Harem Quest: From Trash to King

Chapter 10: Boxing King.



Ryan sat slumped over his desk, half-listening to the teacher drone on about something that definitely wasn't going to change his life.

His brain was already numbed from the heat, the long lesson, and the silent pressure of being the new kid. He hadn't even written half a page in his notebook.

The moment the bell rang, a collective exhale swept across the room. The teacher grabbed his books and walked out with all the urgency of a man trying to escape.

Ryan stretched his arms over his head with a loud groan.

"Ugh… so boring."

He flopped back into his seat, letting his spine curve like a deflated balloon. He didn't even notice the shadows approaching his desk until one of them leaned into his space.

Three of them.

Ugly. Greasy. Rotten aura types. Their faces looked like they'd been spawned from a sewer and raised on dumpster scraps.

One of them had a crooked nose and lips too big for his face. Another wore glasses so thick they magnified the acne exploding across his forehead.

The third had a buzzcut and the kind of sharp eyes that screamed "wannabe gangster."

Arthur, sitting right beside him, hadn't moved an inch—head still resting on crossed arms like the chaos didn't exist.

The guy in the middle—the crooked-nose one—sucked his teeth.

"Yo, fatass. You think just 'cause you're sitting next to Arthur, you're on his level or something?"

Ryan blinked. "Uh… what?"

Buzzcut leaned forward, his fingers gripping Ryan's desk.

"You tryna act cool, huh? You're too comfortable, piglet. Maybe someone should teach you your place."

Then the glasses guy placed a hand on Ryan's shoulder and smirked right in his face. "You seriously think a guy like you deserves to be anywhere near Arthur?"

Ryan flinched slightly. 'Shit... again? Is this déjà vu? Do I attract this crap?'

Suddenly, a shift in the air.

It was subtle—but it froze them all.

Arthur raised his head.

No words. Just one look.

His eyes were half-lidded, but there was something deadly in them. Like he'd just been woken from a nap and was disappointed reality still existed.

"…Fuck off."

His tone wasn't loud. It wasn't aggressive.

But it hit like a blade to the gut.

The three punks stiffened.

"A-Arthur…" the glasses guy stammered. "We didn't mean anything! We were just—"

Arthur tilted his head.

"I said fuck off. Or I'll show you what happens when you touch someone near me."

They scattered.

Buzzcut even tripped over someone's bag on the way out and faceplanted into a desk. The class snorted, some whispering, others laughing awkwardly.

Ryan just sat there, drenched in cold sweat.

Arthur looked at him, his eyes softening just a fraction.

"You good, lil' bro?"

Ryan nodded slowly. "Yeah… I'm good. Thanks to you."

Arthur yawned like nothing had happened. He slung his bag lazily over one shoulder.

"Come with me. Let's go eat. And—" he paused as if it just occurred to him "—I wanna see you box someday."

'Box? Me? God, please no…'

"Y-yeah… sure," Ryan muttered, his throat dry.

As they walked out of the class together, Arthur led the way. His shoulders moved in a calm, almost lazy rhythm. Oversized hoodie. Baggy pants. Hands in his pockets.

But every step he took was like a lion walking through a den of sheep.

Ryan followed behind him, anxiety curling in his stomach.

The whispers started immediately.

"No way, is that the new kid walking with Arthur?"

"He must've done something. Arthur doesn't just talk to people."

"Dude's a legend. That fatass is gonna die if he steps outta line."

"Bet Arthur's just using him for something."

Ryan lowered his head, trying to pretend the hallway wasn't a minefield of judgment. His eyes flicked to the guy in front of him.

'Arthur… he's not just some random delinquent. He's a walking death flag. Every step, every stare… this guy's a damn war god.'

[DING!]

[Host, you are fortunate that you're currently in his good books.]

'No kidding. One wrong word, and he'll turn my bones into powder. I'm a misstep away from a hospital bill I can't afford.'

He swallowed.

'But… also… he saved me. He didn't have to. He just did.'

There was a weird warmth there.

Reluctant respect.

Maybe even… the start of something.

They reached the cafeteria. The chatter was loud, the smells of fried rice, mystery meat, and cafeteria sludge filling the air. Students parted around Arthur like he was radioactive.


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