Devil Returns to School Days - Chapter 167: Fracture (4)

Even after identifying the mastermind behind the Golden Circle, Hyunsung’s life remained unchanged.

He still attended school and focused on his classes, though the teachers murmured among themselves, calling him a relentless student.

Many things had changed at school.

A new principal and vice-principal had been appointed, and the interim homeroom teacher was replaced with a permanent one. Despite the shifts, contrary to expectations, the Golden Circle made no disruptive moves, leaving Hyunsung feeling like he was standing in the calm before a storm.

At the center of it all, the eye of the storm, was Hyunsung. Although outwardly composed, his mind often drifted into deep thoughts.

‘I’ve investigated Yoon Hyeon-min thoroughly over the past few days, but all I have are circumstantial clues. I still don’t have definitive proof that he’s the mastermind behind the Golden Circle. Every encounter with Golden Circle members had a plausible reason, and the benefits he gained didn’t stand out as suspicious. He’s a meticulous man, leaving no room for discovery, even in the distant future.’

The meeting with Im Cheol-hyeong was an unexpected variable.

Even in the face of such an uncontrolled factor, Yoon managed to justify the encounter with a timely news article. This reinforced Hyunsung’s conviction—Yoon had to be the one. A powerful man’s life often defies common sense. While many would shower him with blind loyalty just because he’s the heir to Taeyang Group, every single encounter involving Yoon carried a deliberate rationale.

Of course, the give-and-take in his dealings wasn’t perfect.

Yoon clearly benefited more from these relationships, preparing backup explanations for any possible scenario.

‘If I hadn’t caused this disruption, someone like Im Cheol-hyeong wouldn’t have become a problem in the first place. I need to be prepared. When it’s time to stir public opinion, I can’t afford to waste any opportunity.’

Trapped in the prison of his vegetative state, Hyunsung had pondered countless ways to bring down the mastermind.

He had made substantial progress, but now, he needed to refine his plans to match Yoon’s cunning. Despite his intense hatred toward Yoon, Hyunsung found a sense of calm in knowing the identity of his target.

The end was in sight.

With the finish line so close, Hyunsung lay low like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike.

“Everyone, get home safely.”

“Thank you, sir!”

Another school day ended.

Hyunsung packed his things calmly, blending into the crowd without incident.

As he walked through the school gates—

“Kim Hyunsung, may I have a moment of your time?”

A stranger stepped in front of him.

—

The man introduced himself as Bang Hyun-tae, a reporter from *Jeongan Ilbo*.

With his scruffy beard and disheveled appearance, Bang had endured several obstacles to meet Hyunsung.

During the Daeseong Mirae corruption scandal, when Jin Kyung-hee and Jang Won-gi were exposed, Bang received a tip from Congressman Kim Pan-ho.

“Reporter Bang, you know there are powerful people behind this case, don’t you? Try investigating Kim Hyunsung. His story might be the greatest scoop of your career.”

Kim Pan-ho’s words sparked Bang’s curiosity.

While *Jeongan Ilbo* had acted on tips from Pan-ho, they weren’t his lackeys. They prided themselves on factual reporting and pursued justice. It wasn’t just Pan-ho’s involvement that piqued Bang’s interest; it was the case itself.

The Kim Hyunsung case.

Anyone familiar with Korea’s inner workings knew the Golden Circle was involved.

The real question was:

Why had such a massive scandal centered around a high school student?

Even without Pan-ho’s suggestion, Bang would have investigated Hyunsung. The deeper he dug into Hyunsung’s past, the more baffled he became.

‘Who *is* this kid?’

The first major incident seemed to have occurred when Hyunsung enrolled at Cheonil High School. As usual, the Golden Circle had targeted a poor but academically gifted student. However, Hyunsung’s response was unlike anything anyone expected.

He utterly destroyed the lives of all his bullies.

Not only did he thwart the Golden Circle’s schemes, but he also seized control of Cheonil, building his own network and eventually conquering Daesan. At first, Bang couldn’t believe what he had uncovered. He tracked down individuals involved in the incidents, and their reactions left no room for doubt.

A teacher from Cheonil confessed:

“…What I can tell you about Hyunsung is that the truth you know has likely been watered down. If he had stayed at Cheonil, all of the teachers would have been walking on eggshells around him. Some people even said that Cheonil belonged to him.”

A student from another school added:

“Hyunsung? He’s insane. One day, he declared that he’d wipe out all the delinquents in Daesan, and shortly after, he did exactly that. I heard he fought dozens at once. He’s the real deal.”

The more Bang uncovered, the more surreal the story became.

Hyunsung was just a high schooler with no apparent background or support. Yet, in less than a year, he had taken control of both Cheonil and Daesan. What puzzled Bang the most was that, despite establishing a stable life in Daesan, Hyunsung transferred to Seoul for his senior year. From the moment he arrived, he seemed prepared to confront the Golden Circle head-on.

