CHAPTER 1: MESSAGE

YEAR: 2027

LOCATION: SOUTH KOREA: CHEONAN-SI

A CONVENIENCE STORE IN CHEONAN

DING

DOOR CREAKS OPEN

The entrance to the convenience store swings open as Sung Jae-Yong steps inside, drenched in sweat.

"Damn... the weather keeps getting worse every day. At least it's cool in here," Jae-Yong mutters to himself, relieved to feel the refreshing air inside the store.

"And that will be 2646.19 ₩," a feminine voice playfully says from behind Jae-Yong.

Startled by the familiar voice, Jae-Yong turns around to find Ping Yong-Mi standing behind the store's counter.

"Ping Yong-Mi. known as one of the prettiest girls at Cheonan Ssangyong High. She is a top A student, class president, and an all-around model student. I wonder why she's working in a store like this. Well, it's not my business anyway," Jae-Yong thinks, his expression remaining impassive as he gazes at Yong-Mi.

"Pfft... That was a joke. You don't actually have to pay 2646.19 ₩ for the A.C.," Yong-Mi explains with a friendly tone, noticing Jae-Yong's reaction to her jest.

"..."

However, even after her explanation, Jae-Yong's expression remains unchanged. He fails to comprehend why she's engaging in conversation with him. He merely came to make a purchase and leave; he doesn't need small talk.

"Hah... I see, you're a tough crowd, huh? So, what can I get for you, Sung Jae-Yong Ssi?" Yong-Mi asks, her tone brimming with enthusiasm.

"Don't worry, I can find what I need myself," Jae-Yong replies as he walks past the counter.

"Humph, I can't believe he just ignored me, even after I finally got the courage to talk to him," Yong-Mi pouts with flushed cheeks, musing to herself.

AT THE FOOD ALLEY

"Tsk, these eggs are even more expensive than last week," Jae-Yong grumbles as he grabs two cartons of eggs and places them in the shopping cart. He continues down the aisles, searching for items on his grocery list.

[TELEVISION: BREAKING NEWS: WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THE SON OF BILLIONAIRE 'Changgok Yeong-Cheol' HAS UNFORTUNATELY PASSED AWAY, AFTER BEING RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING. THOUGH WE...]

While pushing his shopping cart, Jae-Yong halts in front of a television.

"...Why do I feel like I've seen this person before?" Jae-Yong wonders to himself upon seeing the picture of the deceased billionaire's son on the news.

"Ha-ha... There's no way someone like me could meet someone like that if he were still alive. We live in different worlds," Jae-Yong murmurs, resuming his cart-pushing journey.

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

DING

DOOR CREAKS OPEN

Jae-Yong exits the store, his hands filled with several shopping bags. He walks a few steps before reaching the bus stop.

"Umph..." Jae-Yong grunts as he places the heavy bags in his left hand on the ground. He reaches into his pocket, retrieves his phone, and checks the bus's estimated arrival time.

"I guess the bus should be here any minute now," Jae-Yong thinks, observing the bus's location on his phone.

FIVE MINUTES LATER

INSIDE THE BUS

"Whew..." Jae-Yong sighs with relief upon noticing a few empty seats on the bus. He walks towards one and sits down, placing his grocery bags on the vacant seat next to him.

A FEW MINUTES LATER

SCREEEEEECH!!!

BANG

"Ow... What's happening?" Jae-Yong mutters, hitting his head on the seat in front of him. He abruptly wakes up from his nap, his vision blurry. He closes his eyes, then opens them again to survey the situation. To his surprise, he realizes that all the other passengers have already left the bus.

"What the hell is going on? There's still thirty minutes left until my stop. Why is the bus engine off, and why is it empty?" Jae-Yong questions silently, recognizing a familiar street sign.

"What's that?"

"Is that a meteor or something?"

"Maybe it's one of those new virtual things the kids talk about."

"Does anyone have a phone I could use? Mine seems to be dead."

"Mine isn't working either."

"!?"

Jae-Yong overhears loud chatter outside the bus, piquing his curiosity. He rises from his seat and walks towards the bus exit.

THUD

Stepping outside the bus, he finds an enormous crowd of people gazing upwards. Every single person's attention was fixated on the sky.

"What the hell is happening? Why is everyone looking--"

As Jae-Yong gazes up at the sky, an expression of disbelief covers his face.

"Is... Is that a spacecraft?" Jae-Yong asks in astonishment, unable to fathom what he's witnessing. It defies description, but there it is—a colossal, gigantic spacecraft hovering above the Earth.

BZZT BZZT

Simultaneously, all communication devices worldwide begin vibrating.

"Huh!?"

Feeling the vibration in his pocket, Jae-Yong swiftly retrieves his phone. However, all he sees is a white screen.

TAP TAP

He repeatedly taps the screen, attempting to change it, but it continues to vibrate.

"I thought you said your phone was dead."

"Yes, I'm pretty sure it was dead a minute ago."

CRACKLE CRACKLE

"HELLO – BZZT – PEOPLE – BZZT – OF EARTH – YOU – BZZT – HAVE – BZZT – 48 HOURS – BZZT – TO – BZZT – SURRENDER – BZZT – OR DIE--"

CRACKLE

All communication devices abruptly crash after delivering the disturbing message, inciting panic throughout the world.