[29] Bugs and Luggages

The beetle Scraper screeches at the sight of the battle-ready Zeke and Ryujin.

Ryujin just looks in awe of the creature. She has seen it countless of times, but never this close.

Suddenly, it dives towards the two, and it seems to look like steel as it closed in.

Zeke notices that it seemingly hardened itself by fusing all its joints and bendable areas, completely turning its body into a formidable fortress of steel.

"Look ou--" Zeke said as he pushes Ryujin out of the way, and he gets tackled full-force by the hardened enemy.

"GAH!"

The force of the attack sends him crashing towards a wall, and a massive pile of debris topple all over him.

"Zeke!" Ryujin exclaimed as she stood up.

The disfigured beetle then sets it's eyes on Ryujin as its body relaxes, and then lunges at her.

"Oh, shoo--" Ryujin exclaims as she pointed her guns at the creature. She then began firing her otherworldly icy guns at the enemy's limbs as she backs quickly. The enemy stops to harden itself once more as the icy, toxic bullets bounce off the creature.

It the relaxes once more as it darts toward Ryujin.

"This one... It's resistant to my bullets...! I won't be able to paralyze it!" Ryujin crosses her arms, bracing for impact as the beetle Scraper hardens and tackles her.

Surprisingly enough, Ryujin does not get knocked out. She gets dragged a few feet, but she was still standing.

Small parts of her armor seem to fall out due to the force of the enemy's tackle, but she was mostly okay.

"I can take the hits...!" Ryujin laughs nervously as she sees the beetle Scraper lunge at her once more.

"But.... I'm not sure if I can take another one...!" Ryujin added as she prepared herself for another blow.

Before it could harden and land another tackle, Ryujin sees Zeke emerge from behind, viciously swinging a fiery downward strike using his pipe wrench, and gave the enemy no time to harden itself.

"Firework Impact!"

The blow sends crackling, fiery shockwaves all around the beetles's exterior as it flattens to the ground instantly, and cracking a few parts of its carapace.

"Zeke, you're okay!" Ryujin said.

"Yeah. I'm used to getting flung around." Zeke replied as he chuckled. How about you?"

"Yes. This armor is surprisingly strong... but I don't know how long am I going to last. We have to do something about that hardening ability!"

The beetle Scraper soon slowly stands as it tries to gain footing. It was still dazed by Zeke's strike, and it wobbles in pain. It screeches again, readying it's pincers for battle.

"I've figured it out." Zeke said to Ryujin.

"Eh? Figured what out?" Ryujin asked.

"This bug's pattern of offense and defense." Zeke responded.

"Yeah? Let me hear it!" Ryujin replied.

"It can stiffen all its body parts to prevent it from taking damage, and it only relaxes it when it moves. So... catching it while it attacks is the best way to deal with it. That means you and I.... We have to deal the first strike!"

"Oh! Okay. And how do we do that?" Ryujin asked.

"I... have no idea, I'm still thinking of something up." Zeke replied.

"Hmm, how about.... maybe... you can try distracting it, and I'll find any opening it might show when it attacks you, and then I'll shoot it so it'll get paralyzed or weakened? Then, you can land the finishing blow, I think." Ryujin suggested. "I don't know, just a sudden suggestion?"

Zeke's eyes widen at her sudden suggestion. She was right. He's the only one who can tank the hits. And she was the only one capable of stunning the enemy since she had the guns.

Ryujin was known by her members as the smart one, after all. No wonder she was able to come up with such a brilliant plan in a short amount of time.

"W-wow... that's... a great idea! Let's do it then!" Zeke said.

Ryujin backs a bit as she prepared her guns. Zeke dived toward the enemy as he readied his Manifest and attacked the beetle Scraper wih fearsome slashes. And of course, just like what happened earlier, it hardens, significantly reducing the damage it takes. Zeke soon stops attacking as he sees the beetle Scraper angrily glare at him.

"Alright. I struck it, and its mad! Now I'll let it attack me!" Zeke said to himself a he left himself wide open.

"Come, hit me!" Zeke taunted.

The beetle Scraper proceeds to loosen it's body in preparation to retaliate. It then lunges towards Zeke.

"There it is... all loosened up!" Zeke said to himself as he turns to Ryujin. "Ryujin, now!"

