Season 2 - Abyss

One full week passed, with Seung Min undergoing intense training under Hae Jin's guidance. Each day was grueling—endless sparring, footwork drills, and mental endurance tests. Seung Min's muscles ached, but his movements sharpened with every passing day.

Then, on a bright morning, Seung Min, Lee So Mi, Hae Jin (in Kieran's body), Jae Hoon, Dae Hyun, and Jin Ho walked down the school hallway. Their presence was magnetic—every student turned to glance, murmuring in admiration or curiosity.

But as they approached the classrooms, they were met with an unexpected sight. Members of Jin Seok's faction from classes 1, 2, and 3 stood at every doorway, holding large sheets of paper labeled:

Class 1: Rookie

Class 1: Joker

Class 1: ACE

Class 1: Grand ACE

The same pattern continued for Class 2 and Class 3.

The group exchanged wary glances. Suddenly, two students blocked Jae Hoon and Hae Jin's path.

"You two, Joker room," one of them said curtly.

Jae Hoon clicked his tongue but complied. Hae Jin shrugged, grinning. "Let's see what this is about."

Meanwhile, Dae Hyun and Jin Ho were directed toward the Rookie class. They sighed but followed along, exchanging resigned looks.

This left Seung Min alone. As he walked past the classrooms, students whispered excitedly, some smiling as if they knew something he didn't. "Why are they... happy to see me?" he wondered.

Lee So Mi patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Be careful," she whispered before heading to her own class—fortunately, her class wasn't involved in the game.

Seung Min finally reached a classroom door and froze. Inside sat familiar faces: Do Jin, Min Joon, Jin Woo, and others—each wearing calm, expectant expressions. At the center sat Jin Seok, his posture relaxed, fingers interlaced as if he'd been waiting for this moment.

Seung Min stepped forward, standing right in front of him. His gaze didn't waver. "What is this, Jin Seok?" he asked, voice steady but laced with tension.

Min Joon smirked, stepping up. "Just sit down, Seung Min. It'll be easier for you."

Elsewhere A group of teachers and administrators gathered, tension thick in the air. The principal's expression was grave as he read out orders from an official-looking document.

"Starting today, the Death Card Game will determine the school's hierarchy," he stated. "No exceptions. All instructions must be followed without question."

The room fell into heavy silence—compliance wasn't a choice.

On the other side,Lee So Mi stood anxiously in the hallway with Yoon Ha Rin. The crowd of students grew louder, filled with cheers and murmurs. The boys looked excited, as if they were waiting for a grand show.

"I don't like this..." Yoon Ha Rin muttered, her worried gaze fixed on the classroom where Seung Min was.

Lee So Mi clenched her fists. "What exactly is Jin Seok planning?" she thought, her anxiety growing.

Meanwhile, in the Rookie room Dae Hyun glanced around and scoffed dismissively. "Good thing we're just in rookie," he whispered to Jin Ho. "The people here will be easy to beat."

Jin Ho, calm as always, nodded. "Stay alert. Sometimes, the ones who look weak are the most dangerous."

Despite his words, Dae Hyun still looked confident. "Ah, relax. No one here can beat us at this level."

In the Joker room Jae Hoon sat with an irritated look, his foot tapping the floor impatiently. "How long do we have to wait?" he grumbled.

Hae Jin, unlike him, leaned back in his chair with his hands folded behind his head. His gaze was sharp, as if he had already figured out the game. "This is more than just a typical hierarchy... There's something bigger behind all of this," he thought.

The stench of cigarette smoke and wild laughter from a few students thickened the tense atmosphere. Still, Hae Jin remained calm, occasionally glancing at the door—waiting for something.

At the company—CEO's office Lee Joo Hyun sat upright in his sleek black leather chair, surrounded by glass walls offering a panoramic view of the city. In front of him, a large desk was neatly organized with perfectly stacked documents. An iPad lay next to his laptop, displaying CCTV footage from the school.

His sharp eyes focused on the screen, closely monitoring the students' every move. Stroking his chin, he glanced at several documents labeled "Financial Restructuring Plan" and "Asian Market Expansion Project." Despite the workload piling up, his main focus remained on the school.

