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.
"I'm... sorry. I..." Hyungwon was at loss for words.
"Its okay... It's not your fault, anyway." Goeun sniffled. "I'm just... glad you guys just came. I thought I'm done for..."
"Hyungwon-nim, the bandages are here." One of his men arrives with bandages.
"Alright. Goeun, we'll just treat your wounds and then help you up here, okay?" Hyungwon said.
Goeun nodded as she let herself get treated by Hyungwon. As soon as she was patched up, Hyungwon and his men helped her get up and walk downstairs.
The rescue was going all smoothly when one of the men tripped into the debris, causing the walls to shake. The house suddenly caves in, trapping Hyungwon, Goeun, and half of their team inside.
"Hyungwon-nim...! You guys...!" The men outside shouted as they try to pry apart the walls with everything they could.
"What did I tell you about being careful?!" Hyungwon scolded his team that was trapped alongside him as he assessed the wreck. They couldn't get out as the whole roof blocked their only way out.
Suddenly, they all hear a whirring sound. They all turn around as they see the cube bomb on the snowy floor, and the otherwordly inscriptions started faintly glowing.
"Oh... Oh no...!" Goeun said in fear. "The bomb...! It's activating...!"
Hyungwon goes near it and pulls out his crowbar from his backpack.
"Hyungwon-nim...! That's dangerous, we might set it off sooner!" One of his men said.
"Relax, you all. It's not going to detonate soon. If it does, you'll hear a beeping sound that goes faster and faster til it goes kaboom. Find a way out of here while I try to figure this out. And do NOT leave Goeun alone. Understand?"
"Y..yes, Hyungwon-nim." They all started to look for an exit.
Hyungwon pryed the shell off of the bomb quickly. It took some time but he manages to open it as he inspected it's internal parts.
"Now, let's see what makes you tick, tick, tick..." Hyungwon muttered.
On the inner shell of the cube bomb were otherworldy gears and wires---seemingly made to trigger the countdown for the bomb. At the middle of the bomb was an icy, solid transparent core--- but it didnt look connected to any part of the cube bomb except from it's base, which was surrounded by four, symmetrical steel clamps that looked like magnets.
"Interesting..." Hyungwon thought. "It looks like an intricate contraption for a cryogenic bomb... If it was made here on Earth, though, it will certainly NOT be cost efficient..."
He tinkers around some more, and pokes around the bomb. He sees some sort of pin underneath the base of the bomb, and removes it.
Suddenly, the four magnetic clamps stick to the core as it begins beeping slowly.
"Ah! It started beeping!" One of his men began sweating. "Hyungwon-nim, we can't stay here, we gotta find a place in this house to hide to...!"
But the man sees Hyungwon looking surprisingly calm as he tinkered around the bomb some more. The magnetic clamps started to pour energy on the core as it shines.
"Relax, I said." Hyungwon replied. "Just need to see how it works...."
"W...we dont have time..! Hyungwon-nim!" One of his men said.
"Shh! Quiet!" Hyungwon ordered as the beeps continue to go faster.
Goeun started shivering in fear as she just watched Hyungwon do his work. He really looked calm despite working on a bomb that was literally going to go off any second.
The beeps slowly turned into one continuous beep, a sign that the cube bomb was about to go off. Goeun and his men prepared their worst as they all closed their eyes.
The beeping suddenly stops, and nothing happens.
"Whew. That took longer than I expected. Thought I'd go faster than this." Hyungwon said as he stood up. "Bomb's diffused, fellas, no need to panic anymore."
All of them had their jaw opened, standing in awe of what he just done.
"B..but how...?" Goeun asked in utter disbelief. "That was... That was an alien bomb, how...?"
"Well, I'm not going to explain the science behind it because it would really hurt your brains. I just figured it out on my own. After all, there is nothing I can't dissect." Hyungwon faintly smiled. "Now, any of you found the exit yet?"
"Y-yes, Hyungwon-nim..." One of his men said.
"Great." Hyungwon said as he slowly lifts and carries the diffused cube bomb and hands it to one of his men. "Let's go. Carry this to the truck please."
