GangBorn_Season 2

The Next Moment,The wind howled across the rooftop as Shin Kyung stood motionless, his figure unwavering despite the chaos below. His expression remained unreadable, but his clenched jaw revealed the turmoil within. "Everything has its cost," he murmured under his breath.

Yoon Ha Rin, still gazing at him from the ground, tightened her grip on her sleeves. Oppa... what happened to you? Her mind swirled with unanswered questions, but deep down, she knew—this wasn't just about school rankings or a petty rivalry. Something darker was at play.

On the Field Seung Min's punch connected with Jin Seok's jaw, sending him staggering back. Dust and sweat filled the air, mingling with the coppery scent of blood. The crowd's gasp echoed, tension hanging like a storm ready to break.

Jin Seok wiped the blood from his lip, then grinned. "You've gotten stronger... but strength alone won't save you." Without warning, he counterattacked, his fist slicing through the air. Seung Min barely dodged, the blow grazing his cheek and drawing a thin line of red.

"Dammit," Seung Min hissed, his heart pounding. Every muscle in his body screamed for rest, but he couldn't—wouldn't—stop. Not until this ends.

From the sidelines, Dae Hyun shouted hoarsely, "Hang in there, bro! Don't let him break you!" Beside him, Jae Hoon, still sprawled on the ground, gritted his teeth. "Seung Min… you can't fall here."

Meanwhile, Min Joon tilted his head, eyes gleaming with twisted amusement. "This is... beautiful chaos," he mused, lips curling into a smirk. "But let's see who really survives."

At the Edge of the Field Lee So Mi wrestled against Han Ji Won's unyielding grip. "Let me go!" she snapped. "People are getting hurt—this has gone too far!"

Ji Won's gaze remained fixed on the fight. "Interfering now will only make things worse," he said flatly.

"So we just watch while they destroy each other?!" So Mi's voice cracked with anger and fear.

Han Ji Won glanced at her, eyes cold. "Sometimes... watching is all you can do."

So Mi's chest tightened with frustration. Nearby, Yoon Ha Rin's fists trembled at her sides. "This isn't right..." she whispered. "We have to do something."

"I tried," So Mi muttered bitterly, glancing at her confiscated phone. "They're not letting anyone stop this."

Ha Rin's gaze shifted to the rooftop again, her brother's distant figure casting a long shadow over the madness. Why... why is he letting this happen?

Back in the Arena Seung Min lunged forward, his body moving on pure adrenaline. Their fists collided again—each strike a clash of ideals, regrets, and unresolved history.

"This isn't just about us!" Seung Min shouted through gritted teeth. "You're dragging everyone else into your mess!"

Jin Seok's eyes darkened. "You think I wanted this? I had no choice!" His next blow was fueled with raw emotion, sending Seung Min skidding backward. Dirt and blood smeared Seung Min's uniform, but his gaze never wavered.

"You always have a choice," Seung Min rasped. "You just... chose wrong."

Jin Seok's smirk faltered. For a split second, doubt flickered in his eyes—but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by cold resolve. "Then prove me wrong... if you can."

Their bodies collided again, fists flying with renewed fury.

High Above Shin Kyung's phone vibrated. Answering, he spoke without looking away from the scene below. "Yes?"

A voice crackled on the other end. "Phase two is ready. Awaiting your signal."

His gaze lingered on the brutal fight—on Seung Min's defiance, Jin Seok's rage, the chaos he'd orchestrated like a conductor leading a twisted symphony.

"Wait," Shin Kyung finally said. "Let them bleed a little more."

Let them understand what true despair feels like.

Far below, Yoon Ha Rin's eyes glistened. "Oppa..." Her heart ached, torn between fear and the brother she once knew.

This was no longer just a fight.

It was a test.

A reckoning.

And no one—not even the bystanders—would emerge unscathed.

During Recess The cafeteria buzzed with whispers and curious glances. Seung Min's name was on everyone's lips.

"Seriously? He actually challenged Jin Seok?" one student whispered, eyes wide.

"And... he nearly didn't lose!" another added, half in disbelief.

"If Seung Min hadn't interfered from the start... this school wouldn't be this chaotic," a girl murmured, shaking her head.

While some voices carried admiration, others blamed Seung Min for the turmoil engulfing the school.

Elsewhere, Seung Min sat on an empty bench near the field. His breath was heavy, his body still throbbing with pain. But what hurt more wasn't the physical wounds—it was the stares, the piercing whispers, and... an identity that no longer felt like his.

