(Friday, April 26, 2024 – 5:21 PM)
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the city as Zack, Mira, Daniel, Zoe, and Jay walked down the streets together after school. The mood was light, conversations bouncing between them as they planned their evening.
Jay walked beside Daniel, hands in his pockets, while Zoe was talking animatedly about a drama she had been binge-watching.
"You're telling me this guy really fell for the villain?" Daniel raised a brow.
Zoe huffed. "It's not like that! The villain is misunderstood-"
Daniel shook his head with a smirk. "Nah, if he's a villain, he's a bum, especially if he lets the opinions of others and how they treat him affect his behavior, his will is weak, so a lame ass bum."
Zoe rolled her eyes, but Jay chuckled beside her.
Zack, however, was only half-listening. His attention kept shifting toward Mira, walking beside him.
She looked effortlessly pretty today, her auburn hair tied back in a simple ponytail. Zack had dressed up just a little more than usual, clean white sneakers, a fitted black hoodie, and jeans that actually matched. He told himself it was just because they were going somewhere decent, but he knew better.
When they reached the library, Zack and Mira split off from the rest of the group.
"See you guys tomorrow." Daniel called as he and the others headed down another street.
Zack nodded before following Mira inside, the scent of old books and faint coffee greeting them.
(6:12 PM)
Zack couldn't focus.
The library was quieter than he expected, the soft shuffling of books and faint whispers the only sounds. He had planned to study, really. But then they got separated, Mira got placed in the opposite section for gender-specific seating.
Now, instead of studying, he sat with his arms crossed, staring blankly at a page of math problems he had no intention of solving.
His eyes flickered toward the exit. Maybe a quick smoke would help.
With a sigh, he grabbed his pack of cigarettes, tucked them into his hoodie pocket, and slipped outside.
The evening air was crisp as Zack leaned against the side of the building, cigarette between his fingers. He exhaled slowly, watching the smoke dissipate into the air.
Then, he heard laughter.
A group of guys leaned against a street pole nearby, talking loudly. Zack glanced at them and instantly recognized them.
Gian High thugs.
His grip on the cigarette tightened slightly. He knew them from two nights ago at the bar. Back then, they had brushed him off as the weakest link in the group. The guy who got beat.
And it looked like they remembered him too.
One of them sneered. "Yo, ain't that the J High kid from the other night?"
Zack ignored them.
Another thug snickered. "Damn, you really let yourself get rocked like that. Ain't you supposed to be some boxer?"
Zack's jaw clenched.
He took another drag of his cigarette, keeping his back turned.
He had promised Mira. No more fighting.
With an exhale, he flicked the cigarette onto the ground, crushing it under his shoe before heading back inside.
The thugs laughed behind him. "That's right, keep walking, soft ass."
(7:02 PM)
At first, Zack thought that was the end of it.
But the thugs followed him in.
They didn't start a fight. They didn't have to.
One sat behind Zack and kicked his chair repeatedly. Another leaned over and snatched a bag of chips Zack had bought earlier, tearing it open and eating them in front of him.
"You don't mind, right?" the guy smirked, chewing loudly.
Zack took a deep breath.
He didn't react.
Then, a crumpled wet paper hit the side of his head.
"Oops." one of them chuckled. "My bad."
Zack clenched his fists under the table.
He was trying.
He really was.
But the more they pushed, the harder it was to sit still. His pride itched, his temper burned.
Then, suddenly, he thought of Jiho.
He remembered the way Jiho had sat in class, quiet, withdrawn, bullied. Zack had never thought much of it back then. But now, sitting here, letting himself be messed with, he finally understood how it felt.
He remembered Daniel's words from the cafeteria.
"Bullies are lame. They will never become strong by preying on the weak."
"Fighting the strong? Or protecting your loved ones? That's so fucking cool, the best battles come from them."
His fingers curled tighter.
But he exhaled sharply and forced himself to relax.
They weren't worth it.
Not today.
