Chapter 1:Prologue

  In a world of Apex predators and willing prey,the classroom is the only cage where animals taught to pretend themselves have a soul.On top of the school roof lies an Apex predator,or a person in authority,Reizen “Rei” Koga.

  Rei watched them from afar ,far from the chaotic and destructive nature of these animals.There is a social hierarchy similar to those of a food chain in nature.The hierarchy is based on someone’s skill in fighting and a person’s record.Someone who has fighting and frightening record will be placed on top of the hierarchy while someone who is a complete weakling and no record will be placed in the lowest.

  Rei,a “Rank 2” on the hierarchy due to his immense speed and strength in both fighting and sports.As for why he isn’t placed on “Rank 1”,that place is reserved for Kazuma Zen.

  While sitting on a bench watching the chaotic nature below,a tall delinquent approached him from behind.

  “Yo,this spot is our territory.” the delinquent sneered. “Move”

  Rei looked behind him and saw a group of delinquents.

  Rei let out his breath and replied “My mistake” with disappointment.”I didn’t see a name on it.Its all yours.”

  Rei stood up slowly,keeping his hands open and visible.He began to step past them,aiming for the stairs.Rei thinks it's just a coincidence that he stumbled upon a hostile territory.

  One of the delinquents blocked the entrance to the stairway.Red-head was grinning now,but his eyes looked towards his friends as if making sure his friends were witnessing his “bravery”.He had realized who Rei was.

  “If it isn’t the Ghost of class 1C,what a coincidence.I’m a big fan but I heard you hurted one of ours.” Said by the red-head delinquent with an ill-intent in his eyes.

  He stepped closer,invading Rei’s personal space.

  “You think you can just say ‘sorry’ and walk away?” As he said that,he poked a finger into Rei’s chest.”You know,if I let a legend like you just walk off,my Rank doesn’t go up.But if I make you crawl…”

  He looked at his friends,then back at Rei,his face twisting from feeling annoyed that someone was in his territory to greed.

  “Let's see if you truly deserve that Rank when I start embarrassing you.”

  The red-head delinquent telegraphed his intent with every muscle in his amateur stance.His shoulder dipped,his weight shifted too far forward.It was a lousy punch,the kind of punch that is very slow and prideful.

  Time didn’t slow down,it just became clearer.

  As the fist came towards Rei’s jaw,Rei flowed using a boxing technique,Switch-Cut.Rei stepped into his blind spot and with his feet performed a violent dance on the ground.His lead foot swapped with his rear in a blur changing his angle and center of gravity in one move.He wasn’t in front of the attacker anymore.He was in his shoulder,a worse place his attacker could ever want his opponent to be.

  Red-head stumbled,his face carried with surprise as he didn’t feel anything,almost as if he was punching into an empty air.He was defenseless at that moment.

  Rei felt his hips and legs start to move on its own.His rear leg off the ground,and turned around.Rei performed a Taekwondo technique, Dwi Huryeo Chagi or Spinning Hook Kick,a powerful and widely used in the world of Taekwondo.

  CRACK.

  The heel of Rei’s shoe connected perfectly with the back of his attacker’s head.It wasn’t a “polite” hit.It was a powerful hit that could end a person’s life.

  The rooftop went silent.The sound of the impact echoed outside.Red-head didn’t even have time to yell for help,his nervous system simply “gave up”.He was lifted from the ground and flying forward like he’d been hit by a truck. He soared three meters through the air,his limp arms trailing behind him,before his back slammed into the ground five feet away from Rei.

  Rei stood near the entrance of the stairs. He was in his neutral face. He looked at the remaining two delinquents.

  One of the delinquents dropped his phone.The screen cracked on the floor,with the screen reflecting towards Rei.

  “Yo-You are a monster.”one of them yelled,his voice with a cowardly tone.”The rumors…. It wasn’t a story” he said to one of his friends.

  Rei didn’t answer.Rei couldn’t.His leg was still humming from the impact,a sick and thrill running through Rei’s nerves.His body wants to continue. It was finally doing what it enjoyed.

 And that was the most terrifying thing of all.

  The delinquents carried their unconscious friend.

  Rei went down stairs with a slight grin on his face.