[+..••⁴]

[+..••] 𝖁ᥱᥣ᥎ᥱ𝗍 𝕮һᥲіᥒs

The sun cut clean through the glass walls of Seoul High, and the whispers started before first period even hit.

"She's here."

"Did you see her shoes?"

"Her dad owns part of the Han River, I swear."

"She's prettier than Baek Iseul."

Lies.

But loud ones.

⸻

Her name was Han Yuri.

Daughter of a minister.Rich, pretty, and fully aware of it.She walked through the hallways like she'd already claimed the throne, long legs, short skirt, a smirk that begged for attention.

And worse?

She looked directly at Baek Iseul as she passed by.Held eye contact.Smiled.

Not a friendly one.Not the respectful kind.But the kind that said:

Move.

Iseul, seated on the edge of the main hallway bench, legs crossed, eyes lazy-didn't blink.Didn't flinch.She simply said, loud enough to be heard:

"You're walking wrong."

Yuri stopped.Turned her head slightly. "Excuse me?"

"You're walking like you think you're important," Iseul said, voice calm. "But you're looking at me to check if you are."

Kyung-jun choked on his water bottle from across the hall.Seungtae smirked silently behind his hand.Ki-tae?He just leaned against the lockers and whispered to no one,

"She shouldn't have started this. Not here."

Yuri smiled tightly. "Funny. I heard you were... more elegant."

"I was," Iseul said, standing slowly. "Before girls like you started crawling out of black cars thinking a pretty face and a famous name was enough to breathe the same air as me."

A silence spread like spilled ink across the hallway.

Yuri's eyes narrowed. "I guess I'll have to earn it then."

Iseul stepped closer. "You're welcome to try."

⸻

The rest of the day was tension.

Yuri showed off in every class. Top scores in math. Flirted with teachers. Got boys trailing her like perfume. People started watching her in the cafeteria, watching her laugh, her movements.

But Iseul?

She didn't chase the spotlight.

She didn't need to.

She owned it.

And everywhere Yuri turned-Kyung-jun was watching her too closely.Seungtae glared whenever she got near.Ki-tae just laughed, like he already knew how this would end.

⸻

By the time lunch ended, the bets had already started.

Queen Baek or New Blood Yuri?

But the only person not talking about it...was Iseul.

Because she didn't fight battles in front of crowds.

She ended them quietly.Effortlessly.Like snapping a cigarette in half.

⸻

The hallway was buzzing with whispers.Han Yuri's strut was loud.But Iseul's silence? Louder.

Everyone was watching.

Especially Kyung-jun-who had the audacity to look like he was enjoying the hell out of it.

⸻

It started in homeroom.

Yuri walked in with lip gloss that sparkled like diamonds and confidence that didn't belong to a transfer student. She sat in the row ahead of Kyung-jun and leaned back just enough for him to notice.

He noticed.

And grinned.

"Oh no," Seungtae muttered next to him. "You're smiling like an idiot."

"I'm smiling like a guy living his best life," Kyung-jun whispered, eyes still locked on Iseul across the room.

She wasn't looking at him.

But her fingers were tapping. Too fast. Too sharp.

Kyung-jun leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm, watching her like she was a performance made just for him.

⸻

During break, it got worse.

Yuri handed Kyung-jun a drink from the vending machine-his favorite, no less.

Iseul didn't even blink.

But the second Yuri turned her back, she grabbed the can and dumped it neatly into a nearby trash bin.

"Oops," she said flatly.

Kyung-jun saw it all.And laughed. Out loud. Like it was the funniest thing he'd seen all week.

"You're unbelievable," Iseul muttered, brushing past him.

He caught up instantly, that smug grin still painted across his face.

"I didn't even drink it," he said.

"I don't care."

"Mm," he mused. "You're not jealous, though. Right?"

"I'm not."

"Right, right," he said with mock understanding. "This is you being completely calm and not at all bothered."

"I'm not bothered," she snapped, stopping to face him.

He leaned in, eyes sparkling.

"You know... You're so hot when you lie to yourself."

Iseul stared at him like she might actually swing.

Instead, she turned on her heel and kept walking.

And Kyung-jun just laughed, slipping his hands in his pockets, the picture of smug satisfaction.

⸻

By lunch, it was a show.

Yuri tried to sit with the Royals.

Ki-tae stood up the second she touched the chair and walked away, muttering, "Nah. Not today."

Seungtae looked like he might actually bite someone.

And Kyung-jun?He held out the seat next to him.

But before Yuri could take it, Iseul dropped her bag right onto the chair, slid in, and gave her a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"This one's taken," she said sweetly. "Forever."

Yuri blinked.

Kyung-jun smirked.

