The scene starts with Jin Tae-hyun on his knees, breathing heavily, his hands pressed against the dirt. His clothes were torn, and his lips were cracked from that kick. Seven boys surrounded him, all dressed in similar school uniforms but with red bands on their arms—marking them as part of the school's underground group.
Behind them stood a taller figure, calm and serious—the one everyone looked at with quiet respect. Byung-soo, the 7 strongest member of this group stepped forward. He looked at Jin Tae-hyun, his expression a mix of disappointment and frustration.
"I really wanted to be your friend, Tae-hyun," said Byung-soo. "But you did something unexpected. Still, if you say right now that you'll join us and follow our rules... we'll let this go. We won't hurt you anymore."
Tae-hyun looked up slowly. His eyes were bruised, but his gaze was steady.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked.
"You're not a bad person, Byung-soo. I can see it. So why act like this?"
Just then, another voice broke the tension.
"Hmm... Is this the new guy everyone's talking about?"
Min-Soo Kim, one of the strongest fighters in the group, walked through the circle. He had a calm but dangerous aura around him. He looked at Jin Tae-hyun with interest, then turned to Byung-soo.
"Then let the newbie prove himself," said Min-Soo with a smirk. "Let me fight him. Let's see what he's got."
Byung-soo shook his head. "No, we can't just fight like that. We have rules here. Every fight needs a bet—something to risk."
Min-Soo laughed. "So you care more about the bet than the fight itself? Fine. I'll bet my position in the group. If I lose, you can take it, Byung-soo. Deal?"
Byung-soo's eyes lit up. He smiled coldly. "I accept that. But what do you want if you win?"
Min-Soo leaned in, whispering with a smirk, "If I win, then you owe me. I'll give you a task after the fight... and you can't refuse it."
Byung-soo thought for a moment, then nodded. "Deal."
Min-Soo cracked his knuckles and stepped into the middle.
"Let's begin then."
Jin Tae-hyun slowly stood up, still breathing hard. He was shocked that they didn't even ask if he wanted to fight—they treated him like he was already defeated.
The fight started fast. Min-Soo moved without warning and launched a wheel kick toward Tae-hyun's head. Tae-hyun barely noticed in time and ducked. But right after, Min-Soo followed with a sharp jab, hitting Tae-hyun straight in the face.
The punch was fast and painful. Tae-hyun stumbled and fell back to the ground.
Min-Soo didn't stop. He stepped forward and kicked Tae-hyun hard in the stomach. Tae-hyun groaned and rolled, clutching his side.
For a moment, Tae-hyun stopped moving.
The henchmen watching declared loudly,
"Min-Soo Kim wins the match"
Byung-soo's face turned red with rage. He stomped over to Tae-hyun and began kicking him again and again, this time with real anger. His boots hit Tae-hyun's face, ribs, and stomach. Blood dripped from Tae-hyun's lip as the pain overwhelmed him.
"Why didn't you fight properly?!" Byung-soo shouted furiously. "Are you mocking us?!"
Min-Soo stepped in and grabbed Byung-soo's arm.
"That's enough," he said calmly. "I won the bet."
Byung-soo glared at him but stepped back, breathing heavily.
Min-Soo looked down at Tae-hyun, who was barely conscious now.
"You're tougher than you look," he said. "Most guys wouldn't survive even half of what you just took."
Then Min-Soo turned to Byung-soo.
"I want my reward now and here's what I want you to do
To Be Continued…