The Price of Trust and a Blade at the Throat

Visual: The clearing is bathed in an eerie, otherworldly light from the circling Sirens. Han So-Yoon, struggling to fend off their attacks, desperately tries to reach Park Min-Ho, who stands as if entranced, completely under the control of the enchanting song.

— Park Min-Ho! Snap out of it! — shouts Han So-Yoon, shooting down another Siren that flew too close. Her arrows are running out, and the Sirens are not decreasing in number.

— Well, that's it, hero, — the System's indifferent voice echoes in Park Min-Ho's head. — Now you'll be finished off, and I'll finally be free. It was fun... well, almost.

But Park Min-Ho doesn't hear. He's immersed in a viscous fog of illusions, woven from the sweet-voiced trills of the Sirens. His consciousness drifts further away, giving way to primal fear and... something else, dark and hungry, that slumbered in the depths of his soul.

Han So-Yoon, realizing that she can't handle it alone, decides to retreat. She throws a last glance at Park Min-Ho, full of regret... or something else?

— I'm sorry, — she whispers, — but I don't need you anymore.

With these words, she turns and, shooting back at the pursuing Sirens, disappears into the forest thicket. Park Min-Ho is left alone, defenseless, at the mercy of the dreadful creatures.

— See, and you didn't believe me, — the System states. — I told you she'd abandon you. People always do that.

The Sirens, sensing that the resistance has weakened, swoop down on Park Min-Ho, preparing to tear him to pieces. Their singing grows louder, more insistent, penetrating his very brain.

— Well, worthless, ready to meet your grandmother? - the System asks mockingly. — I hope you'll like her. Although, knowing you...

Suddenly, the Sirens' singing stops. They freeze in the air, looking around fearfully. Their melodic chime is replaced by a panicked screech.

— What's going on? - the System asks, surprised. — Why are they...?

Park Min-Ho slowly raises his head. His eyes, usually dull and lifeless, now burn with an eerie, otherworldly fire. The corners of his lips stretch into a predatory, insane grin.

— What... what's wrong with you? - the System sounds frightened for the first time.

— They... interfere... with thought... — a low, guttural voice, which sends a chill down the spine, emanates from Park Min-Ho's mouth. It's not his voice. It's the voice of the thing that has awakened within him.

The Sirens, sensing the threat emanating from him, huddle together, trying to fly away. But it's too late.

Park Min-Ho abruptly raises his hand, and a stream of black, nightmarish energy bursts from his palm. It strikes directly into the flock of Sirens, tearing them apart. Shreds of bodies, engulfed in black flames, fall to the ground.

— Impossible... - the System whispers, shocked by what she has seen. — You... you killed them...

— Silence... — says the voice from the depths of Park Min-Ho, and the forest falls into a dead silence.

Park Min-Ho, or rather, the creature that has taken over his body, slowly turns his head towards the direction where Han So-Yoon disappeared. A look of hungry, predatory determination freezes on his face.

— Prey... escaped... — he says.

Suddenly, Han So-Yoon appears from behind the trees. She cautiously approaches Park Min-Ho, clutching a short sword in her hand.

— Are you alright? — she asks, trying to keep her voice calm. — What was that?

The creature inside Park Min-Ho bares its teeth, sharp as razors.

— Prey... returned... — it says.

Han So-Yoon freezes, realizing that this is no longer the pathetic weakling she left to be torn apart by the Sirens. There is such hunger, such darkness in his eyes that it takes her breath away.

— Who... who are you? — she whispers, stepping back.

— I... am hunger... — the creature replies, slowly approaching her. — I... am darkness... I... am the Hate King...

Han So-Yoon realizes that she can't escape. She grips the hilt of her sword tighter, preparing for a final stand.

— I'm not afraid of you, — she says, trying to keep her voice from trembling.

The creature, calling itself the Hate King, emits a terrifying laugh that chills the blood in her veins.

— You... should be... — it says.

Suddenly, the Hate King freezes, his body trembling. He clutches his head, a hoarse cry, full of pain and rage, escaping his throat.

— No... not now... — Park Min-Ho's weak voice is heard. — Go away...

— What? — Han So-Yoon doesn't understand what's happening.

— Go... while he's... not awake... — Park Min-Ho says with difficulty, fighting for control of his body. — He'll... kill... you...

— But...

— Prey... — the Hate King's voice, full of rage, sounds again.

— Run! — shouts Park Min-Ho with his last strength.

Han So-Yoon hesitates, but the instinct of self-preservation takes over. She turns and runs, without looking back.

The Hate King tries to pursue her, but Park Min-Ho, with his last bit of strength, restrains him. Their struggle shakes his body, causing unbearable pain.

— I... won't... let you... — Park Min-Ho wheezes.

— You... are weak... — the Hate King roars. — You... are nothing...

— Maybe... — agrees Park Min-Ho. — But... I won't let you... kill...

Gathering the last of his strength, Park Min-Ho falls to his knees, hitting his head on the ground. His body is wracked with convulsions, and then he goes still.

Visual: Park Min-Ho lies unconscious in the clearing. The Hate King is subdued, but not destroyed. He lurks, waiting for his time.

After a while, Han So-Yoon emerges from behind the trees. She cautiously approaches the unconscious Park Min-Ho, clutching in her hand... not a sword, but a knife.

— Well, weakling, shall we play? - her voice, full of malice and treachery, is heard.

She kneels beside him and, smirking, brings the blade to his throat.

— You were so trusting... - she whispers. — So eager to be saved... And I just wanted to take your share of the loot.

She runs the blade along his skin, leaving a thin red line.

— Goodbye, worthless, - she says, raising the knife for the final blow.

Visual: Close-up - a knife at Park Min-Ho's throat. Han So-Yoon's face, twisted in a malevolent grin.