{[34]} The Leader's Interim

Many would think that Yoon Minhyuk is an expert when it comes to building things and creating marvelous structures. Much like Hyungwon being a prodigy in mechanical engineering, he excelled in the field of civil engineering, and people would generally think that he was swimming in pools of money or living in a penthouse thanks to his abilities.

But that wasn't the case.

Because talents mean little if they're not recognized enough.

Despite his skills, Minhyuk wasn't at the top of the industry for several reasons. One of which is because his superiors always give him nothing but small projects and mostly deny his propositions in those projects. They were also always cramping him up with jobs and tasks that weren't even his expertise. Worst of all, he was overworked to the point where he was hospitalized, and even when he returned, he would get the same treatment from his superiors.

For most people, it was mistreatment. A kind of mistreatment that exists in any field of work--- even in the world of K-Pop.

But for Minhyuk, he had no choice. Despite the burden of the workload given to him, he loved what he did, and the pay was great, too, so he should have no problem dealing with it.

Although, of course, Minhyuk wished for better treatment. He didn't want to lose his creativity. His love for designing and planning for buildings and repairs. He didn't want his spark to blow out. But he had no choice but to endure it all.

His life would go on like this for years, until that fateful day of January.

He was about to go on another schedule of work when the icy bombs fell on Daegu, and the next thing he knew, he was right smack in a middle of an apocalypse.

He didn't understand what happened at first, but he knew its dangerous and he wanted to keep people safe from it. With his knowledge of repairing and establishing foundations and fortifications, he took the lead in turning the Seomun Market into an immediate apocalyptic settlement with the use of scrap metal, fallen debris, and chunks of cement and stone.

And he, together with Minji, Hyungwon, and the rest of the survivors in the Seomun Market, successfully made the place their makeshift settlement.

Due to his immediate and intricate efforts, he was voted leader of the settlement only just a few hours after the icy bombs fell.

Since then, life was tougher, for being a leader in an apocalyptic setting meant bigger roles and responsibilities. While he had freedom in planning for the structures that were needed for the settlement, he also had to deal with repairs consistently, establish rules, oversee incoming survivors and supplies, and resolve interpersonal conflict inside the base.

If there's any other consolation to Minhyuk being the settlement leader, however, it's that at least now, he was being recognized for his efforts. It didn't have pay, sure, but nothing could replace the sight of people around him being safe, secure, and calm, all thanks to him.

But he felt that it wasn't enough that he was there to become an engineer, a peacemaker, and an overseer. He wanted them to be inspired by his capacity to fight, too, so they would do the same should anything happen to the settlement. He had to set an example. He was a leader, after all, and he couldn't just watch Zeke, Jihyo, and the rest of their team deal with the threats outside alone. He had to help them sooner or later.

When he was told of the mission to save Sana and the others that were trapped in the E-World Amusement Park, he knew this was an opportunity to help them. And while the thrill of being part of a rescue team was giving Minhyuk life beyond being an engineer and leader, it wasn't really easy to do.

Especially if the rescue mission involves fighting against gigantic, otherworldly entities that you're clearly no match for.

April 19, 2023, 6:33 am, E-World Amusement Park, Daegu, South Korea.

[MAJOR EVENT: OPERATION SHIBA]

Minhyuk, Zeke, Hyungwon, and Hangyeol were forced to back further into the park. Nothing but barren trees grazed the area, with some grandstand next to them, and a few defunct buildings and rides all around.

There were also otherworldly construction materials around, such as gigantic dark blue steel beams tied to giant chains, boxes that contain construction equipment, and glowing wooden planks--- all seemingly going to be used as materials for their base.

Minhyuk sees one of the piles of steel beams as an ideal hiding area and they all immediately went there and concealed themselves.

Zheri and her ten-foot-tall Scraper was slowly coming. She was looking high and low for Zeke's team and was calling them out.

"Yoohoo! Humans! Wielder! Where you all at? Are you hiding? I can't let you live so come out and die!" She shouted.

"Okay. Let's think this through." Minhyuk began. "And fast, cause she's gonna find us sooner or later."

"That whole Scraper is made up of snow... so, naturally, you can melt it with fire... All it takes is Zeke's rocket seals and we are good to go, right?" Hangyeol asked. "Plus, his seals burst and explode into flames when it hits something, so it's going to be easy, right?"

"It's honestly better said than done. With the current temperature around us clocking in at -27°C, it's hard to keep a flame going for so long. It's actually a miracle that Zeke-nim can generate such copious amounts of concentrated fire in this cold environment." Hyungwon remarked.

"Plus, its whole body---including its insides, is made of tightly compressed snow. Even if I land a strike and the rocket seal bursts, it's still not enough to penetrate its tough exterior so easily." Zeke added.

"We need something heavy to knock that bastard out... But what...? What heavy thing could be used to take her out...?"

