LIFE OR DEATH

Biyao—a small town that clings to the edge of necessity. It isn’t rich, nor is it entirely poor. People here earn just enough to survive, just enough to satisfy a few fleeting desires. Nothing more. That’s why it was named Biyao—a Chinese word meaning necessity. But beneath its humble exterior lies something rare, something almost unseen in the outside world.

Happiness.

People here smile, they greet each other with warmth, with care, with a hospitality so genuine it feels unreal. That’s the tale of Biyao. The story outsiders hear. But is it the truth? Or just a beautifully spun illusion?

Because what most don’t know is that Biyao is a place ruled by crime. Fear grips its streets. And at the center of it all is Ryo—the most feared gang leader in the area. Gangs run Biyao, each with its own territory, each with its own rules. And in the shadows, there exist humans with abilities beyond the ordinary.

---

A boy walks through the streets of Biyao, heading toward his school. His mind is filled with the rumors of this town.

“Crime? Gangs? Supernatural beings? This place looks peaceful to me. I even saw some rich people around. Maybe everything they say is just exaggerated.”

As he steps onto the school grounds, his thoughts are interrupted.

And then—he disappears.

---

The scene shifts to the schoolyard.

A crowd gathers. A brutal scene unfolds before them.

A fat boy, beaten and broken, lies on the ground. Blood drips from his mouth, but he doesn’t fight back. He can’t. His white hair is stained with red. His body is barely holding together.

Four boys tower over him, laughing.

One of them sneers, grabbing a fistful of his hair. “How’d you get so old so fast? White hair already?”

Another kicks him, sending him rolling to the feet of another bully. “Hey, let’s play football! We won’t need to worry about air leaking out—this one’s already full of it!”

Laughter echoes.

A third bully crouches down, gripping the beaten boy’s chin, forcing him to look up. “Let’s play a game. If you can withstand ten punches, we’ll let you go.”

The boy barely reacts. His swollen eyes can hardly open, his body barely moves.

They lift him up, hold him in place.

The punches begin.

10… 9… 8…

His body jerks with every hit. His ribs ache, his breath falters. Blood paints the ground. But he remains silent.

5…

The leader grins. “Let’s spice things up.”

Two bullies now take turns hitting him, but counting as one.

The boy is barely conscious.

One more hit. Just one more, and he will die.

The bullies smirk. “Alright, final round! Three of us, one punch each. If you survive this, maybe you’re a real monster after all.”

The broken boy’s thoughts drift.

‘Finally. I can leave this hell. If only I wasn’t born like this… maybe I could’ve had a normal life. But not everyone was bad… I suppose I can be happy that it ends here.’

He smiles.

The bullies hesitate for a moment. Then anger takes over. They ready their fists.

But then—

Footsteps.

Strong, deliberate.

A presence looms behind them.

Not just one. Three.

A chilling aura floods the schoolyard. The crowd parts, instinctively making way. Three figures approach. Their steps are slow, yet filled with an unshakable confidence.

A small smile lingers on their lips.

The bullies freeze. Their faces pale.

“H-Hey… this isn’t your business. He’s our prey. You know what happens if you interfere…” One of them stammers, but his voice is weak, his bravado failing.

The approaching figure ignores them, looking down at the beaten boy. Then he speaks.

His voice is calm, yet laced with power.

“You have two choices.”

The boy barely lifts his head, his vision blurred with blood and pain. But he listens.

“Join my crew… or die here.”

Silence falls over the yard.eveb the bullies were shocked to what they had just heard .

“If you join us, I will make sure none of them leave here alive.”

His gaze sharpens.

“LIFE... OR DEATH ?”

The boy exhales a shaky breath.

The world waits for his answer