Joon's revelation looped in Kim-Do's mind, a sinister melody that resonated in the silence of his room. "You're not the first... An experiment... The real Kim-Do has been removed." Each word was a hammer blow that further depleted the reality of his situation. It wasn't an anomaly, an accident. He was a conscious pawn in a game whose rules he ignored.
The pain of his bruises was a constant reminder of his defeat, but also of his survival. Joon didn't kill him. He had given her information. Terrifying but valuable information. He was a "regulator." A guard. And Kim-Do was a "new perspective." An experiment.
The next morning, he woke up with a new determination, forged in the furnace of fear and anger. He was no longer just an impostor trying to survive. He was a subject of experience who refused to be a mere given. He had to understand. Understanding the system, understanding regulators, understanding why it.
In preparing, he activated his "Emotional Camouflage." Coldness had become a second skin, more necessary than ever. In the mirror, Kim-Do's gaze was hard, resolute. The fear was still there, lurking, but it was now channeled.
Arriving at the school, he immediately felt a change in the atmosphere. The eyes that were on him were no longer the same. The news of his "intellectual training" had spread, mixed with rumours about his confrontation with Tae-min. He was watched with respect mixed with curiosity. He was no longer just the tough guy on Ganguk High; he became a strategist.
Choi Yu-Ra was waiting for him at his locker, his face imbued with undisguised anxiety.
"Boss, what happened last night?" You have bruises."
"Nothing important," Kim-Do lied, looking away. "A lively discussion."
Yu-Ra didn't seem convinced, but she nodded, her loyalty surpassing her doubts. Rumors have it that Park Jin-Ho is furious. He's preparing something."
Park Jin-Ho. A simple, almost reassuring threat compared to Joon's elusive shadow and mysterious system.
VZZT.
As if to confirm his thoughts, a new quest appeared.
"'
[QUEST: AGAINST INTELLIGENCE]
Background: Your influence is growing and attracts the attention of rival factions. An attack is imminent.
Objective: Discover and foil Park Jin-Ho's plan before it is implemented.
• Reward: "Tactical Intuition" (Level 1), +5% Synchronicity.
Failure: Loss of influence, potential damage, strengthening your enemies.
"'
Defeat a plan. This required information. Spies. Kim-Do then remembered the memory fragments concerning the relationship of the real Kim-Do. He had contacts, discreet informants, not just bullies.
He turned to Yu-Ra. "I need you to talk to our friends in the neutral factions. Those who hang out near the basketball courts. Buy them drinks, listen to what they say. Park Jin-Ho had to brag."
Yu-Ra nodded, his expression becoming serious. "Understood."
Then Kim-Do headed for the library. There was another, discreet character who collected information just as others collected trophies.
Kang Seong sat at his usual desk, surrounded by books. He looked up as Kim-Do approached, with a slightly raised eyebrow.
Kim-Do. To what do I owe the honor? A question about the Sun Tzu philosophy?" he asked with a thinly veiled irony.
"Information comes at a price, Kang Seong," Kim-Do said, ignoring the spade. "I'm willing to pay."
The observer put down his book, interested. "What kind of prize?"
A favor. Once. No questions."
It was a dangerous but valuable currency. Kang Seong, the eternal viewer, hated being involved, but he loved being indebted to others.
He studied Kim-Do for a long time. "Park Jin-Ho," he finally said. "He gathered his lieutenants last night. They talk about hitting where you're most vulnerable. Not in direct combat. They're aiming for your reputation. They plan to trap one of your own for a robbery in the principal's office. Tomorrow, during the general assembly."
The information was accurate, chilling. A sneaky attack, typical of frustrated Jin-Ho.
"Who?" asked Kim-Do.
"The young man. Si-woo. The one you defended. They feel it's easy to manipulate through fear."
Anger rose in Kim-Do, warm and pure. To attack Si-woo, the one who was loyal to him out of gratitude, was cowardice.
"The favor is registered," he said, turning away.
All day, Kim-Do put his plan into action. He spoke to Si-woo, warned him of the danger without going into details, and gave him a mission of trust that was supposed to keep him away from the school during the assembly. He made sure that Yu-Ra and other reliable members had strong alibis.
When the general assembly began, Kim-Do stood at the back of the room, his face impassive. He saw Park Jin-Ho and his lieutenants whispering, casting nervous glances around them, looking for their pigeon that was not coming.
Jin-Ho's plan was collapsing before it had even begun. The frustration was clearly on his face.
As the director finished his speech, Kim-Do caught Jin-Ho's eye. He did not smile, but did not make a gesture of triumph. He just held his gaze for a moment, long enough to make the message clear: I know. And you failed.
VZZT.
"'
[QUEST ACCOMPLIED: CONTRAINTELLIGENCE]
+ "Tactical Intuition" skill (Level 1) unlocked.
+5% synchronicity.
[Use: Increased passive foreboding regarding hostile intentions.]
"'
A new sensation settled in him, weak but distinct. Like a sixth sense whispering warnings. He felt Jin-Ho's burning hateful look behind his back, but also something else... Kang Seong's approving and calculated look, and further, discreet, Joon's intense gaze, posted near an exit, which gave him an imperceptible nod.
The regulator had observed everything.
Kim-Do won that round. He had protected his family, humiliated his enemy, and gained a new tool.
But as he left the room, "Tactical Intuition" sent a new, weak but persistent alarm signal. It wasn't directed towards Jin-Ho. It wasn't directed at Kang Seong.
It was directed at Lee Min-Ji, who was looking across the hall, with a folder in his hand. His expression was no longer that of mere distrust, but of a determined, almost... investigative curiosity.
The threat was no longer just in front of him, in Jin-Ho's raw anger. She was no longer just on the sides, in Kang Seong's calculations or Joon's tests.
She was also behind him, in the intelligence and integrity of those who sought the truth. And that, perhaps, was the most dangerous.