2025-12-28 23:05:51I moved without thinking.
My chair scraped back as I shot to my feet. Park Junho was already yanking the office door open, but I was right behind him. The once calm store had turned into a place full of fear. Woo rim stood frozen behind the register, hands raised, his usual smile completely gone. The hooded figure was three feet away from him, gun in hand. Above the man’s head text appeared. [NAME: Unavailable] [AGE: Unavailable] [RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Unavailable] [OCCUPATION: Unavailable] [STRENGTHS: Unavailable] [WEAKNESSES: Unavailable] [STRESS LEVEL: Unavailable] [THREAT LEVEL: Unavailable] Shit. This was bad, I needed to have some sort of conversation with him. “Don't move!” The robber’s voice cracked. He sounded young, around my age too. Maybe early twenties. “Easy, no one needs to get hurt. Why don't we calm down.” I said. “Shut up!” The robber's head swiveled towards us. “Both of you, hands up. Now!” I raised my hands slowly. My heart was hammering so hard I could feel it in my throat. I looked at him again. Text appeared above his head. [NAME: Dong hyun] [AGE: Unavailable] [RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Unavailable] [OCCUPATION: Unavailable] [STRENGTHS: Unavailable] [WEAKNESSES: Unavailable] [SECRETS: Unavailable] [THREAT LEVEL: Unavailable] [STRESS LEVEL: Unavailable] Damn it! “Woo rim” Park Junho said, voice shaking a bit. “Open the register. Give him whatever he wants.” “I … I can't.” Woo rim’s voice was barely a whisper. His hands were shaking uncontrollably. “The key, it’s. I … I don't know where …” “Bottom drawer.” Park Junho said. “Left side. You know where it is.” “Hurry up!” The robber said, moving a step closer to Woo rim. “O…okay!” Woo rim crouched down trying to open the drawer. His breathing was fast and panicked. I glanced at the robber again. The text above his head still showed nothing useful. Couldn't I unlock these things somehow? Like unlocking hidden stuff in games? [You can] I blinked. “What?” “You alright Ireum?” Park Junho whispered to me. “Y … yeah. I’m fine” I said. It responded. That’s right I forgot, it could read my thoughts. If that's the case, I want to unlock all the information about the robber. A new window materialized in front of my eyes. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – —- – – – – – – [UNLOCK INFORMATION] [CURRENT BALANCE: 100 Starter Coins] [NAME: 10 coins [AGE: 5 coins [RELATIONSHIP STATUS: 5 coins [OCCUPATION: 10 coins [STRENGTHS: 20 coins [WEAKNESSES: 25 coins [SECRETS: 50 coins [THREAT LEVEL: 15 coins [STRESS LEVEL: 10 coins – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – My mind raced. A hundred coins in total. I could unlock some things but not everything. What did I need most right now? “I said hurry!” Dong hyun moved closer to Woo rim. The gun caught the fluorescent light. Woo rim fumbled with the drawer. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry …” Think. What information could actually help us get out of this alive? Threat level. I need to know how dangerous he really was. Unlock threat level. [UNLOCKING: … - 15 Coins] [BALANCE: 85 Coins] The text above Do hyun’s head flickered. [THREAT LEVEL: HIGH] [LIKELIHOOD OF ACTUAL VIOLENCE: High] [Robber is experienced and has robbed stores constantly] I could feel my heart beating so loudly I was surprised everyone couldn't hear it. This was really bad. He was experienced. I thought I could find a way to get through to him but that plan has gone down the drain. I needed more. How could I stop him? Unlock weaknesses. [UNLOCKING: … - 25 Coins] [BALANCE: 60 Coins] [WEAKNESSES: Shaking hand, blind in left eye, easily distracted] Woo rim finally got the drawer open and pulled out a small key. He fumbled with the drawer. His whole body trembled. It took him three tries to get it into the register lock. The cash drawer sprung open with a mechanical ding that made everyone flinch. “All of it. In a bag. Now!” Woo rim grabbed a plastic bag from under the counter and started scooping bills into it with clumsy, frantic movements. Some coins scattered around the counter, hitting the floor with sharp pings. “Faster! And don't try anything stulid!” “He’s going