Chapter 33: In the Catalyst's Shadow
Morning – Rooftop, Daehan International School
A cloudy sky loomed overhead, the morning wind brushing against Gevran's student council jacket as he stood alone on the rooftop. In his hand, the threatening envelope was neatly folded.
Han Jimin appeared through the rooftop door, holding two cans of cold coffee.
> "I know you're not scared.
But you don't always have to be strong alone, Gev."
Gevran gave a faint smile, taking the coffee.
"I just needed a moment… to decide."
---
Student Council Room – Operation: Hunt the Catalyst
The council began planning a covert mission—reviewing CCTV footage, checking who accessed internal documents, and analyzing staff communication patterns.
Jungho pointed to one suspicious name:
> "New teacher, Mr. Hwang Taejin. No full data. Academic record too clean. Showed up just a month before JEDU officially came in."
Rhea added:
> "But students like him. Keeps a low profile. Rarely in photos. Always arrives earlier than anyone."
---
Afternoon – Cafeteria
Gevran sat across from Mr. Hwang. The conversation appeared casual, but underneath it was a battle of psychological chess.
Mr. Hwang:
"So, you think someone like you can change the system?"
Gevran:
"I believe… the system doesn't need to be changed. It needs to be replaced."
For a brief moment, a sharp glint flashed in Mr. Hwang's eyes. Just a second. But it was enough.
> "You just confirmed it," Gevran thought.
---
Night – Secret Student Council Meeting
The evidence was piling up—encrypted emails accessed from Mr. Hwang's computer, midnight logins to the school server, and connections to a shadow company under JEDU.
Han Jimin:
"We could report him to the foundation now."
Gevran shook his head.
"Not yet. We have to catch him mid-act. If they just fire him, JEDU will send another pawn."
---
> "We'll set a trap."
"We'll draw him out."
"And for the first time… the system will see who's really pulling the strings."
—And as the shadows deepen,
the light of courage begins to pierce through.
---
Late Night – Daehan School Server Room
The trap was set.
With help from alumni skilled in cybersecurity, the student council installed a decoy document into the school's mainframe: a fake master key that appeared to grant full access to Daehan's funding pipeline and encrypted reform plans.
Rhea whispered, "If he takes the bait, we'll trace his digital fingerprint straight to JEDU's control room."
Han Jimin looked over at Gevran. "Are you ready for this?"
He nodded, eyes fixed on the glowing screen.
> "He watches us from the dark.
Tonight, we show him we've been watching too."
---
Meanwhile – Mr. Hwang's Apartment, 1:32 AM
He sat before his sleek laptop, eyes scanning lines of code.
A notification pinged:
> Encrypted Document – Clearance Level: Restricted
He smiled subtly.
> "They finally made a mistake."
He clicked.
Just for a second—
The screen flickered.
Hidden spyware activated.
Location tagged. Access traced.
Ping. Ping. Ping.
Inside the student council room, the system came alive.
Jungho shouted, "He's in. We got him!"
---
Moments Later – Live Transmission Room, Daehan
Gevran connected the trace to the school's public server.
> "Students of Daehan. Parents. Teachers.
You're about to witness the real agenda behind JEDU."
On screen appeared a flowchart:
Mr. Hwang's digital trail
Emails with JEDU's senior execs
A recorded call:
> "Phase IV begins once the council loses public trust. Collapse from within."
Gasps echoed through dorms and households as the stream went viral in real time.
---
Meanwhile – Inside Mr. Hwang's Apartment
He stared at the screen as his own voice echoed.
"...You clever little bastards."
A slow clap came from behind him.
Cain Seo-Jun entered, leaning on the doorframe.
"Too slow, Mr. Catalyst. I warned JEDU you'd get sloppy."
Mr. Hwang's eyes narrowed. "And what will you do?"
Cain grinned.
> "Watch them burn both of us... then walk away clean."
---
End of Chapter 33
> The Catalyst has been exposed.
But the shadow was deeper than one man.
As enemies turn on each other,
a greater storm brews behind closed doors.
And for the first time—
Gevran's revolution goes global.
---
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