---

Kang Chul is waiting for...
WOMPF... A puff of shadow. Do-Yoon materializes.

-

(looks around) We are in--

-

The world of "Queen of Darkness", yes.

-

The cell where Cha Yu-Sun was locked up...

(closes eyes, concentrates)

-

What is it, President Kang?

-

(opens his eyes) As expected, it's impossible to leave this world. I can't travel off a manhwa other than "W".

-

We are stuck here... forever?

-

There should be a way to cause a chapter end. hopefully it will work on us.

-

We need to find Wang Shin for that!

-

Or another plan. The Queen of Darkness may appear here soon. (draws his gun) I'll hide in a corner and shoot her.

-

President Kang, in such a small space, it could go wrong. No way to escape, and she could be the fastest.

-

And we don't know if she'll appear here.

A guard comes down the hallway and sees them.

-

(!!) ... What are you doing here?!!

The guard looks at their strange clothes, then leaves by the stairs.

-

He goes to alert his chief.

-

We have no choice, let's find Wang Shin.

POW!! Kang Chul shoots the iron lock.

-

I didn't want to shoot her in cold blood anyway. And she has information we must obtain.

They come out of the cell.

---

Kang Chul and Do-Yoon are hidden on both sides of the stairs.
The guard returns with an officer.
SBOM!! Do-Yoon kicks the officer in the head.
BOSH!! Kang Chul knocks out the guard with a pistol butt in the neck.

-

Hyung, any idea which way to go?

-

(undresses the officer) Let's put their clothes on over ours.

-

(undresses the guard) They'll raise the alarm when they wake up.

-

(sees the guard's set of keys) We can lock them in a cell.

-

(dresses as guard) Moon Mi-Ra will change the manhwa to cause us trouble.

-

(dresses as officer) We have to hurry!!!

---

---

The conservative minister begins his plea to the King.

-

Wang Shin has falsely accused Lady Cha, Jeonah.

-

(to the conservative minister) What are you saying? Princess Dong was hurt!

-

It was Wang Shin who hurt her. He was jealous that Lady Cha came back to you, Jeonah.

-

He wanted to take revenge on Lady Cha! He shamefully used your daughter to set up this plot, Jeonah.

-

!!

-

Call your daughter, she will deny it, Jeonah. She'll confirm that the attack was from Lady Cha, Jeonaaah.

-

Princess Dong may never wake up, Jeonah. Wang Shin's brutality made her unable to speak, Jeonaaah.

-

!!

-

Lady Cha has publicly confessed to be the Queen of Darkness, Jeonaaah.

-

Lady Cha is so sensitive. She has suffered more than she can bear, Jeonah. That demon Wang Shin tortured her, until she said what he--

WHOM! The door of the council opens wide, revealing--

-

(bends to greet the King) Excuse me, Jeonah!! Serious news requires your immediate attention!

-

!!

Ministers whisper... "His Excellency" ... "The voice of wisdom and reason".
His Excellency presents a high-ranking officer coming to the entrance.
NO GWAN-WU, a scary and strong man, whose ability to smile has been taken away from birth.

(bends down to greet the King)

-

Who is this man?

-

No Gwan-Wu, the replacement of Wang Il-Do. The new head of the Royal Guard, Jeonah!

-

He was wounded by Wang Shin a week ago, Jeonah. He was trying to find your daughter, kidnapped by Wang Shin, Jeonah!

-

Speak up, what's serious?

-

Jeonah, the Queen has just been murdered!!

-

What?!!

All the ministers are stunned. Rumors in the hall!!!

-

Witnesses saw Wang Shin coming out of the Queen's room, Jeonah.

-

Find this criminal Wang Shin, at any cost!!!

-

We will not fail, Jeonah! You can rely on my full dedication. (salutes and leaves)

---

No Gwan-Wu's expression changes outside. Finally...
... this inflexible man is able to smile... A blood-curdlingly cruel smile!!!

---

-

(bends down) Forgive me Jeonah! I have taken an initiative against your will!

-

(annoyed) ... What is it?

-

I got Lady Cha out of jail, Jeonah. Wang Shin was about to murder her in her cell.

-

(pleasantly surprised) Oh, this?! You are forgiven. Your help is so valuable, your Excellency.

(bends over, smiles conspiratorially)

-

This council is over! Lady Cha's situation is resolved by itself!

-

Sorry, Jeonah! That brings up another issue, Jeonah.

-

What?

-

The kingdom cannot remain without a Queen, Jeonah.

-

Surely...

-

Take Lady Cha as your wife, Jeonah. So the kingdom will be preserved.

-

(to the conservative minister) This is completely outrageous!

-

(admits, unseemly) Let's see... The Queen just died five minutes ago!

-

Didn't you marry your daughter in five minutes, Jeonah?

-

But... (hesitates, the argument is smashing)

-

That would break all traditions, Jeonah!

