The neon glow of Mapo's empty streets reflected in cracked puddles. Seoul had forgotten its heartbeat; the internet blackout had killed communication, commerce, and culture. Most PC bangs were empty, abandoned husks of their former glory.
But tonight, one remained alive.
Rumors said it had electricity, fifteen working PCs, and a generator that still hummed. Two clans wanted it: The Warlocks and Red Pulse, both from Mapo.
Inside, the air smelled of dust, burnt circuits, and hot CRT monitors. Sweat mixed with the faint ozone of overloaded computers. The room was packed—clan members, friends, and spectators crowded around glowing screens. Candles flickered in the corners. Flashlights bobbed in the dark. Every face was tense. Every breath held.
At the edge of the room, Min Jae-Hwan adjusted his headset. Fingers hovered above the keyboard like a maestro, trembling slightly with anticipation. He stood, stretching, and scanned the crowd.
"Hey, Ji-Ho. Have you seen Min?" he asked.
Ji-Ho, the Warlocks' resident strategist and Protoss player, nodded toward the bathroom. "I think he went in there a minute ago."
"Thanks," Jae-Hwan said.
In the bathroom, Min Jae-Min, seventeen, stood in front of the mirror. Sweat slicked his hair, and he clutched the clan jacket in his arms, trying to steady his racing heart. He took a deep breath as the door creaked open.
Jae-Hwan stepped in, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. "This is it. Tonight, we take back our street… our pride… this place. We can make it a home for people like us, people who don't have one."
He hugged Min briefly, then released him. "We've got each other's backs. Now let's go."
As they walked back into the room, Min froze. A girl leaned casually against a wall near the far corner, watching him. Music thumped in the background, but for Min, the sound of his own heartbeat was deafening.
"How are you doing?" she asked, dark eyes sharp, voice calm.
"I… I'm fine," he stammered.
Jae-Hwan nudged him lightly. "Shy one, huh?" He smiled and walked away to prep for the match, leaving Min with her.
"I'm Soo-Yeon," she said. "And you are…?"
"Min," he blurted, face hot.
She laughed softly. "Maybe I'll see you after this."
Min turned back toward his brother, cheeks burning. Jae-Hwan grinned. "Looks like you've got skills outside the game too, little brother."
Ji-Ho chuckled quietly behind them.
A tall figure approached Jae-Hwan, hood up, beard unshaven. Min recognized him immediately: Park Chan-Sik, mentor and one of the original Warlocks.
"I hope you're ready," Chan-Sik said. "I did my reconnaissance. These guys aren't easy."
"What do you have on them?" Jae-Hwan asked.
"They trained as practice partners for pro teams before the blackout. Almost at pro level, even if they never got official licenses."
Jae-Hwan nodded, eyes flicking to Min. "Your Zerg micro is insane, but don't overthink it. Play smart, not safe."
A group of young men in red jackets passed, bumping into Min and Jae-Hwan.
"Problem here?" Jae-Hwan demanded, stepping forward. Ji-Ho and Chan-Sik flanked him.
One sneered. "We play against this wussy?" Another added, "Easy win."
Chan-Sik placed a hand on Jae-Hwan's arm. "Keep your cool. They're trying to get in your head."
Jae-Hwan nodded. The red jackets shrugged and walked on, chuckling.
The lights dimmed. The dance music cut. An MC climbed onto a small stage between two computers.
"Ayo, everybody! Make some noise for ORCA!!!" he yelled, and the crowd roared, shaking the building.
He explained the rules: 1v1 Brood War. No retries. No draws. No Random.
Jae-Hwan moved to his seat, placing his fingers on the keys, warming up. The Warlocks' eyes followed him, hope and tension intermingled.
"If I make it to the stars," Jae-Hwan said, voice steady, almost commanding, "we all make it to the stars."
MC Orca raised his hand for the countdown.
3… 2… 1…
"GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!"
The PC humed louder as the match began. The Warlocks' fate—and Min's world—was about to change forever.