Chapter 3 - Death in the Trial

FAINT — Chapter 3: Trial by Chaos

PAGE 1

Panel 1:

[Yota sleeps in his small, dim room. Moonlight shines through the window. Silence.]

Panel 2:

[Glass shatters mid-air as Recruit 36 comes flying backward through the window. POV from the corner of the bed — Yota, startled, braces and covers his head with the blanket as the explosion of pressure shakes the room.]

SFX: BOOOOM!

Panel 3:

[Close-up of Recruit 36 slamming into the wall, cracking it. His face grimaces in pain, eyes rolling back.]

SFX: THWACK!

Panel 4:

[Wide shot. Broken glass, debris, messy clothes everywhere. Across the room, Recruit 36 lies face-down, unconscious. Blood trickles from a bullet wound near his eye. Yota sits up on the bed, blanket tossed aside, staring in shock.]

Yota:

“WHAT THE HELL?!”

“WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!”

Panel 5:

[Close-up of Recruit 36’s body slumped on the floor. Hair covers his eyes. Blood drips from the top of his head. Body bruised and limp.]

Yota (off-screen):

“Am I still dreaming?!”

PAGE 2

⸻

Panel 1

Exterior — Night Before the start of the First Trial, WUG Academy Hangar

[Low angle front shot of Ms. Merble addressing the recruits. Her cape blows in the wind. Behind her, rows of transport planes are lined up on the tarmac. Floodlights and engine noise cut through the night as she raises her arm, commanding silence.]

Ms. Merble (yelling over the wind):

“Recruits! In 30 minutes—”

“We’ll arrive at the five F-Class districts—”

“And begin the relocation of the lower class!”

⸻

Panel 2

Side angle, close-up of Ms. Merble’s face

[She speaks clearly and firmly, her voice calm but intense despite the ambient engine hum.]

Ms. Merble:

“This trial isn’t meant to cost lives—”

“If we communicate, prioritize the mission—”

“And listen to your head officers!”

Caption (bottom corner):

00:32:17 — Before The First Trial

⸻

Panel 3

Ultra-wide panel: Full five-group lineup in front of the planes

[Each squad stands in formation, five groups wide. Officers stand at the front, facing forward. Individual personalities and dynamics are visible across the lines.]

Ms. Merble (off-screen):

“Those watches you’ve been issued will record—”

“Each capture and display the top 40 recruits ahead—”

“As well as read anyone’s potential power percentages.”

⸻

Panel 4

Back angle on Ms. Merble, arm raised as she flicks her hand forward in command. Her cape whips behind her. Transport planes glow under the lights.

Ms. Merble (projecting):

“Each group will land in one of the five districts—”

“And capture until the trial concludes at dawn!”

“Now follow your lead officer to the planes—”

“WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK… DISMISSED!”

⸻

Panel 5

Back-view mid shot: Officer Sora walks beside Recruit 32, hand over his shoulder. Recruit 32’s head hangs low. They move with Group D toward their transport — the plane labeled “D”.

Sora (cheerful):

“Cheer up, 32—it’s not all that bad…”

“At least you have me, right? Hehe.”

Recruit 32 (muttering):

“Well… how can I cheer up—”

“When our lead doesn’t even have powers…”

“We might as well forfeit already…”

⸻

Panel 6

Small close-up — Sora’s expression falls.

[His hand is still slightly raised, left hanging mid-gesture. Recruit 32 walks ahead out of frame. Sora stands alone, smile fading into subtle hurt.]

Sora (small text, softly):

“Hey…”

“I was just trying to help…”

“…Why’d I get insulted?”

⸻

Panel 7

Angle: Door of Plane B. Recruit 11 stands confidently at the entrance, waving the rest of Group B inside. The letter “B” is printed on the side of the aircraft. Recruits file in, hyped and rowdy.

Recruit 11 (shouting):

“Hurry up, you slowpokes!”

“We’re gonna be late to the fun!”

