As Yin-Shin and Sang-ji walked through the bustling streets, the early morning light casting soft shadows over the city, their footsteps fell in rhythm. The quiet between them was companionable, their minds still lingering on their earlier conversation.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a third figure who had light brown hairs and honey brown eyes slipped into their space, draping her arms around both Yin-Shin and Sang-ji's necks, her laughter breaking through the stillness of the moment. "Well, good morning, guys!" she chimed, her voice bright and teasing.
Sang-ji grinned, immediately recognizing the familiar energy. "Well, if it isn't the queen of interruptions," he joked, shaking his head but not pulling away. "What's got you so chipper this morning?"
Yin-Shin, on the other hand, gave a slight glance her way, though his usual calm demeanor barely changed. "Morning, Min-Ji," he said simply, his tone steady, though there was a flicker of warmth in his voice.
Min-Ji, with her vibrant personality and ever-present smile, was a stark contrast to Yin-Shin's quiet intensity and Sang-ji's carefree nature. Her short, dark hair bounced as she moved, and her playful attitude was infectious, especially on mornings like this.
"Chipper? Nah, just ready for another thrilling day at Na-Seong High," she said with mock enthusiasm. "You two look like you've been having one of your serious talks again." Her eyes flicked between them, curious but not prying. "What did I miss?"
Sang-ji chuckled. "Nothing too exciting. Just talking about how Yin-Shin's gonna keep avoiding the drama and the 'game of carnage' you keep hearing about."
Min-Ji raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "Avoiding trouble, huh? Sounds like a plan—until it finds you first." She squeezed their shoulders before letting go, walking ahead of them with a skip in her step.
Min-Ji's expression darkened as she walked ahead, her usual light-hearted demeanor quickly replaced by anger. "And yeah," she continued, glancing back at Yin-Shin and Sang-ji with a fiery look in her eyes, "I found out what those bastards from Gyeon-Suk tried to do to our school girls..."
Her fists clenched at her sides as she added, "Those damn bastards. I shouldn't have been absent yesterday. I could've beaten their asses myself."
Sang-ji let out a low chuckle, trying to defuse the tension but still serious. "Well, lucky for them you weren't around, Min-Ji. You would've turned that whole place upside down." He smirked, though there was a cold edge to his usual playfulness, a sign that he was just as furious underneath.
Min-Ji shot him a sharp look, though it was clear her anger wasn't directed at either of them. "Don't get cute, Sang-ji. You know I don't let that kind of thing slide."
Yin-Shin remained quiet, but the hard look in his eyes revealed he shared Min-Ji's anger. He finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying a subtle undertone of menace. "It's over now. We handled it. But next time, they won't get off so easily."
Min-Ji gave a small, approving nod, though her anger still simmered beneath the surface. "I'm glad you two were there," she said, her voice softening slightly, "but I won't be missing next time. Gyeon-Suk won't get away with this again."
Sang-ji shrugged, his usual carefree grin returning, though his eyes were sharper. "Don't worry. If they try anything again, we'll take care of it together."
As they neared the gates of Na-Seong High, the air between them felt heavier. There was an unspoken understanding: the game of carnage wasn't just about power plays between schools anymore—it was personal.
"But remember don't get involved." Yin-shin said in his usual calm tone grabbing the attention of Min-ji
Min-Ji paused mid-step, her fists still clenched, and turned sharply to face Yin-Shin. "But never get involved?" she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief and frustration. "How can you say that after everything they did? After what they tried to pull with our school?"
Yin-Shin met her gaze, his expression calm, though his resolve was clear. "It's not about what they did, Min-Ji. It's about the bigger picture. This 'game of carnage'—it's not just a fight for control or settling scores. Once you're involved, there's no turning back. It pulls you in deeper and deeper."
Sang-ji, sensing the tension, chimed in. "Yin-Shin's right. The game changes people. It's not worth getting sucked into that mess, no matter how much we want to get even."
