Riku couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in his chest. The events of the day replayed in his mind over and over, like a broken record. He had fought, won, and proven his strength. But now, the rush of power he had once felt seemed to be fading, replaced by something darker—guilt.
His eyes were fixed on the ground, his fingers tracing the edges of his desk, lost in thought. He hadn't asked for this power. He hadn't asked to be *different*—to be stronger. But now, every move he made seemed to draw him further into this world of violence, conflict, and consequences.
He glanced at his phone, the screen displaying another *Lookism* chapter. For a moment, he almost reached out to open it, to escape into the familiar world of the characters he admired. But something stopped him. He didn't want to run from this. He didn't want to pretend anymore.
Riku exhaled slowly, standing up. He needed answers. He couldn't keep going like this, aimlessly using the Copy Eye without understanding its true potential—or its dangers.
---
The next day at school, Riku felt the weight of his actions bearing down on him. The atmosphere around him was tense. His fight in the courtyard had stirred something in the students—something dangerous. The boys who had been watching the fight, the ones who had gathered around the boy he'd taken down, had not forgotten about what happened.
It wasn't long before word spread.
"Did you hear?" one of the girls whispered as Riku passed by, her voice low and cautious. "The new kid's got some serious skills. He's like a pro fighter or something."
"Yeah, but did you see how he took down Minho yesterday?" another student said, their tone full of disbelief. "No one's ever done that before."
Riku's heart sank. It wasn't just the fight that had gotten attention—it was the fact that people had seen him as a threat. That was the last thing he wanted. He didn't want to be feared. He just wanted to survive, to not feel weak anymore.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice someone approach him until they were standing right in front of him.
"Riku Aono," a voice said, sharp and commanding.
Riku's eyes snapped up to find a tall, muscular boy with dark eyes and a serious expression. He was dressed in a school uniform, but his posture—confident, even arrogant—told Riku everything he needed to know. This was someone to be wary of.
"You've been causing a lot of talk around here," the boy continued, his tone cold but controlled. "My name is Seok Jin. I've been hearing a lot about you."
Riku instinctively took a step back. Seok Jin wasn't just a student—he was someone with power. He could feel it. This was the kind of person who ruled this world, who controlled the flow of power and influence.
"What about it?" Riku asked, his voice steady but his heart racing.
Seok Jin studied him for a moment, a slight smirk curling at the edges of his mouth. "I don't like the attention you're getting. You're too much of a wildcard. People like you... they upset the balance."
Riku's mind raced. He had heard of people like Seok Jin—the ones who didn't just survive in this world, but *dominated*. They were the ones who made the rules. And they didn't take kindly to anyone who threatened their power.
"I'm not looking for trouble," Riku said quietly, trying to diffuse the tension. "I just... I don't want to be weak."
Seok Jin chuckled, but there was no warmth in it. "Weakness is something you can't just *erase*, Aono. You can't run from it. You think strength is the answer? That's cute." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "But it's not that simple. The stronger you get, the more enemies you make."
Riku's mind was spinning. This wasn't just about strength anymore. This was about survival in a world where power was the only currency.
"I'm not here to make enemies," Riku said, trying to stand his ground. "I just want to get through this. I want to find out who I am here."
Seok Jin's expression darkened, and he took a step back, as if deciding something. "Fine. I'll give you a chance. But don't think for a second that you're in control here. If you mess up, I'll be the one to put you in your place."
Riku didn't respond. Instead, he nodded slowly, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. He wasn't in control. Not yet. But maybe, just maybe, he could change that. He had the power. The Copy Eye could be the key to everything. But as Seok Jin's words echoed in his mind, he realized that with power came responsibility—responsibility he wasn't sure he was ready for.
---
Later that night, Riku sat in his room, staring at the mirror once again. His reflection seemed distant, like someone he didn't fully recognize. He was no longer the boy who had been betrayed and broken. But what was he now? The power inside him was undeniable, but it came with a price. And he didn't know if he could afford it.
His phone buzzed on the desk, drawing his attention. It was a message from Daniel.
*"You doing okay? I saw what happened earlier today. Seok Jin... He's dangerous, Riku. You're getting caught up in something bigger than you think."
Riku read the message again, feeling a knot form in his stomach. He had known this was coming. He had been warned. But now it was real.
He wasn't just a kid anymore. He wasn't just someone with a power he didn't understand. He was part of something much bigger, a game he didn't fully comprehend.
And the only way out was to get stronger. To survive.
He took a deep breath, staring at his reflection one last time. *I won't be weak anymore.
But what was he willing to lose to make sure that was true?
---
.....End of Chapter 4...
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