《Shattered》 Arc 1: The Beginning Of The Fall Arc 1: The Beginning of the Fall The skeletal remains of the Takeda Corporation building clawed at the night sky, its unfinished frame a jagged monument against the neon-drenched sprawl of South Tokyo. Below, the construction site was a graveyard of twisted metal and shattered concrete, slick with dark, viscous puddles-remnants of corrupted machinery, now reduced to nothing but crimson smears. A single word echoed through the empty expanse. "VOID!" The air trembled as reality itself seemed to fracture. The last vestiges of the wreckage disintegrated, leaving only silence and the boy at its center. His chest rose and fell in ragged breaths, dark eyes alight with something raw, something volatile. Then-clap... clap... clap. Slow, deliberate applause cut through the wind. A lone figure stepped from the shadows of the steel framework, his long coat shifting with the breeze. The city lights caught a glint of metal at his throat, casting his face in sharp relief. "Impressive," the man murmured, voice smooth, measured. He regarded the boy with an intensity that sent warning signals through every fiber of his being. Suho''s muscles remained taut, energy still thrumming beneath his skin, ready to ignite again. He''s not security. His stance... his presence. He''s something else. "Who are you?" Suho demanded. The man took another step forward, exuding a calm that felt deliberate, practiced. "You may call me Saito," he said. "And I have an offer for you." Suho said nothing, but his eyes darkened with skepticism. "The Hunters Academy," Saito continued. "A place where people like you hone their abilities. A life with purpose. Stability. Power." Suho scoffed, his lips curling in something that wasn''t quite amusement. "And an early death?" His voice dripped with dry cynicism. "No thanks." He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing against the hollow bones of the building. He didn''t need to look back. He could feel Saito''s gaze on him, lingering, calculating. The wind picked up, and behind him, Saito''s form shimmered, the illusion dissolving like smoke. What remained was a taller man, his presence colder, his smirk unreadable. "We meet again, Suho," he murmured. --- The city pulsed with its usual nighttime rhythm as Suho strode through the streets. Neon signs flickered overhead, their reflections distorting in the puddles beneath his feet. Then-a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. "Oi, Suho!" Suho turned to see his older brother, Kun, grinning like an idiot. His phone, screen cracked, was clutched loosely in one hand. "Fucking girl broke up with me," Kun announced, attempting to mask the hurt beneath forced bravado. Suho snorted. "Hah! You dumbass. Told you she wouldn''t last." Kun leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "At least I tasted her first." Suho rolled his eyes, but despite himself, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Kun suddenly shoved a crumpled flyer into Suho''s hands. "Hey, check this out." Suho unfolded it under the streetlights. "Free accommodations. Free food. Free training. Join now! Administration needs you!" Kun practically vibrated with excitement. "WHOAAA! Free place to sleep, free food, training-AND maybe we''ll find a girl for you!" Suho''s expression turned flat. Free? Nothing was ever truly free. "Nah, I''ll pass." He tossed the flyer back. Kun''s enthusiasm faltered, his smile slipping into something desperate. "Suho... we don''t have anywhere else to go." His voice carried a quiet plea, edged with something raw. "We''re broke. This might be our only shot." Silence stretched between them. Kun exhaled sharply. "Screw it. I''m calling." His fingers trembled slightly as he dialed the number. Suho said nothing, watching his brother''s face, the way hope and fear warred behind his eyes. A few minutes later, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The doors unlocked with a quiet click. Kun hesitated. Suho did too. Then, without a word, they climbed inside. --- The ride was unnervingly smooth, the silence inside the car oppressive. Neither brother spoke. When they arrived, the sight before them was... unexpected. A sprawling complex loomed ahead-an imposing blend of modern architecture