Yoo Minhyuk watched in astonishment as Park Woojin rose to his feet, seemingly unaffected by the blow that had knocked him out mere moments ago. His eyes, once filled with fear and desperation, now glimmered with a cold intensity that sent a shiver down Minhyuk's spine.
Woojin's expression was blank, as if he were still unconscious, making Minhyuk wonder if this was really the same person who had acted so cowardly earlier.
He stared at Minhyuk with no emotion. His eyes held no expression, but the depth of his gaze felt as though he could consume him whole. Minhyuk couldn't help but feel something unsettling about it.
Before Minhyuk could recover from the shock of Woojin's presence, he suddenly moved with incredible speed toward him.
A powerful punch nearly landed, but Minhyuk managed to dodge it just in time. Even before he could steady himself, Woojin launched a series of rapid attacks.
Minhyuk had no choice but to take the situation seriously. He could feel the impact of each attack, each movement creating a distinctive sound that resonated with every hit.
As their exchange of blows continued, Minhyuk began to notice something peculiar. Despite the strength of Woojin's attacks, they didn't fully connect. It was as if Woojin was in a frenzied state, attacking with intensity but not with precision, making it relatively easy for Minhyuk to evade.
Minhyuk seized the opportunity to analyze Woojin's erratic movements. It seemed like Woojin was relying more on raw power than on any tactical approach. This realization gave Minhyuk a slight edge, allowing him to anticipate and dodge Woojin's next moves more effectively.
Woojin's attacks grew more frenzied. Minhyuk could see the wildness in his eyes, but he also noticed the cracks in Woojin's form, the openings that left him vulnerable. Minhyuk decided to exploit these weaknesses, countering with precision rather than matching Woojin's brute force.
With a swift sidestep, Minhyuk dodged another of Woojin's powerful but clumsy strikes. He countered with a quick jab to Woojin's side, causing him to stagger yet Woojin recovered almost instantly.
"What's gotten into you?" Minhyuk coldly asked.
Woojin's only response was a guttural growl as he lunged again. Minhyuk deflected the blow, then grabbed Woojin's arm, twisting it just enough to force him back. Woojin's movements became even more erratic.
Seeing an opening, Minhyuk struck Woojin's chest with a forceful palm, sending him reeling backwards. Woojin stumbled but didn't fall, his eyes still holding a blankness as if he wasn't himself.
Minhyuk took a deep breath, focusing all his attention on his opponent. He was about to charge again when suddenly Park Woojin collapsed in front of him, losing consciousness.
"Tsk. What the hell is going on with this guy?" he murmured while looking at the unconscious Woojin.
Minhyuk stood over Woojin's unconscious form, his mind racing. He could feel the adrenaline still coursing through his veins, but the fight was over.
Minhyuk's mind churned with questions. He had never seen anything like that before. Woojin's violent action made him feel curious. But one thing was certain: the moves Woojin displayed earlier made him realize Woojin had no real experience in fighting.
None of Woojin's attacks connected. He was just relying on his raw power, but when it came to strategy, he had no idea what he was doing.
With questions still lingering in his mind, Minhyuk stood up and went to gather his gang. Wang was still unconscious, so he called the other guys to pick him up. Before they left, he cast a cold gaze at Renji and Woojin, sensing that this wouldn't be their last fight.
_____________________
Park Woojin groaned from the pain in his head.
"You're awake."
He heard a familiar voice. His back ached as he slowly sat up. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by the old walls of an abandoned building.
Only then did the memories of what happened come flooding back. His eyes widened as he turned to his side.
"Are you okay?" he asked Renji, who was leaning against the wall.
Renji had a few scratches on his face but seemed otherwise fine, which allowed Woojin to breathe a sigh of relief.
"I should be asking you that. Are you okay?" Renji replied. His voice was calm, but Woojin could sense the underlying anger in it.
Woojin gave a small nod.
"Let's go," Renji said, inviting him to leave.
