I decided to skip the pre-lunch classes. My mind was already focused on the three people I had just recruited. Before the elections began, I needed to set up a base for my business.
When the lunch bell rang, I headed to the cafeteria. The place was loud, filled with the usual chaos of students. I took my usual seat at a corner table.
A moment later, my friends arrived with their trays—Sangho, Lee, and Min-Cheol—dropping into the seats across from me.
"Choyun! Where did you disappear after that meeting with the North seniors?" Sangho asked while digging into his rice.
"Is it true you're officially one of the executives now?" Lee asked .
I didn't answer right away. Instead, I activated the system once more.
"Sneak Peek."
[STATS]
Sangho — Potential: B
[STATS]
Lee — Potential: B
[STATS]
Min-Cheol — Potential: D
I was surprised.
Both Sangho and Lee had B-rank potential. In a normal school, they would be considered talented—maybe even crew head material for a small gang. But here, after seeing S-rank monsters earlier that morning, B-rank meant nothing unless I invested heavily in them.
They shared their food with me, casually sliding side dishes onto my tray like always. That familiarity should have made me feel at ease.
Instead, I felt distant.
As Lee cracked jokes and Min-Cheol complained about teachers, a cold gap formed in my chest. They reminded me too much of my friends back in India—same laughter, same small worries.
In my past life, I would've joined them.
But Now, they felt like memories of a life that wasn't mine anymore.
"You're quiet today," Lee said, frowning. "Something wrong?"
"Just thinking something," I replied.
I finished my lunch.
Just as I stood up to leave, a sharp female voice cut through the cafeteria.
When I turned, I saw Seohee.
'That bitch… who's she fighting now?'
A silver-haired first-year stood in front of her, holding out a lunch box and speaking so softly I couldn't hear him.
'Wait… isn't that the same kid I saved that day?'
'What's he doing here? Is he her lackey or something?'
Something felt off.
I checked his stats.
[STATS]
Name: Yeon Seojun
Strength: D
Speed: D+
Endurance: B
Intelligence: A+
Potential: SSS-
My breath caught.
SSS- potential.
The highest I'd seen after myself—on the level of people like Daniel Park or Johan Seong , Just slightly lower then them .
Before I could move, Seohee stood up, kicked the lunch box aside, and walked away.
Most people ignored what happened next.
I didn't.
Her hands were shaking.
She's hiding something.
I walked over, helped Seojun up, brushed the dirt from his clothes, and said quietly,
"Come with me."
He followed silently.
We went up to the top floor, away from everyone.
"Why is she treating you like that?" I asked. "Isn't she your sister? And why are you getting bullied everywhere—even by her?"
He froze.
For the first time, he looked straight at me. His eyes were dark red—normally intimidating, but strange on such a young face.
"How do you know she's my sister?" he snapped. "No one knows that. Are you stalking her?"
I scoffed.
"Relax, dumbass. Your hair and eye color match hers. Anyone with eyes could figure it out. And why would I stalk someone like her?"
His expression darkened.
"I heard you kissed her at school. Sounds like you're the stalker."
"That's a misunderstanding," I replied flatly. "I'm asking about you."
"Why?"
"Because I'm recruiting you," I said. "Join my team. No one will bully you again. I'll make you strong—stronger than anyone under me. And if you work for me, money won't be a problem."
He stayed silent.
"I've seen your potential," I continued. "You could become something legendary. Why waste it like this?"
' Seojun Don't show your talent to anyone it can harm you if those people figure out your talent '
He thought for a long time deciding whether to live his whole life like this or follow this person who saw his talent like his father , finally speaking.
"I'll give you my answer tomorrow."
With that he left.
Then I heard a faint sound.
I activated my hearing card and immediately realized someone was hiding behind the wall.
"Come out," I said calmly. "I know you're there."
A moment later, she stepped out.
Seohee.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I should be asking you that," she replied coldly. "What are you doing with my brother?"
"I was just asking him to join me. Nothing more," I said.
While muttering, "Sneak Peek," I checked her stats.
[STATS]
Name: Yeon Seohee
Strength: E
Speed: D
Endurance: E
Potential: A
Intelligence: SS+
What the hell is wrong with these siblings?
One has SSS− potential, and the other has SS+ intelligence.
"Don't involve yourself in my family's matters," she said. "It'll only bring you trouble. You have a good mother and an influential grandfather. Just live your life as a rich kid."
Her voice was firm, but her face betrayed sadness.
"Tell me about your past," I said quietly. "Maybe I can help."
She scoffed.
"You? Help someone? Or are you just after my body like last time?"
"Hah. When are you going to let that go?" I replied. "We already settled that."
"Then why do you want to help me?" she asked.
"It's simple," I said. "I want to recruit you and your brother."
She stared at me for a long time before finally speaking.
"When I was eight, my father was a famous Aikido teacher. Students from all over Korea came to learn from him. He also ran a business. My mother was a housewife. Our life was simple… and happy."
She took a deep breath.
"One day, a man came to our house. He demanded that my father work for him and give up our land. My father refused. A few days later, at night, goons surrounded our house."
Her hands trembled.
"My father fought them till his last breath. He was killed by them . My mother took me and my brother and ran through the back door while the house was on fire . Soon she stopped and said me to go alone .I begged her to come with us, but she knelt in front of me and said just one thing—
'Pro..Protect your brother and Survive.'"
Her voice cracked.
"She pushed us away. She was stabbed multiple times, but she still ran in other direction to distract them and buy us time. I kept running with my brother until my legs gave out."
She wiped her tears and continued.
"The next day, I saw the news. They said our house was robbed, that my parents were accidentally killed, and that our whereabouts were unknown and if we go to the manager of HNH's North subsidiary he will provide us home and said he was my father's old friend and shedding crocodile tears on tv ."
Her eyes turned cold.
"That day, I swore I would live—and kill him with my own hands."
She clenched her fists.
"We lived on the streets for years. I never let my brother starve. I worked for a small crew as a strategist. I did everything—dirty work, illegal work—just to survive until the day we could take revenge on the man who destroyed our family."
Tears streamed down her face as she finished.
I stepped forward and hugged her briefly.
She pushed me away immediately, her eyes red.
"Pervert," she said. "Now you know our story. Get out of here. No one can help us. HNH is one of the largest companies. Even its branch manager is untouchable to normal people."
"When did I say I was normal?" I replied calmly.
"My grandfather isn't just influential—he's the head of the Democratic Party, and soon he'll be the Gu Mayor of Gangbuk. My mother runs a cosmetics business."
I smirked.
"And you're worried about a branch manager? We'll build a business empire bigger than HNH."
Then I added quietly,
"Even its chairman, Charles Choi, will be dead in a few years."
Her eyes widened.
"Wouldn't joining your crew bring you trouble?" she asked hesitantly.
"Not at all," I replied. "Now, how about you and your brother move into our house?"
"What?" she asked, startled. "Why your house?"
"You don't have one," I said bluntly. "You're either renting or living somewhere illegal. My place is safe, free, and my mom wants to meet you."
She hesitated, then nodded slightly.
"Th-thank you," she said softly.
"No problem," I replied. "Here's my number. Call me whenever you're ready—or if you need anything."
With that, I walked away.
I returned to class afterward. I spent the last two periods sleeping, my head on the desk, letting my body recover.
When the final bell rang, I didn't wait for anyone. I walked out of the school gates and into the district.
This wasn't just about street fights anymore.
Tonight, the real conquest would begin.