Challenge: The Fool with the Surname Okayamine

Chapter 13 The Nightmare of the Powerless

"Huff...huff..."

At this moment, on the once quiet path, Ming was hurriedly pulling Sha along, panting as they ran, but their running pace never stopped.

"Ming... huff, I'm starting to feel the strain from running so fast all of a sudden!... So what are we running for?"

A puzzled Sawa asked Ming, who was running alongside her and holding her hand.

Upon hearing Sawa's question, Ming, with a serious expression, did not answer her question but continued to pull Sawa forward.

Looking at Ming's serious expression, Sawa felt a little uneasy, but she still chose to believe in Ming's choice and held his hand tightly as she continued running after him.

Ming didn't mean he didn't want to answer, but because there was a cruel "god" following them behind, strolling along as if toying with prey, Ming didn't dare to be careless and quickly pulled up his veil and jogged.

Just then, Mio, who had been strolling leisurely behind, suddenly asked Ming, who was running ahead, in a chilling tone:

"What are you running for? Strange... This should be our first meeting, right? Oh, I see, you're the peeping tom I ignored on the rooftop yesterday~"

Mio Takamiya smiled and answered her own question, but Ming, who was in front of her, broke out in a cold sweat after hearing the analysis, and he pulled Sa and ran faster.

'Run! Run! Run...'

At this moment, Ming's heart was already beating very fast due to the strenuous exercise, but the thought of "running away" instinctively took over Ming's mind when he thought of Mio walking slowly behind him.

Thinking of this, Ming wanted to pull Sawa along and continue running. At this time, Sawa's strength was gradually failing, and her steps became unsteady. However, Sawa still let go of his hand and tried her best to keep up.

It's important to understand that although Ming is pale, he is one of the top athletes in the school. Even if you compare his endurance to Ming's, you might not be able to run for as long. Yet, Sawa still holds onto Ming's hand, completely trusting him and refusing to let go.

"Oh my, it seems you two have a really good relationship~ Even so, you're still unwilling to let go? Just like Shi and me."

Mio spoke with a sigh, yet her steps continued to draw closer to Ming. As she walked, she continued, "..."

"What a pity, boy in front. Although I'm genuinely happy for you two just confessing your feelings to each other, the girl next to you has a very high affinity for spirit crystals, so I'd like her to cooperate with my [Refinement] plan."

As she spoke, Mio's eyes grew even colder, while Mei and Sawa, in their frantic escape, ran into a dark alleyway beside them.

"Huff... Ming, what's going on? And what's this 'refining' thing that strange person was talking about? Huff..."

After entering the alley, Sawa, who was almost at her physical limit, was panting and asked Ming, who was pulling her, with a puzzled look on her face.

'Damn it, hasn't this strange purple barrier disappeared yet?'

Ming, who was pulling Sawa along as they ran, was deep in thought. Suddenly, he heard Sawa slow down and ask him a question.

Ming stopped in his tracks, turned around, looked at Sawa, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. He wanted to reveal Mio's identity, but his mouth seemed to be held by some mysterious force, and he couldn't say the truth at all.

“Sawa… I don’t know what’s going on either. But we have to get out of here as soon as possible!” Ming took a deep breath and lied, “That person named Mio is dangerous, she might even be a member of some terrorist organization!”

“It’s okay, Sawa. I’m here, you’ll be fine. We can jump through this alley to the shopping street soon, and she should give up by then.”

As Ming ran, he comforted Sawa. Ming knew very well that as long as the purple barrier remained, he and Sawa would have almost no way to escape, but even so, Ming would not let Sawa worry.

"Oh......"

Sawa responded noncommittally. She knew very well that Ming had been hiding something from her, but Sawa would still unconditionally trust Ming in front of her, and even her speed increased considerably.

The two ran like that, not knowing how long they ran through the alley, until finally at the end of the alley they saw the sunlight outside the purple barrier.

“It’s the exit!” Sawa pointed ahead with her already tired hand and said to Ming with hopeful eyes.

Seeing this, Ming also looked towards the only light emanating from the purple barrier. Although he was very incredulous, he still ran towards the only light.

However, as they approached the exit, they found a familiar figure standing there, Mio, who had been waiting for them for a long time.

"They've finally arrived?" Mio smiled as she looked at the two people before her, her eyes filled with divine compassion, but in Ming's eyes, they seemed to carry endless pressure.

Mio walked over step by step, her face seemingly apologetic, and said:

"Gentlemen, although I really didn't want to shorten your farewell time, unfortunately, there are still people waiting for me on the rooftop, so I'm sorry."

As Mio finished speaking, the nervous Ming immediately shielded Saya behind him.

"Sawa, run! I'll hold her off!"

"Ming-kun!" Sawa said, puzzled.

"Hurry up!" Ming shouted.

Seeing this, Sawa only took a few steps back, but did not leave. "No! That person is dangerous, Ming-kun, let's run together!"

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. If you trust me, then hurry up and go!" Ming said resolutely as he turned around.

Sawa wanted to say something more, but she stopped talking, turned to Mio, assumed the Bajiquan stance, and looked fearlessly at the pure white "god" before her, saying:

"Saya, are you coming or not? It's up to you, but you absolutely cannot get hurt before I fall, understand?"

