The Strongest Crew

Upon seeing his attributes, Ryongho felt that they made sense. After all, he had always trained his body at home, developing compact muscles and decent strength.

Although he had no formal martial arts training, he was confident that he could handle school thugs if necessary.

He was also surprised that he has a potential that surpasses any beings in this world.

However, what surprised him the most was how broad the power classification was. He was only at the lowest level of mid-tier fighters.

"How strong are X-Rank individuals?" he wondered. "Can they break walls? Or even demolish buildings?"

The mere thought of getting punched by an X-Rank sent a shiver down his spine. He might die instantly.

But instead of fear, excitement surged through him. This world is far more interesting than I thought.

He wanted to become stronger. He wanted to reach the top and experience what true power felt like.

Just as he was lost in thought, his excitement was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the classroom door opening.

"Okay, everyone. Take your seats. I'll begin roll call."

An older male teacher entered the room and walked toward his desk, calling out names in alphabetical order.

"Bang Hojong."

"Here."

A rough voice responded. Ryongho turned toward the source and saw a large-built student with slicked-back dark brown hair. His face didn't resemble a high schooler at all—he looked more like a gangster.

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Name: Bang Hojong

Rank: D

Strength: C

Speed: D

Potential: E

Intelligence: E

Endurance: D+

Specialization: Tool Fighting

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Ryongho checked his attributes and sighed in relief. So this is the guy I have to beat? He's weaker than me.

The roll call continued.

When his own name was called, several female students turned to look at him, their eyes sparkling with admiration.

Well, what could he say? He was undeniably handsome.

"Noh Manho."

"Here."

A student with a slightly cold expression and sharp eyes raised his hand. He had slicked-back red hair and was quite handsome—though not as handsome as Ryongho, of course.

Unlike Bang Hojong, Noh Manho didn't have a large build, but Ryongho could tell he was the strongest of the three targets he needed to defeat.

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Name: Noh Manho

Rank: C

Strength: C

Speed: C+

Potential: C

Intelligence: B

Endurance: C

Specialization: Dog Fighting & Tool Fighting

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Finally, the last name was called.

"Woo Jongmin."

"Here." A lean-built student with split bangs and blonde hair responded. He wasn't muscular like Bang Hojong, but his speed seemed noteworthy.

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Name: Woo Jongmin

Rank: D

Strength: D+

Speed: C

Potential: E

Intelligence: D

Endurance: D

Specialization: Tool Fighting

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Yup. He was right.

Among the three, Noh Manho was definitely the strongest.

Looking at their attributes, Ryongho felt confident. Defeating them should be easy—I'm stronger than all of them.

However, he couldn't afford to be careless.

Their specializations revolved around dirty fighting and weapon usage.

Who knew what kind of underhanded tricks they might pull?

The school day continued as usual.

After roll call, the teacher appointed a pair of nerdy-looking students as the class president and vice president.

Once homeroom was over, the next subjects began.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Time passed, and soon, it was lunchtime.

As expected, Bang Hojong and Woo Jongmin were gathered around Noh Manho.

It was obvious they had been friends since junior high, forming a tight-knit group. But rather than just a group of friends, they were a pack of bullies.

Bang Hojong and Woo Jongmin spent their time harassing weaker students—slapping, kicking, and humiliating those who looked too timid to fight back.

Meanwhile, Noh Manho sat back, watching silently. He didn't need to lift a finger—his mere presence made it clear he was in charge.

Ryongho remained in his seat, observing them while thinking of a way to pick a fight. He couldn't just walk up and challenge them outright—that would be idiotic and cringe-worthy.

He needed the right opportunity.

As he pondered, his stomach rumbled. Might as well grab some food.

Just as he stood up, he felt a piercing stare.

Bang Hojong had noticed him. Seeing Ryongho's sharp features and effortlessly handsome face, jealousy flashed across his eyes.

A sinister grin spread across his face as he walked over.

"Hey, buy me some bread."

He slapped Ryongho's back—hard.

Expecting him to stumble, Bang Hojong prepared to mock him. But instead—

"Tch!"

