Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 87 - [TW!] When the Mask Cracks

Blood spattered across the room as the boy pinning Mira let out a piercing scream, stumbling backward. Deep claw marks etched into his face.

What the hell just happened?! Mira?!

Atlas’s shock grew as he turned to Mira. Her once frightened eyes now glowed a vivid red, and before anyone could react, she moved with startling speed. Her arms wrenched free from the grip of the two boys holding her, the sudden force causing her glasses to slip from her face and clatter onto the floor.

She grabbed one of the remaining boys by the wrist. Her right hand, now tipped with razor-sharp claws, slashed into his arm, embedding her nails deep into his flesh. Blood sprayed as the boy screamed in terror, stumbling backward and crumpling to the floor.

The boy with the clawed face staggered to his feet, his eyes wide with panic, and tried to run.

Mira?! Did she already awaken before this?!

But Mira wasn’t finished. She lunged at the fleeing boy, yanking him back by the leg with shocking force, before hurling him into the wall. The resounding thud echoed through the room as the boy hit the surface and crumpled to the ground.

The remaining boys screamed in terror, scrambling to hide behind overturned desks and chairs.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, Mira’s eyes returned to normal. She froze, staring down at her bloodied hands. Her face turned pale, and she shook her head violently as panic set in.

"She’s a freak!"

"Don’t look at me like that! Don’t look at me!"

"She’s gonna kill us all!"

"What is she?!"

"No!" Mira cried out. "Not me... Not me!"

With a desperate scream, she bolted for the door, flinging it open and running into the hallway.

Mira! End them first!

Atlas followed Mira as she bolted from the classroom, her steps faltering briefly as she froze in the hallway.

At the far end, Atlas noticed a group of students, and among them was the blonde-haired wolf girl, Fenra.

Damn! This bitch is the cause of all this.

"Mira?! What have you done?!" Fenra exclaimed.

Mira shook her head frantically, her eyes wide with fear, before turning and sprinting down the hallway. She raced toward the stairs, descending quickly.

Why is she hiding her awakened status? Is there some reason for this?

Mira eventually ran into the bathroom. Atlas stopped at the door, hesitating to follow her inside.

A few moments later, she emerged, her hands wet from washing away the blood. Her face was pale, her panic unmistakable. She trembled visibly, her wide, frantic eyes darting as if looking for an escape.

Without hesitation, she took off running again, this time heading straight out of the school. Students in the halls turned to stare as she passed.

What is wrong with this school?!

How can they let things like this happen here?!

This has to be one of the most idiotic academies I’ve ever seen!

Mira ran as fast as she could down the street, her steps frantic and uneven.

What is she going to do? What’s going to happen to her now?

She just committed a crime, didn’t she?

But then, he shook his head.

No... it was self-defense. But will anyone see it that way?

Just what kind of society is this? Is this another form of discrimination against beastkin?

Yet the thought didn’t sit right.

But that wolf girl is also a beastkin.

He frowned, the pieces slowly coming together.

Still, it’s clear Fenra holds a high social status. Just look at how she carries herself, her pristine uniform, her confidence, and the way the other students practically worship her.

Atlas clenched his fists, his frustration building.

How is Mira supposed to survive in a place like this?

Mira took a different route on her way back, avoiding the path she had used earlier.

Was she trying to avoid people? To keep from being followed?

Mira was clearly running in a panic. Now and then, Atlas caught the sharp roar of cars speeding by. Still, Mira didn’t stop. She kept running, weaving through streets and alleys, desperately trying to find another way.

This time, there was no mistaking it, the fear etched across her face was unmistakable. Every trace of tension, every flicker of panic, clung to her.

Atlas followed, running close behind, unable to do anything more than match her pace. He had no idea where she was going. Whether this was the way home or just another escape.

After what felt like a breathless eternity, she finally reached her house.

Mira froze at the gate. And then, from inside, came the sound of shouting. Angry, violent shouting.

Atlas tensed.

What’s happening in there?

Panic surged in Mira’s eyes. Without hesitation, she rushed forward, grabbed the handle, flung the door open, and sprinted inside.

But what met her there was a nightmare.

Strangers, several of them, stood in the living room. At the end of the room, her parents were bound and restrained, their expressions filled with terror.

As Mira froze in shock, the intruders quickly closed the door behind her, cutting off any chance of escape.

Her parents shouted incoherently, their wide, desperate eyes silently begging her to run. But it was too late.

Among the strangers was the boy Mira had scratched earlier, his face still bearing the marks of her claws, now partially covered with bandages. He pointed an accusing finger at her, his voice loud and filled with fury.

"Her!" he shouted. "She’s the one who scratched my face!!"

There were six large men in total. Their presence dominated the small room.

"Grab her! Tie her up and make her pay! She’s the one who hurt me!" the boy barked.

Two of the men immediately rushed at Mira. She tried to evade them, but they were too fast. In moments, her arms were seized and pinned behind her back.

"No! Please!" Mira cried out, struggling against their grip. "Let my mom and dad go! Punish me instead! I’ll take the blame!"

Her father, tied up and helpless, tried to rise in defiance, but one of the men kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the floor. The man then stomped on his back, pinning him down.

"Dad!" Mira screamed. "Please, help!"

Her cries echoed through the room, but there was no one to answer her pleas.

The boy with the bandaged face stood before Mira, his expression twisted with rage.

"It’s because of you!"

"Let them go!" Mira shouted, desperation in her voice. "They didn’t do anything wrong! This is my fault!"

Her words did nothing to placate him. He raised his hand and slapped Mira hard across the face. The impact sent her reeling to the side, but the men holding her kept her restrained. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Mira growled, trying to lunge forward, but her captors held her firmly in place.

Two of the men stepped forward, roughly forcing a cloth into Mira’s mouth to gag her, muffling her frantic screams into helpless whimpers.

"You ruined my face!" the boy roared, trembling with rage. His hands were balled into fists. "Do you even understand what you’ve done?! You think I’d just walk away after this?! After you turned me into this?!"

His voice cracked, but his rage didn’t falter.

"I had everything! My life was perfect before you! And now? Now I’m a joke! You did this! You took everything from me!"

Mira thrashed against her captors, growling behind the gag, but their grips held firm.

The boy sneered. "You think that power makes you untouchable? That you can just get away with it?! I’ll make sure you regret it every day you draw breath!" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He stepped closer, his face twisted with hate. "I’ll tear your world apart. I’ll make you watch your parents scream. I’ll take everything you love and crush it in front of you, and when you’re broken and begging, then I’ll end you!"

"LET HER GO!" Mira’s father broke free, his desperation exploding into action.

He hurled himself toward the group, fury and fear driving him forward. But one of the men intercepted him and slammed him viciously to the ground. The crack of bone met the floor, followed by a brutal storm of kicks and punches.

"No! Don’t do that! No!" Mira cried out through the gag.

The boy glanced coldly at the scene and raised a hand.

"Beat both of them until they’re half-dead," he said flatly. "And leave just enough breath in her to remember this day for the rest of her pathetic life."