A school could be seen as a hierarchical society.
That was why the term "iljin" (school gang leader) existed.
Although its etymology had little to do with social class, it had become solidified as a ranking system within schools.
At the top were the iljin—the dominant bullies. Below them were ijins and samjins, ranked accordingly.
But there was an even higher class beyond the iljin.
Normally, iljin referred to delinquent students.
However, occasionally, an iljin would emerge who also excelled academically, earning the favor of teachers.
And if that student came from a wealthy family, they became untouchable.
That was Chu Young-taek of Kangyoung High School.
With a prosecutor father, a chaebol heiress mother, top 5% grades, and athletic talent,
Chu Young-taek ruled the school.
Even the third-year seniors were wary of him, despite him being just a second-year student.
"Hey! Chun Min-woo! Who the hell told you to study during break time? Breaks are meant for resting! Do you really think struggling like this will change anything? You damn peasant."
Chun Min-woo.
The younger brother of Chun Min-jung.
Bullying him had become Chu Young-taek's daily routine.
And the reason was simple.
A lowborn brat was outperforming him in academics.
Despite having expensive tutors and personal college consultants,
Chu Young-taek couldn't accept that a kid who didn't even attend cram school was scoring higher than him.
It was a humiliation.
"...I wasn't studying. I was just zoning out."
"Then why the hell was your book open?"
There was no way this punk was smarter than him!
He had the best education money could buy.
Yet an online lecture kid was beating him?
That meant the difference was pure intelligence.
And that was a truth Chu Young-taek refused to accept.
"Sorry. I'll keep my head down during break time."
"Your face pisses me off, so keep your head down during class too. Actually, just stop coming to school altogether."
"..."
"Why aren't you answering? You little shit!"
Chu Young-taek raised his fist.
At that moment—
Clatter!
The classroom door slid open, and the homeroom teacher walked in.
"Everyone, submit your parent-teacher conference forms by today! Young-taek, can you collect them and bring them to the teachers' office?"
"Yes, sir! I'll gather them all before homeroom ends."
"You make my life so much easier, Young-taek. Alright, everyone, focus on class. See you at the end of the day."
The teacher's interruption killed Young-taek's momentum.
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he simply smacked the back of Chun Min-woo's head and returned to his seat.
"Consider yourself lucky. The homeroom teacher saved you today."
With that, the class ended, and it was time for the final homeroom session of the day.
The homeroom teacher entered the classroom, shared some announcements, and casually chatted with the students.
"Why is hiring people so expensive these days? I tried booking movers for my relocation, and they asked for 100,000 won per person!"
"Teacher! You're moving this weekend, right? We'll help you out. Just treat us to a bowl of jajangmyeon, and we'll work hard!"
Chu Young-taek stepped forward smoothly, flashing his usual charismatic grin.
Seeing a student with a prosecutor father offering to help, the teacher found him all the more likable.
"Jajangmyeon? I'll throw in sweet and sour pork too! Young-taek, pick four others and bring them along."
"I'll bring the strongest guys I know!"
Chu Young-taek was once again flaunting his influence.
"Look at me. I can meet with teachers outside of school. So you'd better know your place around me."
"Alright, that's it for today. Don't waste your time partying just because it's Friday. You'll all be seniors soon!"
"See you tomorrow, sir!"
With class dismissed, the students scattered.
Chu Young-taek strolled out with his gang of bullies, moving in a lazy pack as they left the school.
"Hey, isn't that nerd from your class? He's reading a book while walking. What a freak."
"Who? Chun Min-woo? That dumbass must have something stuck in his ears. I already told him to cut that crap, and he's still at it."
Frowning, Chu Young-taek clenched his fist and marched toward Chun Min-woo.
Gaining momentum, he swung his fist straight for Chun Min-woo's head—
But then—
Thump!
Someone suddenly appeared, grabbing Young-taek's wrist in midair.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Let me go! Who the hell are you?!"
"We are Chun Min-woo's bodyguards. We strongly advise you to refrain from such actions. Even if you claim it's just 'friends messing around,' we will not tolerate this behavior."
"Friends? With him? Are you out of your mind?! And bodyguards?! Hey, Min-woo, did your dad hit the lottery or something? You can't even afford cram school, but you suddenly have bodyguards?"
"I… I don't know either."
The four bodyguards stood in sleek black suits.
Each of them towered over Chu Young-taek, despite his already impressive physique.
The grip on his wrist felt like it could snap his bone.
"You started this fight. Let's see how this plays out."
"W-What?! I didn't do anything!"
"Oh? You sure about that? Let's see what the school thinks. You do know there's a parent-teacher meeting tomorrow, right? I'll be reporting this to the school violence committee. Better start packing for a transfer."
"Tch!"
Chu Young-taek spat on the ground before storming off home.
Chun Min-woo, still struggling to grasp the situation, turned toward the men who had just called themselves his bodyguards.
"Who… are you?"
"Starting today, we have been assigned to protect you, Young Master Chun Min-woo."
"Bodyguards? For me? Did my sister send you? But she doesn't have that kind of money…."
