The next day, Seung Min woke up later than usual. He glanced at himself in the mirror for a moment, then quickly ran a comb through his hair, leaving it a bit messy—something he rarely did. Without much care, he left a button on his shirt undone and let his tie hang loosely. He chewed on a rubber band absentmindedly as he walked to school, as if nothing around him truly mattered.
As he entered the school gates, a few students nearby began whispering among themselves. They looked at Seung Min, exchanged glances full of curiosity, and began discussing the Death Card Game that had been circulating among the school gangs for the past few days.
"Hey, Seung Min might end up as the King Card, right?" one of them whispered with a tone of intrigue.
"Wait, if he becomes the Ace, things could get dangerous. Remember Jae Hoon's Joker card," another added.
But Seung Min only scoffed softly, as if he couldn't care less about their gossip. "This is nonsense," he muttered under his breath, cursing inwardly. He knew the game was just a distraction, a way to shift people's focus from bigger problems.
Despite the indifference he showed on the outside, something deep down stirred in him. The gangs involved in the game were serious, but to Seung Min, it was just a game. A game he intended to destroy from the inside.
With a confident stride, he continued toward his classroom, as though nothing could shake him. But behind his nonchalant expression, his mind was already at work, planning his next move.
Seung Min opened the classroom door with a calm step, though a sense of unease lingered inside him. As the door swung open, his gaze immediately landed on a young man with a buzz cut, someone who often slept in class. The man looked disheveled, as if he had just been severely beaten. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly, as if a wave of noise had suddenly erupted from all directions.
The entire class began cheering, but their voices quickly faltered when Seung Min took another step into the room. His sharp gaze scanned the room, locking onto every student one by one.
"Hey, stand up!" he shouted, his voice commanding, causing the room to fall silent.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on him, but no one moved. Seung Min advanced closer and, with a raised voice full of authority, demanded, "Who did this?"
The room became tense. The students exchanged looks, their faces filled with anger and surprise, but no one spoke.
A moment later, the door to the classroom opened, and a student stepped out. He looked at Seung Min, his voice trembling. "Hey, they're here," he said, his words stuttered.
The class went dead silent, the air in the room thick with tension. Seung Min moved toward the window and saw a few figures passing outside. The student who had spoken before looked shaken, and Seung Min squinted, trying to make sense of what was happening.
The injured young man slowly stood up, glancing at Seung Min one last time. Without uttering a word, he turned and left the class with unsteady steps, leaving behind the heavy silence that had settled in the room.
Seung Min watched him go, but in his mind, he knew that something far bigger was unfolding. Something much more complicated than the death card game or gang rivalries. And he wouldn't allow anyone, not even himself, to be trapped in that game.
Jin Ho stood at the door of the classroom, his eyes fixed on the group of young men who had just passed by outside the window. His face was pale, and his body was slightly trembling. It seemed like he recognized them.
Seung Min, who had just entered the class, shot a sharp look at Jin Ho. "Why do you look so scared? They're just students, right?" Seung Min asked, his tone a bit sarcastic, trying not to show much concern.
Jin Ho let out a heavy sigh and then responded in a shaky voice, "They... they're not just any students, Seung Min. This isn't just about a normal gang. Those guys... they... they've been involved in much darker stuff. They have power beyond what we know."
Seung Min leaned back against the wall, thinking for a moment. "You mean they're more than just regular gang members? They're involved in illegal stuff, maybe?" Seung Min asked, his tone now more serious, showing curiosity.
Jin Ho nodded slowly and lowered his head. "Yeah, that's right. Some of them are well-known around the school. They're the ones who control almost everything here. It's not just with the gangs; they have influence outside of school too. Everything they do has a much bigger impact. They have networks... far more than we can imagine."
Seung Min felt the tension in the air growing. His eyes narrowed as he looked out the classroom window, trying to get a better look at who had just walked by. Outside, a group of young men walked with confident steps, wearing black jackets with a familiar logo on their backs.
"They're here with a purpose," Seung Min muttered to himself before turning to Jin Ho seriously. "If they're that powerful, we need to be ready. No matter what they want, we have to think about how we can survive or maybe... challenge them."
Jin Ho only nodded quietly, still looking uncertain. The previously lively classroom suddenly fell silent. Everyone seemed to be wary of the arrival of those young men. Seung Min knew that this situation was more than just a gang issue. It was about a much larger power, and this time, he couldn't sit back and do nothing.
"Who here is brave enough to challenge them?" Seung Min asked, his voice filled with challenge, looking around at his classmates, who were now whispering and avoiding his gaze.
Suddenly, the classroom door swung open with a loud bang. Everyone instantly fell silent, and the atmosphere became tense. Do Jin Tae Hwan and Ki Seok walked into the classroom with confident strides, their eyes sharp and intimidating. They were the infamous bullies in the school, feared even by the senior students. As they entered, the entire class grew still and intimidated, no one daring to speak.
Seung Min only observed them with a blank expression. While their presence impressed many, Seung Min wasn't fazed. Jin Ho, standing beside him, looked anxious and kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with the two. Jin Tae Hwan and Ki Seok's gang were well-known for their ruthless behavior, often acting without regard for others. But Seung Min couldn't help but feel there was something more interesting to uncover.
