Jin Tae-hyun lay on the ground, struggling to breathe. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his ribs burned with every breath. The fight was over, but the pain still echoed inside his body. Around him, the group of bullies had quieted, watching Min-Soo Kim with nervous anticipation.
Min-Soo Kim stood still for a moment, then turned to Byung-soo with a calm expression.
"You remember our deal, right?" he asked.
Byung-soo nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "I remember. Just tell me what you want."
Min-Soo crouched next to Tae-hyun and looked him in the eyes.
"I want you to keep this guy alive," he said coldly. "Don't touch him again. And don't even try to bully him.In fact, I want you to protect him."
Byung-soo's eyes widened in shock.
"What?! Are you serious? Why the hell would I protect him after what he did?!"
Min-Soo didn't even flinch. "That's the task. You agreed, didn't you?"
He stood up and faced him. "This kid took my full power and still didn't back down. He didn't cry. He didn't beg. You think someone like that is weak? No, he's dangerous… and he's exactly the kind of person we need."
The other boys looked at each other, confused and uneasy. Byung-soo clenched his fists. His pride was wounded, but a promise was a promise.
"Fine," he growled. "I'll do it. But don't you expect me protect him.
Min-Soo smirked. "its On your hand do whatever you do.
Suddenly, Tae-hyun coughed and slowly tried to sit up. His vision was blurry, but he could still hear everything.
"Why… are you doing this?" he whispered weakly. "Why protect me now?"
Min-Soo looked at him and, for the first time, smiled faintly.
"Because you didn't give up. That's rare."
Byung-soo rolled his eyes. "He's still just a kid."
Min-Soo replied firmly, "No. He's someone who can become something greater."
Then, without another word, Min-Soo turned and walked away. The other boys began to follow, but Byung-soo stayed back, staring at Tae-hyun. After a long pause, he offered his hand.
"I still don't like you," he said. "But rules are rules. I'll keep the promise. Don't make me regret it."
Tae-hyun hesitated, then slowly reached out and grabbed Byung-soo's hand. The two locked eyes—there was no friendship yet, only a truce born from blood and bruises.
Later that evening, Tae-hyun sat on the school rooftop, bandages wrapped around his ribs and face.
He had survived.
Not only that—he had earned a strange kind of respect.
And he knew one thing clearly now:
This school wasn't normal.
The fights were more than just bullying.
There were rules. Power. Territory. Secrets.
And he had just taken his first step into all of it.
To Be Continued…