"It seems... Jin Seok is doing exactly what I ordered," he muttered with a faint smile.

The sound of click-click echoed as his fingers scrolled through the data. Financial reports, stock charts, and live hallway footage flashed across the screen. He pressed a button on his desk, activating the intercom.

"Han Ji, make sure all departments are ready for this afternoon's meeting. And... keep monitoring the school's movements. I don't want any mistakes."

"Understood, Mr. Lee," replied the voice on the other end.

Lee Joo Hyun swiveled his chair to face the city skyline. His mind wandered. "If everything goes according to plan... this will be a huge step for me. Both for the company and for that school."

He closed his eyes briefly. Two different worlds—business and school dominance—colliding in his grand scheme.

Elsewhere—at the police station Hyun Wook, Seung Min's uncle, sat casually with his shirt slightly disheveled. He toyed with a lighter, eyes staring blankly at the reports on his desk. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary officer—but few knew his dark past. He was a former gangster with strong underground ties.

Behind the scenes, Gangnam's most notorious gang—now led by Seung Min's grandfather—was also watching closely. The old man sat in a dimly lit room, monitors displaying various angles of the school.

"Their movements... are dangerous," the grandfather murmured. "Seung Min, don't get too deeply involved..."

In Seung Min's classroom Seung Min stood stiffly, the room's atmosphere pressing down on him. Every gaze was directed at him, but none more piercing than Jin Seok's. "What is he planning?" Seung Min wondered, tension knotting his chest.

His eyes briefly flicked to the door. "If only Hae Jin were here... It would feel less heavy with him by my side." But reality offered no comfort. Everything felt overwhelmingly heavy.

Meanwhile, Jin Seok sat at his desk with a smirk. "The show's about to start," he murmured.

And Seung Min? He could only clench his jaw, bracing himself for whatever was coming next.

Back at the school Several outside gangs discreetly observed the building from afar. From the outside, everything seemed normal—calm and controlled. But they had no idea... chaos was already unfolding inside.

DING—DONG—DING—DONG!

The midday bell echoed throughout the school, marking the end of class. But instead of relaxed conversations, a thick tension filled the air. Sunlight streamed through the hallway windows, yet the atmosphere felt heavy.

"Why does it feel so weird today?" a student whispered.

Scattered cheers and anxious murmurs spread as if everyone was waiting for something big to happen.

Inside the Joker room Jae Hoon sat at the end of the table, his leg tapping impatiently. "How much longer do we have to wait?!" he growled, eyes fixed on the door.

Across from him, Hae Jin leaned back, arms folded behind his head. Though calm, his gaze was sharp. "This isn't just about school hierarchy… There's something deeper going on," he thought.

Without warning, Jae Hoon stood up. "I can't stand waiting! If they wanna play, let's finish this now!"

"Don't be reckless—" Hae Jin began, but Jae Hoon was already out the door.

In the hallway Lee So Mi stood tensely beside Yoon Ha Rin. The crowd thickened, yet no one dared approach Seung Min's classroom.

"I really don't like this..." Ha Rin murmured, anxiety clear in her eyes.

So Mi clenched her fists. "What is Jin Seok planning...?" her mind raced.

Without hesitation, So Mi darted toward the classroom. "I have to stop this before it's too late!"

"So Mi, wait—!" Ha Rin called, but her words fell on deaf ears.

Inside the Rookie room Dae Hyun leaned back, looking bored. "What's with all the drama in the middle of the day?"

Jin Ho glanced toward the door. "You hear that outside? This is more than just a simple fight."

"Yeah, but what's it got to do with us?"

"Sometimes the things that 'don't concern you' are the most dangerous," Jin Ho replied seriously.

Inside Seung Min's classroom Seung Min stood rigid at the center, the weight of the room pressing down on him. All eyes locked onto him, but none cut deeper than Jin Seok's gaze. The latter sat casually, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"What is he planning...?" Seung Min's jaw tightened.

BANG!

