[9] The Engineer's Settlement

January 10, 2023, 9:01 am, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.

After a few nights rest, Zeke and Jihyo were now finally beginning their training. They were outside their makeshift apartment, which was now a bit more furnished than before.

"Goodmorning, my new students!" Seojun said to Zeke and Jihyo.

"Goodmorning, Seojun-nim!" Jihyo bowed.
"Goodmoring, Mr. Seojun." Zeke places his palm on his chest and bows.

"Oh, no need for formalities, young ones." Seojun chuckled. "You can relax. This is only a brief introduction on what we will do starting later this afternoon."

"Oh, I see, I see. Okay, Mr. Seojun." Zeke said as he and Jihyo sit down on the curb.

"So... first, our schedule... we start around six in the morning, take an hour's worth of break during lunch, then continue along until five in the afternoon. The training will not be as hard or intense. What's hard about it is the frequency of the training sessions that we will have. It will be on a daily basis, and your rest day will be every Sunday. Sounds good? Or is it too harsh?" Seojun asked.

"Oh, no, no, I'm good with this, Seojun-nim. It's honestly similar to my schedules on a jam-packed comeback week. Pretty sure it wouldn't be a problem to me. How about you, Zeke?" Jihyo turns to Zeke.

"I'm fine too," Zeke replied. "Overtime at work was worse than this. I don't get paid enough to deal with shitty people at work. Capitalism sucks." Zeke laughed.

"I'm glad you're all willingly into this." Seojun replied as he chuckled as well. "Now, next agenda. I have planned a three-part training here, which we'll be practicing in the open field just next to this settlement. The first training will span two weeks, which will strengthen your body through exercise. Yoga, pilates, and some other stuff will be included."

"Pilates!" Jihyo's face light up as she shakes her fists. "I love pilates. I used to do it everytime. If Nayeon was here she would love this too. I'm excited!"

"Glad you have high spirits about it, Ms. Jihyo." Seojun smiled. "Okay, the second one is hand-to-hand combat training, which will also last two weeks. I know Mr. Zeke has some knowledge about this, so it would mostly be a breeze, honestly.

"Despite me having combat training before... I never actually threw hands in reality... because I don't wanna hurt people." Zeke scratched his head. "But our enemies are not human so I guess I can make exceptions?" Zeke laughs.

"Hoho, you're right, monsters are definitely an exception. Okay... the final part of the training will be about armed combat. You will use a weapon here, and learn some various basic techiques in sword-wielding. This part will be a bit difficult however, as I have planned for us to go out and beat some snowmen and Scrapers nearby. But I will accompany you incase of trouble, so no worries about this." Seojun said. "And I will also teach Jihyo how to control her Manifest abilities properly there. Once that's all over, then it's basically application from then on. You must train on your own."

"I'm ready to start soon, Seojun-nim!" Jihyo said.

"Me too!" Zeke said. "Although I don't have a Manifest myself... Hehe."

"That's fine, Zeke. This training will be vital for your survival. Considering you never underwent military service since you aren't from this country, you'll need even the simplest techniques in combat." Seojun replied.

"Yes, yes. Thank you, Mr. Seojun, for the opportunity."

"You're welcome, Mr. Zeke. Now... you two... We'll see each other later. You're free to do whatever you want for now! Be here at exactly 1'o clock, okay?" Seojun smiled.

"Okay, Seojun-nim! See you!" Jihyo said as they both stood up.

"So... what do you wanna do for now, Zeke?" Jihyo said, smiling at him.

"Uh..." Zeke looked away, blushing. He was still shy around Jihyo, even after her telling him that they're officially friends. Jihyo was still an idol, after all. A famous person, loved by millions around the world, just literally a few feet away from him.

Jihyo notices his flustered face and giggles. "Mister Zeke, helloooooo?"

"Ah! Uh, sorry. Just really not used to you being friends with me. I still feel I'm dreaming, honestly. Can you slap me?" Zeke said.

"You sure about this?" Jihyo said.

"Yea--"

Jihyo immediately slaps him on the face, much to his surprise. He holds his cheek, wincing in pain.

"Ow, you really did it!" Zeke exclaims.

"Oh my god! I'm sorry, did I hit you way too hard?" Jihyo said as she goes to him to assesses his cheek.

Zeke looks at her. Her face was extremely near to his as he blushes even more. She was really beautiful close-up. Her round, hazel brown eyes were amazing to look at, and her overall facial features show both cuteness and pureness at the same time.

"Y-y-yes! I'm okay... I know this is real now, I know this is real now... You don't have to worry..." Zeke moved away from her a bit, still blushing.

Jihyo giggles. "I'm sorry. I just followed what you said. And listen... I know you're not used to me being your actual friend yet, but let me tell you, you don't have to feel shy around me, alright? You can be comfortable with me." She said as she smiles.

Zeke slowly smiles back. "Okay."

"Now, I think I wanna visit Minhyuk-nim right now. I just wanna thank him again for accomodating us. Wanna come?" Jihyo said.

"Sure. I want to thank him too." Zeke said as they began walking towards Minhyuk's office.

When they arrived, they were in front of his office--- a once spacious clothing store. Zeke knocks on the door.

"Minhyuk-nim, it's us," Jihyo said. After a while, the door opens, and they're greeted by Minhyuk, who was now wearing comfortable, formal clothes.

"Oh, hello, Zeke and Jihyo. Please, come in." He said as he moved to the side. As they entered his office, they see his small desk, with a nice chair, a few drawers, and a table with a CB radio on it.

"Please, please. Have a seat." Minhyuk takes two monoblock chairs from the side of his office and moves it towards his desk. Zeke and Jihyo sits down.

"What can I do for you two?" Minhyuk said as he sits down his chair.

"Well, we just came here to say thank you for taking us in the other day." Jihyo said. "We are grateful."

"Oh, no, no, Ms. Jihyo," Minhyuk said "If anything, It's me who should be thanking you two. Those snowmen... They would've likely killed several of my men if it weren't for you and Mr. Zeke right here."

"We are... just glad to help, Mr. Minhyuk. We don't want any more losses. We've seen enough in just two days." Zeke replied. Jihyo nodded in agreement.

"Glad we are on the same page. Now, Seojun-nim has informed me of your training, which will start later. If you need anything--- your fave food, drinks, assistants in training--- just tell me and I'll do my best to provide it, alright?" Minhyuk said.

"T-that's too much, Minhyuk-nim. We're already good with the shelter you provided us, honestly, no need for that..." Jihyo replied.

"I insist. It's the least I can do for you two." Minhyuk smiled.

Zeke and Jihyo just nodded.

"Alright. If you don't have anything else to ask of me, I must get back to my work. Being a leader of a newly established apocalyptic settlement sure isn't easy..." Minhyuk laughs. "It's a good thing I'm an engineering major... I could work around with stuff to help fortify our place."

"I wish you goodluck, Minhyuk-nim! And thank you, once again." Jihyo said as she stands up and bows. Zeke follows as well, and they leave his office.

As soon as they get out, they see Minji and Hyungwon just standing outside. Minji had a puppy-eyed stare towards Jihyo, while Hyungwon is next to her, holding his temples.