From behind the window of the building at the back, directly behind the gym where Arca stood, a pair of eyes watched the chaos unfolding across the field. Shouts, bangs, shattered glass — all coming from the building where Aswa was fighting. Some students nearby were also watching, curious yet cautious.
But then—
"BHUAKK!"
A barbell flew through the gym wall and struck the man who was spying right on the head. He collapsed unconscious.
All the nearby students immediately jumped in shock.
Through the hole newly made in the wall, a man entered while clapping his hands.
"I'll finish this quickly."
Arca. Calm, but full of pressure. His gaze was sharp. Everyone knew he was serious.
The watching students hesitated for a moment. They glanced at their fallen friend who had just been hit by the brutal throw. But in the next second, they all attacked Arca in unison.
However, unlike the students in Aswa's building... their spirit seemed like just a flicker of courage.
[ON MONDY'S SIDE]
Dhuakk! Dhuakk!
Mondy smashed the window with the silver rod he found, trying to escape. His voice was hoarse, his breath shallow.
"Come on, bastard!" he shouted in panic.
The mysterious man approached, his steps heavy but certain. When he was only five meters away…
"TUARR!!"
The window finally shattered along with the board blocking it. Without thinking twice, Mondy jumped out.
"Finally…" he said with relieved breath.
But as he tried to run—
"Damn…" his shirt got caught on a nail. He looked back in fear, hoping no one was following.
Empty.
The building was empty.
No sign of the mysterious man, no sound of fighting. It all seemed vanished.
Mondy tore his shirt free with force and stumbled to the ground. As he stood up, his gaze collided with hundreds of eyes focused on the center of the field. Some students looked toward him, some to the left — Arca's side — but most… to the right — where Aswa was.
"There's an intruder here!!" someone shouted while pointing at Mondy.
"BHUAKK!!"
The second-floor wall of Aswa's building crumbled. Aswa leapt down, followed by several students who took the stairs.
"On the right too!"
"BHUAKK!!"
Now the wall near Arca collapsed. Arca was pushed out, falling onto the field.
"There's an intruder on the left too!!"
The field suddenly became a stage of chaos.
The students ran to find safety while still watching closely. Three intruders — Aswa, Arca, and Mondy — gathered in the middle, surrounded from right and left.
From behind, students from other buildings came out, curious.
"What's going on?! Why all this commotion!?"
"Don't interfere! This is our business!!" shouted a student from Aswa's side.
But the students from Arca's building were far more numerous, though their aura... was empty. Like a lost army.
Meanwhile, the students from the new building — fewer in number — looked menacing. Their eyes sharp, bodies covered with wounds, but standing tall. Full of confidence.
"Wake up. You're in that building because you're unworthy to serve the King!"
"You're nobody too. Just one tier above us, still lowly!"
"What did you say?! Don't act tough if you're weak!"
The field turned into a battleground of insults, glaring stares, nearly breaking out into a fight.
In the middle of it all, Arca touched his chin, approaching Aswa and Mondy.
"I think they outnumber us."
"Yeah," Aswa answered casually.
"But are they also stronger?"
"Yeaah…" Aswa nodded, glancing at Mondy.
"They really are stronger than my place and yours," Mondy said quickly. "But don't let them impress you. We're only from one district. And they're not the strongest in this district!"
"Wait," Aswa moved a bit closer. "By the way, where's this King they keep talking about?"
"That's what I'm confused about," Mondy replied. "We have to find him quickly. Hanging around here too long will cost us!"
"Huh? You said don't be impressed, now you're scared?" Arca raised his eyebrow.
"Don't lump me together with you!" Mondy snapped.
Then his eyes widened. "Wait… I think his place is behind that building."
The three of them turned.
"This building? Isn't it just normal?" Arca asked.
"No. Look behind it. There's a bigger and taller building. I'm sure that's where he is."
"Ohhh. So we just go in and defeat the King, right?" Arca punched his palm.
"Hadeh! Think about how to get out of here first, okay!" Mondy snapped.
"No other way… we just fight them!" Aswa shouted.
"You're right, Boss — or Captain? Or Leader?" Arca laughed.
"Just call me Aswa."
They stood side by side, facing hundreds of students from three different buildings. Around them, the field looked like a gladiator arena.
And in the distance… a building stood proudly. The King's place.
TO BE CONTINUED.