I'm Not Your Husband, You Evil Dragon!-Chapter 88: Echoes of Courage

(Yuuta’s POV)

If I had to describe what’s happening with one word...

Complicated wouldn’t even begin to cover it.

When all of this started, I thought Grandpa might step in.

I thought maybe—just maybe—he’d help us.

But I was wrong.

He looked me straight in the eye and said it without hesitation:

"I will only act if your life is threatened. For Erza’s sake. Nothing more."

At the time, those words felt like ice down my spine.

I didn’t understand them.

I wanted to shout, to demand that he care—

But now... standing here, watching everything unfold...

I get it.

Dragons don’t interfere in human matters.

They observe. They judge. They wait.

Even when James humiliated me in front of everyone—screamed at me, hit me, called me a monster—Grandpa said nothing. Not even a word.

Because to him, this isn’t his war.

But Erza...

She’s never been like the others.

Yes, she’s cold.

Yes, she’s powerful and proud and utterly terrifying when she’s angry.

But she never looked down on me.

She never treated me like I was less.

When no one else stood beside me... she did.

She might not be a hero. She might not care about humanity at large.

But when it comes to the people she loves?

She’d burn the sky for them.

Right now, though—she’s not here.

And I can’t afford to wait for her.

The academy, once a place for learning and dreams, now looks more like a fortress.

Massive iron gates seal the entrance.

High walls surround the sports field, where most of the chaos is happening.

There’s a side gate too—but it’s crawling with guards.

Not just any guards.

These aren’t campus security or city patrol.

These are soldiers. Armed to the teeth. Hardened. Unfeeling.

They belong to a group called Mobius.

Even the name makes my blood run cold.

I’ve heard whispers—rumors traded in back alleys and dark bars.

Mobius deals in black-market tech, weird experiments, child trafficking and Territorist program.

They make Black Viper look like petty thieves.

And now they’re here.

With rifles. Body armor. Military discipline.

They’ve jammed all signals—no communication, no Calls, only Isolation and we don’t the reason too.

We’re trapped.

Fifty-six children are still inside that building.

One of them... is mine.

Elena.

Just the thought of her—alone, afraid—makes my throat tighten.

My little girl. So small. So bright. So fragile.

I won’t let them have her.

That’s when Erika stepped forward. Calm. Confident. Like a flame refusing to be snuffed out by the wind.

"We need someone to get inside," she said, her voice steady. "The rest of you—create a diversion. Even a few seconds could be enough."

The plan formed quickly.

Team One would create noise—flashbangs, chaos, distractions. Anything to draw attention.

Team Two would work on scaling the outer wall, using teamwork and support to climb over.

And Team Three—the most dangerous task—would infiltrate the academy grounds, destroy the jammer, and alert the authorities.

Erika volunteered for Team Three herself.

But when she turned to ask for help...

Silence.

No one moved.

Not a single hand raised.

Dozens of parents, standing there with clenched jaws and trembling fingers... looking down at the ground. Avoiding her eyes.

They were terrified.

And who could blame them?

Going into that academy now was practically suicide.

Armed guards. No backup. No exit.

But someone had to go.

Someone had to act.

And then—

I felt something shift inside me.

I didn’t plan it.

Didn’t rehearse it.

My hand rose on its own.

"I’ll go," I said quietly.

The moment the words left my mouth, the crowd turned.

Gasps. Wide eyes. Whispers.

And then, finally—Grandpa spoke.

For the first time since the lockdown started... he actually looked concerned.

"You," he said slowly. "Boy... are you sure?"

His voice wasn’t mocking.

Not cold.

Just... cautious. Measured.

I met his eyes, and I nodded.

"I’m sure," I said.

"I’ll go with her. I’ll do whatever it takes. Even if it kills me."

I felt the weight of the crowd’s silence pressing down on me.

But I didn’t flinch.

Because I know what matters.

I know what I’m willing to fight for.

And I won’t lose my daughter.

Not to them.

Not to fear.

Not to anyone.

Everything was finally set.

Our infiltration team—Group Three—consisted of just three people:

Me.

Erika.

And... Zeke.

Now, you might be wondering—why Zeke?

Simple. The man may look like he gets winded climbing stairs, but he’s the vice principal. And that makes him more valuable than a dozen muscleheads. He knows every hallway, every hidden passage, and every shortcut inside this fortress they call an academy.

This place might look old but they high-tech and polished from ourside, but at its core?

It’s ancient.

Old stone. Secret doors. Labyrinth tunnels leftover from some forgotten era.

And now, we were going to sneak through it.

Erika crouched beside me behind a thick stone wall, her sharp gaze locked on the patrolling guards.

"On my count," she whispered, her voice calm and steady. "Three..."

