swelled my face up!"
United in rage, they headed straight for the nearest police station.
Just as they reached the entrance, tiny green-glowing insects on their bodies bit their necks in unison.
"Ahh!"
A sharp sting shot through them; they screamed and clutched their throats.
The cry drew a middle-aged officer outside.
He approached with concern.
The girls opened their mouths to report the assault.
"We—uh…"
Only two syllables escaped before they realized, in horror, that they couldn't speak.
Terror raised every hair on their bodies.
"Students? Are you okay? Feeling sick? Want me to take you to the hospital?"
Only then did he notice the red swelling on their faces.
Years of experience told him instantly: someone had beaten them.
"Your injuries—?"
In perfect unison, all four stood straight, flipped him the middle finger, and spat:
"Get lost, you creepy old perv. We don't need your help."
Their voices sounded odd, strained.
The officer was speechless with anger.
These delinquent brats deserve whatever they get!
The girls realized in panic that not only their limbs—but their very speech—was no longer their own.
Their bodies moved on autopilot.
Soon, a familiar smiling face appeared before them.
Ye Yu.
Pure dread filled them; they nearly broke down crying.
"Trying to call the police? A little punishment seems fair, doesn't it?"
Ye Yu didn't just summon creatures—he could also control insects.
These glowing green bugs were gu worms he'd summoned from another world, later enhanced with his insect manipulation ability.
He could share their vision.
He could puppet the bodies of low-level ability users—controlling ordinary women was child's play.
He grabbed their clothes.
The next instant, all four stood atop a secluded mountain peak.
Energy swirled at his fingertip; he restored their ability to speak.
"Lord Demon, we were wrong! We'll never do it again—please spare us!"
"I'll never call the police again! I'll never bully anyone—please have mercy!"
Ye Yu smiled at their desperate pleas.
"Feeling helpless? Wronged? Terrified?"
"That's exactly the look your victims wore, isn't it?"
The leader immediately tried to defend herself.
"We didn't bully her—it was just jokes!"
"Yes, Lord Demon—we meant no harm! We'll stop, we promise!"
"It was Karuizawa who sent you, right? I'll apologize—I swear I'll never touch her again!"
Ye Yu's smile didn't waver.
Energy gathered at his finger.
Their bodies moved against their will, walking toward the cliff edge.
"Jump. If any of you survive the fall, I'll forgive you on behalf of everyone you've hurt."
The edge drew closer; panic skyrocketed.
"Please spare me, Lord Demon!"
"I don't want to die—sob—"
When the terror peaked, Ye Yu spoke again.
"Someone has to jump. Whether it's one of you or all four depends on your performance.
I'll ask questions. The one with the fewest correct answers… you know what happens."
Tears streaming, they nodded frantically.
"Name every single person who has ever bullied Karuizawa Kei. I'll verify your answers later. Lie—and you die anyway."
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