Departure is necessary. Unexpected enemy encounters are not.
Preparations were immediately done after the meeting at the workshop.
Initially, the ones that are joining the expedition are Zeke, Jihyo, Ryujin, Hyungwon, and Hangyeol.
But Sana also wanted to come despite the dangers they might encounter, because she explained that Mina is also her close friend and that she had to be there when they find her.
Nobody could've argued with that, so they let her join them.
Minhyuk was unable to become part of the expedition due to his injuries, while Seojun and Miyeon chose to stay behind.
April 27, 2023, 5:15 am, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.
Vanta, the Koul'in soldier spared by Zeke and Jihyo's team, was just lying on his cot in his prison room, staring blankly at the empty ceiling above. He had nothing on his mind other than appreciating the fact that he was alive, and was finally away from his home planet. He was lucky that he had survived, and he was hoping to see this new world they call Earth and all it's beauty.
But it sounds so farfetched. The Koul'in had probably wrecked havoc all over the place. And even if he didn't have the intention of invading South Korea himself, he was still part of the Koul'in's invading fleet, causing destruction, pain and suffering to millions of people across the country.
In a way, his imprisonment was just a light punishment. He was supposed to be dead. But he wasn't.
As he contemplated on his thoughts and the implications of his actions, the steel door of his room suddenly opens. As Vanta looks, Zeke and Hyungwon enters.
"Get up. You're coming with us." Hyungwon spoke in a serious tone. "You said you wanted to see this world, right? So we're giving you a chance to see it. But you have to help us with our expedition."
"Really...? I--"
"No more talking. We are leaving soon. Go." Hyungwon said. Vanta slowly stands and walks out of the room, but he is stopped by Zeke.
"A word of advice. We may be kind enough to recognize your own goals, but don't expect the others in this settlement---no, in this whole country, to feel the same way. They will look at you with judgemental eyes. To them, whatever you do, you will always be the enemy. And enemies will surely be killed. But don't worry. We aren't as savage as your kin. We listen to reason, so you're going to be safe."
Vanta just looked at him.
"...but if you harm us in any way possible, you're good as dead. Understand?" Zeke said as he glared at him menacingly.
Vanta just nods.
"Goooood. Good. Glad we are agreeing on something. Follow me." Zeke said as he tapped the Koul'in soldier's shoulder and walked back towards the settlement area, and towards the front arch gate.
As Vanta walks back in together with Zeke and Hyungwon, he sees the people looking at him, seemingly judging him silently with spiteful, angry eyes. It's as if they're going to kill him, if not for the armed guards that were around holding them back. He couldn't blame them, though.
They soon arrive at the front arch gate. Vanta sees a seemingly armored truck. The truck they were about to use for the weeks-long expedition was reinforced with the otherworldly steel that the team has recovered from E-World Amusement Park. Next to the truck was Jihyo and Ryujin.
Jihyo was packed and ready with a small bag, wearing the same "IT'S LIT" maroon hoodie, and black denim jeans---only this time, she had metal elbow and knee guards for extra protection. Ryujin, on the other hand, was wearing a black leather jacket with a plain purple shirt underneath, holding her now fixed stolen Koul'in armor, all welded up with spare metal parts from Hyungwon's workshop.
Jihyo and Ryujin slowly looks at Vanta.
"Oh, so this Koul'in is really coming." Ryujin muttered. "Can't believe we are teaming up with you, but I'm good with it. As long as you help."
"..." Jihyo said nothing.
"By the way, where are the rest...?" Zeke asked. "They should be here by now..."
Suddenly, Sana arrives, her feet trampling the soft snow. She was wearing a small backpack, and was clad in a black jacket and blue denim jeans. Behind her was Miyeon, together with Glendale.
"Hiya~ Whew. Sorry I'm late. Had to bid goodbye to Minhyuk-nim myself, would be rude if I didn't thank him personally for everything he has done." Sana said.
"Guess you guys are really off." Miyeon spoke. "I'm sorry I couldn't join... It just... I feel I wouldn't be able to keep up with you guys. I know your journey is going to be full of running and sprinting... and I'm not the athletic type, so..."
"That's okay." Jihyo smiled. "It would be best if you stay here. I guarantee you, you'll be safe here."
"We are going to miss you all... Come back in one piece, okay...?" Glendale muttered as he looks at the expedition team.
"Don't worry. We will." Zeke said as he smiles back.
A loud bickering was then heard from behind them, and as they look, it was Hangyeol and Minji arguing. Seojun was walking just behind them, chuckling as he just watched the two continue their loud exchange of angry thoughts.
"Hey hey hey!" Hyungwon said as he tried to mediate between the two. "You two are fighting again. What is going on?!"
"This idiot ate too much tteokbokki again and now he's complaining of a bad stomachache. I already advised him NOT to eat alot of them!" Minji said as she looks at Hangyeol again. "How come you don't listen?!"
"Look, I wouldn't be eating tteokbokki for a long time because of this expedition, so I savored every moment of eating the delicious thing! Come on. You understand right?!" Hangyeol retorted, holding on his stomach.
"You are unbelievable. Just... take this!" Minji said as she shoves a pouch of medicine towards Hangyeol. "It's for your stomach. I know you'd most likely wouldn't listen to me, so I guess I ought to give you something for your stubborn ass."
"Oh. Well, okay. Thanks for this!" Hangyeol grinned.
"Whatever. Get your act together. Hmph." Minji said as she turns away in disgust.
"Zeke, Jihyo." Seojun said as he walks toward the two.
"Oh... Mr. Seojun... Hello. You really sure you don't want to join...?" Zeke asked.
"Ah, well, my bones couldn't keep up the strain of fighting so much, so I have to conserve it. Besides... I was joining you two because I thought you need some guidance and support from me. With you two now getting stronger than before, I guess it's no longer needed, don't you think?" Seojun smiled.
"I guess so. Thank you for everything, Seojun-nim. We promise, we'll be back safe and sound."
Vanta looks at everyone. They seem to be kind and caring to each other, even in a disaster like this. Only one thing came into his mind while watching all of them: they definitely didn't deserve this invasion at all.
Everyone suddenly got startled when a truck's engine started up all of the sudden. Turns out, Hyungwon was just checking out if the vehicle's engine was working properly, but it also means that they're leaving quite soon.
"We are almost leaving. Get ready." Hyungwon spoke as he assesses the truck to ensure it was really ready for the journey ahead.
Vanta boarded the truck first.
Zeke, Jihyo, Sana, Hangyeol, and Ryujin waved their sincerest goodbyes to the ones left behind in the settlement, and then boarded the vehicle as well.
The Korean idols inside wear their face masks, and signals Hyungwon that they're ready to leave.
Hyungwon buckled up his seatbelt in the front seat and hit the gas pedal. With the rolling of the tires of the truck, the journey towards the east of Daegu has officially begun.
April 27, 2023, 6:22 am, En route to the East of Daegu, South Korea.