He was Hae Jin.

Or... he used to be.

Now? He was trapped in Seung Min's body—just an ordinary student who had unintentionally inherited a complicated mess. Ironic, he thought. Back when he was Hae Jin, he had avoided conflicts like this. Now... he was at the heart of it.

Somewhere Else Jin Seok leaned against the back hallway wall, pressing a cold cloth against his bruised cheek. Shin Kyung stood nearby, trying to stay composed despite the worry in his eyes.

"You okay?" Shin Kyung asked.

"I'm not that weak," Jin Seok shot back curtly.

Footsteps echoed—unhurried, casual. Min Joon approached with his hands in his pockets, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"Why didn't you just finish him off? If he keeps meddling, this'll only get messier."

But this time, Jin Seok looked up, his gaze sharp.

"He's gotten in too deep," he said firmly. "Now... we play smart. No leaks."

Min Joon narrowed his eyes. "Whatever. Just don't blame me if this blows up."

Soon after, Do Jin, Tae Hwan, and Ki Seok arrived.

"You sure this plan will work?" Ki Seok asked hesitantly.

Jin Seok nodded. "Trust me. Seung Min... will know his place."

Yet behind that confidence, an unease lingered. Seung Min now... was different.

At the School Clinic Seung Min sat on the examination bed, his gaze blank, drilling into the floor. His wounds had been cleaned, albeit roughly, but the heaviest weight rested in his mind.

This... shouldn't be my path.

Why is everything getting more complicated?

The door creaked open softly. Nina Park entered, holding a bottle of cold drink. Her expression was gentle yet firm.

"Drink this. You need the energy," she said, extending the bottle.

Seung Min accepted it with a small nod. "Thanks..."

But the silence between them wasn't just ordinary silence. There was something deeper. Their eyes met—and within that gaze lay memories no one else in this room could possibly share.

Nina took a deep breath. "I know this is hard... but you're not alone," she said quietly.

Seung Min lowered his head, fists clenching. "Sometimes I think... maybe I shouldn't have ended up in this body."

"You didn't end up here by mistake," Nina cut in. "You're here for something bigger."

Silence stretched. Finally, Seung Min whispered, "It's hard... living someone else's life when I haven't even finished my own."

Nina smiled faintly and gently ruffled his hair—like an older sister comforting her younger brother.

"I'm still adjusting too... But listen carefully, Hae Jin," her voice softened, calling him by his former name. "We agreed back then—I'd help you. I won't let you walk this road alone."

Those words—that familiar name from a past life—made his chest tighten. Nina. His sister.

In their previous lives, they hadn't managed to mend their strained bond. But now... fate had given them a second chance.

Seung Min nodded slowly. "I know. Thank you... Noona."

The door creaked again. This time, it was just the nurse checking briefly before leaving. When silence returned, Nina continued, "Listen, Jin Seok and his gang won't stop. We need to stay a step ahead. And... I have something that might help."

Seung Min's gaze sharpened. His wounds might throb, his body might be tired—but the fire inside him—the spirit of Hae Jin—was reigniting.

"I won't stop," he whispered. "This isn't over. We're not done."

Lee So Mi rushed through the hallway, her steps quick and filled with worry. Her half-tied hair swayed with every movement. In her hand was the latest announcement flyer she had just seen on the school bulletin board:

> OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Seung Min and Jin Seok are now officially recognized as ACE members.

Both students will be integrated into a special school gang.

Further violations will not be tolerated.

So Mi blinked in disbelief as she read it. Her brother—someone who usually stayed away from this kind of thing—was suddenly the center of attention. More than that... he was now going to be in the same gang as Jin Seok?

"This... doesn't make sense," she muttered, her voice laced with concern.

Behind her, hurried footsteps approached. Jae Hoon, Jin Ho, and Dae Hyun caught up, their faces serious.

"So Mi! Wait up!" Jae Hoon called.

"Are you really going to see Seung Min now? He probably hasn't recovered yet," Jin Ho said, trying to hold her back.

"But he needs us," So Mi shot back. "You saw the announcement, didn't you? He's being forced into the same gang as Jin Seok. That's insane! They just fought each other!"

Dae Hyun glanced toward the nurse's office. "I don't agree with this decision... but school rules are strict. Seung Min's already broken the rules once—if he messes up again, he could get expelled."

"Exactly why we need to be there for him," So Mi insisted. "My brother can't face this mess alone."