-

(to the reformist minister) Don't talk about traditions when you are here to destroy them!

-

(syrupy) Lady Cha is waiting for you outside, Jeonah.

-

Aren't you impatient to find her, Jeonah?

-

You are right. The sooner it's done, the better.

-

But... but... Jeonah!

---

Mi-Ra is in a vacant lot, about 100 meters from the abandoned warehouse.
SWROMPH! A turbulence of shadow, Mi-Ra becomes Cha Yu-Sun, even the clothes.
PFWOM... Cha Yu-Sun disappears in a puff of shadow.

---

A stock of clothes. A maid takes a Queen's crown from a shelf.
WOMPF... Cha Yu-Sun materializes in a puff of shadow.

-

(!!!) ... What...?!

-

Obey me.

Shriiimm... Strings of shadow come out of Cha Yu-Sun's eyes, and pierce the servant's.

-

(hypnotized) Mistress, what should I do?

-

Dress me for the royal wedding. Then forget about it.

The maid puts the crown on Cha Yu-Sun's head, then looks for other clothes.

---

Kang Chul and Do-Yoon move with a low profile, avoiding the palace inhabitants.

-

(slightly paranoid) I think everyone has spotted our disguise.

-

It's all right, President Kang. You're just too used to playing it straight.

-

Are you sure this is the right direction?

-

I know the manhwa by heart. Wang Shin should be in the princely quarters.

-

What if some guards block our way?

-

(looking at his own outfit) I am high enough to pass. We'll just have to be strict about our language.

-

(uncomfortable) Except for school, I haven't studied much history.

-

Leave it to me, I've read a lot of books about the Joseon era.

---

The royal wedding ends, in front of some nobles and soldiers.

-

Glory to our new Queen!!

Some public cheers. Satisfied conservative ministers.
The King in his ceremonial dress, with his headdress of hanging beads.
Lady Cha is wearing the costume and headdress of future Queens.

-

(turns to the King, smiles naughtily) How about a tryst in the gardens, my King?

-

(grinning up to his ears, drools) Yes, I can't wait for your pleasure, my Queen.

---

Kang Chul and Do-Yoon face two guards, checking the access.
The news of Wang Shin's eviction has not yet reached this area.

-

We have orders to find Prince Consort Wang Shin.

-

What order?!

-

We must give him information about Lady Cha's escape.

-

hu-hooo, go ahead.

The guards let them through.

---

~

I assure you, Professor Lee, I wasn't dreaming.

---

Professor Lee is with his titled nurse.

-

(sighs, impatient) mmpff....

On the computer screen, a shoddy video:
Yoon-Hee's surgery, seen from above.

-

You were all focused on the cardiac resuscitation. It was too fast for you to notice.

-

What's the point now? You're wasting my time.

-

She had some kind of allergic reaction. Something strange I've never seen before.

-

Plus, the footage is shoddy, what can I see?!

-

The main camera shows her brain. Only this one could have recorded that.

-

Now!!!

The nurse rewinds and starts the video.
Hard to see, except for a glitch on Yoon-Hee's face, for a split second.

-

... ?!

-

Wait.

She rewinds and plays the sequence frame by frame, and stops at the glitch.

-

(intrigued) Can you zoom in?

The nurse focuses on Yoon-Hee's face.
Blurred, with no anatomical details, no eyes, no nose, no mouth.

-

It must be a defect of the image...

-

No, because I saw it with my own eyes!!

-

There is no such allergic reaction, and so brief.

---

Wang Shin is sitting next to Yoon-Hee and looking at her sadly.
Suddenly, Yoon-Hee stands up from her bed!!!

-

Dead!!!

-

!!! (surprised)

-

I'm dead!

-

?!! (overjoyed, but in control)

-

(traumatized) I'm dead!!!

-

Yoon-Hee, my sweet, you're not dead.

(stares ahead, desperate)

-

(worried seeing her expression) You are here, with me. You are fine, miraculously.

Yoon-Hee looks around until... her eyes meet Wang Shin's.
But her eyes look beyond, as if she doesn't see him!

-

(to herself) I'm dead! Mi-Ra killed me! (certainty) I was already dead when I came here, for days...

-

(shaken by her certainty) I don't understand you. But explain to me, I will listen to you, I will help you.

Yoon-Hee raises her hands, palms up to the sky, and looks at them.
She turns her hands and looks at them.
She touches the garment on her forearm, moves up the arm...
... and puts her hand on her heart, then on her head, checking that her skull is intact.

-

(looks strangely at Wang Shin, scared) Now I'm Princess Dong Hee?

(frowns, worried, doesn't understand)

-

(looks down) No, in that case... ... why would I remember being Yoon-Hee?

-

(looking at Wang Shin) Who am I? How can I be here?

