Zeke and Hangyeol immediately rushed through the groves of frozen and barren trees, trying to make their way to the aforementioned building---which is a history museum--- located near the entrance of the park. Only Hangyeol's flashlight lit up the path, and they aren't taking any chances of stopping until they get there.
They pass by an open court and encounter several snowmen. Hangyeol just shot them on their legs and feet to incapacitate them. They have no time to fight these monsters, especially now that the place is growing darker and darker by the minute.
They continued sprinting for several minutes, and soon, they finally made it to the side of the museum.
It was a horizontally long two-story building, and a few parts of the roof and the second floor have already collapsed. Some lights inside were still on, illuminating parts of the fallen building. Around it were parts of what used to be a barricade, as well as broken bottles of beer, broken guns, and destroyed cars, all buried in the snow.
Zeke and Hangyeol proceeded to enter the museum through a hole in the wall. They see nothing but even more destruction inside--- The floor was riddled with debris and broken artifacts, displays were beyond recognition, and most of the ceiling has caved in.
They continued to walk further into the museum, and soon, they see destroyed snowmen, a fallen Scraper, and several lifeless bodies of dead men among the piles of rubble.
Clearly, there was a struggle. And it turned real ugly.
Hangyeol shook his head and held his temples in dismay. "I knew we all wouldn't make it... I knew it. We didn't stand a chance. That idiot should've listened to me."
"What do you mean?" Zeke said.
Hangyeol let out an exasperated sigh.
"You see... This settlement is only two weeks old. People flocked here at this place to seek refuge because it's one of the few remaining buildings in this place that was nearly intact after the icy bombs dropped. It was the perfect place to establish a settlement--- the place was spacious enough to handle the survivors. We had barricades, food supplies, weapons... y'know. Post-apocalypse stuff. But we needed a leader."
"Mhm, go on," Zeke said.
"Someone who went by the name of Gimhae took that initiative, and lead this place, promising absolute safety for those residing here. It turned out pretty well... At least, for a week." Hangyeol said as he frowned.
"What happened, then?" Zeke asked.
"This Gimhae guy became lenient in protecting the place. Said this place was already okay without the barricades because, the fences around the park were still as sturdy as before, and how easy it is to blast the living hell out of these snowmen and giant snow things because we have guns, we have baseball bats, stuff like that."
Zeke just listened intently.
"And you know the worst part? Most of the people loved him. Because he reminds everyone of life before the apocalypse. Y'know, the feeling of comfort. The feeling of not needing to worry about anything. They went partying, reveling in looted resources... It was a messy sight."
"Did someone even raise their concerns about the safety in this area?" Zeke asked.
"Well, some survivors who didn't like to party and all--- including me, myself--- tried to tell him countless of times that we should be prepared, but he just shrugged it off. He kept saying he'll work around it, but he never got to. While he was slacking away, some of us tried to use the radio to tune in different frequencies, hoping that there is someone out there that can help us with the situation. Sadly, we didn't pick up anything... Until... y'know, this whole thing happened." Hangyeol looks down.
"The snowmen and Scrapers..." Zeke said.
"Yep. The damned things just came without warning while he was again partying with the other survivors. The fences easily broke, and the guns were all lacking ammo. The survivors here were nearly defenseless. Soon, they all fled for their lives, while the others stood behind and tried to protect this area as much as they can. I tried to find Gimhae but the survivors said he also fled for his life. That coward, leaving us like that..." Hangyeol gritted his teeth in anger.
"I... have no words," Zeke said.
"It's okay. I don't care about him anymore. What matters right now is to save as many as we could. L-let's go." Hangyeol said.
They suddenly started to hear rustling and faint growls coming from outside.
"Hangyeol.." Zeke said as he looked at the destroyed part of the building. "We've got some museum visitors."
Hangyeol looks as a few snowmen started appearing one by one, entering the fallen building. They soon attack, baring their ice-tipped claws towards Zeke and Hangyeol.
"Yikes..!" Hangyeol said as he brings out his gun. One of the snowmen lunges at Hangyeol, but Zeke immediately tackles the snowy creature away from him.
"Cover me!" Zeke said as he swung his pipe wrench upward, knocking another snowman down on the ground. He then sweeps a low kick on another one and smashes its head as Hangyeol shoots more of the incoming creatures. Hangyeol was impressed at how Zeke moved--- he was agile and quick in dispatching the snowmen. Surely, he must be something special.
The battle was quick, and after just a few minutes, Zeke and Hangyeol finally got rid of the attackers. Zeke sat down in exhaustion while Hangyeol tried to catch his breath.
