Yook Manchun

The air in the room turned suffocating.

Jaemin scowled. "'I'm going to the toilet to dry myself. He better be fucked up by the time I'm back." 

Jihan had shrunk into himself on the couch. The girls sat frozen, their gazes flicking between me and the hulking figure standing in the doorway.

The big guy, fat guy, kept grinning as he raised one of his blood-stained hands and flexed his fingers, waving Jaemin away. They cracked loudly, the sound reminding me of a butcher testing out a new knife. I had the distinct feeling that I was the cow.

I could already tell. He wasn't just big. He was strong. Guys like this always were.

"Dowan, yeah?" His voice was almost casual, but his eyes weren't. They were the eyes of someone who'd already decided how this was going to end. 

"I heard you were the one that beat up Cheolwoo. Honestly? I can't see it."

I barely heard him.

Because right then, the System pinged in front of my eyes.

New Event Quest!

Fight and defeat Yook Manchun [0/1]

Rewards: 2 Gold cards

Perfect. Just as planned. Now I just had to beat up a 7 foot pig. I backed up a step as he stepped forwards.

I took a slow step back as Man Chun stepped forward. His sheer bulk made the room feel smaller. He rolled his neck, letting out a small exhale through his nose.

I flexed my fingers. My hands itched to reach for what I'd kept in my pocket, but I forced myself to wait. I needed an opening.

The System had already given me my last rewards. Two Bronze Cards—useless. The Silver Card, though? Boxing: Straight (Rank F).

That was something.

A good straight punch could knock someone out. If it landed. If it was stronger.

Manchun cracked his knuckles again, then grinned. "You ain't making the first move? Good. I prefer it this way."

And then he rushed me.

Shit.

For a guy that size, he was fast.

The floor shook beneath his charge, his massive frame barreling toward me like a runaway truck. I barely had time to react before his meaty fist rocketed toward my skull. Instinct screamed at me to move, I twisted, stepping back just in time to feel the wind from his punch tear past my ribs. If I'd been even half a second slower, that would've turned my lights out.

I retaliated instantly, snapping out a jab.

Jab – Rank D (2/1000).

I'd spent nearly the entire day grinding it out, throwing punch after punch at that bastard from school. It had felt tedious, but now? Now I needed every bit of speed I could get. My jab landed clean on Manchun's chin, fast, precise.

It did nothing.

My knuckles struck his chin with a sharp snap, but the bastard barely blinked.

Shit.

I threw another, then another, rapid jabs aimed for his jaw. Anywhere that might actually make him feel something. His fat wasn't just for show, it absorbed my punches like a sponge. Before I could throw another, his arm moved like a battering ram.

I barely had time to react before his fist crashed into my forearm, knocking my next punch away like I was a toddler swinging at an adult. My body lurched back, my balance thrown. That half-second slip was all he needed.

His other fist came barreling down.

I crossed my arms just in time.

CRACK!

The impact rattled through me like a sledgehammer striking a tin can. My motorcycle armor absorbed most of it, but even then, my bones groaned from the sheer force. I staggered, barely keeping my feet.

But I had no time to recover. Manchun didn't stop.

Another punch came flying. I ducked, barely dodging it, but before I could retaliate, his knee shot up and slammed into my ribs.

Pain exploded through my body. My armor held, but the impact sent a shockwave through my chest, forcing the air out of my lungs. My vision blurred. I stumbled backward, gasping.

I had to move. I had to get some distance.

But he was already on me.

A hook came in from the side. I barely managed to tilt my head, but the edge of his knuckles still clipped my temple. My skull rattled, my vision flickering in and out. I had to bite my tongue to stay conscious.

I tried to step back, too slow.

Manchun grabbed the front of my jacket and yanked me toward him. His forehead slammed into mine like a wrecking ball.

White flashed behind my eyes.

Pain shot through my skull, my legs wobbling beneath me. Blood ran down my face—I didn't know if it was from my nose or a cut on my forehead.

Before I could regain my balance, a fist crashed into my stomach.

I felt my organs shift from the force. The armor saved me from serious injury, but the raw power behind it sent me flying backward. My back slammed into the couch, knocking the breath out of me completely. My arms trembled as I pushed myself up, my breathing ragged.

Manchun chuckled. "You're still conscious? Not bad." He rolled his shoulders, shaking the blood off his knuckles. "But it's over now."

Not yet.

I forced myself back onto my feet, legs wobbling but still standing. My ribs were on fire, my arms ached, and my head was ringing, but I wasn't done.

I couldn't be done.

I had one last chance.

My fingers dug into my jacket pocket, cold metal met my grip. 

Brass knuckles.

I staggered slightly… on purpose. Let my arms hang loose at my sides, made myself look like I was barely standing.

Man Chun grinned, stepping forward, completely convinced I was done.

That was his mistake.

I surged forward, ducking under his final punch and jumping onto his thigh. He blinked, caught completely off guard. I used his massive leg as a foothold, propelling myself upward.

His head tilted up to follow me.

I twisted my entire body midair, my fist coiling back with every ounce of momentum I had.

