The Class That Cried Werewolf

34 - Echoes of Valor

Trigger Warning: This chapter contains scenes of physical violence, which people may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised.

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-3rd Person POV-

Kendo and Tetsutetsu stared at Zetsubō, beads of sweat falling down their temples. Every breath they took felt like a struggle against the oppressive weight of the villain's presence. The tension around them was so thick that you could almost cut it with a butter knife, a palpable force pressing down on their shoulders. Their muscles tensed, ready to spring into action, but the fear in their eyes was unmistakable.

Tatsuya stood vigilantly in front of the Class B students, his stance wide and protective, as he tried to keep the villain's attention on him. His eyes darted to his comrades briefly, silently communicating his intent to shield them. Zetsubō's smile grew more sinister as he watched the trio, like a bear eyeing its prey from a distance, savoring the anticipation of the hunt.

The wolf boy clenched his fists, his resolve hardening despite the fear gnawing at his insides like a persistent predator. He could feel his heartbeat thundering in his ears, each pulse a reminder of the stakes at hand. The villain's words echoed in his mind, striking a nerve and igniting a defiant spark. He straightened his back, drawing in a deep breath to steady himself.

"As long as I'm still standing, I will not let that happen!" he declared, his voice resonating with determination. The intensity of his conviction was apparent as he shifted into a battle stance, his eyes never wavering from Zetsubō's cold, calculating gaze.

Sensing the wolf boy's rising anger and urgency, Kendo reached out and firmly grasped his shoulder. "Hang on a minute, Akiba," she urged quietly, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "We need to strategize. We can't afford to let him dictate the terms."

Tetsutetsu nodded beside them, his jaw set in determination. "Yeah, let's show this guy what we're made of," he growled, his fists tightening in readiness. The steely resolve in his eyes mirrored the fiery determination burning within Tatsuya.

The wolf boy spared a glance at Kendo for a brief moment, his mind racing with possible strategies. "Here's an idea," he began, his voice low but urgent. "You guys go back to camp and leave him to me."

"What are you, crazy?!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, his voice rising despite the need for silence.

"What was your first clue?" the wolf boy retorted, his voice dripping with heavy sarcasm. He rolled his eyes in annoyance, but the edge in his tone couldn't hide his concern for their safety.

Kendo stepped forward, her expression resolute as she fixed Tatsuya with a determined gaze. "Tetsutetsu's right, Akiba. You can't take him on alone, especially not in your condition."

Tatsuya's hair bristled as he turned toward his coursemates, the tension in the air palpable. His sharp and intense eyes locked onto theirs with a mix of resolve and desperation. "I know my limits, yes, but this is something I have to do," he declared, his voice low and unwavering. He turned back toward Zetsubō, his posture rigid with determination, the villain's presence a looming threat he felt compelled to face alone.

"Don't be a dumbass!" Tetsutetsu shouted in exasperation, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. He gestured emphatically towards Tatsuya's numerous injuries, the bruises and cuts stark reminders of the battle they were already embroiled in. "Do you want this to be a repeat of the USJ attack?! Do you want to end up even worse off than before?!"