"Peter, Ned, what do you mean? I kindly invited you to play a game, and you dare refuse? Are you looking down on me?"
Seeing the whole class looking over, the tall Thompson grew even more arrogant.
"Exactly! Exactly!"
"Peter, Ned, you two are just cowards!"
"Shush! Shush! Shush!"
Behind Thompson, two kids—one Black, one White—whistled and gave thumbs-down, looking incredibly smug.
"N-no…"Cornered, Peter Parker answered timidly.
Chubby Ned also swallowed nervously, unable to come up with a response.
Thompson smirked, "No means you agree. You said it yourself—everyone here can testify!"
"I testify!"
"Me too!"
"Peter agreed!"
The classmates, eager for drama, fanned the flames. Peter Parker had no way out and reluctantly nodded.
Seeing his scheme succeed, Thompson pumped his fist excitedly. "I'll be Captain America!"
The Black child, Tommy, cheered, "I'll be Bucky!"
The White child, John, shouted, "I'll be Logan!"
Thompson continued, "Peter, you'll be the big bad Red Skull. And Ned, you'll play Dr. Zola. You have ten seconds to prepare. After ten seconds, the Howling Commandos are coming for HYDRA's villains!"
Gulp.
Peter swallowed hard. What kind of "game" was this? Obviously, they just wanted an excuse to beat him and Ned.
But he couldn't refuse. It was awful.
Noticing Rimuru in the crowd made Peter feel even worse.
After she saw him get bullied again, she probably wouldn't talk to him anymore—she might even join the bullies.
He had finally found a classmate who didn't mock him and actually spoke to him, and now, not even half a day later, everything was ruined.
Why did things always end up like this?
Maybe… maybe once he got to middle school, the bullying would stop.
"Red Skull, your doomsday is here! I represent justice and will destroy you!"
Just as Thompson was about to charge at Peter, a voice cut through the air.
"Wait!"
Everyone turned in shock toward Rimuru.
Was Rimuru actually going to defy Thompson?
Thompson, Tommy, and John were the class bullies. If Rimuru tried to defend Peter and Ned, she might end up becoming their next target.
Thompson cracked his knuckles. "What, you gonna stick up for nerdy Peter?"
John puffed himself up smugly. "Don't think that just because you're a girl, I won't hit you!"
Tommy flexed his fist. "Yeah! My punches are harder than iron!"
In the U.S., getting beat up at school didn't involve calling parents or tattling to teachers.
If you got hit, you got hit. Simple as that.
Rimuru smiled. "How could I be sticking up for them? I just want to join your game. Games need fairness, right? You have Captain America, Bucky, and Logan, so Peter's side should also have three people."
Huh?
Everyone stared at her in shock.
Especially Peter and Ned, who looked at her as if she'd grown wings.
Was she crazy? Teaming up with them meant she'd get beaten too!
But she was helping them—she really was!
Their hearts instantly overflowed with gratitude.
Thompson sneered. "You're asking for it. Let's go! Beat them!"
With a shout, Thompson, John, and Tommy charged at Rimuru and the boys.
Rimuru pouted, completely unfazed.
In her eyes, their movements were slow… painfully slow.
Just as Thompson's fist flew toward Peter's face, Rimuru casually extended her hand and caught it in her palm.
"What—?!"
Thompson froze in disbelief. How could a girl be this strong?
He tried to pull away but couldn't.
Before he could react, Rimuru twisted his wrist sharply.
Pain shot through him, forcing him down onto one knee with a yelp.
At the same time, John and Tommy rushed in.
Rimuru let go of Thompson, raised both hands, and with two crisp thwack sounds, John and Tommy landed face-first on the ground.
It happened too fast. Before anyone could see clearly, the bully trio was already lying there defeated.
"This must be fake…!"
The class was stunned. Even the girls stood frozen, mouths hanging open.
Rimuru raised her hand and motioned to the three bullies. "Come again."
The trio was already terrified. How could they dare?
Thompson's tears were ready to spill.
Rimuru scolded, "Captain America never surrenders to evil! Thompson, are you trying to disgrace Captain America?"
Seeing her serious little expression, all three felt a chill run down their backs.
They had never suffered a loss like this before.
Stung by humiliation and pride, they clenched their teeth and staggered back to their feet, surrounding Rimuru cautiously.
Slap. Slap. Slap.
Before anyone could blink, they hit the ground again.
Thompson took a punch to the stomach, curling up like a shrimp.
It hurt—really hurt.
They were still just children. Their willpower broke instantly as they burst into tears.
But Rimuru had no intention of letting them off.
"Captain America, Bucky, and Logan are all iron-willed heroes! What kind of performance is this? Again!"
Not only the bully trio—even Peter and Ned were stunned speechless.
They thought she was a little fairy, but she turned out to be a little demon king!
"I don't want to play anymore! I quit being Captain America!"
"I don't want to be Bucky either!"
"Me too!"
"What? You're not playing? Thompson, John, Tommy—are you three looking down on me?"
Rimuru rubbed her hands together with a fierce expression, instantly scaring the trio out of their minds.
Even the other students went silent with fear.
Only Peter and Ned felt something completely different.
Because Rimuru had just thrown their own words back at the bullies.
When they looked at Rimuru, she seemed to shine.
"So cool…!"
Peter Parker stared at her, eyes sparkling.
Ten minutes later.
When Thompson, John, and Tommy sincerely apologized to Peter and Ned, every student's gaze toward Rimuru changed.
Bullying was one thing—but stopping evil and protecting the weak was another.
From Western cowboys to superheroes, America had never lacked a hero spirit.
And right now, Rimuru was undoubtedly the hero in their hearts.
No one knew who started it, but soon, applause erupted.
Peter Parker clapped the hardest—his little hands nearly swelling, but he refused to stop.
Without a doubt, Rimuru became famous with one battle.
.....
reward with power stones for the extra chapter