The Chained Emperor stood before the gathered crowd.
Thousands had assembled.
Silence filled the air.
They were waiting.
Waiting for answers.
"An incident has occurred at PKS School," he said calmly.
A pause.
"I cannot reveal the details… yet."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"It would be best," he continued coldly,
"if you remain silent and wait."
A man stepped forward.
His body trembled.
But he didn't stop.
An old man—fragile, worn, his clothes barely holding together.
Yet his voice didn't break.
"Please…" he said, bowing his head.
"Just tell me one thing… is my son safe?"
Silence.
The Emperor stared at him.
At least he understands this is a staged performance, he thought.
The crowd erupted.
"My daughter is there!"
"Tell us the truth!"
"What's happening?!"
Fear turned into desperation.
Desperation turned into defiance.
They were ready to die for answers.
The Emperor raised his hand.
Silence returned instantly.
"…Very well."
The other kings leaned toward him.
"Is this necessary?" one whispered.
"The terrorist story is enough."
The Emperor glanced at them.
They froze.
Not a word followed.
He looked back at the crowd.
"The school is under terrorist attack."
Gasps.
"The situation is… severe."
A pause.
"I believe most of the students will not survive."
Dead silence.
Then—
"Now tell me," he said softly,
"do you feel better knowing the truth… my people?"
Panic exploded.
Parents screamed.
Some ran toward the school—
Only to be stopped by armed soldiers.
Inside the School
The ambulances arrived.
Doors opened.
Armed men stepped out.
Masks on.
Weapons ready.
"The students already know something's wrong," one said.
"Who exposed it?" another asked.
A teacher stepped forward.
"I did."
BANG.
He dropped instantly.
Blood spread across the floor.
"Guess we don't need disguises anymore," the soldier said coldly.
He looked at the corpse.
The remaining teachers and guards stood still.
They understood.
There was no future for them.
The soldiers removed their masks.
Hundreds of them.
They spread across the campus.
The hunt began.
Gunfire echoed through the halls.
Students were found—
And killed instantly.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
"Come out, you rats!" one shouted.
"Stop hiding and die properly!"
Frank & Mary
Hidden inside a ventilation shaft—
Frank and Mary crawled forward.
Gunshots echoed behind them.
Screams filled the air.
Mary trembled.
"I… I can't…"
Frank grabbed her hand.
"It's okay. I'm here."
"I trust you…"
"Me too."
They reached the service room.
But—
Two soldiers stood inside.
Talking.
"I guess this is bad luck," one said.
"Having the Blood Clan beneath their school."
Frank froze.
Blood Clan…?
"That's why we're doing this," the other replied.
"For the future."
A pause.
"Let's kill a few more."
They left.
Frank didn't move.
He waited.
Listened.
Counted seconds.
Then—
"Now."
He pressed a hidden switch.
A tile shifted open.
A narrow passage revealed itself.
Their secret tunnel.
They climbed inside.
Hope rising—
Until—
"Wait."
A voice.
Behind them.
The soldiers had seen it.
"Them! There's a tunnel!"
Footsteps.
Fast.
Closing in.
"Frank—!"
"Into the sewage!"
Mary hesitated.
The smell was unbearable.
"I… I can't—"
"You have to. It's the only way."
She nodded.
They jumped.
Darkness swallowed them.
Behind them—
The soldiers followed.
[End of chapter]