The scene unfolds on a snow-covered set, where light flakes of snow fall gently over the thick layers from the previous day's storm.

"...Feels like we're heading into war." "My thoughts exactly."

The extras gathered, shivering under an unfamiliar tension.

Part of it was due to the cold, but the larger reason was the intimidating atmosphere Kim Donghu commanded.

"We’re using prop swords for sure, and we’re even wearing stab-proof vests underneath just in case..."

So why did the sword in Kim Donghu's hand look as sharp as a real blade?

Even veteran extras accustomed to period dramas found themselves overwhelmed by the oppressive presence he exuded.

"Isn't he cold at all?"

As they spoke, the extras shifted their gaze toward Kim Donghu.

No matter how warmly lined his underclothes might be or how thickly his white robe was tailored for winter, it seemed unimaginably cold.

"Being young has its perks, huh." "Do you even call that just 'young'?"

He showed no signs of discomfort.

If anything, his stoic demeanor only heightened the tension around him.

He truly looked like a general about to lead his army into battle, filling even those without a shred of anxiety with a sense of apprehension.

Gulp.

Amid the sound of someone swallowing nervously beside them—

"Alright, we're starting the shoot! Everyone, gather around!"

The long-awaited filming began.

Gulp.

Director Yoon Seongbin swallowed hard as he observed the prepared set.

'The story itself is quite simple.'

The scene revolved around Jo Seonghak and Yi Taeseong meeting rebels. A clash between those trying to reclaim and those trying to take.

What followed was betrayal and a bloody battle.

Clang!

As the camera rolled, extras fell one by one.

"He's alone anyway! If we want to finish this, we can!"

The rebels shouted to rally their spirits.

"He's completely worn out!"

They emphasized how exhausted Yi Taeseong must be.

"He's human too; he must be tired by now!"

But he was a monster.

He had already killed over a hundred men with his own hands, including three high-ranking officers.

When their base was attacked, it became clear—he was even more monstrous than Jo Seonghak, who ran beside him.

Pursuing him relentlessly through thickets and dense woods, the realization hit too late: Yi Taeseong had vanished.

'Did he escape?'

Though they believed they had cast an unbreakable net, the rebel forces were ultimately nothing more than untrained farmers, leaving gaps in their formation.

"We may need to split up and search more thoroughly—"

The rebel leader, Cheondo, turned to consult Jo Seonghak but found him gone.

He had been running alongside him moments ago—where had he disappeared to?

Cheondo's face showed confusion, but Jo Seonghak, having predicted Yi Taeseong’s movements from the start, stepped forward confidently.

"There you are."

Jo Seonghak successfully blocked Yi Taeseong’s path.

Though he could have joined the rebels in killing him, Yi Taeseong was, in a way, the disaster he had summoned. Jo Seonghak decided it was his responsibility to resolve the mess he'd created.

"I've come to end you myself."

A disaster of his own making, one he had to sever with his own hands. Drawing his sword, Jo Seonghak locked eyes with Yi Taeseong.

'It's absurd how unscathed he looks except for his breathing.'

He had slaughtered over a hundred men.

His blade was chipped beyond repair, his white robe drenched in blood. Yet apart from his heavy breathing, nothing about him seemed to falter.

If anything, it was as though his body had warmed up just right. Yi Taeseong’s sharp gaze gleamed as he flashed a faint smile.

"My lord, it's not too late. If you reconsider your intentions—"

I will spare your life.

His composure, built on the belief that no one was following him, revealed his confidence. Just how far could his instincts take him?

'He’s nothing short of a beast.'

Jo Seonghak tightened his grip, steeling himself.

At that moment—

"As the saying goes, ‘He who keeps bad company becomes corrupted.’ There’s not a word of it that’s untrue."

Yi Taeseong sighed deeply, drawing his sword. A sigh that conveyed the futility of words.

As his breath ended, his gaze sharpened, and in an instant, the distance between him and Jo Seonghak disappeared.

Eyes ablaze.

"A sword demon."

Jo Seonghak muttered in genuine awe as he moved to block Yi Taeseong’s strike—or so he thought.

Clang!

From the very first clash, it felt as though Yi Taeseong had orchestrated everything. Jo Seonghak, utterly overpowered, was pushed back with laughable ease.

'?!'

The shock was genuine for both Jo Seonghak and Jin Yuseong, the actor playing him.

'Why is he this strong?'

Though both wielded the same prop swords designed for their roles, Kim Donghu's felt as solid as real steel.

'How strong must his grip and physical power be to handle plastic as if it’s this heavy?'

