THE KING OF ONE HIGHSOOL HERO
Chapter 9: If He Bleeds
Footsteps echoed in a dim hallway.
A Mexican man with thick tattoos climbing up his neck pushed open a heavy door and stepped inside. He sat down without asking, resting his elbows on the table.
Across from him sat Gwan Nin, fingers tapping slowly against the wood. He lit a cigarette, smoke curling upward as his eyes stayed cold.
"The cops are getting suspicious," Gwan Nin said calmly.
The man smirked. His name was Fing.
"Boss, the police only got curious because of Sung-Jay. He doesn't want to end this by taking over the school." Fing waved a hand dismissively. "Besides, that boy Ryan? He's not that strong."
Gwan Nin stood up slowly.
"You think so?" he asked, smiling.
He leaned forward, eyes sharp.
"Go ahead. Fight him. After you get beaten—if you're still alive—come back and tell me how weak he is."
Gwan Nin walked back to his chair, picked up a glass of beer, and took a sip.
"If you even make him bleed," he added casually, "I'll make you a leader in the Union."
Fing's eyes widened.
He stood up immediately, bowed his head deeply.
"Very well, boss."
He turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.
The moment the room went quiet, Gwan Nin tightened his grip and crushed the glass in his hand. Beer and blood dripped onto the floor.
"…Clean it later," he muttered, walking away.
Rooftop — After School
Ryan sat on the edge of the rooftop, legs dangling, staring down at the city below. His mind raced.
The Union's rich. Powerful. Too many layers. Not easy to catch…
A voice cut through his thoughts.
"Yo."
Ryan turned.
Jun stood a few steps away, holding two boxing gloves, grinning.
"Don't forget training," Jun said. "Loser pays for food tonight."
Ryan smiled and sprinted toward him, snatching the gloves.
"You're broke already."
Training Begins
They stood facing each other, gloves on, feet light.
Ryan's tone shifted—serious.
"Go all out, Jun. Focus. One opening… and it's a knockout."
Jun nodded. "Got it."
They moved.
Jun threw the first punch—
Ryan ducked, rose, countered—
Jun weaved left, snapped a quick punch into Ryan's face.
Ryan stepped back, shook it off, then fired two heavy punches. Jun blocked—but even with boxing gloves the impact still rocked him.
"Damn—" Jun muttered.
Jun answered with two fast punches.
Ryan ducked right—left—then drove a solid punch into Jun's chest.
Jun charged, slid low, jumped, landed a punch to Ryan's nose, then kicked his foot.
Ryan blocked the next strike, caught Jun, and flipped him onto the ground.
Ryan stepped back, smiling.
"That's why I told you—don't give openings."
'Alright
Jun got up.
Ryan's eyes sharpened.
"Now faster."
They clashed again.
Ryan landed a punch to Jun's face—
Jun dodged, kicked Ryan's chest, sending him back into the wall—
Jun charged—
Ryan dodged, countered with a body shot—
Jun groaned, stepping back.
Ryan pressed forward—
Two side kicks slammed into Jun's chest.
"You good?" Ryan asked.
Jun held his side, breathing hard.
"How the fuck do you punch and kick that hard? That body shot felt like a damn rock."
Jun wiped sweat from his face.
"Alright let's continue."
Jun rushed, landed a punch—
Ryan blocked, kicked Jun's chest, tackled him—
Jun flipped mid-air, kicked Ryan away—
Ryan got up instantly, landed two clean punches—
Jun attempted a double kick—
Ryan dodged, twisted Jun's arm, slammed him into the wall—
Jun used the wall, lunged forward—
Five punches hammered into Ryan's chest, pinning him.
Ryan stepped forward instead of back.
Smiling.
"Alright," Ryan said calmly. "Let me focus."
He dodged two clean punches—
Side punch to the chest—
Punch—
Kick to the neck—
Jun lost balance.
Try to recover.
Too late.
Ryan exploded forward—
Double kick to the side—
Body shot—
Kick to the jaw—
K.O.
Jun hit the ground hard, groaning.
Ryan rushed to him, kneeling.
"You good, buddy? Sorry—I went too far."
Jun laughed weakly.
"…Yeah. Help me up, stupid."
Ryan pulled him up. They shook hands, both smiling despite the pain.
"Damn," Jun said. "That still hurts."
Ryan nodded.
"Yeah. You definitely need a doctor."
The sun dipped low over the city.
And somewhere out there—
Someone had been ordered to make Ryan bleed.
End of Chapter 9