Minwoo took the stairs and passed through the main hall's door, stepping into the open air of the school's exit. Near the gate, he noticed Kang Young and his two followers standing close by, but they hadn't seen him yet. Minwoo glanced around, searching for another way out, but there was none. He took a deep breath and began walking step by step, as if nothing was wrong.
"Well," he thought, "it's not like I have any other option. If not today, then tomorrow I'll probably be beaten. So why fear?"
At that moment, Kang Young and his followers spotted him. Their eyes locked onto Minwoo as he approached the exit. The school grounds were empty now—students, teachers, everyone had gone their separate ways. Only the security guard remained, a middle-aged man with dark skin and a bald head. He sat on his chair, watching with a faint, almost amused smile. He saw what was about to happen, but he didn't move. To him, this was just another scene to pass the time. He didn't care if Minwoo got beaten or not. His job was only to watch who entered and left. Whether a student suffered or not, it was none of his concern. To him, watching something new was entertainment.
Kang Young stepped in front of Minwoo, that ugly smile spreading across his face.
"Minwoo," he said, "you need to pay for wasting my time, you know. But don't worry—I won't go too harsh on you."
Before Minwoo could react, Kang Young's hand became a fist, and he swung it toward Minwoo's face. The blow landed hard, sending Minwoo stumbling back. Blood began to drip from his nose, warm and sticky. The world spun for a moment, the pain sharp and sudden. Kang Young stepped forward again, grabbing Minwoo by the collar of his uniform. He landed a few more punches—each one a burst of pain across Minwoo's face. His lip split, his cheek throbbed, and his vision blurred.
Kang Young finally let go, and Minwoo's body collapsed to the ground. He knelt there, breathing heavily, his face swollen and bloodied, his hands trembling. He stared at the ground, unable to move. Suddenly, Kang Young said, "What a pity. I wanted to beat you more, but you're almost at the verge of collapsing. Next time, don't waste my time, bastard." He kicked Minwoo hard in the stomach, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs.
Minwoo coughed, struggling to breathe, almost unconscious. He thought, You people… what did I do to deserve this? I lent you money, not once, but many times, never asking for it back. And now… you beat me like this just because I wasted your time?
Kang Young and his followers laughed, mocking Minwoo's pathetic state as they walked away, chatting about how weak he was. Minwoo could do nothing. After a while, he slowly raised his head, watching them leave. He forced himself to his feet, brushing off the dust, straightening his posture. He began to walk, step by step, one hand pressed against his aching stomach.
The security guard, still sitting on his chair, watched Minwoo with a look of cold amusement. From a few steps away, he called out, "Kid, you shouldn't provoke people you can't handle. I've seen many like you, beaten every day. Looking at you, I feel pity. Just go away from my sight!"
Minwoo ignored him and kept walking. The pain was unbearable, but he couldn't stop. He thought, Ahh… this is just too much. It's not like I could've fought back. And that guard… he just wanted to enjoy watching me suffer.
"Well, whatever. Maybe it's my fault for being weak and pathetic. But that doesn't mean they weren't! Yeah, it's true—I'm weak and powerless, unable to fight back. But not giving money is not my fault. That money is mine. If I want to give it, it's my choice. If I don't, it's also my choice. Why do they bully a weakling? Does that make them happy to watch someone suffer?"
As Minwoo walked, people on the street saw him and his injuries. They didn't approach him, just watched him pass by, whispering and laughing.
"Hahaha… look at that kid. Maybe someone just gave him a good beating," someone said.
"Maybe he did something he shouldn't have. If he did, he deserves it," another added, laughing.
Minwoo heard their words, but he couldn't do anything. He kept walking, ignoring them.
Eventually, he reached the convenience store—the same place where he bought his dinner and daily supplies. It wasn't large or small, usually quiet and empty, with only a few customers at most. Minwoo walked toward it, the atmosphere around him silent. The glass door slid open automatically, and he felt the cold air inside. The store was empty, except for an old man in a green and white uniform, arranging items on the shelves. He hadn't noticed Minwoo yet.
That old man was none other than Grandpa Su.