Chapter 1: The Kings of Saville High

There were three things every student at Saville High School for Boys knew.

First, the school's reputation was untouchable.

Second, failure was not tolerated.

And third—

Jun Seo and Jay Kang would never stop trying to kill each other.

The sound of a fist colliding with flesh echoed across the courtyard.

A crowd instantly erupted into cheers.

"Get him, Jun!"

"Jay, don't hold back!"

More than twenty students surrounded the two boys standing in the center.

Saville High wasn't a place where fights were common.

But when the fight involved Jun Seo and Jay Kang, nobody dared miss it.

Jun wiped blood from his split lip and laughed.

"Still standing?"

Across from him, Jay adjusted the cuff of his uniform.

His expression didn't change.

Not even a little.

As always.

The sight irritated Jun immediately.

"You know," Jun said, cracking his neck, "one day I'll finally make you look human."

Jay looked at him.

Blankly.

Then he replied,

"You've been saying that since freshman year."

The crowd burst into laughter.

Jun's eye twitched.

"You're really asking for another punch."

Without warning, he lunged forward.

The students screamed excitedly.

Jay dodged effortlessly.

Jun's fist missed by inches.

A second later, Jay's shoulder slammed into him.

Jun stumbled back.

The two immediately separated again.

Neither willing to admit defeat.

Neither willing to surrender.

Just like always.

At Saville High, they competed in everything.

Sports.

Grades.

Leadership positions.

Even who got to class first.

If Jun scored ninety-nine, Jay somehow scored one hundred.

If Jay won the basketball championship, Jun won the track competition.

It was ridiculous.

And everybody loved watching it.

The bell suddenly rang.

The crowd scattered instantly.

Teachers.

The natural enemy of every student.

Jun clicked his tongue.

"Saved by the bell."

Jay shrugged.

"Maybe."

Then he turned and walked away.

No celebration.

No insults.

No satisfaction.

Nothing.

Jun stared after him.

How could someone be so annoying?

Class 3-A.

The strongest students in Saville High.

The loudest class in the entire school.

Won Park was asleep before the lesson even started.

Nikki Yoon was arguing with Jessi Kim.

Seuin Choi was secretly eating snacks.

Evy Han sat quietly near the window reading.

Normal.

At least for them.

Then the teacher entered carrying exam papers.

The classroom immediately fell silent.

Every student straightened.

Including Jun.

This month's rankings mattered.

A lot.

The teacher smiled.

"The results were impressive."

The class relaxed.

Then he added,

"For some of you."

Groans filled the room.

The teacher began reading.

"Third place. Evy Han."

Applause.

"Second place. Jun Seo."

Jun froze.

Second?

Again?

His gaze immediately snapped toward the front row.

The teacher continued.

"First place. Jay Kang."

The room exploded.

"No way!"

"Again?!"

"That's six months straight!"

Jun gritted his teeth.

One point.

He had lost by one point.

Again.

What annoyed him most wasn't losing.

It was Jay's reaction.

Or lack of one.

Everyone else was excited.

Proud.

Jealous.

Something.

Jay simply sat there.

Expressionless.

As though none of it mattered.

As though winning felt exactly the same as losing.

Jun frowned.

For a brief moment, a strange thought crossed his mind.

Was Jay always like this?

Rain poured over Seoul that evening.

Most students had already left.

The school grounds were nearly empty.

Jun was halfway to the gate when he noticed a light inside the old gymnasium.

Curious, he approached.

The door was slightly open.

Inside sat a single figure.

Jay.

Alone.

No teammates.

No friends.

No phone.

Nothing.

Just sitting there.

Staring ahead.

Motionless.

For a second—

He looked lonely.

Jun immediately frowned.

Lonely?

Jay Kang?

Impossible.

As if sensing his presence, Jay turned.

Their eyes met.

The strange feeling disappeared instantly.

"What do you want?" Jay asked.

Jun crossed his arms.

"Can't I be here?"

"You were leaving."

"Maybe I changed my mind."

Jay sighed.

A small sigh.

Almost invisible.

Yet somehow it felt heavier than anything Jun had ever heard.

The silence between them stretched.

Uncomfortable.

Different.

Then Jun's phone vibrated.

A message.

From Won.

Emergency. Warehouse District. Come now.

Jun's expression darkened.

Something had happened.

Without another word, he turned and ran.

Behind him, Jay watched silently.

Neither of them knew that before sunrise...

A student from Saville High would disappear.

And the last person seen with him—

Was Jay Kang.....

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***