Emotions are the standard that defines humans and distinguishes them from one another. They control the way we think, our reality, and our lives. The human mind cannot suppress them, so they are either the key to happiness or the path to destruction.

—

"Alarm sound"

"My God, I overslept! I hope the lecture hasn't ended already."

As the late Jin Hyuk rushed to catch his university lecture, he suddenly turned back, remembering something.

"I almost forgot. How could someone like me forget their phone? Now, let's go."

He sprinted to catch the last train heading to central Seoul. On his way, he noticed a group of people standing still, their faces pale with shock at whatever they were witnessing. His curiosity got the better of him, and he chose to see what they were looking at rather than going straight to his university.

Then, he turned toward the giant screen in the square—what he saw made his blood freeze.

"How can they broadcast such madness?"

That was the first thought that crossed his mind at that moment. On the screen, a group of people was being immersed in vats filled with boiling oil, while a masked man stood before them, laughing and clapping.

And all of this was being streamed live under the title:

"100 Days of Agony"

Jin Hyuk turned away and walked off toward his university as if he didn't care about those people—or rather, as if he had lost the ability to care.

—

Jin Hyuk finally arrived at his university, only to realize the lecture had already ended.

"Oh my God, this must be a bad dream."

As he cursed his luck, someone placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned around—it was his close friend, Lee Hye Ri.

"You're late today. That's not like you."

Then she asked, "Did you overwork yourself last night?"

"Not really, but I must have been really exhausted, so I slept in."

"You shouldn't push yourself too hard. Here, take this."

Hye Ri handed him a sealed envelope. Jin Hyuk looked at her in confusion and asked what was inside. She proudly answered:

"These are notes from the lecture. I wrote them for you when I saw you weren't here."

Hearing that, Jin Hyuk hugged her and thanked her before leaving.

"I love you, Hye Ri."

That was how he said goodbye to her. Like a fool, she blushed and smiled, unaware that these would be the last kind words she would ever hear from him.

—

Jin Hyuk returned home to prepare for his part-time job.

He worked at a small restaurant near his residence to cover his living expenses since all the money he had was reserved for university—the last money he had from his parents.

—

After finishing his shift, he headed home. But on his way, he was stopped by the same scene he had witnessed that morning. The only difference was that this time, the screen displayed a countdown timer.

As soon as the countdown ended, something unexpected happened.

"Hello!"

That lunatic appeared again, greeting the viewers for the second time that day—something that had never happened before. Normally, he appeared once every few months since his crimes took time to execute.

"Hello, everyone! I know some of you are shocked, but today is a special anniversary for us. On this day, my program began. And today also marks the 50th day of our series!"

Despite his madness, his words made sense. But the real shock came next.

"To celebrate this joyous occasion, I've decided to give you all a special treat today."

A special treat?

Those words struck like lightning in people's minds. (What does he mean? What is he going to do?) Questions weighed on everyone's thoughts as fear took hold.

And then, he continued:

"Today, I will show you images of all the victims who have entered our delightful program!"

Suddenly, before I could react, my girlfriend appeared beside me, asking what was happening.

As I was about to answer her, the masked man announced the list of names—just as he had promised.

—

"All these people… What a monster!"

That was Hye Ri's reaction as she turned around, looking at the crowd—some had collapsed in tears, while others were seething with anger.

But when she turned to me, she saw something that made her freeze in terror.

Jin Hyuk, the cheerful boy known for his bright smile, stood frozen in place—his eyes radiating pure rage.

Hye Ri, who had known him for seven years, had never seen him like this before.

And suddenly, I ran.

Without warning, I sprinted away—rushing toward my home at full speed, never once looking back. Not even at Hye Ri, who had been standing beside me.

I abandoned her without a second thought—all because I needed to confirm what I had seen.

—

I arrived home, gasping for breath, and rushed inside.

I searched through my closet, frantically pulling things apart.

"Where is it? Where is it?!"

I finally found it—that photo.

The only thing I had left from my parents.

I had never met them. My relatives told me they had abandoned me and run away. That's why I never asked about them—I had resented them all my life.

But at that moment, I was sure I had seen my mother's face among the victims.

"I hope I'm wrong."

I wiped the dust off the photo to see the person in the image clearly.

And I wish I never had.