The bell rang, and the chatter of J High rose and fell in uneven waves.
The classroom door slid open, and a teacher stepped inside with a clipboard. His voice cut across the restless air.
"Listen up. Tomorrow, all first-years will be attending the fall retreat. Pack your things tonight and be ready by morning. Buses leave at eight sharp. This isn't optional."
The room erupted.
"Retreat?""Are there games?""Bet I'll crush everyone."
Daniel blinked, his pencil frozen above his notes. A retreat? His stomach churned. He had never looked forward to school trips. Trips meant being the extra, the outcast, the seat nobody wanted beside them.
But when he glanced around, Zack was already grinning wide, Mira smiling faintly, Zoe and Yui buzzing with excitement.
And two rows back, Seong Min leaned in his chair, expression unreadable, pen tapping lazily against his desk.
The thought struck Daniel hard. I'll be sitting next to someone this time. I won't be alone…
Yet even that couldn't quiet the weight pressing on his chest. Because wherever Seong Min went, shadows followed.
One Day Later
Engines rumbled as buses rolled through the mountains, carrying J High's first-years toward the retreat.
Daniel sat stiff in his seat, clutching his bag. For once, he wasn't alone — Zack sprawled beside him, Mira across the aisle, Zoe and Yui chattering behind.
He should have felt happy. Normal. But every time the bus jolted, his gaze drifted back.
Two rows behind, Seong Min sat in silence.Eyes closed, head tilted against the glass. Calm as ever.
And Daniel couldn't shake it. That calm wasn't peace. It was something sharper.
The retreat bustled with activity. Multiple schools had gathered, students spilling across the lodge grounds where strength-test games lined the yard.
Zack dragged Daniel toward the hammer game, already rolling his shoulders. "Come on! Let's see who's top dog today!"
Vin Jin, bandaged and bitter, smirked through split lips. "This time, I'll take it."
The crowd cheered as the games started.Vasco swung the hammer so hard the machine sparked.Daniel punched the bag until it snapped from its chain.
Gasps, laughter, cheers.
Through it all, Seong Min lingered at the edge, hands in his pockets, eyes steady on the instructors.
One was short, plain, mocked by students — Won Bin.The other stood tall, broad-shouldered, his smile sharp — Heemin, already nicknamed "Zeus."
Girls clustered around Zeus, laughing at his every word. But Seong Min didn't see charm.
He saw hunger.The way Zeus's gaze lingered.The twitch in his jaw when the girls looked away.The quiet calculation of a predator.
And when Mira's laughter carried across the yard, Zeus's eyes followed her.
Seong Min's gaze narrowed. Target acquired.
That evening, the festival ended. Laughter echoed through the dorm halls. Students played drinking games, dared each other in whispers, sneaked into rooms.
Mira had slipped away quietly, offering to help Zeus carry boxes to the storeroom.
"Careful with that one," he said smoothly, smile practiced. "It's heavier than it looks."
Mira adjusted her grip, unsettled by the way his eyes lingered on her.
The door slammed shut.His hand closed around her wrist.And his smile turned sharp.
"Take it off."
Won Bin burst in, shouting, "Get away from her!" He slammed into Zeus, fists flailing in desperate fury.
For a heartbeat, Mira thought relief had come — until Zeus twisted, driving a knee into Won Bin's gut and hurling him into the wall.
Won Bin crumpled, coughing blood.
Mira staggered back, her pulse spiking. Zeus loomed closer, his hand gripping her collar.
And then—
"Pathetic."
The voice was cold, sharp as glass.
Zeus froze. He turned.
Seong Min stepped into the room.
His violet eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. His expression was calm, almost bored.
"Preying on girls," he said softly. "And you think that makes you strong?"
Zeus snarled, shoving Mira aside. "Who the hell are you?"
Seong Min tilted his head. "Someone who doesn't waste time."
In an instant, he moved.His hand snapped Zeus's wrist aside before he could strike.A knee drove into Zeus's stomach, folding him.A palm strike cracked against his jaw, sending him crashing into crates.
The room rang with the impact.
Mira gasped, frozen. Won Bin stared wide-eyed from the floor.
Seong Min crouched, gripping Zeus's collar. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"You mistake hunger for strength. Let me show you the difference."
His fist struck clean into Zeus's ribs. The man screamed, body jerking.
Then Seong Min released him, letting him sprawl gasping.
"You're not worth my time."
He turned, smirk faint.Because he had already heard the pounding footsteps.
The door burst open.
"MI-RA!"
Zack Lee stormed inside, eyes locking on Mira's torn sleeve, the bruise on her cheek.
Then he saw Zeus trying to rise.
"YOU—!"
Zack charged.
Their fists collided.Zack roared, swinging with fire.Zeus countered with Muay Thai precision, elbows and knees slamming into Zack's guard. Bones cracked. Zack's arms bent wrong.
But Zack didn't stop.
Even with both arms broken, he kept swinging. Teeth bared, blood dripping.
"You don't… touch… her!"
Each punch landed heavier, fueled by fury and loyalty. Until finally — Zeus collapsed.
Zack fell over him, fists still driving until Mira cried his name.
Silence filled the room.
Won Bin coughed weakly against the wall. Mira knelt by Zack, tears streaking her cheeks.
Zack smiled faintly, arms broken, voice hoarse. "It's fine… I'll heal…"
Seong Min leaned against the wall, violet eyes calm.
Mira's gaze flicked to him. For a heartbeat, her breath caught.
The precision in his violence. The calm in his eyes. The way he had been there first.
Her chest twisted. Gratitude burned for Zack. But curiosity gnawed for Seong Min.
Two shadows pulled at her now.One loyal.One inevitable.
Later that night, Crystal sat in her room, her pen frozen.
She had heard everything.Zack broken. Mira saved. Zeus ruined.And Seong Min at the center.
Her father's words whispered in memory.
"If they stand, you watch. If they rise, you test. If they pass… you use them."
Her jaw clenched. The White Tiger Job Center.
If she told Charles… Seong Min would be dragged into a world beyond schoolyard whispers.
Her pride screamed to stay silent.But her curiosity burned hotter.
"Damn you," she whispered, trembling.
And in the shadows of the retreat, Seong Min smirked faintly.
Perfect.
End of Chapter 26 – Shadows at the Retreat