Chapter 5: Untouchable
The rain had come and gone by the time lunch rolled around.
The rooftop tiles were still damp. Cold wind crept between the rails, carrying the faint buzz of the school below.
I stepped onto the rooftop with a half-eaten melon bread in my hand.
Zack Lee was already there.
He stood at the center like he owned the space—arms crossed, eyes sharp, posture still as stone.
His presence carried weight.
Solid. Trained. Controlled.
But he wasn't dangerous.
Not to me.
He raised his chin slightly when I approached. "Didn't think you'd show."
I took another bite of my bread. "I was hungry."
He didn't react.
"You beat Taesung like it was nothing," Zack said, stepping forward. "But that doesn't mean anything to me."
"What does that even mean."
"Well whatever lets just get this on with"
I removed my bag, put my sleeves up and put my necklace out of my shirt.
[System Notification]
Challenge Accepted: "J High – Right Hook Test"
Opponent: Zack Lee
Warning: Target is disciplined, aggressive, and physically powerful.
Objective: Win without taking a direct hit.
Bonus: Humiliate opponent while maintaining calm.
Reward: Trait Evolution Path Unlocked—Speed/Hapkido Hybrid Tree
Zack moved first.
Fast. No warning. No breath wasted.
His fist came like a missile—tight, clean, and explosive.
I didn't move until the very last moment.
Then I stepped off-line.
Barely an inch.
His fist sliced past my cheek. I didn't blink. Instead, I twisted with his momentum, lightly pressing my hand to his elbow—
—and redirected him past me with zero resistance.
"Clean form," I said lazily. "Predictable, though."
Zack spun fast and swept low.
I stepped forward, inside the sweep, and rode the curve of his motion. My foot tapped the back of his leg mid-spin.
He stumbled.
I didn't give him time to reset.
I slid behind him in a single step and—
jumped onto his back.
Not hard. Just to make a point.
My heel rested between his shoulder blades as he froze mid-turn, confused and off-balance.
I leaned down slightly and whispered,
"You're too grounded. That's boring."
Then I flipped backward and landed on my feet with perfect form.
[Redirective Style Bonus: +10% Dodge Window]
[Hapkido Style Flow Confirmed]
[Speed-Type Trait Progression Triggered]
[Sync 30% → 33%]
Zack recovered, jaw clenched.
He rushed again, faster.
I didn't dodge this time.
Instead, I slid with his punch, absorbing the angle, then locked his wrist, pivoted, and spun him to the ground.
He slammed down. Hard.
His back smacked the rooftop tile.
The wind was knocked out of him.
For a full three seconds, he didn't move.
I stood over him, finishing my melon bread.
Zack groaned and blinked up at the sky.
"You didn't even try," he muttered.
"Nope."
He looked at me. This time, really looked.
"You're stronger than you let on."
I gave him a half-smile. "I didnt even show strength. You people are the ones who picked a fight with me."
[Combat Result: Total Dominance]
Opponent Recognition: Zack Lee
Status: Wary Respect (No Rematch Pending)
Title Gained: "Ghost Walker"—Your movements can no longer be casually tracked by opponents under your level.
Skill Evolution: Echo Step → Phantom Walk Lv.1
[Sync 33% → 35%]
Zack stayed down a little longer before sitting up with a grunt.
He didn't look humiliated—just aware.
"I'll be watching," he said.
I tapped my temple. "Then I'll have to give you something worth seeing."
Meanwhile – Behind the Gym
Vin Jin leaned against the corner wall, chewing on a toothpick.
He hadn't said a word the entire time, just watching from the shadows.
He pulled out his phone.
Text Message Sent to: Mary Kim
Vin Jin: We have a problem.
Mary Kim: ??
Vin Jin: That transfer kid—Choi Sunjae. He's not normal.
Mary Kim: You mean the guy who flipped Taesung? Everyone's talking about it.
Vin Jin: No. Listen. I just watched him humiliate Zack. Didn't take a single hit. He wasn't even serious.
Vin Jin: And he knew about me. On day one. Said he remembered the "legend of Vin Jin from Cheonliang."
Mary Kim: …What?
Vin Jin: Nobody talks about that. Nobody should know about that.
Mary Kim: Are you sure he wasn't bluffing?
Vin Jin: No. He looked me dead in the eyes. That wasn't bluffing. That was personal.
Mary Kim: So what are you saying?
Vin Jin: I don't know who he really is. But he's fast. Strong. Smarter than he acts. And if he knows things he shouldn't know…
Vin Jin: Then he's dangerous.
Mary Kim: Wow, The great Vin jin is scared of someone.
Vin Jin: Shut up, I'm not scared. If this was in Cheonliang, I would have destroyed him.
Mary kim: Sure, sure, I'll keep an eye on him.
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I give up