4 days ago…
Hanbin was returning home from school, walking along the street at 6pm. He stopped by a bakery and bought some cake, a smile spreading across his face as he looked at the sweet treat in his hand. His house was a bit further down, through a secluded alleyway. As he was walking, a few shadowy figures slowly took shape, revealing themselves to be a group of gangsters.
"Hey, kiddo…. Enjoying the spotlight everyday?" One of them sneered.
Hanbin blinked, looking around innocently before pointing to himself, "Me?"
The man who, seemed to be the leader, had a chunky build, big rings on his fingers, and a snake tattoo wrapped around his neck. He chuckled and looked at his gang, " This is a funny kid."
The leader took a step forward, his tone turning menacing. "Listen up kid. From now on, you're not the top student of your school, got it? You must rank second, no matter what."
Hanbin causally put his free hand in his pocket, his face still calm. " Why? Why should I listen to you?"
"If you don't, we'll make sure you're sorry," the leader threatened, his voice low.
"You'll be killed by us."
Hanbin raised an eyebrow, his expression still unbothered, "killed?" A smirked tugging at his lips, whispering to himself "...hmmm…interesting…" " I was in a good mood to have some fun but I never thought it would be tonight."
"What is this kid talking about?" The leader laughed, mocking at him.
Hanbin shook his head, "Nothing, never mind…"
Hanbin's smile deepened, his mood visibly improving. "Ah, I guess I should really have some fun," he muttered to himself.
Without hesitation, Hanbin folded his ring finger down, leaving the other three fingers extended. With a swift flick of the ring finger, he muttered coldly, "冰岚 (Bīng Lán)". An unnatural chill immediately filled the air, the temperature plummeting rapidly to an unbearable low. Frost materialized out of nowhere, creeping over the ground, curling around walls, and blanketing the gangsters' clothes in an icy sheen.
The gangsters shivered violently, their breaths crystallizing into puffs of ice as the cold seeped deep into their bones. Their bodies stiffened, their movements slow and jerky, like marionettes struggling against frozen strings.
"What the hell... is this?!" the leader stammered, his voice barely audible through chattering teeth.
For 20 agonizing seconds, the frost kept them paralyzed. Then, as if released from invisible chains, the gangsters managed to break free from the icy grip.
"Get him!" the leader barked, his voice trembling with fear and anger.
Just as they moved to attack, the streetlights around them flickered and went out, plunging the area into complete darkness. Panic set in as the gangsters stumbled blindly, unable to see a thing.
Suddenly, a faint glow appeared in the void. A small fire pit ignited out of nowhere, its orange and red hues casting eerie shadows on the frozen ground. The flames floated ominously in the air, flickering brighter with each passing second.
As the fire blazed brighter, the gangsters' faces were illuminated, pale with terror. Their gazes shifted to Hanbin, standing unbothered amidst the chaos. To their horror, they noticed that the fire wasn't floating randomly—it was cradled on the tips of his fingers.
The leader's bravado evaporated as his voice cracked, "W-what kind of monster are you?"
Hanbin tilted his head, his face now illuminated by the haunting glow of the flames. His smirk was cold, almost cruel. "Monster? Oh no... I'm just someone who doesn't like being told what to do."
"What are you guys doing? Attack him" the leader barked, his voice in a commanding tone.
Hanbin's sharp gaze turned cold, his expression tightening like a predator preparing to strike. Slowly, he raised his hand in front of him, but not before carefully setting the cake packet aside, almost as if he wanted to savour the moment without distractions.
Folding his ring and thumb fingers inward, he extended the remaining fingers, bringing both hands together so that the tips of his fingers aligned perfectly, forming an intricate shape. As he separated them, his voice was low yet chillingly clear as he muttered, "破 (Pò)".
An agonizing wave rippled through the air, crashing over the gang members. One by one, they dropped to the ground, writhing in pain. Their bodies convulsed as if their very bones were being twisted and shattered from within. Their groaning filled the otherwise silent street, the overwhelming force rendering them utterly helpless.
Present time…
The final school bell rang, remarking the end of the day. Suwon quietly slipped out of the school gates and began tailing Hanbin.
