Chapter "Open Challenge"

At home, Hamlyn was seated at his writing desk, lost in thoughts. Abruptly, he seized his laptop, and started searching for something.

After a few Minutes of searching, until finally, a smile of satisfaction appears on his face,

Then he rose from his seat and made his way to the bed, "Time for a peaceful sleep, filled with Sheryl's dream" he murmured softly, before falling onto his bed.

The following morning found Hamlyn seated, slipping on his shoes in preparation for the day ahead at school.

"Hamlyn, hurry up! We're gonna be late!" Fredy's voice echoed through the neighbourhood.

Stepping out from his house, still in the midst of preparations, Hamlyn conveyed, "Sorry Fredy, but you'll have to proceed without me today. I have some urgent matters to attend to. You go ahead."

"What? Why?" Fredy asked, his confusion clear in his tone.

"I've got some urgent work that just can't wait. Don't worry about me, I'll catch up with you later," Hamlyn explained, his tone decisive.

"Well, whatever it is, I'll wait for you here," Fredy retorted, his determination unwavering.

"No, you should really go. It's going to take me at least an hour." Hamlyn insisted, his tone firm but grateful.

Disappointment flashed across Fredy's face. "Okay, fine," he muttered, waving to Hamlyn before turning to walk away.

Hamlyn smiled to himself, appreciating his friend's understanding as he watched Fredy disappear into the distance…

Concern etched across the faces of Hamond and Henry as they were exchanging worried glances.

"I'm really concerned about him, he never skips school." Hamond voiced his worry, concern etching across his face.

"Do you think it's because of the Red Evil?" Henry speculated.

"I don't know," Hamond admitted, his expression grave with concern.

Meanwhile, Sheryl seemed worried, frequently glancing out the window towards the school's entrance, waiting for Hamlyn's arrival.

As time passed, the teacher entered, and the class commenced without him. An hour later, Hamlyn finally made his entrance.

Upon seeing Hamlyn, Hamond and Henry let out sighs of relief, their tense expressions softening.

Sheryl visibly relaxed as she saw Hamlyn walking into the classroom.

"Why are you so late, Hamlyn?” the teacher inquired, “Being careless doesn't suit the class representative," her tone stern but concerned.

"I apologize, teacher." Hamlyn offered with a sheepish smile, "but I got caught up with something urgent."

"Okay," the teacher replied, understanding in her tone. "I'll let it slide this time since it's your first, but be careful next time."

Hamlyn nodded gratefully and proceeded to take his seat.

leaning towards Hamlyn. “Hey, where were you, man?" Hamond queried in a hushed tone,

"Sorry, I had some personal matters to attend to." Hamlyn confessed.

"You should have let us know," Hamond advised, his voice gentle.

"You're right," Hamlyn nodded, agreeing. "I'll make sure to inform you next time."

Looking up Hamlyn's eyes widened in surprise, as his eyes met Sheryl's angered stare.

Although he wore a smile, a flicker of nervousness crossed his face in response to her evident displeasure….

"Come on, spill the beans, Hamlyn. Where were you?" Fredy's voice echoed across the terrace where everyone was seated for lunch.

"Relax, guys," Hamlyn reassured them, maintaining his composure. "I'll tell you when the time is right,"

"Leave it, Fredy." Henry reassured, "If he says he'll tell us, then he will." Everyone continued eating, unfazed by the conversation.

leaning in close to Hamlyn's ear, Sheryl whispered, "If you ever forget to text me before being late again, then you'll regret it." her tone firm.

Hamlyn's breath caught on his throat as he felt a surge of fear, his eyes darting nervously towards Sheryl, who kept staring at him.

"I promise, I'll make sure to keep you informed." Hamlyn responded

With a stern nod, Sheryl's gaze remained fixed on Hamlyn, her anger clear…..

After school, as Hamlyn, Hamond, Fredy, and Henry strolled down the road, Hamlyn suggested, "How about we grab some coffee? There's something I want to share."

"Sure thing, but only if you're paying" Hamond chimed in playfully.

With a smile, Hamlyn agreed, "Deal. It's my treat,"

Their smiles widened as they continued walking towards the coffee shop.

Suddenly, three jeeps screeched to a halt in some distance blocking the road ahead. Hamlyn and his friends stopped in their tracks, their expressions shifting from casual enjoyment to shock and confusion.

The doors of the jeeps swung open, and a group of boys began to emerge.

Among them, two boys stepped out, their faces and arms wrapped in bandages, evidence of recent beatings. It was the same pair of boys Hamlyn had been blackmailing with a video.

A hulking figure with long hair, a rugged build, and a face adorned with scars emerged from one of the jeeps, one of the injured boys pointed his finger directly at Hamlyn, "Daigo, that's him." the boy declared.

Hamond, Henry, and Fredy's faces were stricken with fear as they beheld the imposing figure of Daigo, their terror evident.

"Daigo? The vice president?" Fredy gasped in disbelief.

