Ch-7 “Deal with the Devil”

Scene shifts.

The peaceful hum of the South Korean school campus was suddenly shattered.

Without warning, black vans sped through the school gates, smashing through the security barriers as if they were made of paper. Students screamed. Teachers rushed to lock doors. But it was already too late.

From the vehicles emerged the same mysterious men—clad in identical black tactical suits, masks concealing their faces, each one moving with chilling precision. Before anyone could react, classrooms were breached. Gunfire wasn't needed; the sheer presence of these men froze everyone. Within minutes, students and teachers were bound, blindfolded, and dragged away with brutal efficiency.

One girl tried to escape through the back gate, only to be caught mid-run and silenced. A male teacher attempted to fight back with a fire extinguisher, but was knocked unconscious in a single blow.

No one could understand how they had infiltrated the school grounds so easily. The cameras hadn't even picked them up until they were already inside. It was as if they had appeared out of thin air—ghosts wearing flesh.

Scene cuts.

Far away, in a luxurious underground palace buried beneath a mountain in what was once North Korea, Supreme Leader Kimaru Jong Han sat reclined in a black velvet chair, calmly sipping aged wine. His face carried a smug, satisfied smile.

In front of him stood a man in a dark grey suit, with no identifying features. Not a name, not a badge—just an aura of command. The  leader.

"Alright," Kimaru said softly, swirling the wine in his glass, "you have my permission."

The GAC leader bowed slightly. "He will appreciate that. I believe he will begin by capturing students and teachers from select schools and colleges... then he will move to the rest."

Kimaru chuckled, "So it begins."

He paused for a moment, looking intrigued. "Tell me… can I get a seat to watch the show unfold? Perhaps front-row, if possible?"

The GAC leader gave a wry smile. "I'll ask him. It depends on how much he'll charge. You know I'm not the leader of the games. I'm just... his ally."

Kimaru leaned back, eyes glowing with cold amusement. "Of course. Just don't forget my contribution."

The GAC leader turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing against the obsidian floor. The door closed behind him with a mechanical hiss.

Kimaru slowly took his coffee. His smile deepened.

"The world was cursed," he whispered to himself. "And now… it will be reborn."

Fade to black.