The cool morning air of the estate was the only constant I could rely on.
At 4:00 AM, the world was silent, save for the rhythmic thud of my sneakers hitting the paved driveway. My running was improving, though the progress felt glacial compared to the instant gratification of the System.
After finishing my laps, I stood in the center of the garden, the dew dampening the grass around my feet. I focused on my breathing, centering the internal fire before calling upon the interface.
[INVENTORY]
TAEKWONDO - WHEEL KICK (SILVER): A high-tier rotating kick with immense centrifugal force.
HEALING BEAN (SILVER): Instantly restores your Stamina . (Usage: 1/Day)
MEMORY FRAGMENT (BRONZE): Allows the user to recall a specific event with 100% clarity.
I had systematically dismantled Myeonghoo and his two lackeys, and these were the spoils. Two offensive Taekwondo techniques now lived in my muscle memory, alongside a safety net in the form of a healing pill. I felt the phantom weight of the new kick in my hips—the Wheel Kick was a beast compared to the Reverse Roundhouse. It required more torque, more speed, and a brutal follow-through.
I spent the next hour blending these system gifts with my Kalaripayattu. I moved through the forms, the ancient Indian martial art providing the flow and the Taekwondo providing the explosive finish.
After a quick shower in the main house—the east wing gym was still a chaotic construction zone of drills and sawdust—I headed down to the dining hall.
The breakfast spread was a display of Korean luxury that would have baffled my old self. There was Jeonbok-juk (abalone porridge) that tasted like the very essence of the sea, served alongside delicate Mandoo and an assortment of Banchan that looked like edible art.
"Eat up, Choyun," Mom said, her eyes warm as she watched me. She looked at peace, a sharp contrast to the trembling woman I'd seen in the hospital. "You're burning so much energy lately. I don't want you getting thin."
"It's delicious" I said, and I meant it. The abalone was tender, the porridge rich and savory. It was a far cry from the watery lentils and dry rotis of the orphanage.
I finished my meal, gave her a quick wave, and headed out. Alfred was waiting by the sedan, but I waved him off again. I needed the walk to settle my thoughts.
School was almost eerily normal. The gossip from the previous day had faded into a dull background hum. My three friends were waiting at the gate, their faces lighting up the moment they saw me. As we walked toward the building, I found myself actually listening to Sangho's rambling about a new gaming cafe. They reminded me so much of Rahul and Sameer—loyal to a fault, even if they were terrified of their own shadows.
I sat in my usual seat by the window. The lessons were a breeze. Between my previous life's academic discipline and this body's natural intelligence, calculus felt like simple addition. I wondered what my stats actually looked like. Was my IQ an S+? Was my potential an SS? I didn't have a Peek at Stats card yet, but I knew I couldn't just wait for the System to hand it to me. I had to trigger it.
Conflict is the only way to level up, I thought, staring out at the clouds. If the school is quiet, I'll find the noise in the streets.
Lunch break arrived, but before I could head to the cafeteria, a student I didn't recognize blocked my path.
"Choyun? The Leader is calling for you. Follow me."
I didn't ask questions. In North Gangbuk, there was only one "Leader."
I was led to a quiet room near the rooftop access. Sechan Kang was perched on a chair, looking as innocent and sheepish as ever. Beside him stood Daniel, his eyes fixed on the window, his expression unreadable. In front of them sat Haru Seong, looking strikingly beautiful despite the boy's uniform.
"Why the sudden invitation, Sechan?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.
Sechan didn't answer immediately. He was thinking about what Daniel had reported to him earlier that morning. Daniel had followed Choyun. He had seen him visit the ruins of Myeonghoo's house and had witnessed the brutal efficiency with which he had dismantled Myeonghoo and his lackey.
"He used martial arts I've never seen," Daniel had whispered to Sechan. "And his Taekwondo... it's too perfect.
If he was this strong, why did he let Myeonghoo beat him to death in the first place? And that line he said... 'I'm coming for you all.' He's hiding a monster inside him, Sechan ."
Back in the present, Sechan looked at me, his signature grin in place. "Did you beat Myeonghoo?"
I didn't flinch. "Yes."
Internally, my mind was racing. Did Daniel followed me. How did I not sense him? I was too focused on the fight. I can't let that happen again.
"Why?" I asked, staring Sechan .
"Hah, it's really weird," Sechan said, scratching the back of his head. "I don't know why you're hiding your strength, Choyun. But hey... how about joining us? We're going to unite Gangbuk. We could use a guy like you."
The sheepish smile was there, but before I could respond, the world turned purple.
[MAIN QUEST: DEFEAT SECHAN KANG]
REWARD: Diamond Card (x1)
I looked at Sechan. Even without seeing his stats, I knew he was a titan. He was the undisputed No. 1 of the North for a reason. This quest wasn't something I could complete today, or even next week.
"Ok" I said, my voice cold. "But know this: when I get stronger than you, I will be the leader of North Gangbuk and you need to be my subordinate then , only then I agree to join you ."
Sechan didn't look offended. He didn't even look surprised. He just laughed and lunged forward, wrapping me in a massive hug.
"That's the spirit! Welcome to the team!"
"Leave me, you bastard!" I hissed, struggling against a grip that felt like iron bands. "I'm not Haru!"
Sechan froze, his face turning a bright shade of red as he let go, giving me that sheepish grin again. I didn't wait for a goodbye. I turned and walked out, realizing too late that their "meeting" had cost me my entire lunch hour.
After school, I made sure I wasn't being followed. I took a winding path through the residential districts, doubling back through alleys until I was certain Daniel wasn't on my tail. I needed to find a fight. I needed to test the limits of this body.
I turned into a narrow, shadowed alleyway near the edge of the North's territory. The smell of garbage and stale smoke was thick. At the end of the alley, ten thugs in mismatched street clothes were surrounding a smaller boy. I recognized the uniform , he's from our school and by his height ,he is a first-year .
"Leave him," I said, my voice echoing off the brick walls.
The thugs turned. One of them, a guy with a jagged scar across his nose, spat on the ground. "Get lost, pretty boy. This doesn't concern you."
I didn't say another word. I stepped into the dark.
The first three lunged at once. I didn't use the System cards yet. I dropped into a Kalaripayattu crouch, my hands moving in the flow. I parried the first punch, using the man's momentum to slam him into the wall. I twisted, my palm catching the second man in the throat—a precise vital points strike that left him gasping for air.
The remaining eight realized I wasn't an easy mark. They pulled out pipes and chains.
"Wrong choice," I muttered.
I accelerated. I launched the Reverse Roundhouse Kick, my heel connecting with the lead thug's temple with a sickening crack. As he fell, I used his shoulder as a springboard, spinning in mid-air to unleash the Wheel Kick.
The centrifugal force was immense. My foot caught two of them across their faces, sending them spinning into the piles of trash. I landed softly, already moving into a low sweep that took the legs out from under another two.
It was a dance of old-world discipline and new-world power. Within minutes, the alley was silent, save for the groans of ten broken men. The first-year boy stared at me, his eyes wide with terror and awe.
"Go home," I told him, not looking back.