The night air in Gangbuk was calm, the stars were barely visible through the haze of the city lights. Eun-ak stepped into his apartment, exhausted but satisfied. His body still ached from the intense training in the portal, but the weight of the Diamond Card in his system inventory filled him with a sense of pride.
He had finally done it.
But as the adrenaline faded, reality set in.
He was stronger now — stronger than ever — but he still couldn't shake the bitter memory of losing to Ha-jun. The moment replayed in his mind over and over.
His fists clenched. "Next time… I won't lose."
Yet, in the back of his mind, there was a lingering loneliness. His apartment felt too quiet, too empty. While he was stuck fighting in the portal, time outside had kept moving. He hadn't seen his friends or heard from them in days.
He exhaled slowly, brushing the thought away. "They're probably busy… or maybe they just forgot."
Little did he know — they hadn't forgotten.
Earlier That Day…
Laughter echoed through the classroom as Ji-ho scribbled excitedly on the board. "Alright, so we meet at 12:40 PM at Ducci Mall, right?"
"Yeah, yeah!" Bong grinned, slinging an arm over his twin brother Dong's shoulder. "We'll head out together. I need new shoes."
"You just bought shoes," Dong rolled his eyes.
"And I need more," Bong shot back with a smirk.
Yejun leaned back in his chair, tapping his chin. "After shopping, we're going to Garland Park, right?"
"Yep," Lee Jun-ho nodded. "We can hang out, play some games… Just a fun day. We deserve it."
Ha Seung-won checked the time on his phone. "I'm in. But should we tell Eun-ak?"
For a moment, everyone exchanged glances.
"He said not to disturb him for three days," Ji-ho reminded. "Something about training… or whatever it is he does."
"Yeah, he seemed serious about it," Yejun added with a shrug. "We should let him be."
"But still…" Seo Do-hyun hesitated.
"Come on," Jay Yoon interrupted, his silver hair catching the sunlight from the window. "We'll hang out and fill him in later. He'll be fine."
Everyone nodded in agreement. It was decided. They would go without telling him.
Sunday — 12:40 PM
The sun hung high in the sky as everyone left their homes, excited for the day ahead.
Bong and Dong walked side by side, laughing at some joke only they seemed to understand.
Yejun and Ji-ho strolled casually, deep in conversation.
Lee Jun-ho and Seo Do-hyun shared earbuds, bobbing their heads to music as they made their way.
Jay Yoon and Ha Seung-won walked calmly, Jay's hands in his pockets, a quiet confidence in his steps.
Everything seemed perfect.
But none of them could have predicted what was waiting for them.
On the Way to Ducci Mall…
Bong and Dong turned the corner of a narrow street when they stopped dead in their tracks.
A massive crowd blocked the road. Seventy boys stood shoulder to shoulder, their eyes fixed on the twins. The air was thick with tension.
From the center of the crowd, a towering figure emerged — a monstrous guy with jet-black hair and muscles that rippled under his shirt.
Jang Woo.
Ranked 4th in Pipik High School.
"You guys from Gangbuk?" he sneered, cracking his knuckles.
Dong's jaw tightened. "What if we are?"
Jang Woo's smile widened. "Then I'm about to break you in half."
Meanwhile…
Yejun and Ji-ho were walking near the mall's parking lot when they found themselves surrounded. Fifty boys closed in, forming a tight circle.
Ji-ho's hands shook. "W-What is this…?"
From the crowd, a stylish figure emerged — red and black hair slicked back, a red jacket thrown lazily over his shoulders. He had the look of someone who didn't take anything seriously… but his eyes were sharp.
Ryu Ji-seok.
Ranked 3rd in Pipik High School.
"Didn't expect to see Gangbuk kids here," Ryu smirked. "You guys ready for some fun?"
Yejun narrowed his eyes. "You want a fight?"
Ryu tilted his head. "What else?"
Elsewhere…
Lee Jun-ho and Seo Do-hyun barely had time to react when a crowd of nearly ninety boys swarmed around them.
A towering figure pushed his way through the mass, his heavy build and stone-cold expression impossible to ignore.
Jo Dong-hyun.
Ranked 2nd in Pipik High School.
He cracked his neck. "You boys better pray. I'm feeling violent today."
And Finally…
Jay Yoon and Ha Seung-won walked calmly, unaware of the chaos unfolding for their friends.
But it didn't take long for their own trouble to find them.
A massive crowd of one hundred and fifty boys emerged, blocking every possible escape route.
Jay glanced around, calm as ever. "Well… this is annoying."
The crowd parted slightly, and from the center emerged a figure with a wolf-like physique — gray modern mullet hair, sharp blue eyes, and a sly smile.
The leader of Pipik High School.
He spread his arms wide. "Gangbuk High… Finally. I've been waiting to crush you guys."
Jay's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
The leader grinned. "You'll know soon enough."
He pointed at Jay. "I'm declaring war. Pipik High versus Gangbuk High. We'll see who's left standing."
And with that, he vanished into the crowd.
The tension exploded.
Everyone braced for a fight — but none of them knew just how far this battle would go.
Meanwhile…
Far from the chaos, in the quiet of his apartment, Eun-ak sat on his bed, staring at his newly earned Diamond Card.
He had no idea what was happening.
And when the fight began…
He wouldn't be there.