"Revolt"

The atmosphere grew heavier as the enemies finally emerged from the shadows. A group of men, their eyes filled with hostility, spread out to surround Seung Min and the others. The dim lighting flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls of the abandoned building.

Jae Hoon cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Let's get this over with."

Before anyone could respond, one of the men lunged forward, aiming straight for Seung Min. In a split second, Seung Min shifted his stance, effortlessly dodging to the side before landing a precise counterpunch to the attacker's ribs. A sharp gasp escaped the man's lips as he stumbled backward, clutching his side in pain.

At the same time, Jin Seok ducked under a swinging metal pipe, using his opponent's momentum to throw him against the wall with a swift, well-placed kick. His movements were calculated, sharp, and merciless.

Lee So Mi wasn't about to back down either. She sidestepped an incoming punch and retaliated with a powerful elbow strike to the attacker's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground. "You thought I'd just stand by and watch?" she scoffed.

Jin Ho, though less experienced than the others, focused on defense, dodging and countering where he could. When one of the enemies grabbed his collar, he swiftly twisted the man's arm and delivered a strong knee to the stomach, forcing the attacker to release him.

Shin Kyung moved like a shadow, slipping through attacks with ease. He struck with brutal efficiency, targeting weak points and incapacitating opponents with minimal effort.

More enemies kept pouring in, but Seung Min remained calm, his eyes scanning the battlefield. He read his opponents' movements effortlessly, dodging strikes at the last moment and countering with devastating precision.

One of the larger men charged at him with a metal rod. Instead of retreating, Seung Min stepped forward at the perfect angle, catching the man's wrist mid-swing. With a sharp twist, he forced the weapon from his grasp before landing a crushing kick to his knee. The man crumpled to the ground, howling in pain.

"Tch. They just keep coming," Jae Hoon muttered, wiping a bit of blood from his lip.

"Then we finish them all," Seung Min replied coldly, his fists tightening.

The fight raged on, the sound of fists colliding, bodies hitting the ground, and sharp grunts of pain echoing through the night.

After a long and exhausting battle, Jin Ho staggered backward, his breathing ragged. Dae Hyun also fell to his knees, pain coursing through his body. Lee So Mi sat on the floor, her shoulder bleeding from a hard impact.

"Lee So Mi!" Seung Min called out to her, but she only raised a hand, signaling that she could still hold on.

Now, only Seung Min, Shin Kyung, and Jin Seok remained standing.

Shin Kyung moved with deadly precision, taking down the remaining enemies with sharp punches and well-placed kicks. Jin Seok was just as swift, eliminating his opponents one by one until only one man remained.

The lone man stood in the middle of the room, gripping a gleaming knife. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes were filled with determination.

"Don't think this is over," he said coldly.

Without hesitation, he lunged at them, his knife aimed directly at Jin Seok. But at the last second, Seung Min stepped forward.

His eyes sharpened, and a different aura radiated from him. In an instant, the forbidden power he had long suppressed finally surfaced. The air around them seemed to vibrate.

With one swift motion, Seung Min caught the man's wrist, twisting it until the knife slipped from his grasp. In a flash, the man was thrown to the ground, unable to move.

Seung Min grabbed the knife and tossed it away. The man tried to get up, but his consciousness faded. He passed out.

Silence filled the room.

It was over.

Moments later, the sound of police sirens echoed in the distance. Red and blue lights flickered, illuminating the abandoned building. Officers rushed in, securing the unconscious enemies.

Shin Kyung exhaled deeply, turning to Seung Min. "Are you okay?"

Seung Min didn't reply, only giving a slight nod. He could still feel the lingering effects of the power he had unleashed.

Jin Seok glanced around. Jin Ho, Dae Hyun, and Lee So Mi were still conscious, though injured. At the very least, they had all survived.

That night ended with the police securing the scene. But for them, this was not the end.

It was merely the beginning of something much bigger.

Jin Seok walked away with Shin Kyung, their steps steady as they left the place. But before they could completely disappear, Seung Min called out to him.

"Jin Seok."

Jin Seok stopped and turned around, his expression unreadable.

Seung Min stared at him sharply. "When will that game be destroyed?"