Min-Ji's eyes flashed with anger. "So, what then? We just let them walk all over us? Let them think they can get away with anything?" Her voice cracked slightly, showing the depth of her frustration. She had never been one to stand idly by when injustice was involved.
Yin-Shin exhaled slowly, the weight of his decision clear in his voice. "We'll defend ourselves. We'll protect what's ours. But we won't play their game. Getting involved means losing more than we can afford."
Min-Ji stared at him, her anger slowly giving way to a conflicted silence. She knew Yin-Shin wasn't one to make decisions lightly. His visions, the weight of the game, and what it did to those involved—it all weighed heavily on him. But still, the urge to fight back burned within her.
"Fine," she muttered after a moment, her tone still sharp but softened by reluctant understanding. "But if they come at us again, don't expect me to hold back."
Yin-Shin nodded, grateful for the compromise. "If they come to us, we'll be ready. Just don't let them pull you in."
The three stood in silence for a moment before continuing their walk toward the school, the air thick with tension, but a silent understanding between them.
Min-Ji scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "I wonder how that damn school is still open, like nothing happened," she muttered, the anger still simmering in her voice. "After everything they pulled, they just go back to normal like it's no big deal?"
Sang-ji sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's how it goes, I guess. People with power always find a way to cover things up. Gyeon-Suk High's been getting away with stuff for years. It's no surprise they're acting like none of this matters."
Yin-Shin's expression remained unreadable, but there was a dark undercurrent to his words. "It's not just about the school. The system allows it. The game has too many players, and those in control know how to keep the pieces moving without drawing too much attention."
Min-Ji gritted her teeth. "Yeah, well, it doesn't make it any less disgusting. They think they're untouchable. But they're wrong."
Sang-ji smirked. "You're really ready to burn the whole place down, huh?"
"More than ready," Min-Ji shot back. "I just can't stand the fact that they can hurt people, manipulate them, and then walk away like it's nothing. It's not fair."
Yin-Shin finally spoke, his voice calm but resolute. "They're not untouchable, Min-Ji. But fighting them on their terms—within their game—is what they want. It's how they trap you. They make you think you're taking control, but really, you're just playing into their hands."
Min-Ji sighed, her frustration palpable. "I get what you're saying, but it doesn't make it any easier to sit back and watch."
Yin-Shin's gaze softened. "We're not sitting back. We're just not falling into their trap. There's more than one way to bring down a corrupt system."
Min-Ji looked at him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright, I trust you. But if they cross the line again…"
"We'll make sure they don't get away with it," Yin-Shin finished, his voice cold and certain.
As they continued walking toward the school, the tension between them eased, but the unspoken determination to protect what mattered lingered in the air. Despite everything, they knew they'd find a way to fight back without getting lost in the darkness.
As the trio arrived at Na-Seong High, they were greeted by the usual morning scene—students gathered in small groups, chatting, laughing, and moving about like it was just another day. But something was off. Beneath the surface of normalcy, the scars of yesterday's battle were clear.
Some students wore bandages over bruised faces, others had slings supporting injured arms, and a few limped through the halls, their legs wrapped in thick layers of gauze. Despite their physical state, their conversations were light, almost as if the violence from the previous day had been forgotten—or worse, accepted as just another part of life.
Sang-ji's eyes scanned the crowd, his easy going smile fading. "Look at them... It's like nothing even happened. But their bodies tell a different story."
Min-Ji folded her arms, her lips pressed into a thin line of disgust. "That's how it always is. They brush it off, pretend everything's fine, but deep down, they're afraid. They don't want to admit that they're part of this twisted game, so they cover it up like it's no big deal."
Yin-Shin's gaze was cold and distant as he observed the students, each one marked by the violence they had endured. "They've been conditioned to accept it," he said softly. "In this game, the damage becomes part of the routine. They don't speak about it because they don't want to be seen as weak."
Min-Ji shook her head, her anger simmering again. "It's sick. They shouldn't have to live like this. No one should."
