"Marty you will only injure Kangha tomorrow, not kill him. I have to get him back some of my things right now. When I get those things, I'll kill him. You just break some of his bones tomorrow".
"Marty nods, silently reassuring the headmaster that he will carry out the orders exactly as told".
The headmaster then picks up another item—a pair of lenses—and looks at Marty. "These are lenses," he explains. "You will wear them on your eyes. They're transparent, so no one will notice. You'll use them for the next competition. The event involves gun shooting, and these lenses will let you see distant targets easily, even small ones, up to 30 meters away."
The headmaster places the lenses aside and picks up a gun. "This is an auto-set gun. No matter where you shoot, the bullet will hit the target."
Marty asks, "But how does the gun aim?"
The headmaster looks at him and smiles slightly. "Good question," he replies. "This gun uses a laser system. You just need to set your aim. Then, wherever the laser points, that's where the bullet will go. The laser looks like a bullet itself, so it's undetectable."
The headmaster pauses and adds, "I'll give you more equipment later. For now, focus on using these correctly."
Marty hides the equipment in his clothes, preparing to leave, but then hears the headmaster's voice from behind.
"Marty," the headmaster warns, "Don't even think about trying any tricks with me. If you do, you'll be dead the moment you try."
Marty nods in acknowledgment and walks away.
As he makes his way down the corridor toward his room, there is no sign of worry or surprise on his face. He smiles to himself, lost in thought. He has become numb, driven by greed, and completely detached from any emotion.
—-----------------
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Kangha leans against the side of his bed, sitting in silence. Ji-yeon remains in her spot, her gaze thoughtful, while Miss Choi has already left the room. The night has fallen, blanketing the world outside in darkness. Ji-yeon takes a deep breath, her determination clear as she stands and walks over to Kangha. Tonight is her only chance to tend to his injured shoulder.
Kangha watches her approach, his expression unreadable, a storm of emotions hidden behind his calm demeanor. When Ji-yeon finally sits beside him, he breaks the silence, his voice low and apologetic.
"Forgive me," he says softly, his gaze dropping. "Because of me, tears filled your eyes."
Ji-yeon glances at him briefly, her lips pressing into a thin line. She doesn't respond with words. Instead, his hand gently brushes against her face, lingering near her eyes as if to wipe away invisible traces of emotion. Then, without hesitation, she places her hands on his shoulder, her fingers tender yet firm as she begins to massage the tension away.
The warmth from her touch spreads through Kangha like a fire igniting within him, a heat so intense it feels as though it's seeping into his very soul. For a moment, neither of them speaks, the silence charged with an unspoken connection. Kangha's breathing deepens as he closes his eyes, surrendering to the soothing rhythm of her hands, the closeness between them growing with every passing second.
"Ji-yeon," he whispers, his voice barely audible, yet carrying the weight of his emotions. But she doesn't stop, her focus entirely on him, her touch conveying what her words cannot.
"Ji-yeon," he murmurs, his voice strained. "What….. It's too—- Too much."
"Trust me," she whispers without looking up, her concentration unwavering. "Just a little more
Ji-yeon closes her eyes, taking a steady breath. As she places her palms over his injured shoulder, a surge of warmth begins to flow from her hands into his skin. At first, it's a soothing heat, spreading gently through his muscles. But as the intensity builds, Kangha shifts uncomfortably, his breath hitching.
The warmth transforms into something hotter, sharper. Kangha feels the heat burrowing deeper, as though it's igniting his very veins. His breathing grows rapid, his chest rising and falling in uneven intervals. A bead of sweat trickles down his temple, and his fingers clench the sheets beneath him.
"Aaaaaa! "It's burning,"
he gasps, his voice laced with tension. "Ji-yeon, it feels like fire."
Ji-yeon opens her eyes, her gaze locking onto his. "I know," she says softly, her voice steady despite the intensity of the moment. "Your body needs this to heal. Just hold on a little longer."
The flames within him reach their peak, a fiery storm that seems unbearable. Kangha's head tilts back, his teeth clenched as he fights against the sensation. Yet, beneath the scorching heat, he feels something shifting—his shoulder easing, the sharp pain dissolving into warmth.
Ji-yeon doesn't stop. She leans closer, her hands steady as she channels every ounce of her energy into him. The heat begins to subside, leaving a strange calm in its wake. Kangha's breathing slows, his chest rising and falling more steadily now.
"Ji-yeon," he murmurs again, this time softer, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and exhaustion.
"It's done," she whispers, pulling her hands away. She places them gently over his chest, her touch now cool and soothing. The contrast makes him exhale deeply, a wave of relief washing over him.
Kangha's breaths remain heavy, but he lies down on the bed to ease his discomfort. Ji-yeon stands silently, choosing not to say anything, perhaps unwilling to start a conversation. She turns to leave, stepping away from the bed.
Just as she moves, she feels her hand caught in a firm grip. Kangha's eyes are shut, his focus on steadying his breathing. His right hand clutches Ji-yeon's left hand softly.
"Stay with me a little longer, please," he murmurs.
Ji-yeon freezes, standing motionless. Her voice is calm, but her words are firm. "You're better now. You don't need me here anymore."
"I need you," Kangha replies quietly.
After a moment, Ji-yeon returns to her seat beside him, settling back in place without a word.
After a moment of silence and deep breaths, Kangha speaks,
"Who is my mother? And how do you know her?"
Kangha's breathing has steadied, and he sits up, looking directly at Ji-Yeon, as if waiting for an answer.
"I will take you to meet her after the competition. Once you become the Headmaster, you can share this happiness with her yourself. She will like that," Ji-Yeon replies.
"That doesn't answer my question. If you know something, I want to hear it. Please, tell me."
Ji-Yeon takes a deep breath before speaking.
"Kangha, all I know is that you were just two years old when your grandfather brought you here to keep you safe after your father passed away. My mother and your mother were friends, which is why Miss Choi came here to take care of you. My mother entrusted me to your mother, and I lived with her for ten years. My mother felt reassured knowing I was safe.
Your grandfather had already separated your mother from everything to protect her from any harm. Alexa, through Miss Choi, would always ask about your well-being. Your mother thought of you constantly, sometimes in solitude and other times while talking to me. That's why I know you so well—because Miss Choi always kept your mother informed about you, and she would often read your letters out loud to me. In the past ten years, I don't remember a single day when I didn't hear her talk about you. She misses you dearly."
Kangha listens intently, his gaze fixed on Ji-Yeon, as if feeling a profound connection to her words.
"Then why did she never try to meet me?" he asks, his voice heavy with emotion.
"Because of your grandfather," Ji-Yeon answers softly. "She said he told her that the place where you were staying is very safe. But if she ever tried to leave where she was, it would put you in danger."
"And where is this place?"
"It's a city," Ji-Yeon explains. "I grew up and studied there. The name of the city is Igtanus. It has everything—just like our world but isolated from the rest."
"I will go meet her," Kangha declares firmly.
"You should," Ji-Yeon encourages.
After a pause, Ji-Yeon looks at Kangha with concern.
"You'll win the competition, right? I mean… Felix has bad intentions."
Kangha nods, his expression determined. "I'll do my best. Just stay by my side."
He reaches out and takes Ji-Yeon's hand in his.
"I really need you now. You were right—I can't do this alone."