Setting aside his thoughts, Jin Yuseong—no, Jo Seonghak—charged at Yi Taeseong again.

They exchanged a series of pre-coordinated sword movements, rehearsed countless times, with no room for error.

But accidents happen precisely because they are unforeseen.

During an elaborate move for dramatic effect, Jo Seonghak slipped on the snowy ground. This altered the trajectory of his sword.

Much like a scene from Swordsman Baek Dongsoo, the altered path aimed for Yi Taeseong’s head.

"Such a cheap trick."

Kim Donghu smoothly ad-libbed as—

Shing!

A small dagger emerged from his robe.

Clink!

Effortlessly blocking the falling sword, he controlled the situation flawlessly, making it seem entirely natural.

‘Like a perfectly choreographed waltz.’

It was nothing difficult.

Like a seasoned dancer guiding a novice, he took the lead, calculating every move, even accounting for mistakes.

‘By clashing blades, I dictate the next movement.’

Kim Donghu’s mind worked rapidly.

As if he were playing chess or Go, predicting not two but at least five steps ahead, the countless hours spent embodying a sword master now shone brilliantly.

Reaching the pinnacle of dual-blade mastery, Yi Taeseong’s sword overwhelmed Jo Seonghak.

Thunk!

Jo Seonghak collapsed, utterly unable to counter. Moments later—

"Cut!"

The director’s long-awaited signal rang out, followed by an elder's startled cry.

The most challenging action scene behind them, the filming proceeded smoothly. I relaxed in the van, enjoying some downtime.

‘It’s all done.’

Strictly speaking, there were still scenes left to film, but there was no further role for Yi Taeseong.

‘The story ends with him killing Jo Seonghak and escaping.’

Thus, The Traitor: Roots of Corruption came to its conclusion. Though Jo Seonghak, the infamous corrupt official, had died, Yi Taeseong lived on in his hideous infamy.

‘It makes sense to keep him alive.’

If the film succeeded, they’d need a sequel, with Yi Taeseong as the main villain.

With the film wrapped, March had arrived before I knew it.

Suddenly, I found myself preparing a speech for the school entrance ceremony.

"...Why am I doing this, senior?"

At my puzzled question—

"Because you’re the face of Daejong High, of course."

Senior Bong Jinwoo shrugged nonchalantly, as if it was obvious.

Why was it obvious? I wanted to refuse but couldn’t.

With teachers and even Chairman Edward Park subtly encouraging me, outright rejection felt inappropriate.

‘Might as well just do it.’

It wasn’t particularly difficult anyway. While preparing the speech, my attention caught on the name of the incoming freshman representative.

"...Does Daejong High accept foreigners now?" "Oh, you mean them? They have dual citizenship. Their dad’s Korean."

Usami Chisako.

Such a cute name.

It felt familiar, though—where had I heard it before?

Shrugging off the thought, I returned home and enjoyed a sweet, uninterrupted sleep. Nothing beats a proper rest when your schedule is clear.

Kim Donghu’s 2014 schedule remained largely unplanned.

Aside from voiceover work, most of his time was free, which meant he might genuinely enjoy school life for the first time in a while.

The first to notice this was Yerim, of course. Being in the same agency, she had quick access to his schedule.

So—

"Hmph, hmph!"

Shin Yerim woke early to take on her self-assigned role as Kim Donghu’s unofficial guardian angel.

Living just 15 minutes away from his apartment, the walk was a bit long, but she didn’t mind investing the time to greet him with breakfast.

‘Should I make soft tofu stew? Or maybe jjampong?’

She sent him a KakaoTalk message but received no response, a sure sign he was sound asleep.

‘If I show up with an apron and surprise him, he’ll love it.’

Pulling back the curtains, she imagined their faces meeting—

‘His heart will race for me, right?’

Fueled by such expectations, Yerim headed toward Kim Donghu’s studio apartment.

"Mm?" "Huh?"

A voice from the side made Yerim turn her head unconsciously. There stood a girl wearing sunglasses, a mask, and a cap pulled low.

Ordinarily, Yerim wouldn’t have recognized someone so heavily disguised. But she knew immediately who this girl was.

"...Kim Sujin? Senior Kim Sujin?"

Yerim’s certainty rang clear in her voice.

The girl, now pulling down her mask, confirmed her identity with a sly smirk.

"Yeah, that’s me. But why are you here?"

Are you going inside? Do you live here?

Thirty minutes before Kim Donghu’s usual wake-up time, an unexpected situation was unfolding.