CHAPTER 1
*Mi Jin's POV*
They say excellence is earned.
They say everyone has equal opportunity.
But that has never been true.
And it never will be.
I stood in front of the large electronic billboard displaying our rankings.
The numbers glowed proudly.
The same names.
The same surnames.
I could recite them from memory — one to ten.
As always.
*The Top 10*
*The Golden Ten.*
The children of the school sponsors.
The heirs of power.
The untouchables.
They didn't study harder.
They didn't try harder.
They were simply born correctly.
And the system made sure they stayed on top.
My name sat near the bottom.
*MI JIN AH — Rank 99.*
One step away from becoming the queen of the tails.
Pathetic.
A small laugh escaped my lips, though nothing was funny.
That was the moment something inside me snapped.
If this is how we are meant to live… then I gladly accept it.
If the world refuses to be good to me…
Then I will become the worst thing it has ever seen.
A slow clap echoed beside me.
Mocking.
Amused.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
*PARK JAE IN— Rank 3.*
One of the Golden Ten.
"Wow," she said sweetly. "Nice ranking. Want to exchange with me?"
I said nothing.
Silence is heavier than insults.
She stepped closer.
Before I could react, she grabbed a fistful of my hair and tugged sharply.
Pain shot through my scalp.
"Let go," I said, my voice flat.
She released me and raised her hands dramatically.
"Don't misunderstand," she smirked. "I'm not surrendering. I'm giving you a chance… bitch."
She walked away, laughter trailing behind her like perfume.
I didn't move.
I didn't cry.
I didn't scream.
*Bitch.*
Yes.
That's exactly what I'll be.
And I'll show you what a real one can do.
The bell rang.
Students rushed toward their classrooms.
Not me.
I remained there, staring at the glowing board.
Memorizing it.
Burning it into my mind.
Because one day…
I would rewrite it.
***
When I finally reached the classroom, I stood still at the door.
"Mi Jin," Mrs. Kim called gently. "Are you okay?"
She tried to pat my head.
I pushed her hand away.
Not violently.
Just enough.
I looked at her — cold, distant — before walking to my desk.
The class fell silent.
They think I'm weak.
They think I'm angry.
They think I'll break.
They're wrong.
I don't break.
I redesign.
And today…
I start building.
END OF CHAPTER 1