I nodded, trying to still my racing heart. The air was tight with tension. Even my breathing felt too loud.

"Two..."

Somewhere above, I could hear the low buzz of surveillance drones sweeping the sky like silent vultures. We didn’t know how many guards were inside—ten? More? Maybe heavily armed.

"One—"

BOOM.

Right on cue.

The distraction team exploded into action at the front gate.

Shouts. Screams. Chaos.

Parents hurled everything they had—bags, bottles, even folding chairs.

"LET US SEE OUR KIDS!"

"STOP HIDING BEHIND GUNS!"

"OPEN THE DAMN GATES!"

It wasn’t just loud. It was raw. Real. Desperate.

Guards scrambled toward the commotion, radios flaring, weapons raised. Drones dipped low to scan the crowd.

Erika gave a small nod.

"Go."

We ran.

I kept low, boots soft against the grass, trying not to make a sound. My heart slammed against my ribs like a war drum. Every step felt heavier, like the air itself was resisting us.

Ahead, the old stone wall loomed—our way inside. Group Two had already formed a human pyramid on the far side, just as planned.

"Over here—climb up!" someone whispered urgently.

Erika didn’t hesitate. She dashed up the pyramid, vaulted over the wall, and landed with a whisper-soft thud.

My turn.

I scrambled up, caught my footing, and launched myself over.

I didn’t land gracefully—more like a sack of potatoes with knees—but I made it.

Then came Zeke.

"Oh my Jesus Christ," he was praying. "Help me—if I die, let me take heaven with me!"

And he jumped straight onto me.

"Ouch! You idiot! Can’t you see I was standing right here?!"

He scrambled up, panting. "Thanks, God! You sent me a cushion."

"F*** off, you fatty pig."

"Excuse me?"

"Get OFF ME, you walking mattress!"

Before I could yell more, Erika’s voice cut through the moment like a blade.

"Quiet! You want a bullet in your skull? MOVE!"

We picked ourselves up and sprinted for the library building.

Zeke led the way, pointing ahead. "That window there! Left side—it should be open!"

It was an old maintenance window, tucked behind an ivy-covered pillar. No cameras. No locks.

Erika slipped in first.

I followed right after, pulling myself through the narrow frame and landing inside with a soft grunt.

Zeke... got stuck.

"For the love of—just suck it in!" I hissed.

"I am sucking it in!"

With one final groan and a loud pop, he squeezed through and face-planted beside me.

The smell inside hit instantly—dust, paper, and something faintly metallic.

We were in the library.

Old. Quiet. Untouched.

Rows of towering bookshelves surrounded us like silent sentries. Light filtered through the cracks in the shutters, casting long shadows across the floor. Not a guard in sight. No cameras. No noise.

Just the creaking silence of history.

I looked to Erika, who was already scouting ahead, her steps ghost-like between shelves.

Then to Zeke, who was muttering prayers and double-checking a faded hallway map on the wall.

Step one—infiltration—was complete.

But this was just the beginning.

Because beyond this library...

was the real nightmare.

___________

(Rock POV):- Rock one of the right hand man of Faluni.

Honestly?

I still don’t get why the boss wanted this damn academy.

We are Mobius force who rule Underworld, not glorified babysitters.

And yet here I was—standing in a room full of terrified kids, most of them sobbing and clinging to each other like I was the boogeyman.

I scowled and growled under my breath.

"Get lost, you little pests."

A few of them shrieked. Some started crying harder.

Pathetic. Weak.

But then I noticed her.

One tiny girl stood apart from the rest—maybe five, six years old. Pale as snow. Hair as white as winter. And her eyes...

Red. Bright, glowing red.

She wasn’t crying.

She wasn’t even flinching.

She was watching me.

Creepy little thing.

I pointed my gun at her and crouched slightly. "What’s wrong with you? Why aren’t you scared?"

She tilted her head. "Afraid? You’re not scary like my Mama."

...What?

I blinked, confused. "Not scary like your Mama?"

Who the hell raises these kids?

I leaned closer, tightening my grip. "You better be pretending to be brave. Cry now, or I’ll blow your head off."

She just looked at the barrel, eyes wide with fascination.

"If I cry... will you give me that toy gun?"

Behind me, the guys snorted.

"She called your gun a toy, Vice-Captain!"

"She’s got more guts than half our squad!"

I clenched my jaw. "Kids these days need a serious lesson in respect."

I crouched lower, eye to eye with her. "Listen, brat. If you don’t cry, I’ll slap you so hard your teeth’ll fall out."

She just puffed her cheeks like she was scolding me. "Elena doesn’t like when people talk about killing. It’s bad. That’s what Papa says."

The room lit up with laughter from my men.

