The rain hadn't stopped.
It poured harder now, drumming against the concrete like a war signal.
But no one looked up.
No one cared.
---
They were all watching.
---
Arin stood in the center of the circle.
Surrounded.
Not by enemies—
But by spectators.
---
A stage had been created in seconds.
No rules.
No referee.
No escape.
---
The boy in front of him—the one who attacked—rolled his shoulders, loosening up like this was routine.
Like this was normal.
"You're good at running," he said, smirking. "But how long can you keep that up?"
Arin didn't answer.
His breathing was uneven.
His heart was still racing.
---
Calm down…
---
But it wasn't working.
His senses were too sharp.
Too alert.
Every sound, every movement around him felt amplified.
---
Footsteps behind the circle.
Whispers.
Rain hitting metal railings.
---
And the guy in front of him—
Stepping forward again.
---
"Let's make this simple," the attacker said. "You land one hit… I walk away."
A pause.
"If you don't…"
His smile widened.
"…you're joining them."
He gestured casually toward the boy still lying near the wall.
Barely conscious.
---
Something twisted inside Arin.
---
"…Why?" Arin asked quietly.
---
The attacker blinked.
"Why?"
---
Arin clenched his fists.
"…Why are you doing this?"
---
For a moment—
There was silence.
---
Then—
Laughter.
---
Not just from the attacker.
From the circle.
---
"Did he just ask why?"
"Is he serious?"
"Man, he's dead…"
---
The attacker wiped a tear from his eye, still laughing.
"You really are new."
---
His expression slowly changed.
The smile faded.
His eyes turned cold.
---
"This is how things work here."
---
And then—
He disappeared.
---
Arin's eyes widened.
---
Too fast—
---
A punch came from the side.
---
Right—!
---
He twisted his body instinctively.
The fist grazed his ribs instead of landing clean.
Pain still shot through him.
---
"Not bad."
---
Another attack.
This time from the front.
---
Back—
---
Arin stepped away—
But slipped.
---
The wet ground betrayed him.
---
His balance broke.
---
That moment—
Was enough.
---
A fist slammed into his stomach.
---
Air exploded out of his lungs.
---
"…gh—!"
---
His vision blurred.
His knees hit the ground.
---
"Too slow," the attacker said calmly.
---
Arin coughed violently, trying to breathe.
---
Move…
---
But his body wasn't responding.
---
A hand grabbed his collar.
Lifted him up slightly.
---
"You're interesting," the guy said. "But you're still weak."
---
Another punch—
---
Arin's vision flickered.
---
I… can't…
---
The world spun.
---
The crowd blurred.
---
The rain felt distant now.
---
"…Get up."
---
The voice came from somewhere.
---
Not outside.
---
Inside.
---
Get up.
---
Arin's fingers twitched.
---
"…What?"
The attacker frowned slightly.
---
Arin's head slowly lifted.
---
His eyes—
Had changed.
---
Not in color.
---
But in focus.
---
Sharp.
Calm.
Cold.
---
"…Again," Arin muttered.
---
The attacker blinked.
"…What?"
---
Arin steadied himself.
Barely.
But he stood.
---
"…Do it again."
---
The circle fell silent.
---
"…He's crazy."
"He can barely stand…"
---
The attacker stared at him for a second—
Then smiled.
---
"Alright."
---
He stepped forward.
Slower this time.
More careful.
---
Then—
He struck.
---
A straight punch.
Fast.
Clean.
---
Arin watched.
---
Really watched.
---
Shoulder movement.
Foot position.
Weight shift.
---
Everything.
---
Now.
---
He moved.
---
Not just dodging.
---
Adjusting.
---
His body tilted slightly—
The punch missed.
Closer this time.
Cleaner.
---
"…What?"
---
The attacker's eyes widened slightly.
---
Arin didn't stop.
---
He stepped forward.
---
His fist—
Moved.
---
Slow.
Untrained.
---
But precise.
---
It hit.
---
Right against the attacker's jaw.
---
A small sound echoed.
---
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
---
But real.
---
The attacker stepped back.
Just one step.
---
But that was enough.
---
The entire courtyard froze.
---
"…He hit him."
"No way…"
---
Arin stood there.
His arm still slightly extended.
---
I… did that?
---
The attacker touched his jaw.
Then—
He laughed.
---
"HAHAHAHA…"
---
Not angry.
Not offended.
---
Excited.
---
"Good."
---
His eyes sharpened.
---
"Now it's getting interesting."
---
The atmosphere changed.
---
The playful tone disappeared.
---
Something heavier took its place.
---
The attacker rushed forward again—
Faster than before.
---
Arin's eyes struggled to keep up.
---
Too fast—
---
A punch landed.
---
Hard.
---
His head snapped to the side.
---
Another one.
---
Then another.
---
This time—
He couldn't dodge.
---
His body wasn't keeping up anymore.
---
Pain flooded in.
---
His legs gave out again.
---
He fell.
---
"…Tch."
---
The attacker clicked his tongue.
---
"Guess that's your limit."
---
He turned slightly.
As if it was over.
---
As if Arin didn't matter anymore.
---
And that—
That hurt more than the punches.
---
Limit…?
---
Arin's fingers dug into the wet ground.
---
No…
---
Memories flashed.
---
His father.
His old home.
Running away.
Starting over.
---
I can't…
---
His body trembled.
---
I can't go back to being weak.
---
Slowly—
He pushed himself up again.
---
"…I'm not done."
---
The attacker stopped.
---
"…You're still getting up?"
---
Arin stood.
Barely.
Shaking.
But standing.
---
"I said…"
---
His voice cracked.
---
"…I'm not done."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
Footsteps.
---
Not from the attacker.
---
From outside the circle.
---
A new presence.
---
Heavy.
Calm.
Dangerous.
---
The crowd parted instantly.
---
Someone was coming.
---
Even the attacker frowned.
---
"…Tch."
---
A tall figure walked into view.
Dark uniform.
Cold eyes.
No expression.
---
The atmosphere shifted completely.
---
"…That's enough."
---
His voice was quiet.
But absolute.
---
The attacker clicked his tongue.
"…You always ruin the fun."
---
The newcomer didn't respond.
His gaze moved to Arin.
---
Sharp.
Evaluating.
---
"…You."
---
Arin froze.
---
"…What's your name?"
---
"…Arin."
---
A pause.
---
Then—
The man turned away.
---
"…Interesting."
---
He began walking off.
---
"Bring him."
---
That was all he said.
---
Arin's eyes widened.
---
"…What?"
---
But no one questioned it.
---
Two students stepped forward.
---
Grabbing him.
---
Not roughly.
But firmly.
---
"…Where are you taking me?" Arin asked.
---
No answer.
---
The attacker smirked.
---
"Looks like you got noticed."
---
Arin's heart dropped.
---
Noticed…?
---
As he was dragged away—
He looked back at the courtyard.
---
The rain.
The crowd.
The place where everything changed.
---
And for the first time—
Fear truly settled in.
---
Not from the fight.
---
But from what came next.
---
Because deep down—
He understood something now.
---
This wasn't random.
---
This wasn't just a school fight.
---
He had stepped into something much bigger.
---
Something he couldn't run from.
---
And there was only one truth left.
---
There was…
---
No way out.
---