Shinra High School was notorious for its dismal reputation, a place where the walls seemed to exude an air of neglect and disorder. The building, with its peeling paint and cracked windows, stood as a grim testament to years of mismanagement.
Students shuffled through the corridors with a resigned apathy, their footsteps echoing in the hallways. Some of the lockers placed in the hallways were dented and graffitied, a reflection of the constant vandalism that plagued the school. The floors, stained and scuffed, had long since lost their original shine, while the smell of stale air mixed with the faint odor of mildew permeated every corner.
The school's grounds were no better. The outdoor areas, littered with trash and overgrown weeds, resembled an abandoned lot more than a place of learning. The soccer field, once a vibrant green, was now a patchy expanse of brown and mud, neglected by both students and staff alike.
Teachers moved through the day with a weary resignation, their efforts to engage students often drowned out by the constant hum of disinterest and discord.
The lack of discipline and structure had fostered an environment where defiance was the norm. Many students acted out, their misbehavior a coping mechanism for the inadequacies they faced. Arguments and petty squabbles were frequent, and teachers often found themselves in the exhausting role of mediators in a never-ending cycle of disputes.
Many students had adapted to the system's failings by simply coasting through, doing the bare minimum required to pass.
The social hierarchy of Shinra High School was governed not by academic prowess or leadership skills but by the brutal art of combat. The school's unique system, born out of years of neglect and chaos, had turned fighting ability into the ultimate measure of power and status.
The strongest students, those who excelled in physical confrontations and displayed raw power, commanded respect and authority. They are the one who moved freely through the school with an air of dominance, their presence a constant reminder of their elevated status.
For these top-tier students, the school was a playground where their skills in combat translated into privileges and influence. They sat at the best tables in the cafeteria, had access to exclusive areas, and their opinions carried weight in the unspoken rules that governed their peers. Their social circles were tight-knit, composed of those who either sought to emulate their strength or had resigned themselves to their dominance.
In stark contrast, the weaker students occupied the lower ranks of the social ladder. Their days were marked by a constant struggle to avoid attention and confrontation.
In classrooms and common areas, they moved with a caution born from experience, always wary of the potential for harassment or physical intimidation. Their opinions and needs were dismissed, their voices lost in the clamor of a system that valued strength above all else.
The hierarchy created a culture of fear and subservience. The strong exerted control over the weak, often using their physical dominance to settle disputes and enforce their will.
And among the unfortunate students who were deemed weak and unlucky was Kim Daeho from Section 1-B. For Daeho, each day at school was a relentless ordeal. Going to school was no longer fun or enjoyable for him. Unlike before.
Kim Daeho had once been a bright, enthusiastic student. In middle school, he was known for his kindness and academic diligence. He loved science and dreamed of becoming an engineer, spending countless hours tinkering with gadgets and solving puzzles. His teachers praised his curiosity, and his classmates admired his willingness to help others with their homework.
However, everything changed when he entered Shinra High School. The harsh environment and brutal social hierarchy quickly crushed his spirit. The strong preyed on the weak, and Daeho, with his slight frame and gentle demeanor, became an easy target. His enthusiasm for learning was overshadowed by the constant need to protect himself from bullies who saw him as an easy mark.
His first encounter with the school's brutal reality came early in his first year. A senior, known for his ruthless behavior, decided to make an example out of Daeho. In front of a crowd of jeering students, the senior humiliated him, making it clear that any resistance would be met with severe consequences. From that day on, Daeho's life at school became a nightmare.
Despite his best efforts to avoid trouble, Daeho found himself constantly harassed. His belongings were often stolen or destroyed, and he was frequently pushed around in the hallways. The teachers, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of disciplinary issues, rarely intervened, leaving Daeho to fend for himself.
The bullying took a toll on Daeho's academic performance. Once a top student, he now struggled to maintain his grades. The fear and anxiety he experienced each day made it hard to concentrate, and his once-joyful pursuit of knowledge became a source of stress and despair.
At home, Daeho tried to hide his suffering from his family. He didn't want to burden his parents, who were already working hard to make ends meet.
And today was no different. Once again, he faced the cruelty of his bullies, particularly Taejoon's group.
He quickly ran to the rooftop to hide from them. To keep his remaining money for food safe, he quickly left the room and headed to the rooftop.
This was where he often hid and endured the pain inflicted by Taejoon's group. He deeply regretted ever enrolling here. If he had known it would turn out like this, he would never have come. He couldn't transfer schools either, as his parents would question why he wanted to leave.
He was quietly lost in thought when he heard the rooftop door open. Panicking, he quickly hid behind a wall to avoid being seen.
Peeking through a small gap, he saw the newcomers. He gasped when he recognized one of the feared groups at Shinra High: none other than Kwon Donghyun from Section 1-A, accompanied by his friends.
His gasp turned to shock when he saw who followed them.
It was Section 1-D's strongest duo: Yoo Minhyuk and his Chinese friend, Wang Mingsheng.
Daeho's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the group approach. He knew that being caught here would only lead to more torment.
Daeho pressed himself tighter against the wall, praying they wouldn't notice him. He knew that if they did, there would be no mercy. He clenched his fists, trying to steady his breathing and stay as silent as possible.
As the group moved further onto the rooftop, their conversation became clearer. They were discussing something.
"What's your plan?" Donghyun asked impatiently. His friends stood behind him, alert and watching the two in front of them. "I told you about this last week. Why are you still dragging it out?" he shouted, making Wang's temper flare.
Wang was about to charge at him when Minhyuk grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't worry. We haven't forgotten. We've just been busy, but we'll get it done," he explained calmly.
"When? Let me remind you, you've already got the information you needed from me. So do what you promised," Donghyun said sharply.
"We know," Wang replied firmly, unable to hold back.
Donghyun laughed sarcastically. "Just hurry up with your job. And remember, don't underestimate Renji. He's not like the others you've fought before."
Minhyuk didn't speak for a moment and then turned away. He frowned when he noticed something behind the wall but dismissed it and turned back to the group.
"We'll do it this week," he said finally. "At the abandoned building. Just make sure you get him there," he reminded them before leaving the rooftop.
A few minutes later, Donghyun's group also left.
Only then did Daeho, who had been holding his breath, breathe a sigh of relief. Minhyuk had almost seen him, but thankfully, he didn't notice.
Daeho wiped the sweat from his forehead and stood up to head back to the classroom.
As he walked, he suddenly thought of the name Donghyun had mentioned. Renji. Renji. Renji! His eyes widened as he remembered where he'd heard it.
Renji was Park Woojin's friend!
No wonder the name sounded familiar. But that wasn't the issue. It seemed like they were planning something bad to Renji.
He was about to turn to go to Woojin and Renji's classroom when he stopped.
Wait... why would I tell them what I heard? I'm not even close to them, and besides... who are they for me to help?
His face darkened, and instead of going to their classroom, he decided to just go back to his own.
Who says I'm gonna help them? Not gonna happen.