Season 2 - Veritas

The next day, the atmosphere at school felt different. At the front gate, eight people walked in unison, each wearing matching black jackets with the "GangBorn" emblem on the back. The jackets looked exclusive, designed to reflect their boldness and new identity as a group.

All eyes immediately turned to them. Whispers spread through the hallways, while some students looked at them with admiration, envy, or even fear.

Leading the group, Seung Min walked casually, hands in his pockets. Ryo Tadake, with a confident smirk, exhaled a puff of smoke, enjoying the attention they were getting. Hae Jin and Dae Hyun chuckled behind him, amused by the reactions. Meanwhile, Jin Ho and Lee So Mi were engaged in a serious conversation, discussing something only they understood. Yoon Ha Rin glanced around, feeling proud to be part of this group.

At the very back, Jae Hoon simply smiled faintly, observing everything. He knew that today was the beginning of something bigger—something that would change the dynamics of their school.

As they walked down the corridor, some students quickly stepped aside to give them space, while others could only watch with a mix of curiosity and unease.

GangBorn had arrived. And this was just the beginning.

As they walked through the hallway, their steps were steady and confident. Suddenly, Dae Hyun shouted, "Hey... move aside!"—half-joking, but enough to make several students quickly step aside.

After that, they finally split up and went to their respective classes.

Jae Hoon, Hae Jin, and Ryo Tadeka entered Joker Class.

Dae Hyun and Jin Ho headed to Rookie Room.

Seung Min walked into Ace Class, while the others went to their designated classes.

As Seung Min stepped into his class, the atmosphere instantly shifted. All eyes turned toward him, especially two prominent figures: Do Jin and Jin Woo. Their gazes were sharp, silently assessing his presence.

Without hesitation, Seung Min walked to his seat. This time, the person sitting in front of him was no longer Jin Seok—instead, it was someone else who had recently been promoted, an ambitious figure not too familiar but well-known for his competitiveness.

Seung Min unlocked his phone and narrowed his eyes as an important notification popped up:

Jin Seok has been promoted to King.

He stared at the screen for a few seconds before a faint smirk appeared on his lips. This game had just gotten a lot more interesting.

Meanwhile, in Hae Jin's classroom The atmosphere remained tense after their arrival. The students were still whispering, glancing at them with a mix of curiosity and unease.

Not long after, Min Joon approached Jae Hoon. His presence alone was enough to attract attention, but Jae Hoon didn't back down. He stood up, facing Min Joon directly.

"That's enough," Jae Hoon's voice was cold but firm. "Stop using threats against my family as your excuse. I'm done. I'm leaving your rotten gang."

Min Joon tilted his head slightly, observing Jae Hoon's expression. He seemed unfazed, as if he had expected this.

Jae Hoon took a step closer. "Seung Min's uncle is a detective. If you take the wrong step—if you so much as lay a finger on my mother—you'll be the first to be destroyed." His eyes burned with determination, his fists clenched.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, Min Joon smirked faintly. He didn't say a word, simply turning around and walking away without looking back.

Jae Hoon exhaled sharply, watching him disappear down the hallway.

This wasn't over. Not yet.

Meanwhile, in the principal's office Nina Park walked briskly, her footsteps echoing through the quiet corridor. After leaving Lee So Mi's class, she headed straight for the principal's office. Her face was tense, her fists clenched tightly as if holding back something.

The moment she entered, she placed a few documents on the desk with a loud thud. "Sir, this is getting out of control…" she said seriously. The principal, who had been reading some files, immediately lifted his head and looked at Nina Park with full attention.

Elsewhere, in Yoon Ha Rin and Lee So Mi's class Lee So Mi sat at her desk, holding a document with a sharp gaze. Her fingers traced each page carefully before she clicked her tongue.

"Jin Seok, you really…" she muttered, not finishing her sentence. But her tone carried a meaning that was hard to decipher.

Yoon Ha Rin, sitting beside her, glanced at Lee So Mi, curious about what was going on.

