The Next Day The atmosphere at school was tenser than usual. Rumors about the deadly match and the battle for rankings spread like wildfire among the students. Many held their breath, anticipating the brutal showdown that had been meticulously planned.
On the rooftop, Jin Seok stood with his jacket billowing in the wind. His gaze pierced through the distance, fixed on the field slowly filling with students. "Everything is set," he muttered. His phone vibrated—Shin Kyung was calling.
"Positions are ready. Joker and Ace-ranked players will be lured out. Bloodshed... is inevitable," Shin Kyung's heavy voice carried no trace of remorse.
Jin Seok ended the call, a smirk forming on his lips. "Let's see who can survive today."
In the classroom Seung Min felt a bad premonition settling in his chest. Beside him, Dae Hyun patted his shoulder. "Bro, this... this feels off."
"Yeah. Too quiet for a day that's supposed to have a big match," Jae Hoon added, glancing out the window.
Suddenly, the school speakers crackled to life.
"All students ranked Joker and Ace, please proceed to the field. The game has begun."
Jin Ho swallowed hard. "Is this... a trap?"
Seung Min stood up, his gaze sharp. "Even if it is, we don't have a choice. If we back down now, we'll be the next targets."
On the field Chaos. Several students already lay on the ground, blood staining the grass. Do Jin gasped for breath at the center, his face battered. Emerging from the crowd, Han Ji Won wore a cold smile. "This is just the beginning."
Moments later, Min Joon strolled casually onto the field. "Are you all serious? This was supposed to be a game... Look at you, acting like beasts." Yet, something darker glimmered in his eyes.
Arriving with his group, Seung Min's eyes widened at the sight of the injured. "This is insane..."
From the other end of the field, Jin Seok appeared. His open jacket revealed old scars on his chest. "Welcome to my little hell," he said. "Today's not just about rankings. It's about who deserves to survive."
Seung Min clenched his teeth. "What are you doing, Jin Seok? This has gone too far!"
"You think this world is fair?" Jin Seok shot back. "We survive in our own way."
Suddenly, Nina Park dashed onto the field. "Stop this! You're crossing the line!" But no one budged.
BANG!
A gunshot rang out—no one knew from where. Silence fell as fresh blood splattered across the field, and someone collapsed.
Panic erupted. Screams filled the air. Students scattered.
Jin Seok grinned. "Enjoy the game... This is just the start of your nightmare."
On the field Lee So Mi and Yoon Ha Rin stood at the edge of the field, their faces tense. The scene before them was like a nightmare—blood splattered across the ground, several students lay motionless, and shouts filled the air.
"So Mi... this is insane. They're really fighting like this just for rankings?" Ha Rin whispered, her eyes fixed on the fierce battle unfolding in the middle of the field.
Lee So Mi clenched her fists. "This isn't just about rankings anymore... It's turned into a battlefield." Her gaze locked onto Seung Min, who now stood face-to-face with Jin Seok amidst the chaos.
"Seung Min, be careful..." she murmured under her breath, knowing he couldn't hear her.
Ha Rin took a deep breath, trying to contain her emotions. "Why is this school... allowing all of this to happen?"
"Because there's something bigger behind all of this," So Mi replied without looking away. "And I'm sure... this isn't just about a game. It's about survival."
On the field, Dae Hyun, exhausted and battered, struggled to get back on his feet, while Min Joon watched everything unfold with a twisted grin.
Ha Rin bit her lip. "We have to do something."
Lee So Mi turned to her, eyes filled with determination. "Help me... We can't just stand by. If this goes on, things will only get worse."
Ha Rin nodded despite her fear. "Alright. What's your plan?"
So Mi pulled out her phone. "I'm calling someone... We need help from outside. This is out of control."
In the middle of the field, Seung Min and Jin Seok locked eyes, tension thick in the air. The fight wasn't over—this was just the beginning.
Han Ji Won swiftly snatched Lee So Mi's phone, cutting off her attempt to make a call.
"Stay out of this," Ji Won said coldly, his gaze sharp and piercing. "You have no idea what you're dealing with."
So Mi glared at him in frustration. "This isn't just a game anymore! People are getting hurt!"
But Ji Won remained silent, his eyes returning to the fight unfolding before them.
On the field,Seung Min stood face-to-face with Jin Seok. The tension in the air was so thick it felt as if the world itself was holding its breath. The crowd surrounding them fell into a hushed anticipation, waiting to see who would make the first move.
Jin Seok smirked slightly. "This is what happens when you break the rules... when you interfere with my father," he said, his voice heavy with long-held anger.
Extending his hand, Jin Seok added, "We used to be friends, Seung Min. There's a reason we drifted apart. So please... don't stand in my way."
Seung Min's eyes sharpened, and for a brief moment, memories of their past friendship flashed through Jin Seok's mind. But Seung Min suddenly spoke, pushing away any lingering sentiments. "If you think that's enough to make me back down... you're dead wrong."
Without giving him a chance to respond, Seung Min shot forward with astonishing speed. "Let's end this—right here, right now!"
The crowd gasped in shock as their fists collided, the impact echoing like a thunderclap that seemed to shake the ground beneath them.
From the sidelines, Dae Hyun clenched his fists. "Come on, Seung Min..."
Across the field, Min Joon watched with folded arms, his gaze unwavering. "So this is how it ends... interesting."
Meanwhile, atop the school building, Shin Kyung observed expressionlessly. "Everything is going according to plan."
Not far from the arena, Lee So Mi struggled against Han Ji Won's grip. "Seung Min... don't lose."
This fight was no longer about rankings.
It was about pride, loyalty, and long-buried secrets finally clawing their way to the surface.
Yoon Ha Rin gazed up at the rooftop where her brother, Shin Kyung, stood. Her eyes were filled with a mix of worry and curiosity. "Oppa... why are you doing all this?" she whispered softly, as if hoping the answer would come with the breeze. Despite her anxiety, she stayed rooted to the spot, waiting for what would unfold next.
On the field Jae Hoon lay sprawled at the edge of the arena, his breathing labored after the earlier fight. Though his body was weak, his determination remained unshaken. Gathering what little strength he had left, he lifted his head to look at Seung Min, who was locked in a fierce battle with Jin Seok.
"Seung Min... don't lose," he called out hoarsely, his voice cutting through the crowd's growing noise. "You have to win... for all of us!"
Hearing Jae Hoon's voice, Seung Min felt a renewed surge of energy. His gaze sharpened, his fists clenched tighter. "I can't back down now," he thought. With his spirit blazing, he launched another powerful attack toward Jin Seok.
On the rooftop, Shin Kyung glanced downward, observing the intensifying fight. For a fleeting moment, his gaze met Ha Rin's from afar—an exchange filled with unspoken meaning. Yet, Shin Kyung merely turned away, concealing his expression. "It's already begun... there's no stopping it now," he muttered coldly.
This battle had become more than just a clash of rivals—it was now a fight of hearts, past regrets, and future hopes.
🎵 "God's Menu" – Stray Kids