Whispers of Shikiban:The king walks among us-Chapter 77 --

Her hands shook.

Reika stared at the screen, heart hammering. The photo was fake—clearly AI—but it didn't matter. Her image had been turned into something dirty. Something vile.

Kotoha.

Sora.

Yuriku.

Her fingers trembled as she dialed them one by one. No answer. Then a single message lit up her phone.

> "If you want to beg, come to the school rooftop."

—Kotoha.

Reika's chest tightened. Her vision blurred with rage and confusion.

A moment later, another message came in.

> "What have I done...? I'm not your enemy... why did I do this?"

She stared. Kotoha. Was that... guilt? Regret?

But there was no response when Reika replied. Just silence.

---

Next Morning

She walked through the school grounds like a ghost. Her eyes were puffy. Skin pale.

Whispers swarmed around her like flies.

"Slut."

"Whore."

"She fooled us all."

Her legs felt heavy. Like the weight of a thousand knives pressed into her chest. Yesterday, they admired her. Today, they wanted her dead.

All because of her.

She reached the rooftop. The wind was cruel. So was the smile waiting for her.

Kotoha stood there. Arms crossed. Smirking.

"So, you actually came," she said, venom in every word. "Bitch Reika."

Reika's voice cracked. "Why...? Why did you do this?"

Kotoha laughed softly. A pretty, cruel sound.

"You were always beneath me. In studies, looks, everything." She took a step forward. "But people liked you. That pissed me off."

Reika trembled. "You ruined my life... because you're jealous?"

"I didn't ruin it." Kotoha grinned. "I just exposed you. Now everyone knows what kind of girl you are. Soon you'll drop out. And I'll be the queen. Everyone will love me. They already do."

"Shut up!" Reika shouted. "You can't destroy me because of your own insecurities! We were friends!"

Kotoha's smile faded into something darker.

"We were. But you're not useful anymore." She shoved Reika by the shoulder. "Now watch as I rise... and you rot."

She walked away.

Reika stood frozen. Her mind empty. Her heart, shattered.

The wind howled around her. She took a step toward the edge of the rooftop.

She didn't know what she was doing. Only that she wanted the pain to stop.

---

Later that night

SLAM.

The door burst open. Her parents stormed in.

Her mom's hand hit her cheek.

"You're disgusting!" she shrieked.

"Whore!" her dad roared.

"Mom, it's fake! I swear, it's AI—!"

CRACK.

Her father's belt struck her thigh.

"Ack—!"

The pain lit her nerves on fire.

"Slut!"

"Filth!"

"You're a disgrace!"

They beat her. Her screams were drowned out by rage.

"I didn't do this!" she cried. "No one even touched me!"

But they didn't hear her. Or maybe they didn't care.

Blood dripped down her leg. Her strength faded. Her voice cracked.

Finally, they left. She lay motionless on the floor.

"Why?" she whispered. "Why won't anyone listen to me...?"

Tears mixed with blood. Her breath came in shallow gasps.

"I'm always good. I've always tried. So why...?"

Her gaze drifted to the mirror leaning against the wall.

She saw herself.

Weak. Broken. Bloodied.

She touched her cheek.

"I hate this," she whispered.

She balled her fist. Slammed it into the glass.

CRASH.

Shards flew. Blood bloomed from her hand.

But she kept punching. Over and over.

"I HATE seeing myself like this!!" freewёbnoνel.com

Her voice echoed off the walls.

Then—still breathing heavily—she stood.

She wiped the blood from her face.

And smiled.

A wide, terrifying smile. Her eyes glowed.

"...If no one believes me... if the world wants a monster..."

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"Then I'll show them one."

She turned toward the door.

"I'll kill everyone who tries to block my path."