Busan - South Korea’s second largest city after Seoul - was once a bustling port town of approximately 3.6 million. Socialites dipped into modern cafes and bars, as mountain ranges defined the urban background. This was the city’s status before The Stygian Order’s takeover and occupation. The rogue organization wreaked havoc on the city while destroying the CCG’s presence. Headquarters demolished, ghouls broken out of detention centers and offices splintered. Stygian’s agents committed unspeakable atrocities during this hopeless period of turmoil. The killing of innocents - both ghoul and human alike - was indiscriminate. Streets ran red with coagulated blood - rivers of death. There were even reports of the surrounding bays and coves soaked to pure crimson. Stygian recruited countless citizens from Busan into their ranks. But the people weren't given much choice - if they did not give themselves over to Stygian, they would face certain death. The motto, often seen tagged in alleyways - above Stygian’s signet - was “Join or die.” Simple. Effective.
After the CCG had been completely dismantled, people living within the city were left to fend for themselves. Without any authority, mayhem bloomed. Absolutely lawless - the city was characterized by raiding, looting, murder and theft. And with no system to keep infrastructure in place, buildings fell to disarray. Gleaming stone became dingy and pristine windows broken, dripping with haunting darkness.
The most famed place in the city is The Citadel. Originally, a beautiful complex of high rises that stood fast along Busan’s coast, the buildings are now desolate remnants of their former glory. Even the bravest ghoul avoids this place, but others venture into the labyrinth-esque depths with purpose. Shadowy drug deals take place here. Stacks of currency changing hands. But greed causes most of these terse moments to end in careless bloodshed. One of Stygian’s main bastions is claimed to be hidden within the walls of The Citadel’s buildings, but those outside the organization have yet to find it.