(worried, doesn't know what to say or do)

(notices that he doesn't understand anything)

-

(throws herself around his neck and hugs him) Wang Shin, I beg you. Be nice to me, what's happening to me is so horrible.

-

(embraces her) Yoon-Hee, all that matters... ... is that you are well alive with me.

(rests her head on his shoulder, lost, cries)

-

My heart squeezes, so much you worry me right now.

-

Boo hoo... I'm so scared, we're here at her mercy. There's nothing I can do, I'm lost. Boo hoo hoo.

-

(determined) As long as we are together, neither of us is lost.

Yoon-Hee stops crying, loosens her grip and...
... They look at each other in an intense and sincere way.

-

Cha Yu-Sun was captured, and she confessed under torture. Unfortunately, she escaped.

-

Find her, and don't worry about me.

-

She thinks I'm dead now. She probably thinks I'm just Princess Dong.

-

... ??!

-

(sees him lost) I know... it doesn't make sense. I swear I'll give you all the explanations soon.

-

I'm worried sick, explain it to me now!

-

Do you remember the paper cutout I showed you?

-

The one I had to remember carefully?

-

Yes, we are in a manhwa. And I'm stuck here forever, because I'm dead in the real world.

-

(??!) I'm afraid this coma has confused you.

-

(desperate) It's the truth, Wang Shin dear... The truth...

(sees her sincerity, terrible, doesn't know what to do)

-

Oooh..... (fainting)

-

No!!! Yoon-Hee!!!

-

(turns to the entrance, screams) DOCTOR!!!

The royal doctor comes at once (he was just outside the room).
He quickly examines Yoon-Hee. Breathing, heart, reflexes, eye.

-

It's overwork.

-

Are you sure this time?!!

-

Absolutely, she is breathing hard, her reflexes react. She's fine, she just needs to rest.

(looks at him doubtfully, hopes it's true)

---

The King and Queen Cha Yu-Sun have a romantic rendezvous.
A few guards around, close enough to see but not hear them.
The King tries to hug Cha Yu-Sun, but she pushes him away.

-

(dry) Come on!! Not in public! (familiarly, without "Jeonah")

-

(sees the guards) Oh, I was about to offend your modesty. We should go to my chambers instead.

-

(moves a few meters away from the King, sighs) Tsss... I didn't want to rule alone, but let's bear with it...

-

(??!) But I am here, my Queen!

-

(disdainfully) I've something that should calm down your dirty old man's ardor.

-

(!!!) ARRGH! (bends over in pain)

The King sees a snake running away, and his heel bitten and bleeding.
Cha Yu-Sun puts her hands to her mouth, deceptively awed.

-

Oooh! (pretends badly on purpose)

-

(!!) ... aaarrhh... (falls to his knees, in too much pain to speak)

-

(antics, speaks loudly, points to the snake) A poisonous snake! In the palace gardens!

The guards hear and come running, see the snake, the wounded King.

-

(smiles mockingly at the King) What bad luck...

-

(clutches his heart) ... aRrarRaaaaghh... (understands it's her...)

... alas, too late. The King collapses, DEAD.
The guards panic. One checks the King's death, another chases the snake.
Then they look at Queen Cha Yu-Sun, waiting for orders.

-

(points to the King) Clean it up. Tell the royal guard chief to come here, and leave me alone.

-

Yes, Mama! (Mama = Queen)

---

Cha Yu-Sun is alone, watching the guards take the King away in the distance.

-

Ah ah ah! That was a pretty quick plot! I hope the readers won't be too disappointed, but I need a clear path.

---

Kang Chul and Do-Yoon are walking fast.

-

What do we tell Wang Shin?

-

That we are detached to investigate Lady Cha.

-

Will that be enough?

-

Let's pretend that our parents are dead, victims of the Queen of Darkness. That will explain that we are willing to follow him anywhere.

-

I have a bad feeling that Moon Mi-Ra has already set a trap.

-

What if Wang Shin refuses to come with us?

-

We knock him out?

-

He really knows how to fight. He's not only a marksman, he's also a Taekkyeon master.

-

(teasing) Fighting better than you? (taps Do-Yoon's shoulder)

-

... (doubt)

-

Come on, Hyung! Don't tell me you're afraid of him...

-

(annoyed) It's not that! If we fight him, he won't trust us.

-

(amused) We've fought each other many times. I don't see a problem with trust.

---

The chief of the royal police, No Gwan-Wu, arrives.

-

My dark Queen! (bends down to greet)

-

(wearily) Ah, finally you are here!

-

Thank you for using your powers to heal me! I am devoted to you for eternity, your shadowy splendor.

-

(jaded) Yeah, yeah, I know your spiel. You were already devoted anyway.

-

??

-

I don't need you to spend your time kissing my ass. (annoyed) The situation is gonna be painful enough.

-

Having to take the piss out of being the official leader... having to put up with a lot of corrupt ministers... endless "Mama"...