and fortified structures. Hunter Academy. Or Counter Academy, depending on who you asked. A place that trained warriors. A place where the strong survived. Kun, however, had different priorities. "Whoaaaa! So many hot girls!" His eyes darted across the courtyard. "Bro, we gotta-" Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Suho grabbed him by the arm. "Focus, Kun." Kun pouted but obeyed. They approached the registration desk, where a woman with a businesslike expression slid a clipboard toward them. "Names and ranks." Kun hesitated. "Uh... our ranks?" Suho met her gaze. "We don''t know." She barely reacted. Instead, she picked up her phone. "Yes. Understood, sir." When she hung up, she slid their forms back. "You''re clear to go." As they walked away, she picked up her pen and, in the space marked Rank, wrote a single letter: S. --- The academy''s main hall buzzed with energy. Recruits tested their abilities-flashes of light, bursts of power. Others murmured quiet goodbyes to loved ones, their voices tinged with sorrow. Kun, however, had a different focus. "Bro," he whispered, eyes locked on a girl across the hall. "She''s... gorgeous." Suho followed his gaze. A girl stood near the far end, composed, poised, utterly unaware of Kun''s gawking. Kun took a step forward- A violent gust of wind slashed between them. A gleaming spear stopped inches from Kun''s chest, the air still thrumming with energy. A man towered before them, his stance relaxed, but his presence dangerous. "Oops," he said with a smirk. "Said ''puncture,'' and this stupid spear flew out. Good thing I didn''t skewer you, huh?" Kun blinked. Then, inexplicably- He grinned. "Hahahaha! Nice one, man! Cool move!" He clapped the guy on the shoulder, completely unfazed. Suho exhaled sharply. Of course, he''d make friends with the guy who almost impaled him. --- Suho, who had been on edge and ready to intervene, let out a deep sigh. His fear gave way to sheer exasperation as he muttered under his breath, "My brother is so damn stupid." His voice carried the weight of frustration, tinged with disbelief. Kun had nearly gotten himself killed-yet here he was, laughing. "ATTENTION!" A booming voice cut through the murmurs in the hall, commanding instant silence. A man, impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, stood at the center of the raised platform. His presence exuded authority, his polished shoes gleaming under the bright lights. "Welcome to Counters Academy!" he declared, his voice carrying a confident enthusiasm that sent an electric energy rippling through the crowd. Cheers erupted, applause filling the grand hall. "My name is Park," he continued, voice amplified by unseen speakers. "You may address me as Mr. Park." While the majority of students buzzed with excitement, Kun''s attention was elsewhere. His gaze had found her-the girl from earlier. Now that she was closer, he could see the delicate sharpness of her features, the effortless way she carried herself. She''s even more beautiful up close. Suho, however, remained focused on Mr. Park, his expression unreadable. "As you know, Counters operate in specialized squads," Mr. Park announced, his voice slicing through the murmurs. "Now, I will call out the names and assign you to your living quarters." A pause. Then- "SUHO! KUN! JACKSON! MIKA! SMILEY! ZHANGWA!" Kun flinched at the volume, rubbing his ear. "Damn, old man, take it down a notch." Mr. Park gestured towards a hallway. "Your living quarters are that way. Proceed immediately. Your training begins at dawn." Kun and Suho exchanged a quick glance before following the designated path. As they walked, Mr. Park''s voice continued to echo behind them, calling out more names with the same ear-shattering intensity. "He''s got a throat made of iron," Kun muttered, shaking his head. Before long, they arrived at their assigned living quarters. Suho hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping inside. The room was modern, spacious, and surprisingly comfortable. Four others were already there, unpacking their belongings. A muscular man turned toward them with a friendly grin. "You must be Kun and Suho, right?" His voice was deep, steady-exuding confidence. He looked older than the rest, his broad frame hinting at years of