Huang Renjun – A nice, calm Chinese kid living with his idiotic older brother. Lucas sells his body for money—it’s the only way to keep food on the table and pay the rent. Good thing he’s hot… or so people say.

As for me, it’s my job to get good grades. To get out. To get something better than this. People bully me for reasons I’ll never understand, and Lucas tries to protect me. But here’s the thing—when he’s around, no one dares to touch me. When he’s not… they break me down piece by piece.

I don’t know what I did to deserve it. I just ignore it and keep studying.

Favorite animal: Bear
Favorite color: Red
Favorite numbers: 2, 15, 21

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Lucas: “Yo Renjun!! Hurry up or your food will be cold!!”
Renjun: “Coming!!” I yelled back, jogging downstairs.

Of course, it was quiet. Too quiet. Lucas was already dressed to head out for another “job.”
Lucas: “Look, man… I don’t get why people bully you. You’ve got the looks—my brother, obviously. But still… why you?”
Renjun: “I wish I knew. But they… help me get stronger.”
Lucas: “Sorry, gotta go.”
Renjun: “I get it. Go.” I gave him a small smile.

I hadn’t been to my favorite café in a while, so I grabbed my wallet, phone, and keys and stepped into the busy Seoul streets.

It was crowded. The kind of packed that makes you bump shoulders every step. I almost tripped twice, caught myself before making a fool of myself—
Then I saw him.

An old man, moving slower than everyone else, like time didn’t apply to him. While the rest of the street was a fast-forward blur, he strolled at normal speed. And nobody noticed him.
I saw a small box tumble from his coat pocket.

Renjun: “Sir! You dropped this.”

He turned his head like it took effort.
Old man: “Young man… keep it. Look inside. It holds great power that only you can control.”

I blinked, ready to argue—
—and the whole street jumped. Like someone had skipped a video forward. People were in different spots, cars further down the road. And he was gone.

The box was warm in my hand. Inside: a ring, blue as ice, with a folded paper stuck to the lid.

"When you feel the presence of the owner, throw it on the ground. Only he will notice it and try to return it. That’s when you’ll know it’s him. He contains great strength—make sure he keeps it."

…What the hell?

The ring inside is gorgeous—sleek design, crimson crystal. I slide it onto my finger—

—and the ground disappears.

I’m floating. Actually floating. My stomach flips with equal parts fear and awe before I drop back to the pavement.

The crystal isn’t crimson anymore. It’s glowing, vivid red.

It has to mean something. You don’t just get a floating ring from a disappearing old man by accident.

The only problem is…
What am I supposed to do now?