The sparrows chirped overhead. To anyone else, it was noise; to Ho Fei-yu, it was a detailed report. Most of it was about food and breeding—which tree had the best worms and which male birds were trying to get lucky without building a nest first.
Ho Fei-yu followed the female sparrow to the familiar warehouse. Just as he reached the door, he heard Togō's triumphant laughter inside.
Why do these guys always monologue right before they lose? he wondered.
BANG!
Ho Fei-yu kicked the heavy warehouse door open. The sound was like a clap of thunder.
Coach Togō, who was inches away from Akane, jumped out of his skin. His heart hammered in his chest like a panicked rabbit. The lust that had filled him vanished instantly, and his "invincible brother" shriveled up into a tiny, limp noodle. He wondered if he'd ever be able to get it up again after such a shock.
Ho Fei-yu ignored him. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on Akane. She was slumped on the mat, her eyes vacant like a zombie from a horror movie.
His calm demeanor shattered, replaced by a cold, murderous rage. Am I too late?
He checked her clothes. They were intact. She hadn't been touched yet.
Togō finally found his voice. "Why! Why! Why is it ALWAYS YOU?!"
The Coach's eyes were bloodshot with pure, unadulterated hatred. If looks could kill, Ho Fei-yu would have been shredded.
"Surprised to see me?" Ho Fei-yu asked coolly.
"Why do you always show up right when I'm about to succeed?!" Togō spat through gritted teeth.
"Karma, maybe? And I'm your judgment."
"You arrogant brat! You think I'm afraid to teach you a lesson?!" Togō blustered, but he didn't move. He was like an internet troll—all talk, no action. He remembered the hospital bill from their last fight. This kid wasn't human; he had been tossed around like a toy.
"Then try it," Ho Fei-yu challenged, his lip curling in a sneer.
"You!" Togō's face turned a violent shade of red. Veins popped out on his thick arms. Strangely, wisps of dark energy began to flicker in his eyes.
Ho Fei-yu saw the change and smiled. This meant he didn't have to hold back. He could treat the Coach like the monster he was.
"If you won't come to me, I'll come to you."
Ho Fei-yu stepped forward.
Shit! Togō panicked. His old injuries began to throb in sympathy. His brain scrambled for a way out. Then, he saw Akane.
He lunged toward the dazed girl. If he could take her hostage, he could control the situation. He realized the boy was only here because of her.
Ho Fei-yu frowned. Akane didn't even flinch as the mountain of muscle flew toward her. If she took a hit from Togō, her internal organs would be crushed.
He decided to stop playing fair.
"Yare yare daze..."
In a blur of speed, Ho Fei-yu appeared in front of the girl. He twisted his body and delivered a perfect, powerful roundhouse kick to Togō's face.
He wasn't a master, but he had watched enough Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies to know how to throw a kick. Combined with his superhuman strength, the effect was devastating.
Togō was sent flying sideways. He smashed into a pile of sports equipment, leaving a trail of blood and broken teeth on the floor.
Ho Fei-yu walked over to the groaning man. He didn't see Togō as a human being anymore; he was a rabid animal in a human skin. In this world, killing an NTR-scumbag was like tearing up a dirty picture. No guilt, no hesitation.
Togō looked up, his face a mangled mess. "I... I'm sowry... pwease spare me... I won't do it again..." he blubbered through his broken jaw, tears and snot streaming down his face.
Ho Fei-yu looked down at him with cold eyes. "You're only sorry because you're about to die."
He raised his foot, aiming for Togō's neck. One stomp would end it.
Suddenly, the system pinged in his mind.
[Ding! Detection: Daigo Togō has not fully demonized. Killing him now will not yield Rule Power. Host, please reconsider.]
Ho Fei-yu froze. So that's why he's such a weakling.
After a moment of internal debate, he decided to "farm" him. He'd let the trash ripen before taking the harvest.
Togō squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the end. When the pain didn't come, he peeked and saw the black sole of a shoe hovering inches above him. He started begging again.
"Fine. I'll just take some interest for now," Ho Fei-yu said.
"What inter—"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
A high-pitched, soul-shattering scream erupted from Togō's throat.