Boxing: Straight (Rank F) Activated.

Normally, a straight wouldn't do much against him. But with the added force from my jump, my spin, and every ounce of my bodyweight behind it… combined with the brass knuckles wrapped around my fingers?

The impact was brutal.

A sickening CRACK echoed through the room as my fist connected directly with his temple.

Man Chun's eyes rolled back. His legs buckled.

His massive body collapsed like a felled tree.

Quest Complete!

You've received 2 Gold Cards!

For a second, I just stood there, fists clenched, chest heaving.

Everything hurt. My ribs felt like they were on fire, my stomach was a mess of bruises, my face was still bleeding from where his forehead cracked against mine, and my arms ached from absorbing his earlier punches. I could barely breathe without sharp pain lancing through my body.

But I kept my expression neutral.

I rolled my shoulders, stretched my wrists, made it look like that fight was nothing. Like I wasn't seconds away from collapsing. I stood tall.

Silence filled the room.

Jaemin returned from the bathroom just in time to see Man Chun unconscious on the floor. He blinked, his cocky grin fading slightly as his eyes flicked between me and his friend.

"…The fuck happened here?"

I exhaled slowly, my breathing steady, my posture loose. I couldn't let anyone see how much pain I was in. I had to hold it in until I got home.

Jaemin's eyes widened slightly, the arrogance in his gaze dimming into fear. And behind him, I saw Siyeon watching me, her expression unreadable.

"Claim cards," I muttered under my breath, beginning to walk towards Jaemin, taking pleasure in the fact that he was backing away.

[One-time Use card]

Grow 1.2 inches

This card will disappear once used.

[Attack card]

Maximum capacity

Increases your weight. by 220 pounds for 5 seconds. 

Can only be used once per hour.

Of course I only get the useful cards now. This gacha system was fucking terrible. 

Jaemin turned and ran, leaving through the exit down to the dimly lit corridor.

I was in no condition for another fight. Not right now. I'd hoped for one of the reward cards to be a Healing Bean, or Healing rice, but to no avail. Now, the only thing I could do was leave… wait no.

The reason I'd come here was for Siyeon. Show her I could fight and she'd take me to the Bully Council meeting to become a rep. Was that impressive enough? 

My head tilted as I looked towards Jihan, his eyes widened after my performance. I had no doubt he could've taken him down faster if he was back in his prime mentality but I guess seeing it from someone like me was different. 

"Jihan, I think you should leave now. I'll talk to you at school tomorrow." 

He nodded hesitantly, taking his jacket and then slowly stumbling through the exit and down the emergency stairs.

I turned slightly, glancing toward Siyeon. The other two girls had left already, probably during the fight.

She was still watching me, arms crossed, her face carefully neutral. But I caught the way her fingers tensed against her sleeve, the slight shift in her weight.

She was considering it.

That was enough.

I straightened my back, making sure not to grimace as I rolled my shoulders. Every inch of my body hurt. My ribs felt like they'd been put through a meat grinder, my arms were numb from absorbing Manchun's punches, and my face still throbbed from where he'd clocked me.

But I kept my expression blank, like all of it had been nothing.

"You leaving too?" I asked, voice even. 

Siyeon's eyes flickered, scanning me. Judging.

A moment passed.

Then she nodded.

I let out a slow breath, keeping my satisfaction hidden as I turned and made my way toward the exit.

Jaemin had already bolted down the corridor, probably to get reinforcements. That meant I had minutes, maybe even seconds, before things got even worse. I needed to get out before more fuckers showed up.

I stepped into the dimly lit hallway, Siyeon falling into step beside me. The muffled voices and bass-heavy music from the other karaoke rooms thrummed through the walls, making the moment feel even more surreal.

"…So," she finally spoke, voice casual but sharp, "you can fight."

I carried on looking forwards. "You think so?"

She scoffed. "You took a beating."

"Mhm," I hummed in agreement, turning to her. "But I won."

Siyeon tilted her head slightly, watching me with something new in her gaze. Not quite respect. But close.

We made it to the entrance of the karaoke lounge. I could hear footsteps approaching from behind. Heavy, fast.

Shit. Jaemin was coming back.

I didn't hesitate. I pushed open the door and stepped outside.

Cold air hit me like a slap, and I immediately regretted it. The rush of adrenaline from the fight was fading, and my injuries were making themselves very known. Every breath sent a stabbing pain through my ribs.

Siyeon followed me out, hands in her pockets, unfazed by the sudden drop in temperature.

"So?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the fact that I was barely standing. "What are you still doing here?"

She sighed, glancing toward the entrance of the karaoke lounge. The footsteps inside were getting closer.

"I'll text you later. Send me your address." she finally said.

I nodded. That was all I needed to hear.

Jaemin's voice rang out from inside, furious and breathless.

"He's out here! Get his ass!"

Siyeon clicked her tongue. "Tch. Idiots."

I turned to her. "I take it you're not planning on helping?"

She shrugged. "Not my problem."

Yeah. That was about what I expected.