"She’s lecturing you, boss!"

"Hey, be good and kind now, Rock! That’s what Papa says!"

I snapped. "Shut the hell up! All of you—back to guard duty!"

They muttered and wandered off, still snickering.

I turned back to the girl. She hadn’t moved an inch. Still staring.

Still smirking like I was the clown in the room.

"You wanna act brave?" I growled. "Fine."

I raised my hand—and slapped her.

Hard.

CRACK.

The sound echoed through the room like a whip.

But the pain—

The pain hit me.

I staggered back, clutching my hand. "What the hell...?!"

It felt like I’d slammed my palm into a brick wall. My knuckles were throbbing. Something was wrong.

"What are you made of, kid? Stone?!"

She blinked. Slowly.

Then her bottom lip trembled. Eyes shimmered.

"...That hurt," she whispered.

And then—

She screamed.

"PAAAAPAAAA!! MAMAAAA!! IT HUUUURT!!!"

It wasn’t a cry.

It wasn’t even a scream.

It was a sonic boom. A war cry from the depths of hell.

My ears rang instantly. My head spun. My knees buckled.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" I yelled, hitting the ground. "WHY IS SHE ROARING LIKE A DAMN DRAGON?!"

My men were screaming too now, hands over their ears, cursing and scrambling.

The other kids were covering their faces, a few close to passing out.

I panicked.

"OKAY OKAY! I’LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING! YOU WANT CHOCOLATE?! YOU LIKE CHOCOLATE, RIGHT?! PLEASE JUST—STOP SCREAMING!"

Instant silence.

She sniffled. Wiped her nose with the back of her hand.

"...Chocolate?"

I collapsed backward, still shaking.

"Y-Yeah. Chocolate. As much as you want. Just... just no more screaming."

Her entire face lit up, like a sunbeam had just landed in the room.

"Yay!" she clapped. "Elena loves chocolate."

The soundproof wall had cracked, and most of the children were unconscious. She’s not just any child... I’ll have to make sure she stays happy—whatever it takes.

(Yuuta POV:- Second Phase)

Library, Phase Two

The moment we slipped into the library, it felt like the air itself shifted. Dust hung in lazy shafts of sunlight cutting through cracked windows. The smell of old paper and worn-out magic clung to everything. Silent. Still.

Zeke didn’t waste time. He yanked a crumpled piece of paper from his coat pocket and slammed it on a nearby table between stacks of forgotten books. His hands trembled slightly—whether from fear or excitement, I couldn’t tell.

"This place..." he whispered, glancing around like the shadows were listening. "This isn’t just a school. It used to be a fortress Royal academy. Empire era. All this modern stuff? Just a fancy skin over ancient bones."

He pointed to parts of the map barely visible he draw this using Old library book and pen, his fingers tracing faded lines like a historian uncovering a long-lost treasure. "Three floors. Two auditoriums. Everything connects through a central hallway. But right here—" his finger paused behind the staircase sketch, "—there are hidden passages. Built for emergencies. Most were sealed, but not all. If we reach the auditorium, we might find a route still usable."

My heart pounded harder. Secret tunnels, armored guards, and sixty hostages?

This wasn’t a school mission anymore.

It was a battlefield.

At the door, Erika peeked through a crack and tensed.

"Two guards posted in the west wing," she murmured. "M411 specail grade laser tap rifles. The real deal. Pierces steel, bone, magic—everything."

I blinked. "Wait. The M411s? Aren’t those illegal in half the continent?"

She didn’t respond. She didn’t have to.

We were seriously outgunned.

"We need a plan," she said. "A good one."

I raised my hand half-jokingly. "Actually... I have one."

Her eyes narrowed. "You do?"

"Yup. Foolproof." I smiled. Not too wide. Just enough to let her know I was very confident... and possibly dangerous.

"Yuuta..." she sighed, already regretting asking. "Don’t make joke around here."

"Trust me," I said.

And for some reason... she did.

"Alright." She exhaled, turning to Zeke. "Here we go."

Zeke looked like someone had just asked him to babysit a grenade. "Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked, backing away. "Yuuta, what’re you planning?"

I placed a hand on his shoulder, gentle but firm. "Zeke, I need your help."

He went pale. "Why does that sound like something you say before a funeral?"

(Plan: Execution)

I burst out of the hallway screaming at the top of my lungs.

"HELP! Somebody help! My brother—he’s dying! He’s bleeding everywhere!"

Zeke stumbled behind me, dramatically clutching his stomach like he’d been stabbed by fate itself.

"Ohh... I can’t feel my legs... tell my cats I love them..."

Two guards jumped up from their post, rifles snapping into ready position.

"Hands up! Don’t move!"