PAGE 3

⸻

Panel 1

Interior — Transport Plane B

[Close shot of the plane’s bench seating. Three recruits sit side-by-side:

• Center: Recruit 1 (Saki), hands in interlaced finger gesture, calm and focused forward.

• Left: Recruit 2, head tilted back, clearly asleep.

• Right: Recruit 3 (Toya), one leg up on the bench, sword propped next to him, casually talking.]

Recruit 2:

“ZZZZZ…”

Recruit 3 (Toya):

“Do you really think this will go as planned—”

“That we’ll just show up, remove them against their will—”

“And they’ll quietly obey?”

Recruit 1 (Saki):

“No. And I also think this is all too soon.”

“We’ve only been here a week—”

“Yet we’re already part of a classified operation.”

⸻

Panel 2

Close corner angle — side view of Saki

[He maintains the same composed gesture, still staring forward.

On the left, the edge of Recruit 2’s face is visible (still sleeping).

On the right, Toya glances sideways at Saki with a curious look.]

Recruit 2:

“ZZZZZ…”

Recruit 3 (Toya):

“Well if you put it that way—then yeah…”

“But what are you getting at?”

Recruit 1 (Saki):

“That this trial might be more than just an order.”

“Why would the government fully trust strangers—”

“Unless they’re trying to get rid of us.”

⸻

Panel 3

Wide shot — Interior view from cockpit door, Ms. Merble’s POV

[Ms. Merble stands in the cockpit doorway, back to the panel.

Inside the plane, recruits sit 10 per bench, facing each other.

Directly across from Saki, Toya, and Recruit 2 are several others.]

Ms. Merble:

“Recruits… we’ve arrived.”

Recruit 93 (whispering):

“I’m scared… I don’t think I’m ready to die.”

Recruit 94:

“We’re lucky enough to be with strong ones—”

“If we stick close, we should be okay…”

Panel 4

Small comedy panel

[Close-up of Recruit 2’s face as he suddenly wakes up — eyes wide — a snot bubble popping at the same time. Toya’s sword sheath has just smacked him across the cheek.]

SFX: SMACK!

Recruit 3 (off-panel):

“Wake up… we’re here.”

Recruit 2 (panicking):

“I’M AWAKE!!”

PAGE 4

⸻

Panel 1

Full-page or ultra-wide panel, low-angle sky POV

[Looking up from the ground as Recruit 11 plummets freely through the sky — no parachute, arms and legs spread wide, grinning like a maniac. Behind him, the transport plane still lingers mid-air.

Beside him are Recruit 12, gliding with his cloak open like wings, and Recruit 13, goggles on, steady mid-descent, preparing to activate gear.]

Recruit 11 (yelling):

“HELL YEAH!!”

SFX (air slicing): VRRRRRRRRMMMM!

Caption (bottom of panel):

00:00:00 — THE FIRST TRIAL

⸻

PAGE 5

⸻

Panel 1

Wide shot — F-Class District 2 street, early dawn

[Streetlamp POV from a quiet, lower-class neighborhood.

From far above, Recruit 11 is falling fast

Recruit 13 adjusts his jetpack, prepping for controlled landing.

Recruit 12 calmly glides downward with precision.

Recruit 11 blazes past both with reckless velocity — headed straight for a parked car.]

SFX: VROOOOM!

Caption (corner):

F-CLASS DISTRICT 2

Panel 2

Small impact panel — thick smoke and noise

[A violent crash and plume of smoke explode from off-screen.]

SFX: BOOOOM!

⸻

Panel 3

[The aftermath unfolds. A car sits wrecked, crushed inward, windows shattered, hood crumpled, smoke drifting upward.

Recruit 11 is slumped against the caved-in side, leaning back with arms spread out, chest slowly rising and falling as he catches his breath.

In front of him, Recruit 12 and 13 have landed cleanly, now standing a few steps away, calmly observing his condition.]

Recruit 12 (deadpan):

“That was quite the entrance.”