Jin Seok remained silent for a moment before smirking slightly. "You can talk to my father about that." He said casually, then without waiting for a reply, he continued walking away with Shin Kyung.

Lee So Mi, still sitting on the floor, muttered in frustration, "Ii sekkii..."

Jae Hoon, standing nearby, glanced at her with an annoyed expression. "Damn psycho." He scoffed, his eyes still fixed on Jin Seok's retreating figure.

Meanwhile, Dae Hyun and Jin Ho remained sprawled on the floor, exhausted and in pain after the brutal fight that had just ended.

A few days had passed since the incident. Jin Ho and Dae Hyun had recovered enough, though they were still a bit weak. However, that didn't stop them from arguing—this time over who got to use the bathroom first.

"I go first! I'm dirtier than you!" Jin Ho shouted, pushing Dae Hyun.

"Nonsense! I go first!" Dae Hyun pushed him back, nearly making both of them fall.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Seung Min's aunt was cooking, the aroma of her food filling the entire house.

In the living room, Lee So Mi was slouched on the sofa, still wearing her school uniform. Her eyes were half-closed, as if too lazy to move.

But inside his room, Seung Min was still not ready. He stood motionless in front of the mirror, staring at his own reflection with a blank expression. Something was still weighing on him, something he couldn't let go of just yet.

Elsewhere in the city, Jin Seok stood before a large window, his hands tucked into his pockets, his expression unreadable.

Suddenly, Min Joon stepped forward. He lowered his head slightly before speaking in a serious voice, "I'm sorry… because of me, everything became a mess."

Jin Seok remained silent for a moment, staring at his reflection in the glass before finally turning to face Min Joon.

Jin Seok turned to Min Joon, his face still expressionless. After a brief pause, he spoke in a low, almost detached voice, "It's fine."

He then gave Min Joon a light pat on the shoulder, his hand lingering for just a moment before he turned away and walked out of the room.

Min Joon stood there, watching Jin Seok leave, feeling a strange mix of relief and lingering tension.

That morning, the atmosphere at school felt heavier than usual. Seung Min, Lee So Mi, Jin Ho, Dae Hyun, and Jae Hoon walked slowly into the school building, each lost in their own thoughts.

As they passed through the gate, Seung Min caught sight of Nonna Park standing near the small garden in the schoolyard. Without hesitation, he separated from the group and approached his older sister.

"Sister, how are you?" Seung Min asked in a low voice.

Nonna Park looked at him briefly before sighing. "I'm fine. What about you?"

Their conversation remained quiet, just between the two of them.

Meanwhile, Lee So Mi, Jin Ho, Dae Hyun, and Jae Hoon suddenly realized that Seung Min was no longer with them. They glanced back, searching for him, but their attention quickly shifted when a police car entered the school grounds.

Students began whispering to each other, some tensing up at the sight of the police. The principal, noticing the situation, immediately issued instructions to the disciplinary committee.

"Make sure every class remains calm. We can't let the police suspect anything about this school."

Within minutes, several members of the disciplinary committee moved swiftly, securing each classroom and ensuring no students acted suspiciously.

Meanwhile, Seung Min, still with Nonna Park, turned slightly toward the school entrance, his eyes narrowing as he observed the police making their way into the building. Something wasn't right.

The police moved quickly, arresting Ho Joon and handcuffing him without much resistance. His face was blank, as if he had already expected this to happen.

Not long after, they brought Min Joon in for questioning. But Min Joon was not someone who could be easily cornered. With a calm expression, he sat in the interrogation room, staring at the officers in front of him.

"You know more than you're letting on, Min Joon," one of the investigators said sharply.

Min Joon simply smirked and shrugged. "I'm just an ordinary student. What could I possibly know?"

The police kept pressing him, but Min Joon knew his limits. His father was indeed a politician, but he wasn't a bad person. His father had only conducted experiments involving this school. If Min Joon spoke up, the school would be ruined, and his father would be destroyed along with it.

However, the real culprit was clear. Ho Joon's father was the one who had murdered Jin Ho's father. And Ho Joon? He was the one who had killed Seung Min's parents. It was only supposed to be a warning, but because of his personal grudge, he went too far.

Min Joon took a deep breath before saying, "If you're looking for the real mastermind, you've arrested the wrong person."