-

(bends down) Sorry, Queen of all Queens, sublime darkness of the abyss.

-

You will sweep the palace by commanding the royal guard. The objective, to kill Wang Shin, and two other similar troublemakers.

-

(??) Why did you call me? That's what I started to do, your dark greatness.

-

You need a special detachment, which is up to the task.

-

... ?!

Cha Yu-Sun walks to a small pavilion nearby. No Gwan-Wu follows her.

---

Kang Chul and Do-Yoon come in, and see Wang Shin, sitting on a low wall in the yard.
Carrying all his weapons, he is ragging on his rifle.

-

It's him!

-

At least he's armed to fight a war.

They approach Wang Shin.

-

Baeuja! (bends down to salute)

-

(?!) I was about to go to the police station. Why come here?

-

Baeuja, we are a special detachment. We have orders to assist you at all times and in all places.

-

(doubt, everyone is afraid to follow him) Do you know who our opponent is?

-

Yes Baeuja, and we are determined!!! I am Seo Do-Yoon, and he is Kang Chul. (points Kang Chul)

-

(intrigued) It's been a long time since I've met any brave people. (nods) Yes, I could use the help of faithful companions.

-

... (silent, embarrassed, bad actor)

-

Seo Do-Yoon... You speak right. (to Kang Chul) And you, Kang Chul?! You don't have a tongue?

-

(awkward) Yes Baeuja! I will fight to the end! For glory! For the honor! Ouch, Ouch, Sir!

-

(smiles at Do-Yoon) He's a weird guy...

-

He lost his father to the Queen of Darkness, Baeuja.

-

(dark and determined) Yes, me too. And I never had time to mourn him.

-

We have maps in our quarters at the entrance of the palace. We have found the probable locations of Cha Yu-Sun.

-

(stands up) Let's go without wasting time!!! (rifle in hand, gun in belt)

---

---

The guards dissolve from "image" to "real". They are motionless and absent-minded.
Cha Yu-Sun and No Gwan-Wu examine them.

-

They come back from a firearms training, in Japan. For once, I can't be accused of having tinkered with an incoherent plot.

-

You intend to use science rather than sorcery, your spawn of nothingness?

-

Idiot, how to send shadow killers into the palace? I am supposed to be the Queen of Joseon!

-

(bends down) Forgive my stupidity, obscure infinite abyss of tormented souls!

-

(fed up) I will leave this ridiculous position as soon as the situation is solved...

---

Kang Chul, Do-Yoon and Wang Shin walk in this area, near the exit of the palace.
A servant girl runs to the other servants, flapping her arms.

-

(shouts) The King is dead!! The King is dead!!

-

Mi-Ra!

-

She didn't waste any time.

-

(grabs the servant's wrist) How?! Who is in charge? The Queen??!

-

The Queen is dead too!!!

-

!!

-

She was murdered by a madman named Wang Shin!!!

-

What?!!!

-

Who is in charge now?!!

-

It's the new Queen Cha Yu-Sun who is in charge now!

-

A thousand heavens!!!

Behind, some worried maids have recognized Wang Shin!
They gesture to the one he is holding by the wrist.

-

(!!) ... (terrified, becomes aware it's him!) ... (trembling, dare not move or speak)

-

Wang Shin, it is a setup! (takes Wang Shin's arm, forces him to leave)

-

(?!!)

Wang Shin lets go of the servant. She collapses and falls to her knees, due to stress.

-

(pushes Wang Shin) Hurry, Baeuja, we have to go to the exit !

-

Run away?!

-

Yes!!

-

(breaks Kang Chul's grip) No way!

-

Baeuja, we don't have a chance, against the whole palace!

-

I won't leave without Princess Dong.

-

(fed up) Aigoo. All these new manhwa characters are such a pain in the ass!

-

??!

A regiment of royal guards comes from an entrance of the square.

-

(!!!, sees the guards) Baeuja!!! We'll see about that later!!

-

!!! (realizes, sees the guards)

-

Come on!!! (pushes Wang Shin)

They run to the next quarter...

---

... about thirty meters from the exit, however--
A new troop of royal guards arrives from a side road.
Escorted by the special regiment, with rifles and revolvers, commanded by No Gwan-Wu !

-

They are here!

-

Special troops, stay in the back!!

The troop of soldiers with rifles takes position behind the normal guards.

-

(recognizes the voice of the masked killer) Him!!!

-

(pulls out his gun) Wang Shin! We have to get out of here now!!!

-

!! (arms his rifle)

-

FIRE!!!

BANG! BANG! BANG! Soldiers are firing at them!!!

-

Take cover!!!

They rush behind a merchandise cart.
Spak! Spoff! zsWap! Impact of bullets on the cart.
The normal guards move toward the cart, swords and spears in hand.
BANG! BANG! BANG! The soldiers take turns to shoot, while the others reload!

