Jin Park's reputation had exploded, and the ripple effects of his recent fights weren't just limited to the first-year students. In fact, the incident with Min-Jae and Seok had been so monumental that it didn't take long for it to reach the upperclassmen—juniors and seniors who had spent years building their own legacies in Yeongseong High.
For a freshman to dismantle two well-known fighters so effortlessly was unheard of. Usually, the hierarchy in schools like Yeongseong High was clear: the older students were dominant, with the juniors and seniors commanding respect and power. First-year students rarely had any weight in these dynamics. But Jin Park was changing all of that.
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Yeongseong High: The School Hierarchy
Yeongseong High was one of the strongest schools in the district, known for its fighters. Among the student body, the school was divided into clear groups:
Freshmen (1st-years): Generally considered at the bottom of the food chain. Most were still figuring out the school's dynamics and where they fit in.
Sophomores (2nd-years): These students had some experience but were still in the shadow of the upperclassmen.
Juniors (3rd-years): The junior class usually consisted of rising stars—students who had proven themselves in fights, tournaments, or by gaining influence among their peers.
Seniors (4th-years): At the very top were the seniors, the strongest and most respected fighters, who held dominance over the school.
After Jin's explosive victory against Min-Jae and Seok, both juniors had taken notice. He wasn't just a freshman anymore. The news had spread throughout the school like wildfire, and even the senior class had heard about him. It was now clear that Jin Park's strength wasn't something that could be ignored.
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Morning at Yeongseong High
As Jin entered the school that morning, the atmosphere was different. Instead of just the usual curious looks from fellow freshmen, there were older students watching him, observing his every move. He could feel the weight of their stares—some filled with intrigue, others with suspicion. The power dynamics had begun to shift.
Among them, a few juniors stood together, whispering quietly as Jin walked past. One of them, Hwang Do-Yoon, the captain of the boxing club and a rising star among the juniors, eyed Jin carefully. Do-Yoon was known for his precision and ruthless style in the ring, and he didn't like the idea of a first-year overshadowing him.
Standing beside him was Lee Sun-Ho, a second-year and one of Do-Yoon's protégés. He glanced at Jin with a smirk. "That's the kid everyone's talking about, huh? Jin Park?"
Do-Yoon nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "He's strong, no doubt. But he's still just a freshman."
Sun-Ho scoffed. "He got lucky against Min-Jae and Seok. They underestimated him. He won't get lucky against us."
But Do-Yoon didn't seem convinced. He had watched the video of Jin's fight that had circulated through the school. There was no luck in the way Jin fought. His movements were deliberate, efficient, and ruthless. Do-Yoon knew a real threat when he saw one, and Jin Park was a threat.
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Back in Class 1B, the buzz about Jin continued. His classmates couldn't stop talking about how he had taken down two of the toughest juniors with ease. Even the teachers had begun to take notice, though none of them dared to confront the growing tension among the students.
Jin, however, remained calm. He didn't care much for the attention. He was focused, his thoughts already moving toward his next challenge. He knew that the juniors and seniors wouldn't let this slide. Eventually, they would come for him, and he would be ready.
As the day progressed, Jin was approached by Kim Min-Soo, another freshman who had seen his fight. Min-Soo was known for his sharp instincts, and he had quickly latched onto Jin, hoping to stay on the good side of someone so powerful.
"Jin," Min-Soo began cautiously, "I heard some of the juniors are already talking about you. They're not happy about what happened last week."
Jin nodded, not surprised. "It was only a matter of time."
"Do you think they'll challenge you?"
"They will," Jin replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "And when they do, I'll deal with them."
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Meanwhile, in the upperclassmen's lounge, the juniors had gathered to discuss the situation. It was rare for them to be so focused on a freshman, but Jin Park was no ordinary freshman. The junior class leader, Oh Tae-Jin, was a martial arts expert with years of training in Taekwondo and Muay Thai. He had a strong reputation not just within the school but across the district, and he didn't like the idea of someone challenging his authority—especially a first-year student.
"We can't let this freshman get out of hand," Tae-Jin said, his voice cold. "If we don't stop him now, he'll think he can walk over us."
Do-Yoon, the boxing club captain, leaned back in his chair. "He's strong. You've all seen the footage. He's not like the other freshmen."
Tae-Jin's eyes narrowed. "I don't care how strong he is. We're the juniors. We've earned our place at the top, and no freshman is going to change that."
The rest of the juniors murmured in agreement. Tae-Jin was right—they couldn't let a freshman disrupt the balance of power in the school. But none of them could shake the feeling that Jin Park was no ordinary freshman. He had already proven himself, and everyone knew that his fight with Min-Jae and Seok was just the beginning.
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While the juniors were planning their next move, the senior class had also started paying attention. Unlike the juniors, however, the seniors had a more strategic approach. They weren't interested in petty fights or proving their strength—they were interested in maintaining control.
The senior class president, Jang Woo-Sik, was a quiet but formidable figure. He had been watching Jin's rise with interest, and while he had no intention of challenging the freshman himself, he knew that Jin's presence was causing ripples that could affect the entire school's dynamic.
"We'll let the juniors deal with him for now," Woo-Sik said to his close circle of seniors. "But if Jin Park continues to rise, we may have to intervene."
The seniors, unlike the juniors, weren't threatened by Jin's strength. They had seen many strong students come and go over the years. But there was something different about Jin—a quiet, unshakable confidence that made even the most seasoned fighters take notice.
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As the days went by, the tension continued to build. Jin could feel the eyes of the upperclassmen on him wherever he went, but he didn't let it bother him. He knew that a confrontation was inevitable, but he wasn't worried. In fact, he welcomed it. He had come to Yeongseong High for one reason—to test his strength and prove himself as the strongest.
And soon, that opportunity would come.
The juniors were planning their move, and it wouldn't be long before they challenged him directly. But Jin wasn't going to wait around. If they wanted to fight, he would face them head-on.
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