experience. Kun immediately extended a hand. "Yeah! That''s us!" The man shook his hand firmly. "Jackson. Nice to meet you." Kun nodded enthusiastically as he looked around. Two designated shower areas-one for men, one for women. A large flat-screen TV. The subtle glow of a Wi-Fi router. This place is nice. Jackson motioned toward the others. "Let me introduce you. That guy over there?" He gestured to a figure sprawled out on a bed, completely unbothered by their arrival. "That''s Smiley. He sleeps... a lot." Kun raised an eyebrow. "What, like, all the time?" Smiley let out a half-hearted grunt, barely acknowledging them. Jackson chuckled and pointed towards the far left. "That''s Zhangwa." A cheerful girl with sharp eyes gave a playful salute. "Zhangwa, 16, B-rank, Striker class! Also, I have a very big brain!" She tapped her temple with exaggerated confidence. Kun grinned at her enthusiasm. Suho, on the other hand, sighed internally. Another Kun. Just... slightly less infuriating. "And over there," Jackson continued, "is Mika." Kun''s breath caught in his throat. Mika. The girl he had been fixated on. Up close, she was even more mesmerizing. His brain immediately spiraled into delusions-romantic walks, candlelit dinners, a house filled with their future children''s laughter- Thwack! Suho smacked the back of Kun''s head, the sound echoing through the room. "You''re creeping her out," Suho deadpanned. Mika''s expression remained unreadable, but there was a fleeting glint of unease in her eyes. "Hehehe, sorry," Kun said, rubbing his head. "Didn''t mean to stare..." Jackson cleared his throat. "Alright, let''s get introductions done. I''ll go first." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Name''s Jackson, 28. Ex-military combatant. Rank: A. Class: Tank. My specialty? Corrupted objects." Kun''s eyes widened in admiration. "Whoa! Ex-military? That''s badass!" Zhangwa beamed. "Me next! Zhangwa, 16! Rank B, Striker class! And like I said, my brain is big!" Suho glanced at her. Lively, full of energy. Definitely reminds me of Kun... just slightly less annoying. Mika spoke next, her voice soft yet clear. "Mika, 18. Rank B. Healer class." Kun nearly fell over. A healer? She''s perfect! Suho sighed, already seeing where this was going. "My turn," he said flatly. "Suho, 17. Rank C. Class-unknown. My ability is Infinity Void Manipulation." Silence. Every pair of eyes locked onto him. Even Smiley cracked open an eye. Jackson''s jaw clenched slightly. Impossible. Void Manipulation is never a C-rank ability. --- Kun leaned forward, completely unfazed by the heavy tension. "Kun, 18. Rank C. Class-also unknown. My ability is Shadow Manifestation!" Another heavy silence filled the room. Zhangwa''s mouth hung open slightly. Smiley blinked slowly. Mika''s expression barely shifted, but there was a slight crease in her brow. Jackson, however, was barely containing his shock. Shadow Manifestation and Infinity Void Manipulation? These were abilities that transcended normal rankings. Yet these two are marked as C-rank? Jackson''s mind raced. No way in hell that''s right. Either they''re lying, or the system is messed up. But before he could say anything, Smiley finally sat up properly, stretching his arms above his head. "Uhh... guess it''s my turn," he mumbled, voice thick with exhaustion. "Name''s Smiley. 19. Rank S. Striker class. Power? Molecule Manipulation." A sharp, stunned inhale came from Zhangwa. "Wait... what?" Kun tilted his head. "That sounds kinda OP." Smiley shrugged lazily. "Yeah, I guess." And with that, he collapsed back onto his bed, snoring almost instantly. The room was left in an uneasy silence. An S-rank. Right in front of them. Zhangwa leaned toward Jackson, whispering, "What the hell is this squad?" Jackson had no answer. After a moment, he clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Alright, that''s enough for tonight. We start early tomorrow." The others nodded, retreating to their beds. But Jackson remained awake long after everyone else had fallen asleep, staring at the ceiling. Shadow Manifestation. Infinity Void Manipulation. And now Molecule Manipulation? This squad wasn''t normal. Something was off. --- The Next Morning A loud, sharp knock echoed through the room. "Wake up, Counters! And