Curse of Hope

**[SEASON: AUTUMN — VINUCA HILLS]** · **[VISUAL: Wide establishing shot of the Vinuca Hills.]** · After the long and harsh winter, autumn began to show its presence. · The snow that had covered the entirety of the Vinuca Hills slowly melted away, revealing the lush moss beneath. · Fresh sprouts emerged across the hills, bringing with them a quiet sense of rejuvenation. · **[VISUAL: Meltwater trickles between patches of moss. Small green sprouts push through the remaining snow. The hills are gradually returning to life.]** · The bright rays of the morning sun made the scene even more breathtaking. · Along the road that cut through the hills, a boy was running. · **[SOUL — OUTFIT: Lightweight autumn training clothes. A simple dark woollen shirt with rolled sleeves, fitted medieval-style trousers, sturdy leather boots, and a narrow training belt. No modern clothing, zippers, or accessories.]** · His woollen shirt was completely drenched in sweat. · His heavy breaths revealed his exhaustion. · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Eyes half-lowered, face pale and exhausted, but determined.]** · His body wavered with each step, as if he could collapse at any moment. · Yet, somehow, he kept going. · *I have to hurry. I don’t have much time left.* · *This is so hard…* · His breathing became heavier. · *But what comes after this is even harder.* · *And then I have to do it all over again in the evening.* · *Just thinking about it makes me want to stop.* · --- · **[TWO WEEKS EARLIER — BEGINNING OF ASSASSIN TRAINING]** · It had been two weeks since the assassin training began. · Since there were no assassin instructors for Levels 1 to 5, warriors of similar ranks had been assigned to train the students. · Soul was being trained under the teacher of the Iron Phantoms. · **[VISUAL: Training grounds inside Eclipse Sanctum. Students practice in separate groups under instructors. Their clothing varies subtly according to the autumn season.]** · **[STUDENT OUTFITS: Medieval training tunics, woollen undershirts, light cloaks, leather belts, fitted trousers, boots, and simple arm guards. Different students may wear slightly different combinations, but all remain within the academy's medieval aesthetic.]** · Because his abilities were mostly those of a normal human, Soul had to push himself far beyond his limits to keep up with the others. · His training began at 5 a.m. with a 25-kilometre run. · It had started at 18 kilometres, but was increased after he complained about it. · **[VISUAL: Flashback panel of Soul arguing with Max. Max remains completely calm while Soul looks exhausted and annoyed.]** · The goal was to complete it within one hour. · Despite his age, Soul had considerable experience in running away. · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Deadpan.]** · Even so, it still took him around one and a half hours to finish. · --- · **[TRAINING GROUNDS — MORNING]** · After that came weapon training with the Iron Phantoms. · **[VISUAL: Iron Phantom students practice with swords, spears, and bows.]** · Since he wasn’t one of them, Soul had to memorize everything on his own. · He found it mentally exhausting and often fell asleep during class. · **[VISUAL: Soul sitting at a wooden desk, eyes slowly closing while the instructor continues teaching.]** · **[SOUL — OUTFIT: Same autumn academy training clothes, slightly rumpled from training.]** · Then came practical weapon exercises—which, to him, felt like a complete joke. · Soul stared down at the thin needles in his hand. · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Confused disbelief.]** · *How is anyone supposed to fight with these toothpick-sized needles?* · He tried his best, but he couldn’t even pierce a sheet of paper, let alone armor. · **[VISUAL: Soul throws a needle at a training target. It barely makes an impact and falls to the ground.]** · Honestly, poking an enemy in the eyes seemed more effective than throwing them. · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Completely serious while thinking this.]** · --- · After that was combat training. · **[VISUAL: Soul being repeatedly knocked down during hand-to-hand combat practice.]** · And finally, another 25-kilometre run in the evening. · **[VISUAL: Sunset over the training grounds. Soul runs alone while other exhausted students return to the academy.]** · His teacher had said that his body was resilient enough to endure continuous training, even for 24 hours straight. · What he hadn’t said was how difficult it would be to push both mind and body to keep going. · Every part of Soul’s body screamed at him to stop. · **[VISUAL: Close-up panels of trembling legs, bruised hands, sweat dripping from his face, and heavy breathing.]** · At times like this, thinking about his past was the only thing that kept him moving forward. · --- · **[ECLIPSE SANCTUM — STUDENT AREA]** · Everyone had already started to hate him. · He used to believe it was normal—people hated him because of his condition. · But now, he was living just like any other student… · …and yet, it was happening again. · Maybe it was because he couldn’t connect with others. · But did that really justify their hatred? · *Can’t I just be the quiet one in class?