He winced as a sharp pain shot through his palm, as if he had just slapped a solid tree.

Ryongho slowly turned his head, his gaze cold and piercing.

'Finally… A reason to beat them up.'

"Are you talking to me?" Ryongho asked flatly, his voice laced with an eerie calm.

Bang Hojong scowled.

"Fuck! Are you deaf?!"

With a snarl, he threw a punch straight at Ryongho's face.

But to Ryongho, the punch was painfully slow.

His hand shot out—snatching Bang Hojong's wrist mid-swing.

The impact never came.

"What the—?!"

Bang Hojong's eyes widened in shock. He tried to yank his fist back—but it wouldn't budge.

Ryongho's grip was like iron.

"Weak."

Before Bang Hojong could react—

CRACK!

Ryongho's palm smashed across his face with a thunderous slap.

The force sent shockwaves through his skull, and his vision went black.

His body flew sideways, crashing into desks before slumping motionless to the floor.

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Then—

"You bastard! Are you insane?!"

Woo Jongmin rushed forward, his fist cocked back, aiming straight for Ryongho's jaw.

But Ryongho's lips curled into a smirk.

"Too slow."

Ryongho's voice was cold and unshaken.

With a swift, powerful hook, he smashed his fist into Woo Jongmin's left cheek.

The impact sent a shockwave through his skull, and his body went limp mid-air before crashing right beside Bang Hojong's unconscious form.

Ryongho exhaled, shaking off his fist, then glanced at Noh Manho—the so-called leader of the group.

Instead of saying anything, he walked toward the two bodies, crouching down to slap them awake.

But then—

A sharp sense of danger prickled his skin.

His instincts screamed at him.

Ryongho's head snapped up—

A pen was flying straight toward his face at blinding speed.

Without hesitation, he jerked his head down, narrowly avoiding the projectile.

At the same time, he kicked out with full force, sweeping the feet of the attacker behind him.

BANG!

The figure was launched backward, crashing into a nearby desk.

Ryongho quickly got to his feet and turned.

There, sprawled over the fallen desk, was Noh Manho, gripping a pair of pens in each hand like daggers.

"Not bad."

His voice was calm, but his expression was tense. He hadn't expected Ryongho to dodge.

But Ryongho smirked.

This was exactly what he had planned.

By crouching down, he had given Noh Manho the perfect chance to attack—but it was all a trap.

And Noh Manho had taken the bait.

Realizing this, Noh Manho's expression darkened. Without missing a beat, he grabbed a chair and hurled it toward Ryongho before charging forward.

But Ryongho remained unshaken.

As the chair flew toward him, he effortlessly caught it mid-air, muscles flexing from the impact, and then tossed it aside.

However—

Just as the chair left his hands, his eyes caught something terrifying—

Noh Manho's fingers, aimed straight at his eyes.

A feint!

Ryongho jerked his head back, barely dodging what would have been a brutal eye poke.

But Noh Manho wasn't done—his knee shot forward, aiming directly for Ryongho's groin.

"This guy fights dirty."

With no time to waste, Ryongho clamped his thighs together tightly, blocking the kick before it could land.

Yet—

There was no impact.

He barely had time to register it before—

BAM!

A vicious uppercut came soaring toward his chin.

His posture was still restricted from blocking the groin kick, leaving him with little room to move.

But Ryongho reacted in an instant.

Rather than dodging, he threw himself backward, barely evading the punch.

At the same time, he whipped his leg upward, his foot smashing directly into Noh Manho's chin with full force.

CRACK!

A sickening noise echoed through the room.

Noh Manho's body was launched off the ground, flipping in the air before crashing down like a ragdoll.

"Gaaahhh!"

A pained scream escaped his lips before he went completely still.

Ryongho straightened his posture, breathing out slowly.

Damn. I really don't want to fight this guy again. Too cunning.

But for now—

He walked over to the unconscious trio and slapped their faces, hard enough to shock them awake.

The moment their eyes fluttered open, Ryongho towered over them, his expression unreadable.

"From now on, I'm the leader of this class."

His voice was firm and absolute.

"You three will follow me."

No one dared to argue.