"You dare hit me?!" Gus shrieked, pointing a trembling finger at Lucas. Lucas said nothing, striding over with eyes as cold as ice. He picked up the brick and smashed it into Gus's skull. Gus dropped to his knees, shaking violently.
"What are you doing?!" Lucas smiled coldly: "Getting revenge." He grabbed Gus by the collar, his eyes flashing the bloodthirst of a seasoned killer. "You dared touch my brother." Another brick. "You dared touch him?"
Gus begged: "I'm sorry! I won't do it again!" Lucas sneered, nodding toward Leo, who huddled on the ground, confused. "Apologize to my brother. If he forgives you, you live. Otherwise…"
Gus scrambled over, tripping twice in his panic. He dropped to his knees before Leo, voice cracking: "Leo, I'm so sorry." Leo shrank back, haunted by years of torment. Lucas sat down beside him, slinging an arm over his shoulder, then grabbed a nearby butcher knife. He twirled it casually before pressing the tip an inch from Gus's eye.
"Your apology sounds insincere," Lucas said, inching the blade closer. "You're planning revenge, aren't you?" Gus screamed, tears mixing with blood: "I'm sorry! I swear I'll never touch him again!"
Leo stared, stunned—he'd never seen Gus so terrified. Lucas lowered the knife, holding it in one hand while squeezing Leo's shoulder. "Remember this, brother. No one hurts you again. Anyone who tries… I'll kill them."
"Go," Lucas said. Gus fled. Leo looked at him, confused: "Boss, you're different. You never fought Gus before." Lucas smiled: "Things change. No one bullies us anymore."
"Why'd you come?" Leo asked. His smile faded: "I didn't get into college. My parents want me to sell veggies at the market—I hate it, but I have no choice." Lucas patted his shoulder. He'd found Leo at that market in his past life.
"Wait here." Lucas fetched a cardboard box, tossing it to Leo. Leo's eyes widened—It was a VR headset. "For me?" Lucas nodded. Leo hugged it tightly, bowing: "Thank you, boss."
"You're my brother," Lucas said softly, flashbacks of Leo's sacrifice cutting deep. "Log on. Get used to the game." Leo raced inside, clutching the headset. Lucas smiled—he could track Leo in-game via the headset's serial number. But he had no idea that a deadly threat was already closing in on them both in the virtual realm.