The hum of the fluorescent lights above pulsed like a heartbeat, bathing the sleek, white walls of the Sin Code Corporation in a sterile glow. Yuna Park sat at her workstation, fingers dancing over the holographic keyboard, lines of code flickering in front of her like a digital waterfall. The comforting rhythm of her daily routine was interrupted only by the occasional flicker of impatience from her supervisor, Mr. Lee.

"Yuna, can you please focus? The quarterly update on the Code's analytics is due by noon!" he barked, his voice a blend of exasperation and authority.

"Yes, sir. I'm on it," she replied, swallowing a sigh. Her gaze drifted to the wall adorned with glowing screens showcasing the Sin Code's latest achievements—statistical models of emotional control and efficiency—promising a perfect society. Yet beneath the surface, the code buried dark secrets, and she often wondered at what cost this "perfection" came.

Just as she was about to dive back into her work, an urgent ping from her wrist device shattered her concentration. Her heart skipped a beat at the notification: *Minho Lee - Emergency Status*.

Panic surged through her veins. Without hesitating, Yuna tapped the alert, her heart racing as a video link opened, revealing Minho's distressed face. Normally bright eyes were clouded with fear, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

"Yuna... I—I need help. They've marked me as 'Cursed'," he stammered, the words cutting through her like a knife.

"No, no, no! What do you mean?" She leaned closer, dread pooling in her stomach.

"I lost control after my mom's funeral. They analyzed my emotional data and decided I was a threat. They've sent the Enforcers," he said, his voice trembling. "I'm hiding... but I don't know for how long."

Yuna's world tilted. To be branded 'Cursed' meant being hunted, a target painted in red on one's back. The Sin Code did not just punish; it silenced the dissenters violently.

"Where are you?" she cried, forcing her voice calm.

"The old district," he whispered, nearly choking on the words. "I—there's no time."

"Meet me at the café on Maple Street," Yuna instructed, her mind racing through every scenario. "I'll be there."

"Yuna, please—" the feed crackled and cut out, leaving her staring at a blank screen, her heart pounding with uncertainty.

Her pulse quickened—she couldn't wait. The corporation's grip was tightening, and Minho was in more danger than she'd ever imagined. She bolted from her office, ignoring the shock of her colleagues as she tore down the sleek, echoing hallways of the corporation.

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Outside, the air buzzed with the sounds of the city, but Yuna's mind was elsewhere. Every flickering neon sign was a reminder of the world they lived in, where emotional regulation outweighed humanity, and the penalty for showing raw feelings was brutal.

The café on Maple Street loomed ahead, its quaint façade a stark contrast to the grim reality outside. She darted inside, scanning the room for Minho. Panic clawed at her insides.

When he entered, the world around her muted. Minho staggered in, his clothes ragged, blood smudged across his cheek. He rushed over, collapsing into the seat across from her, his eyes wide with terror.

"Yuna, they're coming," he gasped, all color drained from his face. "I saw them butcher someone in the alley—just for talking back to the Code. I barely escaped."

A shiver ran through her. The Enforcers were notorious for their brutality, their methods ruthless. Disobedience was met with swift, violent retribution. She reached out, gripping his wrist tightly, as if by strength alone she could anchor him to safety.

"Then we have to leave. We'll find a safe place," she urged, but her voice trembled. The minutes slipped away with excruciating slowness.

No sooner had the words left her lips than the door swung open with a loud crash. Two Enforcers, clad in black armor emblazoned with the Sin Code insignia, stormed inside. The café fell silent, eyes wide in terror as the enforcers surveyed the room, their scanners sweeping over the patrons.

"Minho Lee!" one barked, his voice a piercing command. "We know you're here! Step forward, or we will take every soul in this establishment."

Yuna's heart raced, the impulse to run surging within her. But she stayed rooted, clenching her jaw determinedly. She could not let him face this alone.

"Run!" she hissed at Minho. But he just stared, fear and defiance blending in his eyes.

"We don't have time for games, Lee!" the second Enforcer growled. "You're a threat to the Code—come quietly, or there will be consequences."

The tension exploded. A nearby patron, driven by panic, dashed towards the exit. But in a heartbeat, the first Enforcer swiveled, and with brutal efficiency, he drew his weapon. A flash of light, a deafening bang echoed through the café, and the man crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around him.

Yuna gasped, covering her mouth in horror. The café erupted into chaos, everyone scrambling for safety, chairs toppling over as people surged toward the exit.

"Now!" Yuna shouted at Minho, grabbing his arm. They hurtled toward the back door, but the Enforcers were quick, weaving through the melee like wolves amidst sheep.

"Stop them!" one shouted, raising his weapon again.

Yuna pulled Minho behind her as shots rang out. Bullets ricocheted off the walls, the sound echoing like death itself. Adrenaline surged as she felt the heat of the chaos, the palpable fear injecting energy into her veins.

They burst through the kitchen, fleeing into the alley behind the café, panting as they stumbled into the darkened street.

"Where do we go?" Minho gasped, trembling.

"Anywhere but here!" Yuna urged, her mind racing for a plan as she scanned their surroundings for a way out.

But she could hear the Enforcers' footsteps pounding behind them, the thundering promise of violence drawing closer. In this world, where emotions were both a weapon and a curse, they were now prey, and the hunters would not relent.

Racing through the shadows of the old district, Yuna knew they needed more than just flight; they needed to fight back against the tyranny that sought to silence them. For the first time, she felt the stirring of rebellion—a spark amidst the darkness—and she vowed, in that moment, that they would ignite it into a flame.