The classroom door slammed open. Jae Hoon strode in, eyes sharp as blades.

"Enough of this crap! If you wanna do this—let's go, right now!" he snapped.

Students shrank back, tension snapping like a pulled wire.

Jin Seok rose from his seat, that smirk never fading. "Finally... Ace and Joker, face to face."

Seung Min shot Jae Hoon a glance. "Are you sure you wanna get involved?"

"I'm not getting involved. I'm here to end it," Jae Hoon shot back.

Raising a hand, Jin Seok declared, "Ace versus Joker. Seung Min against Jae Hoon. Only one walks away standing."

Silence swallowed the room. No cameras, no recordings—just raw tension and the weight of every gaze fixed on them.

In the hallway—just outside the classroom

Lee So Mi nearly reached the door—

"Stop."

Dae Hyun and Jin Ho blocked her path.

"What are you doing? Move!" So Mi barked.

"We're here to guard the door," Jin Ho replied calmly.

"I don't care! They'll destroy each other if this goes on!"

Dae Hyun shrugged. "If you push it… we'll stop you."

So Mi clenched her fists tighter, heart pounding.

Back inside the classroom Seung Min and Jae Hoon stood face to face. The air thickened; every breath felt heavier.

Seung Min inhaled. "I don't want this… but if I have to fight, I won't back down."

Jae Hoon nodded. "I hate being dragged into this, but sometimes… the only way is through."

Jin Seok took a step back. "Let the show begin."

The bright afternoon sun poured through the windows, casting long shadows on the floor. No one spoke. No one cheered. Only the suffocating tension remained as the two figures stepped forward.

The battle between Ace and Joker had begun.

Inside the classroom Jae Hoon lunged forward—

BAM! His fist connected with Seung Min's cheek, the sharp slap of impact echoing through the room.

Seung Min's head snapped to the side, a thin line of blood forming at the corner of his lips. Yet... he smiled. A faint, knowing smile.

Jae Hoon's eyes widened. "Mianhae, Seung Min," he muttered, guilt flickering in his gaze.

Seung Min wiped the blood from his mouth. "I'm not angry," he replied calmly, his voice steady despite the hit.

Without wasting a second, they clashed again—fists flying, feet sliding across the floor. The crowd inside and outside the classroom roared in excitement.

"Ayo! Habisi dia!"

"Jangan berhenti!"

But Seung Min's movements shifted. His mind sharpened—Hae Jin's teachings resurfacing.

"Jangan hanya mengandalkan kekuatan. Amati gerakan lawan. Reaksi, pernapasan—semuanya adalah petunjuk."

Each punch he dodged, each counter he threw—it was precise, calculated.

THUD!

Jae Hoon stumbled backward, chest heaving. Seung Min twisted, landed a sweeping kick—

BAM! Jae Hoon hit the floor, breath knocked out of him.

The crowd exploded—

"WOAH!"

"Finish him off!"

"Come on, don't stop now!"

Seung Min stood over him, panting. His hand clenched—he could end it. But instead... he extended his hand to Jae Hoon.

Jae Hoon blinked up at him, confused.

"Get up," Seung Min said simply.

For a beat, silence hung in the air. Then—

SLAM!

The door burst open.

"STOP!" Hae Jin's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. His eyes, sharp and commanding, swept over the scene.

Do Jin stepped forward, scoffing. "Hey, you shouldn't be in here! Didn't you break the rules before? You want your bones snapped this time?"

Shin Kyun moved in beside Seung Min, gaze locked on Do Jin with wary intensity. Tension sparked again—ready to ignite.

But then—

DING!

Phones vibrated. A collective pause. Students reached for their devices.

> [NOTIFICATION]

TIME'S UP.

THE MATCH IS OVER.

"…Sial," someone muttered.

"Padahal lagi seru banget..."

"Kenapa waktunya cepet banget sih?!"

Groans and murmurs rippled through the crowd, disappointment thick in the air. Yet amidst the noise, Seung Min helped Jae Hoon to his feet. Their eyes met—mutual respect gleaming beneath the bruises.

