Adrian Skyre — the prodigy of acting, the star performer, the dazzling gem of Korea, the unmatched epicasy.
Yes… that's what people call me.
But in my mind, I'm just an ordinary 26-year-old employee, working for money… or perhaps chasing a passion I can't quite define.
20 June, 2048.
To anyone else, it might seem like just another ordinary date.But for me, it's the day my greatest film, King's Gamble, premieres.
On the way to the cinema hall, my thoughts wandered endlessly inside the back seat of an expensive, royal car. My driver and secretary sat silently in the front, giving me space.
I was in deep thought — perhaps a little nervous — wondering how my fans would react to my new role.
It didn't take long before we arrived at the venue. The moment the crowd spotted the sleek, expensive car, they knew immediately — their star actor had arrived. People surged toward the entrance, eager to catch a glimpse, to shout my name, to feel just a moment of closeness to their idol.
Finally, the glossy black car rolled to a stop at the entrance. The driver stepped out first, walking briskly to open the back door.
From the dim interior emerged a slender yet strikingly handsome man — pale skin, raven-black hair, and deep blue eyes that seemed to carry entire worlds within them. Dressed in immaculate style, Adrian Skyre stepped into the flashing lights and roaring cheers of his fans.
He lifted a hand and gave a gentle wave, a subtle gesture to acknowledge the sea of faces calling out to him. The moment his warm smile appeared, the crowd's cheer erupted into a deafening roar, as if the entire street had caught fire with excitement.
With composed, unhurried steps, Adrian made his way toward the theater entrance. A few men in sharp black suits — bodyguards, perhaps arranged by the cinema hall itself — moved in close, forming a protective barrier as they guided him through the throng.
Flashes from cameras painted the air in bursts of white light, and the noise of the crowd seemed to follow him like a living tide, carrying him toward the grand doors of the premiere.
Then, through the blur of faces and flashing lights, Adrian noticed a familiar figure making her way toward him.
"Adrian, you arrived just in time," the woman greeted, her voice warm with excitement.
"Yes, Miss Helena. I hope everything is ready," Adrian replied with a small smile, giving her a casual wave.
Helena — the legendary director of Silver Studio, the company behind countless cinematic masterpieces — had now placed her name on Adrian's third film.
"Of course it is. Now, don't just stand out here," she said, her eyes gleaming. "Let's head inside and enjoy your big night."
Adrian exhaled softly. Finally, I can leave this crowd behind."Alright then… shall we?" he said, stepping forward.
Side by side, they entered the theater, making their way toward the front row — the perfect vantage point for the grand premiere of King's Gamble.
Once all the VIP guests had settled into the front row, the rest of the audience quickly found their seats. A low hum of anticipation filled the air — hundreds of eyes fixed on the massive screen ahead, waiting for the magic to begin.
Then…
The hall went completely dark.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as every light vanished, leaving only a towering, luminous white screen at the front.
Suddenly, the first notes of the theme song filled the theater — Eclipsed Crown, the hauntingly beautiful score of the film King's Gamble. A slow, powerful melody swept through the room, each note echoing like the opening move of a masterful game.
It had begun.
******
Two hours later, the final scene faded into darkness. The last echo of Eclipsed Crown lingered in the air before the screen cut to black.
For a heartbeat, the theater was silent.
Then the applause began — soft at first, then swelling into thunder, rolling through the hall like a tidal wave. People stood, clapping, cheering, some even shouting Adrian's name.
Adrian sat still for a moment, letting the sound wash over him. He watched the credits roll, his own name glowing on the screen in bold letters. It wasn't the first time… but somehow, tonight felt different.
Helena leaned over, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You've done it again, Adrian. Another masterpiece."
He smiled faintly. "Let's hope the audience agrees."
The ovation didn't stop. Cameras flashed. People called out. For them, this was a celebration.For Adrian, it was something else entirely — the quiet, bittersweet satisfaction of knowing that another chapter in his career had just been written.
Moments later, a group of VIP guests approached — producers, investors, and film icons from different countries and industries, all eager to personally meet the man of the night and see Silver Studio's newest triumph.
They spoke with warm enthusiasm, offering congratulations, sharing suggestions, and even presenting tempting offers for future collaborations.
Adrian listened politely before glancing toward his secretary."Sung," he said in a calm but firm tone, "please handle our guests."
His secretary immediately stepped forward, guiding the visitors aside to speak in detail. Helena joined them, her experienced charm smoothing every conversation.
Then the conversation ended smoothly.
But just as they were about to leave, a sudden, deep, piercing sound ripped through the air.
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
It was sharp enough to make the walls vibrate, a metallic scream that seemed to dig straight into the skull. The air itself felt thinner, as if the sound was squeezing the life out of the room.
People staggered, wincing in pain. Some clamped their palms hard against their ears, nails digging into skin. Others dropped to the floor, curling up as if the carpet could shield them from the unbearable noise.
"What the hell is that sound? Where is it coming from?" voices shouted, but most words dissolved into the echo of panicked cries.
From the balcony, a man's desperate yell sliced through the din—"The door's locked from the outside!"
That single sentence ignited full-blown chaos. Bodies surged toward the exits, pushing and shoving. The heat of too many people in one space pressed in from all sides, mingling with the smell of sweat, perfume, and fear.
"Where's the director? Is this some kind of sick joke?!" Adrian's voice rang out, raw with anger.
But no answer came—only the unending, mind-splitting tone that seemed to grow louder with every passing second, rattling teeth, shaking the floor, and gnawing at the edges of sanity.
.
As everyone panicked, the world seemed to freeze when the piercing, acute sound abruptly stopped. The theater screen began to flicker.
Flick. Flick. Shss… sh—snsshssshsshshss.
The noise was unsettling, but the chaos eased. People calmed slightly, their fear replaced with tense curiosity. Every eye was fixed on the flickering display.
"Is this some kind of horror setup or something?" someone shouted, their voice laced with frustration.
"What the hell is this?" another cried, louder, trembling.
Adrian's jaw tightened. His lips twitched ever so slightly, and a sharp glint of anger flashed in his eyes as he glared at the screen.
Then—
The flickering stopped.An ancient text sprawled across the entire display, glowing faintly, its shapes foreign and cryptic. Not a single person could recognize the language.
[ᚦᛖ ᚺᛖᚱᛗᛖᛋ ᚹᚺᛟ ᛖᛋᚲᚨᛈᛖᛞ
ᚦᛖ ᚾᚨᛗᛖ ᛟᚠ ᚦᛟᚹᛋᚨᚾᛞᛋ]
No… it can't be. This is impossible.Adrian muttered under his breath, staring at the symbols with sheer disbelief. It was as if a ghost had appeared before him.
"No… No…" His voice dropped to a whisper, trembling.
Then—Seoul itself seemed to hold its breath.A massive earthquake ripped through the city, shaking the theater's very foundation. Panic returned tenfold as the floor groaned.
Some screamed in terror; others clung to seats or each other. The ground roared beneath them.