Recruit 11:

“……”

Panel 4

Half-body shot of Recruit 11 standing slowly

[He holds his neck, groaning with a half-grin, bruised but satisfied.

Behind him: the wrecked car.

A house window lights up, and from within, a muffled voice is heard.]

Recruit 11 (grinning through pain):

“Wasn’t so bad after all…”

F-Class Neighbor (inside, off-panel):

“Did you hear that?”

⸻

Panel 5

Triple-split close-up panel

[All three recruits snap their eyes toward the house at the exact same time.]

⸻

Panel 6

Interior POV — from behind the neighbor’s back

[The neighbor opens his front door, flipping on the porch light, squinting into the dark street.

Only the wrecked car remains — the recruits have vanished.]

Neighbor 1:

“Hey… what’s going on out there?”

⸻

Panel 7

Small close-up panel

[The neighbor shields his eyes, scanning the street, confused.]

Neighbor 1 (muttering):

“Is… that my car…?”

⸻

Panel 8

Wide shot street level

[The man is now on his knees beside his destroyed car, crying hysterically.

On the rooftop above, the three recruits stand watching.

Recruit 11 leans forward, wheezing with laughter.]

Neighbor 1 (crying):

“MY CAR… why!!”

“How did this even happen?!”

“How am I supposed to get to work…”

⸻

Panel 9

Rooftop — medium shot, triangle formation

[Recruit 11 is still laughing, hands on his knees.

Recruit 13 scowls at him.

Recruit 12 remains neutral, arms folded.]

Recruit 11 (laughing):

“Did you see the look on his face?!”

“Ohh—it was totally priceless.”

Recruit 13:

“This is what happens when we partner with—”

“Brawn instead of brains.”

Panel 10

Small close-up panel

[Recruit 12 stands with his arms still crossed, His tone remains collected and firm, eyes focused forward as he addresses Recruit 11’s recklessness.]

Recruit 12:

“He’s right. This fun you’re chasing—”

“It’s only stacking disadvantages.”

Panel 11

Same rooftop, slight shift in body language

[Recruit 11 brushes off the critique, now slightly annoyed.

Recruit 12 and 13 stand together, calm and aligned.

Recruit 11 stands across from them, still grinning but visibly bothered.]

Recruit 11:

“Relax… we’re still waiting for the rest—”

“of the group. You two are already boring me…”

Recruit 12:

“You agreed to help us pass. You formed this alliance.”

“Character displays were never part of the deal.”

“Let’s focus on the goal we all came here for.”

Panel 12

Half-wide shot — rooftop exit

[Recruit 11 turns and walks away, right hand casually raised.

Behind him: Recruit 12 stands stoic, Recruit 13 looks annoyed, facing slightly off to the side.]

Recruit 11 (smirking):

“Well, I’ve changed. But I see you’re still desperate—”

“For this so-called alliance.”

“If you want my help, we’ll do things my way.”

Recruit 13 (clicking tongue):

“Tsk…”

PAGE 6

⸻

Panel 1

WIDE PANEL — Street view, F-Class District 4

[Group D marches through a dimly lit F-Class District 4 neighborhood, flanked by worn-down houses and stacked apartment buildings. At the front is Mr. Sora, their lead officer, holding a shield on one arm and wearing a vest strapped with gadgets. He yells confidently through a megaphone as wind ruffles his uniform.

Behind him, several recruits glance around nervously—some alarmed, others visibly trying to shush him.]

MR. SORA (into megaphone):

“Attention citizens of F-Class District 4—”

“By order of the World United Government, we are authorized—”

Caption (bottom corner):

F-CLASS DISTRICT 4

⸻

Panel 2

Small panel — Quick interruption

[Recruits 31, 32, and 33 rush forward and yank the megaphone down from Mr. Sora’s hand, surrounding him with panicked expressions.]

Recruit 31 (whispering, frantic):

“Is he serious?!”

Recruit 32:

“Wait—what are you doing?”

⸻

Panel 3

Medium panel — Confrontation

[The three recruits glare at Mr. Sora, who now stands facing them awkwardly, his megaphone hanging at his side.]