2 days ago… Suwon had confronted the gangsters, determined to uncovered the incident of that day. Yet, no matter how hard she pressed, they either genuinely didn't remember or were putting on a convincing act.
"We've never seen you before, why are you wasting our time, kiddo?" One of them said with a dismissive shrug. "We have been in Busan for work these past few days, we returned yesterday. How would we meet you 2 days ago?" Another added being annoyed.
They looked perfectly fine - no signs of injury, no hint of the supposed fight of that day. These made Suwon confused.
Present time….
Skipping cram school, Suwon had resolved to act by her own. The final exams were drawing near, and if she could incapacitated Hanbin, it would make him hospitalised for weeks and he might not attend in the first exam which would give her a chance to reclaim her 1st spot. But the question loomed, How would she do it?
As her thoughts raced, she continued trailing him, unnoticed. Hanbin, as everyone knew, never attended cram school. A diligent self learner, he came from a middle class family that owned a rice cake shop.
He took a path through the same secluded alleyway. The eerie silence of the surrounding didn't register with Suwon, her focus remained on Hanbin. She didn't even notice the unsettling atmosphere until a black cat darted across her path, startling her.
As the cat disappeared into the shadows, Suwon saw Hanbin paused mid-step. Quickly, she ducked behind a wall. It was then that her eyes fell on something. Her mind clouded with desperation and anxiety. As Hanbin resumed walking, someone from behind him, struck his head. Hanbin collapsed onto the cold ground.
Suwon stood frozen as blood pooled beneath Hanbin's motionless body. Panic surged through her veins. Her trembling hands reached out to check his breath, but there was none. Her heart pounded in her chest as the reality of her actions hit her like a thunderbolt.
"I didn't mean for this to happen," she whispered shakily, stepping back in disbelief. She hadn't thought the blow would be so severe.
For a fleeting moment, she considered calling 119. Her hand reached for her phone, but fear overtook her. Instead, she powered it off and shoved it into her pocket. Unable to think straight, she abandoned the body and fled the scene.
Suwon entered a public washroom, her mind was in chaos. She washed herself thoroughly, scrubbing her hands and arms repeatedly as if trying to erase the stain of her guilt.
When she entered the house, her mother's sharp voice greeted her.
"Why didn't you go to cram school today?" her mother demanded, crossing her arms in disapproval.
Suwon faltered, her voice unsteady. "I... I wasn't feeling well, so I skipped it."
Her mother's stern expression didn't soften. "Not feeling well? Then where were you for the last two hours? School ended at 6:00 PM!"
Her mother's persistent questions pressed on her, suffocating her further. The guilt, anxiety, and dread she had been suppressing erupted.
"Can't you just stop?!" Suwon shouted, her voice filled with frustration and desperation.
Her mother recoiled in shock at her outburst. Suwon had never raised her voice like this before.
"You—" her mother began, but Suwon didn't let her finish. She stormed to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.
Inside, she collapsed onto her bed, her head spinning. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she tried to calm herself. She stumbled to the sink and splashed cold water on her face, over and over, as if it could wash away the storm of emotions swirling within her.
But no matter how hard she tried, the image of Hanbin's bloodied body wouldn't leave her mind.
"Suwon, you're truly brave. You killed me and then abandoned me," Hanbin's voice rang out, laced with a chilling calmness. His bloody face twisted into a sinister smile, as if something wonderful had just happened to him. "I must commend your effort. Now come with me, Suwon…let's go together..Suwon..Suwon…"
His voice echoed, growing louder and more persistent. Suwon's eyes flew open. She was drenched in sweat, her breath uneven. The clock on her bedside table read 7:00 AM.
It was just a dream.
Yet the terror lingered, gripping her chest like a vice. She quickly got out of bed, dressed quietly, and bolted out of the house, her heart pounding.
As she neared the school, her thoughts spiraled out of control. 'Did they find his body? Did he actually die? What if someone saw me? What if they catch me?...My parents…they'll abandon me for sure.'
Her hands trembled as she pushed open the door to her classroom. She froze in her tracks.
There, sitting at his desk, laughing and chatting with his friends, was a familiar figure.
It was Hanbin.
Suwon's breath caught in her throat. It was him. But how? ' Is he a ghost?'
Her knees felt weak, and her vision blurred. She staggered back, unable to step inside. She turned on her heels and ran, her feet leading her to the washroom.