Jae Hoon patted Dae Hyun's shoulder. "Let's go. We should check on him."

Without wasting time, the four of them hurried toward the nurse's office.

Inside the Nurse's Office Seung Min sat on the examination bed, his breathing steadying but his mind still in turmoil. Beside him, Nina Park was flipping through a small file—something that seemed far more serious than it looked.

"This isn't just about today's fight," Nina said quietly. "There's something bigger going on behind the scenes."

Seung Min frowned. "You mean... this ACE thing?"

Nina nodded. "The school claims it's about discipline and achievement. But the truth is—there's a power play happening beneath it all. And now, you're at the center of it."

Before Seung Min could respond, the door creaked open. So Mi rushed in, her gaze locking on her brother.

"Oppa!" she called out.

Seung Min's eyes widened. "So Mi...? Why—"

"Why didn't you tell me about this?!" So Mi waved the flyer at him. "Becoming an ACE? Teaming up with Jin Seok? Are you serious?!"

Jae Hoon, Jin Ho, and Dae Hyun followed inside, closing the door behind them.

"We just found out about the announcement too," Jae Hoon said, his tone heavy. "You're good, Min... but this is different. Being an ACE means playing by their rules. And we both know Jin Seok won't let this slide."

Dae Hyun added, "If you break the rules again... you're done."

Seung Min was silent for a moment before letting out a slow breath. "I didn't ask for this. But after today's fight... they decided I had to join."

Jin Ho ran a hand through his hair, visibly frustrated. "This is a setup. They want to push you into messing up again."

So Mi stepped closer, her expression softening but her worry still evident. "Oppa... I get that you want to handle this on your own. But don't destroy yourself in the process."

Seung Min lowered his gaze. There was warmth in her words, but also a heavy truth he couldn't ignore.

Nina finally spoke, her voice firm. "Listen, we don't have much time. This ACE gang isn't just about status. They're being used to control the school from behind the scenes. Jin Seok might be the face... but someone else is pulling the strings."

"Who?" Jae Hoon asked cautiously.

"That's what we need to figure out," Nina replied. "And Seung Min... whether you like it or not, you're the key."

Seung Min clenched his fists. His wounds still ached, and his mind was a mess—but one thing was clear: backing down wasn't an option.

"I understand," he said firmly. "If they want to play dirty... I'm not just going to sit back."

So Mi let out a long sigh, then gave him a faint smile. "Just don't forget... we're here for you, Oppa."

Dae Hyun nodded. "No matter what happens, we face it together."

Seung Min looked at each of them—Nina, So Mi, Jae Hoon, Jin Ho, Dae Hyun—and for the first time that day... the weight on his chest felt a little lighter.

This fight wasn't over.

And now... he wasn't alone.

On the Other Side The room was dimly lit, tension hanging thick in the air. Jin Seok leaned against the window frame, his gaze fixed on the schoolyard outside. The bruise on his face had darkened, but his eyes remained sharp—calculating.

Min Joon, lounging casually on the sofa with his hands behind his head, chuckled. "So, Seung Min's an ACE now?" he sneered. "Tch... Bet he'll break the rules again. Just a matter of time before bam—he's done."

Jin Seok's expression didn't change. "Don't underestimate him," he said flatly. "This isn't about how long he lasts... it's about making sure he doesn't mess up our plans."

Min Joon shrugged. "I'm just saying, one wrong step from him and he's finished. Why bother keeping him around?"

In the corner, Ji Won—who had been fiddling with his phone—finally spoke up. "Hey," he called out lazily, "isn't now the perfect time to go for the King rank? There's only a week left before evaluations." His gaze shifted to Jin Seok. "If we're gonna move, it should be now, right?"

Silence fell for a moment. Jin Seok continued staring out the window, his mind racing. After a few seconds, he smirked. "No need to rush," he replied. "Let's just enjoy the temporary rankings... especially now that Seung Min's part of the game."

Min Joon scoffed. "Man, you're way too calm."

Jin Seok pushed off the window, turning to meet Min Joon's gaze with a sharp look. "Because if we act recklessly, the whole plan falls apart. That's why I said—don't interfere. Not yet."

Ji Won crossed his arms, nodding slowly. "Just reminding you... we've only got a week. Everyone's watching."

Jin Seok's smile widened. "Good. Let them watch. The higher Seung Min climbs... the harder he'll fall."

🎵 "God's Menu" – Stray Kids