"You fight like a professional.. how?" Hangyeol suddenly said. "Are you an action star of some sort? A martial artist?"
"I wish I was," Zeke said. "But sadly, no. I just underwent combat training for two months under Mr. Seojun, the old man you saw earlier. Jihyo underwent the same training as well alongside me to help her wield her Manifest, so... Yeah."
"Manifest..?" Hangyeol replied.
Zeke tells him all about Manifests in a quick summary.
"So... that the glowing cane she used to light up her palms? That's a Manifest?" Hangyeol asked.
"Yep," Zeke replied.
Hangyeol fell silent, trying to process this information as he walked further.
"You must be an extremely lucky man..." Hangyeol suddenly speaks. "Being friends with someone as famous as Park Jihyo WITH POWERS... and training in combat next her for two months, even?! That's really unreal. You should be freaking out right now."
"Well... " Zeke scratched his head. "Normally I would've freaked out, yes. But... you know. It's complicated. We are in an apocalypse and all, and being happy about meeting an idol at this time of hardship isn't really the type of energy I want to exude... But yes, we're friends now and I still can't believe it. I guess that's a positive thing."
"I see. How does it feel, then?" Hangyeol asked. "I mean, to be Jihyo's friend."
"Honestly..." Zeke began. "I didn't even know we were friends till I asked, but you know, the feelings were already there. It's this warm aura that she gives off... it feels like I've known her all my life. That's how friendly she is, I think."
"Alright, it's confirmed: you're really a lucky man. I want to be her friend, too!" Hangyeol exclaimed. "That would probably be the only notable achievement in my life." Hangyeol chuckled.
"I'm sure she'd love to have you as a friend, Hangyeol." Zeke smiled.
Suddenly, they hear a rattle from a nearby room covered in rubble and debris. They slowly approached the room with caution.
A faint and muffled voice suddenly emanated from the rubble.
"I..is anyone there..? Help us.." It said.
Hangyeol's eyes suddenly widen. "There's someone here!" He said as he rushed to the front door of the room and begun digging out the rubble. Zeke helped as they slowly reveal at least a few people inside---four men three women--- all huddled on the corner of the intact room. They all looked weak, and some of them have visible injuries.
"Hangyeol... is that you..? Oh, thank heavens... you're here.. We can't go by any longer... I'm glad..." A woman in the group said.
"Are you alright? Are you all that's left..?" Hangyeol said.
A man in the group nodded.
Hangyeol took a deep breath. "Alright. Now, let us just check y'all for injuries.."
Minutes pass and Hangyeol has finished assessing the injuries of all the survivors.
"So... how is it?" Zeke asked.
"Somehow okay. Out of the seven here, only two need assistance in walking. The rest only sustained slight injuries." Hangyeol replied.
"Okay. Let's get them to safety as soon as possible. We have a truck standing by just outside where we entered, and I'm sure Jihyo and Mr. Seojun are already there." Zeke said as they started to exit the building.
Before they could take another step, however, the wall behind them crumbles as a Scraper appears and grabs one of the survivors.
"Oh no, shit..!" Hangyeol rushed forward and he tried to pry the survivor out of the Scraper's hand, but to no avail. It swings the arm, slamming Hangyeol into the wall.
"Ugh..!" Hangyeol writhed in pain as lay on the floor.
"Help..! No..!" The man struggled in the Scraper's grasp as it began freezing him over.
"Son of a---!" Zeke immediately looks around the area for anything that he can use to attack the towering golem. He sees a broken rebar with a pointed edge just next to him. He grabs it with both hands and attempts to lift it, but it proves a little bit heavy to be used in combat.
But Zeke wouldn't give it up. He takes a deep breath and gives it another go, and this time, he was able to lift the metal pole. He then mustered all his strength to charge at the Scraper while lifting the heavy rebar. With all his strength, he stabs the Scraper by its leg.
The rebar pierces through the Scraper's snowy exterior, and this makes the Scraper writhe in agony. It lets go of the survivor. He continues to push the rebar further into the Scraper's leg, further injuring it. The Scraper kneels as it howls in pain.
"Now stay here, and be a good little golem.." Zeke said as he lets go of the rebar and immediately goes to Hangyeol.
"You good?" Zeke asks.
"It feels just like a back pain... I can still function... " Hangyeol stands up slowly, dusting off his guard uniform.
"Alright. Now let's go. We have to get out of here now." Zeke exclaimed as the group immediately fled from the museum. With Zeke leading the way, they were now headed toward the truck.
It's almost dark, and the path is barely visible, but they make it to the truck a few minutes later. Zeke and Hangyeol helped the survivors board the truck.
