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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: The Blackout

[ROOFTOP – EVENING PRESENT]

A light breeze flows across the terrace. Thunder rolls in the distance. A boy stands quietly, staring up at the heavy clouds.

He is JIN RYU, 18 years old. A former star. A forgotten name.

JIN (M.C)::

It's crazy… how one single day…

Can flip your entire life upside down.

He grips the railing tightly. His eyes hold a storm of old memories. A flash of roaring fans… bright stage lights… a shining trophy lifted high in the air.

JIN (M.C)::

Two years ago…

I was someone else.

A champion. A legend. A gamer everyone talked about.

JIN (M.C)::

I had just won the National Gaming Tournament.

People from all over the world started following me.

NewTube exploded — 2 million subscribers in months.

I got sponsored by brands. Gamers admired me.

Even schools invited me for speeches.

His voice softens, filled with a hint of sadness.

JIN (M.C)::

I was just 16… and I felt like a king.

But that day… that one cursed, tragic day…

It changed everything.

---

[SCENE CHANGE – JIN'S ROOM IN THE PAST 2 YEARS AGO– NIGHT]

A cozy gamer's paradise. Anime posters cover the walls, shelves stacked with manga. RGB lights glow from a powerful gaming setup. Jin laughs at a manga page while slurping hot ramen.

He has headphones around his neck, enjoying the peace of his personal world.

JIN (M.C)::

Even with all that fame, deep down… I was still a normal kid.

I loved anime. Manga. Adventure games. Fighting stories.

That was my life. That was my world.

He leans back, eyes shining.

JIN (M.C)::

For the first time ever…

It felt like I was living my dream.

JIN (M.C)::

But dreams…

Don't Live forever.

---

[JIN'S ROOM – IN PAST AFTERNOON]

Jin is live on stream. His monitor shows an intense multiplayer match. His face is focused, intense. The chat explodes beside the screen.

JIN(M.C)::

Let's gooo! One more kill! Come on—don't lag now!

I've waited MONTHS for this collab!

CHAT (DISPLAYED ON SCREEN):

"Bro you cracked!"

"PRO JIN IS BACK!!"

"Let's gooooooo!"

"Hey, isn't the weather super weird today?"

"Big fan bro!"

"Anyone watching the news?! Something's happening!"

Suddenly —

The screen flickers. The lights dim. RGB fades to black. The sound cuts out.

JIN (M.C)::

No… no, no, no!

He slams his keyboard. His PC is dead. Power's gone. Wi-Fi gone. Everything — silent.

JIN (M.C)::(shouting)

WHAT THE HELL?!

This was my BIGGEST STREAM!

[HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS]

Jin storms out of his room. His little sister, MIRA (13), is sitting on the floor reading a comic book.

JIN(MC)::

MIRA!

Did you mess with the power again?!

You KNOW how important that stream was!

MIRA(SISTER):: (confused, innocent)

What? No! I didn't touch anything!

Maybe it's the storm?

JIN(M.C)::

Storm?! Are you serious right now—?!

A loud thunderclap BOOMS. The windows shake slightly. Mira flinches.

JIN (breathing heavy)

I'm going to Tae-min's house.

MIRA(SISTER)

Wait… it's really dark outside, Jin.

He ignores her and checks the main power switch. Nothing works. Dead.

JIN (M.C)::(muttering to himself)

This can't be happening.

Not today, of all days…

He grabs his hoodie.

JIN(MC)::

Maybe Tae-min still has Wi-Fi.

---

[NEIGHBORHOOD STREET – NIGHT]

The narrow streets are empty. Cold wind whistles between buildings. Jin walks quickly, hoodie pulled over his head. Raindrops start falling.

JIN (M.C)::

Tae-min's house is just two blocks away…

If I can just upload something from there…

Maybe I can save today…

He pulls out his phone. "NO SIGNAL."

JIN (M.C)::

No signal either?!

What's going on today…?

He looks around.

No people.

No cars.

No sounds.

