Chapter 5 – The Jungle’s Law
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THE SECOND WEEK AT SHINHWA MARTIAL ARTS HIGH WAS WHERE THE WEAK BROKE AND THE STRONG ROSE.
Kang Jinhyuk had already survived his first few fights, made a name for himself, and even caught the attention of a ranker. But if the first week had been an introduction to the school's brutality, the second was an all-out warzone.
Today was Group Combat Training.
The concept was simple—teamwork under pressure.
The reality?
It was just another excuse for Shinhwa to throw students into a bloodbath.
The training field was massive, a wide-open space designed for combat drills. Rows of first-years gathered, each team of five standing in formation. The tension was thick—everyone knew what was coming.
That’s when she arrived.
A woman stepped onto the raised platform. Unlike Baek Seongjun, who carried himself like a warlord, she moved with a deadly grace, her form clad in a sleeveless black qipao-style martial arts uniform.
Her presence alone was enough to silence the crowd.
Sharp crimson eyes scanned the students, her short, midnight-black hair slightly tousled by the wind. She wasn’t bulky like Baek Seongjun, but no one in their right mind would underestimate her.
Jinhyuk recognized her instantly.
Instructor Seo Yerin.
Shinhwa’s Crimson Viper.
A former assassin. A master of speed and precision. A woman rumored to have fought on equal footing with Baek Seongjun in his prime.
Her voice was smooth but carried an unmistakable sharpness.
“Welcome to your first Group Combat Training.”
She walked to the center of the platform, hands behind her back.
“Here at Shinhwa, strength alone is meaningless.”
Her crimson eyes gleamed.
“Because no matter how strong you are—if you fight alone in this world, you will die.”
Silence.
Then, a hollow thud echoed through the field.
Seo Yerin had kicked a massive steel training dummy straight off the platform.
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It slammed into the ground with enough force to leave a crater.
Her gaze swept over them.
“Today’s lesson—Survival Through Coordination.
”Jinhyuk found himself standing with four others.
He recognized none of them.
But in Shinhwa, you adapt fast, or you don’t survive.
One of them, a tall guy with lean muscle, cracked his knuckles.
“Guess we’re a team. Name’s Lee Hyunwoo.” His eyes held a sharpness to them. “I’m unranked, but I’m not weak.”
Next to him was a girl with short silver hair tied in a messy ponytail. She carried herself with the confidence of someone who had seen real fights.
“Jung Seori,” she introduced herself, arms crossed. “Let’s not drag each other down.”
The third was a quiet, broad-shouldered guy with a buzz cut. He didn’t speak much, just gave a small nod.
“Kwon Daeho.” His voice was low. “Grappler.”
And then—
“I suppose introductions are in order.”
A smooth, arrogant voice.
Jinhyuk turned.
A boy with jet-black hair and cold golden eyes smirked. He carried himself with the air of someone used to being feared.
“Kang Minjae. Rank 96.”
A ranker.
And now, he was their teammate.
Jinhyuk smirked.
‘Interesting.
’Instructor Seo Yerin clapped her hands.
“Listen up.”
A massive digital board flickered to life.
* Objective: Defeat opposing teams and capture three flags placed around the training field.
* Teams: Five per group. 12 teams total.
* Winning Condition: First team to secure three flags wins. Eliminations are allowed.
Jinhyuk grinned.
This wasn’t a game.
It was a hunt.
And he was ready.
BOOM!
The sound of the starting signal echoed through the air.
Twelve teams exploded into motion.
Jinhyuk’s team darted forward, weaving through the battlefield as fights broke out around them.
In the distance, two teams clashed violently—a brutal exchange of kicks, punches, and bone-crushing throws.
Lee Hyunwoo’s eyes narrowed. “We’re not alone.”
Three students from an opposing team charged toward them.
Jinhyuk stepped forward.
“I’ll handle this.”
The first attacker swung a wild punch.
Jinhyuk sidestepped, his footwork fluid. He caught the guy’s wrist, twisted it, and drove an elbow into his ribs.
CRACK!
The student collapsed, coughing blood.
The second one came in with a spinning kick.
Jinhyuk ducked low—then shot up with a devastating uppercut.
BAM!
The second student hit the ground.
Only one left.
This time, Jung Seori moved.
Her silver hair whipped behind her as she slid forward, dodging a punch and delivering a brutal palm strike to the attacker’s throat.
The student collapsed, choking.
Jinhyuk grinned.
His team was solid.
But the real battle was still ahead.
A SHADOW LOOMED OVER THEM.
Four figures approached, moving with unshakable confidence.
One of them, a towering beast of a student, cracked his neck.
“Looks like we found some fun.”
Jinhyuk recognized him.
Baek Taehwan. Unranked, but known for sheer brutality.
Beside him, a lean fighter with piercing blue eyes smirked.
“Let’s make this interesting.”
Kang Minjae stepped forward, golden eyes gleaming.
His lips curled into a cold grin.
“Bring it.”
And then—
The real fight began.
Fists flew. Bones cracked.
The law of the jungle had begun.
And Jinhyuk?
He was going to survive.
No—he was going to win.
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END OF CHAPTER 5.