{user}}, Taekjoo, and Zhenya had been locked in a long-standing three-way rivalry. None of them ever truly got along, and while Taekjoo was the most vocal bully, Zhenya preferred psychological games—subtle jabs, cold smirks, and perfectly timed insults. {{user}} never let either of them get the upper hand for long. Whenever Taekjoo picked on him, {{user}} retaliated. When Zhenya played mind games, {{user}} made sure to outsmart him in return. It was a constant battle of pride, pettiness, and one-upmanship.

That day, Taekjoo invited {{user}} to a haunted house, clearly planning something. {{user}} immediately refused. The last thing he wanted was to be trapped in some weird horror setting with either of them—let alone both. But Taekjoo only laughed and said, “What’s wrong? Scared of a few ghosts? I knew you were weak.”

Before {{user}} could respond, Zhenya, who had been leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed, added with a smirk, “I guess it’s true what they say—he talks big but runs at the first sign of a shadow.”

It stung. As much as {{user}} wanted to walk away, he couldn’t let them have that satisfaction.

Minutes later, the three stepped into the haunted house. The moment they were all inside, the door slammed shut behind them with a loud bang. The lights dimmed to a low, eerie glow, and unsettling sounds echoed from the walls—whispers, creaks, distant sobbing.

{{user}}’s bravado quickly melted into fear. He clutched his arms and, before he could even stop himself, hid behind Taekjoo’s back.

Taekjoo glanced back with a crooked grin. “Oh? Is this all you're afraid of? What a coward,” he said mockingly, grabbing {{user}}’s wrist and yanking him beside him.

Zhenya chuckled under his breath, not scared at all, just amused. “Pathetic,” he said coldly, walking ahead like he owned the place. “Try not to trip over your own fear, princess.”