On the rooftop The wind blew fiercely, carrying a chilling breeze. Min Joon walked casually, but his eyes were sharp, filled with an unreadable intensity.

There, Jin Seok stood calmly, facing the vast sky. Meanwhile, Shin Kyung leaned against the railing, observing Min Joon with a wary look.

Min Joon stopped a few steps away from them, slipping his hands into his pockets. "So, what's your plan now?" he asked, his voice calm yet carrying an underlying sharpness.

Jin Seok didn't answer immediately. He continued staring ahead, seemingly unbothered by Min Joon's presence. But then, a small, unreadable smirk appeared at the corner of his lips…

Jin Seok finally turned to face Min Joon, his gaze cold and calculating. He smirked slightly before speaking, "Don't be a hypocrite, Min Joon. You're not some saint who gets to judge others."

Min Joon fell silent, his expression shifting instantly. Those words struck right at his pride. For the first time, his confidence wavered slightly.

"Do you really think I don't know all your dirty little games?" Jin Seok continued, stepping forward slowly. "You can threaten others, but not me."

Shin Kyung stood nearby, arms crossed, observing quietly. He knew full well that Jin Seok was no ordinary person. Outside of school, Jin Seok had an extensive network—far beyond just street gangs or delinquent groups. He was connected to people Min Joon couldn't even begin to touch.

"I have enough information to destroy you anytime I want," Jin Seok added, his voice low but razor-sharp. "So if I were you, I'd think twice before trying to mess with my family or this game again."

Min Joon clenched his fists. He wasn't stupid. He knew Jin Seok wasn't just bluffing—and that frustrated him even more.

But before he could respond, Jin Seok smirked coldly. "Leave now, before you embarrass yourself any further."

Min Joon shot him a sharp glare, his jaw tightening. But after a few tense seconds, he turned on his heels and walked away without another word.

Jin Seok and Shin Kyung exchanged a glance before Shin Kyung commented casually, "You just broke his spirit."

Jin Seok chuckled lightly. "He just needed a little reminder of who really holds the power here."

Throughout the entire school, the Death Card Game notification echoed.

[Ki Seok vs. Kieran]

Hae Jin, who had been sitting casually, immediately stood up with a grin. "Finally... it's starting," he murmured.

The battle began, and within minutes, Hae Jin moved swiftly. Thanks to his training in Liberal Arts Combat, he easily read Ki Seok's movements. It didn't take long before Ki Seok collapsed to the ground, unable to continue the fight.

[Hae Jin has leveled up to Ace.]

Meanwhile, in another class, fights had also started.

In the Rookie Class, Jin Ho faced an opponent much stronger than him. However, he recalled the techniques Seung Min had taught him. With full concentration, he adapted his strategy and managed to defeat his opponent.

[Jin Ho has leveled up to Joker.]

The entire class fell silent, unable to believe that Jin Ho—who had always been underestimated—had risen in rank so quickly.

In the Ace Class, Seung Min stood face-to-face with Jin Woo. Their gazes were sharp, both assessing each other.

The fight was intense, but Seung Min remembered the special techniques taught by Hae Jin. He began to dominate. However, as Jin Woo fought back fiercely, Seung Min made a drastic decision—he used a forbidden technique.

In an instant, Jin Woo was sent flying out of the classroom, crashing into the wall with a loud thud. Blood trickled from his nose before he finally lost consciousness.

Suddenly, from all directions, Hae Jin, Dae Hyun, Jin Ho, Ryo, and Jae Hoon rushed out of their classrooms, eager to see who had just taken down Jin Woo so brutally.

As they arrived, their eyes fell on one person inside the class.

Seung Min.

Everyone fell silent.

No one had expected… Seung Min could fight with such sheer brutality.

The entire school hallway fell silent. All eyes were on Seung Min, who stood with steady breaths, while Jin Woo lay unconscious outside the classroom.

Hae Jin, Dae Hyun, Jin Ho, Ryo, and Jae Hoon exchanged glances. They knew very well—the technique Seung Min had just used was not something easily mastered.

