{continuation of the fight from chapter 1}
The classroom fell dead silent for a second before chaos erupted.Desks screeched backward, chairs clattered, and everyone scrambled out of the way. Phones were out instantly—every student ready to record.
"Worldstar moment incoming," someone whispered.
Min-jun cracked his neck, stepping forward with a cold grin. "You're dead."
Tae-jun stood shakily, trying to steady his breath. His hands were trembling, but his heart was pounding with something strange—anticipation.
Min-jun lunged forward with a straight punch aimed at his face. Tae-jun flinched and barely managed to dodge. As Min-jun's arm extended, Tae-jun saw an opening.
Without thinking, he unleashed his Fast Jab—a double strike to Min-jun's ribcage.
BOOM! BOOM!
The sound echoed in the classroom like a gunshot. Min-jun stumbled back, clutching his side, coughing hard. The class gasped.
Tae-jun froze for a moment, staring at his own fist. "O-oh my god… I'm so cool… YES!" he thought, unable to stop the grin spreading across his face.
The glowing system panel appeared again.
"Quest Progress: You stood up to your bully. +1 Silver Skill.""Unlocked: Muay-Thai Basic.""Final Objective: Defeat your bully. Reward: +2 Strength."
Tae-jun felt something shifting inside him—a faint rush of power, or so he thought, his stance unconsciously tightening. He didn't even notice how he'd straightened up, posture sharper.
He charged forward, confidence surging. "This is it—this is my moment!"
He swung—
BOOM!
A sharp punch cracked against his nose. Pain exploded across his face. Tae-jun fell backward, crashing onto his back.
Before he could react, CRUNCH—Min-jun was already on top of him, slamming his fist down again. Tae-jun twisted his head just in time to avoid the second hit. Acting purely on instinct, he shot his torso up and smashed his forehead into Min-jun's face with a brutal headbutt.
Min-jun groaned, staggering slightly. Tae-jun seized the moment, squirming out of Min-jun's loosened grip and scrambling to his feet. Both of them stood now—breathing hard, eyes locked.
The tension was electric.
Then—
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!"
The classroom door slammed open. The teacher stormed in, face red with fury.
"WHO DID THIS?!" she shouted.
Everyone in the class froze. Then, slowly, every single student raised their hand, terrified of what would happen if they didn't cover for Min-jun.
Except for Tae-jun and Min-jun.
Min-jun stood there, blood trickling from his nose, eyes locked on Tae-jun. Tae-jun, bruised and shaking, stared back—scared, but… smiling.
For the first time, he didn't look like the scrawny loser everyone thought he was.
He'd finally fought back.
And it felt good.