Kun and Suho, come here!" Still groggy, Kun and Suho exchanged a glance before getting up. They shuffled to the door, where two academy guards stood, their expressions unreadable. At their feet sat two large duffel bags. "This is from the administration," one of the guards stated. "Since you two arrived without bringing anything." Kun grabbed his bag eagerly, immediately opening it. "Clothes, face wash, deodorant... damn, they even gave us toothpaste?" Jackson chuckled from his bed. "You guys are lucky. Administration doesn''t usually hand out supplies unless you''re VIPs." Suho furrowed his brows. VIPs? No way. There was no reason for them to be treated any differently. Right? Before he could dwell on it, a voice boomed through the building''s intercom. "ATTENTION, COUNTERS! REPORT TO THE MAIN HALL IMMEDIATELY!" --- The hall was already packed when they arrived. Excitement and nervous energy filled the air as squads gathered together, exchanging whispers. Kun nudged Suho, grinning. "Bet you five bucks this is where they announce our squad name." Before Suho could respond, the entire hall shook as Mr. Park''s voice thundered through the space. "SILENCE!" Instant hush. Mr. Park''s sharp gaze swept over the crowd before he spoke again. "Introduction Night is over. Now, it''s time for each squad to receive its official name." Kun''s grin widened. "Called it." Mr. Park continued. "A squad''s name is a reflection of its strength, its unity, and its future. These names are not random. They are determined based on the potential and unique composition of each team." Suho tensed slightly. Potential? A pause. Then- "Squad Number 13... your name shall be-" The hall seemed to hold its breath. "-Oblivion." A murmur rippled through the crowd. Kun blinked. "Uh. That sounds kinda... ominous?" Zhangwa frowned. "I mean, yeah. Oblivion? That doesn''t exactly scream ''hope and teamwork,'' does it?" Suho remained silent. But deep down, something about the name felt... right. Jackson, however, wasn''t so sure. His fingers tightened into a fist. Oblivion. That wasn''t just a name. It was a warning. --- Later That Night Back in their quarters, the squad sat in a circle, still absorbing the weight of their new name. Kun stretched. "Alright, I gotta ask-what''s everyone''s actual goal here?" Jackson was the first to answer. "To protect. That''s why I joined the military. That''s why I''m here." Zhangwa grinned. "To be the best, obviously!" Mika, quiet as always, simply said, "To heal." Kun nudged Suho. "And you, bro?" Suho hesitated. "...To survive." Kun rolled his eyes. "Lame answer." Then, all eyes turned to Smiley, who was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. He opened one eye. "My goal?" he said, voice lazy yet sharp. A smirk curled at the edge of his lips. "To make sure you guys don''t die." --- Deep within the Academy''s administration building, a dimly lit room was bathed in the cold glow of a massive monitor. The air was thick with quiet tension, disturbed only by the steady hum of the screen. A lone figure stood before it-tall, imposing, his face lost in the shadows. His gaze was fixed on the flickering images displayed across the screen-live feeds of Kun and Suho, their movements captured from multiple angles. "New friends... new powers..." he murmured, his voice a deep, measured rumble. "But how long will it last?" A gloved hand hovered near his chin as he watched Kun''s speed and Suho''s raw power. Then, ever so slightly, his lips curled upward. "Let''s see how this little game plays out." --- . Arc 1 Part 2: The Oblivion Training Room-The Test Begins Tck. Tck. Tck. The rhythmic sound of boots and sneakers echoed through the hallway as Oblivion Squad approached their designated training facility. Jackson swiped his access card, and the reinforced doors slid open with a soft whoosh. A collective gasp filled the room. "Whoaaa! This is insane!" Kun exclaimed, his eyes gleaming as he reached out to touch a sleek, humanoid training dummy. "Yeah... no lie," Smiley mumbled, already flopping onto a bench, his arms stretching over his head in a lazy sprawl. Zhangwa practically vibrated with excitement. "We even have a gym here!" she beamed, pointing towards a section stacked with weights, treadmills, and combat