Sang-ji let out a low sigh. "This is why I don't want to get pulled in either. It's a never-ending cycle. You get hurt, you heal, and then you go right back into the fire."
Yin-Shin's eyes narrowed as he watched the students, the weight of his visions pressing on him once again. "This is just the beginning. It's going to get worse before it gets better."
Min-Ji glanced over at him, her frustration momentarily replaced by concern. "You're seeing more, aren't you?"
Yin-Shin didn't respond, but the look in his eyes was enough to confirm her suspicions. He was seeing things beyond what any of them could comprehend—visions of a darker, more dangerous future, where the line between the game and reality blurred even further.
As they walked through the halls, the trio shared a quiet understanding. They were on the outside of the game for now, but the cracks were showing. And sooner or later, they'd have to decide just how far they were willing to go to break free from its grip.
As they moved through the crowd of injured students, Yin-Shin suddenly felt a presence approach. He turned slightly, and standing in front of him was the girl he had saved from the brutality of the Gyeon-Suk boys the day before. She looked a bit nervous, clutching her schoolbag tightly against her chest, her eyes downcast as if unsure of what to say.
Her body bore the remnants of the ordeal—bruises on her arms, a bandage wrapped around her wrist—but her expression was one of quiet determination. She finally mustered the courage to speak, her voice soft but steady. "Yin-Shin... I wanted to thank you. For yesterday."
Yin-Shin's gaze softened as he regarded her. "You don't have to thank me," he said in his usual calm tone. "I did what anyone would've done."
She shook her head quickly, finally looking up at him, her eyes full of gratitude. "No… Not anyone would've stepped in like you did. Everyone else was too scared to stop them. But you—" Her voice faltered for a moment, remembering the terror of that moment. "You saved me."
Sang-ji, standing nearby, gave a small nod of approval, but stayed quiet, letting Yin-Shin handle the situation. Min-Ji, on the other hand, had her arms crossed and a protective look on her face, watching the exchange closely.
Yin-Shin, uncomfortable with the praise, simply nodded in acknowledgment. "I'm glad you're okay," he said, his eyes flickering with a hint of warmth. "But be careful. There's more going on than what you see, and staying out of their sight is the safest option."
The girl nodded slowly, her eyes lowering again as if the weight of his words hit her. "I'll try. But... if it happens again, what should I do? How can I avoid getting caught up in it?"
Yin-Shin hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Sang-ji and Min-Ji before answering. "Stick close to people you trust. And don't be afraid to stand your ground when it matters. But don't play their game—don't get involved in the cycle."
The girl gave a small, hesitant smile, still clearly shaken by what had happened but grateful for his words. "Thank you again, Yin-Shin," she said softly before turning and walking away, her steps lighter than before.
As she disappeared into the crowd, Min-Ji let out a low sigh. "You're collecting admirers now," she teased, though there was a trace of seriousness beneath her words.
Sang-ji chuckled. "Well, who wouldn't be grateful after what you did?"
Yin-Shin remained quiet, watching the girl fade into the background. "She's just one of many who got caught in the crossfire," he said softly, his mind already drifting back to the visions that haunted him. "This isn't over yet."
The weight of the unspoken truth hung in the air, reminding them all that while they might have avoided playing the game directly, its shadow loomed ever closer.
As they continued walking through the crowded halls, Min-Ji's frustration surfaced again. "I wonder why we even come to this school," she said, shaking her head. "It's not like there's any real studying happening here."
Sang-ji chuckled dryly. "Yeah, it's more like a battleground than a place of learning. Sometimes it feels like the only thing we're getting out of this is how to navigate chaos."
Yin-Shin's expression was thoughtful, his gaze scanning the surroundings. "The school's just a front," he said quietly. "It's a place where the game of carnage plays out, where power struggles and control issues overshadow any actual education."
Min-Ji nodded, clearly frustrated. "Exactly. We're supposed to be here to learn, to prepare for the future. But instead, it feels like we're just learning how to survive."