"He’s dying!" I yelled, dragging Zeke forward. "Please—we don’t have time!"

The hesitation worked.

One of the guards stepped toward us, confused. The other followed, rifle still aimed but lowering slightly.

Closer. Just a bit closer...

And then—

"Zeke. Now!"

I grabbed him by the waist, spun, and launched him like a sack of potatoes in a full-body suplex.

"WAIT WHAT—NOOO!"

Crash.

Zeke landed directly on top of the guards.

Three bodies hit the ground in a chaotic heap.

"OOF—get off me, you giant meatloaf—!"

Zeke snarled, "Call me that again, I dare you!"

And without hesitation, punched one right in the jaw.

The second tried to lift his rifle, but Erika was already there—fast, silent, deadly. One pressure point strike to the neck, and he dropped like a rock.

Silence fell again.

We’d done it.

Then Erika turned to me, her expression absolutely unreadable.

I grinned. "Hey... my plan worked!"

She stared for a long moment. Then—

"You IDIOT," she hissed. "That was reckless, insane, and borderline psychotic! You THREW a full-grown man at armed guards!"

I held up my hands. "It’s called the Thor Way. Highly specialized tactic. Don’t question the art."

Zeke groaned from the ground. "I think I cracked my ribs... or someone else’s."

I smirked, offering him a hand. "You were magnificent, my brave cannonball."

"I swear," he muttered, taking it, "next time, I’m letting the guards shoot you first."

Erika sighed but didn’t argue. And maybe—just maybe—I caught the faintest curve of a smile on her lips as she turned away.

We had taken step two.

Now came the hard part.

Getting to the auditorium...

And facing whatever hell waited for us inside Good thing we have Guard uniform.

We couldn’t take all three of us any further. Not with only two guard uniforms.

The two we knocked out were dressed in Mobius-issued black gear—bulletproof vests, tactical belts, and most importantly, full masks that covered their faces. Lucky for us, Erika and I fit into the uniforms just fine. Zeke... not so much.

No offense to the guy, but one look at the unconscious guard and it was obvious—we’d never squeeze Zeke into that outfit without snapping a few seams.

Plus, the guards were still alive. If one of them woke up early and made a sound while we were infiltrating deeper, the whole mission would go up in smoke. It was too risky.

So we made a decision.

"Zeke, you stay here," Erika said firmly.

He looked a little happy but seeing Eriak face he silently nodded hiding Happiness. "Understood."

Because someone has to keep eye on unconscious guard even though we teid then using our clothes but still we can’t risk it

Before we stepped out of the hall passage, Erika pulled something from her belt—a compact blade with a sleek black hilt.

She handed it to Zeke.

"Take this," she said quietly. "For protection."

Zeke blinked in confusion. "Wait... you want me to cut someone?!"

"No," Erika replied, her tone calm but firm. "But if it comes to surviving... you have to be careful. Don’t hesitate."

Zeke stared at the blade, the weight of the moment sinking in. He nodded slowly. "I’ll... I’ll try my best."

Erika gave a faint smile. "That’s all I’m asking."

We didn’t have time for goodbyes. Just trust.

Zeke stayed behind, guarding the unconscious soldiers and the library entrance.

And Erika and I, now in stolen Mobius uniforms, turned toward our next destination—

the Auditorium.

Elena!, wait for me, your Father is coming.

To Be Continued..

(Credit Scene – Celebration Time!)

Yuuta:

Hey, dear readers! It’s your mostly average but weirdly popular guy—Yuuta!

Guess what?

We’re about to hit 400 collections! I mean... WHAT?! That’s insane!

Erza:

Hmph. Took long enough.

Finally, people are recognizing greatness.

Yuuta:

Wait... are you talking about me?

Erza:

No. I’m talking about myself. Obviously.

Grandpa:

Hohoho~ In the Nova World, we’ve been reading this too, you know.

The dragons are hooked. Even the Elder Council ships you two.

Elena:

Elena is number one! ✨

Yuuta:

That’s true, sweetie! You’re number one...

I’m number two...

And someone keeps ranking third.

Must be tough always being behind me. smirks

Erza:

Say that again, and you’ll be number zero.

Yuuta:

Ehehe... please don’t freeze me.

Grandpa (sobbing dramatically):

Why hasn’t anyone added me to the rankings yet?!

I gave wisdom... I gave comedy... I gave my backstory!

Where is the love?!

Elena:

Thank you for 400 collections! 🥳

Please leave comments so Mama stops threatening Papa at night!

(Bye-bye~!)

Yuuta:

Wait—what?! Who told her that?!

Everyone (in sync):

THANK YOU FOR READING!

SEE YOU IN THE NEXT Chapter! 🎉

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