chapter 1

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"And that wraps up today's class. We'll be doing presentations next time, so make sure you're prepared."

That was the only part of the lecture Great actually caught. He'd been dozing off since he sat down. As soon as the professor left, he didn't waste a moment, grabbed his bag, and headed straight to the parking lot. It was Friday, which meant one thing: late-night bike racing.

These races were technically illegal, but they were organized by a group of wealthy kids whose parents were politicians and influential figures, so no one dared to interfere. This races weren't just about winning and cheering; everyone placed ridiculously high bets to up the stakes.

Great was a regular participant, known for always finishing first.

Unlike most nights when ten or more racers would compete, tonight's race was special. It was a showdown between the two best racers: Great and Dean, a member of the rival team.

In no time, Great arrived at his condo, freshened up, and headed back out again to meet his friend Title at their usual bar, where they would link up before heading to the race together. Title was the only person Great considered a friend or someone he talks to. Because just like him, Title came from a wealthy family-his father was the chief commander of the army so at least they had something in common. Title often took advantage of this fact, to commit crimes and do other illegal stuff knowing his father would use his power to cover everything up. Even though great personally does not want to associate with anything he does, he always finds himself following him.

"Man, what took you so long?" Title asked as he spotted Great walking in.

"Class," Great replied simply as he sat down.

"You could've just skipped," Title said, handing Great a glass, but Great shook his head.

"Ah, right, I forgot," suddenly remembering that Great was set to race in a couple of hours.

Title quickly changed the subject, sensing the importance of the night ahead. "You ready for tonight? Dean's been talking a lot of trash lately. He's convinced he'll take you down."

Great smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Let him talk. It won't change the outcome."Title chuckled, knowing that Great's calm demeanor often masked a fierce competitive spirit. "That's what I like to hear. But seriously, be careful. That guy's been desperate to beat you, and who knows what he might pull."

"Don't worry about me," Great said, chugging a whole glass of water and standing up. "I'm always ready."

The two left the bar and headed to the race location. The atmosphere was electric, with crowds already gathering, the smell of burning rubber and gasoline in the air. As they arrived, all eyes turned to them. Great was a legend in this underground racing scene, and everyone was eager to see how the night would unfold.

Dean was already there, leaning against his sleek bike, exuding confidence. He caught sight of Great and grinned, flashing a taunting smirk. "Hope you're ready to hand over that top spot, Great. It's my turn now."

Great didn't bother responding. He simply walked to his bike, checking it over with meticulous care. He knew that in a few moments, all the talking would stop, and the only thing that would matter was who crossed the finish line first.

As the crowd grew louder, the two racers mounted their bikes, engines roaring to life. The tension was palpable as they lined up, ready for the signal. Great took a deep breath, his focus narrowing to the road ahead. This was what he lived for-the thrill of the race, the rush of adrenaline, and the the only place he could let go and just be himself.

The signal went off, and in a blur of speed and power, the race began.

The race was intense, with the two riders neck and neck, only inches apart. Great had a slight edge, barely holding onto the lead as they sped through the dark streets, the roar of their engines echoing off the buildings. The crowd's cheers were a distant hum to them, drowned out by the adrenaline pumping in their veins.

Dean was relentless, pushing his bike to the limit, determined to overtake Great. But Great was no stranger to pressure. He knew these streets like the back of his hand, expertly navigating every twist and turn with precision. Each time Dean closed the gap, Great would find another

burst of speed, keeping him at bay.

The race was a blur of neon lights and screeching tires, with both riders pushing their machines to the brink. Every second felt like an eternity as they weaved through traffic and dodged obstacles at breakneck speeds. Great could feel the intensity of Dean's pursuit, but he stayed calm, his focus razor-sharp.


As they approached the final stretch, the gap between them had nearly vanished. Dean, desperate to overtake Great, made a risky move, veering dangerously close. The sudden maneuver threw Great off balance, his bike wobbling precariously. With oncoming traffic still on the road, Great fought to regain control, but the situation spiraled out of his hands.

In a split second, he swerved to avoid a car, but it was too late. The bike skidded out from under him, and Great was thrown to the ground. The world around him blurred as he hit the asphalt hard, his bike sliding across the pavement, sparks flying. The pain was immediate and sharp, a jolt that coursed through his body as he rolled to a stop.

The crowd gasped, the cheers silencing in an instant as people rushed forward. Great lay on the ground, his body battered and bruised. Dean crossed the finish line, still emerging as the victor since this kind of racing didn't have any rules.

Title was the first to reach Great, panic etched on his face as he knelt beside him. "Great! Are you okay?" he shouted, his voice strained with worry.

Great groaned, trying to sit up but wincing in pain. His leg was badly scraped, and his arm throbbed where he had hit the ground, but he was conscious. "I'm fine," he muttered through gritted teeth, though the pain told a different story.
Title didn't want to wait around and draw attention to the situation, so he decided to drive Great to the hospital himself. The ride was tense, with Title focused solely on getting there as quickly as possible.

As soon as they arrived, Title practically jumped out of the car, helping Great inside with brisk efficiency. The moment the nurses took over, he was ready to leave. "I need to handle something," he said quickly, already backing away toward the door. Great simply nodded, giving him the go-ahead. Without wasting another second, Title turned and rushed out, eager to get back to his business.

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