-

Wang Shin, avoid killing the normal guards.

-

Thank you!! I know what I have to do!!

BLAM! Wang Shin shoots a guard in the leg, who collapses.
POW! POW! POW! In one burst, Kang Chul wounds three guards in the leg.

-

Do you take me seriously now?!

-

(!!, looks at Kang Chul briefly, Clack! reloading the breech)

BANG! BANG! BANG! Soldiers fire.
BLAM! POW! POW! Wang Shin and Kang Chul shoot.
Stak! Spaff! ztoc! Bullets hit the cart and a house behind them.
The normal guards are afraid and retreat.

-

The regular guard! Overrun them!!! (draws a revolver)

-

... (looks at him scared, pleading)

POW! No Gwan-Wu shoots the frightened guard.

-

Those who hesitate will be killed!!!

The normal guards start to attack.

-

Cover me!!! (sprints to horses near the exit)

-

No mercy for the shooters!!!

BANG! BANG! Soldiers shoot at Do-Yoon, but--
POW! POW! Kang Chul shoots two gunmen in the head.
BLAM! Wang Shin shoots a gunman in the heart.

-

(sees the normal guards near the cart) We have to decamp!!!

-

Wait again!!! the closer they are, the more they will protect us from fire.

POW! POW! BLAM!, they concentrate their fire on those who aim at Do-Yoon.

-

(puts his rifle on his shoulder, takes out his revolver) Now!!!

They come out of cover, chased by the guards.
They turn around to fire steadily and slow down the assault wave.
POW! BANG! BANG! POW! POW! It fires from everywhere, anarchically...
... Shooters killed, normal guards killed by accident, by the regiment of shooters.

Do-Yoon comes with three horses, towards the back of a building.
As they turn the corner of the wall, POW! No Gwan-Wu shoots and--
Tzach! His bullet hits Wang Shin in the head, who collapses!
Kang Chul, !!!, has just enough time to drag Wang Shin behind the building.

-

(shouts) Hyung!!! Hurry!!!

Do-Yoon loads Wang Shin on a horse. Ties a leash on another horse.
POW! POW! POW! Kang Chul fires from the corner of the wall, under fire.
One shot, one cadaver, deadly accuracy!!!
Do-Yoon gets on the same horse as Wang Shin, to hold him.

-

(shouts) President Kang!!!

POW! POW! click! click! Kang Chul shoots down two last shooters, then, empty magazine.
Kang Chul gets on his horse in a hurry, while guards are two meters away!!!

Cataclop-Cataclop... They gallop toward the exit gate, Do-Yoon in the lead.
BANG! BANG! BANG! The gunmen continue to shoot at them, but too inaccurately.
Tzink! Do-Yoon draws his sword and Dlang! deflects the guard's spear from the gate!
Cataclop-Cataclop... They flee from the palace.
The guards rush on horseback to chase them.

---

A royal guard officer rushes in front of Queen Cha Yu-Sun.

-

(bending down) Mama, they managed to escape.

-

... ?!

-

I'm sorry, Mama. Please kill me, Mama!

SHAK!! In a flash, Cha Yu-Sun draws a dagger and slits his throat.

-

Aargllll... but... mama... ("it was just a turn of phrase...")

Bompf! The officer collapses dead.

-

My faithful second is too ashamed to tell me the news himself.

Cha Yu-Sun becomes pensive... and strangely appear... illusions...
The Queen of Darkness and Moon Mi-Ra as a child, holding a pink stuffed rabbit.

-

I don't even know why he is so devoted to me.

-

I never created his biography. It's true there's some sloppiness in my scripts.

-

Couldn't you create a new story, beloved master?

-

If I go back to the real world, it will take them with me. Back to the starting point, in the painting workshop.

-

In that case, bad idea. You have to avoid any crime there, to keep your life as an author.

-

I'm sorry I made a mess, beloved master. But slaughtering your uncle was an imperative.

-

(crying) ... There or here... I don't want any crimes...

-

Don't bother with that. Let us do it. I feel sorry for you when you cry...

(continues crying, lost...)

-

Could the "correspondent" help us?

-

I don't know... He scares me. (holds the rabbit close)

-

He looks more like an amnesiac, confused after a trauma. Someone who just masters the laws of manhwa better than Kang Chul.

-

I don't know who he is... and does he know it himself? Maybe that prosecutor in "W"? Or a former artist who died?

-

He's not that scary...

-

That doesn't tell me how to defeat this cursed trio.

-

Too bad you killed Yoon-Hee, beloved master...

(overwhelmed by grief and remorse)

-

... Wang Shin really loved her, she could have been used as a hostage.

-

(?!) One second... Wang Shin shouldn't make a difference with Princess Dong?!

-

Yes!!! And Kang Chul and Do-Yoon have a sense of honor. They will follow him into the trap!