* · Apparently not. · So, he tried to change. · **[VISUAL: Soul sitting alone while groups of students talk together in the background.]** · Gabriel was one of the kinder students, so Soul decided to befriend him. · Their conversations went well— · For two days. · **[PANEL TRANSITION: DAY 1 → DAY 2 → DAY 3]** · On the third day, something went terribly wrong. · --- · ### **[NINE DAYS AGO]** · **[VISUAL: Academy courtyard during lunchtime. Autumn sunlight falls across the stone courtyard. Students wear slightly lighter medieval layers appropriate for the milder season.]** · **[GABRIEL — OUTFIT: Brown medieval tunic over a cream linen shirt, simple leather belt, dark trousers, and boots. Relaxed appearance.]** · “Hey, Soul. Have you seen Ma’am Mari?” · “She’s the teacher of Group D.” · Gabriel leaned closer with an excited expression. · “And I swear… she’s so hot.” · **[GABRIEL — EXPRESSION: Enthusiastic, admiring grin.]** · “Really?” · Soul looked genuinely confused. · “I’ve never checked. She could be sick, though.” · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Completely sincere. No hidden joke.]** · Gabriel froze. · “Oh, she’s both sick *and* hot.” · **[GABRIEL — EXPRESSION: Confident grin.]** · “I think she’s the hottest person in the world.” · “Is she hotter than coals?” · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Genuine curiosity.]** · Gabriel froze again. · Then, in a serious tone, he replied, · “Way… way hotter.” · **[PAUSE.]** · Soul's eyes widened slightly. · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Fascinated.]** · Someone hotter than fire? · He had to see it for himself. · --- · **[LATER — LUNCHTIME]** · Soul approached Ma’am Mari. · **[MA'AM MARI — OUTFIT: Medieval academy teacher's attire suited for autumn: long dark-green woollen dress with fitted sleeves, a simple waist belt, and a short shoulder cloak. Elegant but practical. No modern elements.]** · Soul grabbed her hand to check. · **[VISUAL: Soul calmly holds Mari's hand while examining it as though checking its temperature.]** · The next instant— · **[SFX: BAM!]** · A punch slammed into his head. · **[VISUAL: Mari's fist connects with Soul's head. Soul's body is knocked sideways.]** · The pain was so intense that he immediately dropped to the ground. · “What do you think you’re doing, brat?” · **[MARI — EXPRESSION: Furious.]** · “Gabriel said you’re hotter than coals…” · Soul looked up at her honestly. · “…so I was just checking.” · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Completely innocent and confused.]** · “Hotter than coals?” · Mari's expression twitched. · “What kind of comparison is that?” · “Who the hell is this Gabriel?” · Her anger only grew. · Soul pointed toward Gabriel. · **[VISUAL: Gabriel is sitting nearby. His face goes pale. He suddenly struggles to swallow the food in his mouth.]** · **[GABRIEL — EXPRESSION: HORRIFIED.]** · Some teachers found the situation amusing. · But among the students, Soul was now labeled a traitor— · and an idiot. · Gabriel was slapped seventeen times in front of everyone to “correct” his thinking. · **[VISUAL: Comedic sequence of Gabriel receiving repeated slaps while Soul watches with a completely confused expression.]** · After that, Gabriel thanked Soul… · …and never spoke to him again. · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Quiet confusion as Gabriel walks away.]** · Soul tried making other friends. · But they were even more disgusted and refused to talk to him. · --- · ### **[PRESENT DAY — AUTUMN MORNING]** · Soul had reached the halfway point and was now running back toward the sanctum. · **[VISUAL: Soul running through the autumn hills. Remaining patches of snow are visible in the distance, while fresh vegetation covers the lower slopes.]** · *How was I supposed to know that “hot” means beautiful?* · *Maybe I do have some fault…* · *But he didn’t have to speak in code like that.* · A tired thought crossed his mind. · *Good thing I’ve already adapted to this.* · --- · **[ECLIPSE SANCTUM — TRAINING GROUNDS]** · At the finish line, Soul saw Max. · **[MAX — LEVEL: 3 | GRADE: 5 | CATEGORY: BLEED DOMINION]** · **[MAX — OUTFIT: Heavy autumn training attire. Dark sleeveless wool tunic over a fitted long-sleeved shirt, reinforced leather bracers, dark trousers, sturdy boots, and a simple training belt. Practical medieval warrior aesthetic.]** · The moment Soul crossed the line— · **[VISUAL: Soul's legs give out.]** · He collapsed to his knees. · “1 hour and 37 minutes.” · Max looked at him calmly. · “That’s three minutes slower than before. Why?” · **[MAX — EXPRESSION: Neutral, strict.]