Ryujin immediately shoots the enemy with a flurry of toxic bullets. It strikes multiple parts of the beetle Scraper's body as it screeches and writhes in pain. It begins to stagger, and soon, it freezes due to most of its body parts spasming due to the toxin.

"Boom, gotcha!" Ryujin said as she grins.

"Nice, Ryujin! Now... it's time for the finishing blow...!" Zeke exclaimed as he clenched tightly on his Manifest. "Phantasm, let's squash this bug!"

Zeke rushes in and slides underneath the beetle Scraper. He then places two rocket seals on it's abdomen, and grips a part of its fractured carapace as the rocket seals glow with power.

"Let's fly, you bastard." Zeke said as he tightens his grip on the creature.

The rocket seals burst hot streams of pressurized fire, rapidly launching them both into the cold, windy sky.

"They're going high up into the sky...!" Jihyo said as she looks up.

"What's he doing...?!" Hyungwon thought. "They're too fast! By the looks of it, his current position is now sixty feet off the ground, and counting! Is he planning to...?"

"Okay, this should be high enough..." Zeke said as he made the rocket seals on the beetle Scraper's abdomen disappear. They both soon plummet quickly toward the ground. The beetle Scraper flips over, revealing it's abdomen towards Zeke.

Zeke then generates a rocket seal on his Manifest. He slams his blade into the enemy's abdomen as it glows.

"Grrrgh! I'll send you splattering to the ground!" Zeke said as the seal bursts, sending them blitzing towards the ground at immense speed.

"G..guys! Move away, it's going to crash here!" Hangyeol said as they all ran away from where the two were about to land.

Zeke and the beetle Scraper crash onto the snowy ground with a mighty thud, with snow, traces of fire, and lots of bug parts fly around as the beete Scraper is literally squashed to to bits and pieces.

Shockwaves from Zeke's plunging attack shook the ground a few feet away from the center of impact. The fog also dissipated for a brief period due to the force of his attack.

"That power... He... He's strong!" Ryujin said to herself as they all watch in awe of Zeke's final blow.

Zeke emerges from the remains of the beetle enemy and waves at them, visibly exhausted from making such vicious airborne attack.

"Bug squashed, guys!" Zeke said as he stood there recovering his strength.

"YES! YOU GUYS DID IT!" Jihyo said as she began clapping in a very vigorous manner with a smug look on her face. She then rushes towards Zeke and Ryujin, and assesses the remains of the beetle Scraper as she pokes around it's parts.

"Hmph. Not so scary now, huh? You giant pest!" Jihyo said as she kicked one of it's insect legs around.

Suddenly, it moves.

"YAAAAAA! IT'S STILL ALIVE! WHAT THE HELL!" Jihyo screamed as she ran back into a destroyed car nearby.

Zeke laughs. "It's dead. I just made it move."

He lifts the leg, revealing a small rocket seal that fades away. Turns out, Zeke secretly created a rocket seal underneath the insect's leg. It bursted a very tiny flame that thrusted the leg, making it seem like it moved.

"Ugh! Why you...! ZEKE! PABO!" Jihyo whines as she pouts cutely. They all laugh.

"We have to go, though." Ryujin said. "We've made a lot of noise, we might get spotted by more enemies soon."

"Right...! Our transport is just nearby. Let's go back!" Hangyeol said as they all rush back toward the truck,and get out of the foggy mess that was enveloping the area.

At a building nearby, a long haired, armored Koul'in was observing them run back to the truck. She squints her eyes, and soon retreats back to the park, now informed of the presence of a resistance against their cause.

April 16, 2023, 11:55 am, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.

They all arrive at the settlement not long after.

Ryujin goes down from the truck first, and she was in awe of the settlement that was infront of her.

Sure, it still looked like Seomun Market, but there were alot of significant differences. For one, there was a fortified gate at the entrance with guards, small towers that act as makeshift watchtowers, and a few trucks that were being repaired outside the gates.

As she entered with Zeke, Jihyo, Hyungwon and Hangyeol, she was further amazed. The place was seemingly restored with alot of steel fortification. There were a few people inside but they all looked busy. Some of themwere going to and fro, bringing in packed lunches, while others were carrying boxes filled with bullets, melee weapons, and guns.

