Third floor corridor. Riko stood alone against seven people. The long hallway in front of the silent classrooms had turned into a chamber of punishment.
Attacks came from every direction without pattern, leaving him barely any time to breathe.
A punch smashed into his cheek, followed by a kick to the stomach before he could straighten up.
Riko staggered sideways, his back slamming against a classroom door. The impact rang out, but he remained standing, even as his breathing grew heavy.
Another fist crashed into his jaw. His head snapped aside, vision shaking. The world spun, but his feet still held.
He raised both arms, not to strike, but to endure, taking every blow like a wall being forced to crumble.
Kicks rained into his ribs and thighs. His large body swayed left and right, driven back step by step. He truly looked like a punching bag, beaten without mercy. Yet every time he nearly fell, he forced his legs to hold him up.
His knee touched the floor. One second that felt endless. Some of them prepared to attack again, thinking he could no longer stand. But Riko clenched his teeth, swallowing the pain spreading through his body.
He stood again, gasping. Blood gathered at the corner of his mouth, a bitter metallic taste filling his tongue. His hands trembled but did not fall. His eyes stayed forward, refusing surrender.
"Is he even human?!"
"He's a wall!!"
Even those hitting him could hardly believe what they were seeing.
Each blow grew heavier. His muscles screamed, balance fading. But in his head there was only one rule. He could not fall here. Not now.
Riko accepted it all with his body. He was not winning, not dominating, barely even fighting back.
"I can't give up here!"
His muscles shook. Breath caught in his chest. He tried to lift himself, but his legs no longer felt like his. The big body that had always been his strength now felt like dead weight.
"What's happening?!"
He tried to move his fingers, arms, even just stand straight, but failed.
"Move!!" he screamed inside, but his body stayed still, nailed down by pain and exhaustion.
His vision blurred.
The noise around him faded, replaced by a faint ringing like an echo from the past. The world collapsed, and his memories were dragged backward, long before this school corridor existed in his life.
"Why am I thinking about the past… is this because I'm losing?"
•••
Elementary school. Children's screams echoed.
"Don't come near us, you're scary!!"
Small frightened eyes stared at him as if little Riko was not human, but something wrong with the world.
"But I'm human like you…"
His voice was faint. His oversized body made the words meaningless.
Among kids his age, Riko was already as tall as a high schooler. Broad shoulders. A shadow that swallowed the afternoon light.
He walked home alone near Naraya Park. Leaves fell. Wind blew gently. No one walked beside him.
"Why was I born like this… even my family is afraid. Dad is big, but I'm not normal. They think I'm a defect… a failure."
He was born into a wealthy family whose name decorated corporate boards. Perfect smiles. Perfect image. And he was the stain on the painting.
"Will there really be a freak in this family?"
"If he's seen in public, our reputation will be ruined."
Whispers followed him like a curse.
•••
"Why were you even born?! Because of you, we're looked down on!"
The woman before him was his own mother. Tears on her face, but her voice cut like a blade.
"You shouldn't have been born."
The words fell like trash being thrown away.
"Then why did you give birth to me?!"
His small voice trembled with rage.
"You could've killed me back then!"
Silence filled the room.
"You don't even call me mother. I want you to cut ties with this family. You're nothing but a parasite to the Hanggara family."
That word stabbed deeper than any slap.
Riko turned away.
"I'll cut ties. But I'll carry the name Riko Hanggara… to show the world I'm worthy."
The door closed softly behind him. Outside, the world was wide and cold. He cried alone in the street. No one called his name.
He walked aimlessly until stopping at a quiet intersection under a streetlamp.
A voice broke the silence.
"Do you need help?"
Riko stiffened, wiping his tears.
"Who are you?"
A man approached. Formal clothes. Large build. Presence heavy.
"You seem sad. How about you come with me?"
Riko stepped back, wary.
"I'm just a middle school kid. There's no benefit in taking me."
The man smiled faintly, eyes sharp.
"Excellent," he murmured.
He stepped closer, stopping beside Riko.
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Alexander."