---
Name: Zack Lee
Height: 180 cm
Strength: |-{B}
Speed: |-{B}
Potential: |-{A}
Intelligence: |-{B}
Endurance: |-{B}
---
....
(7:43 PM)
The streets were quiet as Seonhui Park walked carefully through the narrow alleyways, clutching a small plastic bag filled with food containers. She had been thinking about this visit for a while.
Ever since Daniel left for Seoul, she had worried. Was he eating well? Was he sleeping enough? Was he making friends? Her son always reassured her over the phone, saying that everything was fine, but a mother always worries for her son.
So, she decided to see for herself.
When she finally arrived at the address, she blinked, looking up at the small, run-down shack in front of her. The wooden panels were old, the roof patched up in places, and there was barely any space around it.
Her heart clenched. Was this really where Daniel was living?
Then, she saw him.
Just outside the shack, Daniel's small body was on the ground, doing push-ups. His forehead glistened with sweat, his movements steady despite the strain.
---
Name: Daniel Park
Height: 162 cm
Strength: |-{C}
Speed: |-{C}
Potential: |-{SSS}
Intelligence: |-{S}
Endurance: |-{C}
---
Seonhui gasped softly, covering her mouth. Her son… exercising? She had never seen him work out before.
Daniel heard the sound and lifted his head. The moment he saw her, his eyes widened.
"Mom?"
Seonhui smiled warmly. "Daniel, I wanted to surprise you."
Without hesitation, Daniel quickly got up, wiping his hands on his sweatpants before rushing over. He took the bag from her hands and smiled. "You didn't have to bring anything! You should've called me first."
She laughed. "And risk you telling me not to come? No way."
Daniel chuckled and led her inside.
....
(7:50 PM)
The inside of the shack was small but clean. Seonhui looked around, taking in the simple setup, the thin mattress, the small kitchen area, and the few belongings neatly arranged. It was humble, but it was clear that Daniel was keeping things organized.
Then, her gaze landed on the bed.
Lying completely still, a tall, well-built young man was fast asleep.
---
Name: Daniel Park
Height: 185 cm
Strength: |-{XXX}
Speed: |-{XXX}
Potential: |-{SSS}
Intelligence: |-{S}
Endurance: |-{XXX}
---
She blinked. "Oh! I didn't know you had a roommate."
Daniel, who had been setting the food on the table, froze for a second.
'Crap.'
He quickly turned around, masking his hesitation with a casual smile.
"Yeah." he said smoothly. "That's Hyeonseong. He's a deep sleeper."
Seonhui tilted her head. "You never told me you were living with someone."
Daniel shrugged. "Didn't think it was a big deal. We get along fine."
She studied the sleeping figure for a moment, then turned back to Daniel with a soft smile.
Seonhui chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you have company. Living alone can be tough."
Daniel exhaled internally. 'That was close.'
They sat down together, and for the next hour, Daniel and his mother talked.
She told him about life back home, about the neighbors, about little things he hadn't realized he missed hearing. And he? He just listened.
Because no matter how much stronger he got, how much he changed, or how different his situation was now, she was still his mother.
And for tonight, that was all that mattered.
----
Stats have different levels, meaning two people can have the same rank (e.g., C in strength) but differ in actual power. Daniel has just entered the C rank through his training.
Not everyone has the same potential within a rank. For example:
Guy 1 is a strength specialist. He has B rank in strength and can reach 100% of that rank before advancing to A rank.
Guy 2 specializes in speed. Even though he also has B rank in strength, he only reaches 60% of its potential before advancing to A rank.
This explains why some kings have the same tier and rank but different strength levels. Training can push someone to the next rank even if they haven't fully unlocked their previous rank's potential.
Think of it like a cultivation power system, there are realms, but not everyone maximizes their potential or uses the same cultivation techniques.
Daniel, through his training, stretching, massages, and copy ability, is able to reach 100% of every rank.
This is how the power system of my fic work, as it's my take as well au since PTJ never clearly said anything about it.
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