dummies. Jackson, arms crossed, studied the squad members. His gaze lingered on Kun and Suho. "Let''s see what these two are really made of." "Alright," he said, stepping forward. "Let''s showcase our abilities. Show me what you got." The room went silent. Kun and Suho exchanged glances, but Jackson had already stepped into the alternate reality battlefield. The air around him shimmered as the simulation activated. With a deep breath, Jackson activated his power-"Damage Absorption." His muscles bulged, veins pulsating with enhanced strength. He lunged toward a combat dummy and delivered a devastating punch. THWUMP! The ground cracked beneath the impact, a web of fractures spreading outward. Kun whistled. "Bro, Jackson looks like the Hulk-hahaha!" The dummy''s defense system responded. With a mechanical whirr, its built-in machine gun sprang to life, unleashing a barrage of bullets. Ting! Ting! Ting! Sparks flew as the bullets ricocheted harmlessly off Jackson''s skin. He didn''t even flinch. Unfazed, he took another step forward, a walking fortress. Zhangwa grinned and unsheathed her katana, stepping into the battlefield. Suho''s sharp eyes caught an emblem on the blade-a serpent entwined with a sword. "That mark... why does it feel familiar?" He shook off the thought. "Let''s go, Jackson!" Zhangwa called, eyes alight with excitement. With a burst of speed, she became a blur. In a series of graceful, deadly arcs, she severed one dummy in half and beheaded another. Mika clapped, her voice soft. "Impressive, Zhangwa." Jackson nodded approvingly before turning back to the real test. His eyes locked onto Kun and Suho. "Now... let''s see the brothers." --- Kun smirked and stepped onto the battlefield. Then-he vanished. Swooshhh. Ting! A blur of movement. The training dummies, built to track and adapt to enemy motion, failed to lock onto him. He was too fast. Jackson crouched slightly, eyes narrowing. "Damn... this speed... is this Shadow Manipulation?" Zhangwa clenched her fists, her eyes darting frantically. "KUN!! YOU''RE MAKING ME DIZZY!" Kun abruptly stopped and turned toward her, tilting his head. "Huh? Don''t disturb my training, Bunnycrap." Zhangwa''s entire face turned red. "BUNNY-WHAT?!" Suho doubled over laughing. "Hahahaha! You guys should just get married already!" Instantly, both Kun and Zhangwa shot him blank, menacing glares. Suho cleared his throat. "Okay, okay, moving on..." Kun exhaled, summoning his power once more. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. This time, shadows curled around his fingers, coalescing into a solid form. The smoky darkness twisted and morphed, shifting between weapons-a dagger, a sword-before settling into a sleek black katana. Kun spun the blade in his grip before leaping forward. Swoooosh! He moved like a whisper, slicing through every dummy in sight. When he landed, the battlefield was in ruins-shredded, mutilated remains of the dummies scattered around him. Suho clapped, his grin wide. "Damn, bro! That was sick!" Jackson, still analyzing Kun, muttered, "So he can generate weapons from his shadow? Or is it his speed that makes him lethal...?" Beside him, Mika observed quietly. "He''s definitely stronger than Rank C." She hesitated. "Maybe... even Rank S?" Kun, overhearing, flashed a smug grin. Jackson exhaled, shaking his head. "He might look like an idiot, but his power isn''t." Kun leaned against the wall, exhausted. "Damn... I need a nap." "Yeah, no shit," Jackson replied. --- The room tensed as Suho took center stage. Unlike Kun, he moved slowly, deliberately. His left hand pulsed with a deep crimson glow, while his right shimmered with an eerie blue aura. "VOID!" The moment he released his power, the entire training ground shook. A massive orb of raw energy erupted from his hands, obliterating everything in its path. The simulated environment-designed to withstand extreme conditions-began to crack. Training dummies disintegrated. The walls trembled. Even Smiley, who had been peacefully dozing off, bolted upright. His eyes widened. "Holy shit... what? Did a battleship just land on the academy?!" He rubbed his face. "Fuckin'' hell..." Zhangwa''s eyes flickered to the far end of the training room. A small crack had formed in the academy''s reinforced walls. She said