Episode 5 - Kang Hyun ( part 1 )

The morning air was crisp as Jinwoo made his way to school. The streets were quieter than usual, with only a few cars passing by and the occasional chatter of early risers. The sun was just beginning to rise, its golden light stretching over the city and casting long shadows.

When he arrived at the school, the hallways were eerily silent. Most of the students hadn't arrived yet, their chatter and footsteps absent. Jinwoo entered his classroom, finding it mostly empty save for a few early arrivals. Including himself, there were only five students scattered across the room.

Jinwoo went to his desk near the window and set his bag down. The faint sound of a pencil scratching paper came from a girl in the corner, while another boy sat a few rows ahead, scrolling through his phone. The atmosphere was calm, the kind of stillness Jinwoo appreciated after the hectic events of the past few days.

He pulled out his history textbook and flipped to the chapter on the Three Kingdoms. The rise of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje fascinated him—their stories of ambition, war, and unification resonating in ways he hadn't expected.

Jinwoo leaned forward, resting his elbow on the desk as he read about Goguryeo's powerful armies and Silla's strategic alliances. The pages were filled with vivid descriptions of battles and the rise of kings who had shaped history. It was a stark contrast to the modern world he lived in, yet it felt strangely connected to the conflicts he faced in his own life.

The golden sunlight streamed through the window, warming his desk as he turned the page. For a moment, Jinwoo felt at peace, absorbed in the stories of a world long gone. It was a rare moment of quiet reflection, a reprieve from the attention and fights that had become his new normal.

But even as he studied, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that this calm wouldn't last.

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The classroom slowly filled as time passed, the hum of chatter growing louder with each new arrival. Jinwoo remained focused on his book, blocking out the noise around him. He could hear bits of conversation—talk of weekend plans, unfinished homework, and, as always, whispers about him.

"Did you hear? Kang Hyun is still pissed about what happened."

"Yeah, I heard he's been looking for a chance to get back at Jinwoo."

Jinwoo ignored it. He wasn't surprised. People like Kang Hyun didn't take being outdone lightly.

The door slammed open, silencing the classroom instantly. Jinwoo didn't need to look up to know who it was. The heavy footsteps, the sharp intake of breath from nearby students—it could only be Kang Hyun.

"Jinwoo!" Kang's voice boomed, dripping with frustration and pride.

Jinwoo sighed quietly, closing his history book. He looked up, meeting Kang's sharp glare. Kang Hyun stood at the front of the classroom, his broad shoulders tense and his fists clenched. Behind him, a few of his lackeys smirked, clearly enjoying the tension.

"We're settling this today," Kang Hyun said, his tone firm. "No more avoiding it. Let's go."

The students around them whispered in hushed tones, their excitement barely contained. It wasn't every day a public showdown like this happened.

Jinwoo leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. "You sure about that?" he asked, his tone flat.

Kang Hyun's jaw tightened. "Afraid?"

Jinwoo sighed again, standing up. "Fine. Let's get this over with," he said, grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder.

The two left the classroom, the air heavy with anticipation. Students poured into the hall, following them like a wave. By the time they reached the school ground, a crowd had already begun to form, word spreading like wildfire.

The ground was a wide, open space surrounded by trees on one side and the school building on the other. The sun was higher now, its light casting sharp shadows on the pavement. The chatter of the growing crowd filled the air, a mix of excitement and tension.

Jinwoo dropped his bag to the side, rolling his shoulders to loosen them. Across from him, Kang Hyun stood in his school uniform, his stance already shifting into that of a trained boxer. His feet moved lightly on the ground, his fists raised and ready.

The crowd fell silent as the two squared off, the weight of the moment settling over everyone. Jinwoo glanced at Kang Hyun, his eyes calm but sharp.

"You sure you want to do this?" Jinwoo asked, his voice steady.

Kang Hyun smirked, his confidence unwavering. "You're going to regret stepping into my ring."

The fight was about to begin. The school ground was now a stage, and all eyes were on them.

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The air in the schoolyard felt electric as Jinwoo and Kang Hyun stood face-to-face. The crowd pressed closer, forming a wide circle around the two. The only sounds were the distant rustle of trees and the faint murmur of anticipation from the students.

Kang Hyun shifted into his stance, his feet bouncing lightly on the ground. His fists were held high, protecting his face, and his eyes locked onto Jinwoo with the focus of a seasoned fighter. His reputation as a two-time junior boxing champion preceded him, and the crowd whispered among themselves.

"This is going to be brutal."

"Kang Hyun's punches are no joke. Jinwoo's in trouble."

Jinwoo remained still, his body relaxed but ready. His hands hung at his sides, his stance loose. He didn't adopt any formal pose, his calm demeanor unsettling Kang Hyun and the crowd alike.

"Stop pretending to be untouchable," Kang Hyun spat, his voice sharp. "Let's see how long that act lasts."

With a quick step forward, Kang Hyun launched the first attack. His jab shot out like a piston, aiming for Jinwoo's face. Jinwoo tilted his head slightly, the punch grazing his ear as he stepped to the side.

Kang Hyun followed with a rapid combination—jab, cross, hook. Each strike carried precision and power, his movements honed from years of training. But Jinwoo evaded them all, his body weaving fluidly like water.

The crowd gasped as Kang Hyun's punches hit nothing but air.

"You call that boxing?" Jinwoo said, his tone calm but laced with sarcasm.

Kang Hyun growled in frustration, lunging forward with a powerful right hook. Jinwoo blocked it with his forearm, the impact reverberating through his body, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he countered with a low roundhouse kick, his shin slamming into Kang Hyun's thigh.

The force of the kick sent a sharp crack echoing through the yard, and Kang Hyun stumbled, his balance momentarily disrupted.

Kang Hyun quickly regained his footing, his face twisted with anger. He charged again, unleashing a flurry of punches aimed at Jinwoo's torso and head. Jinwoo dodged, sidestepping and ducking under each strike with minimal effort. His movements were precise, efficient, almost graceful.

Jinwoo finally went on the offensive.

He stepped in close, slipping past Kang Hyun's guard, and delivered a sharp elbow strike to Kang's ribs. The impact forced the boxer back a step, his face contorting in pain. Jinwoo didn't let up—he spun, delivering a spinning back kick to Kang Hyun's midsection.

The sheer force of the kick lifted Kang Hyun off his feet, sending him flying backward into the crowd. He landed hard on the ground, coughing as he struggled to breathe. The crowd erupted in shock.

"Is this the best you've got?" Jinwoo asked, his tone cold, his eyes never leaving Kang Hyun.

Kang Hyun pushed himself up, his legs trembling slightly. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his teeth gritting in frustration. Despite his skill and experience, he couldn't land a single decisive blow.

Desperation fueled his next attack. He rushed Jinwoo, throwing a series of hooks and uppercuts with all his strength. Jinwoo blocked some, dodged others, his movements as precise as a "machine".

When an uppercut came too close, Jinwoo seized the opportunity. He grabbed Kang Hyun's arm, twisting it and using his momentum to throw him over his shoulder. Kang Hyun hit the ground with a loud thud, the impact silencing the crowd.

Jinwoo stepped back, his breathing steady, his posture untouched. Kang Hyun groaned, struggling to sit up.

"Stay down," Jinwoo said, his voice calm but final. "You're not ready for this."

Jinwoo turned away, grabbing his bag from the ground. He looked over his shoulder, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Stick to boxing, Kang. It suits you better."

With that, Jinwoo walked off, leaving the crowd stunned and Kang Hyun defeated. The whispers began again, but Jinwoo didn't care. He had proven his point.