When the bell rang for break, Seung Min decided not to go to the cafeteria. Instead, he started wandering around the school building, followed by Jin Ho, who was still visibly nervous. The halls were quiet, with only a few students passing by them.
Jin Ho, trying to break the awkward silence, pulled out his phone and showed Seung Min a game on the screen. "By the way, I found something interesting," he said, holding the phone up for Seung Min to see. "This game has a Joker. The person who can flip the situation. His name is Jae Hoon. He's... well, he's known as a 'wild card' among the school gangs."
Seung Min stopped walking for a moment and glanced at the phone with curiosity. "A Joker? So, he has the power to change the rules of the game?" Seung Min asked, his tone becoming more serious.
Jin Ho nodded slowly. "Exactly. Even though he's not the leader of a gang or the most obvious powerhouse, he has the ability to influence what happens around these big gangs. A lot of people avoid dealing with him because he can shift his allegiances quickly, depending on the situation. He could side with us or turn into an enemy, who knows."
Seung Min began walking again, his gaze determined. "Jae Hoon, huh? If he really can change the rules, then he might be the key to this game. We need to find a way to get close to him," Seung Min said, looking at Jin Ho, who seemed a little hesitant but agreed with the idea.
Outside, the sky was clear, but the tension in the school was palpable. The battle for power between the gangs was getting closer, and Seung Min knew that to dominate this game, he needed more than just physical strength—he needed strategy, alliances, and maybe even a bit of luck.
In the principal's office, Lee Joo Hyun, a man in a black suit and the owner of the institution, was having a conversation with the principal. He was known as a cunning and ambitious figure who wouldn't hesitate to use any means necessary to maintain his power.
"Make sure everything goes according to plan," Lee Joo Hyun said in a calm yet commanding tone. "I don't want any disruptions, especially from those who think they can defy the system I've built."
The principal nodded, looking tense. "But… isn't this too risky? If someone digs too deep, we could be in trouble."
Lee Joo Hyun smirked, his gaze sharp like a predator's. "No one will dig into anything if they're too scared. Keep them in line."
Meanwhile, Nina Park, the homeroom teacher known for her strict yet caring nature, happened to overhear their conversation as she walked past the hallway. She stopped, trying to listen more carefully.
"And what about your son?" the principal asked hesitantly.
Lee Joo Hyun leaned back in his chair, his expression shifting to a more relaxed one. "Jin Seok will soon take on his role. He needs to understand that this isn't just a simple game. He will learn how to control them, and if necessary, eliminate those who stand in his way."
Nina's eyes widened slightly. Jin Seok, Lee Joo Hyun's son, was also a student at this school. If he truly started to move, his father's dominance over the school would become even more unshakable.
She clenched her fists, realizing that something far more dangerous was unfolding. If this continued, the school would no longer be a place of learning but an arena for power struggles.
Inside the office, Lee Joo Hyun smiled in satisfaction, as if everything was going exactly as planned. "Just wait. Soon, everything will be completely under my control."
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Seung Min quickly made his way out of the building. He didn't want his family's driver to spot him, so he chose a detour, blending into the crowd of students leaving.
Carefully, he navigated through a narrow alley before heading toward a nearby university. He wasn't sure why his feet led him there, but something about the place felt strangely familiar.
As he reached the campus grounds, his eyes suddenly locked onto a familiar figure. A young man stood among a group of friends, dressed in a black jacket with the same style he remembered from his past life.
Seung Min froze. It was him. The friend of Jung Hae Jin—the body he had before transmigrating.
His name was Kang Hyun Woo, Jung Hae Jin's best friend before everything changed.
Without thinking, Seung Min took a step forward, his chest tightening. "Hyun Woo…" he muttered, almost in disbelief.
Kang Hyun Woo turned to face him, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Who are you?" he asked, his expression unreadable.
Seung Min stared at him intently before finally speaking in a firm voice, "I… I am Jung Hae Jin."
Hyun Woo's eyes widened, his body stiffening. "What did you just say?"
"It's me… Hae Jin. I don't know how it happened, but I ended up in someone else's body."
Hyun Woo remained silent, processing Seung Min's words. After a brief pause, he finally said in a low voice, "If you're really Hae Jin… prove it."
Seung Min clenched his fists. He knew Hyun Woo wouldn't believe him easily. But there was one thing only the two of them knew—a secret no one else could have guessed.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke, "That day… under the Han River Bridge, you promised to wait for me. But I never showed up."
Hyun Woo's eyes widened in shock, his face transforming from doubt to sheer disbelief. "That's impossible… No one knows about that except me and Hae Jin…"
Seung Min's heart pounded. This was just the beginning of something far bigger.
That night, Seung Min and Kang Hyun Woo sat in a small tteokbokki stall by the roadside. Steam rose from their plates, warming the cold night air. Seung Min picked up his chopsticks and started eating, while Hyun Woo stared at him with a serious expression.
