Chapter 8: Predator in the Shadows

Jihan's muscles screamed in protest as he moved through the dimly lit streets. The fight against the ambushers had pushed him to his limits, but he had survived. More than that—he had won.

But victory meant nothing if he didn't stay ahead.

He had seen the fear in their eyes before they fell. They hadn't expected him to be that strong. That meant his reputation was spreading. The system was forcing him into the open, turning him into a target.

That was fine. It just meant he needed to strike first.

Hunting the Hunters

Jihan spent the next few days doing something he had never done before—tracking his enemies before they could track him.

His first target was easy to find. One of the students he had beaten in the ambush, a wiry kid named Daeho, had returned to school with his arm in a sling. He wasn't a leader, but he knew who was.

Jihan followed him after school, his footsteps silent as he stayed in the shadows. Daeho met with three others in the alley behind a convenience store. They were talking, but Jihan didn't need to hear them to know what was going on.

They were planning their revenge.

Jihan smirked. Perfect.

Striking First

Before they could react, Jihan stepped into the alley.

Daeho's eyes widened in terror. "H-He's here!"

One of the other students pulled a knife, but Jihan was already moving. His body felt lighter, faster. The system's upgrades were kicking in.

He grabbed the student's wrist and twisted. Crack! The knife clattered to the ground, and the student howled in pain.

Daeho tried to run. Bad choice.

Jihan lunged, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the wall.

"Who sent you?" Jihan's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that made Daeho tremble.

"I—I can't say! If they find out—"

Jihan didn't hesitate. He drove his fist into Daeho's gut. The smaller boy gasped, his legs giving out. Jihan held him up, his grip tightening.

"I won't ask again."

Daeho coughed, spitting out blood. "T-they call him… The Hound. He's the one in charge of—"

A loud crash.

Jihan turned just in time to see a steel pipe swinging toward his head.

The Real Fight Begins

Pain exploded through his skull as he stumbled back. He had been careless.

A new figure stepped into the alley—a tall, broad-shouldered student wearing a black hoodie. Cold, calculating eyes locked onto Jihan.

"You're tougher than I expected," the newcomer said. "But you're not untouchable."

Jihan wiped blood from his lip and grinned. Finally. A real challenge.

The Hound didn't waste time. He came in fast, swinging the steel pipe in a blur. Jihan ducked, barely dodging a strike meant to take his head off. The moment his feet hit the ground, The Hound twisted his body and brought the weapon down in a crushing arc.

Jihan raised his forearm to block—bad decision. The force rattled his bones, sending pain shooting through his arm. He stumbled back, but The Hound didn't let up. Another strike. Another. Faster. Stronger.

This guy was on another level.

Jihan barely managed to sidestep the next attack, using the narrow alley walls to reposition. If he fought directly, he'd lose. He had to be smarter.

The Hound smirked. "Running away already? Guess the rumors were overblown."

Jihan exhaled, steadying himself. Baiting him. Testing him.

"Not running," Jihan said. "Just studying."

He charged.

Instead of aiming for The Hound, Jihan kicked off the wall to launch himself to the side, forcing the bigger fighter to adjust his stance. In that split second, Jihan spun low and swept his leg out.

The Hound barely dodged, but Jihan wasn't done. He pivoted on his back foot and drove an elbow into the side of his ribs.

Thud!

The Hound grunted, stepping back. First real hit landed.

"Not bad," The Hound admitted. "But not good enough."

He lashed out with a sudden front kick. Jihan barely managed to brace, but the force still sent him skidding back. Before he could regain his footing, The Hound was already upon him.

The steel pipe came again—this time aimed at his ribs.

Jihan had no time to think. He twisted, letting the pipe graze his side, and grabbed The Hound's wrist.

Surprise flickered in the bigger fighter's eyes—just before Jihan drove his knee into his gut.

The Hound coughed violently, but even as he staggered, he managed to twist his body and break Jihan's grip.

Both fighters stepped back, breathing heavily.

Jihan smirked. This was getting fun.

The Final Blow

Jihan knew he couldn't let this drag out. His body was already reaching its limit. He needed to end it.

The Hound recovered fast, raising his steel pipe again. One last move. That's all Jihan needed.

The moment The Hound lunged, Jihan made his move.

He pretended to stumble, his body tilting just enough to make it look like he was losing balance.

The Hound took the bait. He swung.

Jihan dropped low at the last second—the steel pipe whistled over his head.

Before The Hound could react, Jihan lunged, grabbing his wrist and twisting with all his strength. The steel pipe flew out of his hand, clattering onto the ground.

Jihan didn't stop. He pivoted behind The Hound and wrapped his arm around his neck in a tight chokehold.

The bigger fighter thrashed, but Jihan held firm. His grip was like iron.

The Hound gasped, his strength faltering.

Five seconds.

Three.

Two.

The Hound collapsed.

Jihan let out a long breath, rolling his shoulders. Victory.

Aftermath

Jihan stood over the unconscious body of his opponent, his own breath ragged. His phone vibrated in his pocket.

[Mission Complete: +3 Strength, +2 Reflex, Special Ability Unlocked]

He exhaled, looking down at his shaking hands.

The fights were getting harder. But so was he.

Jihan smirked, stepping over The Hound's unconscious form.

Let them come. He was just getting started.

End of Chapter 8