When they were about to take the stairs, the hallway felt narrower than usual. Several people leaned against the walls in lazy poses, as if the place belonged to them. The sound of Rio and the others approaching made one of them glance over, a crooked smile forming on his face.
"Look, they've arrived,"
he said, slicing through the silence.
The staircase leading upward was completely blocked. Three people stood there, forming a natural barrier. Two were unfamiliar, but one was immediately recognized.
The one who always followed Rivaldo, one of his three most visible executives. Hans Akiro. His posture was straight, but his attitude was lax, as if no one in front of him posed any threat.
Kris observed them without a change in expression. His gaze was cold, flat, almost empty. The corner of his lips lifted slightly before he let out a short laugh that sounded more like mockery.
"How funny. Do you think this is some fantasy novel tower?" he said, his voice calm but piercing.
Hans stood on a higher step, looking down with his hands in his pockets. His eyes moved slowly, judging Rio, Riko, Arya, then returning to Kris, as if deciding who deserved the most contempt.
"With just this many?" he said arrogantly. "You want to fight us?"
Without hesitation, Kris stepped up alone. His pace was neither rushed nor overly cautious. His shoulders were straight, his body relaxed, like he had already measured the distance and the odds from the start.
"You guys go on ahead," he said to his friends. "I want to tame the worms here first."
Hans smirked, tilting his head slightly as Kris drew closer.
"What is this? Acting tough?" he mocked.
Kris stopped right in front of him. His eyes were serious now, focused, without a trace of humor. They locked gazes, standing so close the air between them felt heavy.
"I can handle this alone." His confidence did not waver.
Rio, Arya, and Riko started moving past them up the stairs. Their footsteps echoed in the narrow space. Hans shifted to block them, but Kris moved first.
His leg shot out to the side, firmly stopping Hans in place with perfect balance.
"Your business is with me," Kris said coldly. Hans stopped in front of him.
The two now stood face to face, bodies tense, breaths restrained. The narrow staircase turned into a small arena where one fight would begin while the others continued upward.
"Stop them!!" Hans shouted, pointing toward the stairs. The two men behind him immediately rushed forward, clearly intending to chase Rio and the others.
Before they could pass the hallway, Kris sprinted and stood in their way. His body leaned slightly forward, feet planted like the corridor itself was the final boundary.
His gaze was cold, movements fast. Kris jumped toward them. The two men halted, raising their guard, expecting a punch.
But Kris did not punch. He leaped forward and dropped, both hands touching the floor. In one breath, his body spun low. His legs swung wide and struck them.
Kris moved fast and rhythmic, like a wild dance exploding in a tight space. His movements resembled breakdancing, but with destructive intent.
"This is my Capoeira," Kris said with a thin smile.
Two kicks landed almost simultaneously. A dull impact echoed. Hans's men were thrown back and collapsed, unconscious before they could even scream.
Their bodies lay still. Kris stood calmly, as if he had just finished a light warm-up.
Hans watched with shining eyes. Instead of anger, a wide smile spread across his face.
"Impressive," he said sincerely. "I underestimated you."
Without warning, Hans lunged. His body shot forward, right fist swinging in a heavy hook aimed at Kris's head. The air from the blow felt heavy, but Kris had already moved.
Kris ducked, letting the punch pass over his head. In one smooth flow, he spun and jumped. His body rotated midair and a spinning kick struck Hans square in the face.
Hans staggered back, slamming into the wall. He remained standing, but clearly shaken. Kris landed lightly in front of him, breathing steady.
"Is that all?"
•••
Back to Rio.
They ran fast until reaching the third floor. Their breathing grew heavy, footsteps echoing through the long silent corridor. But the moment they stopped, one thing became clear.
They were already expected. Many people stood scattered along the hallway, leaning against classroom walls. Faces Rio recognized. The same faces he had seen in the building behind the school.
"This will be troublesome," Rio muttered with an annoyed smile. His body leaned forward to move, but a large hand landed on his shoulder and stopped him.
"I'll handle this," Riko said softly near his ear.
His large body stepped forward without hesitation. He removed his black vest, letting it fall softly to the floor. "Go, Rio. Save your strength."
Rio stared at Riko's back. "What about you? There are more than seven of them here." His voice was low, worried. Arya stepped forward slightly. "Don't push yourself, Riko."
The corridor was long and narrow, classroom doors lining both sides. The stairs to the fourth floor were far at the end. The people ahead started moving. The air grew heavier.
"Hey, relax," Riko said, more confident now.
"Because I'm here…!" His body suddenly shot forward. Riko crashed into the front line with his shoulder. "I'll open a path!! You go first!"
A heavy collision rang out. Several people staggered. In the chaos, Riko moved. His fists and shoulders struck one after another, rough but powerful. There were no executives here, but their numbers made it difficult. Still, Riko did not step back even once.
Rio and Arya did not waste the opening. They ran past him toward the corridor's end. From the corner of his eye, Riko saw them go and smiled with determination.
"Yeah… go…"
His body burned, breath heavy, but his eyes blazed.
•••
Rio finally reached the fourth floor. The open school balcony was wide. Afternoon wind blew freely, carrying dust and fading heat.
At the far end, Rivaldo sat casually on the railing, legs dangling. Two others stood behind him.
"No wonder only Hans was there. So the other two are here?" Arya said sharply.
"Not bad. You made it this far," Rivaldo mocked. "The kid who used to be a coward became this." He pointed. "Finish them."
The twins stepped forward. Kariel and Fariel. Their steps matched like mirrors. Calm faces, solid aura. Fighters used to battling side by side.
Arya whispered to Rio, "Face Rivaldo. I'll take these two."
"You're serious?"
Arya smiled gently. "You're not weak. You have friends because you're strong."
He stepped forward, jacket fluttering like a banner. Rio's view of Arya changed in that moment.
Rio nodded and walked toward Rivaldo, eyes burning. This was no longer escape. This was the revenge he had waited for.
•••
Back to Kris.
"What, is that all?" Kris said flatly.
Hans smirked. "Did an ant just bite me?"
He kicked the wall, launching himself forward with brutal speed. Distance vanished. His right cross slammed into Kris's face. Too fast to avoid.
"Fast…" Kris muttered, regaining focus.
Hans followed with a left hook. Kris blocked with crossed arms, feet scraping the floor. He saw a tiny opening. In a flash, his right foot shot up, striking Hans's chin.
Hans's balance broke. Kris stepped in and drove a straight kick into his stomach, blasting the air from his lungs.
Hans slammed into the wall, barely standing.
Kris jumped high, aiming to stomp him. Hans rolled away at the last second. Kris's shoe struck the floor hard.
Hans scrambled up and ran up the stairs into a wider corridor.
Kris followed calmly, eyes scanning the open space.
"Of all places, you ran here?" he said with a thin smile. "Nice spot."
His stance lowered, steps circling, ready to spin at any moment.
"This is my stage."