-

(sad, weary) ... action heroes are so predictable...

Comes to the entrance of the garden--

-

Mama! The Royal Council is waiting for you!

The three figures look at His Excellency, tired. But he only sees Cha Yu-Sun.

---

Queen Cha Yu-Sun is sitting on the royal throne, facing the ministers.
She is weary. Everything annoys her.

-

Mama, this situation isn't right.

-

(fed up, sighs) Pfff....

-

You should give the power to Prince Dong Deuk-Hwi, Mama.

-

That pimply, lazy, fearful teenager? How about that brat Prince Sim-San, while we're at it?

-

The reform party is sure, Mama.

-

It's official procedure, and the conservatives agree too, Mama.

-

You can't go against the will of the people's representatives, Mama.

-

Fuck you, I do whatever I want. (colloquial language)

-

Oh, Mama!

-

Prince Deuk-Hwi will be educated in Japan, with a stick!

-

Mama! We can't send a--

-

Oh!! You were one of the bastards who sent me to torture?!

The ministers are outraged at her vulgarity. Palaver in the room.

Cha Yu-Sun gets up and walks down the center aisle, among the ministers.

-

(a shout like a whip) Gwan-Wu!!!

WHOM! No Gwan-Wu opens the outer door and enters with guards.

-

(bends down, a knee on floor) My Queen!!

-

(points to the minister) This reformer and the two others next to him are traitors.

-

But... Mama, we have never betrayed ... ... and you have no proof!

Brutally, No Gwan-Wu and the guards seize the three men.

-

Your proofs, you shove them up your ass.

-

Oh!!

All the other ministers are outraged, including the conservatives.

-

You're gonna be an example. Both for the reformers and the conservatives.

Cha Yu-Sun signals to No Gwan-Wu to wait before taking them away.

-

But I will be magnanimous. The first one who begs my forgiveness will die peacefully from a bowl of poison. While the other will be publicly beheaded!

-

(points to the senior reformist minister) But you, son of a bitch, will be tortured and then dismembered!!!

-

Please Mama!! Not that, have mercy!!!

(signals to No Gwan-Wu)

No Gwan-Wu and two guards take the three men out of the room. One guard stays.
A great hubbub agitates the room. Scandal and general protests.
"It's a tyranny", "she respects nothing", "scandalous", "let her be impeached"...

Cha Yu-Sun's voice becomes overpowering, backed by a sepulchral echo.
A light halo of shadow surrounds her. Her bright eyes leave a cloud of light in their wake.

-

(yells) Shut the fuck up!!!

Immediate silence! Subliminally and supernaturally, she is terrifying.

Tzzink! Cha Yu-Sun draws the guard's sword.
She steps forward pointing the sword at the ministers. A sword wrapped in a halo of shadow.

-

Motherfucking schemers and hypocrites!! With me, you'll go straight!!!

Zang!!! A sword stroke, she stops the blade stuck to the neck of a frightened minister.

-

I have spies everywhere! I see everything, I know everything! If I hear the slightest whisper of disapproval...

Slash!!! A sword stroke, she decapitates a minister's headdress. He pisses his pants.

-

The slightest hint of conspiracy... At the slightest suspicion, with or without proof...

Vlang!!! She thrusts the sword into the mouth of the conservative minister.

-

argll... argll... (open mouth, blade in, shaking with fear)

-

I burn the culprit, I burn his house, I burn his possessions. I burn his family, I burn his friends, and I even burn his dog!

The ministers are terrorized, they look at the ground trembling, silently crying.

-

You obey me without question, and in everything! IS THAT CLEAR ?!!

The ministers prostrate themselves groaning. "yes mama", "we will do it mama".

-

In return, you will be allowed to continue your little scams.

A shiver of relief sweeps through the ministers.

-

Take bribes, defraud the poor, rape your slaves... (shouts) I simply don't give a shit!!!

Queen Cha Yu-Sun goes to the exit, where His Excellency is.

-

And don't piss me off with the daily management. (to His Excellency) You take care of that, you big phony asshole.

-

(bends down) Your will shall be done, Mama. (vile, venal, goal reached)

She leaves. His Excellency sits on the throne, hiding satisfaction under a veneer of humility.

---

Cha Yu-Sun looks around, looking for her right-hand man.

-

Where can he be?

~

Arraaahaaa... (screams with pain from a nearby courtyard)

-

Oh yes! (remembers)

---

Cha Yu-Sun arrives at the entrance to the courtyard.

-

RRArraaHaaa. (pain)

The senior reform minister is tortured in the center of the square. No Gwan-Wu is watching.

-

Yah!! No Gwan-Wu!

(runs over, bends down)

-

We don't have time to have fun today. We're getting the hell out of this shithole, soon.

-

Send the majority of the shooters to Bulguksa's temple. Also the shadow killers and the mercenary bandits.

