The showdown was scheduled for right after school, in the park near the subway station. A fight no one at the high school wanted to miss. The rumors from the previous clash between Il-seong and Jeunk had already set the place on fire.
— Jeunk's gonna wreck him!
— Are you kidding? Il-seong had the upper hand last time!
— Wanna bet?
The odds were 70-30 in Jeunk's favor. Sophomores and juniors crowded the area. Even a few intrigued seniors had shown up.
At the center of the improvised arena, the two fighters locked eyes.
— You still have time to beg forgiveness, chicken.
— You wish !
With that pleasant exchange, the fight began. They had agreed—no weapons, no allies, no tricks.
So, naturally, Jeunk's first move was to grab a handful of dry leaves and throw them in Il-seong's face. Blinded, Il-seong fumbled a block as Jeunk landed a knee straight into his ribs. Gasping, he staggered back but didn't bend over in pain. Instead, he retreated, drawing a wave of whistles and taunts from the crowd.
— Don't chicken out—fight! someone in the crowd shouted, quickly echoed by others.
Jeunk, on the other hand, stayed silent. Something was off. Il-seong… looked different.
He'd mocked Il-seong's new haircut earlier. The once-pathetic lackey had ditched his bowl cut for a tousled, stylish look. It revealed more of his square face, no longer hidden behind thick glasses. Il-seong stood tall, eyes cold. Focused.
Even worse—he didn't seem fazed by the hit.
— A haircut doesn't make you a badass! Jeunk spat.
Il-seong didn't reply. No cocky comeback. Not even a smirk. He started circling, analyzing his opponent.
Si-woo had activated his scan on Il-seong :
[Il-seong – Rank E – Potential C]
• Physical Constitution (recovery & stamina): 27%
• Physical Ability (speed, strength & reflexes): 75%
• Charisma: 20%
• Perception (intuition, intelligence & wisdom): 15%
• Mana Manipulation: 0%
He's got this, Si-woo thought, nervously biting his nail.
He was just worried—because, out of all things, Il-seong had decided to use his permanent 10% boost… on Charisma.
What the hell was he thinking?!
Did he really think he could beat Jeunk with witty comebacks alone?
Jeunk might be the same level of a Goblin King—but he lacked the size, the strength… and the aura. Il-seong's yellow energy flared so brightly it made his hair look golden.
Spotting a gap in Jeunk's guard, Il-seong dashed forward—fast—and slammed an uppercut into Jeunk's chin. His head snapped back, a migraine hammering through his skull.
— You bastard! Jeunk roared, throwing a wild punch at Il-seong.
It hit nothing but air.
Il-seong had already dodged, fluid and controlled. The crowd gasped—but not for Jeunk.
This little shit's humiliating me!, Jeunk fumed.
Il-seong was toying with his former tormentor—striking, slipping away, dodging at the last second. Always with that infuriating smile.
— Pathetic, Mi-cha muttered behind Si-woo.
— What are you talking about? he asked.
She gave him a pitying look. Hand on her hip, sighing deeply as she gestured to the fight, the cheering crowd—and even to him.
— What do you think happens after this little duel?
— If Il-seong wins, we'll finally be free! If not…
He shook his head. He didn't want to go there. Il-seong had to win!
Mi-cha stepped closer. She grabbed Si-woo's cheeks in both hands and stared into his face.
— Are you serious right now? she mocked. You think this is some sports manhwa?
— Of course not!
If Si-woo had to pick a genre, it'd be fantasy. But that would require… explanations. And he wasn't ready to give any.
— Whether he wins or not, this fight means nothing, Si-woo.
— You're wrong! he snapped.
His fists clenched. Rage and frustration shook through him.
Why was she crushing his hope like this? Why was she even talking to him today?
She leaned even closer, forehead to forehead.
— I know it's complicated. But fighting him will only bring trouble. Il-seong's gonna get expelled. And then you'll be all alone. Is that really what you want?
Si-woo lost it.
He shoved her back with his shoulder.
— You don't know what I want, Mi-cha. You don't know anything about this. You don't know me! So do what you always do—ignore me.
