Law and Fist (3)
I paused for a moment before smashing through the door for a very simple reason. I didn't trust Delphoi, but there was that slim chance Grace might actually be in there. Even with a 99% hunch, without hard evidence, I'd be the only one in trouble. The timeline differed from what I remembered, so I needed certainty.
And right after I closed the door, Delphoi muttered irritably. Then came the words confirming Grace's presence here.
BAM!!
"I heard it. Your voice."
With solid proof secured, all that was left was to charge in. I kicked the door hard with my foot, forcing my way inside. I didn't care if the flying door panel trashed the lab. Right now, Grace was what mattered.
"Wh-what?!"
"···"
Forcing the door—no, smashing it open—left Delphoi in total panic. As I watched him freak out, my eyes landed on a woman lying on the sofa in front of him. She lay there neatly, like she was dead. It was Grace.
She must've been moments from violation; her top was exposed, but nothing else seemed touched.
Not quite. Maybe he already groped her.
She might've been felt up already. I glanced at her figure hidden by purple lingerie, then shifted my gaze to Delphoi. He clearly hadn't expected this, rolling his eyes around as he scrambled for an excuse.
With his crime exposed, all that remained was a proper thrashing. I took a step forward.
"W-wait! It's a m-misunderstanding!"
"?"
What nonsense was this? I paused as he frantically reached out with excuses.
Anyone could see he'd been caught red-handed mid-crime. Even shameless Delphoi couldn't weasel out of this.
"Hey, you wild-raised savage might misunderstand. This is just part of treatment—nothing like what you're thinking."
"···"
But his words went way beyond my expectations. To spout such brazen bullshit.
He must've figured my wild upbringing left me short on common sense. Not a bad improv for a pinch. If I'd truly been born and raised feral, I might've bought it.
"So go on back. I'll forgive the door."
"Learned it."
"Wh-what?"
"From Ellie. This bad."
No way that crap would fly. Perfect timing—I'd learned from Ellie too. I pointed at Grace, ignoring Delphoi's stunned gape.
"Grace defenseless. You pounce. Bad."
"···"
"Bad no. So stop."
Ellie said so. Never pounce on defenseless women. Of course, exceptions exist. If she's blushing but not resisting, it's a green light or whatever. Hearing that, I thought she taught well. I even brushed it off like I got it.
Ellie can testify later.
Civilization holds via the mighty fence of law. Without it, it's no different from the wilds.
But sometimes, the fist is closer than the law. Especially here—fists often pack more punch.
With my piece said, I strode toward Delphoi. He backed away, face twisted in shock, then glanced at the docile Grace. Suddenly, like a lightbulb hit, he flashed a sleazy grin and shouted.
"R-right! How about a deal for you?"
"Deal?"
"Yeah! A deal! Too good to hog alone—join in? Snagging a beauty like her is rare!"
"···"
I was floored, speechless. How beastly did he think I was to say that?
I glanced back, half-expecting company. The wide-open entrance felt empty. Friday, plus other classes testing—campus was quiet. No one yet.
Even if someone came, Grace could vouch. Simple reason why.
"I from wilds."
"Wh-what suddenly···"
"Beast-like. They say."
Living wild taught me plenty. At least, they protect their young proper and don't rape females casually. Well, some freakishly smart ones mimic human crimes. Goblins especially.
But that's instinct. With clear intellect, everyone knows.
"Not mad. True. Scolded before. Live human, they said."
Drug-rape is a crime no human should commit. Delphoi crossed that final line.
"You. Worse than beast."
Lord kindly taught. For those below beasts.
"Beat."
Beating works. Know from experience. Before he could spew more crap, I charged.
As I rushed, he opened his mouth for magic, gesturing too—definite spell.
"My body···! Guhk?!"
Magic's alpha and omega: words. I shut his down. My huge hand clamped his filthy jaw easy.
Crash!
Grabbed his face, hurled him at the desk. Frail mage— that hurt plenty.
Before he recovered, I scanned for a good tool. Shame—mage lab, no proper switch.
Had to educate with fists.
"Ugh··· you dog··· guk?!"
I yanked the staggering Delphoi up. Slammed his face into the desk. Power gap—he couldn't do shit.
Next: clean that filthy mouth.
Movies do this often.
No switch, but pens galore. I grabbed a fistful from the desk holder. Forced his mouth open, shoved 'em all in. No more talking.
But not done. I hammered down like a mallet.
Crack!
"Krrk?!"
Punched his cheek—pen-packed side. Hit wrong, he'd die. Beasts-worse deserve slow death.
Lord and Berche Duke handle rest.
Ruining his mage career forever suffices. Harvest the corn first.
Snap! Crack! Thud!
Multiple hammer-fists snapped the pens in his mouth. Teeth and shock broke their durability.
Good enough—I pulled the pens out.
"Kuhk···! Kek···!"
Snapped pens and teeth spilled out. Saliva bloody—face scrunched auto. Expected gross, but nasty.
Whoosh! Slam!
Clear pens and corn, then throat-grab to wall. Flew like paper. No fight left—slumped post-impact.
But education lingers. Same for a guy? Scum. Delphoi ain't man—just beast to butcher.
I approached slow, spread his legs. Aimed foot precise at groin.
"W-wai···"
"···"
"D-do this··· you too···"
Corn gone, speech mangled. Blood and spit drooling. Still yapping for survival—energy remains.
Final words for the condemned. I froze mid-kick.
"Who I? Know?"
He lifted head slow, glaring venom. Still unhinged.
"You, do this, won't get, away···"
Get gist. Violence means punishment. Civilization fenced by law. Law falls, all crumbles.
I beat near-death—law's hammer falls. Era irrelevant; violence is violence.
No worry though. No backing—I take blame solo. Wild nothing-man. Own it, done.
So bold retort.
"Your mom."
Squish!
Savory mom-punch, stomp groin. Felt something burst underfoot. Pillar crushed? Eggs popped? Lifelong useless anyway.
"Grrrk···"
Foam-bite collapse. Eyes rolled—major shock. Gut-burst level.
Tough life—won't die. Gazed at passed-out Delphoi, turned.
Drug lingers—Grace still down.
"···"
Close up: eyes shut peaceful. Wake her? No antidote. Ellie'd mix something. Now, just guard.
"Mm···"
Still bugs me. Scratched head at her bare torso. Uniform fine, inner split half. Sliced sharp.
Leave like this? Awkward both ways. Skip closing uniform—better choice.
Flap—
Covered with my uniform. Less shame now.
Grace's lips curved slight smile. Grasped situation rough.
"Grace?"
"Uh···"
Hit. Soft response to call. Conscious, aware.
Paralyzed, aware, violated··· massive trauma.
"Okay."
Beast-worse handled. Knelt, told her.
Bit later, never see her again. Good ignored gut.
"Worse-than-beast gone. Safe now."
"···"
Relief? Even breaths. Can't move—sleep? No.
Speed recovery: wiggle fingers first. Wild poison hack.
Told her.
"No sleep. Fingers move."
"Ahh···"
"Help."
Struggle? Assist. Gently gripped belly-hand. Pressed like cat knead—revive sense.
Fingers to full body. Helps some.
"Unn···"
"?"
Moan just now? Paused massage, glanced. Eyes shut, still.
Misheard. Press—
"Ha··· uh···"
"···"
Pretend not hear.