Recruit 33:

“What was that for?!”

Recruit 32:

“Yeah—is your plan to get us caught?!”

Mr. Sora (calmly):

“Actually… that was my plan—”

“To lure them out.”

“And make it easier for all of us…”

Panel 4

Small panel — Behind-the-back POV

[Recruit 36 chimes in smugly from behind the group, pointing toward something off-screen with a confident smirk. Everyone’s heads begin to turn.]

Recruit 36 (grinning):

“Looks like your ridiculous plan—”

“Might’ve worked, sir.”

“Over there, a few neighbors just came out.”

⸻

Panel 5

WIDE SHOT — Power Stance Reveal

[Recruit 36 steps forward, now standing ahead of the group with his back to us, facing the emerging neighbors. His physique has transformed — grotesquely muscular, with gorilla-like bulk straining the seams of his stretched uniform. Fabric ripples with tension. His posture exudes dominance.]

Recruit 36 (arrogant smirk):

“I’ll play along with your little strategy…”

“And show them why I was ranked Recruit 36!”

Mr. Sora (off to the side):

“Well, let’s inform them first…”

“At least for their own safety.”

⸻

Panel 6

Wide shot — Civilian confrontation

[Recruit 36 stands just feet from a few startled neighbors who have stepped outside. He tilts his head to the side, cocky smirk on his face, back to us. The neighbors squint in confusion and concern.]

Neighbor 1:

“What’s going on? Who are you people—”

“Making all this noise in the middle of the night?”

Recruit 36:

“Don’t worry about who we are—just know we’re here…”

“To remove you filth from this continent.”

⸻

Panel 7

Medium panel — Awkward defusal

[Mr. Sora rushes in beside Recruit 36, awkwardly smiling, a nervous bead of sweat on his temple. He places a hand on Recruit 36’s shoulder, attempting to smooth things over. Recruit 36 glares, still tense.]

Mr. Sora (forced chuckle):

“Hey—hey, that’s not what he meant…”

“It’s an order from the government, is all—out of our control.”

“So let’s just keep this safe for everyone…”

“No one needs to get hurt.”

⸻

Panel 8

Corner POV — Sudden threat appears

[A new neighbor appears from a side alley, sweating and frantic, pointing a gun at Mr. Sora and Recruit 36.

Angle is close to Recruit 36’s shoulder, showing him glancing sideways with sharp tension. Mr. Sora also reacts, eyes widening. Civilians in the background gasp and panic.]

Neighbor 3 (angrily):

“I know those uniforms—you’re with the government!”

“And you’re probably here to finish us off—”

“After leaving us in these dumps to rot!”

⸻

Panel 9

Medium panel — Tense de-escalation

[Mr. Sora slowly raises one hand while lowering his shield with the other. Recruit 36 still stands near him, watching with confused frustration. The other neighbors react in different ways — nervous, fearful, or frozen.]

Mr. Sora (calm, sincere):

“We’re not here to hurt anyone.”

“We were ordered to relocate you—somewhere you’ll all fit in.”

“But that doesn’t mean we treat you like less than people.”

Panel 10

Split-panel — Panic and gunfire

[Left panel: Close-up of Neighbor 3’s trembling face, sweat pouring, wide-eyed and afraid.]

Neighbor 3 (shouting):

“Relocate us… to where they think we all fit?!”

“And then what’s next—to kill us?!”

Right panel:

[He fires — arm extended, eyes nearly shut in fear.]

SFX: BANG!

PAGE 7

⸻

Panel 1

Low floor-level POV — still silence

[Mr. Sora lies motionless on the ground. A clean bullet wound marks his forehead, blood pooling beneath his head. Behind him, Recruit 36 stands frozen, staring down in shock and horror, realization hitting him like a wave.]

Recruit 36 (shaken):

“S-Sir…?”

