Sky River Villa looked like a modern castle perched on a hill.
Golden chandeliers shimmered above the glass hall, jazz-pop music playing softly in the background.
Elite students of Hanwol Academy mingled in formal-casual outfits—rich, confident, untouchable.
Until three boys entered.
Roby Moreno — golden-brown hair messy, black shirt half-tucked into dark jeans, and that cocky smile no one could predict.
Nam Do-yoon — calm and unreadable, his silent presence somehow louder than music.
And finally: Lee Hwang-woo — the wildcard.
With his smirk, collar open, silver chain gleaming under the light, ripped black jeans, and piercing eyes…
He looked like Roby's Korean twin—only louder and even more chaotic.
🔄 FLASHBACK – Earlier That Evening
Jong-woo's apartment echoed with music when Lee Hwang-woo barged in.
"Damn, you've grown, bro! Last time I saw you, you were still shooting water guns!"
Roby raised a brow.
"You too. Looks like the street raised you well."
Lee spotted the black shirt Roby had hung up.
"Where you going? Looking all dressed up?"
"School thing. Private."
"I'm coming too. But first, let's visit Grandpa's house."
"Can't. Got plans. Urgent."
Lee shrugged.
"Fine. I'll join. One of my friends is gonna be there anyway."
"Who?"
Lee just smirked.
"You'll see."
🌓 Back to the Party
As the trio stepped into the hall, every head turned.
Some gasped. Whispers spread like wildfire.
In the VIP lounge, Jun-hae sat with his two close allies:
Min Jae-suk, the son of a top education minister,
and Kang Dae-hyun, heir to the largest entertainment agency in Seoul.
Jae-suk narrowed his eyes.
> "That's Roby Moreno..."
Dae-hyun followed his gaze.
> "And the quiet guy—Do-yoon. But the third one?"
Jun-hae's face stiffened slightly.
> "That's Lee Hwang-woo. He disappeared after his gang went viral in western Seoul... No one's seen him in a while."
> "Why is he here?"
Jun-hae didn't answer.
Instead, he made a subtle gesture toward Ha-rin, who nodded from across the room.
🍷 Meanwhile
Roby grabbed a soda and scanned the room.
"Weird vibe. Feels more like a battlefield than a party."
Do-yoon nodded slightly.
"Just wait. The 'main event' starts soon."
Suddenly, Lee waved at someone near the snack bar.
Roby turned. Lucas?
He stood awkwardly but gave a small nod.
"He's my music class buddy," Lee said, like it was nothing.
Before Roby could reply,
the lights dimmed.
A spotlight focused on the small stage in the middle.
Min Jae-suk took the mic.
"Tonight… we officially welcome our special guests."
"And introduce them… to Hanwol's tradition."
The chandelier lights focused on the center of the hall.
In an instant, the party atmosphere shifted—this wasn't just a welcome party. It was a performance. And Roby knew it.
From his position, Roby glanced to the right.
Han Ji-seok stood leaning against the wall, silent as always, but his eyes were sharp, tracking every move Roby made.
Next to him, Oh Tae-yang, face expressionless, arms crossed, unreadable.
And then, Seo Min-gyu, grinning like a fox who'd already won the game.
They stood with the rest of the school's elite crew—
Suits. Makeup. Perfect posture. Fake smiles.
Sharks in uniform.
But one person didn't fit.
Lucas.
He was standing beside them, yet he looked like a caged animal.
His eyes flickered toward Roby—hesitant, nervous.
He wanted to say something… but didn't dare.
And then, from the far end of the hall, the true kings and queen arrived:
Jun Hae – the son of the school's owner, wearing a pale grey suit and a cold, political smile.
Kang Dae-hyun – grandson of Korea's top entertainment CEO, watch glinting with luxury.
Seo Yoon-jin – calm, elegant, with a composed face that didn't need to try. She stood out by doing nothing.
Their eyes met Roby's.
A silent war.
A chess match had begun—and Roby was not the pawn.
He smirked slightly, adjusting his collar.
Held his soda like it was a trophy.
Lee Hwang-woo leaned in, whispering,
"That grey suit guy... Jun Hae, right?"
Roby nodded once.
"He'll be the first one I bring down."
Do-yoon glanced at Hwang-woo sharply.
"This isn't the time to start fights."
"I don't start them." Hwang-woo shrugged. "But if they bring it, I'll finish it."
Roby downed the last of his soda.
"Game's on."
Suddenly, a voice echoed from the speaker system:
"All elite students and invited guests, please proceed to the Red Circle. Tonight's main event is about to begin."
The music thumped through the darkened room.
Red and blue lights spun overhead, making the elite school party feel like some underground club.
Laughter. Dancing. Booze flowing like soda.
In the center of it all sat Roby Moreno, legs crossed, a small glass in his hand, smirking like a kid who already knew how the game ends.
Right behind him stood Lee Hwang-woo, arms folded, eyes sharp like a watchdog.
He wasn't here for fun. He was here to watch Roby's back.
From across the room, Jun Hae raised a bottle and spoke smoothly,
"Welcome to Elite Truth or Dare."
"Don't wanna answer? You drink."
The game rolled. Silly questions. Kisses. Scandals.
And then…
"Roby Moreno," said Seo Min-gyu, eyes gleaming.
"Is it true you're related to Kim Ji-hoon?"
The music felt like it paused.
Eyes turned. Even the dancers slowed down.
Do Yoon, sitting beside Roby, leaned in and whispered,
"Don't drink. Just say no. Say you're not related."
Roby glanced around, then flashed his signature cocky grin.
"I'm thirsty." he said.
And just like that, he downed the first glass.
Cheers exploded.
Some girls squealed.
Do Yoon facepalmed.
"Idiot…" he muttered.
Lee Hwang-woo chuckled… until he saw the second drink being poured.
Something was off.
The liquid was too thick… too clear.
"What the hell…" he whispered.
As Roby reached for the second glass, Kang Dae-hyun gave a small nod from the corner.
Roby drank it.
Then—
A pause.
Roby blinked.
His body leaned back slightly.
Lee Hwang-woo's eyes widened.
"No, no, no—"
He leapt forward, smacked the third glass out of Roby's hand.
It shattered.
Everyone turned.
"WHO SPIKED THIS?!" Lee shouted.
He sniffed the remains on his hand.
"This isn't normal booze… it's laced. Probably mild sedatives or worse."
Roby staggered, then collapsed.
Do Yoon caught him.
"I told you not to drink, idiot!"
Panic.
Jun Hae stood, trying to stay calm,
but his eyes betrayed him.
"Ha Rin! You were serving the drinks!"
"I didn't mix them!" Ha Rin cried.
"I just brought the tray! I swear!"
Hae Jun stepped forward.
"I told you not to spike it. We're in deep trouble now."
"It was Kang Dae-hyun!" Ha Rin shouted.
"He told Tae-yang to mix something into Roby's second cup!"
All eyes turned to Kang Dae-hyun, then to Oh Tae-yang, who opened his mouth to explain—
but Lee Hwang-woo was already in front of him.
"You mixed it?" Lee asked calmly.
Seo Min-gyu stepped in, trying to smooth things over.
"Let's not blow this up. It's all a misunderstanding."
Lee didn't even blink.
"No, you misunderstood."
He gently lifted Roby, who was now unconscious.
Then stared down every person in that circle.
"From now on... you're in my game."