The boys meet in the shadows of the gymnasium. For the first time, they aren't talking about exams or rankings. They talk about the "Anxiety"—that buzzing under their skin that tells them they are more than just data points. They realize that the "21st Century" isn't a time period; it’s a cage built of expectations.
As the sun begins to rise, signaling another day of forced perfection, Baekseung plugs a thumb drive into the main server. They aren't planning a riot with fire; they’re planning a riot with truth. The boys meet in the shadows of the gymnasium
One night, a glitch occurs. The school’s PA system doesn’t play the usual calming frequencies; it broadcasts a distorted, raw sound—the forbidden "Chapter 1" files. It’s a rhythmic, aggressive beat that sounds like a heartbeat refusing to stop. "Did you hear that?" Wish whispers, standing by the window. They realize that the "21st Century" isn't a
The anthem of their defiance begins to play over every screen in the city. It’s loud, it’s messy, and it’s undeniably human. The "Prelude" is over. The boys are finally awake. One night, a glitch occurs
The "21st Century Boys"—eight students at the elite Zenith Academy—are the pride of the nation. To the public, they are the perfect products of a high-pressure society: flawless grades, disciplined minds, and unwavering smiles. But behind the reinforced glass of their dorms, the "Prelude of Anxiety" has already begun.