Chapter 32: The Shadow Network
Morning – Student Council Room, Daehan International School
The strategy board was filled with scribbles—company names, bank account numbers, and photos arranged like an intelligence mission. Gevran stood before his small team: Han Jimin, Rhea, Jungho, and two trusted alumni.
> "JEDU Corporation isn't just an investor. They own a network of private schools across Asia—Daehan is just one of their experiments."
Rhea nodded.
"They've infiltrated the curriculum, value systems, even influenced staff selection. All to produce obedient and 'efficient' students."
---
Afternoon – Hidden Library
Jungho and Jimin accessed the school's old archives stored in an unused storage room. Behind layers of dusty documents, they found the original contract between JEDU and the school's foundation.
> "Look at this… there's a clause stating that if funding exceeds 60%, the investor gains policy control. This means… the foundation's just a puppet."
---
Evening – Abandoned School Building
One of the alumni, Hyun-Taek, brought deeper intel: JEDU had a shadow representative at Daehan—an insider guiding the school's reform from behind the scenes.
> "They call them The Catalyst. Someone disguised as a teacher, staff… maybe even a student. Their job is to observe, influence, and if needed… destroy."
Jimin went silent.
"So we could be sabotaged at any moment…"
Gevran's voice was firm.
"Then we strike first."
---
Midnight – A Threatening Letter
A mysterious envelope appeared on the student council desk. No name, just a short message:
> "Stop. Or your family's secrets will be exposed."
All eyes turned to Gevran. He slowly opened it… and found an old medical file—evidence that the Yi family had once been framed in a corporate scandal when Gevran was a child.
---
End of Chapter 32
> The enemy no longer attacks from the outside,
but begins stabbing at the most personal of places.
The Catalyst is inside the school.
And there are only 26 days left.
---
Late Night – Rooftop of Daehan International
The city lights shimmered in the distance as Gevran leaned on the railing, clutching the medical file. Han Jimin stood beside him, arms crossed against the cold wind.
"Why didn't you ever tell me about this?" she asked softly.
Gevran sighed. "Because I didn't want my past to define me. My father fought for our name, our truth… and now they want to use it to shut me down."
Jimin took his hand.
"Then let's remind them—your past isn't a weakness. It's a fire."
---
Meanwhile – Cain Seo-Jun's Private Chat Server
Cain smirked as he received a new alert from his source inside Daehan.
> Catalyst moved into Phase III. Council is vulnerable. Time to pressure the media.
He typed back with precision:
> Unleash the scandal draft. Frame him for data theft. Let's see how the nation reacts to a 'hero' turned hacker.
His fingers hovered over the send button.
"...Sorry, Gevran," he muttered. "You're not the only one with something to prove."
---
Next Morning – Breaking News Across National Channels
> "Student Council President Accused of Hacking School System" "Daehan Leaks: Hero or Manipulator?" "Leaked Emails Suggest File Tampering by Student Leader Gevran Yi"
Photos of Gevran were splashed across every outlet. The school's administration was bombarded with calls. Protestors and supporters clashed at the school gate.
---
Student Council Room – Emergency Gathering
Rhea slammed her laptop shut. "This is coordinated. The timestamp on those emails? Fabricated."
Jungho nodded. "Someone's trying to turn public opinion before the reforms can take root."
Han Jimin: "What do we do now?"
Gevran looked up, resolve burning.
> "They want a scandal? Let's give them a counterattack."
He turned to Minjae and Eunwoo—already on their way with forensic cybersecurity help.
> "We don't just clear my name. We expose the Catalyst… and burn their shadow network."
---
End of Chapter 32
> The game has changed.
From reformers to fugitives.
From students to strategists.
The truth isn't enough now.
They'll need proof, allies, and a bulletproof narrative.
And somewhere in the crowd…
The Catalyst watches.
Smiling.
---
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