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Ryuujin's Apartment - Evening
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Ryuujin sat hunched over a stack of books, the dim light of a flickering bulb barely illuminating his tiny, cluttered apartment. The walls, stained with years of neglect, were a reflection of his existence—worn and forgotten. His pen moved furiously across the page, solving equations that would baffle even the brightest minds. But brilliance meant nothing in his cruel reality.
Ryuujin(muttering to himself) : "If only intelligence could stop fists..."
His voice was filled with bitterness as he rubbed his bruised cheek. The latest "lesson" from his bullies still burned—a cruel reminder that no amount of knowledge could shield him from their fists.
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The Classroom - Flashback
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A week earlier, Ryuujin had been summoned by the school principal. Standing before him was Daiki, the school's star athlete and the senior everyone feared.
Daiki :"You'll take my entrance exams, nerd. Make sure I pass, or your life gets worse."
Ryuujin(clenching his fists) : "No. I'm done being your scapegoat."
The room fell silent, and for a fleeting moment, Ryuujin felt a spark of defiance. But Daiki's grin twisted into a snarl.
Daiki : "You'll regret that."
The principal, bribed and complicit, smirked as he scribbled on a paper.
Principal :"Ryuujin Kurogami, you're expelled. Pack your things."
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Ryuujin's Apartment - Present Day
The sound of heavy footsteps snapped Ryuujin out of his thoughts. A cold chill ran down his spine as he heard familiar voices from outside.
Voice 1 : "This is the place. Let's teach him a lesson he won't forget."
His hands trembled as he reached for his phone, but the battery was dead. Panic set in, and he backed away from the door.
The wooden barrier burst open, revealing Daiki and his gang.
Daiki : "You think you can humiliate me? You think you can just walk away?"
Ryuujin : "Get out! You have no right to be here!"
Daiki's laughter echoed through the small apartment.
Daiki : "Rights? You lost those the moment you crossed me."
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The Construction Site - Midnight
They dragged Ryuujin to an abandoned building on the outskirts of town. The cold wind bit into his skin as they threw him to the ground. His glasses shattered upon impact, leaving the world a blur.
Gang Member 1 : "How does it feel to be powerless, genius?"
Ryuujin (gritting his teeth) : "I'd rather be powerless than pathetic like you."
Daiki's boot connected with his ribs, driving the air from his lungs.
Daiki : "Still got that mouth on you, huh?"
Ryuujin struggled to his feet, his body trembling but his resolve unbroken.
Ryuujin : "You think you're strong because you have numbers? Pathetic. You're just scared to face life on your own."
For the first time, the gang hesitated. But Daiki's fury knew no bounds.
Daiki : "Hold him down."
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The Final Moments
They beat him relentlessly, each blow a reminder of his helplessness. Blood dripped from his mouth, and his vision dimmed, but Ryuujin refused to scream.
Ryuujin (muttering) : "You... you won't break me."
Daiki picked up a steel pipe, his grin twisted with malice.
Daiki : "No, but I'll make sure you remember this in your next life after all power is everything ryu ".
The pipe swung down, and pain erupted in Ryuujin's skull.
As the world faded, Ryuujin's mind drifted to the life he had wasted—brilliance unrecognized, strength untapped.
Ryuujin (thinking) :"If only... I had another chance."
His body went limp, his final breath escaping into the cold night air.
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**Darkness**
In the endless void, a faint light appeared, pulling him toward it. Ryuujin's consciousness flickered, his final thought echoing in the abyss:
Ryuujin (thinking) : "Never again... will I let myself be powerless."
The light consumed him, and with it came a new beginning.
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End of Chapter 1