The hallway felt heavy. Jin and Leon walked side by side, their footsteps echoing as they stared at the scowling faces of the third-year seniors. The strongest in the school had finally made their move. Five of them stood near the back entrance, blocking the path like predators waiting for their prey.
— So, you're the famous freshmen causing trouble around here? — one of the seniors spoke, tall, with arms as thick as tree trunks and a buzzcut.
Leon kept a neutral expression but could feel the tension in the air.
— Shit… these guys are different, — he muttered to Jin, not taking his eyes off the seniors.
Jin clenched his fists, his blood boiling. After what they did to Baek, he had no intention of backing down.
— Only monsters here, — another senior commented, sizing up Jin from head to toe. — But you know the thing about small monsters? They still bleed.
The tallest one among them, Kang Do-Hyeon, stepped forward. He was the most respected leader among the seniors. Broad shoulders, a face marked by scars, and a suffocating aura. Without saying a word, he rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck.
— If you step up now, you won't walk out, — he threatened.
Jin smirked slightly.
— These bastards already started moving.
Before the fight could start, Leon placed a hand on Jin's shoulder and spoke quietly:
— If we charge these guys here, it's gonna turn into a war. They're seniors. Older, stronger, heavier. Courage alone won't cut it, Jin. It'll get ugly fast.
— So what? You're gonna run? — Jin provoked, eyes still locked on Kang.
Leon let out a short laugh.
— I'm not an idiot. I just don't plan to die for free. These guys aren't like the second-years. These are bone-breakers.
Jin gritted his teeth, but deep down, he knew Leon was right. No matter how confident he was, even he could feel the difference in presence. The way the seniors moved, their posture, their calmness — they were guys who'd been through a lot of fights.
One of the seniors took a step forward, and Jin instinctively reacted, almost moving in, but Leon stopped him again.
— Not now.
The tension was so thick that even students passing through the hallway were avoiding the area, sensing something big was about to go down.
— I'll end this right now, — Jin grumbled.
— Not like an idiot, Jin. I've got a plan, — Leon said, voice low and firm.
Jin glanced at him, curious.
— What kind of plan?
Leon gave a faint grin.
— These guys are way too strong for a head-on fight. But if we split them up… one by one… it gets interesting.
Jin raised an eyebrow.
— Separate five senior leaders and take them out one by one? Is that even possible?
— With me leading, it is, — Leon said confidently. — But it's gonna take patience, timing, and the perfect opportunity. If we screw this up, it turns into a war. Even the principal might get involved.
Jin took a deep breath.
— Alright… we'll do it your way. But I want Kang's head.
Leon smirked.
— He's all yours. Just let me set things up first.
The seniors, still standing there, kept staring.
Kang gave a dismissive grin.
— Hey, Jin… when you're ready to really play, we'll be waiting.
And with that, the five seniors walked off, laughing and mocking as they disappeared down the hallway.
As soon as they were out of sight, Jin released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
— Bastards…
Leon turned to Jin.
— Get ready. Next break… the hunt begins.
Chapter ends.