At this moment, Ming's eyes were incredibly firm, and all the muscles in his body were tense, making Sha He behind him feel a great sense of security.

Seeing such a pure and loving scene, Mio's expression changed slightly, as if she were recalling something, and then she said:

"Don't worry, my only target is the girl behind you. As long as you move aside, I won't hurt you. You just need to keep this a secret for me."

"Absolutely impossible!" Ming said without the slightest hesitation, then kicked off with his back foot and flashed in front of Mio, throwing a fierce punch at her.

Ming's fist came whistling through the air, but Mio seemed oblivious and continued to smile.

Ming's fist was blocked by an invisible force. He felt as if he had hit a wall and could not advance even an inch.

"Is that so? You won't accept my suggestion. What a pity." Mio's expression turned regretful. "It seems I'll have to take that girl away by force. As for you... erase your memories."

"What!" Ming looked at Mio in shock, his body suddenly unable to move, as if he were being held down by an invisible hand.

"Ming!" Seeing this bizarre scene, Saya called out worriedly from behind.

"I'm fine, Sawa," Ming said, trying to sound calm as he reassured her.

"Is that so?" Mio asked, her tone impassive.

With a simple wave of her hand, Mio unleashed a powerful force that sent Ming flying. Ming crashed heavily to the ground, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth.

"Ming!" Sawa exclaimed, trying to rush over to help Ming up.

"Don't come any closer!" Ming struggled to his feet and gestured for Sha to stay away.

Ming struggled to his feet and threw another punch at Mio. Mio easily caught Ming's powerful punch by simply raising a finger.

"Yes, you did a good job. It's okay, you don't need to be sad. When you wake up again, you will forget what happened today and her."

As Mio spoke, a strong drowsiness washed over Ming, and he involuntarily collapsed to the ground. He tried to get up, but his body was too weak, and even keeping his eyelids open was a luxury.

Then Mio walked step by step toward Sawa, her eyes still holding that eerie yet compassionate smile that seemed to belong to a "god".

Ming struggled to his feet, trying to stop them, but he couldn't do anything and was unable to move.

"Stay away from him!" Ming shouted angrily, his body still weak.

However, he ignored her and walked straight towards where Sawa was still standing.

"Ming-kun!" Sawa called out again, but only Mio Takamiya's slender, snow-white hand answered her.

Mio gripped Sawa's neck tightly. The girl's eyes were filled with terror and helplessness. She felt like she was back in elementary school when she was bullied. The only change was that the hero who could save her was now lying on the ground.

“Ming… classmate…” Shahe, whose neck was being choked, looked at Ming with difficulty and said.

"It's no use. You should get some sleep too. You won't feel any pain then," Mio said expressionlessly this time.

Just as she was about to make her move, Ming's weak voice came from behind Mio again:

"Hey, you in front! I'll say it again, you'll have to get past me first!"

Ming stood up as if by miracle, even causing the expressionless Mio to show a slight look of surprise. She released her grip on Sawa, throwing the girl to the ground, then turned to look at the boy in front of her who had no spiritual talent whatsoever, and muttered to herself with some doubt, stroking her chin:

"Strange! My ability should have taken effect by now, right? Oh, I see! It's not that it didn't work, but that he was only resisting with his willpower. I gave him a psychological suggestion. Let's see how long you can last."

"Get out of here!" Ming charged forward again and punched him in the face.

Just as Ming's fist was about to touch Mio's face, the massive pressure card slammed Ming heavily to the ground, creating a large crater in the floor. Ming began to bleed from his seven orifices, but his strong willpower made him want to continue fighting.

What sustains Ming's desperate efforts at this moment is the daily joys and sorrows, and every moment of memories he shares with Shahe. Even if the boy knows he will be shattered to pieces, he will continue to grow in front of her.

"Ah, how much you resemble him now, but... you are not him. Forget about that girl."

Mio gently placed her hand on Ming's head and spoke softly and gently.

Then Ming finally lowered his head and, seeing this, turned around and walked towards Sawa.

Mio Takamiya walked up to Sawa and, without hesitation, grabbed the neck of the girl who was about to faint and whose consciousness was fading, and stuffed the crimson crystal into the girl's chest.

The crimson spirit crystal entered her body, and Sawa clutched her head in agony, letting out a piercing scream.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Her body began to lose control, and her consciousness gradually faded.

Now, the only thought in the girl's mind was, "I want power! That way I won't have to stand behind Ming anymore, but... is it already over...?" Sawa thought helplessly.

Flames erupted from her body, enveloping her tightly.

She felt an unprecedented burning and pain, as if she were in the center of a fire pit.

"Ming!"

With a final, deafening roar, Sawa completely lost herself, transforming into a monster covered in flames.

Seeing the failure, Mio sighed and said casually:

"As expected, she couldn't handle the feelings and turned into a fairy. Oh well, let's take her there and get rid of her."

After Mio finished speaking, the purple barrier disappeared, and she and Sawa, who had turned into a monster, vanished from the spot.