"Y...you're bringing this back to base, Hyungwon-nim...?!" One of his men asked.
"...well, yes?" Hyungwon said as he gives a confused face. "I've honestly wanted to actually bring this back, but I was thinking about the safety of the base. Now that this big boy is disabled, I can finally do it. So... take this, please. It's really heavy."
All his men look at him with such confusion, but they didn't argue with him any further. He was able to diffuse an otherworldy bomb after all. If there's anyone whom they can trust with things like this, it has to be him.
Hyungwon's men carried the disabled bomb on their truck, while Hyungwon assisted Goeun into boarding the same truck. They soon drove back home to base---earlier than usual.
January 17, 2023, 12:37 pm, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.
Hyungwon, Goeun, and his men arrive at the settlement as they park right infront of the barricaded gates.
As they enter, they see Minhyuk infront of a small crowd of survivors just outside his office, seemingly giving out instructions and rules of the settlement.
"....so if you need anything, tell my men or Hyungwon's men. Okay, the last and the MOST important rule. As you can see, we have an idol here who is training for combat just outside this settlement. Under NO circumstances should you go near her, or her friend, or her mentor during their training, as well as their night time, because they have to rest. So you can only talk to her during their day offs or breaks, but even then, you should know your limits." Minhyuk said in a serious tone. "We have to respect her not just as an idol, but as a human being. Should there be any new idol or celebrity that will reside on this base----which will be likely over the coming months---the same rule will be followed. If you don't want to follow that single most important rule, you're free to leave the settlement. I don't tolerate people who devalue the privacy of the people around them. It speaks volumes on what your character truly is. So, try to be good and have respect. Understand?"
Minhyuk looked intimidating at this point of the speech, and the survivors started to shudder as they nod in agreeement to the rules set to them.
"Okay. Good. Now, you can all go. Rest up and have a good day." Minhyuk said as the small crowd dispersed quietly. Minhyuk then sees Hyungwon enter with Goeun, and a few of his men, bringing something behind them.
"I saw you scare the ever-living daylights out of the new survivors, Minhyuk-nim. You gotta calm down one of these days..." Hyungwon chuckled.
"They wouldn't learn without strict advice." Minhyuk replied as he chuckled as well. "That's how it should be."
"I guess so, Minhyuk-nim." Hyungwon replied. "Oh, by the way, this is Goeun. We rescued her earlier from the outskirts of the settlement.
"H...hi." Goeun said, feeling nervous around Minhyuk.
"Hi, Goeun." Minhyuk said as he smiled. "Welcome to the settlement. You should probably rest up first and let my medical team handle your injuries."
"U..um... Okay..." Goeun said. "T..thank you for taking me in."
"No worries. Men, take Miss Goeun here to the medical area and tell Minji that she needs some medical help." Minhyuk instructed one of his men, to which they comply. Goeun was then escorted to the medical area not long after.
"Anyway... I have news, Minhyuk-nim." Hyungwon began. "I got a something right here, and I was wondering if its okay for me to tinker around it..."
Hyungwon shows the cube bomb to Minhyuk, and the leader of the settlement had his eyes widen in shock.
"What? You have a cube bomb? That's dangerous. It could blow this whole settlement over, for all we know." Minhyuk said.
"Relax, Minhyuk-nim. I've disabled it so it's safe now. This may help in our efforts in the settlement, you know." Hyungwon replied.
Minhyuk inspects the bomb. All of its features seemed to be deactivated just like he said, except for the core which was glowling faintly.
"Well... if this is true... It IS probably a good idea to keep it around so we can figure what is truly going on with this apocalypse. However, it's not adviseable to work with that dangerous thing with people all around us." Minhyuk said. "I'll find you room to tinker with these things. Sound good?"
Hyungwon grinned.
"That face. I know you're excited." Minhyuk laughs.
"It's an opportunity to discover something new after all these years. Who isn't going to be excited?" Hyungwon laughs as well. "Thank you for supporting me in this, Minhyuk-nim.
"No worries. Its all for the betterment of this place, anyway. Now... help me plan out your mini-workshop..."
