"He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious."
–Sun Tzu
The hallways were quieter than usual. Most students had retreated to classrooms or the courtyard, leaving just enough shadows for observation. I watched from the corner, letting my eyes wander over the bustling school like a hawk scanning the ground for prey.
"Ho-seok," I said, motioning him closer. He approached cautiously, glancing at the other students as if afraid someone might overhear. "Today, you're going to learn the first lesson."
He raised an eyebrow. "Lesson?"
"Loyalty," I said. "And obedience. And most importantly… opportunity."
I handed him a small envelope. "Inside, you'll find names and amounts. These are students who owe money—debts, favors, petty loans. Collect what you can. Don't get cocky. Don't get noticed. Just report back to me with what you gather."
Ho-seok hesitated, fingers brushing the paper. "Just… collect money? Like… a loan shark?"
I smiled faintly. "Exactly. You do what's necessary to get what's owed, without making a scene. Money is power, Ho-seok. Even small sums matter when used correctly. And loyalty… that is priceless."
He nodded slowly, understanding creeping into his gaze. This wasn't just about money—it was about control. Influence. Testing limits.
I led him down the corridor, stopping near a table where two students, Taemin and Gyuri, were laughing and flipping through their phones. I leaned close to Ho-seok, whispering, "Start small. Approach quietly. No threats, no force… not yet. Just watch. Learn. And take note of who respects or fears you naturally."
Ho-seok swallowed and stepped forward, tension coiled in his shoulders. He hesitated briefly, but I didn't intervene. Watching him wrestle with that first action was as important as the action itself.
Minutes later, he returned, envelope slightly heavier. His eyes were wide, a mix of excitement and nervous energy. "I… I did it. Everyone paid up. No problems."
"Good," I said. "But the lesson isn't just about money. Watch how they react. Observe fear. Observe respect. Understand why they obey."
He frowned. "And… Cerberus? That's… what exactly? I mean… I get it's a group, but…"
I placed a hand on his shoulder, calm and unyielding. "Cerberus is more than a name. It's a system. Strength, money, knowledge. Every action, every favor, every loyalty… they feed into the network. One day, it won't just be school. It will be the streets, the city… whatever I choose. But every empire begins here—with small lessons, small power, and the right people at your side."
Ho-seok nodded, the thrill of first victory lingering in his eyes. He was beginning to understand.
I stepped back, letting him feel the weight of his accomplishment. Shadows stretched along the empty hallway, long and deliberate, like the reach of something growing silently… unstoppable.
Cerberus had taken its first breath.
And I smiled, watching my first pawn learn the taste of power.