The back parking lot of Ducci Mall was quiet at first—still, wide, and dimly lit by flickering overhead lights. Faded parking lines stretched across the cracked concrete, and a few abandoned shopping carts lay toppled in corners.
But that peace shattered in seconds.
Footsteps. Dozens of them. The crunch of sneakers. The shouts of teenage boys growing louder and louder.
Ji-ho and Yejun stood at the center of the lot, looking around as they were surrounded by a swarm of fifty students from Pipik High.
Ji-ho trembled. "W-We should run…"
"No," Yejun muttered, pulling off his blazer. "You're not fighting. Stay behind me."
"But—!"
"I said stay behind me!" Yejun shouted.
The ring of Pipik High boys closed in. Metal rods. Brass knuckles. Chains. The noise of shouting and mockery filled the air.
Yejun stepped forward, cracking his neck.
"I'll take you all on."
And he did.
The first attacker lunged in — Yejun ducked and landed an uppercut to the chin. The boy flew back, landing with a harsh thud. Another came from the left with a bat — Yejun twisted, grabbed the bat mid-swing, yanked the boy forward and headbutted him.
Three more rushed from different directions — Yejun dropped low, swept one's legs, elbowed the second, and jabbed the third in the throat.
His movements were fast. Sharp. Years of boxing had carved his reflexes. His fists landed with clean thuds, but his knuckles were starting to bruise.
One boy managed to hit him from behind — a pipe smashing against Yejun's shoulder.
He didn't flinch.
He turned, grabbed the boy, and slammed his head against a nearby car door, leaving a dent.
But they kept coming. Ten more. Fifteen. Twenty. They jumped on him together.
Crack! A chain whipped across his back.
Thud! A knee crashed into his stomach.
Yejun coughed, blood staining his lips.
But he didn't stop.
He fought like a wounded lion. Eyes wild, breath ragged. Punch after punch. Dodge, counter, elbow, block, spin — he was everywhere.
Ji-ho watched, horrified, as his friend's white shirt turned red from cuts and bruises.
Yejun stood, swaying slightly. Thirty, maybe forty boys were already down. But his body was giving up. His arm hung limp. Blood poured from his forehead.
Yet he still stood between Ji-ho and the crowd.
And then…
A slow clap echoed through the parking lot.
From the crowd stepped a single figure. Calm. Clean. Untouched.
Ryu Ji-seok.
Rank 3rd of Pipik High.
He looked like a devil stepped out of a fashion magazine. Red and black dyed hair falling over sharp eyes. A red jacket half-zipped over a tight black shirt. Blue pants, glossy black gloves on his hands.
He walked casually, like he had all the time in the world. His smile? Mocking.
"Impressive," Ryu said, eyes on Yejun. "Fifty boys, and you're still standing."
Yejun wiped blood from his mouth. "If you're done watching… come fight."
Ryu tilted his head. "You're shaking."
Yejun didn't answer. He raised his fists, stepping forward.
Ryu exhaled and slid into stance. A boxer's stance. Smooth. Balanced.
They stared at each other for a second.
Then they moved.
Yejun struck first. A sharp jab to test the distance — but Ryu leaned back with ease. His eyes didn't blink. His feet didn't move.
Yejun followed with a right hook — missed.
A straight — missed.
It was like punching smoke.
And then Ryu smiled.
WHAM!
A jab connected to Yejun's cheek. His head snapped back, stumbling two steps.
THUMP!
Another punch — to the ribs. The sound echoed like a drum.
CRACK!
An uppercut to the chin. Yejun was lifted an inch off the ground before crashing to his knees.
Ji-ho screamed. "Yejun!!"
But the final blow was the worst.
Ryu stepped in close — and drove his fist deep into Yejun's liver.
It was silent for a second.
Yejun's eyes widened. He gasped — but no sound came out.
His knees hit the ground.
He bent forward. Blood dripped from his mouth. His body twitched once. Twice. Then stopped moving.
He collapsed.
The parking lot was quiet.
Ji-ho rushed forward, holding Yejun in his arms, crying.
Ryu looked down, shaking his head. "Strong, but not smart." He turned and walked back into the crowd.
Another one down.