A middle-aged man approached the team. He was clad in a sky blue polo and thick fur coat.

"Minhyuk-nim!" Jihyo exclaimed as she waved at him.

"Oh, hey, you're finally back." Minhyuk said as he looked at Ryujin. "And who this?"

Jihyo introduces Ryujin to the Minhyuk. She then gives a quick summary about her and how they found her. Jihyo also told him that she was planning to live here and help with the settlement.

"I see, I see. Hello, Miss Ryujin. I'm Yoon Minhyuk. The leader of this lovely little settlement. Welcome." Minhyuk said as he smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Minhyuk-nim." Ryujin said as she bowed.

"I commend you for keeping yourself alive for a few months alone. Not everyone could do that. Don't worry, you wouldn't have any trouble living here. Consider this your temporary home until we drive these bastard Koul'ins away from this place." Minhyuk said.

"Oh.. thank you, I appreciate it, Minhyuk-nim!" Ryujin smiled.

"Anyway... how was your expedition? Did you find anything important that can be of help in our plan to infiltrate E-World?" Minhyuk said as he turned to the team.

"Actually, Minhyuk-nim, we got her riiiight here." Hangyeol answered as he points at Ryujin.

"Oh? Miss Ryujin?" Minhyuk asked as he looked again at Ryujin.

"I... have intel on the inside of the amusement park, Minhyuk-nim. Perhaps it can help in help in rescuing Sana-unnie and the other survivors." Ryujin said.

"Oh! Then, in that case, your intel will be a huge help in Zeke and Jihyo's cause. But, we have to find you a place to settle in first. It would be rude if we place you right in action without giving you a place to stay an dhaving you rest well, right?" Minhyuk said.

Ryujin just nods.

Suddenly, a young, cute girl with a high ponytail runs towards them.

"Oh my god, is that Ryujin?!" She exclaimed. "It's so nice of you to be here! Hi, hi, hi! I'm Minji, I'm the sister of that idiot blockhead over there." Minji said as she points at Hyungwon.

"How dare you call me idiot blockhead. Have some respect, will you?" Hyungwon replied as he frowned. "I'm still your older brother."

"Okay, sir idiot blockhead. Stop being serious all the time. Ryujin-ssi here wouldn't like it!" Minji teased as Hyungwon made a grunting sound and looks away from her.

"You're just in time, Minji. Miss Ryujin here will stay with us. Can you please escort her to her new place here? Pick a good one, okay?" Minhyuk asked.

"Oh, of course, I would love to!~" Minji cheered.

"Good. Now, I'm still in the process of arranging stuff and planning for the rescue mission, so it may take days. I want you all to take as much rest as you can, because once the preparations are made and the plan is discussed with Miss Ryujin here, we'll finally be going. Understood?"

Everyone nodded.

"Okay. I must go, I'm actually busy right now. See you." Minhyuk said as he left the group.

"So... I'll be heading back to my place and rest. How about you guys?" Hangyeol asked.

"I'll be heading back to my workshop." Hyungwon said as he turns to Ryujin. "Ryujin-ssi, may I take your armor so I can tinker with it and help you figure out how to use it properly?"

"Oh, yes yes! As promised." Ryujin said as she presses the button on her armor and removes it. "Here. It's a bit bulky so.."

"I can take it. Thank you so much." Hyungwon replied.

"No, thank you for offering your help. I'm sure you'd do good! Keep me posted, alright?" Ryujin smiles.

"R..right." Hyungwon said, looking flustered. He then sees Minji and Hangyeol smirking like crazy, and did a high-five.

"You two are so dead." Hyungwon said to himself as he bid goodbye to everyone and left. Hangyeol bid goodbye as well as he went back to his place to rest.

"Zeke-nim, Jihyo-ssi, how about you two?" Minji asked.

"I guess we'll be resting for the rest of the day. We are both tired." Zeke exclaimed.

"Yeah. So... Minji, you can take her to her new place now." Jihyo said as she turns to Ryujin. "Hey, Ryujin, I know this still isn't home, but you're going to be safer here. Try to make yourself comfy, okay?"

"Mhm. Thank you, Jihyo-unnie." Ryujin smiles.

