Chapter 25: Student Zero & the Buried Plan
Secret Archive Facility – Undisclosed Location
CCTV footage tracking Gevran was stored in an old system accessible by only one man. An elderly figure with thin white beard and layered digital glasses watched the screen, gently stroking his chin.
On the screen, a censored face appeared.
> "Activate Student Zero. Insert him into the regular class with a new identity. Test his worth… and his loyalty."
A woman in a white lab coat replied, "But… that could endanger the other students."
> "That's the point. The world doesn't need leaders who only know peace. The world needs those who can win—even while staring into the darkness."
---
Daehan International School – Monday Morning
Classroom 3-A buzzed with the sudden announcement:
> "Starting this week, we have a transfer student from overseas. Please introduce yourself."
A boy entered. Calm face. Nearly expressionless. His gaze sharp—like he was analyzing everyone… while hiding something.
> "My name is Kai. I transferred from a special overseas program. Nice to meet you all."
Gevran immediately picked up on the strange energy.
> "His speech… too calculated. Not a regular student. Not your 'ordinary new kid.'"
Han Jimin whispered, "You feel it too, right? He's… like he's imitating a human."
---
Lunchtime – School Rooftop
Team 8-1-9 regrouped. Kaeyan pulled up tracking data from the old student council's system.
"Kai's name doesn't show up in any national student database. And get this—his photo can't even be captured. This is beyond Korean systems."
Kasang added, "I checked the student dark web. There are whispers about 'Number Zero'—an experimental student program made for political pawns and information warfare."
Han Jimin turned to Gevran. "If he's really an experiment… why send him here?"
Gevran nodded slowly. "Because of me. He's a test—whether to destroy me, challenge me… or tempt my dark side. But we won't back down."
---
Night – Kai's Room
Kai stood in front of a mirror. His eyes glowed faintly blue. On the wall, a projection displayed instructions:
> "Approach Gevran Yi Jido. Test his skills. Test his integrity. Find his weakness. If he fails… replace him."
Kai touched his chest—there, a tiny digital mark shaped like the number 0 glowed softly. He murmured:
> "Gevran… you're fascinating. But remember, I'm not your enemy. I'm… your replacement."
---
End of Chapter 25
Gevran opened one of the classified files Kasang had smuggled from the old student council's underground network. The title read:
"Project Replacement: Creating the Shadow Leader"
And within it—a faded photo… showing Kai in the background. Alongside the school principal, the foundation head… and Gevran's biological father.
---
Daehan International School – Student Council's Underground Archive
Gevran's hand trembled as he zoomed in on the grainy image. His eyes locked onto the man standing behind the principal and the foundation head.
His biological father—clad in a government-grade suit, hand resting on Kai's shoulder, smiling.
Han Jimin leaned closer. "That's not just any photo. That's… confirmation. Kai isn't just some experiment. He's part of your legacy."
Gevran's voice was low. "Or my shadow."
> "Project Replacement was not only designed to forge a perfect student…" he read aloud, "…but to mirror and eventually overwrite a political heir if necessary."
Kasang's face went pale. "They made a clone… with one purpose. To outshine you."
---
Elsewhere – Secret Lab Facility
The old man monitored new footage. Kai was sitting in class, mimicking normalcy. But his brainwaves and biometric responses streamed into dozens of screens.
"Good," the old man muttered. "His empathy is still at 20%. His imitation of adolescent behavior is nearly perfect. He's already earning their trust."
The woman in the lab coat crossed her arms. "And if he doesn't?"
He didn't answer. He simply pulled up two live feeds—one of Gevran, the other of Kai. A digital algorithm compared them, line by line.
Then, in a tone cold as winter:
> "Then we'll force a convergence. And only one of them will remain."
---
Night – Back at Gevran's House
Gevran sat alone in his room. The lights were off. The only glow came from his phone, still showing the photo of Kai beside his father.
He remembered his father's words from years ago:
> "A true leader is someone who can be replaced, but never outclassed."
Gevran clenched his jaw. "You built him… because you didn't believe in me."
Then he stood, walking toward the window overlooking Seoul's city lights.
> "But I don't need to destroy him… not yet. I'll win the right way. My way."
His reflection in the glass overlapped with the stars above.
> "Let's see if your perfect clone… bleeds like I did."
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