Sigma's Deadly Game
The unprecedented catastrophe unfolding in the heart of Jamsil, the very pulse of gaming Korea, was nothing short of an apocalyptic disaster. On a weekend afternoon, at least 30,000 people had gathered from across the nation for shopping and sightseeing. The sheer scale of the mass hostage crisis left the entire country stunned. All broadcasters scrapped their regular programming to air live footage of the tower, while the military and police sealed off a several-kilometer radius around it. Citizens with family or friends inside wept uncontrollably beyond the barricades, praying for a miracle.
"......What's the current situation?"
In the hastily set-up temporary joint command center near the tower, where the air hung heavy with tension, the Hero Association Chairman's low voice echoed. All eyes turned to the large screen at his question. The on-site commander, standing at the podium with a grim expression, raised a laser pointer.
"We estimate around 30,000 civilians are trapped inside L City Tower. Fortunately, there are no reports of direct casualties yet, but unstable communications within the building make precise assessments difficult."
As he finished, the screen displayed side-by-side photos: one from the near-train collision a few days ago, and the current image of the tower.
"The vines enveloping the tower are believed to be the unique ability of the villain Sigma, who orchestrated this terror. You all remember how the train was barely halted by vines just before impact. They're similar to the ones wrapping the tower now."
Sigma. The mysterious S-rank villain who had appeared out of nowhere a month ago. First the train terror, now the tower—unbelievable.
"You mean a single villain wrapped that massive tower with his power alone?"
"That's what the evidence suggests."
"Hah, haha......"
The chairman clicked his tongue at the fact that even an S-rank villain had single-handedly reduced the over-500-meter behemoth to this state. The commander nodded solemnly in agreement before advancing to the next slide. The screen shifted to close-up images of the grotesque vines covering the entire tower.
"As you can see, all ground-level entrances, including the underpass, are completely sealed by massive thorned vines summoned by Sigma. Special forces attempted entry with equipment, but the vines immediately regenerated from floors and walls upon physical damage, threatening our agents."
Just as the commander described, ordinary walls and floors in the previous photo sprouted new vines in the next.
"Of course, we could force our way in at the cost of casualties, but the vines' scale is beyond expectations, risking structural collapse. Forced external entry is effectively impossible."
The command center fell silent at the mention of the tower potentially crumbling. 30,000 lives were at stake, but if that giant structure collapsed in the middle of Jamsil, the consequences were too horrific to imagine.
"......So what are his demands? He wouldn't pull this off without a purpose."
"Sigma hasn't made any moves since seizing the tower."
"Damn it, what the hell is this guy's game......"
A man at the meeting spat curses, voicing what everyone felt. This terror was of a scale unprecedented in human history. Present were the Hero Association Chairman, the Capital Defense Commander, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, an S-rank hero, Flare with eyes blazing in fury, and Nova staring at the screen with pale face and clenched fists. No one spoke.
But the silence didn't last. Perhaps due to the sheer horror, even the usually composed national leaders began glaring at each other, impatience boiling over.
The first to break it was the Capital Defense Commander, his voice as authoritative as the stars on his uniform shoulders.
"Even now, 30,000 citizens tremble in fear! We have no time to waste—deploy forces immediately to rescue the hostages!"
He slammed the table, advocating hardline action. But the Fire Chief flushed red and retorted instantly.
"Commander, didn't you hear the briefing? There's a risk of foundation collapse! If we force it and the tower falls, who's taking responsibility for those inside? Safety first!"
"So we just sit here and watch? Police Chief, what's your take!"
Cornered, the Police Chief rubbed his brow and spoke cautiously.
"We should wait for contact from the terrorist. A plot this big means he has a message to deliver. Open negotiations and follow protocol......"
"Negotiations? You want to negotiate with a terrorist?"
"If something happens to the hostages, will you take responsibility, Commander?!"
"Hey, you—!"
The command center devolved into a shouting match worse than a marketplace. The chairman tried mediating—"Everyone, calm down and let's find realistic options"—but emotions ran too high.
Nova bit her lip. It was frustrating to see these seasoned figures reduced to finger-pointing in crisis. While they wasted time, who knew what was happening to the hostages? Was this the moment for raised voices? The S-rank hero beside her sat silent as a statue, while Flare's face twisted into something ferocious, ready to erupt.
The tense standoff, on the verge of explosion, was interrupted.
Tsssh, zzzt—!
The screen, dark since the briefing ended, flickered back on with harsh noise. A bizarre silhouette emerged amid the static, and the chaotic room fell deathly silent, as if doused in ice water.
"Sigma......!!"
The figure on screen was the villain in a black coat and eerie mask—Sigma. The room erupted at his appearance.
"You crazy bastard, showing your face here! Release the people now!!"
"Commander, calm down! This is the time for negotiations!"
"Shut up! No deals with terrorists!"
"What the hell are you saying, you old fool!?"
"Calm down! Calm down, I said!"
The Capital Defense Commander foamed at the mouth, jabbing at the screen and bellowing. The chairman and chiefs tried to restrain him in shock, but facing a villain holding 30,000 hostages and taunting them, rationality frayed. The room was pandemonium with the enraged commander and the three men struggling to hold him back.
Sigma watched leisurely, as if enjoying the show, then suddenly pulled a small switch from his pocket.
"......?"
Before anyone could react, Sigma mercilessly pressed it.
BOOM—!!
A deafening explosion rattled the command center walls.
"......!!"
Nova bolted outside on instinct. Flare, the other heroes, and leaders poured out after her. Looking toward the sound, Nova's eyes trembled. Crimson flames and thick black smoke erupted like a geyser from the upper floors of L City Tower.
Screams from civilians beyond the barricades echoed as the area turned to chaos. No further blasts followed, but no one relaxed.
"That crazy fuck......"
Flare beside Nova muttered dazedly. Even her usual boldness faltered before this overwhelming terror. The S-rank hero, chairman, and hotheads all stared up at the tower with trembling eyes.
Sigma's voice boomed through the command center speakers. Nova whipped her head back to the screen. His red eyes seemed to pierce her alone.
No way to verify, but with no immediate casualties, Nova exhaled briefly in relief. But Sigma's next words were ice-cold.
Realizing his sinister smile wasn't bluffing, Nova clenched her fists and spoke carefully.
"......What do you want? Why do this?"
No matter how she racked her brain, she couldn't fathom the madness behind it.
Sigma answered casually, as if he'd been waiting.
"What......?"
"You, this is......!"
Treating tens of thousands of lives like game pieces filled Nova with indescribable hatred.
As Sigma mocked, regardless of her feelings, they had no time to choose. No matter their power, they were mere pawns in the villain's palm.
Nova exhaled shakily, glaring resolute at the screen.
"...I'll protect them this time."
"I'll play by your rules. But keep that promise......!"
Sigma's eyes behind the mask curved in satisfaction.