as fast as he can,” Park Junho said, taking half a step forward. “just calm down …” “I said don't move!” Do hyun said pointing the gun at Park Junho. Woo rim made a strangled sound and nearly dropped the bag. Park Junho froze immediately. His hands were curling into fists, and I could see the tension in his shoulders. I knew what he was thinking just from looking at him. He was thinking about it. About rushing the robber. He shouldn't do anything stupid. What was he thinking? Rushing someone with a gun. I had to calm down. If I lost it, we could all die here. I needed to think of something. Okay. He had shaking hands, was blind in his left eye and was easily distracted. I could use this to my advantage. Do hyun had shifted his focus back to Woo rim. I knew it was time. I tapped Park Junho gently and he looked at me. I smiled faintly and explained my plan, my voice barely a whisper. Park Junho’s eyes widened as he stared at me. I knew from his face that he wanted to refuse but I looked at him with a reassuring gaze and he swallowed his words. I glanced at Do hyun and the frightened Woo rim then glanced back at Park Junho and nodded. I slipped away and hid behind a shelf by Do hyun's left – the snack aisle, bags of chips rustling softly as I pressed against them. I could see Do hyun's profile through the gap between a row of cookies and instant noodles. I paused for a moment and suddenly felt all the confidence I had disappear as suddenly as it appeared. I mean, what was I thinking, why was I trying to save all these people when I couldn't even save myself? Maybe I could wait. Maybe he would leave us alone after he was done taking the money. I almost laughed. What was I thinking, it was obvious he wouldn't leave just like that. We had seen his face, they never leave witnesses. I shook my head. No. This was the exact reason I had to save everyone. Because I couldn't save myself. If I couldn't do that maybe I could save other people. “Hey” Park Junho's voice rang out in the quiet store, breaking me out of my thoughts. Dong hyun's head snapped towards him. The gun following. “What?” Dong hyun barked. Park Junho's hands were still raised, but he took a small step forward, his voice urgent. “Wait. Just – just wait a second.” “I said don't move!” “There's a safe!” Park Junho blurted out. “In the back office. The manager keeps all the real money there. Has to be at least five million won, maybe more.” I saw Dong hyun's posture shift slightly. His head tilted. “You think I'm stupid?” But there was interest in his voice. “I'm serious!” Park Junho gestured towards the office door behind the counter, taking another half step. “That register barely has anything. You came all this way for what? Maybe three hundred thousand. The safe’s right back there. I can show you.” “Shut up. Shut up and let me think!” Dong hyun's whole body turned to the right, following Park Junho's gesture towards the office. His back was to me now. Almost completely. This was it. My legs felt like jelly as I crouched lower. Every instinct screamed at me to stay hidden. To stay safe. My hands were shaking worse than Woo rim’s had been. What was I doing? I was going to get myself killed. But I was already moving. I stayed low, below the shelves, my sneakers silent on the tiles. Three steps. Four. Dong hyun was still looking towards the office, distracted by Park Junho's words. “...keep it in the bottom cabinet, it has a combination lock but I've seen the manager open it …” Five steps. I could see the gun now. Held in that shaking hand. I needed to move now. Just as I was about to move, movement appeared in my peripheral vision. A student, hiding near the refrigerated section, bolted for the door. His backpack bounced widely as he ran. He must have thought he could escape now that Dong hyun was distracted. “No! Stop!” I wanted to scream, but my voice caught in my throat. Dong hyun whipped around, his movement sharp. He looked furious. He raised the gun and aimed at the student. “I said nobody moves!” Time seemed to slow down. The student was almost at the door. Dong hyun's finger tightened around the trigger. Park Junho's face turned white with horror. I didn't think. I launched myself forward. Bang!
