Curse of Hope

# Chapter 8 · ### SCENE 1 — MEDICAL ROOM · **[PANEL 1 — CLOSE-UP]** · Soul slowly regained consciousness. · His vision was blurry. His head felt heavy, and a dull pain coursed through his body. · **[SFX: THROB... THROB...]** · His right shoulder hurt the most. · **[PANEL 2 — WIDE SHOT]** · Soul slowly opened his eyes and looked around. · The room was dimly lit by flickering oil lamps. Thin trails of smoke stained the rough stone walls. · A wooden cot sat at the centre of the room, covered with coarse linen. · Shelves lined the walls, filled with clay jars containing crushed herbs, dried plants, and crude medical tools. · The sharp scent of herbs mixed with the stale smell of blood. · **[CAPTION]** · Soul was not unfamiliar with this place. · It was the medical room. · --- · **[PANEL 3 — MEDIUM SHOT]** · Soul slowly tried to sit up. · The moment he moved— · **[SFX: SHARP PAIN!]** · A sudden pain shot through his right shoulder. · Soul's expression tightened slightly. · He immediately lowered himself back onto the cot. · **SOUL:** · "..." · **[CAPTION]** · *Still hurts.* · --- · **[PANEL 4 — DOORWAY]** · The wooden door opened. · Max entered the room, carrying his usual calm expression. · He glanced toward Soul. · **MAX:** · "So, you've finally woken up." · **MAX:** · "How is your shoulder?" · **[PANEL 5 — SOUL CLOSE-UP]** · Soul looked toward him without changing his expression much. · **SOUL:** · "Not good." · **SOUL:** · "It hurts to move." · **MAX:** · "You pushed yourself too hard." · --- · ### SCENE 2 — THE LIMIT OF GRADE 1 · **[PANEL 6 — TWO-SHOT]** · Soul looked at his injured shoulder. · **SOUL:** · "Isn't my body supposed to be resilient to this kind of damage?" · Max walked toward one of the shelves. · **MAX:** · "You think you're invincible?" · **[PANEL 7 — MAX CLOSE-UP]** · Max picked up one of the clay jars. · **MAX:** · "You may be more resilient than others, but there's a limit to how far you can push yourself at Grade 1." · He looked back at Soul. · **MAX:** · "What made you go that far?" · --- · **[PANEL 8 — SOUL CLOSE-UP]** · Soul remained silent for a moment. · His eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled what had happened. · **SOUL:** · "I don't know." · **SOUL:** · "I suddenly felt a surge of energy." · **SOUL:** · "After that, I couldn't feel any pain." · **PANEL — SUBTLE FLASHBACK** · Soul standing in the middle of the fight, bloodied and exhausted. · His eyes appear unusually focused. · **SOUL:** · "For a moment..." · **SOUL:** · "I felt like I could do anything." · --- · **[PANEL 9 — MAX LOOKS TOWARD SOUL]** · Max's expression became slightly more serious. · **MAX:** · "Were you talking to someone at that time?" · **SOUL:** · "Yes." · **SOUL:** · "There was a boy." · --- · **[PANEL 10 — MAX TURNS AWAY]** · Max sighed. · He took a herb from one of the jars and held it out toward Soul. · **MAX:** · "As I suspected." · **MAX:** · "That boy pushed your body to its limit." · --- · **[PANEL 11 — SOUL CLOSE-UP]** · For the first time, genuine surprise appeared in Soul's eyes. · **SOUL:** · "How?" · **SOUL:** · "He was just talking to me." · **SOUL:** · "He didn't do anything else." · --- · **[PANEL 12 — MAX EXPLANATION]** · Max calmly explained. · **MAX:** · "That boy was likely a Level 4 or higher Pulse Stalker." · **MAX:** · "He must have used an ability called **Voice of Appraise**." · **PANEL — VISUAL EFFECT** · A subtle wave-like distortion travels from a figure's mouth toward another person's head. · **MAX:** · "A Pulse Stalker can use it to influence the listener's mind directly." · **MAX:** · "It forces their body to release all its stored energy at once." · **MAX:** · "The only requirement is that they need to talk to the person for a short time." · --- · **[PANEL 13 — SOUL]** · Soul stared at Max. · **SOUL:** · "But why would he do that?" · **MAX:** · "It's not uncommon for high-level assassins to test their abilities on weaker individuals." · Max turned toward the door. · **MAX:** · "Anyway, you'll probably recover by tomorrow." · He glanced back at Soul. · **MAX:** · "Be ready at five." · **SOUL:** · "Yes, sir." · --- · ### SCENE 3 — THREE MONTHS OF TRAINING · **[MONTAGE — MULTIPLE PANELS]** · **[PANEL 1]** · Soul running through the training grounds. · **[PANEL 2]** · Soul practising with his weapons. · **[PANEL 