Chereads / The Rise of Stardom / Chapter 20 - Chapter 21: The Countdown

Chapter 20 - Chapter 21: The Countdown

As Eclipse's countdown began:

5... 4... 3...

The group's anxiety escalated.

Ji-Hoon's determination burned.

"We can't give up," Ji-Hoon said.

Vivian's eyes locked onto Ji-Hoon.

"Agreed."

Dr. Taylor's fingers flew across her keyboard.

"Almost there..." Dr. Taylor muttered.

Rachel's phone buzzed.

"Eric's testimony... it's spreading," Rachel said.

Seung-Hyun's gaze narrowed.

"Too little, too late?" Seung-Hyun asked.

Yoo-Jin's voice steadied.

"We have each other. That's enough."

Suddenly:

Eclipse's countdown halted.

1...

The room held its breath.

Alex's face twisted.

"No... impossible," Alex spat.

Ji-Hoon's hope surged.

"Dr. Taylor, did you—"

Dr. Taylor's smile spread.

"I did."

As the group celebrated:

A hidden message flashed on Dr. Taylor's screen.

"Eclipse's core... still active."

Dr. Taylor's eyes widened.

"It's not over."

Ji-Hoon's determination reignited.

"We finish this."

Vivian's gaze locked onto Alex.

"Time to end this."

As the group regrouped:

A sudden blackout plunged them into darkness.

"What's happening?" Rachel asked.

Seung-Hyun's voice steadied.

"Stay calm."

Yoo-Jin's eyes adjusted.

"We're not alone."

"Who's there?" Ji-Hoon demanded.

Silence.

Dr. Taylor fumbled for her flashlight.

The beam illuminated a figure.

Eric stood before them.

"Eric, what's going on?" Rachel asked.

Eric's expression twisted.

"I've been playing both sides... for a reason."

Ji-Hoon's distrust deepened.

"What reason?" Ji-Hoon pressed.

Eric hesitated.

"Alex's plan... it's not what you think."

Vivian's eyes narrowed.

"Explain."

Eric took a deep breath.

"Eclipse is just the beginning."

As Eric's revelation stunned the group:

A hidden door swung open.

A secret room revealed.

Inside, rows of servers hummed.

"What is this?" Seung-Hyun asked.

Eric's voice dropped.

"Alex's true plan... Project Omega."

Suddenly:

The servers sprang to life.

Screens flickered.

A message spread:

"Project Omega... initiated."

The group exchanged worried glances.

"What have we unleashed?" Dr. Taylor whispered.

Ji-Hoon's determination burned.

"We stop Project Omega."

Vivian's gaze locked onto Eric.

"You're coming with us."

As Alex's voice echoed:

"Welcome to Omega's heart,"

The group exchanged worried glances.

Ji-Hoon's determination burned.

"We're not giving up."

Vivian's gaze locked onto Eric.

"Where's the core?" Vivian demanded.

Eric hesitated.

"I don't know... I swear."

Dr. Taylor's eyes narrowed.

"We'll find it."

Suddenly:

The walls began to shift.

A maze unfolded.

"Find the core... before it's too late," Dr. Taylor urged.

The group sprinted through the ever-changing labyrinth.

Traps sprang to life.

Lasers sliced through the air.

"Keep moving!" Ji-Hoon shouted.

Rachel stumbled.

Seung-Hyun caught her.

"Go! I've got her!" Seung-Hyun yelled.

As they navigated the deadly labyrinth:

A hidden chamber revealed.

The Omega Core pulsed.

Alex's voice taunted.

"You'll never stop me."

Ji-Hoon's courage surged.

"We will."

Vivian's gaze locked onto the core.

"How do we destroy it?" Vivian asked.

Dr. Taylor's eyes sparkled.

"I've got an idea."

Eric's voice whispered.

"Don't trust me... trust no one."

As they unraveled the Erebus Initiative:

A chilling revelation emerged.

"Erebus... is a cult," Seung-Hyun said.

Rachel's eyes widened.

"A cult controlling Omega?" Rachel asked.

Dr. Taylor's expression turned grave.

"It's worse... they're inside our government."

Ji-Hoon's determination burned.

"We expose them."

Vivian's gaze locked onto Eric.

"Your role in Erebus?" Vivian demanded.

Eric's smile twisted.

"I'm just a pawn... in their game."

As they navigated the treacherous landscape:

Whispers of an ancient prophecy spread.

"The Shadow will rise... and fall."

Yoo-Jin shivered.

"What shadow?" Yoo-Jin asked.

Dr. Taylor's eyes sparkled.

"An ancient entity... tied to Erebus."

Ji-Hoon's courage surged.

"We face it together."

Eric's voice whispered.

"You don't understand... the Shadow's power."