The chilly autumn evening air only intensified the burning shame on Yi Shi-Woon's cheeks. His knuckles were white as he gripped the straps of his backpack, a futile attempt to find some kind of support amidst the humiliation. In front of him, Chang-Ho, with his mocking smile and contemptuous eyes, held the crumpled bill he had just snatched from him. Beside him, Chang-Ho's henchmen laughed, their laughter echoing in the narrow alley behind the school.
"Really, Shi-Woon? That's all you got?" Chang-Ho mocked, waving the bill in front of his face. "I thought you'd at least have something else for lunch. It seems your life is as pathetic as your face."
Shi-woon looked down, unable to hold eye contact. Every word felt like a blow, every laugh a stab. He knew there was no point in resisting. He'd tried before, and it had only ended worse. His thin frame and shy nature had made him an easy target for as long as he could remember.
"Please, Chang-Ho," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "Just let me go."
"Let you go?" Chang-Ho feigned surprise, placing a hand over his chest. "But we're just starting to have fun. Aren't we, guys?"
The others nodded enthusiastically, approaching Shi-Woon. He knew what was coming next: the shoving, the insults, maybe even a blow. It was always the same. An endless cycle of torment from which there seemed to be no escape.
He closed his eyes, bracing for impact, but it never came. Instead, he heard a muffled gasp and a sudden silence. Cautiously, he opened his eyes. Chang-Ho and his friends were frozen, their faces showing a mixture of shock and fear.
In their midst, like a shadow materializing out of thin air, stood a tall man, dressed entirely in black. His face was partially hidden by the high collar of his jacket, but the intensity of his gaze was palpable, even to Shi-woon. He seemed to emanate an aura of silent danger.
The man in black hadn't made any sudden movements, but his presence was enough to intimidate the thugs. Chang-Ho, although visibly nervous, tried to maintain his brash facade.
"Who the hell are you?" Chang-Ho snapped, trying to sound brave, but with a tremor in his voice. "This is none of your business."
The man in black didn't respond immediately . His eyes scanned the thugs, lingering briefly on each face before finally settling on Shi-woon.
"Why do you allow yourself to be treated like this?" the man asked, his voice deep and calm, but with a tone that suggested unquestionable authority.
Shi-woon was speechless, surprised that someone would ask him such a question. He'd never really stopped to think about it. He'd simply accepted it as an inevitable part of his existence.
Chang-ho, feeling the situation getting out of hand, tried to regain control. "This is our business. You'd better leave if you don't want trouble."
The man in black finally looked away from Shi-Woon and focused on Chang-Ho. A faint smile, which didn't reach his eyes, appeared on his lips.
"Trouble? I don't think you guys really know what trouble means." His voice was colder now, and Shi-Woon felt a chill run down his spine despite the afternoon temperature.
Without another word, the man in black took a step forward. There was no physical contact, but it was enough. Chang-Ho and his henchmen instinctively backed away, their eyes filled with a terror Shi-Woon had never seen in them before. In an instant, the thugs turned and fled, disappearing around the corner.
Silence fell again in the alley, broken only by Shi-woon's labored breathing. He stared at the man in black, who now turned toward him.
"Are you okay?" the man asked, his voice now slightly softer.
Shi-Woon nodded awkwardly, not knowing what to say. No one had ever stood up for him like that before.
"Mark my words," the man continued, his gaze piercing. "You are weak because you choose to be."
And with that enigmatic phrase, the man in black turned and walked away, disappearing as suddenly as he had appeared, leaving Shi-woon alone in the alleyway, the bitter taste of humiliation still in his mouth, but with a new seed of doubt planted in his mind. Was it really his destiny to always be weak?
To be continued...
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