lookism: Apostle

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**The Next Day**

Michael, as usual, got ready for school. The routine felt mundane, but he carried on.

At school, as he stepped into the classroom, he overheard a group of students animatedly discussing *Paprika*—an app where you could stream and, surprisingly, earn money. Their voices buzzed with excitement, but Michael, always the quiet observer, didn't engage.

The school day dragged on with nothing noteworthy happening. When Michael got home, curiosity got the better of him. He downloaded the *Paprika* app and, with little thought, started his first stream.

The screen came alive with activity. Comments poured in rapidly, accompanied by a cascade of colorful balloons. The messages were filled with praise, many complimenting Michael's sharp, striking looks. But Michael hardly cared about the attention. For him, this wasn't about vanity—it was about the money. As long as the funds kept rolling in, nothing else mattered.

By 9 p.m., the stream ended. Exhausted but satisfied, Michael checked his balance and saw a substantial amount of money deposited from his brief online stint. Feeling the thrill of easy earnings, he decided to treat himself.

He walked out and stumbled upon a cozy-looking restaurant. The warm glow of its lights beckoned him, and he stepped inside. Ordering a lavish meal, he indulged himself for the next two hours. Full and content, he decided to stop by the grocery store for snacks on his way home.

Inside the store, he noticed the same chubby boy behind the counter who always seemed perpetually annoyed. Ignoring him, Michael grabbed his snacks, paid, and exited the store.

As he stepped outside, his sharp eyes caught sight of a girl surrounded by six rough-looking thugs. The streetlights illuminated the scene just enough to reveal her frightened expression.

Michael clenched his fists. The instinct to intervene surged within him. He couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

He approached the group with calm confidence, tapping the shoulder of one of the thugs. The man turned, irritation etched on his face, but before he could react, Michael's fist flew with unrelenting force.

---

The thug barely had time to register what hit him. Michael's punch shattered his nose, sending him sprawling backward. Without hesitation, Michael spun toward another, delivering a roundhouse kick to his gut that knocked the air out of him.

Two more rushed at him. Michael moved like a whirlwind—fluid and precise. A spinning kick sent one flying, while a quick jab to the temple dropped the other.

The last two men hesitated, fear evident in their eyes. Michael advanced, his movements calculated. A bone-crushing uppercut knocked one out cold, and the other crumpled under a devastating kick to his chest.

Within moments, the six were reduced to groaning heaps on the ground.

---

Michael turned to face the girl. She looked familiar.

"Oh, it's you again," she said, her voice tinged with recognition and mild annoyance. "Michael, right?"

Michael frowned. "And you are…?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Seriously? It's me—the one you *stole snacks* from."

Michael's memory clicked. "Oh, Crystal, wasn't it? What are you doing out here at this hour?"

Crystal crossed her arms. "Why should I tell you?"

Michael ignored her tone, looking around cautiously. "Where's your bodyguard?"

She sighed, brushing off his question. "Anyway, thanks for the help. You can go now." She turned to leave, but Michael followed.

"Why are you following me?" she snapped.

"You're alone. Anything can happen. I'll walk you home," Michael replied simply, his voice firm.

Crystal groaned in frustration. "I didn't ask for your help! Stop following me."

But Michael stayed close. Eventually, they stopped in front of a towering, luxurious building.

"So, this is where you live? Pretty fancy," Michael remarked.

Crystal shot him an annoyed glance but softened slightly. "I told you not to follow me. But… thanks, I guess." She disappeared inside, leaving Michael standing under the glowing lights.

---

Back in his modest apartment, Michael glanced at the clock. It was past 2 a.m. With a tired sigh, he collapsed into bed.

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**The Next Day**

Word of Michael's stream spread like wildfire. By the time he got to school, he was the talk of the class. His follower count had skyrocketed to 5,000 overnight. Whispers and curious glances followed him, but Michael, as always, remained indifferent.

The school day ended uneventfully. After heading home, he devoured his snacks and fell asleep early.

At 3:49 a.m., hunger woke him. Groaning, he threw on a jacket and ventured out to a street-side noodle stand. After finishing a bowl, he started walking back, only to spot Crystal once again, wandering the dimly lit streets.

"Yo, Crystal!" he called out. "What are you doing out here?"

Crystal groaned, exasperated. "Why is it always you? My business isn't your concern."

Michael smirked. "Relax. Just curious."

Crystal hesitated, then admitted, "I work nights. But what about you? Don't you have school tomorrow?"

Michael shrugged. "School's boring. Who cares?"

Crystal sighed, saying nothing more. When they reached her building, Michael left her there and walked home.

---

The days passed uneventfully. Michael's relationship with Crystal grew into a strange camaraderie—they would cross paths almost every night, and Michael often escorted her home. Occasionally, they encountered trouble, but Michael always handled it with ease, leaving Crystal both impressed and annoyed.

When the school announced a vacation trip, Michael prepared. That night, he informed Crystal. "I'll be away for three days. Don't wander around alone. Take your bodyguard."

Crystal rolled her eyes but nodded.