"We are not private bodyguards for hire, so of course, we have no relation to your sister."
"Then… who hired you?"
"You were assigned protection by Tae-woo Group. As part of its employee welfare program, Tae-woo Group ensures the safety of not just its employees but their families as well."
"Wait… you're saying my sister's company sent you?"
Of course, Chun Min-woo knew all about Tae-woo Group.
It was his sister's workplace, and it was the number-one conglomerate in Korea—how could he not know?
But no matter how powerful a corporation was, would they really assign bodyguards to a regular employee's family?
"We will escort you home safely. If needed, we can also provide a vehicle."
"N-No, it's fine. I'll just walk."
Chun Min-woo continued walking home as usual, but now, four broad-shouldered bodyguards flanked him on all sides, forming a protective perimeter as they walked together.
Even after reaching his house on the mountaintop, two of them remained stationed at the front door.
By the time midnight approached, Chun Min-jung finally came home from work.
The moment she stepped inside, Chun Min-woo rushed into the living room.
But before he could even ask his questions, she spoke first.
"Who are those people standing outside? Don't tell me Dad took out another loan from a loan shark?"
"They said they were sent by your company. They've been following me and protecting me since school."
"My company? They're not even protecting me—why would they protect you? That makes no sense."
"I don't know! I thought you asked your company to assign them to me."
"Why would I make that kind of request? …Wait. Min-woo, did something happen at school?"
Chun Min-woo fell silent.
His lack of response was all the confirmation Chun Min-jung needed.
"Are you being bullied? Is it school violence?"
"It's not that bad. I can endure it."
"What do you mean, endure?!"
"That's not the issue right now! Earlier, one of my classmates got into a scuffle with the bodyguards, and his mother is the head of the Parent-Teacher Association. If this goes south, I could get expelled from school."
Chun Min-jung had fought tooth and nail all her life for her younger brother.
She hadn't been able to attend university due to circumstances, but she was determined to ensure that her brother followed the proper path.
She had even crossed moral lines to secure a better future for him.
But now, he might get expelled?
Her stomach churned, and a dizzying headache hit her.
"I'll figure something out. Just go inside for now."
Chun Min-jung went into her room and picked up her phone.
Who should she call?
She had the direct number of Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae and saw him every day in strategy meetings.
But calling him about something like this? That was out of the question.
After much deliberation, she dialed the Director of Planning.
"This is Chun Min-jung from the IT department. I'm really sorry for calling so late."
["If it's a call from you, Chun Min-jung, I'd answer even in the middle of the night. What's the matter?"]
She explained everything—the bodyguard incident, the PTA head, and the potential expulsion.
Her voice wavered, her eyes welled up, and she struggled to keep her emotions in check.
["Don't worry. Tae-woo Group will handle this smoothly."]
"But… the boy's father is a deputy prosecutor, and his mother is the youngest daughter of a corporate chairman. Will that really be okay?"
["Hahaha! Chun Min-jung, you're underestimating Tae-woo Group too much."]
"That's not it… I mean, I'm just a regular employee, but this is a personal matter."
["Tae-woo Group considers all its employees family. And you, Chun Min-jung, are treated as direct family here. So, there's nothing to worry about."]
The Director of Planning chuckled.
At that moment, a thought suddenly struck Chun Min-jung.
"But… why are you being so generous to me? You even assigned bodyguards for my brother and are now willing to resolve this issue. There has to be a reason."
["No other reason. Hmm… how should I put this? Ah! Just think of it as part of our employee benefits."]
"Employee benefits?"
["Tae-woo Group's employee benefits are on a completely different level compared to other conglomerates. So, just rest easy tonight."]
Even after the conversation ended, Chun Min-jung couldn't shake her unease.
Still, she forced herself to hold back her tears for her brother's sake and stepped into the living room.
"Don't worry. Tae-woo Group has promised to handle everything."
"Is that even possible? Do you even know how powerful Chu Young-taek's family is? Even the homeroom teacher and principal bow down to him."
"The Planning Division of Tae-woo Group is stepping in. There won't be any problems. Now, calm down and get some rest—you have school tomorrow."
She reassured her brother and sent him back to his room.
But even as she said those words, her own mind was clouded with worry.
She knew all too well just how terrifying the rampant abuse of power by the privileged could be—because she had experienced it firsthand.
Chu Young-taek returned home.
As soon as he arrived, he burst into tears, calling for his mother.
"Mom! It hurts so bad! I feel like I'm gonna die!"
"Oh my! What happened to your wrist? Who did this to you?"
"There's this guy in my class named Chun Min-woo. He hired bodyguards and did this to my arm!"
"What did you say? Chun Min-woo?! I'm calling the principal right now to have him expelled. No—I'll mobilize the prosecutors and make sure he never dares to pull something like this again!"
Chu Young-taek's mother frantically reached for her phone.
Watching her, Chu Young-taek wiped away his fake tears and smirked sinisterly.
He knew exactly how powerful his mother's connections and father's authority were.
Crushing someone like Chun Min-woo?
That would be child's play.
TL/n -
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