He turned away, focusing on the two fighters again. His eyes locked with Jeunk's. The brute had noticed their exchange. Had he heard what they said or just seen them get close? Si-woo couldn't tell.
But he could see the vein bulging in Jeunk's jaw.
Jeunk took it out on Il-seong. Grabbing him by the neck, he slammed his forehead into Il-seong's face. Dizzy, Il-seong didn't block the next punch—straight to the temple. Lights flashed in his vision. He guessed the next attack before he saw it—a charge meant to knock him down.
[Skill Activated: Stealth]
Jeunk lunged forward—only to grasp empty air.
— Where the hell is he?!
He shoved students aside, frantically searching for his target. Everyone stared in disbelief. Il-seong had vanished.
— Did he run away? someone whispered nervously—probably one of the students who had bet on him.
— Nope, Si-woo replied calmly. Just open your eyes.
He could see him perfectly.
Il-seong was circling, cutting Jeunk off, slamming him into classmates.
— You can't even stand now? a senior sneered.
— I—I got pushed!
Pathetic excuse. Laughter followed.
Then Jeunk felt something strike the back of his knee. A voice whispered in his ear:
— Falling for the same trick twice? That's just sad.
Jeunk's balance faltered. He collapsed forward, catching himself with both hands. Before he could register his position, Il-seong reappeared—sitting casually on his back.
Si-woo burst out laughing. The crowd followed. Phones were out. Cameras were rolling.
Jeunk—humiliated the same way he used to humiliate others.
But the only opinion that mattered to Jeunk was the seniors'.
He'd spent so long building his reputation. Giving them favors thanks to his father. They even let rumors spread that he, a junior, had beaten seniors in a fight.
— What the hell, lard-ass? one of them muttered, disgusted by the tyrant's fall from grace.
Jeunk couldn't afford to lose face. Not like this!
— You need new tricks, Il-seong! he roared.
He jumped to his feet. Il-seong rose with him, calm and unfazed. He didn't even flinch as Jeunk,
fueled by rage, punched him square in the nose.
Il-seong took it.
On purpose.
He didn't budge.
It's a feint, Si-woo realized instantly.
Jeunk, thinking he was back in control, glanced at the crowd, trying to reclaim his image.
That's when Il-seong activated his skill:
[Skill Activated: Hunt]
Stats temporarily doubled.
Il-seong launched an uppercut straight into Jeunk's chin.
The brute flew back several meters, crashing hard in the middle of the crowd.
Unconscious.
Stunned silence.
Then a deafening cheer exploded. The juniors lifted Il-seong onto their shoulders as the sophomores chanted his name.
— You see that, Mi-cha?! He won! Si-woo shouted.
But her icy expression killed his excitement.
— You still don't get it, do you? What do you think Jeunk's gonna do now?
— Who cares?! His reputation is ruined—
— He'll go see his father, Si-woo, she cut him off. Il-seong's getting expelled. And no one's ever gonna stand up to Jeunk again.
A chill ran down Si-woo's spine.
He'd completely forgotten.
— But… the fight…
— Didn't change a thing. Jeunk just wants to avoid losing face in public. Behind the scenes? He's already got Plan B—his damn dad. Il-seong lost the moment he stepped in.
Si-woo turned to see Il-seong's beaming face. The boy shot him a thumbs-up. Si-woo weakly returned it.
— I'm sorry, Mi-cha murmured. I wished you didn't have to spend the rest of the year alone…
She gently patted his back and melted into the dispersing crowd.
That's when the Interface reappeared:
[Congratulations! Your Player has leveled up from Rank E to Rank D.]
You are now Master Level 2.
Authority Lv.2:
• 50% chance others will listen when you speak.
• 25% chance they'll obey when asked.
Master's Sight Lv.2:
• Can now see the power level of Players and Masters.
• Gain access to the private Master Forum in your country.
Share tips, strategies, and experience.
[You can now choose a second Player to celebrate your rank-up.]
This is optional, but highly recommended to increase your status faster.
Yes — No
— A second Player…
Perfect timing.
Si-woo already had someone in mind to join his little playground.
Staring at Il-seong's joyful face, he tapped Yes.