How to Handle a Yandere Harem - Chapter 39

The arena crackled with tension. Adriel, free from the massive suit of armor, now stood facing the Beast Hunters, his breath coming in heavy gasps. His body felt weak, every muscle aching from the exertion. The armor had done most of the fighting earlier, but now it was just him and his sheer will.

Makoto stood beside him, equally drained but still focused, his eyes locked on the remaining enemies, who staggered forward, their own energy nearly spent. But even in their weakened state, the difference in power was clear. The Beast Hunters were formidable, their presence imposing even after the relentless assault from the armor.

Adriel’s mind raced. (We’re both exhausted… and they still have more strength left. I have to think. I must be smart about this.)

He glanced around, his eyes settling on the scattered debris from the shattered armor. Pieces of metal lay strewn across the arena floor, jagged edges gleaming under the harsh lights. A plan began to form in his mind.

“Makoto,” Adriel said between gasps, “we’ll use the debris. They’re too strong to face head-on. We need to outsmart them.”

Makoto nodded, quickly latching onto Adriel’s plan. “Got it. I’ll keep them distracted. You use whatever you can.”

Without another word, Makoto charged forward, his sword raised, swinging with precision at the closest Beast Hunter. The enemy blocked the blow, but it was clear he was slowing down. Makoto’s attacks, though less powerful now, were buying Adriel the time he needed.

Adriel darted to the side, scooping up a sharp piece of the armor’s debris. It wasn’t much, but in the right hands, even debris could be a weapon. He waited for the right moment, watching as Makoto continued to engage the enemy.

(They’re not paying attention to me… good.)

With a sudden burst of energy, Adriel hurled the piece of armor at one of the Beast Hunters, aiming for his legs. The jagged metal flew through the air and struck true, knocking the enemy off balance. It wasn’t enough to bring him down, but it managed to slow him down considerably.

Makoto seized the opportunity, slashing his sword toward the enemy’s exposed side. The Beast Hunter grunted in pain, stumbling back as Makoto pressed the attack.

“Nice one, Adriel!” Makoto called out, his voice strained but still determined.

Adriel nodded, though he could feel his body protesting every movement. His limbs felt like lead, and his vision blurred slightly from the effort. (I just need to keep going… just a little longer.)

But the Beast Hunters weren’t finished. One of them, angered by the relentless assault, let out a furious roar and charged at Adriel. His weapon swung down with brutal force, and Adriel barely managed to dive out of the way, rolling awkwardly on the ground.

He reached for another piece of debris, his hand shaking as he lifted it. (I can’t stop now. I have to keep going.)

As the combat raged on, Emma and Seda watched from the sidelines, their eyes fixed on Adriel’s struggling form. Emma leaned forward in her seat, her fingers gripping the armrest tightly, her face a mask of concern.

(He’s struggling… why doesn’t he just let me help him? I could make it so much easier for him.) Emma’s thoughts swirled with frustration. She wanted to rush in, to stop the fight, to make Adriel understand that he didn’t need to suffer like this. But she held herself back, knowing that this wasn’t her moment to intervene.

Beside her, Seda sat with a calm expression, though her eyes were focused on Adriel. Unlike Emma, she wasn’t worried. She could see the effort Adriel was putting in, how he was fighting not just his enemies but the limits of his own body.

“Why are you letting him struggle like this?” Emma asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

Seda glanced at her, her voice measured. “Because he needs to grow. If I try to control him, he’ll never realize his own potential.”

Emma’s brow furrowed. “But look at him! He’s exhausted! He could get hurt, and for what? We could make it easier for him. I can make him stronger. Why do you just sit there, letting him suffer?”

Seda’s gaze returned to the arena. “It’s not about making him stronger, Emma. It’s about letting him learn how to be strong on his own.”

Emma clenched her fists, her frustration bubbling over. “That’s easy for you to say. You don’t care about him the way I do. You’re always so calm, so detached. What if he fails? What if he can’t do it alone?”

Seda remained calm, her voice soft but firm. “If you love someone, you don’t control them. You support them. Adriel doesn’t need us to fight his battles for him — he needs us to believe that he can fight them himself.”

Emma’s heart raced, her emotions in turmoil. (Control him? I just want to help him… why can’t she see that?)

But as she looked at Adriel, struggling to stay on his feet, she began to see the truth in Seda’s words. Adriel wasn’t asking for help. He wasn’t looking for someone to save him. He was fighting with everything he had, and what he needed most wasn’t for someone to take control — it was for someone to believe in him.

Back in the arena, Adriel’s body screamed in protest, every muscle aching with fatigue. He swung a piece of debris at one of the remaining Beast Hunters, the metal scraping against the enemy’s armor. But even as the blow landed, Adriel knew it wasn’t enough.

Makoto, equally exhausted, fought beside him, but the difference in strength was undeniable. The Beast Hunters, though tired, were still stronger, their attacks relentless.

Adriel’s legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to one knee, panting heavily. (I can’t… I can’t keep this up.)

The Beast Hunters closed in, their weapons raised for the final strike. Adriel glanced at Makoto, who was barely holding off the last enemy. (We gave it our best… but it’s not enough.)

As the final blow was about to fall, Seda’s voice rang out, clear and calm. “Adriel.”

Adriel looked up, his vision hazy, but he could see Seda’s face in the distance, her eyes steady and full of belief.

“In the end, it’s not about controlling you,” Seda said, her voice soft but firm. “It’s about supporting you. You don’t need to be perfect, Adriel. You just need to keep fighting.”

Emma, watching from the sidelines, felt her heart clench. (Seda’s right… but why does it feel like I’m losing him?)

The final blow struck, and Adriel and Makoto crumpled to the ground, utterly spent. The Beast Hunters, equally drained, could barely stand themselves. The arena was silent, the fight over.

Emma’s heart raced, her eyes locked on Adriel. (Adriel…)

Before she knew it, she was running into the arena, her feet moving on their own. She reached him just as his body gave out completely, catching him in her arms before he could fall to the cold ground.

“Adriel!” Emma gasped, her arms wrapping around him tightly. His head lolled against her shoulder, his breath shallow but steady.

Adriel opened his eyes briefly, his voice weak. “Emma…”

Emma held him close, her heart pounding. (I just want you to be okay…)

The fight was over, but the realization lingered in Emma’s mind. It wasn’t about controlling him. It was about supporting him, just as Seda had said. But as she held Adriel in her arms, she couldn’t shake the feeling of defeat.

Seda, standing quietly in the background, watched the scene unfold. She smiled faintly, her thoughts clear. (In the end, supporting him is what matters most.)