(Saturday, September 24, 2020 – 2:03 PM)
A week had passed since Jin effortlessly defeated the two brothers in the showers, leaving both unconscious in front of Gun and the gathered inmates. Word spread like wildfire through the prison, and any chance of maintaining a low profile had vanished.
Jin didn't mind. If anything, it made his time here more interesting. He had nothing to prove, so instead of seeking out fights, he spent his days training, observing, and occasionally making small talk with Gun, who remained as reserved as ever.
Currently, Jin was in the outdoor training area, holding a full planche with effortless control, his entire body parallel to the ground, arms locked and rigid. His cellmates were around him, struggling through their own planche progressions, their strained faces and shaking arms a stark contrast to Jin's calm expression.
"Sir, please, let's take a break." one of them, a lean but wiry youth named Daeho, groaned, his elbows trembling as he barely held himself up on his hands. "We've been at this for almost an hour."
Jin didn't move from his position. "Training to failure is essential." he said evenly, his breathing controlled. "Your body adapts to stress. If you stop when it gets hard, you'll never get stronger."
Another inmate, a bulkier guy named Minseok, collapsed onto his stomach, panting. "Yeah, but do we have to train like maniacs every single day? The other inmates are starting to think we're your personal lackeys."
Jin finally lowered himself down and sat cross-legged on the ground, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. "A week ago, you were nobodies." he pointed out. "Now, no one dares mess with you because you're training with me. You prefer getting jumped in the halls, or do you like the way things are now?"
The two looked at each other and sighed. They couldn't deny the benefits. Ever since Jin defeated the brothers, their entire block had shifted. Gun remained a major powerhouse, but now Jin was considered a stronger man. And by association, his cellmates were given respect, or at least, they were left alone.
As Jin stood up, stretching his arms behind his back, he noticed a few other inmates watching from a distance. Some whispered among themselves, their gazes lingering on him longer than necessary. Jin smirked inwardly. Even without making a conscious effort, his presence was shaking up the prison's hierarchy.
Minseok sat up, rubbing his sore shoulders. "By the way, heard from some guys that the warden's been paying more attention to us lately. Especially after what you pulled off."
Jin raised an eyebrow. "The warden?"
Daeho nodded. "Yeah. One of the guards let it slip that he was the one who sent those brothers after Gun. Probably wanted to test his strength. Now that you're on the radar too, wouldn't be surprised if something else happens soon."
Jin cracked his neck. "Let him try."
Minseok shuddered. "You say that like it's a good thing."
Jin shrugged. He wasn't worried. If anything, it only meant more opportunities. He hadn't come here just to sit around, he had a goal. And if the warden wanted to throw more obstacles his way, then that was fine. It would only make things more fun.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Gun finishing up his own workout, his movements as precise and efficient as always. Unlike Jin, who trained dynamically, Gun stuck to heavy calisthenics and explosive movements, optimizing his body for direct combat. The two hadn't spoken much after their brief conversation in the gym last week, but Jin could tell Gun had been observing him just as closely.
Jin exhaled and rolled his shoulders. "Alright, enough talking. Get back to training. You've got ten more sets."
Daeho groaned again but got back into position. "You're a damn demon, sir..."
Jin smiled. The week had been eventful, but he could feel something was coming. And he was looking forward to it.
....
(4:17 PM)
Two hours had passed since training, and now Jin found himself in one of the prison's classrooms. The room was simple, rows of desks bolted to the floor, a faded chalkboard at the front, and an instructor who looked like he had long since given up on trying to discipline the students.
Jin leaned back in his chair, arms folded behind his head, letting the lesson wash over him. He wasn't particularly interested, but the class was a good place to observe. Around him, some inmates actually tried to pay attention, while others scribbled nonsense into their notebooks or passed time staring out the barred windows.
Near him sat another area boss, one Jin hadn't interacted with yet. A young guy, about the same age as him, who was supposed to be one of the stronger figures in the prison hierarchy. But instead of listening to the instructor, the guy was holding his book upside down and… snoring.
Jin raised a brow. 'This guy's got guts.'
The instructor, an older man with deep lines on his face, sighed in frustration. He picked up a piece of chalk, aimed carefully, and launched it straight at the sleeping inmate's head.
The moment the chalk was about to hit, the guy shifted slightly, just enough for it to miss him by a hair's breadth. Without even opening his eyes, he turned in his seat, adjusting his position for a more comfortable nap.
The instructor exhaled through his nose and shook his head. "Hopeless.." he muttered before continuing his lesson.
Jin nodded. 'Interesting reflexes.'
Eventually, the lesson ended, and everyone began shuffling out of the classroom. Jin stretched his arms over his head and was just about to leave when.
A fist flew toward him.
Without looking, Jin raised his palm and caught it effortlessly. The force behind the punch wasn't weak, but it wasn't threatening either. His grip tightened slightly, forcing the attacker to withdraw and take a few steps back.
Jin finally turned his gaze toward the area boss, who was now fully awake and standing in a loose stance, a grin on his face.
"The name's Dojin,." the guy introduced himself, shaking out his wrist. "I was wondering what all the talk about you was about. You got some nice reflexes."
Jin yawned, scratching the back of his head. "And you got some decent instincts, dodging that chalk while sleeping."
Dojin chuckled, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "I wasn't sleeping. I was meditating."
Jin looked at him blankly.
Dojin shrugged. "Alright, I was sleeping. But still, that old man's got a terrible throw."
Jin let out a short laugh before tilting his head slightly. "So, you picking a fight or just testing me?"
Dojin cracked his knuckles. "A little of both."
Jin exhaled and rolled his shoulders. "Fine. But if we fight, don't expect me to go easy."
---
[CHARACTER INFORMATION]
Name: Jin Lee
Class: Prisoner
UPDATED STATS
HP: 25,300/25,300
MP: 7,000/7,000
Attack Power: 890
Defense: 892
Agility: 900
Mentality: 940
Credits: 14,500
---
Dojin grinned wider. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
----
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