[7] Apologies and Train of Thoughts

"Oh god... it's another Vesper scenario, isnt it?!" Hangyeol panicked. "Zeke, this is not happening. Please tell me we won't ram the whole train towards Erythos like another madman.... Please..."

"I am surprised myself, but it looks like that was their plan way before we got here, so..."

"Your friend here indeed got our plan right through his joke..." Jinwoo intervened. "We were planning on ramming the whole train onto him. Place explosives in the front, set the train's speed to maximum level, and let it destroy Erythos as a whole."

"Have you considered the technicalities, though?" Hyungwon asked. "Like if the train will be fully functional for this particular purpose."

"Of course we did. The generators on the whole line seem to be still in operational status. The overhead lines are okay, the track wheels are complete, and the control panel is working fine. I don't think there will be a problem."

"Well, you have to consider other factors... The electricity from the generators... will it be enough to power the whole train? Is the "roundness" of the wheels ensured so that it will not grind the whole train to a halt midway? Do the overhead lines and other important parts of the train have added protection from the otherworldly abilities Erythos has? And more importantly... Did your project took consideration of how the armor will affect wind resistance and that constant drag from corroded railroad tracks along the whole rapid transit line?"

The two soldiers doesn't reply. It seems like they really haven't taken into consideration the deeper technicalities of their plan.

"Just as I thought." Hyungwon said. "I hope you didn't get this idea from an action flick. Those things don't really look realistic. Let me help in the technicalities, and let my friends help you in your actual plan, and we just might be able to pull this off."

"Convince me. How can you, three k-pop idols, a foreigner, a guard, and an alien traitor help us?" Sanghoon asks.

"We don't look like it, but we're the best around Daegu. And even if you don't believe it, you'll still need the extra hands, no?" Hyungwon said. "You and I... we both have the same goal. Kill Erythos and get genuine information regarding this icy hellstorm."

"It's more than just information we want to get. We have lives here on the line. Some of the people here are from Gyeongsan, and we are trying to pave a path for them to pass through. They have families back there. Allies. Friends. And we want to survive, we don't want to bet this on people who we just met, even if they're with some celebrities." Sanghoon replied.

"What did you say?! "Some celebrities"?! They aren't just some celebrities--- Y'know what, come here and I'll give you some of my fists---" Hangyeol said as Zeke tried to stop and calm him down.

"Look. Sanghoon-nim. With all due respect, you don't even know what's beyond Gyeongsan. For all we know, there might be bigger threats inside it that could quickly kill you and your allies. If anything, its suicide." Hyungwon said. "You don't know how high of a chance you have to survive with your plan. You don't know how high of a chance you'll survive whatever happens after that, either. But let us help raise that chance. I guarantee you, you won't regret it."

Sanghoon pauses and turns away from everyone, concentrating, trying to come up with a decision that he thinks will benefit the cause.

He wasn't ready for such otherworldly predicaments, after all, and being presented with a heavy decision like this made him feel a bit nervous about it all.

Sanghoon confidently entered the military to serve the country 5 years ago. To protect it and ensure that its citizens were safe. It was his dream; an honor to become a soldier to the country you call home.

Yet no amount of training has prepared Sanghoon for this apocalypse.

His leadership and military skills came in handy, however, and with the help of his long time partner and fellow soldier Jinwoo, he was able to recover remnants of the Korean military situated in Daegu, as well as civilians---like Youngsook---who were displaced by the nightmare that befell them.

It wasn't an easy task, however, for while he was well versed in military tactics and other survival skills, he had one weakness---he lacked the courage to enact them; often making shortcuts or rash decisions that led to him and his teammates getting hurt multiple times.

And he couldn't deny to himself that one of these rash decisions was the decision of using a train to kill the otherworldly Koul'in Erythos.

The plan was well thought out, but Sanghoon didn't really think about it in a technical sense. He thought that all he needed was a working train, explosives, and a little prayer. But now, Hyungwon made him realize that these things arent supposed to be rushed in any
way, or their plan will be doomed to fail.

As he looks at Hyungwon once again, he sighs, and soon walks up to him.

"Okay. We will have a check-up on the train later this afternoon. You can come along and assess the situation there." Sanghoon said. "Then I'll discuss the details of the plan. For your stay... We have a spare tent here that can fit all of you in."

Hyungwon nods.

April 27, 2023, 3:59 pm, Sanghoon's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.

Hyungwon's settlement team, along with some other soldiers from Sanghoon's settlement, worked together to set up another military tent where they could all rest while preparations were going on.

Vanta decided to camp out away from the settlement, as to be on the lookout for enemies and to not induce more trauma amongst the survivors.

The team back at the settlement admires their tent from a distance.

Would you look at that. Just look at that wonderful masterpiece we worked so hard for. Majestic." Hangyeol said.

"You barely did anything." Hyungwon said. "You even got entangled into the tent halfway through the process. Sana-ssi did better in helping set up the tent than you. Embarassing."

"Hey. I did well too you know!" Hangyeol protested.

"Yeah, for a clown who got stuck inside a circus tent, you sure did well, you got me laughing real hard back there."

"Wha---but I didn't even hear you laugh!" Hangyeol replied.

"All my laughs are internal. Because I'll never give you the satisfaction of making me laugh externally. I know you'll love it and you'll use it against me." Hyungwon replied.

"Ugh. I hate it when you're smart." Hangyeol said as he crossed his arms.

Sana waddles towards the two, bringing in a cooler filled with flavored fruit soda.

"Heeeey~ enough fighting, you two. I got some soda here, courtesy of Jinwoo. Take one!" Sana said as she hands out two cans of the soda.

Sana then moves towards the soldiers and offers them refreshments as well.

"Hey, take some! I knew you're all thristy after setting up the tent."

"Oh, thank you, Sana-ssi." A soldier said.

"Thanks, Sana-ssi!" Another one smiled.

"Cheers, Sana-ssi." Another soldier said as he raised the soda up high.

Sana smiles as she makes her way towards Zeke and Jihyo, who were just looking quietly at their new tent.

"Hey, Jihyo-ya! Zeke! Soda?" Sana said as she offers two carbonated drinks to Zeke and Jihyo. The two takes it. Sana grabs one as well and opens it up.

"I love that tent we set up!" Sana said as she takes a sip off her soda. "I'm kinda proud of myself for helping make that. It wasn't an easy task but I did it!"

"Yeah. It's nice and sturdy. A bit spacious, too." Jihyo added.

"For me, it could've been bigger." Zeke replied.

"Well, this is what they only have. Best be con-tent-ed with it, Zeke." Jihyo grinned.

Zeke and Sana coincidentally groaned at the same time because of Jihyo's pun. Realizing this, they looked at each other and let out a small giggle.