Chapter 2 – A Den of Monsters

Kang Jinhyuk’s first fight at Shinhwa Martial Arts High began the moment he walked through the gates.

The kick came fast, aimed straight for his head. Most people wouldn’t have even seen it coming.

Jinhyuk did.

His instincts roared to life, muscles tightening. His body moved before his mind caught up. He tilted his head, the student’s foot passing inches from his face, wind brushing his cheek. Without hesitation, he reached out—grabbing the attacker’s ankle in mid-air.

The student’s smirk vanished.

Then Jinhyuk tightened his grip.

CRACK!

The boy’s body twisted unnaturally as he was slammed to the ground with enough force to shake the pavement. A sharp gasp echoed through the courtyard.

Silence.

Jinhyuk let go and stood over his opponent, who groaned, clutching his side. It wasn’t enough to break bones, but the message was clear.

"Don't test me."

Then the whispers started.

“Holy shit…”

“He stopped it—just like that?”

“The new guy is a monster too.”

Jinhyuk ignored them. He had barely used any strength. If this was what passed for strong here, then maybe—

“Yo, what’s all the commotion?”

A voice cut through the crowd. Deep, casual, but carrying undeniable authority. The students parted, and a figure stepped forward.

"Iron Fist" Baek Dohyun (Rank 24)

Baek Dohyun. Tall, broad, and built like a living tank. His uniform jacket was slung over his shoulders, revealing arms covered in scars. His knuckles were wrapped in white tape, stained slightly red.

He took one glance at the kid on the ground, then looked at Jinhyuk.

"You did that?" Dohyun asked, cracking his neck.

Jinhyuk met his gaze. "He attacked first."

Dohyun smirked. "Then I guess it's fair. But listen, newbie—this is Shinhwa. Here, fights aren’t accidents. They're the rules."

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He stepped closer, the weight of his presence pressing down like a boulder. The students around them barely breathed.

"Iron Fist" Baek Dohyun—Rank 24. The leader of The Iron Club, a gang that controlled most of the school’s gym facilities and training halls. A brawler with fists as hard as steel.

"I’ll give you some advice," Dohyun continued. "If you're strong, you'll be challenged. If you're weak, you'll be crushed. And if you want to survive…" He clenched his fists, and his knuckles popped like gunshots. "You better learn the pecking order fast."

Jinhyuk stared at him, unflinching.

"So where do I start?"

Dohyun’s smirk widened. "Good answer."

The Ranking Board – The 100 Kings of Shinhwa

Jinhyuk followed Dohyun through the main campus. The school was nothing like a normal high school.

Instead of clubs for debate or music, there were fight clubs, combat gyms, underground arenas, and gang factions. Power dictated status. Those in the Top 100 weren’t just students—they were monsters.

The Ranking Board stood in the middle of campus, a massive digital screen listing the strongest fighters.

[Top 100 Fighters of Shinhwa Martial Arts High]

Rank 100 - "Savage Bull" Han Taekyu (Wrestling Club Leader)

Rank 75 - "Silent Executioner" Choi Minjun (Underground Arena Enforcer)

Rank 50 - "Dancing Reaper" Lee Hana (Gang Leader - Black Lotus Syndicate)

Rank 24 - "Iron Fist" Baek Dohyun (Iron Club Leader)

Rank 10 - ???

Rank 5 - ???

Rank 1 - Dragon Emperor - Jin seongho

"The Top 50 run everything," Dohyun explained. "Clubs, gangs, fight rings, even gambling operations. If you're not one of them, you're a pawn."

Jinhyuk scanned the list. The Top 10 had no descriptions. Just their names and titles.

"The ones at the top," Dohyun continued, "are beyond human. The Student Council is made up of them, plus the instructors."

Jinhyuk didn’t respond. Instead, he asked, "How do I get on that list?"

Dohyun barked out a laugh. "Damn. You’re ambitious, huh?"

Jinhyuk wasn’t joking. If this school was home to monsters, he needed to know where he stood.

Dohyun grinned. "Well, since you’re so eager… how about we test you out?"

Jinhyuk found himself inside one of the underground arenas, a hidden fight club beneath the school. It was dark, packed with students betting on matches. The air smelled of sweat, blood, and money.

Dohyun leaned against the cage wall. "You win here, people notice. You lose? No one remembers you."

A buzzer rang. The gate opened.

His opponent stepped in.

"Mad Dog" Kim Jisoo – Unranked Aspirant

A lean, wiry guy with sharp eyes and a feral grin. His uniform was tattered, his hands wrapped in dirty bandages.

Jisoo wasn’t in the Top 100, but he wanted to be.

And he was willing to kill for it.

The announcer roared, "BEGIN!"

BOOM!

Jisoo lunged. His speed was terrifying. A flurry of punches and kicks came at Jinhyuk from every angle—wild, unpredictable, rabid.

Jinhyuk dodged the first few, analyzing his movements. Jisoo fought like an animal, biting, clawing, throwing elbows and knees.

A fist flew at Jinhyuk’s jaw. He twisted, barely avoiding it. But then—

CRACK!

Jisoo’s knee slammed into his ribs. Pain exploded through his side.

"Heh. You’re not untouchable." Jisoo grinned, licking blood from his lip.

Jinhyuk exhaled, stepping back. "Neither are you."

Then he attacked.

BAM!

His fist sank into Jisoo’s stomach, lifting him off the ground. Before he could recover, Jinhyuk grabbed him by the collar and—

THWACK!

—slammed his knee into Jisoo’s face. Blood splattered. The crowd roared.

Jisoo staggered, eyes dazed. He tried to shake it off, but Jinhyuk was already there.

A roundhouse kick—brutal, fast, precise.

SMASH!

Jisoo’s head snapped back. His body crumpled.

Silence.

Then, an explosion of cheers.

Dohyun grinned from outside the cage. "Well, damn. The beast can fight."

Jinhyuk exhaled, shaking the adrenaline from his limbs.

This was it.

He had taken his first step into the world of monsters.

And he was just getting started.

End of Chapter 2.