"Uh... Minhyuk-nim, how about that?" Hangyeol pointed in front of them as they look and see a pirate ship ride at least five feet away from them.

The ride has seen better days.

It was completely frozen. The gondola---shaped like a dragon's boat---was fixated at a 65-degree angle, with the swing arms on at its top frozen in a thick layer of solid ice. Remains of bags, jackets, and footwear fill the seats of the abandoned ride--- an eerie enough sight for the team to look at.

"You're suggesting we hit her with that?" Minhyuk said.

"It could work..." Hyungwon replied as he inspects the ride. "If we blast the end of the swing arm of the ride to free it from being frozen, we might be able to make the whole gondola move and slam it right at Zheri."

"The angular momentum of the gondola ride at a 65-degree angle wouldn't be enough to knock the whole Scraper out in one swing. You'll also have to consider the Scraper's size and resistance. It can possibly take in the force of the ride with substantial damage, but I'm not sure if it'll kill her." Minhyuk replied.

"Then we power up the gondola and weaken Zheri, Minhyuk-nim," Hyungwon replied.

"How can we---" Minhyuk stopped as he realizes something immediately. "...I have an idea all of the sudden." Minhyuk suddenly said as he rustled quickly into his backpack. "Now, I'll tell you the plan. Listen very carefully."

April 19, 2023, 6:47 am, E-World Amusement Park, Daegu, South Korea.

Zheri was turning her head from left to right. It's been at least seven minutes that she's been looking for Zeke's team, destroying buildings and other areas where they may be hiding.

She then hears faint gunshots in the distance. She looks and sees flashes of glitching light and blue-green sparks further into the park.

"Alstone is still busy fighting the other humans, huh...?" Zheri said to herself. "Guess I gotta work harder to-- eh?"

Suddenly, she sees Minhyuk and Hangyeol ten feet in front of her. Hangyeol was lying on the ground, writhing in pain as he screamed, and Minhyuk was trying his best to seemingly patch a wound.

"Minhyuk-nim... I can't... I don't want to die..." Hangyeol remarked.

"You won't die. Come on..." Minhyuk said as he supports Hangyeol into standing up. "We have to catch up to Zeke and Hyungwon, they're waiting..."

"A... am I a burden...? Just leave me be, Minhyuk-nim..." Hangyeol stuttered.

"No I won--"

They hear the sound of gigantic feet stomping towards them. Hangyeol and Minhyuk look as they see Zheri looming over them.

Zheri and her Scraper walks slowly towards the two as they looked.

"Seems like we are in a bit of a trouble, are we, humans?" Zheri exclaimed.

"Tsk..." Minhyuk backs slowly while supporting Hangyeol.

"Guessing from your predicament right now, the wielder and your other friend went ahead and escaped while you stayed behind and tried to help this particular human. Might I ask, isn't leaving him better?"

"And why would I do some jack shit like that?" Minhyuk asked.

"Well... you humans tend to be greedy and self-preserving when push comes to shove," Zheri said. "Selfish beings who only want to survive on their own... That's what you generally are."

"Not all of us are like that," Minhyuk scoffed. "I'm not going to leave everyone behind."

"That's quite honorable, hehe." Zheri's Scraper walks toward the two closer, forcing the two to back as well. "...but you're saving no one. Your bravery is in vain."

"I ain't going to be comfortable about that thought if I were you. After all... you're facing the leader of the Seomun Settlement." Minhyuk said as he shows his palm. It had a ring on his pointer finger, with a rope leading under the left foot of Zheri's Scraper.

Minhyuk immediately pulls the rope, and a pin pops out from the foot of the giant enemy. The icy exterior of the foot started bubbling, emitting a glowing spark of fire that bursts forth in intense heat.

And then, it explodes violently.

B O O M !

Minhyuk and Hangyeol immediately duck as the explosion masks the whole area with a mix of mist and smoke. As the mist envelops the area, Minhyuk remembers the plan.

"So the plan is... we're gonna bait Zheri into facing the ride, incapacitate her, and then Zeke-nim uses his rocket seals to force the gondola to swing itself to Zheri faster?"

"Precisely," Minhyuk replied. "With the use of thermite." He then shows the team five thermite grenades.

"Hold on. Thermite...?" Zeke asked.

"Yes, thermite. It's a pyrotechnic mixture of metal powder and rust." Minhyuk said. "These things, when ignited, naturally just creates an exothermic reduction-oxidation, producing a huge amount of heat and light. But, if it comes to contact with ice..."

"...it will superheat it, triggering a steam explosion instead of just heat and light." Hyungwon continued. "Thermite is a good match-up against ice, plus, we wouldn't worry about the shrapnel too."

"Right you are. You know your chemical reactions well." Minhyuk nodded.

"All these chemical jargons... You must've learned a lot in class, Minhyuk-nim." Zeke said.