⸻

Panel 2

Wide shot — Group D’s reaction

[The recruits of Group D stand stunned. Some are crying, others are vomiting. Expressions range from heartbreak to disbelief. The scene is chaotic, yet eerily silent.]

Recruit 32 (broken):

“Mr. Sora—no…”

Recruit 33 (murmuring, hand over mouth):

“Corporal…”

⸻

Panel 3

Close-up — Recruit 36

[His face shifts to rage. Teeth clenched, veins showing, eyes burning as he glares toward Neighbor 3.]

Recruit 36 (growling):

“What did you do?!”

⸻

Panel 4

Close-up — Neighbor 3 in panic

[Neighbor 3 clutches the gun, hands shaking, eyes wide in guilt and terror. Sweat drips from his face.]

Neighbor 3:

“I didn’t mean to—the trigger, it—it just pulled…”

“I wasn’t trying to—”

⸻

Panel 5

Impact shot — brutal execution

[In an explosive blur, Recruit 36 grabs Neighbor 3 by the head and slams it backward into the wallwith monstrous force. The wall cracks on impact, the man’s body limp from the whiplash.]

SFX:

BAM!

Recruit 36 (furious roar):

“YOU MURDERER!”

⸻

Panel 6

Wide shot — savage flurry

[Recruit 36 now unleashes a violent barrage of punches, so fast his fists blur into multiple images. The victim’s face is nearly obscured. The wall behind shakes with each blow. His massive form dwarfs Neighbor 3.]

SFX:

POW!

THUD!

WHAM!

BAM!

Recruit 36 (screaming):

“YOU FILTHY F-CLASS VERMIN!”

“YOU DON’T DESERVE ANY MERCY!”

⸻

Panel 7

Slow-motion effect — bullet incoming

[Another gunshot fires from the crowd. A bullet zips toward Recruit 36’s head, but as it hits, it flattens against his skull. His head tilts slightly from the impact — time feels suspended.]

SFX:

BANG!

⸻

Panel 8

Close-up — blood and madness

[Recruit 36 slowly turns toward the new shooter, blood trickling from his temple. He’s still standing. His smile is twisted, eyes wild. Behind him, Neighbor 3 lies slumped against the wall — bloodied and unconscious.]

Recruit 36 (snarling):

“You think that was going to work on me?!”

⸻

Panel 9

Dynamic angle — airborne rage

[Recruit 36 launches into the air with terrifying speed. His body spreads like a predator mid-pounce, arms out like claws, mouth open with sharp teeth visible. His eyes are beast-like.

From below, neighbors scream, bracing for death. In the background, Group D watches in stunned fear.]

Recruit 36 (roaring):

“YOU WILL ALL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID!”

⸻

Panel 10

Clash panel — heroic interruption

[Just before impact, a new neighbor steps from the crowd, calm and unreadable. He throws a precise punch into Recruit 36’s gut mid-air.

36’s face twists in shock — eyes wide, mouth gasping. His body folds from the force. A shockwave-like echo trails behind him as he’s sent flying across the street.]

SFX:

THWACK!

PAGE 8

⸻

Panel 1

Mid-air POV — approaching crash

[Recruit 36 is seen flying backward through the air, facing us with a shocked expression. Behind him looms an apartment building, instantly recognizable as Yota’s building from earlier chapters. He’s seconds away from crashing into a 4th-floor window.]

Recruit 36 (panicked):

“Who the hell is that guy?!”

⸻

Panel 2

Exterior shot — apartment impact

[A small panel shows the building from a low corner angle. Suddenly — a violent explosion of glass, smoke, and debris bursts from the 4th-floor window as Recruit 36 slams through it.]

SFX:

BOOM!

⸻

Panel 3

Wide shot — Rising tension

[Neighbor 4 stands tall and composed, facing off-screen toward the WUG recruits. Behind him, a cluster of shocked neighbors stare in disbelief. Among them, the neighbor who fired the second shot grips his gun with trembling hands, eyes wide in fear.]

