N.O

Chapter 7

Walking into the massive training room, I felt the cold air send a shiver down my spine. The people punching each other and going over battle structures, stopped what they were doing and stared blankly at us newcomers.

Saejun had calmed down a few minutes before we walked in and nudged my arm to let me know that he was going to stay beside me, which genuinely didn't trouble me. The only problem was that once we walked in, he showed his unusual boxy smile and giggled, trying to make a good impression. But the only vibe that every newcomer got was that he was like a frog hopping amongst alligators.

"You there," asked our Section Leader to the happy boy next to me. "What's your name?"

"Cha Saejun, sir."

The general eyed him up and down. "What are you smiling at?"

Saejun closed his lips, but kept the corners up. "I'm just happy to be here. I want to show everyone that I will be okay."

General Kim slowly walked up to him. "So, you want to show that you're stronger than everyone else here." He made a gesture to the surrounding students.

"Well no, I--" Saejun was then cut off by a loud crack to his face. Most people just stood and watched, but my eyes grew wide with shock.

"Will you rephrase that, sir?" asked General Kim.

Saejun stood back up with his hand over his left cheek. "I--" he was then cut off with another slap with the opposite cheek.

"I'll rephrase it for you," said the Section Leader darkly. He then turned to the students who watched what just happened, some with slightly widened eyes, others with blank stares. "You will be stronger than everyone else. Every single damn person in this room, you will be better than everyone else. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" said everyone in sync, including me to keep myself safe.

General Kim turned to Saejun, who was shaking vigorously with his hands on his head, and asked, "Do you understand?"

Saejun kept holding his head for protection as he mumbled, "Yes, sir."

"Excuse me? I couldn't hear you."

"Yes, sir," he said louder, but in a tone that matched his body language.

"Better." He then walked back to the front of the group as he started to say, "If you think that living here is going to be bliss with smiles and giggles, then you can walk right out of here to find a Government Official to publicly execute you, that is if you're not brave enough to tie your own noose. There is no escaping and no one will allow you to escape. Section Four Leaders and Officials constantly monitor the hallways and security cameras." He paused before he said with a smirk, "Welcome home."

Once he turned around, I grabbed Saejun's arm to make sure he was okay. He calmed down, but still trembled a bit before he nodded his head as if he was reading my mind as he started to rub his temples.

Just then, the Section Leader gently grabbed a boy by his shoulder and brought him to us. He was about 6'2 with olive skin and pitch black hair. Once he walked up, all the girls, even some who were training before we came in, were in awe of this unknown person. I glanced to my left and noticed that the girl who helped me slide off the black cloth was the only one who held her arms folded against her chest and kept a scowl filled with vexation on her face.

"Everyone, this is Kim Jiseong. He's a third year student for the military branch and will be one of my helpers for the rest of the year. Treat him the same way you treat me." He then turned to the boy named Jiseong and said, "You can take it from here."