The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the empty hallways as Jin and Leon followed the trail of blood staining the floor. It was fresh. Still warm.
Leon walked on edge, fists clenched.
— This isn't normal. Not even those second-year bastards would do something like this to Baek — he grumbled.
Jin, however, kept walking calmly. Eyes half-closed, almost bored. Until they turned a corner and found Baek's bloodied body slumped against the wall, barely breathing.
Jin crouched down beside him, checking his pulse. A slight smirk formed at the corner of his lips.
— Those bastards already started moving… — he murmured, as if it was just another sign the war was about to heat up.
Leon frowned, glaring at him.
— What's so funny about this?
Jin stood up, cracking his neck.
— Means they're scared. And that just makes crushing them even sweeter.
At that moment, both of them looked up toward the rooftop. Three figures, most likely third-years, stood there watching them with smug, mocking grins. Clear provocation.
Leon growled.
— You wanna go up there now?
Jin shook his head.
— Not yet. Let them think they've got the upper hand for a while.
Meanwhile, Baek coughed up blood, trying to speak.
— Hey… boss… get those bastards for me… — he muttered weakly.
Jin just shrugged.
— You got your ass kicked because you were stupid. But don't worry, I won't let you die here like a dog.
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
— Dad — he said as soon as the call was answered. — I need a favor.
On the other end, his father's deep voice came through.
— What kind of favor?
— One of my subordinates is messed up bad. Can't take him to a regular hospital, doctors would contact the family. That'd be a problem. Send someone to pick him up and treat him at the base.
A brief pause of silence, then the response.
— I'll send someone now. Stay out of unnecessary trouble, Jin.
Jin smirked.
— No trouble. Just business.
He hung up, slid the phone back into his pocket, and looked at Leon.
— Let's go. He's in good hands now.
Leon followed silently, but his glare toward the veterans on the rooftop made it clear: this wouldn't go unpunished.
The chapter closes with the imaginary camera focusing on Jin's calm, almost bored eyes — carrying that killer glint of a guy who knows exactly how and when to strike.