The investigator narrowed his eyes. "Then who should we arrest?"

Min Joon looked at each of them before leaning back in his chair. "The one who's been hiding in the shadows all this time—Ho Joon's father."

Back at school, Seung Min and the others enjoyed their time, trying to return to normal life.

As they walked down the hallway, one of Lee So Mi's classmates called out to her. The girl was quiet, wore glasses, and looked innocent.

Seung Min stared at the girl for a long time, lost in thought, until Dae Hyun nudged him, snapping him back to reality.

Jae Hoon and Jin Ho exchanged glances before Jae Hoon smirked teasingly. "What? Love at first sight?" he joked, earning a sharp glare from Seung Min.

But that wasn't the reason Seung Min was staring. His sharp eyes had noticed something others overlooked—a faint bruise hidden beneath the girl's neatly arranged hair.

Her name was Yoon Ha Rin. Seung Min didn't know what had happened to her, but a strange feeling crept into his heart as he noticed that wound.

Today, a written test was being held simultaneously in all classes.

In Seung Min's Class,The room was silent, except for the sound of papers rustling and pencils scratching against answer sheets. Seung Min sat calmly, focusing on his test without paying attention to his surroundings.

Meanwhile, almost everyone in the class was cheating. Do Jin, Tae Hwan, and Ki Seok sat close together, whispering.

"This is way too hard," Do Jin grumbled, scribbling on his paper in frustration.

"Just find the answers, don't complain," Tae Hwan whispered, glancing at Ki Seok.

Ki Seok sighed. "If you guys keep talking, we're gonna get caught," he muttered without taking his eyes off his answer sheet.

Elsewhere in the classroom, other students were also sharing answers.

"Hey, give me number five to ten," one student whispered, stretching out his hand.

"Fine, but you better give me the math answers later," his friend replied in a hushed tone.

Seung Min glanced around the class briefly and let out a quiet sigh. He chose to focus on his test while the small chaos continued around him.

In Jin Seok's Class,Jin Seok worked on his test calmly. Every now and then, he looked out the window, gazing at the bright sky. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Seung Min... you've really changed," he murmured softly.

Sitting nearby, Shin Kyung, who had been observing him, simply gave a small smile but said nothing.

During the Break,Lee So Mi had just returned from the restroom and entered Seung Min's classroom. She saw her classmates still discussing the test they had just taken.

Not long after, Do Jin, Tae Hwan, and Ki Seok headed toward the cafeteria. However, before they could get there, a young man suddenly blocked their way.

"You three, come with me," he said flatly.

Do Jin raised an eyebrow. "Who the hell are you?"

"No need for questions. Someone wants to see you," the young man replied, his gaze sharp.

Tae Hwan swallowed hard. "Damn... What now?"

Ki Seok remained silent but eventually sighed. "We don't have a choice. Let's go."

Without further words, the three of them followed the young man to an unknown destination.

Jin Seok stood with his hands in his pockets, waiting patiently as Do Jin, Tae Hwan, and Ki Seok finally arrived.

"You're slow," he said in a flat tone.

Do Jin shrugged. "Not our fault if your guy calls us in such a vague way."

Tae Hwan chuckled. "So, what's this about?"

Jin Seok looked at each of them before finally saying, "I need you to do something for me."

The three exchanged glances, knowing full well that Jin Seok's orders weren't something they could refuse.

Meanwhile, in the cafeteria, Seung Min sat quietly, enjoying his meal. Beside him, Dae Hyun was talking excitedly, telling a story to Jin Ho and Lee So Mi.

"Seriously, I still can't believe what happened yesterday!" Dae Hyun exclaimed.

Jin Ho chuckled. "You always overreact."

Lee So Mi simply shook her head, sipping her drink. Meanwhile, Jae Hoon looked uninterested, resting his head on the table as if he had no interest in their conversation.

From a distance, outside the cafeteria, a commotion began. Seung Min turned his head and saw a crowd gathering around the field.

"What's going on there?" he muttered.

Dae Hyun also looked over. "Looks like they're at it again..."

On the field, two groups stood facing each other—Grand Ace versus King.

In the center, Shin Kyung stood tall, his gaze sharp as he sized up his opponent. His opponent looked just as ready. The tension in the air was palpable.

