Gilsoo transfers to a new school, initially experiencing kindness and making a friend, Do-il. He is then led to a secret fighting arena, a core part of the school's culture, where students resolve conflicts through sanctioned one-on-one fights. Gilsoo, a victim of past bullying, feels immense dread and contemplates his future as he grapples with the school's unique, violent ethos. The chapter ends with Gilsoo feeling a growing sense of panic as he realizes this might be the opposite of what he wanted.