CHAPTER 3
I saw them.
Running.
Whispering.
Splitting into corners like frightened insects.
Good.
It had started.
And I didn't need anyone to confirm it.
Chaos has a rhythm.
Once you hear it, you know.
***
*Breaktime*
I opened my eyes.
Empty classroom.
Chairs abandoned.
Silence.
Silence was loyal.
I opened my laptop.
Logged into Jae In's email.
Still active.
Still careless.
Her inbox was exploding.
> Anonymous links.
> Screenshots.
> Questions.
Doubt spreads faster than truth.
But that wasn't enough.
I needed deeper access.
Not just surface cracks.
The core.
***
The school system login screen appeared.
Administrative firewall enabled.
Of course.
Layers of protection.
Encrypted authentication.
Restricted clearance.
Cute.
I connected an external drive.
Small.
Unremarkable.
Inside it wasn't strength.
It was patience.
I didn't attack the firewall directly.
That would trigger alerts.
Instead—
I waited.
Watched the traffic logs.
Timed the system refresh cycle.
Every system breathes.
Every ten minutes, it syncs with the district server.
And for three seconds—
Security relaxes.
Three seconds.
That's all I needed.
3.
4.
5.
Now.
I slipped between the authentication layers.
Not breaking.
Sliding.
Mimicking an internal process.
The screen froze.
Then—
Access granted.
No alarms.
No red flags.
Just silence.
The best kind of victory.
***
Confidential files opened.
> Board communications.
> Internal disputes.
> Financial adjustments.
> Golden 10 sponsorship files.
And then—
> Student records.
PARK TAE MIN — Rank 2
Perfect attendance.
Clean discipline.
Administrative note.
Hidden attachment.
Password protected.
I didn't force it.
I rerouted it.
Metadata doesn't lie.
> Old archive copy.
Less protected.
There it was.
A sealed family registration document.
> Revised birth certificate.
> Legal amendment.
*Illegitimate child*
Buried deep.
Protected by money.
I leaned back.
This wasn't about grades anymore.
This was blood.
> Reputation.
> Legacy.
I transferred only what I needed.
Never everything.
Greed leaves fingerprints.
***
Tap.
Upload.
Anonymous forum.
Student network mirror.
Delayed release timer.
3.
4.
5.
6.
BOOM.
Phones vibrated.
Gasps.
Hallway noise doubled.
Headline spreading:
*PARK TAE MIN — ILLEGITIMATE CHILD*
> Cruel.
> Efficient.
> Precise.
Protection doesn't disappear all at once.
It cracks.
***
Jae In stormed in.
Not furious.
Panicked.
For the first time.
She didn't look at me.
She was looking for damage control.
Kim Ha Na stepped into her path.
Jae In froze.
Not hunger.
Not fear.
Arrogance.
Her hand lifted.
Before it landed—
A grip stopped it.
Tae Min.
"Park Jae In."
His voice was steady.
Controlled rage is louder than shouting.
"I don't care what games you play," he said quietly. "But this? Don't you dare ever cross that line again. Or else you won't like me."
There it was.
Threat.
Public.
Recorded.
Another crack.
Jae In's composure slipped.
"It wasn't me," she snapped. "Kim Ha Na did it. I had nothing to do with it."
Blame is a reflex.
Tae Min's eyes darkened.
"I don't care who did it. Fix it."
Kim Tan appeared.
*KIM TAN — Rank 4.*
"You don't get to talk to her like that."
Tae Min didn't even look at him.
"Last warning," he said to Jae In. "Whatever game you're playing, end it."
Game.
If only he knew.
He walked away.
Jae In stared at Ha-na.
Cold.
Calculating.
Good.
Let the Golden 10 turn inward.
Pressure from inside is stronger than attack from outside.
I watched quietly.
A leash doesn't have to be visible.
As long as it tightens.
***
Night.
23:00.
The school gate opened slowly.
The streetlights flickered.
I stood in shadow.
Waiting.
Then.
She appeared.
Dressed in black.
Black backpack.
Walking fast.
Looking over her shoulder.
Good.
Fear makes people sloppy.
Do anything reckless.
And you will disappear.
Tonight,
we see who survives.
END OF CHAPTER 3