Zeke and Jihyo meet the brains of the settlement --- a man who claims that there is nothing he can't fix.
A week has passed in the settlement, and it was slowly growing.
While Zeke and Jihyo continued their training under Seojun, Hyungwon was assigned by Minhyuk to lead a rescue party that aims to scour the areas around them for survivors and supplies.
It wasn't much of a problem for Hyungwon. He had a truck, several makeshift weapons, a belt with a few tools, and and a knowledge of hand-to-hand and armed combat to fend off snowmen and Scrapers. Most of all, he had plans. He was aware of all the escape routes, all the roadblocks, and all the places the rescue team should avoid in order to carry out a successful mission.
He and his team have managed to rescue and bring in several survivors and supplies into the settlement in the past week, without suffering any casualties, and thus, his leadership skills are deemed commendable. The same goes with his expertise in machinery, whether it may be dismantling them, or fixing them.
He has only one motto, one that he has held on ever since he has begun his path to become a mechanic.
"There is nothing I can't dissect."
January 17, 2023, 11:01 am, Outskirts of Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.
It was another day of trying find new survivors and supplies. Hyungwon and his men were now just outside the settlement once more---ready to place their lives on the line to rescue more people from this freezing apocalypse.
It was a tedious task, however. They had to search every house, after all----checking every nook and cranny for any signs of human life, as well as things that they may need for the settlement's benefit.
"No survivors in this area, Hyungwon-nim." One of his men said. "Most of the buildings on our assigned spots were already collapsed so we couldn't get through."
"Tsk. How about this area over there?" Hyungwon said.
"Nothing of interest, sir." His other men replied. "The supplies there were frozen too, its unsalvageable."
"An unfruitful start..." Hyungwon thought.
"I see." Hyungwon replied. "If there isn't any more stuff around here, let's proceed to the next area. We shouldn't crunch time, understand?"
"Yes, Hyungwon-nim." His men all answered.
They continue to walk slowly, investigating the next area.
"Hyungwon-nim. We found something in one of the buildings nearby." One of his men said.
"What is it?" Hyungwon replied.
"An intact cube bomb." The man replied. "It looks like a dud, but we aren't taking any chances of going near it as it might explode."
"Hmm." Hyungwon replied. "I want to see it."
"A-are you sure, Hyungwon-nim?" The man said. "It's kinda dangerous to go there..."
"I'll handle the bomb if it ever activates, which I doubt it will. You proceed and find any survivors around the house and make sure to evacuate to the truck immediately soon after. And remember to be calm. Do not panic. We already had procedures with Minhyuk about these kinds of scenarios, I hope you can apply them here."
His men nodded as they proceeded to the area where the bomb is.
It was a destroyed two floor home. A once warm place where a family used to live. Now its nothing but frozen scraps of metal, and a few walls that was seemingly going to fall apart anytime soon. Debris of household items scattered everywhere, as well as a few furniture that can no longer be salvaged. The roof was still intact, and it covered the remains of the once lovely home from the snow.
Inside the fallen house was the cube bomb, positioned on a rock that seemingly came from the remains of one of the house's walls. Hyungwon goes alone as he gestures his men to scour the house from top to bottom in a careful but immediate manner to search for survivors or possible supplies.
He observes the cube bomb carefully. This was the first time he has seen it up close.
It was a perfect, dark blue cube with otherworldy inscriptions on it. In the middle of a cube was a small circle with solid gold platings that looked like it was some sort of light source from a diode. From the looks of it, the cube never detonated due to a defect.
Hyungwon did not touch the cube as he went around it, trying to see if there are other significant features on its other sides, but all of it bear the same features.
Hyungwon wanted to take it back to the settlement to tinker with, but he knows its too dangerous if he did. Either it will go wrong and explode while he dismantles it, or someone messes with it, causing the same effect.
He doesn't want to risk it, and he feels disappointed deep down.
"Hyungwon-nim! We found a survivor up here, amongst the buried rubble! Come!" One of his men said.
He goes up with the other men and discover a woman seemingly in her twenties, bruised and shivering, covered completely in a comforter.
"Bring some bandages here. Now." Hyungwon ordered one of his men as they followed.
He comes close to the shivering woman as he assessed her injuries.
"Hey..." Hyungwon began. "What is your name? Are you alright?"
The woman looks at him and shakes his head. "Hi... my name... is Goeun... I'm stuck in here for nearly two weeks now..."
Hyungwon's eyes widen. "Two weeks...? How did you survive...?"
"There was food and water here and I had to cut corners and eat a little... I also had a heater here, but it broke down two days ago... I'm scared of going out as well since I've been hearing howls from outside..." Goeun said.
"I see. Do you have anyone here with you? So we can help them as well?" Hyungwon asked.
Goeun shook her head. "I live alone... my sister just... died right before this whole apocalypse happened, so... I'm not... I..." She then looks down as tears started falling off her face.
"...." Hyungwon fell silent. He was getting used to the apocalypse. He was already getting used to the rescue missions. He was even getting accustomed to an idol like Jihyo living amongst them in an apocalyptic settlement.
But everytime he hears a story about a survivor losing a family member, he suddenly feels so sad.
It takes him back to a time where he and Minji lost their parents, 5 years ago.
It was quick, and nobody expected it.
His parents were going to pick up Minji for a family outing when a car accident took their lives. All because of a drunk driver on the road. And suddenly, Hyungwon and Minji were left alone to fend for themselves, with no relatives backing them up.
After their parents were buried, Minji vowed to help people through volunteer activities, and eventually, she joined the Red Cross. Hyungwon, on the other hand, focused on protecting his sister, and tinkering with his machines while he worked in Busan---as a form of escape. He never engaged in a relationship, and he never even had friends. This is what made him a rational, headstrong individual with a strong set of skills.
On lonely nights, however, he would break down. He would cry on a picture of his parents, but he never showed her sister that soft side of him.
Minji wasn't oblivious to Hyungwon's feelings though, and decided to introduce him to the world of K-pop. At first he didn't like it, but slowly, it became something they bonded on.
He realizes he's lucky to have such caring sister.
And seeing someone else losing a family member like this... it's heartbreaking for Hyungwon.