3]** · Soul repeatedly throwing and retrieving his needle. · **[PANEL 4]** · Soul observing the needle carefully in his hand. · **[CAPTION]** · As the days passed, Soul gradually recovered. · He grew faster and stronger. · More importantly, he began to understand his weapons better. · --- · **[PANEL 5 — NEEDLE CLOSE-UP]** · Soul stared at the needle in his hand. · **[CAPTION]** · He finally realized that he had been using it incorrectly all along. · He had treated it as a finishing weapon. · But its effectiveness as a finishing weapon depended on striking vital areas such as the heart or brain. · **[PANEL 6 — TRAINING VISUAL]** · Soul uses the needle against an opponent's arm, leg, or other non-vital area. · **[CAPTION]** · In reality, the needle was meant to be used as a **hindrance tool**. · Its purpose was to restrict an opponent rather than simply kill them. · --- · **[PANEL 7 — THREE MONTHS LATER]** · Soul stands before a thick wooden target. · He throws the needle. · **[SFX: THUNK!]** · The needle pierces into the wood. · Soul looks at it silently. · **[CAPTION]** · After three months of training, he was finally able to pierce wood with it. · --- · ### SCENE 4 — THE FIRST TEST · **[PANEL 8 — EVENING]** · The sun hangs low over the training grounds. · Soul crosses the finish line after completing his evening run. · He bends slightly forward, catching his breath. · **SOUL:** · "Haa..." · Max stands nearby with his arms folded. · **MAX:** · "One hour and twelve minutes." · **PANEL — MAX'S SLIGHTLY TEASING EXPRESSION** · **MAX:** · "You've improved." · **MAX:** · "I hope you're actually running to the checkpoint and not cheating." · --- · **[PANEL 9 — SOUL LOOKS AT MAX]** · Soul gives Max a tired, unimpressed look. · **SOUL:** · "Is that supposed to be a joke?" · **SOUL:** · "If you think I'm cheating, why don't you run with me tomorrow?" · --- · **[PANEL 10 — MAX]** · Max gives a faint, confident smile. · **MAX:** · "I certainly could." · **MAX:** · "But I don't want to crush your confidence." · Soul remains expressionless. · **MAX:** · "Anyway, you have a more important task tomorrow." · --- · **[PANEL 11 — SOUL'S EYES WIDEN SLIGHTLY]** · **SOUL:** · "The first test?" · **SOUL:** · "It's quite a hot topic among the students." · There is a slight hint of enthusiasm in his voice. · --- · **[PANEL 12 — MAX SERIOUS]** · **MAX:** · "It's a very important event that will shape the students' future." · **MAX:** · "In the past, the four students who won the first test were the ones who survived the final test." · **[PANEL — FLASHBACK VISUAL]** · Four successful students standing after an old examination. · **MAX:** · "But over time, students developed a new strategy." · --- · **[PANEL 13]** · Max continues explaining. · **MAX:** · "They realized that the benefits of winning the first test are minimal." · **MAX:** · "Winning requires revealing all their abilities and tricks." · **MAX:** · "That's a poor trade." · --- · **[PANEL 14 — STUDENTS IN THE BACKGROUND]** · Several students deliberately hold back during a training exercise. · **MAX:** · "Moreover, those who win are seen as potential threats." · **MAX:** · "To avoid this, students began deliberately underperforming." · --- · **[PANEL 15 — SOUL]** · Soul looks thoughtful. · **SOUL:** · "So, in a way, winning the test can be a disadvantage." · He pauses. · Then his usual restrained expression returns. · **SOUL:** · "Wait, why are you telling me this?" · **SOUL:** · "It's not like I'm going to win." · **SOUL:** · "I doubt I could even make the top 50 at my best." · --- · **[PANEL 16 — MAX]** · Max looks directly at Soul. · His expression becomes firm. · **MAX:** · "I'm telling you this because I want you to win." · **MAX:** · "Since most students will underperform, your chances are higher than you think." · --- · **[PANEL 17 — SOUL]** · Soul looks at Max with slight confusion. · **SOUL:** · "Didn't you say winning has little to no benefit?" · --- · ### SCENE 5 — SPECIAL RECRUITMENT · **[PANEL 18 — MAX CLOSE-UP]** · Max pauses. · **MAX:** · "Yes." · **MAX:** · "But there's something I didn't mention." · **MAX:** · "The special recruitment process during the first, second, and third tests." · --- · **[PANEL 19 — SOUL]** · Soul's attention sharpens. · **SOUL:** · "A special recruitment process?" · --- · **[PANEL 20 — MAX