# Chapter 12
“I assume everyone knows about the recent territorial disputes intensifying in the hierarchy. It’s because Kim Pyeonghwa, the Apex of Focus faction ranked #1, has started stirring things up in earnest. For now, let’s briefly go over what’s happened so far. Park Hanseo, staff member, please explain.”
“Yes, Number Two. Starting with minor incidents first, regarding the territory seizure incident at Gangil Boys’ High School in Gwangju Metropolitan City…”
Huh?
From the beginning, I had to doubt my perfectly functioning ears.
Did he just say “minor”? Park Hanseo, the regional names coming out of your mouth are not minor at all…
“Originally it was Focus faction’s territory, but recently our Devil faction took over that school. Hmph. It was truly a remarkable achievement at the time. Gangil Boys’ High School had become a rising star in the hierarchy after talented freshmen enrolled recently! But… Focus faction threw more of a fit than expected, and after a huge brawl, the school was completely trashed and closed for two days. In the end, to calm the situation, we had no choice but to return Gangil Boys’ High School to them.”
“Damn, what a waste. Fuck. Those persistent Focus bastards.”
“Conversely, there was an incident where students from Dongsan Technical High School in Busan, which belongs to our Devil faction, came here on a field trip and got into a dispute with Choigang faction guys near Sinchon. Unfortunately, our side was outnumbered, so many of our students were injured. Several were reportedly taken away in ambulances. To make matters worse, Choigang had some of their officers there… so the damage was quite significant.”
“How dare they resort to such cowardly tactics, using numbers to overpower us!”
“Lastly, a week before the previous Grand Assembly, there was a large-scale gang fight in Dongseongno, Daegu. Our Ijinsang High School faced off against Shinmyeong High School from the usually quiet Coup d’état faction. But of course, the fighting prowess of Devil faction, led by our Thousand-Year Prince, Sunbae Haejin, is exceptional, isn’t it? Naturally, we crushed those Coup d’état guys ranked #4 in one fell swoop. Complete victory! That concludes my status report.”
“Kuk-kuk. Except for that incident with Choigang’s underhanded methods, we’ve dominated Focus faction in our own way, and completely crushed Coup d’état. It seems our Devil faction will soon ascend to the throne.”
Crack.
Are! You! All! Crazy! You’re all insane!
I remained frozen like a stone, unable to close my gaping mouth from shock. Kuh-huk…! I need an oxygen tank! No, just make me evaporate from this world… Hnnngh. Judging from everything so far, I hadn’t expected anything normal to be discussed, but as Park Hanseo’s barking got worse, I became certain.
…Ah, the mercilessly cold-blooded god has cruelly ignored my small prayer.
Fuck. Stop creating nationwide embarrassing history! This isn’t something that can be solved by just kicking my blanket in frustration. Absolutely not! Jung Ion, why are you wearing such a satisfied expression? All this talk about ascending to the throne is bullshit. In that brief conversation, I experienced true horror. I really hate that this is a world where high school gangs rule South Korea…
Wanting to flee this rooftop immediately, I unconsciously started backing away. At that moment, Jung Ion suddenly turned his head toward me. Gulp.
“Apex. Please give us your conclusion on the status report.”
“Huh?”
What’s with you? Wasn’t that agreement you just gave the conclusion?
Since things have come to this, why don’t you become the Apex, Jung Ion? I seem unnecessary. Just let me go now!
I wore a sour expression.
“You all seem to be doing fine without me anyway.”
“……”
What now! What did I do wrong again!
Splash- as if water had been poured on them, the atmosphere among the gang members froze. Ion spoke with a face that seemed to be suppressing some emotion.
“Why would you say something like that…?”
“Like what?”
“You’ve been acting strange since yesterday. It’s making me anxious. My heart keeps pounding.”
I frowned, not understanding his incomprehensible remarks. What’s he saying all of a sudden? Looking at the others because Jung Ion’s unsteady gaze was concerning me. Holy crap. All the gang members seemed equally unhinged. It feels like I’ve committed some massive wrong… But seriously, I don’t get it!
“Sorry. I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“Apex….”
“If we’re done talking, can I go now? I need to get to class.”
I’m leaving!