"Not really. Let's just say I'm a huge Mythbusters fan." Minhyuk smiled. "So... Zeke and Hyungwon, take these thermite grenades and ropes and set up a trap in front of the gondola. Hangyeol and I will bait the enemy into it and detonate the grenades under her feet so she gets incapacitated. Then, Hyungwon, blast the swing arm so the gondola will be able to swing again, and Zeke, position yourself to place all your rocket seals at the back of the ride to increase its momentum, securing the killing blow."

"Wait... Just a minute... Bait...?! M...me and you, Minhyuk-nim?! H...how are we gonna do that?!" Hangyeol asked, shivering in fear.

"Well... A little convincing acting skit wouldn't hurt." Minhyuk smiled.

Minhyuk and Hangyeol stand as the wind soon blows the smoke away. As the thick mist finally clears, they were horrified to see Zheri's Scraper still intact, without any signs that the monstrous enemy got incapacitated whatsoever.

They see that most of the scrap metals and steel beam the Scraper absorbed went into its left foot, dampening the blast. The metals were nearly destroyed, but the icy foot was completely fine.

"Hehehe... Nice try, human. Your plan was great and all... But I'm a quick thinker." Zheri declared in a smug voice.

"I haven't dealt all my cards yet. You thought I didn't think about your metal parts floating around inside your Scraper? I just got rid of them. I got another one right here to seal the real deal!" Minhyuk said as he brings out another rope and pulls it. Another thermite bomb starts sparkling, this time, underneath the monstrosity's right foot.

"He's got another trap?! This basta---"

B O O M !

The second blast quakes the ground, and without enough metal left in the Scraper's body to dampen the explosion, the right leg of Zheri's Scraper collapses into smithereens, and the monster is finally forced down on its knee.

"We finally got her...!" Hangyeol cheered.

"Now you've one it...! Defiling my wonderful creation... You!"

Zheri's Scraper roars and suddenly grabs Minhyuk tightly by the waist as he tries to break loose.

"Minhyuk-nim!" Hangyeol exclaimed in horror.

"You may be a leader, but at the end of the day, you're only a fragile human, nothing more. Most of all, you're alone. Your other members will never know of your demise, and I will see to it that there will be nothing left of you to be remembered by." Zheri said as her Scraper began squeezing Minhyuk's body. He feels a crack somewhere in his body as he writhes, indicating a broken bone. He looks a Zheri, who was drunk on power, surely wanted to see the desperation in his face as he slowly gets crushed by the Scraper's hand.

Minhyuk will never give her the satisfaction of seeing him writhe in agony.

He closes his eyes and smirks.

"Eh..?" Zheri was baffled. His enemy should be in agonizing pain right now. But instead, he was smirking.

Minhyuk opens his eyes abruptly.

"ZEKE, HYUNGWON, NOW!" Minhyuk suddenly shouted with a booming command.

Zheri looks as Hyungwon was on the platform of the pirate ride. He brings out his carbine rifle, points it upward, and shoots. The swing arm breaks loose of the ice and the gondola slowly descends.

"So they never really left him?! And this... They have planned this all along?!"

Zeke immediately jumps at the backmost part of the gondola and creates two rocket seals. The seals burst in immense firepower as it makes the gondola swing towards Zheri and her Scraper with incredible speed.

"Anchors away, asshat!" Zeke shouted.

"Shit...! It's too fast...! I wouldn't be able to---"

Zheri's Scraper tries to block, but the gondola was too fast and heavy. It slams right towards its head and upper torso, obliterating it as heavy piles of ice, wood, metal, and snow fly around.

"NOOOOOOOO!"

The gondola then hits Zheri next, who was on the nape of her finest creation. Due to the force of the strike, she gets flung extremely far beyond the park, screaming as she flies high up in the air.

"Wieeeee..." Hangyeol watches Zheri fly away into the horizon, until she was only a dot that was falling, seemingly crashing somewhere far away.

The remains of the Scraper fall with a mighty thud. Minhyuk crashes down as well, now visibly writhing in pain, holding his waist and ribs.

"Minhyuk-nim!" Hyungwon rushes in and sees the leader bleeding from his mouth.

"I'm... fine. I guess I'll live. Great work, team..." Minhyuk coughed. "You did well on your respective roles. Especially you, Hangyeol. You really gave an actor vibe back there. I almost thought you actually were severely scared."

"HEHE! That's the thing, Minhyuk-nim. I wasn't acting. That was REAL fear!" Hangyeol said with a smug tone.

"...oh. Wow," Minhyuk said in a low tone.

"You're really proud of being a scaredy-cat," Hyungwon added.

"Why must you insult me like this. You must be having fun, how about we go right now?!" Hangyeol said, fuming in irritation, taunting Hyungwon.

They suddenly hear the trampling of footsteps as ten more Koul'in footsoldiers suddenly surround them, seemingly attracted by the noise the fight created.

"Looks like we aren't done here, huh..." Zeke said as he readied his Manifest once more.