Chapter 8 – Crimson Souls (4)
Ji Hoon's footsteps trembled. His breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened—his left hand shook as it held back the shard of the flowerpot, just a few centimeters away from smashing his skull.
"If I'd been even a second late… my head would've been shattered…" His heart quivered. Cold sweat streamed down his temples. His bloodied hand throbbed from small cuts, stinging so sharply it made his whole body shiver.
Ji Hoon staggered backward, his back pressing against the rooftop wall. His face was pale, his breaths short.
Ji Hoon (monologue, terrified): "What is wrong with this school…? I thought Seoul would give me a new beginning… but why… why is this place just as insane as my old school? There's no difference… only more people who want to hurt me…"
Chae Min yanked up a large piece of shattered wood, his eyes bulging, lips curled into a vicious grin. He stepped forward slowly, dragging the wood across the ground. The screeching sound made Ji Hoon's hair stand on end.
Chae Min: "You're the new kid, right? Park Ji Hoon… There've been plenty of rumors about you. You shine too brightly, your face is too noticeable, and that disturbs the balance."
"I, Chae Min, number three of Crimson Souls, am here to teach you a lesson… so you'll learn your place."
Ji Hoon (trembling, hoarse voice): "I-I… I never intended to fight you… I don't know anything about Crimson Souls… please… just let me—"
Before he could finish, Chae Min suddenly leapt forward with insane speed. The wooden shard swung down with terrifying force—
SWOOSH!! The wood nearly smashed Ji Hoon's face as he covered up with his arms. The blow struck his forearm with a THUD!! The sharp pain jolted through him, sending him stumbling back.
Chae Min burst into hysterical laughter, like a psychopath savoring another's suffering. His eyes were wild, his breathing ragged, his face brimming with bloodlust.
Chae Min (psychotic laughter): "HAHAHA! Look at you! Even with that handsome new face, you're still a loser! You think the world gets better just because you're good-looking?! The world will crush you anyway, kid!!"
Ji Hoon could only retreat. The cut on his arm burned hot. His breath was heavy, his body shook, his eyes welled up with tears.
Ji Hoon (monologue, trembling): "I… I can't fight… I'm not a fighter… I'm just… a coward. My face may have changed, my body may look better… but… my life is still the same…"
WHAM!!! Chae Min drove the wood into Ji Hoon's stomach. His body slammed to the ground, coughing violently as fresh blood spilled from his mouth. He crawled, trying to escape, but Chae Min raised the wood high above his head.
Chae Min (screaming psychotically): "DIE, I'LL SPLIT YOUR HEAD OPEN!!"
The wood came crashing down toward Ji Hoon's face—
But CRAAAASH!!! A fierce kick smashed into Chae Min's chest from the side, sending him flying several meters into the rooftop fence.
Chae Min coughed, then broke into twisted laughter. He turned and saw Yoon Ki Hyun, number two of Silent Guardian, standing tall before him.
Ki Hyun's gaze was sharp, his expression calm, but his fighting aura was overwhelming.
Ki Hyun: "Stop it, Chae Min. Have you lost your mind, trying to kill a new student?"
Ji Hoon, collapsed on the floor, turned weakly with what little strength he had left. His blurry eyes saw Ki Hyun standing before him like a savior.
Ji Hoon (faint, half-conscious): "Th…thank you…"
Tears slipped down his cheeks. Inside, he cursed himself.
Ji Hoon (inner monologue): "Why… why am I always like this…? Always waiting for someone else to save me… Even with this new body, I'm still a coward… I… hate myself…"
His body went limp as he fell unconscious.
Chae Min rose slowly, blood smeared across his face, lips curling into a crooked smile. He stared at Ki Hyun, laughing darkly.
Chae Min: "Oh, so it's Ki Hyun, Kang Dae Yeon's right-hand man… the so-called 'guard dog' of Silent Guardian… HAHAHA! You're still alive, huh?"
"You know? Without Kang Dae Yeon, Silent Guardian is nothing. You're just trash pretending to be heroes."
Ki Hyun clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. But those words dragged his mind back to the past.
FLASHBACK – Ki Hyun's Past
A dimly lit school gym. Young Ki Hyun panted, his face bruised and bloody, collapsing over and over. In front of him stood Kang Dae Yeon, tall, with a sharp, commanding gaze.
Young Ki Hyun (shouting angrily): "WHY DO I ALWAYS LOSE?!! I want to be the strongest! I want everyone to acknowledge me!!"
Dae Yeon (cold, but meaningful): "You'll never be strong if all you want is recognition. That's just ego. Even if you become the strongest, people will only come to you for your power—not for who you are."
Dae Yeon knelt down, looking him in the eyes.
Dae Yeon (firmly): "If you truly want strength, then fight… to protect. Protect yourself. Protect others. With that heart, you'll become strong."
Those words pierced deeply into Ki Hyun's heart. From that moment, he chose to walk alongside Dae Yeon, building Silent Guardian to protect the weak.
Back to the Present
Ki Hyun's fists clenched tighter, his body stepping forward. His eyes blazed, his tone fierce.
Ki Hyun (shouting): "CHAE MIN!! Let's settle this…! This time I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"
His stance lowered into kickboxing form. His breath steady, his eyes locked.
Ki Hyun: "You'll regret staining Silent Guardian's name in front of me."
Chae Min raised the wooden shard, laughing wildly.
Chae Min: "HAHAHA! Perfect!! Let's finish this right here! I'll destroy you just like Dae Yeon destroyed me back then!"
The wind whipped across the rooftop. Two overwhelming aura clashed. One a protector, the other a destroyer.
The battle of two titans begins.
To be continued…