JIN (M.C)::

Even the stray dogs are gone.

It felt like the whole world had vanished.

[STREET NEAR PARK – 4:30 PM – DARK]

JIN (M.C)::

Wait—oh crap!

Tae-min went to his village today!

Suddenly, heavy rain pours from the sky. Jin raises his arms to cover his head and starts running.

JIN (M.C)::

DAMN IT—!

What kind of cursed day is this?!

JIN (M.C)::

Everything was falling apart.

My game. My stream. Even the weather was against me.

A flash of lightning strikes nearby. For a brief second — he sees something moving in the shadows ahead.

JIN (stops, panting)

W-What was that…?

He squints. Fog rolls in. The shape is gone.

JIN(M.C)::

...I must be imagining things.

He continues walking, slower and more cautious now.

[NARROW LANE NEAR JIN'S HOUSE – NIGHT]

The fog grows thicker. His clothes are soaked. He stops walking and looks around.

JIN (M.C)::

I just wanted to go home.

But everything… felt wrong.

Suddenly — a low, deep humming sound spreads through the air.

It sounds like a machine… or a heartbeat… slow and heavy.

JIN( M.C)::(freezes)

What… is that…?

He looks up.

The sky is swirling — clouds moving unnaturally fast. Inside the darkness… faint flickers of red light blink like pulses.

JIN (M.C)

What the hell is that light in the sky…?

He stares for a moment — but shakes it off and keeps walking.

---

[JIN'S HOUSE – 5:01 PM]

Jin enters the house. Everything is dark. Still no power.

JIN (M.C)::

What the hell… power's still out?

MIRA (walking out)

You came back fast.

So… he's not at home?

JIN (M.C)::(shouting)

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

You knew he wasn't home and didn't TELL me?!

MIRA (SISTER)::(scared)

NO! I just heard it from the neighbors!

They gave us food too…

JIN(M.C):: (sighs, calming down)

Ugh… fine.

Let's eat. I'm starving.

He sits at the table. Mira sets the food. Jin stares at her quietly for a moment.

JIN (M.C)::

Ever since the accident…

It's just been me and Mira.

She's my everything now.

---

[KITCHEN – MOMENTS LATER]

SUDDEN LOUD CRASH.

MIRA (screaming)

BROTHER!!

JIN (M.C)

What was that sound?!

Mira, hold on—I'm coming!

He rushes into the kitchen — and stops dead in his tracks.

A giant eagle-like monster has smashed through the wall. Its wings spread wide. Its eyes glow red.

Mira is on the floor beside the table, crying.

MIRA (screaming)

Brother!! He-Help me! Please!!

JIN (M.C)

I-I… I can't move…

Mira crawls toward him. Jin shakes off his fear, grabs a basket of supplies, and throws them at the beast.

JIN(M.C)::

MIRA!! Run to me! Now!

The eagle roars and lunges. Mira jumps to her feet and runs to Jin, sobbing.

MIRA(SISTER)::

Save me! Brother, please!

JIN(M.C)::

Don't worry. I've got you.

He grabs her hand, and they run toward his room. The eagle, too large to fit, backs out of the house.

---

[JIN'S ROOM – NIGHT]

Mira hugs Jin tightly, shaking with fear.

MIRA(SISTER)::

Why didn't you come faster…?!

I thought I was going to die!

JIN(M.C)::

Shh… it's okay. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you.

BOOM! Another crash shakes the house. The monster returns.

MIRA(SISTER)::

Brother… are we going to die today…?

JIN(MC):: {faking calm}

No…

I'm right here with you.

Inside, Jin can barely breathe. His heart pounds wildly.

Suddenly — the roof rips open. The eagle crashes through, roaring.

JIN(M.C)::

MIRA, RUN!

He pushes her toward the door—

The monster dives toward him—

And then—

A sudden, bright blue light covers the entire room.

Everything stops.

Everything glows.

JIN (M.C)::

W-What… is happening?!

His eyes widen in shock.

---

TO BE CONTINUED…

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