"So… you're attending Cheongdam Vocational High School now?" Hyun Woo asked, his voice filled with surprise.
Seung Min nodded as he chewed, then took a sip of his drink. "Yeah, and to be honest, that school feels strange. There's this card game system that determines a student's status in school," he said casually.
Hyun Woo's eyes widened immediately. He set down his chopsticks and leaned forward, staring at Seung Min intently. "Wait… did you say a card game?"
Seung Min nodded again. "Yeah. Everyone has a card with a specific role—Ace, Joker, Knight, Queen, and Pawn. They battle one-on-one, betting their cards. If they lose, they drop in rank or even get kicked out of their gang."
Hyun Woo suddenly fell silent. His hands clenched into fists on the table, his gaze clouded with old memories resurfacing.
"Damn…" he muttered under his breath.
Seung Min raised an eyebrow. "You know about this system?"
Hyun Woo took a deep breath before locking eyes with Seung Min. "Of course, I do. I'm a graduate of Cheongdam High. And that game… it was first created when I was in my second year."
Seung Min was stunned. "What?"
Hyun Woo nodded, his expression darkening. "At first, it was just a way to determine the hierarchy between gangs. But… over time, the rules started changing, and the violence escalated. By the time I graduated, the game had become much more brutal than when it first started."
Seung Min stared at Hyun Woo seriously. "Who created this game?"
Hyun Woo exhaled heavily, his eyes staring blankly at the street. "There's someone behind all of this. Someone who wants that school to be a place where power is everything."
Seung Min gripped his chopsticks tighter. He had just stepped into a world deeper than he had expected. And now, he knew that in order to survive… he had to master this game.
Kang Hyun Woo stared at Seung Min with a serious look, but there was a slight smile on his face. "Your sister, Nina Park, is a teacher at Cheongdam Vocational High School. She teaches in the class you're in now, right? I know because I often saw her there when I was still in school."
Seung Min was silent for a moment, processing what he had just heard. It turned out the woman he had thought was merely similar to his sister was actually his sister. He felt surprised and confused at the same time.
"Why didn't I know about this?" Seung Min asked, his voice slightly nervous. "Why was I never told?"
Hyun Woo leaned back in his chair and looked at Seung Min with a softer expression. "Maybe Nina Park didn't want to reveal that she's your sister, or maybe she wanted to keep a distance so it wouldn't stand out too much at school. I know she's pretty cautious about things like that."
Seung Min fell silent, contemplating that possibility. He felt there were many things still hidden, and there was a reason why his sister chose not to reveal their relationship at school.
"So… do you know a lot about her?" Seung Min asked again, trying to learn more.
Hyun Woo nodded slightly. "Quite a bit. She's one of the more influential teachers there. A lot of people respect her, including the principal and some of the senior teachers."
Seung Min furrowed his brow. "Then why is she teaching at this school? What made her choose this place?"
Hyun Woo paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming as if deep in thought. "That's something I don't know for sure. But I'm sure there's a reason she chose to be at this school. There are a lot of things hidden behind the walls of that school, Seung Min."
Seung Min looked at him intently, feeling even more intrigued to learn more. "I need to talk to my sister. I need to know what's really going on at that school."
Hyun Woo smiled faintly, but this time there was a slight hesitation in his expression. "But you know, Seung Min... haven't you noticed your own appearance? You're no longer Hae Jin. You've changed."
Seung Min paused for a moment, realizing that Hyun Woo's words held a truth he couldn't deny. He felt uneasy, not only about the secrets surrounding his sister but also about his own identity that was becoming increasingly unclear. "I… I don't know who I am anymore," he muttered.
Hyun Woo looked at him sharply, his expression growing serious. "Be careful who you trust, Seung Min. In this game, even a simple change in appearance can make people forget who they really are."
Seung Min entered the house with heavy steps, trying to hide the anxiety still lingering inside him. As he walked in, he noticed his father wasn't home yet, likely still at the office. In the garage, he saw his mother busy fixing her beloved sports car.
Seung Min was surprised by his mother's skills. Her hands moved with precision, as if nothing could stop her. He stood there for a moment, watching his mother with a mix of awe and worry.
His mother then turned, her face filled with frustration. "Seung Min, where have you been? Look at you, what's going on?"
Seung Min shrugged, unsure of what to say. "I… just went out for a bit," he replied quietly.
His mother shook her head, returning to her work. "You know better than this. You can't just wander around. If something happens, who will take responsibility?"
Seung Min nodded silently and quickly made his way to the bathroom to freshen up. Afterward, he collapsed onto his bed, trying to sleep and escape the whirl of thoughts in his mind. The physical and mental exhaustion made his eyelids heavy.
A few minutes later, a knock came at the door. "Seung Min, dinner's ready, you haven't eaten yet, have you?" the voice of the housemaid echoed from outside.
However, Seung Min, still lying in bed, replied without opening his eyes, "I already ate, thank you."
The housemaid paused for a moment, probably unsure, but then she left the room. The silence returned, broken only by the soft ticking of the clock. Seung Min felt as though he were trapped in a world full of secrets and confusion.