-

Your will be done, your shadowy grace.

-

Order our spies to spread rumors tomorrow afternoon. "Queen Cha Yu-Sun and Princess Dong are on a spiritual retreat in Bulguksa."

-

So finely malicious, as always, your dark magnificence.

The view becomes general, on the palace and...

---

---

The landscape is a macabre desolation, swamps, dead trees.
Kang Chul and Do-Yoon ride on a muddy path.
Held by Do-Yoon, Wang Shin wakes up and moves a little.

-

Let's stop.

-

(moaning) Dong... Dong Hee... Yoon-Hee...

They get off the horse, Do-Yoon helps Wang Shin to dismount.

-

Don't worry, we'll get her. But first, you have to heal.

-

Drink a bit, Baeuja. (put a gourd in Wang Shin's mouth)

Wang Shin drinks, then... squints, looking away.

-

(disturbed) What... What is it?

-

The plain of the dead.

-

That's... that's ghosts, over there?

Kang Chul looks, has to squint to see in the distance.
He sees something strange, like a crowd of people on the plain.

-

Stay here, I'll go and look.

-

No... I'd like to see that too.

-

Good news, you are not superstitious.

-

Wang Shin is superstitious, but he's not afraid to face the supernatural.

-

... ??!

---

It's a full moon night, well lit but macabre. (All nights are full moon in the manhwa.)
As they walk on the plain, the anxiety and the mystery grow.
As far as the eye can see, on this immense plain...
... thousands and thousands of Joseon citizens... standing... completely still.

-

(stunned) There are tens of thousands of them... or more.

-

They're not moving, as if they've been cast a spell.

-

(confused) I've never seen this in the manhwa.

-

Manhwa?

-

That's not the time to talk about that.

---

They are ten meters away from the motionless crowd. A blood-curdling atmosphere.

-

Could this be where the killers summoned by the Queen of Darkness come from?

-

You know that too?

(angrily waves his mouth at Do-Yoon)

-

Uh... Princess Dong showed us a book about the Queen of Darkness.

-

(nods) Yes, she told me about that book once...

Wang Shin sees all kinds of people, not just soldiers.

-

Apart from that, they can't be killers. You see, there are also women, children, old people.

-

It's really strange.

-

We're not that close... Let's take the risk of examining them.

They walk in the immediate vicinity.
People from Joseon, motionless, eyes open and empty as if dead.
Kang Chul touches a man. He does not move, but is not rigid.

-

A suspended animation process, a localized time freeze. Instead of affecting the whole world, they are the only ones affected.

-

This can only be the work of the Queen of Darkness.

-

I doubt it. She never comes here and doesn't have that kind of power.

-

We won't know anything more, let's go.

---

Lighted by candles. Do-Yoon forces Wang Shin to lie down on the bed.

-

I don't need to, I have to--

-

Baeuja, your wound is very serious! Sleep for an hour. By the time we go to get effective medicine.

(sighs, puts his head on the pillow, uninjured side)

---

Do-Yoon joins Kang Chul in the deserted yard.

-

(worried) What is he waiting for?! We have been here for twelve hours!

-

Nothing to worry about, if twelve hours here is fifteen minutes there.

-

What if he's not recognized as a "true author" ?!

-

Possible but unlikely. The major risk is that-- (!!!)

Suddenly, ZRRT!, a vintage medical kit materializes on the floor!!!

-

(raises his eyes to the sky, pointing to his gun) Magazines!

-

This needs to animate in real time, so that-- (!!!)

ZRRT! A dozen 9mm pistol magazines materialize on the floor.

-

Yeh. (smiles, winks at Do-Yoon)

---

Kang Chul and Do-Yoon go from "real" to "image", with the magazines and the medical kit.
Their speech bubbles: "Magazines!", "This needs to animate in real time".
The picture is On Yoon-Hee's Tablet...
... from where Soo-Bong raises his stylus, sitting on the stool.

-

It's okay, I can read you, but it's a little fast...

---

---

¤ Workshop: Soo-Bong finishes to draw a modern grenade.
¤ Yard: ZRR... The grenade materializes, but--
XFRR! Colorful parasites and it disappears.

-

Soo-Bong, it won't work if you create items out of context. (mocking) While you're at it, try a stealth bomber!

¤ Workshop: Kang Chul and his dialogue dissolve from "real" to "image" on the tablet.

-

I still had to try. It had worked for the magazines of his Beretta.

Soo-Bong draws sticks of dynamite.
¤ Yard: ZRRT! The sticks of dynamite materialize.
As if Kang Chul had heard Soo-Bong...

-

I already had my gun with me when I came here. That's why the magazines worked.

¤ Workshop: Kang Chul and his dialogue dissolve from "real" to "image" on the tablet.

