Jin Park had become a name that echoed through the halls of Yeongseong High. He hadn't just proven his strength to his classmates and the juniors—his victory had sent ripples across the entire school. Yet, despite his overwhelming power and the ease with which he dispatched his opponents, something felt incomplete to him. Every fight, every victory, seemed almost... too easy.
The buzz surrounding Jin's abilities had even caught the attention of the seniors, and rumors spread that it wouldn't be long before they made their move.
Jin walked through the school grounds, his eyes scanning the faces of students who hurriedly moved out of his way. His classmates still couldn't believe what they'd witnessed during his fight with the juniors. The image of Oh Tae-Jin and Hwang Do-Yoon lying defeated in the courtyard was fresh in their minds.
Kim Min-Soo jogged to catch up with him.
"Jin, everyone's talking about how you're the strongest freshman in school," Min-Soo said, still slightly awed by his friend's abilities.
Jin didn't respond right away, his gaze focused straight ahead. The attention from everyone, especially the seniors, was starting to wear on him. He had no desire for fame or admiration—his focus remained on something greater.
"I don't care about being the strongest freshman," Jin finally said, his voice quiet but firm. "Strength is only a part of what I need."
Min-Soo frowned, confused. "What do you mean? You've already shown that no one can match you in a fight."
Jin stopped and turned to face Min-Soo. "There's more to it than just strength. I need to understand… everything. I don't want to just win fights. I want to make sure no one can even challenge me."
Before Min-Soo could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Park! You've made quite a name for yourself, haven't you?"
Jin and Min-Soo turned to see a group of seniors approaching. At the head of the group was Lee Jae-Hoon, one of the most well-known fighters among the seniors. Jae-Hoon's presence immediately caused a hush to fall over the courtyard. Everyone knew him—he wasn't just a strong fighter, he was smart, calculated, and deadly in the ring.
"Lee Jae-Hoon," Min-Soo muttered under his breath. "He's one of the top seniors… what does he want with you?"
Jin remained calm, his eyes studying Jae-Hoon. He could sense that this was different from the juniors he had fought before. Jae-Hoon carried himself with a level of control and precision that suggested he was more than just brawn. This was someone who had experience and knowledge, someone who thought ahead in a fight.
"I've been hearing a lot about you, Jin Park," Jae-Hoon said as he stopped a few feet away from Jin. His tone was light, but his eyes were sharp. "Taking down Tae-Jin and Do-Yoon like that—impressive. But you've made a mistake."
Jin raised an eyebrow. "A mistake?"
Jae-Hoon smirked. "You've drawn attention to yourself. Attention that you might not be ready to handle."
"I can handle whatever comes my way," Jin replied, his voice steady.
The senior's smirk grew wider. "We'll see. The juniors were just a test. A warm-up, if you will. The real challenge is yet to come."
Jin remained unfazed, but internally, he knew what Jae-Hoon was implying. The seniors had taken notice, and soon, they would come for him.
---
Later that day, Jang Woo-Sik, the senior class president, sat in the school's martial arts room with a few of the top seniors. They had gathered to discuss Jin Park. Woo-Sik had seen firsthand what Jin was capable of during the fight with the juniors, but there was more to this freshman than just raw power.
Lee Jae-Hoon leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "He's strong. But that's it. He fights like a beast—no strategy, no finesse. If we fight smart, we can take him down."
Woo-Sik didn't respond right away, his fingers lightly tapping the table as he thought. "You're right. He lacks refinement. But there's something about him... an intensity. He's not like the others we've faced before."
"So what's the plan?" Jae-Hoon asked. "We can't just let him walk around like he owns the place."
Woo-Sik's eyes narrowed. "We'll test him. Push him to his limits. If he's only relying on strength, he'll fall."
---
The next day, Jin was in the gym, practicing alone. Even though he didn't need to work on his physical strength, his mind was always focused on combat. He wasn't interested in getting stronger physically—he wanted to understand how to fight smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
As he shadowboxed, his movements fluid and precise, the gym door swung open. In walked Lee Jae-Hoon and three other seniors. They looked at Jin with a mix of curiosity and challenge in their eyes.
"We heard you've been causing quite a stir, freshman," Jae-Hoon said, stepping forward.
Jin paused, lowering his fists as he looked at the seniors.
"We want to see what all the hype is about," Jae-Hoon continued. "You think you can take us down like you did with the juniors?"
Jin's gaze hardened. He had expected this.
"Let's see if you're as tough as they say," one of the other seniors, a tall wrestler named Kang Ji-Hun, said with a smirk.
The challenge was clear, but Jin wasn't one to back down.
Without another word, the seniors lunged at him, and the gym erupted in chaos.
Kang Ji-Hun was the first to attack, his massive frame charging at Jin with the force of a freight train. But Jin's instincts were razor-sharp. He sidestepped the tackle with ease and delivered a punishing elbow to Ji-Hun's back, sending him crashing into the gym mats.
Next came another senior, a boxer, who unleashed a barrage of punches aimed at Jin's head. But Jin, with his enhanced reflexes and awareness, dodged each one like a blur. He could see every punch coming before it even left the boxer's fist. With a quick counter, he struck the boxer's ribs, knocking the wind out of him and sending him reeling.
Lee Jae-Hoon watched from a distance, his eyes analyzing every move. He hadn't expected Jin to be this fast, this precise.
"Impressive," Jae-Hoon muttered under his breath.
Finally, it was Jae-Hoon's turn. He stepped forward, cracking his neck as he prepared to face Jin.
"You're better than I thought," Jae-Hoon said, his voice filled with grudging respect. "But let's see how you handle me."
The two stood face to face, the air between them crackling with tension. Jae-Hoon's stance was calm and controlled, while Jin's was loose, almost casual. But both fighters knew that this would be no ordinary sparring match.
Jae-Hoon made the first move, a swift, low kick aimed at Jin's legs. But Jin blocked it effortlessly, his reflexes too quick for Jae-Hoon's attack to land. The two exchanged blows, each one faster and more powerful than the last. But as the fight went on, it became clear that Jin's strength was overwhelming. Every punch, every kick, carried a force that Jae-Hoon struggled to keep up with.
With a final, devastating blow, Jin sent Jae-Hoon crashing to the floor.
The gym fell silent.
---
As Jae-Hoon lay on the ground, gasping for breath, he looked up at Jin, his expression a mix of disbelief and admiration.
"You… you're a monster," Jae-Hoon panted.
Jin said nothing, his face expressionless as he looked down at the fallen senior. He hadn't even broken a sweat.
"You've proven your point," Jae-Hoon muttered, struggling to sit up. "But don't think this is over. Woo-Sik… he's not going to let this slide."
Jin's eyes flickered at the mention of Woo-Sik. He knew that the real challenge was still ahead.
As the seniors limped out of the gym, Jin stood alone, his mind focused. His journey wasn't about just winning fights anymore—it was about something more. Something deeper.
The school was watching, and the real test was yet to come.
---