Sang-ji glanced at Yin-Shin. "You think it's always been this way, or has something changed over time?"
Yin-Shin shook his head. "It's hard to say. But from what I've seen and heard, the school's always been a battleground of sorts. The game uses places like this to manipulate and control, disguising its true nature behind the facade of normalcy."
Min-Ji sighed, her gaze falling on the injured students around them. "It's messed up. We should be able to come to school without worrying about getting dragged into someone else's game."
Sang-ji shrugged, a mix of resignation and determination in his voice. "Maybe that's just how it is. But as long as we're here, we've got to make the best of it. Find ways to protect ourselves and others, and keep our heads above water."
Yin-Shin nodded in agreement. "We adapt. We find ways to resist the game's influence, even if it means redefining what it means to be here."
As they made their way to their classrooms, the conversation faded into a contemplative silence. The reality of their situation weighed heavily on them, but despite the chaos and the manipulation, they remained determined to make their own way in a world that seemed determined to dictate their every move.
Min-Ji's words cut through the conversation like a knife. "By the way, I heard the meeting of Carnage is going to be held again after two whole years, right here in Seoul. All the top schools from across Korea's provinces are attending."
Sang-ji's eyes widened slightly. "The meeting of Carnage? That's a big deal. It's been a while since the last one. Why's it coming back now?"
Yin-Shin's expression grew serious, the mention of the meeting clearly affecting him. "The meeting is a significant event in the game's cycle. It's where the major players come together to assert their positions, form alliances, and make moves that will shape the game for the next few years."
Min-Ji's frustration returned. "Great. Just what we need—more drama. But it's not just any meeting. It's happening right here. That means it's going to be even more intense."
Sang-ji nodded, his mind clearly working through the implications. "Yeah, and with all the top schools attending, that means a lot of powerful people and potential threats."
Yin-Shin's gaze was distant, as if contemplating the broader consequences. "The meeting will bring all the major players into one place. It's a chance for them to realign their strategies, but it's also a chance for those of us who are trying to avoid the game to stay out of the spotlight."
Min-Ji's brow furrowed. "And if we get caught up in it?"
"Then we have to be extra cautious," Yin-Shin said, his voice firm. "We need to stay informed but avoid becoming entangled in the power plays and manipulations. The meeting will be a critical point in the game's cycle, and it's crucial that we don't get dragged into its conflicts."
Sang-ji glanced around at his friends, a determined look on his face. "We'll need to keep our eyes and ears open. Be aware of what's going on, but stay out of the line of fire."
Min-Ji nodded, her expression resolute. "Alright. We'll stay on top of things and make sure we're prepared. But no matter what, we'll handle it together."
As they moved through the halls, the gravity of the upcoming meeting settled over them. It wasn't just another event—it was a potential turning point in the game of carnage, and how they navigated it could have significant repercussions for their future.
Yin-Shin's thoughts turned inward as he considered the implications of the upcoming meeting. Incheon's top school will also be attending, he mused silently. I hope they're smart enough to avoid getting involved in the game of carnage.
He knew that Incheon's top school, with its reputation and influence, would be a key player in the meeting. The thought of their involvement added another layer of complexity to the already tense situation. If they, too, got dragged into the power struggles and manipulations, it could escalate the conflict even further.
Yin-Shin hoped that the leaders and representatives from Incheon would be strategic and cautious, steering clear of the dangerous traps that the game set for those who weren't careful. The meeting was a high-stakes event, and every decision made there would ripple out, affecting not just the schools involved but potentially the broader dynamics of the game itself.
As he walked with Sang-ji and Min-Ji, the weight of his thoughts was palpable. The upcoming meeting wasn't just a distant event—it was an imminent threat that could bring about significant changes in their world. And while he was determined to stay out of the game's grasp, he couldn't shake the feeling that the upcoming gathering would test their resolve in ways they might not yet fully understand.
The crossfire begins....