Chapter 18
Kushida had already sensed something off.
Ye Yu's speed and strength were barely within human limits.
But creating objects from nothing? That was beyond any person.
"Y-You… are you human or a monster?"
Ibuki trembled all over.
For someone as proud as her, true fear had finally set in.
Ye Yu pulled her up from the floor and slung an arm casually over her shoulder.
"Didn't you hear me? How many knives do you think your 'king' Ryuuen can take?"
Kushida kept her head down, too terrified to meet his eyes.
Ryuuen writhed in pain but clung to his pride as school king.
"You psycho! Kill me if you dare! My dad is Ryuuen Santarou—he'll make you… no, your whole family wish for death!"
Ye Yu ignored him, turning impatiently to Ibuki.
His warm expression iced over.
"Can't hear me? Am I being too nice?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Ibuki felt an invisible grip choke her throat.
Her body lifted off the ground.
She couldn't speak—couldn't breathe.
Gurgle…
Watching her struggle, Kushida's legs gave out.
She nearly wet herself.
He's not human—he's a demon!
Then she felt his arm drape over her shoulder too.
"Hey, Kikyo—how long can Ibuki hold her breath?"
Kushida's heart seized, but Ibuki's plight flashed in her mind.
She shouted, "Two minutes!"
"Is that so?"
Ye Yu watched Ibuki thrash indifferently.
"I don't buy it. I say three."
Ibuki's eyes bulged with terror.
The suffocation felt like her life draining away.
Time crawled—her lips turned purple.
Heart palpitations, dizziness, vision blurring…
Thud.
She hit the floor, gasping desperately.
Oxygen rushed back, but her head spun.
Joy at surviving mixed with overwhelming grievance—she wanted to cry.
"Oops, looks like we both guessed wrong."
Ye Yu's voice remained cold as he stared at her heaving form.
"Ibuki—answer me. How many knives for Ryuuen?"
Ibuki shuddered violently, screaming instinctively at full volume.
"Three—no, two!"
"Good. You do it."
Two knives materialized in front of her.
"H-Huh? I can't—"
Ye Yu's icy tone cut in.
"I'm starting to think you can go an hour without breathing."
Ibuki froze in horror.
She understood perfectly: disobey, and he'd choke her to death—no human could last an hour.
Remembering that suffocating despair, she shuddered.
Gritting her teeth, she grabbed the daggers.
No more hesitation—she stabbed Ryuuen's right arm.
The razor-sharp blade pierced clean through.
Ryuuen howled in agony.
Without pause, she drove the second into his thigh.
She'd hit an artery—blood gushed like a fountain.
Warm spray hit her face.
Ibuki stared at her blood-soaked hands in shock.
"I… I…"
"AAAHH—YOU BITCH! CALL—CALL AN AMBULANCE!"
Ryuuen finally broke, true fear overtaking him.
The spraying blood was his lifebar draining.
Death loomed—he dropped all bravado, panicking for help.
Ibuki was catatonic.
Turning, she saw Ye Yu filming her on his phone.
"What are you…?"
He shook his head nonchalantly.
"Recording your crime, of course. Tsk tsk—so young and cute, yet a murderer already."
"A girl's twenties should be full of promise. But stabbing someone so brutally? Ten years? Twenty? Thirty? Life in prison?"
"Adorable little Ibuki—out as Granny Ibuki!"
He even demonstrated his filming skills.
Ibuki stared in despair.
Then, like a switch flipped, she charged with the dagger.
"You bastard—I'll take you with me!"
"You really don't learn."
Ye Yu decided to escalate the lesson.
The dagger halted five centimeters from his face.
He spread his right hand—a magic array appeared.
A 10cm black centipede-like insect emerged, glowing green with energy.
Grotesque and menacing, it shot like a black streak into Ibuki's ear.
Too fast to react—she felt something burrow into her brain.
Then—unimaginable pain as it gnawed inside.
"AAAHHH!!!"
She clutched her head, screaming.
"This is a Brain Worm. It'll feast on your brain fluid. Don't worry—every hour of agony, it rests 30 minutes to an hour. If you're still alive in a week, we'll talk."
He turned to Kushida, pale and on the verge of collapse.
Gently stroking her cheek, he smiled kindly.
"Kikyo—will you be good?"
Tears streamed down her face as she nodded frantically.
"I'll listen! Please don't do that to me—I'll do anything!"
Ye Yu patted her head, satisfied.
"Good girl. Pick up that knife and stab his neck."
"H-Huh??"
Kushida stared in disbelief.
What are you making me do?
But under his oppressive gaze, she moved like a puppet.
Slowly picking up the knife, slowly approaching Ryuuen.
Ryuuen, ashen and fading, begged.
"Kikyo—you're insane! Stop—STOP!!"
Tears flowing, Kushida thrust toward his neck.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… really…"
Hot blood splattered her face.
Her eyes widened in horror.
Then—a soul-shattering scream.
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