The scene shifted to a quiet neighborhood, where Dowan walked up the path to Siyeon's house. She was waiting for him on the porch, arms crossed, her expression serious.
Once inside, Siyeon led him to the living room and gestured for him to sit. She sat opposite him, her hands clasped together. A long pause hung in the air before she finally spoke.
"Things are going to get messy from now on, Dowan. What do you intend to do?"
Dowan sighed and leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "I'm going to train to become stronger. And I need to prepare for the second year of school. Things won't get easier."
Siyeon nodded, her eyes scanning him for any hesitation. Finding none, she continued. "Where is Jin? I thought he'd be here too."
Dowan shook his head. "He called the group this morning. Told us he's heading somewhere to train. Didn't say where."
Siyeon exhaled deeply, tapping her fingers on the armrest. "Well, it makes sense." She leaned forward slightly. "Dowan, there's something you need to know."
Dowan raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
"Last night, Kang In Kang and his men were found at their base," Siyeon said, her tone low. "Gravely injured. None of Seowon-dong can fight anymore, for a long time."
Dowan's eyes widened as the realization hit him. "Jin... has already attacked…" he murmured.
Siyeon nodded grimly. "It's obvious. And it's only going to draw more attention."
"What has the headquarters said about it?" Dowan asked urgently.
"Nothing." Siyeon replied, her tone edged with frustration. "They're staying quiet for now. Everything will be decided in the bully council meeting in four days."
Dowan frowned, the weight of the situation settling on his shoulders.
....
Elsewhere, Yu was alone in his small, modest apartment. The faint sound of his cat purring filled the silence as it lay curled up on the couch beside him. Yu sipped from a juice box, his expression blank, as usual.
The vibration of his phone interrupted the quiet. He glanced at the screen, Jihan.
After a brief hesitation, he answered.
"Yu." Jihan's calm voice came through. "Jin has asked me to train you. He trusts me to teach you everything you'll need."
Yu remained silent for a moment, his fingers tapping against the table. Without a word, he ended the call, stood, and grabbed his jacket.
He turned to his cat, giving it a gentle pat before heading out. The journey to Jihan's house would be short, but Yu didn't rush. His steps were as unhurried as ever, his expression as unreadable as the storm brewing around them all.
....
Some hours ago.
The sun had just begun its ascent, casting a soft golden glow over Central Park. Jin stood in an isolated corner, stretching his arms and legs with deliberate movements. The air was crisp, and the park was quiet, save for the occasional jogger passing by. Jin exhaled deeply, pulling out his phone and opening the group call with Jihan, Dowan, Se-hoon, and Yu.
The call connected, and one by one, their voices chimed in.
"What's up, Jin?" Dowan asked, his voice slightly groggy, likely just waking up.
Jin began to speak, his tone calm and steady. "I'm calling to let you all know I'll be gone for some time. I'm heading out to train, and I don't want any of you searching for me."
A brief silence followed his words before Yu broke it. "Where."
Jin glanced at the horizon. "I won't say. It's better this way."
He shifted his tone slightly, addressing Jihan. "Jihan, I'm trusting you to tell my parents. Keep them safe while I'm gone."
"Of course." Jihan replied without hesitation.
Jin then turned his attention to Dowan. "Dowan, make sure you train diligently. If I come back and you've been slacking off, I'll personally beat you down."
Dowan chuckled nervously. "Yeah, yeah, I got it."
Se-hoon remained silent, but Jin could sense his acknowledgment.
Without waiting for further questions, Jin ended the call, pocketing his phone. He stood still for a moment with a distant gaze, before opening the Lookism Panel in his system.
---
[Lookism Panel]
Available Options:
Low-Level Episode: 50 Credits
Basic-Level Episode: 100 Credits
Normal-Level Episode: 500 Credits
Medium-Level Episode: 1000 Credits
---
Jin's eyes scanned the options. Unlike the first time he had used the system, the Normal-Level Episode was now highlighted in yellow, accompanied by a warning:
[Warning: The Host's strength is a bit lacking for this episode. Attempting it may result in death if not careful.]
His gaze shifted to the Medium-Level Episode, glowing red with a harsher message:
[Warning: Host is too weak for this episode. Attempting it may result in death.]
The Low-Level and Basic-Level Episodes remained white, devoid of warnings or challenges.
Jin didn't hesitate. He knew what he wanted. His focus moved to the Normal-Level Episode and he selected it.
[Normal-Level Episode selected.]
....
During Jin's absence, Siyeon attended a tense and heavily populated bully council meeting. Representatives from nearly every dong were present, their expressions grim and focused. At the podium stood the calm yet calculating Glasses Guy, who recounted Jin's actions in detail.
He described Jin's systematic dismantling of the Bongcheon-dong forces, the crippling of Kang In Kang and Seowon-dong, and his unexplained disappearance shortly after. The man emphasized how Jin had not only attacked but humiliated multiple members of the council. His whereabouts and those of his family were unknown, adding to the uncertainty surrounding him.
After the meeting, Siyeon relayed this information to Dowan, Yu, and Se-hoon. The group listened with mixed reactions, each processing it differently.
Over the next several days, Dowan found himself under constant attack from lower representatives and their subordinates, who saw him as a traitor and an easy target. While he sustained injuries, he managed to claim numerous victories.
These fights shaped him into a more hardened and resilient fighter, sharpening his instincts and reinforcing his resolve to train even harder. Dowan's growth was both physical and mental, as he began to look and carry himself like a man in his own right.
Yu, on the other hand, carved out an entirely different reputation. Anyone who dared attack him returned traumatized, refusing to speak of what transpired. Rumors began to spread throughout the bully council about a figure called "The Devil." a silent enigma whose overwhelming presence struck fear into his opponents. Yu's most notable feat came when he defeated Steven Jegal and dismantled Nakseongdae-dong within a single hour, leaving it in ruins.
Despite his exploits, Yu remained mostly unchanged in personality. Under Jihan's mentorship, he learned some basics of morality and discipline, but his quiet, detached nature persisted. His interactions were as minimal as ever.
....
The group reunited on the first day of the new school year. Dowan, Jihan, and Yu all attended the same high school, now second-year students. Dowan and Jihan were placed in the same class, while Yu, as always, ended up alone in another one.
They met near the school entrance. Dowan arrived first, his figure visibly transformed. His frame had grown more muscular and defined, his posture exuding confidence. His once-boyish features had matured into a sharper, more handsome visage. Jihan, noticing the change immediately, clapped a hand on Dowan's shoulder.
"You've changed, Dowan. You look stronger, more like a man." Jihan remarked with a smile.
Yu arrived shortly after, sipping on a juice box as usual. He glanced at Dowan with no care, before saying, "Still ugly."
The comment made Jihan burst into laughter, and even Dowan cracked a grin. Yu, ignoring the moment entirely, turned his attention elsewhere.
After the lighthearted exchange, Jihan looked around and asked, "What about Jin? Any word from him?"
Dowan's smile faded slightly, and he hesitated before answering. "I don't know. I haven't heard anything."
The group stood in silence for a moment, the absence of their leader palpable. With no further answers, they headed inside, each wondering where Jin might be and what he was doing.
----
1332 words.
End of the second arc, i really enjoyed writing this one ngl.
Se you soon after i rested well enough.