The air in the safe zone turned heavy. It was supposed to be a place of respite — where survivors caught their breath before the next storm. But at that moment, the silence was unnatural.
Like the pause before a scream.
A low hum rippled across the walls of the Chungmuro Military Safe Zone, vibrating the metal supports like a tuning fork struck by something ancient. Then, without warning—
KWAAANG—!
A tear opened in the sky above the barricades, like reality itself was being split open by a blade of light.
The survivors froze.
A translucent screen bloomed across the airspace of the safe zone, enormous and luminous like a theatre curtain unfurling across the heavens.
⚠ SYSTEM ALERT ⚠
[A Localized Scenario is Beginning.]
Scenario Type: Main Quest
Location Lock: Chungmuro Military Safe Zone
Access Outside This Zone Has Been Suspended.
Gasps spread like wildfire. Some people ran to the edge of the zone's borders, only to crash into an invisible wall. The outer gates flickered and pulsed as if sealed by a divine lock.
Hyunwoo's eyes narrowed.
[The Mythos Flow is reacting...]
A new narrator has arrived to script your fate.
And then—
A rift in the center of the sky split open vertically like the pages of a manuscript being pulled apart. A shape descended slowly, draped in robes so dark they reflected no light — like a silhouette painted in negative space.
His feet hovered inches above the ground. No wings. No visible power.
But his presence suffocated the air.
"Who the hell are you?!" someone shouted from the watchtower. "And... where are the creatures with scrolls on their heads?!"
The figure blinked once — slowly — and then grinned like a mask sliding into place.
"Ah. My bad," the figure said, his voice smooth, measured — the kind that belonged to someone who spoke above mortals. "Allow me to introduce myself."
He touched two fingers to his temple and bowed theatrically.
"My name is Veyrundel, the Scriptbearer of Pale Ink."
[A Mythari has descended.]
Hyunwoo's eyes widened slightly.
This... wasn't a Mythkeeper. This was one of them. The higher beings who watched — and sometimes interfered — with stories.
"And as for the Mythkeepers," Veyrundel said lazily, flicking imaginary dust off his robe, "they're... occupied. Something about auditing the 'Lost Thread Archives.'"
He smirked.
"So, I'm filling in for the time being."
He raised a pale hand.
🗡️ [Main Scenario #002 – Trial of Worth] 🛡️
🔸 Objective: Survive 4 hours within the Chungmuro Military Safe Zone.
🔸 Spawn Type: Controlled Myth-Grade Creatures.
🔸 Restrictions: No participant may leave the safe zone perimeter.
🔸 Failure Condition:
▸ More than 70% of registered inhabitants perish.
🎁 Rewards:
▸ Continued System Protection
▸ Item Box Upgrade (Rare Tier)
▸ Favor of a Lesser Mythari
📌 This scenario is supervised by [Veyrundel, the Scriptbearer of Pale Ink]
Murmurs exploded in every direction.
Seo Jaeyoon stepped forward, his usual smug confidence cracking beneath a facade of bravado. He tried to speak, but Hyunwoo could see it — the tremor in his fingers, the panic building behind his eyes.
The Seo Group wasn't prepared for this.
Especially not without Jeong Yoonsik.
Hyunwoo looked around. Soldiers — many half-injured, most without proper weapons. Civilians — clutching pipes and scavenged gear. Ji-ah — eyes flitting between survivors and the screen. Ryeok — standing stiff, unsure if he should be readying his fists or shielding others.
No one moved.
They were paralyzed. The one man strong enough to hold a battle line was missing.
And now...
Hyunwoo inhaled through his nose. His hands clenched at his sides.
"So this is how it starts..."
The point where readers screamed at the pages, asking why no one acted.
The scene where the main character finally stepped forward when no one else could.
But this time — he wasn't reading it.
He was inside it.
If Jeong Yoonsik wasn't here — if no one else could lead — then he had no choice.
He turned toward the center of the safe zone, where the broadcast floated like a divine warning, and raised his voice.
"Anyone who can still fight, gather near the armory. Those who can't — find shelter and fortify with anything you can find. We're not dying here today."
Seo Jaeyoon opened his mouth, perhaps to argue, but Hyunwoo didn't give him the chance.
He stepped forward like the page of the script had already flipped to his name.
"I'll take command until Jeong Yoonsik returns."
For a moment, silence answered him.
And then...
People moved.
It was small. Hesitant. But they moved.
And high above, Veyrundel chuckled softly — a pleased narrator watching a new story unfold.
[The Mythos Flow is stabilizing.]
[You have taken the role of Provisional Scenario Commander.]
[Favor from a Silent Observer has been granted.]
Hyunwoo's eyes glinted.
He wouldn't let this world follow its script.
Not if he could write his own.