EXPLAINS]** · **MAX:** · "During each test, wealthy individuals from around the world are invited." · **MAX:** · "They can choose a student to become their personal guard." · **MAX:** · "Of course, the student's consent is required." · **MAX:** · "But it's rare for anyone to refuse." · --- · **[PANEL 21 — SOUL]** · Soul looks genuinely surprised. · **SOUL:** · "Wait." · **SOUL:** · "They can just choose assassins?" · **SOUL:** · "Isn't that dangerous?" · --- · **[PANEL 22 — MAX]** · **MAX:** · "They act more like bodyguards than killers." · **MAX:** · "Once selected, they are trained specifically for protection." · **MAX:** · "Also, selected students don't have to participate in the brutal final test." · **MAX:** · "The third test becomes their last." · --- · **[PANEL 23 — MAX SERIOUS]** · **MAX:** · "But I understand your concern." · **MAX:** · "Giving a powerful assassin to the wrong person could be dangerous." · **MAX:** · "That's why they are only allowed to recruit assassins of Level 4 or below." · --- · **[PANEL 24 — MAX]** · Max looks directly into Soul's eyes. · **MAX:** · "This is a golden opportunity, Soul." · --- · **[PANEL 25 — SOUL]** · Soul remains silent for a moment. · **SOUL:** · "This seems like confidential information." · **SOUL:** · "Is it alright for you to tell me this?" · --- · **[PANEL 26 — MAX]** · Max's expression softens slightly. · **MAX:** · "It's not." · A brief pause. · **MAX:** · "But out of all the students here, you have the lowest chance of surviving." · **MAX:** · "It would be unfair if you didn't have some kind of advantage." · --- · **[PANEL 27 — SOUL CLOSE-UP]** · Soul lowers his gaze. · Max's words sounded harsh. · But Soul understood what he meant. · **[CAPTION]** · He was aware of the gap between himself and the other students. · --- · ### SCENE 6 — THE PRICE OF PROTECTION · **[PANEL 28 — SOUL]** · One final question still lingered in his mind. · **SOUL:** · "So how long would we have to serve?" · --- · **[PANEL 29 — MAX]** · Max answers without hesitation. · **MAX:** · "They pay well." · **MAX:** · "As long as you can function." · --- · **[PANEL 30 — SOUL CLOSE-UP]** · Soul's eyes become slightly wider. · **SOUL — INNER THOUGHT:** · *That's absurd...* · **SOUL — INNER THOUGHT:** · *Even if I get selected, I'll refuse.* · **SOUL — INNER THOUGHT:** · *There's no room for negotiation.* · --- · **[PANEL 31 — TWO-SHOT]** · Soul looks toward Max. · His expression returns to its usual calm state. · **SOUL:** · "I'll think about it." · **[CAPTION]** · Though he had already made up his mind. · --- · # SCENE 7 — MIDNIGHT · ### MISS CELESTINE'S OFFICE · **[PANEL 32 — ESTABLISHING SHOT]** · **MIDNIGHT — MISS CELESTINE'S OFFICE** · Moonlight entered through the large window. · The room was quiet. · Miss Celestine sat in her chair, gazing at the moon outside. · Her head rested against her palm. · She appeared lost in thought. · --- · **[PANEL 33 — CLOSE-UP]** · The moon reflected faintly in her eyes. · **[SFX: KNOCK. KNOCK.]** · Miss Celestine's attention shifted toward the door. · **MISS CELESTINE:** · "Come in." · --- · **[PANEL 34 — DOOR OPENS]** · The door slowly opened. · A girl around fourteen or fifteen years old entered the room. · She carried herself with unusual confidence for her age. · --- · **[PANEL 35 — GIRL FULL BODY]** · She wore clothing similar to the students. · However, there were notable differences. · The most striking was the **golden bracelet** around her wrist. · **[CHARACTER NOTE — HERA]** · Hera should appear calm and composed. · Her expression should not be exaggerated. · Her young age contrasts with her mature manner of speaking. · --- · **[PANEL 36 — HERA]** · Hera looked toward Miss Celestine. · **HERA:** · "So, what is the matter, Miss Celestine?" · --- · **[PANEL 37 — MISS CELESTINE]** · Miss Celestine gestured toward the chair opposite her. · **[PANEL DIRECTION]** · The gesture indicates that this conversation will not be brief. · Hera quietly sat down. · --- · **[PANEL 38 — TWO-SHOT]** · The room fell silent. · Moonlight illuminated the two figures. · Miss Celestine looked at Hera with a serious expression. · **MISS CELESTINE:** · "It is time for your first task, Hera." · **[FINAL PANEL — CLOSE-UP OF HERA'S GOLDEN BRACELET]** · The golden bracelet catches the moonlight. · **[SFX: SHINE]** · **[END OF CHAPTER 8]**