Fearing what else I might hear, I hastily bid farewell to the gang members and hurried off the rooftop. Bang! F-fuck. I survived. Exhausted, I slumped against the rooftop door. Hah. I must have built up a bit of immunity. I dramatically survived that cringe-worthy executive meeting or whatever it was. Wow, good job. Damn. As of today, this meeting is officially canceled.
I ran down the stairs two at a time without looking back.
“Did you really mean it when you said you’re going to class now?”
Hanseo’s low, trembling question dissipated into the quiet space. Ion’s face had hardened as if he was angry. The terrifying silence of Ion, the Number Two with the highest rank in Devil after Haejin, made the Devil faction officers even more anxious.
Everyone was thinking the same thing.
“Saying we do fine without him… That can’t be true!”
Why would the Apex say such a thing?! Finally, Hanseo exclaimed in frustration. All Devil gang members wore gloomy expressions. It was unbelievable. Their Apex. The spiritual pillar of Devil faction and their great king had spoken such weak words. And with such a pitifully distant expression.
Though reluctant, the gang members refused to accept the one fact that kept surfacing in their minds. Until then, Amin, who had remained quiet, spoke with a slightly hesitant voice. What he had seen earlier at the infirmary,
“Number Two. Actually, when I found the Apex at the infirmary earlier, there was… a medicine packet in his pocket.”
“…Is that true?”
“Yes. It seemed like the Apex was hurriedly trying to hide it.”
Shin Amin was not someone who would lie. Ion felt his heart racing. Yesterday, when the Choigang Apex invaded and had a fierce confrontation with him, Haejin, who had appeared endlessly composed, suddenly collapsed, unable to steady himself. Despite despising being touched by anyone, Haejin didn’t reject Hanseo’s support. That would have been normal any other time…
Then, as if hiding something, he left school alone. Drawing a line by telling them not to follow… All Devil gang members present then felt the sky falling.
They thought they shouldn’t jump to conclusions… but Amin provided evidence they didn’t want to believe. A medicine packet that was hastily hidden. What the hell. If it was something minor, there would be no need to hide it urgently. What are you hiding?
“Sob… It’s not true, is it? Please tell me it’s not what I’m thinking, Sunbae Ion!”
Hanseo wailed desperately. No way… No way could Gu Haejin, the Thousand-Year Prince…? The eternal leader of Devil faction, Apex Gu Haejin… had a terminal illness?
Come to think of it, he had been acting strange lately.
Haejin was an ice-cold person, known as the Thousand-Year Prince. Starting from the School Gang Grand Assembly, he occasionally smiled, and now he showed that precious smile, that beautiful smile that made everyone happy, without hesitation. Moreover, he now diligently attended school classes he normally ignored, and he had lunch with that nobody even though he usually didn’t talk to anyone except them. Images of Haejin being kinder and more gentle than before flashed like a panorama.
“No, Haejin….”
Ion was in agony. Only now did he recall one passing fact.
A single statement that truly surprised everyone at the School Gang Grand Assembly.
‘I quit.’
If their suspicions were correct, he had ignored Haejin’s desperate SOS. It wasn’t meant to boost the morale of the gang members, but a voice seeking salvation. And he had misinterpreted it according to his own whims. You crazy bastard! Jung Ion, you fucking idiot!!
Ion became disgustingly self-loathing. To think that he, claiming to be a long-time friend, couldn’t even properly perceive that guy’s intentions. I’m not worthy of being called a friend. Yet Haejin, thoughtful even while pretending not to be, had been considerate of them. It hurt his heart.
No matter how much they tried to deny it, the gang members’ eyes reddened at the painful fact dominating their thoughts. Then Amin spoke again.
“Wait, Number Two. We’re not certain yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not too late, so wouldn’t it be better to first confirm whether that medicine is really what we think it is before making any judgments? We might be misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding….”
“Yes. Until then, I think we should keep this a secret, not only from other School Gang Association members but also from our Devil faction. Such matters should be decided cautiously.”
Ion, Hanseo, and all the gang members nodded at Amin’s words. He certainly had a point. In fact, they desperately hoped it was a misunderstanding and decided to place their bets on that. So, though they’d have to apologize to the Apex later, they would secretly investigate the medicine. Ion made that decision. Devil faction officers grimly followed his lead.
But their suspicions continued to grow uncontrollably.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
