The Useless One Chosen by Darkness

The next morning, Jihoon quietly left for school — Incheon Central High.

The gates were buzzing with life. Students crowded the walkway, their voices blending into a background hum. Jihoon, lost in thought, kept his head down. His mind was still stuck on the shadow's offer... and the terrifying power it promised.

"Jihoon! Jihoon!"

A familiar voice called out behind him. He turned and there he was Min jae . His only true friend. The one person who'd never left his side.

A rare smile formed on Jihoon's face.

"Good morning, Min Jae.""Good morning, Jihoon," he replied, cheerful as always.

Min Jae was everything Jihoon wasn't tall, confident, handsome, from a rich and respected family.

"You look serious," Min Jae said. "Did those bullies mess with you again?""No… I just skipped breakfast.""Ah. Canteen mission, then?""Thinking about it," Jihoon mumbled."Strawberry milk or buttermilk?""Still deciding.""You get serious about the smallest things!" Min Jae laughed."Go with buttermilk — it'll make you stronger."

He smiled, ruffled Jihoon's hair, and added,

"Wait here. I'll grab it. My treat, okay?"

"Thanks... I really needed that."

Min Jae walked off. Jihoon waited And then, he saw them.

The bullies.

Five students — infamous across the school.

Kang Dae Hyun – their leader, strong and feared

Park Hyun Soo – angry, violent, always looking for a fight

Lee Hyun Hyuk – wealthy, arrogant, untouchable

Choi Min Seok – troublemaker, street-smart

Yoo Na Ri – quiet girl, obsessed with gaming, always cold

Kang Dae Hyun strolled up and splashed water on Jihoon's face.The others burst into laughter.

"Drink this," Park said, trying to force alcohol into his mouth."Lick my shoes and I'll give you a thousand won," Lee sneered.

Yoo Na Ri said nothing. She just sat nearby, glued to her phone, casually playing a game while Jihoon's humiliation unfolded.

Jihoon's eyes filled with tears. And then

"If you four lick my shoes, I'll give you a million won."

A voice cut through the crowd.

Everyone turned.

It was Min Jae.

He stood behind the bullies, glaring at them. Calm. Confident. Unbothered.

They backed off. His presence alone made them hesitate . Min Jae's social standing was on another level.

He handed Jihoon a tissue and a cold bottle of buttermilk.

"Bastards," Min Jae muttered."Here. Drink this."

"Thanks... Min Jae.""Always, Jihoon."

Jihoon wiped his face and glanced back at the group.

"Don't you think... Yoo Na Ri doesn't belong with them? She never laughs. She just watches."

Min Jae's smile faded.

"I used to think that too," he said quietly."Until I saw her destroy someone without even raising her voice."

Meanwhile, in a corner of the school courtyard...

"That f*cker Min Jae... always protecting Jihoon," Park Hyun Soo muttered."Forget it," Yoo Na Ri sighed. "I need money. I spent everything my parents had on in-game items.""So what? Beating Jihoon won't make you rich.""No... but blackmail might," she said coldly.

Kang Dae Hyun grinned.

"Let's make Jihoon pay for once..."

Back in class...

"Jihoon, sit in front today," Min Jae whispered."They'll bother you less."

Jihoon nodded and sat at the front.

Then, the door opened.

Mr. Soo Jin Wook, their teacher, walked in and his eyes immediately locked onto Jihoon.

"You. Stand up. Sit in the back."

Jihoon froze.

"But sir what's the problem?" Min Jae asked.

"Quiet!" the teacher snapped. "You, Min Jae come to staff room. Half-interval."

Later, during the break...

"Jihoon, wait outside," Min Jae said."I'll speak to the teacher and come find you."

"I'm sorry you're in trouble because of me.""We're like brothers. Don't say that," Min Jae smiled.

Jihoon walked toward the restrooms.

But before he could reach the boys' side someone grabbed his arm.

Yoo Na Ri.

"Where are you taking me!?" Jihoon yelled."Turn around," she ordered.

And then a kick from behind.

Kang Dae Hyun.

Jihoon hit the ground hard.The others rushed in holding him down, covering his mouth, took his phone away.

Yoo Na Ri held it up.

"Smile," she said.

She pretended to squat like she was using the bathroom and snapped a photo using Jihoon's phone.

Then, they beat him. Viciously.

Screams rang out. Students gathered. Teachers rushed over.

Min Jae came running just in time to catch Jihoon as he collapsed, bruised and bleeding.

"What's going on!?" the teacher demanded.

And then tears.

Yoo Na Ri began crying.

"He... he took pictures of me while I was in the restroom. He was blackmailing me..."

"That's a lie!" Jihoon screamed. "I never did that!"

The teacher's expression turned cold.

"Disgusting. You're just like a sewer rat."

He dragged Jihoon to the director's office.

Two hours later.

In the director's room sat:

Jihoon

His parents

Min Jae

Yoo Na Ri

Mr. Soo Jin Wook

Director Kwon Tae Min

The teacher gave his version of events.

Jihoon's father exploded.

SLAP!"You're a disgrace! You should never have been born!"

"Dad… please…" Jihoon sobbed, falling to his knees.

"Uncle," Min Jae said, "I believe him. Jihoon would never—"

"Stay out of this! I know what he is! A filthy mutt!"

The director suspended Jihoon immediately.

He ran out, crying.

Min Jae tried to follow but Jihoon was already gone.

Back in the office…

"I want to file a case against Jihoon's family," Yoo Na Ri whispered.

His father paled.

"I'll pay. Just… don't file charges."

"900,000 won," she said.

He paid — and left in shame.

That night, Jihoon locked himself in his room. He screamed into his pillow, sobbing.

"Why am I so weak...? Why is this happening to me...?"

His voice grew darker.

"Shadow... Shadow, give me power..."

"Please… I'm begging you…"

A dark mist gathered in the corner of the room.And from it came a slow, cruel laugh.