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Chapter Forty Six
I woke to the sound of my ringtone, groggily, I stared at my phone and saw the name ‘IJ’ on the screen. My eyes shot open, I glanced at Dahyun and saw he was still sleeping soundly then I hurried to the bathroom, I called her back. “Hello? Good morning, Ms. Jiyeon,” I said. “Good morning Seo Ireum,” Jiyeon said. “Well, you were right, at this point, I almost wish you weren't.” I waited for her to continue, wondering why she said that. “Seung Woo is a horrible person, I've seen a lot of cases but this is absolutely terrible, the poor boy,” Jiyeon said. “I have all the evidence needed to expose him and the Choi family.” My eyes widened. “When do you plan to release it?” “I’m giving you the leverage for that,” Jiyeon said. “What? Why?” “I just feel like it, so when do you think it should be published?” “I…I don't know, can you give me some time to think?” I asked. “Of course, just call whenever you’ve decided,” Jiyeon said and ended the call. I took in a deep breath and sig
Chapter Forty Five
Dahyun's room was small but neat and organized with a small computer in the corner and a reading table near the bed. The extra futon had been laid out carefully next to his bed with fresh sheets and a pillow. “Your sister is sweet,” I said, seething my bag down. “She's the best,” Dahyun said simply. “Even when she's sick she's always cheerful and is constantly thinking about others, when I told her you were coming, she had a random boost of energy too.” “How serious is it?” I asked quietly. Dahyun sat on his bed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “She has leukaemia and needs chemotherapy but the treatment is so expensive, we could never dream of covering the bills on our own no matter how hard we try.” “Is that why you joined ORIONX?” I said. “For the prize money?” He hesitated, looking at me intensely, then he sighed. “Yes.” “I'm sorry,” I said. “Don't be,” he said firmly. “Really, we’re managing and So ah’s such a strong girl. Plus, we happen to have someone that's helping us
Chapter Forty Four
Meanwhile…“Bye guys, bring back lots of home made meals!” Dongpyo said as he waved at us.“You guys are so lucky,” Jaemin said.“We wish we could eat our mum’s cooking too,” Jaein said.“We’ve got to go Ireum, the cars are here,” Peniel said.“Bye guys,” I said and Peniel and I left.We headed downstairs where I met Dahyun, Lien, Hongaem and Hangyul.“Hey guys,” Hangyul said.“Morning,” Peniel said.“Well, see you guys later,” Hongaem said as he and Lien stepped into a car.“Oh, do they live in the same place?” I asked.“I think so,” Hangyul said.“Anyway, I think it's time we go our separate ways,” Peniel said and waved us goodbye.Hangyul entered a car then Dahyun and I entered ours.“You look pretty tensed,” Dahyun noted.“Well, I’m pretty nervous,” I said.“You don't need to be, my family will love you,” Dahyun said.“Okay,” I said, though it didn't make the nerves go away.The drive was pretty long but eventually, we pulled up at a small modest house.Dahyun's family was waiting
Chapter Forty Three
One week later… Jungeon Dae-jung’s apartment smelled of cold soba and unwashed laundry. The man who answered the door looked ten years older than his actual age. His hair was graying and unkept, clothes wrinkled, eyes bloodshot. “Mr. Jungeon?” She said gently. “I'm Im Jiyeon, we spoke on the phone.” He stared at her for a long moment, swaying slightly. “You're the journalist,” his words slurred. “The one asking about my son.” “Yes. May I come in?” He stepped aside wordlessly. The living room was a complete mess. On the wall, was two framed photos. One was a young boy in a school uniform smiling at the camera and the other was one of him, his wife and son. Jiyeon felt her chest tighten. “I told you on the phone,” Jungeon Dae-jung said, slumping on the couch. “I signed an NDA and can't talk. If I break it, they take everything. The money's already gone anyway, hospitals, debts, my wife's care but they can still use me for breach of contract.” “Mr. Jungeon,” Jiyeon said carefu
Chapter Forty Two
“Team 7,” Chef Moon Jungsoo said as he approached our station. “Your ingredients were considered one of the most challenging baskets, let's see what you've done.”He tasted the salad first, his eyebrows rose.“The balance here is excellent,” he said. It's the perfect balance of sweetness, acidity and brightness. Well done.”Next was the octopus, he cut a piece and examined it then tasted it. His expression changed completely.“This is…remarkable,” he said. “The octopus is perfectly tender, not rubbery at all, not to mention the glaze. Who made this?”“Peniel and I worked on it together,” I said.“Exceptional work, both of you,” Chef Moon said. “This could be served in a high end restaurant.”Finally the Panna Cotta, Park Mina tasted it, paused then tasted again.“Creative use of Thai basil,” Park Mina said. “It's unexpected but it works beautifully with the dragon fruit and the texture of the Panna Cotta is incredible.”After some time, we all stood in front of our stations as Hyunwoo
Chapter Forty One
“Team 7,” Chef Moon Jungsoo said as he approached our station. “Your ingredients were considered one of the most challenging baskets, let's see what you've done.” He tasted the salad first, his eyebrows rose. “The balance here is excellent,” he said. It's the perfect balance of sweetness, acidity and brightness. Well done.” Next was the octopus, he cut a piece and examined it then tasted it. His expression changed completely. “This is…remarkable,” he said. “The octopus is perfectly tender, not rubbery at all, not to mention the glaze. Who made this?” “Peniel and I worked on it together,” I said. “Exceptional work, both of you,” Chef Moon said. “This could be served in a high end restaurant.” Finally the Panna Cotta, Park Mina tasted it, paused then tasted again. “Creative use of Thai basil,” Park Mina said. “It's unexpected but it works beautifully with the dragon fruit and the texture of the Panna Cotta is incredible.” After some time, we all stood in front of our stations a
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