January 24, 2023, 12:11 pm, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.
"....Well, it would be honestly nice to have loads of meaty foods for my birthday. I just wanted to eat alot again..." Jihyo said as she let out a sigh. "How about you? What food you want for your birthday?"
"Hmmm. I'd like to have sinigang, honestly."
"Sinigang?" Jihyo replied. "What's that? It sounds like a filipino dish."
"Yeah. It's basically sour pork stew? With vegetables like tomatoes, water spinach, and radish in it. You can even add green chili pepper for a bit of a spicy taste." Zeke replied.
"Hmm... that's interesting. I wonder if I tried that back in Cebu... I can't really remember." Jihyo replied as she scratches her chin. "Perhaps you can take me on a filipino food spree with the girls in the future, you know. Especially Nayeon. I think she'd like sinigang. She has an affinity for spicy stuff. Oh, and Jeongyeon too! Would love to see her reaction to eating it. Hehe."
"S...sure." Zeke blushed.
Jihyo giggles as she looks at a portion of the settlement that looked new.
"Oh, Zeke. This place... I've never seen it before. Let's check this place out before we return to training!" Jihyo said.
They walk toward the place as they look around. It was a spacious area, filled with desks and all sorts of tools. On one table, there was seemingly a familliar item attached to several wires.
"Isnt that..." Zeke froze.
"...a cube bomb?!" Jihyo said as she shuddered.
"Yep. It is. But it's disabled now, don't worry."
They turn around and see Hyungwon. He was wearing safety gear and goggles, and was holding a screw on his hand.
"Hyungwon!" Jihyo smiled.
"Like this place? Minhyuk-nim helped me build this small workshop a few days ago."
"This is amazing..." Jihyo said. "We've been busy training lately so we don't get to see the settlement's improvements... I'm impressed."
"Yes. Oh, you may have seen my cube bomb. I've been tinkering with it for days now, trying to see how it actually works. I think I kinda figured it out. Do you want to see?"
"....depends on whether it explodes or not." Zeke replied. "I don't plan on becoming a human popsicle anytime soon."
"Hahaha, Zeke-nim, dont worry. It wont." Hyungwon replied.
"Okay then, I'm interested." Jihyo said.
"Okay, okay. So... this cube bomb... only activates when directly in contact with snow.... It has a pin underneath it that when destroyed or frozen over by the snow, triggers the countdown for the bomb itself." Hyungwon said as he began to activate certain gears on the bomb.
"There's energy cells on each side of the cube... which then triggers these clamps to close on this orb... which will overload the icy core here..."
Hyungwon continues as the bomb now beeps and shines.
"Y-yo... It's going to explode..." Zeke shudders as he covers his ears. Jihyo does the same as well, visibly afraid of what's going to happen.
"....Well, theoretically, after the long beep, it will." Hyungwon said as he immediately shut the bomb down. "Fortunately for us, I can disable it."
Zeke and Jihyo took a deep sigh of relief as they let their arms down.
Hyungwon chuckled. "That's also the reaction of my team back outside. Quite understandable, honestly."
"That was scary, I had to admit. But wow... You're unbelievably calm and collected. That's commendable. You're really putting your best foot forward here, Hyungwon." Jihyo said. "Amazing work!"
Hyungwon loses his cool a bit as he looked flustered. "Y-yeah."
He then clears his throat.
"It's true that I'm trying my hardest here. Thats why, you two should try your hardest as well in your training!" Hyungwon said.
"Ofcourse we will! Fighting!~" Jihyo said as she flashed her gummy smile. Zeke nods and smiles as well.
He looks at the two. He's lucky to have such people around him... in a place that doesn't resemble home, but it felt like one.
A responsible settlement leader.
A refined Manifest teacher.
A smart foreigner.
A world famous idol turned wielder.
And ofcourse, him and his sister.
It's the closest thing he had to a complete family. And he was kinda proud of it.
"Not to brag... but this settlement is in good hands with all of us around..." Hyungwon thought as he crossed his arms and let out a small smile.