"Where's Jihyo and Mr. Seojun?" Zeke asked the driver.
"They aren't here yet..." the driver replied.
Suddenly, they feel a cold breeze going stronger and stronger as the trees sway around them. They look behind, and from a distance, they see faint flashes of prismatic light deep within the area where Jihyo and Seojun went.
Zeke didn't know what was going on, but one thing he's sure of is that Jihyo is facing an enemy that was different than the ones they've encountered so far.
He turns to the driver.
"You have to go," Zeke said to the driver.
"But, Zeke-nim, how about yo--"
"It's too dangerous for you to wait for all of us. And those survivors are injured and in need of medical help. Go back to the settlement and tell Mr. Minhyuk that we need backup immediately."
"I'll stay behind too," Hangyeol said.
"You can't, Hangyeol. It's too dangerous." Zeke replied.
"I insist," Hangyeol replied. "If Jihyo-ssi and Seojun-nim are still there, it probably means they need some extra hands."
"Well, if you want it, then there's nothing I can do, I guess," Zeke replied as he turns to the driver. "As for you, you should hurry back to the settlement."
"Understood, Zeke-nim." The driver said as he stepped on the pedal and immediately drove off.
Zeke and Hangyeol ran back inside, going through the grove as fast as they can, passing through several destroyed structures along the way. The wind was blowing stronger and stronger by the minute as they progressed.
They soon see a figure sitting in the snow amongst the trees, and as they inch closer, they realize it's Seojun, holding his back as he took deep breaths. He was clearly injured.
"Mr. Seojun!" Zeke ran to him as he assessed his injuries. "What happened..? These wounds.."
Seojun was coughing. "A powerful alien general suddenly appeared... And Jihyo is now currently fighting him.."
Seojun then tells Zeke and Hangyeol about Vesper and his abilities.
"Damn it...We can't stand by and watch her deal with that alone." Zeke said.
"But we don't have a powerful weapon like hers..? What do you call that again? Maleficent?" Hangyeol asked.
"It's a Manifest, Hangyeol. Maleficent is a movie character." Zeke replied while holding back his laughter.
"My bad, my bad. A Manifest it is." Hangyeol replied. "So how do we deal with this, then? We don't have a Manifest."
"Then we'll improvise. Let's try to search some areas for things that we can use to fight Vesper... or at least aid Jihyo in battle. But... Mr. Seojun, we can't leave you behind like this..."
"It's okay. I'm healing my wounds on my own, only slower than before." Seojun said as he glows faintly, with the wounds slowly closing. "And besides, I'm safe here. Jihyo took Vesper as far away from me as possible... That woman... She's really a kind, protective soul." Seojun said. "If you really want to help her, she's up ahead. You already saw it, didn't you? The flashes of light.. she must be there."
"Alright, Mr. Seojun. Please stay here and don't move, okay? We will be right back... Hangyeol, let's go!" Zeke said as they left towards the area where the fight is. Seojun watched them as they go towards the flashing lights. He held his back as the glow on his body fades, and his wounds started opening up once more.
"I'm sorry, young ones. I had to lie." He said to himself. "My powers aren't working properly again, and even if it did, it now takes longer to fully heal me... If you knew that, I would only hinder you. Zeke, Jihyo, Hangyeol... Please... don't lose."
Zeke and Hangyeol immediately rush to the scene of the battle. They finally see Jihyo far out on the open area, valiantly fighting the alien general as sparks fly and strong bursts of wind blow into the nearby trees and bushes. They sneak up on a few buildings to see the fight closer.
"Wh.. that's amazing. Look at her footwork and all..!" Hangyeol said. "It better than yours!"
"There isn't any competition there, she's clearly better than me..." Zeke said as he looked around the area. He sees an intact car nearby.
"Hey, hey.. come." Zeke gestured as Hangyeol followed.
They arrive at the place where the car is parked. It seemed like it was one of those cars that remained working after the apocalypse happened--- just like the car Jihyo found months ago.
Zeke opens the car and sees the car key on the cupholder.
"So this is what luck is all about.." Zeke said to himself as he turned to Hangyeol. "Hangyeol, can you drive?"
"Uh, yes. I think. But I've never been able to practice driving fully, and we might just end up recklessly running something over.."
"That's perfect! Now get in. We're about to do just that... to the alien general." Zeke said as he got in the car and strapped on his seatbelt.
"O-okay then." Hangyeol gets in the driver's seat and straps on his seatbelt. As he started the engine, he only now realized what Zeke actually said.
"Wait... We're doing what now?"