nothing. But her unease grew. Jackson stood frozen, his mind racing. "Infinity Void Manipulation... that was supposed to be a myth." "These brothers... they''re not ordinary." --- The training dummies began to reset. Mechanical limbs reattached, battle simulations recalibrated. But something shifted in the air. Smiley, who had been slumped on the bench, suddenly began to float. His body levitated effortlessly, an invisible force lifting him. Then, his eyes snapped open-glowing with an eerie white light. SHRRRKK! A split second. A blur of motion. The training dummies-fully restored mere moments ago-were torn apart. No sound. No movement. Just a flash of Smiley''s power. Then, just as suddenly, it ended. Smiley yawned, lowering himself back onto the bench. His eyes fluttered closed. As if nothing had happened. Kun swallowed. "Okay... what the actual hell?" Jackson ran a hand down his face. "Yeah... this squad is not normal." Suho''s eyes flicked between the scattered remains of the training dummies, his brows knitting together. Among the shredded pieces, something caught his attention-some fragments had crystallized into ice, while others had inexplicably turned into... loaves of bread. "Molecule manipulation?" he muttered, intrigued. Meanwhile, Mika, Kun, and Jackson had already started making their way toward the exit, engaged in quiet conversation. Suho, still lost in thought, trailed after them but cast one last glance back at the battlefield. Zhangwa hadn''t moved. She stood frozen in place at the center of the room, her gaze locked onto the remnants of Smiley''s power, as if trying to decipher something unseen. Suho frowned. "What''s she doing?" he asked, more to himself than anyone else. Mika followed his gaze and tilted her head. "She looks... deep in thought?" Kun snorted. "Nah, she looks like a robot that just ran out of batteries." Before Suho could call out to her, Smiley stirred from his usual nap on the bench. His voice, thick with sleep, mumbled, "Oi... don''t leave me behind." Jackson let out an amused huff. "Then walk faster, lazyass." As the group began to step out, Kun suddenly cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, "Oi, Zhangwa! Stop spacing out! Let''s go grab some burgers!" The words snapped her out of whatever trance she''d been in. Her head jerked up, and in an instant, her usual energetic grin returned. "Yeah!" she exclaimed, dashing toward them with something clenched in her hand. As she reached the group, she held up a slice of bread-one of the bizarre leftovers from Smiley''s ability. "Sorry, I took this." She turned to Smiley, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Smiley, can I eat this?" Smiley, still half-asleep, barely lifted his head. "Yeah, sure. Just don''t blame me if it tastes like crap," he murmured. Zhangwa didn''t hesitate. She took a big bite- And immediately regretted it. Her entire body stiffened, her face contorting in pure horror. A second later- "UHUK... UEEKKK!" She gagged violently, coughing and retching as if she had just swallowed poison. Kun, holding back laughter, raised an eyebrow. "Damn, that bad?" Zhangwa, still hacking, managed to choke out, "This... this tastes like a corrupted object!" Suho burst into laughter. "Wait... how do you know what a corrupted object tastes like?"Kun smirked. "Yeah, Zhangwa, have you eaten one before?" Zhangwa''s face turned a furious shade of red. "YOU ASSHOLE!!" she shrieked, launching a punch at Kun''s arm. The entire group erupted into laughter as they exited the training room, the tension from earlier completely washed away. Zhangwa, still fuming but unable to hide her own smile, muttered curses under her breath while Suho slung an arm around her shoulders. "Let''s just get some real food before you end up poisoning yourself," he teased. With their usual banter filling the air, the Oblivion Squad made their way toward the cafeteria, the events of Smiley''s insane power display now just another hilarious memory The Oblivion Squad was in their usual spot in the cafeteria, enjoying their meals. The lively chatter of students filled the massive hall, the scent of grilled food and spices hanging in the air. Kun took an enormous bite of his burger, savoring the flavors. "Man, this is so good," he mumbled through