The game had just begun.

The crowd roared as the game kicked off. Shin Kyung stood firm, eyes locked on his opponent, analyzing every movement. The tension on the field was thick, every step calculated.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, Nonna Park's fingers danced over the laptop keyboard, her eyes scanning the screen with deep concentration. The lines of code reflected in her glasses as she muttered under her breath, "Just a little more..."

In the Principal's Office,Lee Joo Hyun stood in front of the principal's desk, his voice firm. "We need to remove Nonna Park immediately. That is an order."

The principal exhaled sharply, clearly troubled. "Are you sure about this?"

Lee Joo Hyun's gaze was cold. "There's no other choice. If she keeps digging, she'll find everything."

The room fell into silence, the weight of the decision hanging in the air.

J

In another part of the school, Jin Seok leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Before him, Do Jin, Tae Hwan, and Ki Seok stood waiting for instructions.

Jin Seok smirked. "You three will follow Shin Kyung's lead from now on."

Do Jin frowned. "Shin Kyung? Why him?"

Jin Seok's gaze darkened. "Because he's the strongest. If you have a problem with that, you can leave."

No one spoke. Jin Seok's authority was absolute, and they knew better than to question him further.

On the field, the intensity grew. Shin Kyung dodged a swift attack, countering with a precise strike. His opponent staggered but quickly regained balance.

The game wasn't just about strength—it was about strategy. And Shin Kyung was determined to win.

As soon as the school bell rang, Jae Hoon, Dae Hyun, and Jin Ho immediately approached Seung Min with enthusiasm.

"Let's go, it's time for liberal arts practice," Dae Hyun said, nudging Seung Min's arm. "This time, we have to focus seriously."

Jae Hoon yawned slightly, shoving his hands into his pockets. "As long as it doesn't take too long, I'll come along."

Jin Ho nodded in agreement. "Today's practice will be fun, right, Seung Min?"

Unlike usual, Seung Min looked cheerful this time. His smile was brighter than before. "Of course! I get to teach you guys. It's way more fun than being taught."

Dae Hyun sighed. "Don't get too excited. If we can't keep up, we're the ones who'll get scolded."

Meanwhile, Lee So Mi stood not far away, crossing her arms with a displeased expression.

"Ugh, why do they have to join the practice again? They don't even take it seriously," she muttered under her breath.

Hearing her complaint, Dae Hyun chuckled and glanced at her. "Are you jealous, So Mi?" he teased.

Lee So Mi shot him a sharp glare. "Who's jealous? I just don't like seeing lazy people tagging along!"

Jae Hoon merely shrugged, while Seung Min grinned brightly.

"Come on, let's hurry! I can't wait to teach you all!" he said excitedly.

Finally, the five of them walked toward the practice area, with Lee So Mi still grumbling behind them.

That evening, the training session started with basic exercises before moving on to more advanced techniques. Dae Hyun, Jae Hoon, and Jin Ho tried their best to follow Seung Min's instructions, while Lee So Mi simply sat on the sidelines, snacking and watching them with a bored expression.

The night was filled with laughter and energy. Despite the fun atmosphere, Seung Min remained strict. When Dae Hyun started slacking off, Seung Min didn't hesitate—SMACK!—she hit his backside with a wooden ruler.

"Ow! What the hell?!" Dae Hyun yelped, rubbing the sore spot.

Seung Min smirked. "Who told you to slack off?"

Jin Ho and Jae Hoon burst into laughter at Dae Hyun's shocked expression, while Lee So Mi just scoffed.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Shin Kyung walked slowly along a deserted street, his jacket stained with blood. His expression was unreadable, his gaze sharp and calculating.

The battle between King and Grand Ace had just ended. This time, they had used bladed weapons, though not to the point of causing serious injuries.

The rules remained the same—whoever lost would be forced to start from the lowest rank, making it nearly impossible for them to enter a prestigious university. But the winner? They would have everything handed to them with ease.

Yet tonight, there was one difference—Seung Min was not there.

Meanwhile, Jin Seok sat on the sofa, his legs crossed, eyes fixed on the empty space ahead. The dim lighting in the room cast long shadows across his sharp features. He seemed deep in thought, his fingers lightly tapping against the armrest.