** · Soul was too exhausted to answer. · Max didn't wait. · “As punishment, you’ll do 500 push-ups.” · “Class starts at 7.” · “Don’t be late.” · With that, he left. · --- · **[SHORTLY AFTER — TRAINING GROUNDS]** · Glen had woken up early that day. · His class started at 9, so he decided to explore the training grounds. · **[GLEN — OUTFIT: Light autumn academy attire: dark wool tunic, high-collared linen undershirt, fitted trousers, leather boots, and a short shoulder cape. Neat and practical medieval design.]** · Then he heard a strained voice counting. · “Thirty… seven…” · **[SFX: GASP]** · “Thirty… eight…” · Following the sound, Glen found Soul. · Soul was performing push-ups alone. · **[VISUAL: Soul's arms tremble violently. Sweat drips onto the stone floor.]** · “Good morning, Soul.” · Glen paused. · “Though… it doesn’t seem like a good one for you.” · “Hello…” · Soul continued breathing heavily. · “What are you doing here so early?” · “Just strolling.” · “Killing time before class,” Glen replied. · Even while talking, Soul resumed his push-ups. · “How many do you have left?” · “460…” · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Exhausted, but focused.]** · “…before 7.” · “Why not stop?” · Glen glanced around. · “Your teacher isn’t here. No one will know.” · “If I run away from training…” · Soul continued the movement. · “…I’ll never become strong.” · “And how are you so sure this training will even make you stronger?” · “Because my teacher said so.” · Soul looked briefly toward Glen. · “Don’t you believe that?” · **[VISUAL: A subtle change occurs in Soul's expression.]** · As he spoke, something changed. · His pace increased. · **[SFX: THUD. THUD. THUD.]** · The exhaustion began to fade. · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Focused determination replacing exhaustion.]** · “This is pointless,” Glen said. · “How can a warrior teach an assassin?” · “They don’t understand what we do…” · “What it takes to awaken killer instincts.” · “Their methods awaken warrior spirits.” · “We don’t even have those.” · --- · **[VISUAL: CLOSE-UP — SOUL'S EYES]** · Soul's fatigue vanished completely. · His breathing became steadier. · His movements became faster. · He felt like he could run another 25 kilometres— · **faster than before.** · Within three minutes, he completed 280 push-ups… · …and was still accelerating. · **[VISUAL: Glen watches in disbelief as Soul continues without slowing down.]** · “I believe in Mr. Max.” · Soul's voice remained calm despite his brutal pace. · “He’s harsh, but if I follow him, I’ll become strong.” · “As long as I keep putting in effort, it’s not pointless.” · Glen stared at him. · “Have you ever seen Level 7 assassins from our batch?” · “Their training is on an entirely different level.” · “When you see it, you’ll understand how pointless this is.” · **[GLEN — EXPRESSION: Sharp seriousness. His words are not meant as a joke.]** · --- · By then, Soul had finished all his push-ups. · **[VISUAL: Soul slowly rises from the ground.]** · His right shoulder bulged unnaturally, as if dislocated. · Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. · **[VISUAL: Small blood trail from his lips. His right shoulder hangs slightly lower than the left.]** · Yet he stood upright. · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Exhausted but unwavering.]** · “I don’t have time to doubt myself, Mr—” · Soul paused. · His mind, clouded with exhaustion, failed to recall Glen's name. · Glen narrowed his eyes. · “Glen.” · “…Mr. Glen.” · Soul corrected himself. · “If you keep doubting yourself, you’ll never be able to push forward.” · Glen let out a faint scoff. · “Just a few words,” he said, his tone sharp, · “and you’ve already lost half your senses.” · Soul remained silent for a moment. · His breathing was still heavy. · **[SOUL — EXPRESSION: Calm and steady despite the exhaustion.]** · Glen turned away. · “Fine, Soul.” · “You’ll see the difference between us soon…” · “…in the first test.” · **[VISUAL: Glen walks away, his short autumn cloak moving slightly in the morning wind.]** · Soul didn't fully understand what he meant. · But he was already running late. · He took a few steps forward— · **[PAUSE.]** · And suddenly— · all the pain crashed into him at once. · **[VISUAL: Soul's vision distorts. His surroundings blur.]** · His mind went completely blank. · **[SFX: THUMP.]** · His knees gave way. · And Soul collapsed, unconscious. · **[FINAL PANEL: Soul lying unconscious on the cold stone ground of the training grounds. His white hair spreads across the ground, sweat and a small amount of blood visible on his face. The autumn morning light falls across him.]** · **[EMOTIONAL DIRECTION: No dramatic screaming or exaggerated expression. The scene should feel quiet and physically brutal, emphasizing how far Soul has pushed his body.]** · **[SEASONAL CONTINUITY: Autumn should remain visually consistent throughout the chapter—cooler mornings, light layers, wool and linen fabrics, short cloaks, leather belts and boots. Avoid modern jackets, zippers, ties, sneakers, or other modern clothing. Character outfits may vary subtly between scenes while maintaining the medieval academy aesthetic.]**