Woojin paused as he glanced out the window, realizing for the first time that it was already night. He bit his lip, nervously checking his phone in his pocket.
"Don't worry. I told your parents we were working on a project," Renji said suddenly as he walked toward the exit.
Woojin exhaled in relief. "Thank you."
They walked in silence through the long hallway. Woojin hadn't noticed earlier how eerie the place was, but now it felt unsettling. Renji, however, seemed deep in thought, unfazed by their surroundings. Woojin quietly followed him, his mind racing with unspoken questions.
As they exited the building, the cool night air hit Woojin's face, bringing a sense of clarity.
"Go home and rest. And treat the wound on your head," Renji said. Only then did Woojin feel the stinging pain in his head.
Renji sighed and bid him farewell. Woojin didn't get a chance to ask any more questions as Renji walked away. With nothing else to do, Woojin also made his way home.
Thankfully, his mother didn't question why he was home late. It was probably because Renji had told her they were working on a project.
He entered the bathroom and inspected the wound on his head. It was somewhat unclear where exactly he got it. It seemed like he couldn't remember anything after Renji collapsed.
What puzzled him was why his whole body ached. He hadn't told Renji the full truth, fearing it might prompt more questions—questions he wasn't sure he could answer himself.
He also didn't even realize he had bruises on his arm and leg. With a sigh, he treated the wound on his head and went to his bed to sleep.
The following Saturday morning, Park Woojin followed his usual running routine at the local park. The cool, crisp air was a welcome change from the stuffy interior of his home, and the rhythmic pounding of his feet on the gravel path helped clear his mind. He focused on each breath, trying to push the previous day's events to the back of his mind.
As he finished his run, he began his cool-down stretches near the park's playground. The park was lively with families and children enjoying the weekend. Woojin felt a bit more at ease, the physical exertion helping to alleviate the residual pain from his previous encounter.
On his way home, he decided to take a different route, hoping for a change of scenery. The detour led him down a quieter street, but his tranquil walk was interrupted by raised voices and harsh laughter coming from a nearby alley.
Curious, Woojin approached the source of the commotion and found a group of students from another school bullying someone. The victim, a smaller student with a scared expression, was cornered against the wall. The bullies—three boys who looked older and more menacing—taunted and shoved the victim, their laughter echoing ominously in the alley.
Woojin's heart raced. The scene triggered a mix of anger and anxiety, a stark reminder of his own recent struggles. He could see the fear in the victim's eyes, mirroring the helplessness he had felt not so long ago. The sight was unbearable.
He hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do.
Before Woojin could move on, one of the bullies noticed him and called out loudly, "Hey, you! What are you doing there?!"
The bully's voice was filled with irritation and defiance.
Woojin flinched at the loud voice. Nervously, he glanced at the group. The other bullies also turned back, their expressions darkening as they noticed Woojin's presence.
The bullies' attention was fully diverted to him, their anger palpable. Just then, another figure emerged from the shadows of the alley, a mischievous grin on his face.
The newcomer, a student from another school, sauntered into view with a casual air that contrasted sharply with the hostile atmosphere. His hair was styled in a spiky fashion, and he wore a jacket that seemed too flashy for the occasion. His presence immediately shifted the focus of everyone in the alley.
"What's going on here?" the new guy asked with an air of amusement, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
The bullies momentarily forgot about Woojin as they turned to face the new arrival. Their expressions shifted from anger to confusion, and then to unease.
"Shit! That's Jaejoon!" one of the bullies whispered, his voice trembling slightly.
"Who?!" asked the clueless bully.
"You never know anything!" the other bully hissed angrily.
The newcomer, known as Jaejoon to the bullies, seemed to have an unsettling effect on everyone. The smaller student, still cowering against the wall, looked between Jaejoon and the bullies with wide eyes.
Jaejoon's grin widened as he surveyed the scene. "Looks like I've stumbled into something fun," he said, his voice dripping with mock enthusiasm. "Why don't you guys pick on someone your own size?"
The bullies exchanged nervous glances.