Locking herself in a stall, she leaned against the cold metal wall, her chest heaving.
' I killed him.. didn't I? Then why is he here? Am I dreaming?'
Her mind spiraled into panic. Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she scratched at her fingers, trying to ground herself. She didn't stop until the metallic smell of blood filled her senses. Looking down, she saw her fingertip bleeding, but the pain did nothing to calm her.
As Suwon stepped out of the washroom, her breath still uneven, a deep voice resonated through the hallway.
"Did you really think you could get away after murdering someone?"
Her steps faltered, and her heart dropped into her stomach. Slowly turning her head, she spotted a tall figure leaning casually against the wall. His hands were tucked into his pockets, and he was looking down at the floor, his posture nonchalant.
As Suwon's gaze settled on him, he lifted his head, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. His slightly permed hair framed a face that was both intimidating and effortless in its charm. It was him—the guy from her nightmare.
Jo San.
The school's infamous troublemaker, known not only for his high family status but also for the chaos he brought wherever he went.
Suwon felt her insides churn, her panic threatening to betray her calm facade. But she bit down on her fear, determined not to show weakness.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her.
Jo San tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as if he could see right through her act.
Jo San slowly straightened up, his posture languid as he moved to stand directly in front of Suwon. Leaning closer, his voice dropped to a whisper that sent a chill down her spine.
"Last night... at Jeonnam-dong alley…"
Suwon's chest tightened, but she clenched her fists, determined not to let her fear show. She met his gaze with a forced calmness.
"Last night what? What happened there?" she retorted, her tone defiant, though her voice quivered just slightly.
Jo San smirked, leaning back into his usual casual stance, hands still tucked into his pockets. His eyes gleamed with mischief as he said, "Why didn't you just finish him completely?"
Suwon's breath hitched, but she quickly masked her panic.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice sharp and steady. "I don't know what you're talking about. And if you're going to waste my time with nonsense, I suggest you stop now. I'm busy."
Her words were firm, but the cold sweat forming at the back of her neck betrayed her true feelings.
Jo San chuckled softly, his smirk widening as he observed her closely.
She walked past Jo San, refusing to look back. His amused smirk lingered as he stood there, watching her retreating figure with an unsettling sense of satisfaction.
Suwon didn't dare glance back, her footsteps quickening as she moved further down the corridor. But her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and fear, and no matter how hard she tried to suppress it, her heart raced uncontrollably.
Entering the classroom, her gaze fell on a familiar figure sitting at his desk, hunched over a textbook. Hanbin.
Her eyes instinctively fixed on his broad shoulders, rising and falling rhythmically as he studied with calm focus. The very sight of him alive and normal sent a jolt through her system. It was as if nothing had happened the night before.
But how?
Her mind screamed for answers, but her body froze. She felt rooted in place, her breathing uneven as she tried to piece together the impossible truth unfolding before her eyes.
The luxurious house exuded a cold, almost lifeless atmosphere, as if its beauty was merely a façade. A boy in a neatly pressed school uniform entered, his broad shoulders giving away his imposing presence—it was Hanbin. With a sigh, he tossed his backpack carelessly onto the massive leather sofa in the grand living room. His steps echoed softly on the marble floor as he walked to the refrigerator, pulling out a chilled water bottle. After taking a long sip, he headed to his room without a word.
Steam wafted from the bathroom as he stepped out, freshly showered. His wet hair clung to his forehead, drops of water tracing lazy paths down his face. Fatigue was evident in his eyes, yet he moved with purpose. Hunger gnawed at him, and with practiced ease, he prepared a simple dinner in the pristine kitchen.
Later, Hanbin stood in the center of his bedroom, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. His dark, messy hair fell over his forehead, giving him an air of effortless coolness. With a deliberate motion, he extended his left foot, dragging it across the floor in a perfectly straight line.
Almost instantly, the space before him shimmered unnaturally, and a dark red door adorned with intricate golden patterns began to materialize on the ground. The design was otherworldly, its carvings pulsing faintly as if alive. The air grew heavy with an unspoken tension as the door opened on its own, creaking softly.
Without hesitation, Hanbin leaped inside, disappearing into the mysterious void.