Living Inferno

Four 🔞⚠️

The video that should have delivered justice for the victim became yet another example of how untouchable the rich and powerful truly were. Jungkook's father, a politician, Jimin's father, a media tycoon, and Taehyung's father, the highest-ranking police officer in South Korea, worked in unison to shield their sons from any consequences.

The truth, despite being seen by millions, was effectively erased. Seokjin's attempt to expose them had failed—not because people didn't care, but because the system was designed to protect the untouchable. The video, once filled with the promise of justice, was silenced, leaving behind a chilling reminder of how deeply rooted corruption can be.

It didn't take long for Hoseok to understand why. Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jimin weren't ordinary students—they were chaebols, heirs to families whose power stretched far beyond the walls of the university. Their names carried weight, their influence ran deep, and their fathers controlled not only businesses, but people, decisions, and entire institutions.

Jungkook's father, a prominent politician, held sway over both the government and the legal system. Jimin's father, a media mogul, dictated what stories made it to the news and what was buried. And Taehyung's father, the police chief, ensured that nothing incriminating would ever reach the authorities.

The students at the college knew this all too well.

Hoseok could feel the fear in the air. No one dared challenge the chaebols. No one wanted to risk their future, their family, or their lives by going against South Korea's most powerful families. It wasn't just about their wealth; it was about survival in a world where the powerful always won.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, the students remained silent. Hoseok noticed how people avoided him in the hallways, how whispers followed him wherever he went. Conversations about the video faded into background noise, and soon, students acted as if the video had never been released at all.

In the cafeteria, he overheard bits of hushed conversations:

"Did you see the video?"

"Yeah, but it's not worth getting involved."

"What can we even do? They're untouchable."

The same sentiment echoed through every corner of the campus—Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jimin were untouchable. No one was willing to stand up to the trio because they knew what it would cost. It wasn't just about expulsion or reputation; the consequences could be much worse. The weight of the chaebols' influence bore down on everyone, smothering any chance for justice.

Even the professors, who had undoubtedly seen the video, avoided the topic entirely. Hoseok could see the discomfort in their eyes, the way they diverted conversations that came too close to the subject. The power the chaebols' families wielded reached into every corner of the university, and no one dared cross them.

Despite the suffocating fear, there were a few whispers of resistance. Some students wanted to act but were too terrified to follow through.

"We can't fight them. You know what happens to people who try."

"Just be careful... they'll come after you."

The words left Hoseok feeling hollow. Even those who supported him and Seokjin were too afraid to stand with them. The fear was too great. The chaebols had built a fortress of influence around themselves, and it felt impenetrable. No one dared risk being the next target of their wrath.

Outside the campus, it was no different. Seokjin and Hoseok had hoped the viral video would catch the attention of the authorities, but nothing happened. The government stayed silent. There was no police investigation. There were no news reports. It was as though the video didn't exist at all.