---

The next day, Michael sat by the bus window, watching as his classmates joked and laughed. At their destination, they met two instructors—one fat and gruff, the other lean and sharp-eyed.

Michael's sharp instincts told him something was off.

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---

As the students unloaded from the bus, the two instructors stepped forward to address them.

The first, a stocky man with a surly demeanor and a crooked smile, barked out instructions. "Listen up! My name's Zeus, and I'm in charge of discipline on this trip. Step out of line, and you'll regret it!" His tone dripped with condescension.

The second, a tall and lean man with a quiet intensity, introduced himself calmly. "I'm Woo Bin. I'll oversee your safety and activities during this trip." His sharp gaze scanned the students, lingering momentarily on Michael before moving on.

Michael leaned back against a tree, his eyes narrowing slightly. He couldn't shake the unsettling vibe Zeus gave off.

As the instructors checked the students' belongings, Zeus reveled in the authority he held, confiscating cigarettes and bottles of alcohol with exaggerated theatrics. Those caught were punished with humiliating tasks, drawing laughter from some of the students. Michael, however, found no humor in it.

The first day of the trip passed uneventfully. Various departments participated in team-building events and performances, but Michael chose to observe from the sidelines. His aloof nature kept him distant, though his sharp eyes didn't miss a single detail.

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**The First Night**

As night fell, the students retreated to their rooms. Michael was ready to sleep when Zack barged in with Daniel, dragging him toward Mira's room.

"Come on, man! We're playing truth or dare," Zack insisted, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

Reluctantly, Michael joined. The game quickly devolved into drunken chaos as alcohol made its rounds. When the bottle stopped at Michael, he chose *truth*.

"Is there any girl you like?" Zoe asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Michael hesitated, his expression unreadable. "I'm not sure. Maybe."

The room fell silent, the revelation sparking disbelief. Zoe snorted. "Yeah, right. As if a cold guy like you would actually like someone."

Michael ignored her, leaning back as the game continued. He avoided the alcohol, choosing instead to lie down on the floor, feigning sleep while keeping an ear on the room's chatter.

---

**The Next Day**

The group prepared for rafting, donning life jackets and helmets. The river roared ahead, its currents wild and unpredictable. As they navigated the waters, the thrill of the adventure brought out smiles and laughter. Even Michael couldn't help but feel a flicker of exhilaration.

Later that evening, the students gathered for a candlelight vigil to reflect on loved ones. The flickering glow of candles illuminated their faces as soft murmurs filled the air. Michael stood apart, holding his candle silently. His mind drifted to his brother, Mike—a shadow of a memory that always lingered in the back of his thoughts.

---

**The Warehouse

The stillness of the camp's second night was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. Michael, unable to sleep, sat on the roof of his cabin, his gaze fixed on the horizon. That's when he saw Zeus walking toward the warehouse, Mira trailing behind him.

His instincts flared. Something wasn't right. Without hesitation, Michael slipped into the shadows, following them at a distance.

As he approached the warehouse, he spotted Woo Bin entering moments after Zeus.

Michael crept closer, slipping inside unnoticed. Hidden in the shadows, he witnessed Woo Bin confronting Zeus, his voice low but filled with fury. "I know what you've done. You don't belong here."

Zeus on the ground and woo bin was sitting on Zeus beating him continuously with his punches.

Before Woo Bin could react, Mira, in her fear and confusion, swung a metal rod at him. The blow landed hard against Woo Bin's head, sending him staggering. Zeus took advantage, delivering a brutal series of punches until Woo Bin collapsed.

Mira froze in terror as Zeus turned toward her, his predatory smile widening. "Now, where were we?" he sneered, his hands moving to unbutton his shirt.

Mira's sobs filled the air as Zeus loomed over her. But before he could take another step, the warehouse was plunged into darkness.

"What the—?!" Zeus growled, his voice laced with frustration.

The next moment, the lights flickered back on. Zeus lay crumpled on the ground, his arms twisted unnaturally, blood pooling around his head.

Mira blinked in shock, her tears streaking down her face. She hadn't even noticed Michael standing silently in the corner, his hands bloodied.

Footsteps thundered outside as Zack, Daniel, and Vasco burst in. Zack rushed to Mira, wrapping her in a protective hug.

"Are you okay? What happened?" he demanded, his voice frantic.

Mira couldn't speak, her trembling fingers pointing toward Zeus's lifeless form.

Outside, on the roof, Michael stood against the night sky. The blood on his hands glistened under the pale moonlight, and his crimson eyes burned like embers in the darkness.

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**The Aftermath

The next morning, the camp was abuzz with rumors. Zeus had been found in critical condition and rushed to the hospital. No one could explain what had happened. Woo Bin, though injured, resumed his duties, but his sharp eyes lingered on Michael during the rest of the trip.

Michael, as always, remained quiet and distant. He knew the truth of what had transpired that night, but it wasn't a story he intended to share.

___

Wish me luck so i won't drop this masterpiece. Which I think it is from my side.

I want to complete this I have ending planned. So support me until then.

Next chapter will be big deal 🤝.