The weight of Seok Jin's words clung to Riku all night. Every time he closed his eyes, the warning echoed in his mind, refusing to let him sleep. It wasn't the first time someone had threatened him—it was just different this time. Seok Jin wasn't just some bully or jealous classmate. He was someone who *ruled* this world. And people like that didn't let others rise to power without consequences.
But there was something else, something more unsettling than just the threat. It was the fact that Seok Jin's words were true. Power wasn't a simple thing. It didn't just solve everything. It attracted attention—both good and bad. The stronger you became, the more enemies you made.
And Riku had already made one.
---
The following morning, Riku walked through the school gates with a new sense of wariness. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he was ready for anything. The students who had once whispered about him now looked at him with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Some admired him for taking down Minho, others whispered behind his back, unsure of what to make of him.
As he passed by, his eyes instinctively darted toward the group of tough-looking students who had been talking about him yesterday. They were staring at him, and Riku couldn't shake the feeling that he was being evaluated, scrutinized. He'd become a target, and not the kind of target he could ignore.
But it wasn't just the students he had to worry about.
Seok Jin wasn't far behind. The tall, muscular boy stood near the school entrance, his arms crossed as he watched Riku approach. His eyes were calculating, cold.
Riku knew what Seok Jin was thinking. He had made his stance clear yesterday—power wasn't something you just used without consequences. And Riku had stepped into a world where everything had a price.
"New kid," Seok Jin called out before Riku could enter the building. His voice was casual, but there was an edge to it. "You ready for your first real test?"
Riku stopped in his tracks. The challenge in Seok Jin's words was unmistakable. This wasn't just a casual conversation anymore. This was a warning. But Riku couldn't back down. Not now.
"I'm not here to make trouble," Riku said, his voice steady. "I just want to keep my head down."
Seok Jin's smirk deepened. "You really think that's possible? You can't stay in the background. You'll learn that soon enough."
Riku clenched his fists. "What do you want from me?"
Seok Jin looked him up and down, then sighed as though he was humoring an annoying child. "You think your little tricks will save you? You don't even understand what you're dealing with." He stepped forward, his gaze never leaving Riku's. "I've got my eye on you. But if you want to survive here, you'll have to prove yourself. People like us... we don't just take control. We *earn* it. The hard way."
Riku didn't respond. He had no idea what Seok Jin was really implying, but it was clear now more than ever that he was walking a thin line. If he wasn't careful, he could become just another pawn in a game he didn't fully understand.
---
The day passed in a blur. Riku's mind kept circling back to the conversation with Seok Jin. What did he mean by "earning" control? Was this some sort of initiation into this world? Was he supposed to fight to prove himself? And if so, what was the cost?
As the school day ended, Riku found himself wandering the halls aimlessly. He wasn't sure where to go. The familiar paths he had walked just a week ago no longer felt like his. The weight of the Copy Eye, of the power that had awakened in him, felt heavier with each passing moment. It was both a gift and a curse. It could make him strong, but what would he lose in the process?
"Hey, Riku!"
Riku turned, surprised to see Daniel walking toward him. The boy's usual easy smile was absent, replaced with a serious look that made Riku pause.
"What's up?" Riku asked, trying to push down the anxiety building in his chest.
Daniel stopped in front of him, his gaze intense. "Look, I'm not sure if you're ready for what's coming. Seok Jin... he's not someone you mess with. He's a player in this world, and if you don't figure out how to navigate it soon, you'll be swallowed whole."
Riku frowned, a knot forming in his stomach. "I don't know how to navigate it. That's the problem. This world... it's nothing like what I thought it would be."
Daniel nodded. "I get it. But you can't just rely on power alone. You need allies. You need to understand the rules of the game. Without that, you're just a pawn in someone else's battle."
Riku's heart sank as the weight of Daniel's words hit him. Power wasn't enough. Seok Jin had been right—strength alone wouldn't get him anywhere. But if that was true, how could he ever survive?
"You don't have to do this alone," Daniel continued. "I can help. But only if you trust me."
Riku's thoughts raced. He wanted to trust Daniel, to believe that there was a way out of this mess without losing himself. But trust was something he hadn't had in a long time. Every person he had ever trusted had betrayed him—his best friend, his girlfriend. How could he trust again?
But as Daniel's gaze softened, something inside Riku stirred. Maybe this was the chance he needed. To form a bond. To be a part of something greater than just his own survival.
"Alright," Riku said, his voice firm but uncertain. "I'll trust you. But I need to understand everything. I need to know what this world is, how it works."
Daniel smiled, a small but genuine expression. "I'll help you. But remember, nothing is free. You'll have to fight. You'll have to make decisions, ones you might not like. But if you want to survive, you'll have to play the game."
Riku nodded, a sense of resolve settling over him. He didn't have all the answers, and he didn't know what the future held. But for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was ready to face it.
---
That night, as Riku lay in bed, his mind swirled with thoughts of Seok Jin, power, and the road ahead. He had made his choice—he would fight. Not just to survive, but to understand this world, to find his place in it.
The Copy Eye had given him strength. But now, he needed to learn how to use it.
The game had only just begun.
---
...End of Chapter 5....
---
In this chapter, Riku begins to face the consequences of his power and the choices that come with it. Seok Jin's warning about the price of strength, combined with Daniel's offer of help, forces Riku to confront his role in this new world. He begins to realize that survival isn't just about strength—it's about navigating the complex social and power dynamics that govern this world. With Daniel's support, he begins to understand that he'll need allies and knowledge if he hopes to survive and rise to the top.