Dae Hyun frowned. "Damn… that wasn't an ordinary technique."

Jin Ho swallowed hard. "Don't tell me…"

Hae Jin smirked slightly. He had already figured it out. Previously, Seung Min's body had been used by Hae Jin himself during the transmigration process, allowing Seung Min to experience and understand the high-level combat techniques Hae Jin had mastered.

However, what shocked everyone was that Seung Min had fully adapted to those abilities—not just memorizing the moves, but truly mastering them through serious training.

Ryo leaned against the wall and chuckled. "Seung Min… you really know how to surprise us."

Seung Min lifted his head, his sharp gaze meeting theirs. "I just learned from the best."

For a brief moment, Hae Jin and Seung Min's eyes met, before Hae Jin let out a quiet laugh. "If you can fully control that technique… you might surpass me one day."

Seung Min only gave a faint smile.

The Death Card Game had just begun, and they all knew—the battles ahead were only going to get crazier.

Meanwhile, at the police station, Joo Hyuk, Seung Min's uncle, received a phone call from his father—Seung Min's grandfather.

[Incoming Call: Father]

Joo Hyuk immediately answered, "Yes, Father?"

A firm voice came from the other end, "Return to Gangnam now. I need you at the headquarters."

Joo Hyuk frowned. "Is there a problem?"

"It's urgent. Don't delay."

Joo Hyuk remained silent for a moment before finally replying, "Understood. I'll leave right away."

As the call ended, he let out a deep sigh. Without hesitation, he grabbed his jacket and prepared to leave.

Meanwhile, at school, Lee So Mi was sitting in class, lost in thought, unaware that their uncle had just received an emergency call from their grandfather.

Elsewhere, Seung Min, who had just stepped out of class, felt his phone vibrate. He took it out and saw a message from Joo Hyuk.

[I have to return to Gangnam. Take care of yourself. Don't get into trouble.]

Seung Min stared at his phone screen with a serious expression. Something was happening in Gangnam—and it wasn't a small matter.

That night, the eight of them gathered at Seung Min and Lee So Mi's house. The atmosphere was tense as Lee So Mi placed a stack of documents on the table, her expression filled with frustration.

"These documents are fake," she said, her voice laced with disappointment.

Crossing her arms, she glared at the papers before letting out a deep sigh. "I even went through the trouble of cutting my hair for this mission, and it was all for nothing!"

The room fell silent for a moment before Dae Hyun groaned, throwing himself onto the sofa. "Great. Perfect. Now what?"

Meanwhile, Yoon Ha Rin sat quietly, but her gaze remained fixed on Ryo Tadake. She had been watching him for a while now, though whether Ryo noticed or was simply pretending not to, was unclear.

On the other side of the room, Hae Jin smirked as he casually draped his arms around Seung Min and Jae Hoon. "Well, at least we got some action. Finally, something exciting."

Seung Min shot him a deadpan look. "You call this exciting?"

Jae Hoon chuckled, shaking his head. "With you guys, there's never a quiet day."

The night was far from over, and they all knew—this was just the beginning.

Not long after, Jin Ho finally spoke up, breaking the tense silence. His voice was calm but firm.

"So, what's our next move?" he asked, his eyes scanning everyone in the room.

The others exchanged glances, still processing the fact that the documents were fake. Lee So Mi tapped her fingers on the table impatiently, while Dae Hyun sighed, rubbing his temples.

Before anyone could answer, the scene shifted elsewhere.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city Jin Seok sat alone in a dimly lit room. The only sound was the slow trickle of water as he washed his hands in the sink. His fingers were stained with blood, the deep red swirling down the drain.

He watched in silence as the water turned crimson, his expression unreadable. His grip on the sink tightened for a moment before he exhaled and wiped his hands dry.

As he looked at his reflection in the mirror, his lips curled into a cold smile.

"They really think they're in control, huh?" he muttered to himself.

Something dark flickered in his eyes.

Whatever he had done… it was far from over.

🎵 "God's Menu" – Stray Kids