And now—

“…Is this even real?”

Bang stared up at the sky, overwhelmed.

His investigation confirmed it:

A high school student was fighting the Golden Circle.

The Golden Circle was an open secret among journalists—a ruthless cabal sharing power through exploitation. Even top-tier media outlets dared not challenge them lightly. *Jeongan Ilbo* had tried to cover the Golden Circle before, only to be stonewalled at every turn.

But now, Hyunsung had declared war on them.

Just as Kim Pan-ho had hinted, nothing about Hyunsung’s actions over the past two years made sense.

“What is this kid thinking?”

That’s when Bang made up his mind.

He needed to meet Hyunsung in person.

—

They moved to a quiet café.

Before the coffee even arrived, Bang got straight to the point.

“Let’s skip the small talk. Kim Hyunsung, what are you thinking?”

“That’s your main question?”

“Yes! What were you thinking when you decided to go against the Golden Circle? I investigated you after the Daeseong Mirae corruption case. You’ve done some incredible things—conquering Daesan, transferring to Gangnam, and then taking on the Golden Circle. None of this is normal. If you aren’t deliberately opposing the Golden Circle, none of this makes sense.”

Hyunsung stared at him silently.

Bang pressed on.

“For journalists like me, the Golden Circle is a known entity. They’re a monstrous organization sharing power by exploiting minors. We know how they operate, but no media outlet—*Jeongan Ilbo* included—dares mention them. They’re too powerful. And yet, here you are, openly challenging them.”

“That’s still not the main point, is it?”

“Argh, damn it!”

Frustrated, Bang tried to calm down.

This situation was dire.

He studied Hyunsung’s expression—it remained completely composed, even under such pressure.

“If you keep this up, the Golden Circle will kill you. That’s a certainty. They won’t let someone like you live. I want to help. I can’t take down the Golden Circle, but with the right article, I might be able to protect you.”

Bang’s offer was sincere.

He genuinely feared for Hyunsung’s safety. Despite the personal risk, Bang had come forward to help.

He was a good man.

And, in truth, Hyunsung knew who he was.

‘The journalist who went berserk after exposing the Golden Circle—the name was Bang Hyun-tae.’

Hyunsung paused, thinking carefully.

How should he proceed?

A media outlet could be useful.

For the battles ahead, he needed an ally willing to dive headfirst into danger.

Hyunsung spoke.

“Let’s say, hypothetically, there’s a way to bring down the Golden Circle. Would you take that chance?”

“What…?”

“I appreciate your concern, but I don’t need protection. However, if you’re interested in my proposal, prove your resolve. Investigate Congressman Lee Kyung-chul’s son. Expose the atrocities he’s committed at school. If you do that, I’ll tell you everything I know.”

Bang’s eyes widened, caught off guard by the unexpected turn.

He had come to offer help, not to receive a challenge.

But at that moment, he realized something:

Hyunsung wasn’t an ordinary student.

This wasn’t how a typical teenager responded.

Hyunsung spoke again.

“I’ll give you one month. If you can’t show results within that time, consider this meeting forgotten.”

—

As they left the café, Hyunsung reflected on the information he had just shared.

It was a ticking time bomb.

Exposing Lee Kyung-chul’s son would put Bang’s life in jeopardy.

But if Bang accepted the challenge, *Jeongan Ilbo* would be a valuable asset.

Even if Bang failed, it wouldn’t matter.

Hyunsung already had other media contacts lined up.

He returned to his apartment.

Despite the attack on his previous residence, Hyunsung had chosen not to move. Staying where the incident occurred made it harder for the Golden Circle to act openly.

*Ding.*

[12th Floor.]

As Hyunsung reached his door, his expression hardened.

‘Someone’s been here.’

A small piece of clear tape he had placed between the door and the frame was now on the ground.

‘They’ve entered the apartment, even with the police still investigating the last incident. They’re making a bold move.’

The logical choice was to retreat.

But he couldn’t.

His heart pounded, blood boiling with anticipation.

‘Taking risks comes with rewards.’

He pulled out his phone.

*Beep.*

[4]

He sent the signal.

Reinforcements, hired by Go Chang-beom, would arrive soon.

Hyunsung took a deep breath, pulling something from his jacket—a set of brass knuckles.

No need for subtlety now.

His bruises hadn’t even faded yet, but he clenched his fists, punched in the door code, and swung the door open.

*Creak.*

*Thud.*

He stepped inside.

Just as he expected—

Several unfamiliar men were waiting.

But then—

His eyes widened in disbelief.

‘No way.’

Among them was a well-dressed man who smiled warmly at him.

“So, you’re Kim Hyunsung.”

Yoon Hyeon-min.

The mastermind, who should have remained hidden, was standing in his apartment.