Chapter 6 – Baptism by Blood

  Fists clashed. Bones cracked. Roars and screams filled the air.

  And in the middle of it all—Kang Jinhyuk stood unshaken.

  His team had barely survived the first wave of attacks, yet now they stood face-to-face with some of the most dangerous first-years in Shinhwa.

  Baek Taehwan—an unranked powerhouse known for his ruthless close combat.

  Choi Sangwoo—a technical striker with speed that could match a veteran fighter.

  And two others, each carrying themselves with a deadly aura.

  Their team radiated the confidence of predators.

  And they weren’t here to play.

  A grin spread across Baek Taehwan’s face.

  “This is a good lineup,” he muttered, rolling his shoulders. “Finally, some fun.”

  He locked eyes with Jinhyuk.

  “Let’s see what the rumors are about, ‘newcomer.’”

  Jinhyuk’s gaze didn’t waver.

  He wasn’t afraid.

  In fact—

  He was excited.

  Baek Taehwan exploded forward.

  For someone so massive, he moved with blinding speed.

  Jinhyuk barely had time to react before a fist came hurtling toward his face.

  Instinct.

  Jinhyuk shifted his weight, tilting his head just enough to let the punch graze past his cheek. The sheer force of it sent a gust of wind slicing through the air.

  But Taehwan wasn’t done.

  He planted his foot and twisted, bringing his elbow down like a hammer.

  Jinhyuk raised his arm just in time—

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  BAM!

  The impact sent shockwaves through his bones.

  ‘What power…!’

  Jinhyuk slid backward, his feet digging into the ground.

  But Taehwan didn’t stop.

  He was relentless, charging again with a devastating right hook.

  Jinhyuk had no choice.

  He met him head-on.

  THWACK!

  Their fists collided.

  A brutal impact.

  The force traveled up Jinhyuk’s arm, but he refused to back down. He used the momentum to twist his body—his knee shot up like a spear.

  Taehwan barely managed to block, but the sheer force sent him skidding back.

  Silence.

  Then—

  Taehwan grinned.

  “Not bad.” He wiped a trickle of blood from his lip. “This might actually be fun.”

  Jinhyuk smirked.

  “Don’t slow down, then.

  ”Kang Minjae was handling two opponents at once.

  One of them, Choi Sangwoo, was lightning fast—a barrage of rapid punches aimed at Minjae’s vitals.

  But Minjae wasn’t just any fighter.

  He moved like a shadow, weaving through the attacks with ease.

  His golden eyes gleamed.

  Then—

  BAM!

  Minjae’s elbow drove into Sangwoo’s stomach.

  The striker choked out a breath—

  And Minjae followed up.

  A brutal roundhouse slammed into Sangwoo’s side, sending him flying.

  The second opponent lunged from behind, but Minjae didn’t even turn around.

  His heel shot back, striking the attacker’s knee.

  A sickening crack echoed.

  Another one down.

  Minjae scoffed.

  “Pathetic.

  ”Jinhyuk and Taehwan clashed again.

  Fists met flesh. Elbows struck ribs. Every movement was brutal, efficient, and precise.

  Taehwan’s power was monstrous. Every punch felt like getting hit by a sledgehammer.

  But Jinhyuk?

  He wasn’t just enduring—

  He was adapting.

  Taehwan threw a devastating uppercut—Jinhyuk leaned just out of reach, countering with a sharp hook to the liver.

  Taehwan’s muscles tensed. Pain.

  Jinhyuk saw it.

  ‘There it is.’

  He pressed forward. Low kick to the shin. Taehwan’s footing shifted.

  Right cross to the jaw. Taehwan staggered.

  For the first time, his grin wavered.

  Jinhyuk exhaled.

  ‘It’s time to end this.’

  Baek Taehwan wiped the blood from his mouth.

  Then, he laughed.

  “You’re strong.” His eyes shone with something primal. “But let’s see if you can survive this.”

  He sank into a stance—low, predatory.

  Jinhyuk narrowed his eyes.

  Then—

  Taehwan charged.

  Faster than before.

  Jinhyuk barely had time to react before Taehwan was right in front of him.

  And this time—

  It was different.

  Taehwan’s form wasn’t reckless anymore.

  He was controlled. Precise.

  BOOM!

  A devastating punch rocketed toward Jinhyuk.

  And this time—

  He couldn’t dodge.

  CRACK!

  The impact sent Jinhyuk flying.

  He crashed into the ground, rolling to a stop. His vision blurred for a moment.

  Taehwan loomed over him, breathing hard.

  “It’s over.”

  Jinhyuk grinned. Blood dripped down his lip.

  He pushed himself up.

  And Taehwan’s grin faded.

  Jinhyuk was still standing.

  No—

  He was smiling.

  “You call that a finishing move?” Jinhyuk cracked his neck. “I was expecting more.”

  Taehwan’s eyes widened.

  Jinhyuk lowered his stance.

  It was his turn now.