Chapter 2: The First Step

Jihan stood frozen, his knuckles still throbbing from the impact of his punch. The hallway had gone completely silent. Students who had been mere spectators to his suffering for years now stared at him in disbelief. Even the senior, the same bully who had beaten him black and blue just a day before, was holding his jaw in shock.

A low murmur swept through the crowd.

"Did he just... fight back?"

"No way. That's Jihan. He never fights."

"He actually made Jinho bleed…!"

Jinho, the senior who had tormented Jihan for so long, took a step back, shaking off his disbelief. His pride wouldn't let him accept what had just happened. With a snarl, he wiped the blood from his split lip and lunged forward. "You little—"

Before Jihan could even react, his phone buzzed violently in his pocket.

[Mission Update: Survival Instinct – Fight or Fall.]

Reward: Reflex Boost +1

Penalty: Severe Pain Infliction

The moment the notification appeared, Jihan's body moved on its own. His vision sharpened, his instincts screamed, and as Jinho's fist came flying toward him, he dodged.

Not sidestepped. Not leaned away.

Dodged. Perfectly.

Jinho's punch cut through empty air, his balance thrown off for just a second. And in that moment, something inside Jihan snapped into place. His muscles tensed, his body shifted naturally, and before he could even process it, his fist drove into Jinho's stomach.

A deep thud echoed in the hall as Jinho doubled over, coughing violently. He dropped to one knee, struggling to breathe, his eyes wide in pain and shock.

Jihan's breath came in ragged gasps. The rush, the precision—it felt unreal. It was as if his body had instantly adapted to the fight, responding far beyond what he was capable of just a day ago.

His phone vibrated again.

[Mission Complete: Reflex Boost +1 Earned.]

Jihan blinked. That wasn't luck. That was the system.

The realization sent a shiver through him. This thing is real. The app is actually changing me.

"You bastard!" Jinho growled, forcing himself up despite the pain. "You think you're tough now?!" His face twisted with rage, and Jihan could see the veins bulging in his neck.

"You're dead. You hear me? DEAD!"

Jihan didn't flinch. For the first time in his life, he wasn't afraid.

He took a step forward. Jinho instinctively took a step back. That alone told Jihan everything he needed to know.

The roles had reversed.

"Try it," Jihan said coldly.

Jinho hesitated, his pride and fear clashing in his expression. Then, with a sharp glare, he spat blood to the floor and stormed off, shoving past the whispering students.

Jihan exhaled. His entire body was still tingling with adrenaline, his hands shaking slightly from the surge of power.

He looked down at his phone, the app's dark interface reflecting in his eyes.

[Dominance Code Activated.]

If this was just the beginning… how far could he go?

That Night

Jihan sat on his bed, staring at the screen of his phone. His bruises still ached, but they were nothing compared to the rush he felt. His whole life, he had been weak. Helpless. But now… he had something that could change everything.

The Dominance Code.

He clicked on the app, and a new menu unfolded before him.

[User: Jihan]

[Rank: F]

[Stats:]

Strength: 2 (+1 Bonus)

Reflex: 1 (+1 Bonus)

Endurance: 1

Speed: 1

A small smirk played at Jihan's lips. So, I really did level up.

But before he could explore further, a new notification popped up.

[Next Mission Available: Take Control or Be Controlled.]

Objective: Assert dominance over an enemy within 24 hours.

Reward: Endurance Boost +1

Penalty: System Lockdown for 3 Days

Jihan's smirk faded. He wasn't done yet.

The real fight was just beginning.

The Next Morning – A New Target

Jihan walked through the school gates, his mind still replaying yesterday's events. His body felt different—lighter, stronger, more aware. He was no longer the same defenseless student.

But the system had issued its next challenge. He needed to establish dominance.

As he scanned the schoolyard, his eyes locked onto a familiar figure—Dojin, one of Jinho's lackeys, a guy who had laughed as Jihan got beaten just days before.

Perfect.

Jihan approached slowly, his presence unnoticed until he spoke.

"Dojin."

The thug turned, his expression shifting from confusion to amusement. "What do you want, loser? Still feeling brave after getting lucky yesterday?"

Jihan didn't answer. He simply stepped forward, his stare sharp and unwavering.

Dojin scoffed. "Oh, you really think you're hot shit now, huh? Maybe I should teach you a lesson before Jinho does."

Jihan smirked. "Try it."

Before Dojin could react, Jihan's fist crashed into his jaw, sending him staggering backward. Gasps rippled through the students nearby. But Jihan wasn't done.

He grabbed Dojin by the collar and slammed him against the lockers. "From now on, you're beneath me. Understand?"

Dojin's eyes widened in terror. He nodded frantically.

[Mission Complete: Endurance Boost +1 Earned.]

Jihan let go, watching as Dojin scrambled away.

This was only the beginning.