In disbelief, Fredy, Hamond, and Henry exchanged alarmed glances, their expressions reflecting their growing apprehension.

"Hamlyn, we've gotta get out of here, now!" Fredy urgently urged, his voice tinged with concern.

But as Fredy's eyes darted back to Hamlyn, his shock only deepened.

Hamlyn stood unwavering, a manic grin etched on his face. He met Daigo's gaze with eerie composure, both hands nonchalantly tucked in his pockets, devoid of any hint of fear. In that tense moment, both Hamlyn and Daigo locked eyes in a silent, chilling standoff.

"This little brat beat you up?" Daigo sneered.

"Yeah, he's the one who attacked us." the boy confirmed.

"That's impossible! Hamlyn will never do something like that." Henry protested vehemently.

"He did, and he even insulted Kenshin," the boy persisted, adding fuel to the shock.

Daigo's rage flared, his eyes locking onto Hamlyn as he thundered, "You filthy brat! How dare you insult Kenshin?"

"Your beloved Kenshin." Hamlyn began, his grin stretching wider, "is nothing but trash and a worthless coward."

Fredy, Hamond, and Henry’s eyes widened as they got frozen in utter disbelief and fear, their expressions mirroring shock at the audacity of Hamlyn's words.

"Are you trying to get us all murdered?" Fredy whispered to Hamlyn, his voice quivering.

Despite the tense atmosphere, Hamlyn's smile remained steady, showing no signs of being affected by the seriousness of the situation.

Meanwhile, Daigo's fists tightened with fury as he stepped forward to approach Hamlyn, but suddenly a member of the Red Evil group intervened, placing a restraining hand on Daigo's shoulder, “Boss, we can't” he said.

Daigo halted abruptly, his intense gaze fixed on Hamlyn. "Now that I've seen your face," he declared ominously, "I promise to personally kill you."

In response, Hamlyn erupted into a fit of maniacal laughter, sending a shiver down the spine of everyone present.

Disbelief gripped the members of the Red Evil gang as they shot uneasy confused glances at Hamlyn stunned by his unexpected reaction.

The laughter came to an abrupt halt as Hamlyn gazed at Daigo with a chilling smile.

Hamlyn then slightly lifted his right foot in Daigo's direction.

"And If you failed in killing me," he stated in a chillingly calm manner, "Then you will apologize by bowing down and placing your head at my feet in front of everyone. Do we have a deal?"

Daigo, visibly shaken by Hamlyn's bold proposal, looked at him with a combination of surprise and apprehension.

Hamlyn appeared formidable, hands nonchalantly tucked in his pockets and one foot poised in air, exuding an aura of chilling confidence.

Sweat ran down on Daigo's forehead, gazing at Hamlyn with disbelief.

Hamlyn's grin broadened. "What's the matter, Mr. Vice President? Scared?" Hamlyn jeered.

Daigo's fist clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, blood about to trickle down from the pressure.

"Fine!" Daigo conceded with a blend of frustration and resignation. "Consider yourself lucky this time. Kenshin forbids me from killing you, but this isn't over. We'll meet again." With that, he started to storm back to his jeep.

"Looks like the dog's master hasn't given him permission to bite!" Hamlyn taunted aloud, his smirk widening.

Daigo's rage reached its peak, his heart racing furiously, as he struggled to control his heavy breathing.

"And here's a little extra for you to chew on." Hamlyn continued, his tone laced with menace. "I won't just defeat Kenshin; but I'll destroy your entire gang, piece by piece."

With a venomous glare, Daigo turns to face Hamlyn.

"Kenshin may have forbidden me from killing you." Daigo's voice reverberated with fury, "But that doesn't mean I can't make you suffer." He shouted loudly, "Prepare yourself, because I'm going to shatter every bone in your body!"

Despite Daigo’s growing anger Hamlyn stood firm, his smile unchanged. His friends grabbed his arm, pulling him back, but Hamlyn remained rooted to the spot, unfazed by any threat, his gaze fixed on Daigo.

"Hamlyn, we need to leave, now!" Fredy urged, his voice tinged with desperation.

Ignoring the pleas of his friends, Hamlyn's composure remained intact, As he continued to stare at Daigo with his hands remaining casually tucked in his pockets, his smile calm and maniac.

"Get me a hockey stick," Daigo ordered one of his men.

The member hesitated, voicing concern, but before he could finish, Daigo landed a brutal punch at his face, sending him crashing to the ground.

Without waiting, Daigo retrieved a hockey stick from his jeep by himself and charged towards Hamlyn. His rage fueling his every step. As he closed in, he bellowed Hamlyn's name, his intent clear.

Meanwhile, Hamond, Henry, and Fredy stumbled backwards falling on ground, their voices filled with urgency as they pleaded Hamlyn to run.

Despite their pleads, Hamlyn remained rooted in place, his smile unchanged, his maniac gaze fixed on Daigo.