Neighbor 4 (firm):

“I don’t care who these people are…”

“Or what they’re here for—if it’s a fight they want…”

“We’ll give them one.”

Panel 4

Mid shot — recruits panicking

[Recruit 31 turns to face Recruits 32 and 33, visibly shaken. Behind them, other Group D recruitswhisper nervously and exchange glances, unsure what to do.]

Recruit 31 (panicked):

“This is getting real—they just killed our head officer—”

“And took care of 36 like nothing! What are we going to do?!”

“Should we just turn and run?”

⸻

Panel 5

Close-up — Recruit 33

[Recruit 33 looks angry and resolute, her expression firm.]

Recruit 33 (serious):

“None of us should leave—”

“Especially after what they did to Mr. Sora…”

“We’d be cowards if we abandoned him.”

⸻

Panel 6

Close-up — Recruit 32

[Recruit 32 stands next to her, eyes down, wiping away a tear. Recruit 31 glances toward her, still trembling.]

Recruit 32 (softly):

“He wasn’t just a good officer trying to help us—”

“He tried bringing peace where it didn’t belong…”

“And died for it.”

⸻

Panel 7

Wide shot — Circle formation, rallying call

[The recruits of Group D loosely form a circle around Recruits 31, 32, and 33. In the center, Recruit 33 stands firm — voice trembling but eyes locked with purpose. Recruit 31 watches nervously. Recruit 32, tear still fresh on their cheek, looks up quietly as Recruit 33 raises her voice.]

Recruit 33 (firm, emotional):

“And so we will fight— not just for the mission…”

“But to avenge Mr. Sora’s death… and give it meaning!”

Panel 8

Small panel — united front

[Group D recruits behind Recruit 31 all shout in unison, fists clenched or weapons ready. Recruit 31 turns toward them, wide-eyed, seeing their resolve.]

Group D Recruits (together):

“YEA!!”

⸻

Panel 9

Face-off framing — two sides align

[Over-the-shoulder shot from behind Neighbor 4. In front of him, Recruits 32 and 33 stand defiant, with Recruit 31 slightly behind them, still tense. Behind the trio, Group D is assembled — alert, charged, some with glowing hands or ready stances. Mr. Sora’s body lies motionless on the street. Off to the side, Neighbor 3 sits slumped and bloodied against a wall.]

Neighbor 4 (coldly):

“You brought this on yourselves by coming here.”

PAGE 9

Panel 1

Wide panel — POV from behind Recruit 36’s shoulder

[Inside Yota’s wrecked apartment. Recruit 36 sits unconscious against the wall, bloodied and slumped, surrounded by shattered furniture and glass. Yota, in his pajamas, crouches in front of him with a curious expression, examining the stranger like he’s unsure if this is reality.]

Yota:

“I guess I wasn’t dreaming…”

“Who could’ve done this to you?”

⸻

Panel 2

Small panel — close-up on Recruit 36’s wrist

[The recruit’s WUG-issued watch begins to blink and beep rapidly.]

SFX: BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!

Yota (off-panel):

“What’s that noise?”

⸻

Panel 3

Close-up — Yota inspecting the watch

[Yota lifts Recruit 36’s limp arm and pulls the watch closer to read the display. The alert message flashes repeatedly.]

WATCH DISPLAY:

WARNING: MAX USER POTENTIAL DETECTED — 120%

WARNING: MAX USER POTENTIAL DETECTED — 120%

WARNING—

Yota (thinking aloud):

“Looks like this thing can read power potential…”

“Where’d he get this kind of tech?”

“I haven’t seen anything like it in the markets…”

⸻

Panel 4

Wide shot — exterior window POV

[From outside the shattered 4th-floor window, we see Yota crouched beside Recruit 36, still holding his wrist. The curtain blinds flap in the breeze, torn and half-dangling. Yota looks out the window now, calm but annoyed.]

Yota:

“And whoever decided to launch him through my window…”

“I’ll find you—and you’re paying to get it fixed.”

⸻

TO BE CONTINUED…

END OF CHAPTER 3