Bully Lord

Part-25

A familiar blue screen flickered to life before James' eyes, shattering the tense silence in his room. This time, the message was different:

**Mission 5: Return stress ball to your elder sister Lily. Reward: +1 CON**

**Penalty if Failed: You will get slapped by your sister which is many times stronger than a Thunderclap Slap**

James groaned, his shoulders slumping defeatedly. Of course, the Bully System wouldn't let him forget his earlier transgression. He'd completely forgotten about Lily's precious stress ball, shoved carelessly into his backpack during the chaos of the day. Now, the prospect of facing his sister's wrath loomed large, a far more terrifying prospect than any detention or bully encounter.

He scrambled to his feet, the penalty flashing a vivid red in his mind's eye. There was no way he was letting Lily slap him – the thought of a punishment exceeding even the thunderclap's power sent shivers down his spine. He knew all too well the fearsome strength his older sister possessed.

He rushed downstairs, the forgotten cake box clutched tightly in his hand.  Reaching the doorway to the dining room, he froze. Lily's voice, laced with a hint of frustration, carried across the room.

"Mom," she was saying, "Are you sure no one went into my room? My favorite stress ball, the one with the fluffy bunny keychain, is missing!"

Dread coiled in James' stomach. This was it. The moment of reckoning. He could picture Lily's fierce scowl, her hand raised high, ready to unleash a world of pain.

He took a deep breath, his mind racing. He had to act fast, but also strategically.  A blunt confession wouldn't end well.  He needed a plan, a way to appease his sister and avoid the dreaded penalty.

A desperate plan hatched in James' mind, fueled by the terror of his impending doom. He glanced down at the forgotten cake box clutched in his hand – a potential olive branch, a distraction from the looming storm. Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and headed towards his sister's room.

He hesitated for a moment outside her closed door, the scene of past battles and playful exchanges flashing through his mind. With a final surge of courage, he knocked tentatively.

"Lily?" he called out, his voice cracking slightly.

The doorknob rattled, and a moment later, Lily's face appeared, a frown etched upon it. "James? What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

James forced a smile, the cake box held out like a peace offering. "Hey, Lily," he said, his voice slightly higher than usual. "I, uh, I bought a cake, and you know how much you love chocolate chip, and I can't really eat that much…"

His voice trailed off, hoping his awkwardness wouldn't arouse further suspicion. Lily's frown deepened, her eyes darting from him to the cake box.  "This is strange," she muttered, a hint of curiosity mingling with her initial annoyance.

However, the lure of delicious cake proved too strong. With a hesitant hand, she reached out and took the box.  A small flicker of triumph played at the edges of James' fear.