Chapter 5 – Crimson Souls (1)
The classroom suddenly froze.
All eyes locked on Park Ji Hoon, who was still clutching Jae Hwan's hand.
"What… what did I just do…?" Ji Hoon's thoughts trembled. His eyes widened, his breath quickened. Meanwhile, Jae Hwan stood stiff, his face flushed red, chest rising and falling, fists clenched tight.
But before anyone could even speak—Ji Hoon instinctively clenched his fist, then…
BOOM!
Ji Hoon's punch landed squarely on Jae Hwan's solar plexus.
A deafening crack echoed, like wood struck by an iron hammer. Jae Hwan's body jolted, eyes bulging wide as if his heart had stopped beating. His breath was stolen, his face contorted in pain stabbing through his chest.
"Ughhh…!" Jae Hwan tried to inhale, but it was as if his lungs had been locked. A moment later, his knees buckled, trembling violently before—THUD! He collapsed hard to the floor, clutching his chest.
The entire class screamed.
"WHAT THE HELL!? ONE PUNCH?!"
"No way! Jae Hwan… lost?"
"Isn't he a youth boxing champion? How could he go down that easily!"
"This new kid… who is he really…?"
The room exploded in whispers and gasps. Phones were already out, recording the scene. The classroom felt like a battlefield.
Ji Hoon stood frozen. His eyes stared at his trembling right hand, still buzzing from the punch.
"Why… is my hand this strong? I didn't even realize I threw that punch…"
Cold sweat rolled down his temple. He glanced around—their gazes stabbed at him like knives, filled with awe, fear, and suspicion.
Ji Hoon swallowed hard, heart pounding furiously.
Suddenly, the classroom door slammed open.
BANG!
Their homeroom teacher, Mr. Han Sung Woo, stepped in with sharp eyes.
"What is going on here?!" His booming voice snapped everyone back into their seats.
Mr. Han noticed Jae Hwan lying on the floor, then shifted his gaze to Ji Hoon, who stood frozen.
"Park Ji Hoon, what happened here?"
Ji Hoon opened his mouth, but no words came out. Jung Min Ji, sitting nearby, looked torn—wanting to speak up, but hesitating. Before she could say anything, Jae Hwan forced himself up, still clutching his chest.
"I-I'm fine, teacher…" he panted. The class stared in disbelief.
"We were just… messing around." Jae Hwan shot Ji Hoon a quick glance and gave him a subtle wink.
Ji Hoon's eyes widened but quickly understood. He nodded.
"Yes, sir. We were just joking around…" he stammered.
Mr. Han narrowed his eyes, unconvinced. But after a pause, he let out a heavy sigh.
"Fine. Sit down. Don't cause any more trouble."
The classroom quieted again, though whispers still lingered. Ji Hoon sat down pale-faced, his heart drowning in unanswered questions.
"I really don't understand… what's happening to my body… Why do I have this kind of strength?"
Crimson Souls
Meanwhile, in another classroom.
Choi Tae Joon—the leader of the gang Crimson Souls—sat with his feet propped up on the desk, surrounded by his loyal followers. At his side stood Yoon Do Han (number 2), cold and sharp-eyed, and Lim Chae Min (number 3), wearing his trademark sinister grin.
One of their underlings burst in, panting.
"T-Tae Joon hyung! Big news!"
"What now?" Tae Joon raised a brow lazily.
"Lee Jae Hwan… was defeated by the new kid. With just… one punch."
The room erupted. Shocked faces, murmurs. Do Han's eyes narrowed, while Chae Min burst into mocking laughter.
"Hahaha, no way! Jae Hwan's a boxer."
But Tae Joon's face darkened instantly. He sat upright, rage flooding his features.
"The new kid? What's his name?"
"Park Ji Hoon… they say he's also… ridiculously handsome. All the girls in school are already falling for him."
BANG!
Tae Joon kicked his desk, sending it crashing over.
"Damn it! I hate two things: people stronger than me… and people better looking than me!"
He pointed at his gang.
"Spread the word! From today, Park Ji Hoon is our target. Anyone who sees him—intimidate him until he breaks!"
Do Han finally spoke, voice low and calm.
"Hyung… be careful. If the Silent Guardians interfere, this could become a bigger problem."
Chae Min smirked. "But Kang Jae Yeon is still suspended, right? Without him, the Silent Guardians are weak."
A slow, cruel smile crept across Tae Joon's face.
"Good. Then this… is the perfect time."
School Gate
Afternoon. Students poured out of the school gates, tired yet lively. But all eyes soon gravitated toward one figure.
Park Ji Hoon.
In his crisp uniform, hair swaying in the wind, his handsome face drew whispers and blushes from the girls.
"Oh my god, he's even more gorgeous up close…"
"Is he a trainee? He looks like an idol."
"If only he were my boyfriend…"
Meanwhile, the boys glared daggers, threatened by his presence.
Ji Hoon smiled awkwardly, walking briskly past the stares. Yet, his mind replayed the fight with Jae Hwan again and again.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey, Ji Hoon."
Ji Hoon turned to see Jae Hwan walking toward him, hands in his pockets. His face was stoic, though uncertainty flickered in his eyes.
"I… I'm sorry. About earlier." His words were stiff, prideful.
Ji Hoon blinked, then gave a faint smile.
"I'm sorry too…"
Jae Hwan lowered his head briefly before glancing away. "Take care on your way home."
Ji Hoon stared, surprised. "He's… not entirely bad," he thought.
But the moment was shattered when a half-burnt cigarette butt smacked against his head.
TAP!
Ji Hoon froze. Five rough-looking students stood a few steps away, uniforms messy, faces dripping with scorn.
They were Crimson Souls members.
Kim Hyun Wosi – tall, lanky, sly.
Park Sang Min – bulky, intimidating with his size.
Seo Dong Hyuk – bespectacled, but vicious.
Jung Woo Bin – grinning wickedly.
Han Ji Seok – the shortest, but loudmouthed.
"Look at the new kid," Hyun Sosi sneered.
"Beat Jae Hwan, did you? Hahaha, what a joke."
"Your face may be handsome, but… let's see if it stays that way after I smash it," Sang Min cracked his knuckles.
Ji Hoon trembled, forcing a weak smile.
"I-I don't want any trouble."
Their laughter exploded.
"Hahaha, coward."
"They say you're strong, but you're just a wimp."
Ji Hoon lowered his head, heart racing. "Five against one… I can't do this. Maybe beating Jae Hwan earlier was just… a fluke."
As Dong Hyuk raised his fist to strike, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Hey! What are you doing to my friend?"
They turned.
Lee Jae Hwan stood behind Ji Hoon, eyes blazing, a cigarette still dangling from his lips.
Ji Hoon's eyes widened. "My… friend?"
The Crimson Souls laughed mockingly.
"Hahaha, so now you're defending him? Embarrassed you lost yesterday?"
Jae Hwan's face flushed, but he stepped forward, fists clenched tight.
"Maybe I lost to him. But you guys… you're not even close to my level."
He slid into his boxing stance, eyes fierce with pride and determination.
"Ji Hoon. Watch closely. I'll show you… how a boxer fights against five opponents."
To Be Continued…