-

(admiringly) He is really amazing! But that doesn't explain why the--

¤ Yard:

-

I know, the "eraser" mode is out of context too. But the manhwa fixes that easily at publication.

¤ Workshop: Kang Chul and his dialogue dissolve from "real" to "image" on the tablet.

-

!!! ("Hyung Kang reads my mind!")

---

Wang Shin is half-conscious, suffering, sweating with fever.
Do-Yoon injects him antibiotics, with a retro syringe.
He disinfects and sews up his wound, a long cut till the bone.

---

Do-Yoon joins Kang Chul, in the courtyard.

-

We've been here for a while...

-

Wang Shin doesn't trigger an episode ending.

-

Is it because he is not emotional enough?

-

No, Wang Shin only affected Yoon-Hee. But it was the Queen of Darkness who made us come here.

-

Is she the one who causes our chapter endings? So we're really stuck here?

-

There is another way out.

-

... What way?

-

Let's tell Wang Shin the truth. He opens his dimensional truth portal. We freeze this world, and leave with him.

-

Will that freeze the Queen of Darkness too?

-

No. And she goes in and out of here freely.

-

Yoon-Hee showed the manhwa concept to Wang Shin. But will it be enough to convince him?

-

With Soo-Bong's help, we have a chance.

-

Of course, he will make objects appear in front of him.

-

The problem is that he might think it's just witchcraft.

-

Witchcraft... Why not? (confident, figured it out)

-

... ?!

-

That's an explanation he can understand! We will say that he lives in a manhwa by witchcraft!

-

(sighs) When he's in the real world, we'll explain to him better.

-

Even if he accepts the situation, he will want to find his princess Dong.

-

... ?? (feels something in his hand, looks)

A paper is in Kang Chul's hand. He reads it:

~

Princess Dong is taken to Bulguksa Temple. - PSB

-

I don't want to fight in a world ruled by our enemy.

-

But for him, the princess is still his wife. He doesn't know the difference between Dong Hee and Yoon-Hee yet.

-

When he does, he'll find out that he actually loved Yoon Hee. And that she's dead!!!

-

... (sad but true)

-

Then let's not waste time with Princess Dong...

They enter the room.

---

The sun rises, the wind rustles in the trees, the crows and toads sing.

---

They are around the table, lit by a candle and the pale glow of daylight through the window.

-

(healthy) Your medicine is magic!

-

No, just modern...

-

Baeuja, we have an important matter to discuss.

-

... ?

Kang Chul and Do-Yoon stand up and take off their Joseon clothes.
Underneath, they are dressed in their real-world costumes.

-

(relieved) ... Finally...

-

You are also wearing new world costumes! (looks carefully) ... I've never seen ones like that before.

-

Let's keep it simple and fast. We are from the real world, and your world is in a manhwa.

-

... ?!? ... What...

-

(amused, smiles at Wang Shin) That's a bit abrupt, when you put it that way.

-

(looking at the ceiling) Soo-Bong... A Winchester, please.

-

... ??!

ZRRT! A winchester repeating rifle appears in Wang Shin's hands!!!

-

!!! (surprised, but does not let go of the rifle)

-

Anything else you'd like?

-

Is this... you doing this? (confused but not emotional)

-

No, it's the guy who's drawing the manhwa right now.

-

Roasted chicken legs for Baeuja's lunch!

ZRRT! Chicken legs appear on the table, next to Wang Shin.

-

(!!) What if I said... a portrait of my father?

-

Of course...

-

...... (wait)

-

(looking at the ceiling) So? It's coming?!

ZT! a paper appears in Kang Chul's hand. He reads it:

~

It's complicated to draw. And stop talking or moving, it erases everything here! - PSB

-

(smiling) The drawer orders us to be quiet for a while...

-

... (looks at paper, nods ok)

---

---

Kang Chul snapping his fingers dissolves from "real" to "image" on the tablet.

-

Looks like it will work...

Suddenly-- the tablet screen goes WHITE!!!

-

(shouts with joy) Yes!!! Time is stopped over there!!!

Soo-Bong looks around, smiling.

-

They should appear... in a few seconds...

---

Kang Chul has his hand raised, after snapping his fingers.
He frowns, worried... He sees the flame of the candle dancing...
Kang Chul, ... !!! He slaps a jug of water on the table.
Crash! Splach! The jug falls and bursts on the floor!!!

-

What?!!! (stunned)

-

... ???

-

?!! (worried)

---

Soo-Bong looks around, worried... no one appears.

-

(stammers, confused) ... but... what... why.... (looks at the white screen of the tablet)

---

Kang Chul looks at the trees shaken by the wind, hears the song of crows and toads.

-

What... What's going on?!

(mouth agape with worry)

(doesn't dare to speak, doesn't understand them)

-

Why...?!?

Kang Chul contracts his eyelids while thinking painfully, jaw clenched.
Time is not frozen, there is no inter-dimensional portal.

---