And Seungtae muttered under his breath, "He's gonna get himself killed, and I'm gonna film it."

⸻

The smell of dust and rust clung to the air of the old gym, an abandoned relic tucked behind the main building. The floorboards creaked beneath every footstep, and the thick smell of stale sweat still lingered from years of forgotten games.

It was perfect for what Iseul had planned.

She had called Yuri here, no one else-no Kyung-jun watching with those knowing eyes, no Seungtae with his sharp words. The Royals were blissfully unaware, and so was the rest of the school. Even Ki-tae, who usually knew everything, didn't show up.

Iseul had a feeling he was watching from a distance, but that didn't matter.

She had this.

She owned this.

⸻

Yuri stepped into the gym, looking around, eyebrows furrowing slightly at the dim lighting and the eerie quietness. She hadn't expected it to feel like this-empty and cold. But she wasn't going to back down. Not now.

"Iseul?" she called out, her voice echoing faintly.

The door shut with a bang behind her.

And then Iseul's voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"Darling, I think you should know your place."

Yuri froze, her heart skipping. She knew that tone. The cold, dangerous one.

Iseul slowly stood up from the corner where she'd been leaning casually against the wall. She was dressed differently than usual-no uniform today, no pretty royal attire. She wore a black leather jacket, tight pants, and boots that clicked with authority as she took a step forward. A bag was slung over her shoulder, one that didn't look like it carried books.

Her eyes never left Yuri's.

The smirk on her face was playful-but Yuri could see the danger underneath it. The kind of danger that whispered, You've made a mistake.

Yuri tried to regain her composure, lifting her chin slightly. "What is this? You think you can scare me?"

Iseul stepped closer, her heels clicking sharply against the wooden floor. "Scare you?" She chuckled softly, almost like she was amused. "No, darling. I just think it's time you understood what happens when someone like you tries to take what's mine."

Yuri's expression hardened, but there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "You think this is about you? This is about me showing who really deserves the throne around here. And it's not you."

Iseul tilted her head slightly. "You're adorable." Her voice was sweet, almost mocking. "But you don't get to decide who sits on the throne. That's been taken care of."

Her eyes flickered to the bag she carried, the one Yuri had been too distracted to notice before. It looked like a regular black bag, but there was something about it that made Yuri uneasy.

Iseul slowly set the bag down on the floor, unzipping it with deliberate slowness, keeping Yuri's gaze locked on her the entire time. She pulled out a set of brass knuckles, glinting ominously in the dim light.

Yuri swallowed. "You think you're going to fight me?"

Iseul smirked. "Oh, no. I don't need to fight you." She let the brass knuckles dangle from her fingers, the metal clinking softly. "You've already lost."

Yuri's pulse quickened. She didn't back down, though. "You think just because you've got that fancy bag of tricks that you're better than me?" She took a step forward, her jaw set. "I'm not scared of you, Iseul."

Iseul finally broke her gaze and looked down at the floor, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. "You should be."

With a fluid motion, Iseul pulled out something else from her bag-a phone. She unlocked it, tapping a few keys before tossing it at Yuri's feet.

Yuri blinked, glancing down. The screen flashed: "I've already set everything in motion. You won't be able to leave this gym without learning your place."

Her heart dropped.

"What the hell is this?" she demanded, her voice starting to falter.

Iseul stepped forward again, standing so close Yuri could feel her breath on her face. "That's a little insurance policy," she said casually. "I don't like people who think they can mess with what's mine. And you, my dear, are one mistake away from learning the hard way."

Yuri's eyes widened as Iseul moved even closer. She could feel the weight of her presence, her authority-the way she held this space, this moment, like it was her kingdom.

But then, a quiet chuckle left Iseul's lips. "Relax, Yuri." She straightened, giving her a once-over. "I'm not going to make you bleed today. Not unless you really push me."

Yuri's chest heaved in frustration. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped, realizing that no words would undo the tension hanging thick in the air. The game had changed.

"You still think you're taking the throne, don't you?" Iseul's voice was soft, almost pitying. "It's cute. But this is where your fantasy ends. It's not your time."

Yuri stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to respond.

Iseul smiled at her, the same cool, confident smile that had always made everyone step back and pay attention.

"Next time you try to take something that's mine, remember who taught you this lesson."

With that, Iseul turned on her heel and walked toward the door, her footsteps echoing in the silence.

But before she exited, she glanced back over her shoulder one last time.

"Get used to second place."

And then she was gone.

Yuri stood in the middle of the gym, her body stiff, breath shallow. The room felt colder, darker, as if the weight of Iseul's presence had been a shadow over her entire existence.

She had been wrong to think she could take over so easily. Iseul had already claimed this place.

