Rise of Silent Genius

Wang Soo's life in Creatis is the perfect paradox of simplicity and complexity. By day, he seamlessly navigates the demanding roles of creative director, social media marketer, and HR director at Kcreative, a company he co-founded with friends. By night, he retreats into the comforting world of poetry and video games, where his sharp wit and introspective nature shine. While he's known as the "cool guy" with a devilish personality, this facade masks a complicated relationship with his stepbrother Albeirt and the weight of expectations from those around him. On the surface, he is a man with average looks and a devilish personality, known for his cool charm and undeniable talent. His days are spent juggling responsibilities as the creative director, social media marketer, HR director, and co-founder of Kcreative, a flourishing agency he built with his closest allies, Yura and Han Ko. Despite his procrastination tendencies, his brilliant mind always delivers when it matters most.

Evenings are his sanctuary. He finds solace in poetry, video games, and the company of Lee, his sarcastic yet fiercely supportive lawyer girlfriend. Their shared home buzzes with the joyful energy of their Labrador retriever, Bruno. Life seems stable, even enviable.

But beneath this calm lies an undercurrent of tension. Albeirt, Wang Soo's stepbrother, watches his success with a toxic blend of envy and disdain. For now, Wang Soo brushes it off, proud of his brother and blind to the storm brewing on the horizon.

The trouble begins during a much-needed holiday to Bali. Wang Soo, Lee, her mother, and her brother Lee Jun spend a blissful week on the tropical island. They bask in the beauty of white-sand beaches and partake in vibrant cultural experiences, from traditional Balinese dance performances to serene temple visits. During the trip, Wang Soo is uncharacteristically relaxed, enjoying rare moments of peace with Lee's family. He pens a short poem about the ocean's tranquility, capturing the essence of their holiday.

"Wang Soo, come look at this!" Lee's voice called out over the rhythmic roar of the crashing waves, her tone a mix of excitement and curiosity. She stood at the edge of the beach, her silhouette framed by the setting sun, pointing animatedly at a group of local fishermen hauling in their nets with practiced ease. She stood at the edge of the beach, pointing at a group of local fishermen hauling in their nets. Wang Soo ambled over, notebook in hand.

"What is it?" he asked, his tone lazy but curious.

"Just look at how synchronized they are," Lee said, her voice laced with admiration. "There's something poetic about it."

Wang Soo smirked and jotted something in his notebook. "I'll turn it into a haiku later. Maybe frame it as a gift for your mom."

Lee rolled her eyes. "Always the charmer. Come on, let's go grab some food before Jun eats everything."

However, the serenity is short-lived. Upon their return to Creatis, disaster strikes. Wang Soo loses his phone during transit. Initially dismissing it as a minor inconvenience, he soon realizes the severity of the situation when he discovers his bank accounts have been hacked. His savings vanish, and along with them, the investment money entrusted to him by his friend, Mako. Wang Soo, distraught, exhausts every avenue to recover the funds but finds himself at a dead end.

"You're kidding, right?" Wang Soo muttered, staring at his laptop screen. The bank's customer service hotline had just informed him that the transactions could not be reversed.

Lee placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure it out. Did you call Mako yet?"

"Not yet," he replied, his voice heavy. "I don't even know what to say."

"Just tell him the truth. He'll understand."

Mako—a long-time friend and one of Wang Soo's most loyal supporters—responds with understanding. Over a quiet coffee meeting, Mako leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. "Don't worry about it," he said, stirring his cup absentmindedly. "I trust you, Soo. I've known you for years, and I know you're not the kind of guy to run away from problems."

Wang Soo sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It's just—this is everything I had. I feel like I've failed you."

"Hey," Mako interrupted, leaning forward. "Stop beating yourself up. You'll figure it out; you always do. Besides, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't have your back now?"

A small, grateful smile broke through Wang Soo's worry. "Thanks, Mako. I won't let you down."

"I know you won't," Mako replied with a reassuring nod. "Just take it one step at a time." "Don't worry about it," Mako reassures him over coffee. "I trust you, Soo. I know you'll find a way." Mako's patience bolsters Wang Soo's resolve, but the weight of debt looms heavily.

Determined to rebuild, Wang Soo reluctantly approaches his stepbrother, Albeirt, for help. Albeirt offers a lucrative opportunity: an inside government project to provide internet access to a remote village. "You'll be doing them a favor," Albeirt explains, masking his ulterior motives. As a government official, Albeirt cannot execute the project himself and needs a private sector partner.

"Are you sure about this?" Lee asked as they reviewed the project details. "It feels like he's offloading his responsibility onto you."

"He's family," Wang Soo replied. "And we need the money. Besides, it's a good cause."

Lee sighed. "Alright, but let's make sure everything's documented."

Trusting his brother, Wang Soo agrees. He throws himself into the project, coordinating logistics and securing the necessary satellite internet tools. However, delays plague the operation. The equipment, promised within days, fails to arrive on time. Albeirt's impatience grows evident. "We don't have time to waste," he snaps during a call. "Find another solution."

Feeling the pressure, Wang Soo and Lee pool their remaining funds to purchase an alternative internet package. As Wang Soo transferred the last of their savings, his thoughts raced. "What if this fails too?" he wondered, the weight of responsibility crushing his chest. "This isn't just about money—it's about trust, about proving I can handle this. If I mess up again, I don't know how I'll face Lee or Mako." Despite his doubts, he forced a determined expression, masking the storm within. They decide to deliver it to the village themselves, embarking on a journey that proves to be anything but straightforward. As they navigate the rugged terrain, their car breaks down in the middle of a desolate forest. With no cell service and miles from the nearest settlement, Wang Soo and Lee are stranded for three harrowing days. They ration their supplies and take turns keeping watch, the isolation gnawing at their morale.

"Why didn't we bring extra batteries?" Wang Soo grumbled as he fiddled with the useless GPS device.

"Because someone insisted we wouldn't need them," Lee shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Relax, we'll figure it out."

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one Albeirt will blame if this fails."

Lee softened. "Hey, we're in this together. We'll get through it."

Back in Creatis, Albeirt seizes the opportunity to sow chaos. Fueled by a mix of envy and resentment, he carefully crafts a narrative to tarnish Wang Soo's name. Over drinks with mutual acquaintances, he shakes his head in mock disappointment. "It's a shame," he says, feigning sorrow. "I trusted Wang Soo with this project, and he vanished with the funds. It's not the first time he's done something shady." His words drip with calculated malice, and by the next morning, whispers of Wang Soo's supposed betrayal have spread across Creatis like wildfire. Albeirt's bitter satisfaction grows with every person who believes his lies. He spreads a vicious rumor that Wang Soo has absconded with the project funds. "He's a scammer," Albeirt claims to anyone who will listen. "A drug addict, a fraud—he's ruined the project and disappeared." The lies spread like wildfire, tarnishing Wang Soo's reputation.

When Wang Soo and Lee finally return, weary but relieved, they find a different kind of storm waiting for them. Friends, colleagues, and even long-time clients greet him with suspicion and disdain.

End of chapter 1.