Reality Quest: Lookism

Jin ate his meal in silence, his eyes locked onto Gun as the emotionless fighter calmly ate his rice and salmon, unbothered by the chaos he had just created.

'It's time for my plans to begin.' Jin thought in silence.

Gun didn't look at anyone else. He didn't acknowledge the lingering stares, the hushed whispers, or the subtle shifts in power happening around him. He had won, and to him, that was just another meal before moving on with his day.

Jin's lips pressed into a thin line as he finished his own food. He didn't rush, nor did he dawdle. When the cafeteria bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, he stood up alongside his cellmates and followed the wave of inmates out toward the open grounds.

The Yard

The prison yard was vast, enclosed by tall fences topped with razor wire. Guards stood along the perimeter, but their expressions were indifferent. They weren't here to stop fights, only to prevent murders.

Jin and his group sat along the side, watching the different cliques go about their routines. Some were playing basketball, their shoes screeching against the concrete as they jostled for dominance. Others trained with weights, sweat dripping down their bare torsos as they built their strength.

A few groups stuck to calisthenics, taking turns on the pull-up bars and dipping stations, their arms flexing under the strain. Others did push-ups in synchronized movements, their discipline evident.

Jin observed it all, taking mental notes.

Then, movement caught his eye.

Gichu was back.

His lanky figure walked stiffly, his face and arms wrapped in fresh bandages. Every step he took seemed to come with a suppressed curse with his lips twisting in frustration.

Jin watched as he rejoined his group, but something was different. The way they looked at him.

Before, there was respect. A quiet deference that came from following strength.

Now?

There was hesitation. Doubt.

Some still greeted him, but their movements were slower, less eager. Others avoided his gaze altogether. Gichu noticed. Of course, he did. His fingers twitched as his jaw clenched, his frustration only growing.

Jin let out a small exhale before shifting his gaze toward the far side of the yard.

Gun was there.

Amidst the scattered workout stations, Gun had taken a seat on a bench press, casually lifting weights like it was the most natural thing in the world. The plates on either side were stacked high, yet his movements remained smooth and controlled.

His breathing was steady with a correct posture.

Jin stood up.

His cellmates glanced at him, confused.

"Where are you going, sir?" one of them asked.

Jin dusted off his pants. "To introduce myself."

They blinked but didn't question it. They merely watched as Jin stepped away, his pace unhurried but deliberate, heading straight toward him.

....

Jin walked with steady steps toward Gun, who was still lifting weights. His cellmates hung back, hesitant to approach too closely. The air around Gun was thick with an unshakable presence, one that warned others to keep their distance.

Gun, without stopping his exercise, noticed Jin's approach from the corner of his eye. His grip on the bar remained firm as he exhaled through his nose.

"I'm busy." Gun spoke flatly, not even bothering to look at him.

Jin crouched down slightly to meet Gun's eye level, resting his forearms on his knees as he observed the boy up close. Gun side-eyed him, but didn't stop his movements.

Jin smiled faintly. "We're the same age, so we should be friends."

Gun ignored him completely, continuing his reps as if Jin didn't exist.

Undeterred, Jin continued. "After beating that glasses guy in front of everyone, you caught a lot of attention. The other area bosses definitely took notice."

Gun still didn't react, but his movements slowed slightly.

Jin tilted his head. "Are you sure you can take them all on alone?"

Gun finally set the weights down and straightened his back, rolling his shoulders. "Doesn't matter how many they are." he replied in a calm tone.

Jin nodded, unfazed. "Of course, numbers don't matter. But wouldn't it be boring to do it alone?"

Gun looked at Jin for the first time, his reverse eyes locking onto him. "What do you want?"

Jin's faint smile faded, replaced by something more serious. "I want to learn your Kyokushin Karate. In return, I'll push you to your limits."

Gun scoffed, grabbing a towel and wiping the sweat from his forehead. "As if you could."

Jin didn't push further. He simply stood up, slipping his hands back into his pockets as he turned to leave.

"Up to you." he said over his shoulder.

Gun watched as Jin walked away in a relaxed posture, completely unaffected by the rejection.

He clicked his tongue before picking up the weights again, but this time, as he lifted, his thoughts lingered on the strange newcomer.

....

Jin and his inmates walked back to their shared cell after the break, the heavy doors clanking shut behind them. The air inside was slightly musty, but Jin didn't mind. Compared to what he'd been through before, this was nothing.

He leaned against the wall and stretched his arms, letting out a content sigh before casually humming a tune. His cellmates, still trying to figure him out, exchanged glances.

"You always this relaxed?" one of them asked, cautiously sitting on his bunk.

Jin didn't stop humming, just waved a hand dismissively. "No point in worrying about things before they happen."

His cellmates were still shaken from what had happened earlier in the day. This new kid had knocked them all out in an instant, took over without even trying, and now acted as if he was just passing time. They knew better than to challenge him again.

Meanwhile, across the prison, in the warden's office, the atmosphere was different.

The warden, a man in his late 40s with a sharp gaze and a permanent scowl, sat behind his desk, reading the report his officer had just handed him. His eyes scanned the words detailing what had happened in the cafeteria, one inmate, Gun Park, had taken down Gichu in front of everyone, leaving him with injuries.

The warden scoffed, setting the paper down. "That kid again."

The officer in front of him nodded. "He's been tearing through the prison ranks for the past few days. But after today, the other area bosses have definitely taken notice. If he keeps this up, it's only a matter of time before they move against him."

The warden leaned back, exhaling through his nose. "Good. Let them."

The officer hesitated. "Sir?"

The warden's gaze darkened. "We weren't given many details, but someone powerful put that kid here. That alone makes me curious. I want to see how strong he really is."

The officer nodded, already understanding. "Should I... stir things up?"

The warden smirked slightly. "Give some of the rowdier inmates an incentive. Tell them they'll get special privileges if they put him down."

"Understood."

As the officer turned to leave, the warden added one last thing.

"Make it look natural. I want him to think this is just another day in hell."

With that, the order was given. Trouble was coming for Gun.