Beside him, Min Joon lounged comfortably, one leg propped up on the coffee table, engrossed in his game. The bandage on his cheek was a stark reminder of the recent fight, but it didn't seem to bother him. His phone blared with sound effects—gunfire, explosions, and the occasional victory chime—completely disrupting the silence of the room.

Jin Seok's jaw tensed slightly, his patience wearing thin. He exhaled through his nose before finally speaking, his voice calm but firm. "Can you turn down the volume?"

Min Joon smirked without looking away from his screen. He knew Jin Seok well enough to sense the irritation behind his words. "Yeah, yeah, fine, fine," he muttered lazily, lowering the volume just enough to keep playing but not enough for complete silence.

Jin Seok didn't say anything else. He leaned back against the sofa, his fingers lightly tapping against his knee. His mind was occupied, calculating the next move.

Then, the sudden vibration of his phone cut through the tension. His eyes flicked down to the screen. Shin Kyung.

Without hesitation, he answered. "Yeah?" His voice was low, controlled, but there was an unmistakable sharpness in his tone.

On the other end, Shin Kyung's voice came through, calm but with an edge of exhaustion. "It's done."

Jin Seok didn't react immediately. He glanced at Min Joon, who had now paused his game and was watching him with mild curiosity.

"How bad?" Jin Seok finally asked, his fingers tightening around the phone.

Shin Kyung let out a breath. "Bad enough. But I won."

Jin Seok's lips curled slightly, not quite a smile, but something close. "Of course you did."

There was a brief silence before Shin Kyung added, "Seung Min wasn't there."

That made Jin Seok pause. His expression darkened slightly. "I know," he muttered.

Min Joon raised an eyebrow. "Trouble?" he asked casually, tilting his head.

Jin Seok didn't answer immediately. Instead, he shifted his gaze back to the ceiling, thinking. Then, with a slight smirk, he murmured, "Maybe."

That night, after taking a shower, Seung Min, Dae Hyun, and Jin Ho gathered in the living room to watch a horror movie recommended by Dae Hyun. The room was dimly lit, with only the glow from the television casting shadows on their faces.

Lee So Mi sat in the corner of the sofa, arms crossed, looking completely uninterested. "I still don't understand why I have to watch this," she grumbled, shooting an annoyed glance at Dae Hyun, who looked more tense than excited.

Jin Ho smirked and turned to Dae Hyun. "This is funny. You were the one most excited about this movie, but now you look the most scared."

Dae Hyun scoffed, trying to mask his fear. "I just didn't expect the sound effects to be this loud," he muttered, though his eyes remained glued to the screen, wary of every possible jumpscare.

But their lighthearted moment was abruptly interrupted when Seung Min's phone vibrated on the table. She glanced at the screen, and her expression immediately changed. Jin Seok.

Without hesitation, Seung Min picked up the phone and answered. "What?" she said bluntly, her tone calm but firm.

On the other end, Jin Seok's voice was cold. "Why are you ignoring the rules of the game? You're a Grand Ace, Seung Min."

Seung Min let out a quiet sigh, her eyes still on the television, though her mind was elsewhere. "It doesn't matter."

There was a brief silence before Jin Seok spoke again, his voice lower and sharper. "Don't be stupid. You know the consequences if you step out of the game's radar."

Seung Min smirked slightly, not out of amusement, but because she had already made up her mind. "I'll talk to your father soon, Jin Seok. I don't mind being out of your game."

Silence.

Dae Hyun and Jin Ho, sitting beside her, exchanged confused glances. They couldn't hear the conversation, but it was clear that something serious was happening.

On the other end, Jin Seok sighed softly before letting out a small, humorless laugh. "Do you think it's that easy?" he asked.

Seung Min didn't answer, staring blankly ahead.

"We'll see," Jin Seok said before ending the call.

Seung Min lowered her phone, remaining still for a few seconds. Then, she exhaled slowly and leaned back against the sofa.

"What was that about?" Jin Ho finally asked.

Seung Min shrugged, trying to act casual. "Nothing. Just keep watching the movie."

But deep down, she knew—this was just the beginning.

🎵 "God's Menu" – Stray Kids