"Now, off you go..." Jihyo said as she yawned.

April 16, 2023, 11:55 am, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.

The two soon arrived at Ryujin's new place--- situated near Minhyuk's office.

"Tada, your new home!~" Minji exclaimed as she opens a door to a small, makeshift apartment.

Ryujin looks around. The cream colored room looks empty, save for a table and chair, a comfortable cot to sleep on, and a cabinet.

"This is amazing enough for a makeshift apartment..." Ryujin said as she placed her small luggage near the door.

"This used to be a clothing stall." Minji said.

"Really..? It doesnt look like it much. I like it." Ryujin replied.

"I'm glad you like it, Ryujin-ssi. Please, take your time to relax!"

"Yes, yes. Thank you!" Ryujin replied.

Minji is soon radioed by a nurse who needs her assistance.

"Oh, I'll be going now. I have alot of stuff to do. See you around! Tee-hee~" Minji exclaimed as she left the apartment.

"Such an energetic soul..." Ryujin giggles as she dragged her luggage and sat down, breathing a contented sigh.

The makeshift room felt like her dorm. It wasn't as spacious and clunky, just the way she likes it.

Jihyo was right: It's a much, much better place than her place near E-World.

She soon smiles to herself and begins unpacking all of her stuff around.

April 16, 2023, 10:55 pm, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.

It was late at night, and almost everyone in the settlement was asleep, incuding Ryujin, who spent the whole day fixing her room.

Zeke goes out of their makeshift apartment, and sees Jihyo sitting on the curb, holding her phone. She seems to be scrolling on her gallery, looking at her selfies with Jeongyeon, Nayeon, Sana, and Mina.

"Hey. What are you doing out here? It's a bit colder tonight." Zeke asked.

Jihyo stops scrolling on a picture of Mina, and looks at Zeke.

"Oh, nothing, honestly. I was just contemplating about what I said to Ryujin today." Jihyo replied as she was looking at her phone. "You know, about moving to make a difference. And I realized something."

"Yeah? What is it?" Zeke asked as he sat down next to her.

"That I saw myself in her. Four months ago. When I lost Mina. Ready to settle and accept my fate in this harsh, cruel environment. I was sure as hell I was going to die in the hands of a Scraper back then. I mean, I was no match for it, after all. I didn't have my Manifest, or anything in particular. I knew I was done for. But for some reason, my body started screaming at me to move. To run." Jihyo said as she vividly remembered his first encounter with a Scraper, the scene flashing right before her eyes.

Jihyo slowly stood up as the Scraper roars and starts to swing its pale disfigured arm towards her. Tired, cold, and lost all hope, she just stood there, gazing at the pale creature. At this point, she just wanted to be taken. There wasn't anything to hope for anymore.

But then..

She unconsciously dodged the creature's swing.

She didn't understand her sudden action. Was it out of instinct? Adrenaline? It didn't matter. Her body moved on its own. Something inside of her was clearly telling her to survive, and now, she felt committed to do so. She looked behind her and sees the door unlocked. She barges in and makes a run for it.

Zeke just silently listened to her.

"And then, when I said to Ryujin that she had to move, I realized that... maybe I knew it all along from the beginning, too. Maybe, I knew deep down, no matter how bad things are, I had to move. And now look. I have a fighting chance now. A shot at saving my friends. With my friends." Jihyo said as she turns to Zeke and smiles.

"...damn straight." Zeke replied.

Jihyo suddenly looks at him with an unamused look.

"Seriously? All that explaination of my very soulful realization and you're just going to say, "Damn straight"?" Jihyo exclaimed.

"I... I wanted to say "You're right, and I am proud of you", but then I thought "Damn straight" would sound cooler. At least, that's how I pictured it in my head." Zeke replied.

"You could've just said that, then?!" Jihyo exclaimed.

"Well..." Zeke smiled and just shrugged.

Jihyo just smiled back and chuckles.

"....I can't believe you used to work in HR. Pabo..." Jihyo said as she scrolled on her phone once more.

Suddenly, she remembered something, and her eyes widen.

"Wait... I almost forgot!" Jihyo suddenly said.

"What?" Zeke replied.

"It's Ryujin's birthday tomorrow!"