a mouthful. "Slow down, dumbass, before you choke," Zhangwa teased, taking a big bite of her own burger. "Meh, just give me coffee," Smiley muttered, head resting on the table as if the weight of existence itself was too much to bear. Kun nudged his arm. "Coffee? You drink that shit like water and still sleep all day. What''s the point?" "Meh, shut up," Smiley grumbled, barely lifting his head. Suho chuckled as he twirled a fork in his spaghetti, while Mika delicately cut into her salmon fillet, sipping on a strawberry smoothie. Jackson, ever the tank, had a monstrous plate stacked with steak and eggs, eating methodically. The peaceful atmosphere shattered when a series of sharp tck. tck. tck. footsteps echoed through the cafeteria. The murmurs of students lowered as a small group approached, their presence cutting through the air like a blade. A sneering voice rang out. "Huh. Look at this pig, eating like an animal," the guy taunted, his sharp eyes locked onto Kun.Kun stopped mid-bite, the room growing silent. A fry dangled from his fingers as he slowly turned his head toward the source of the insult. Before he could respond, Suho''s voice cut through the tension like ice. "Watch your mouth, you piece of shit." His tone was calm but carried an unmistakable edge of danger. The guy smirked, unfazed. "And you? A fucking poor piece of crap trying to act tough?" He clicked his tongue in mock pity. The chair Jackson had been sitting in scraped loudly against the floor as he stood up, his towering figure casting a shadow over the arrogant guy. His cold gaze bore down, his face mere inches away. "What do you want?" His voice was flat, emotionless-far more terrifying than any shouting. The guy hesitated for a second, the smugness flickering in his eyes. Behind him, his squadmates-members of Abyss Squad, one of the academy''s strongest seniors squad-shifted slightly, looking uncertain. But he quickly regained his composure, forcing a cocky grin. "Oh? Big guy wants to play hero?" he scoffed, trying to act unbothered. Smiley exhaled dramatically, shaking his head. "Bro, I''m just tryna drink. Can you go be an asshole somewhere else?" Zhangwa sighed, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "I swear, dumbasses always show up when I''m eating." Mika, still calmly sipping her smoothie, finally looked up. "They''re not worth it, Jackson. Sit down before you break someone." But Jackson didn''t move. His gaze remained locked on the guy, his muscles tensed like a coiled spring, ready to explode at a moment''s notice. The air was thick with tension. The question was-who was going to make the first move? --- Zhangwa leaned toward Mika, her voice barely above a whisper. "That guy... he''s from Abyss Squad. One of the strongest senior squads in the academy." Mika remained silent, her sharp eyes locked onto the scene, taking in every movement. Kun, usually quick with a comeback, was uncharacteristically quiet, his expression tense. The standoff between Jackson and the Abyss Squad member stretched, the cafeteria hushed, the air thick with unease. Jackson didn''t move an inch, his towering presence alone enough to keep Mark locked in place. But before either could escalate further- "QUIT IT!" A booming voice sliced through the tension like a blade. The entire cafeteria flinched as Mr. Park, one of the academy''s strictest instructors, strode forward, his piercing gaze locking onto the troublemaker. "Mark!" Mr. Park snapped. The guy stiffened, his earlier bravado crumbling as he turned to face the instructor. "Where. Is. Your. Seat?" Mr. Park''s words were slow, deliberate, each one pressing down like a weight. Mark clenched his fists, his face burning with frustration. With one last glare at Jackson, he turned on his heel and stalked off, returning to his squad''s table without another word. A beat of silence passed before Smiley let out a sigh, rubbing his temples. "Ugh... fuck this," he muttered, clearly annoyed at the unnecessary drama. Kun finally exhale d, his lips twitching into a smirk as he reached for his burger again. "Damn. Almost lost my appetite." "Almost," Suho added with a chuckle. Tension still lingered in the air, but for now, the Oblivion Squad returned to their meal-though everyone knew this was far from over.