She just hadn't known it yet.

⸻

The old gym doors creaked shut behind Iseul, her heels clicking as she disappeared into the shadowed hallway. She didn't need to look back. The message had been sent.

But her underground girls weren't done yet.

As the gym's silence stretched on, a group of girls, dressed in hoodies and jeans, emerged from the dark corners of the gym. They moved with the quiet intensity of wolves on a hunt, each one of them having a deep, unspoken loyalty to Iseul. They had been waiting for the signal, and now it had come.

One of them-a tall girl with short black hair and a dangerous smile-approached Yuri, who was still standing, frozen in place.

Yuri tried to back away, but she had nowhere to go.

With a swift motion, the girl shoved her roughly, sending her stumbling to the floor. The other girls circled around her, their eyes cold, calculating.

Yuri didn't scream. She didn't beg. She wasn't going to show weakness. But she didn't have a choice.

As they began to make their move, there was no hesitation. Iseul's underground girls had been trained to act without mercy. By the time they were done, Yuri's face was a mess of bruises, a bloody nose, and tear-streaked cheeks. Her pride, the very thing that had made her challenge Iseul in the first place, was shattered.

The girls stepped back, leaving her crumpled on the gym floor. They didn't say a word, but the message was clear.

"This is what happens when you try to take what doesn't belong to you."

⸻

The next day at school, everything felt different.

Yuri's usually immaculate hair was a mess. The bruises on her face were barely covered by the concealer she tried to apply, but they still showed-loud and proud, a silent message to everyone who'd seen her walk in.

Iseul stood near the lockers, calm, unbothered, as usual. The hallways seemed to part around her, as if people instinctively knew to give her space. Her presence filled the room, leaving nothing untouched.

Kyung-jun and Seungtae were leaning against the lockers nearby, casually talking, but their eyes drifted to Yuri as she walked by, her gaze lowered, trying her best to avoid Iseul's.

Seungtae looked over at Kyung-jun. "Damn... did she get hit by a truck or something?"

Kyung-jun grinned, watching the scene unfold with an almost amused expression on his face. "Nah. It's just a reminder of what happens when you try to play a game you're not ready for."

Seungtae raised an eyebrow, glancing at Iseul, who stood motionless, her gaze flickering only briefly to Yuri before returning to the floor in front of her. "How'd you think it went down?" he asked, grinning. "Did she really think she could outsmart Iseul?"

Kyung-jun chuckled, shaking his head. "Anyone who thinks they can challenge Iseul and win is seriously delusional."

As Yuri passed them, she tried to keep her chin up. But her eyes couldn't escape Iseul's, and she knew the truth now. The real power didn't lie in her-it never had.

Iseul's gaze cut through Yuri like a blade. She didn't have to say a word. The silence between them spoke volumes.

Yuri lowered her eyes, feeling the weight of the humiliation settling into her chest. Iseul had crushed her.

The boys couldn't help but watch the scene unfold, but they said nothing. They knew better.

⸻

Seungtae raised his hands, trying to lighten the mood. "Look at her. She looks like she just got dragged through hell and back." He shot a glance at Iseul. "Did you have something to do with this?"

Iseul's lips curled into a smile, but it wasn't kind. It wasn't anything that could be classified as sympathy. "I don't have to dirty my hands for this one," she said softly, eyes still on Yuri.

Kyung-jun pushed off the locker, stretching with a lazy grin. "I love watching her work," he said, flicking his gaze over to Iseul. "She always knows how to make a statement."

"Did Yuri honestly think she could challenge Iseul?" Seungtae said with a low laugh. "That girl was already doomed the second she decided to take on the queen."

Iseul let out a breath, her gaze finally leaving Yuri as she turned to face Kyung-jun and Seungtae. "You're right," she said, eyes narrowing, her voice cool. "I don't need to lift a finger to take her down. Some people just learn their lesson the hard way."

Her eyes flickered toward Yuri again, who was huddled by the lockers with her head down, clearly trying to hide the damage.

"You know," Kyung-jun said, his voice light, "I think Yuri's gonna be a little too... scared to even look at you again. Good job."

Iseul smirked. "I didn't do it for praise."

Seungtae gave her an exaggerated bow. "Of course you didn't. You just do it because it's fun."

Kyung-jun let out a low laugh, catching the subtle shift in Iseul's eyes. There was no joy in her, just cold efficiency. And that was what made her so terrifying.

Iseul took a step forward, her eyes finally leaving Yuri for good. "Just remember," she said, voice sharp, "not everyone can play the game. And not everyone gets to leave with their pride intact."

Seungtae, grinning, shot Kyung-jun a look. "Guess this is what happens when you mess with the wrong girl."