Outside, the sun still shone brightly... but something had changed. Lines were drawn. Loyalties tested.

And this was just the beginning.

In each classroom Thin smoke wafted through the air, filling the room with the pungent scent of tobacco. Some students sat on window ledges, casually smoking without a care for the rules. Harsh laughter, the scraping of chairs, and loud conversations blended into one chaotic atmosphere. The classrooms felt less like places of learning and more like gang hideouts—wild, free, and unchecked.

In the cafeteria The cafeteria was unusually quiet. Seung Min, Hae Jin, Jae Hoon, Jin Ho, and Dae Hyun sat at a corner table. No one spoke. The only sounds were the faint clinking of utensils against trays. The tension from the earlier fight still lingered in the air.

Seung Min glanced at Jae Hoon, who sat silently, staring at his untouched food. Without a word, Seung Min slid his tray toward him.

"Eat," he said simply.

Jae Hoon looked at him, their eyes meeting in a brief moment of unspoken understanding. Slowly, Jae Hoon picked up his spoon and began to eat—no words of thanks, but the gesture was enough.

Moments later, approaching footsteps broke the silence.

Lee So Mi and Yoon Ha Rin arrived, sitting in the remaining seats at the table. Seung Min glanced at the girl with long hair, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

He opened his mouth to ask, "Who—"

Hae Jin swiftly covered his mouth. "Don't speak carelessly," he whispered sharply, eyes darting around to ensure no one was eavesdropping.

Leaning in closer, Hae Jin murmured near Seung Min's ear, "Yoon Ha Rin... she's our ally now." He paused, then added in a lower voice, "She's Shin Kyung's younger sister."

Seung Min's eyes widened, the name hitting him with a mix of surprise and caution.

"Shin Kyung isn't as bad as he seems," Hae Jin continued quietly. "But... something's keeping him tied to that side. Pressure. Expectations."

Seung Min stole another glance at Yoon Ha Rin, who spoke softly with Lee So Mi. There was a calmness about her, but her gaze hinted at a hidden burden.

Around the table, despite the presence of food, the weight of secrets and tangled relationships hung heavier than any meal could. Outside the cafeteria, the world moved on. But at that small table—it felt like a storm was silently brewing, ready to break at any moment.

In the teachers' office,The atmosphere was thick with tension. The large room, filled with neatly organized desks and shelves stacked with documents, felt unusually heavy. At the head of the room, behind a polished oak desk, sat the principal—his sharp gaze fixed on the student standing before him.

Jin Seok stood confidently, hands tucked into his pockets, his expression unreadable. He didn't flinch under the principal's stern stare.

"So..." The principal's voice cut through the silence. "You took matters into your own hands again."

Jin Seok smirked. "Someone had to keep things under control."

The principal's fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk, eyes narrowing. "Control? You think causing chaos is control?"

"It's necessary," Jin Seok replied coolly. "If we don't set the rules, someone else will—and we both know what kind of mess that brings."

Just then, the door creaked open.

Nina Park, holding a stack of files, entered the room. Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she walked, her eyes darting between the two figures. There was an unmistakable tension—like she'd just stepped into the eye of a storm.

Silently, she placed the documents on the principal's desk, but her gaze lingered on Jin Seok. Observing. Calculating. There was something about the way the student carried himself—too calm for someone standing in the principal's office after a fight.

"You've been stirring things up quite a bit lately," Nina remarked, her voice smooth but edged with warning.

Jin Seok glanced at her, his smirk widening. "People get bored. I just... make things interesting."

The principal sighed, rubbing his temples. "This isn't a playground. If this escalates any further—"

"It won't," Jin Seok interrupted, tone assured. "Everything's under control."

Nina Park tilted her head slightly, studying him. Under control? There was more to this than met the eye. Her instincts told her Jin Seok wasn't just some rebellious student—there was a deeper game at play.

As she turned to leave, her mind raced with questions. What exactly is he planning? And more importantly—how far was the principal willing to let this go?

Behind her, the room fell back into a tense silence, the weight of unspoken words thick in the air.

🎵 "God's Menu" – Stray Kids