Kyung-jun gave him a half-smile. "And that's why I don't play with fire."

⸻

The bell rang, cutting off their conversation. But the echo of Iseul's words still hung in the air like smoke. She had already won.

⸻

The night was drawing near, and the tension was building like the calm before a storm. The underground scene was always buzzing with rumors, whispers of the next fight, of the people who'd be stepping into the ring. But tonight was different. Ki-tae, always the quiet mastermind, had been busy behind the scenes. And now, he was ready to set everything in motion.

⸻

The usual underground fight venue was located in the depths of Seoul, tucked away from prying eyes and any kind of legal interference. The sounds of muffled voices and heavy bass from nearby clubs filled the air, masking the low rumble of the crowd that had already started gathering.

Back in the inner circle, Iseul was pacing in the corner of the private lounge, her eyes focused but her mind elsewhere. She'd had enough of the royal games today. It was time to get back into what truly mattered-the fights. She had her usual bag with her, the one with all the essentials, but tonight, she wasn't just a spectator. She was in charge.

Kyung-jun and Seungtae were already in the room, talking as usual, though neither was quite as playful as they usually were. The atmosphere had shifted, and both could sense it. The fights were looming, and there was no room for games now.

"Is it happening tonight?" Seungtae asked, his voice serious for once, his eyes scanning the empty space. There were no signs of the typical chaos they usually enjoyed. The night felt heavier than usual.

Kyung-jun, always the laid-back one, raised an eyebrow but didn't respond right away. He was already looking at his phone, waiting for the usual code drop that would signal when and where the fights were going down.

Then, like a shadow slipping into the room, Ki-tae appeared. Dressed in black, his face expressionless, he was the embodiment of control. The boys fell silent as he stepped forward, pulling out his phone from his pocket and placing it on the table between them.

"Tomorrow night," Ki-tae said, his voice cold and calculating as always. "I've sent the code out. You know what that means."

There was no need for more words. They all knew. The underground fights were about to get more intense than ever, and this time, the stakes were higher.

⸻

Iseul raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall, her lips curling into a small smile. "How many people are we pulling in this time?" she asked, her voice sharp. She was ready. Her blood was already beginning to heat at the thought of the chaos that awaited them.

Ki-tae glanced at her, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "The usual crowd. But there's something different this time. You might want to be there early."

"I'll be there," she said without hesitation. "I'm not missing the action."

Kyung-jun let out a soft laugh, his gaze flicking between Ki-tae and Iseul. "What's the game this time, though?" he asked, twirling a knife between his fingers. "Who's fighting?"

Ki-tae didn't even flinch at the knife. He just pulled out a slip of paper and slid it across the table. The list was already printed, the names of fighters, the codes for the ring locations, and the time. As usual, it was all encrypted and coded in a way only they understood.

Kyung-jun scanned the paper, his eyes lighting up when he saw one of the names. "Ah, this one's gonna be a good show," he said, tossing the paper aside. "I'll make sure to take a front-row seat for this one."

Seungtae, however, didn't look as relaxed. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the list, noticing something Ki-tae had already picked up on. "There's something off about this fight," he muttered, his voice quieter than usual. "You don't just throw someone like that into the ring without a reason."

Ki-tae's cold eyes flicked to Seungtae, and for a moment, the tension in the room thickened. "Don't worry about it. I've got it covered. Just be ready for tomorrow night."

⸻

Iseul, still leaning against the wall, glanced at Ki-tae with a knowing look. She could tell there was more to it than he was letting on, but she didn't press it. There would be time for that later. For now, the underground was calling-and she was ready to answer.

"You've got everything set up, right?" Iseul asked, her voice cool as she looked at the boys. She wasn't going to let anything slip through her fingers tonight.

"Everything's set," Ki-tae replied, the hint of a grin on his lips now. "All you need to do is show up."

Kyung-jun stretched lazily and gave Seungtae a playful shove. "Let's go. I'm itching for a good fight."

⸻

The room was quiet again for a few moments, the silence heavy with anticipation. The boys had seen countless underground fights before, but this time felt different. The players were changing. The game was evolving.

Iseul smiled to herself, feeling the adrenaline already kick in. Tomorrow night was going to be something unforgettable.

"You know," Kyung-jun said, breaking the silence, "I love this part. The calm before the storm."

Seungtae rolled his eyes but smirked. "You just love the chaos."

"I love the show," Kyung-jun shot back. "The blood, the sweat, the screams... it's all just... art."

Iseul chuckled, her eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. "Then you'll love tomorrow night."

⸻

As the night dragged on, the boys prepared for what would be one of the most intense underground events of the year. The code had been sent. The fight was set. And no one was going to back down now.