• ғᴏᴜʀ •

...🄷🅈🅄🄽🄶-🅂🄸🄺...

...​◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤...

I gripped Bo-Young’s hands firmly, rubbing her skin to ground her.

As the creatures closed in, I saw Tae-Hyung beginning to fray; his usual strength was buckling under the weight of Jung-Kook’s visible terror.

Tae-Hyung is a powerhouse, but his devotion to Jung-Kook is a double-edged sword; seeing his partner paralyzed with fear was short-circuiting his tactical brain.

I realized I had to seize the initiative. I released Bo-Young’s hand and stepped forward, physically maneuvering Tae-Hyung back as I moved toward the gathering horde.

"Assholes..." I muttered, gambling on a nearby heavy wooden mailbox.

I wrenched it from its mount and brought it down with a sickening crunch onto a zombie’s skull.

As the creature stumbled, I caught a glimpse of its face. "Ms Hong?"

It was our teacher, or what remained of her.

I pushed the sentiment aside; she was a monster now. I swung the wooden block again, smashing into the other attackers with desperate force.

After a frantic minute, the creatures fell to the floor.

I huffed in relief, turning to see that Nam-Joon and Joong-Ki had already neutralized the threat from the rear.

I offered a grim smirk to my friends. "Strong asses."

I started toward them, but something snagged my ankle.

I tripped, hitting the floor hard.

A zombie had latched onto my leg and was hauling itself up.

It was then the horrifying reality set in—even with broken limbs and shattered skulls, the infected were dragging themselves back to their feet.

They began to stroll toward me with renewed, singular purpose.

I scrambled backward on my elbows.

"MinMin Oppa!" Bo-Young’s voice pierced the chaos.

I looked back to see her charging toward me, brandishing a heavy stick.

She struck out wildly, swinging at anything that moved to keep the monsters at bay.

Her frantic defense actually forced the front line of zombies to recoil.

"Boya, get back!" I tried to haul her away, but the girl was stubborn.

She ignored me, striking a group of zombies with enough force to shove them over the edge of the second-floor corridor.

I peered over the railing and felt a chill.

The fallen creatures hit the ground below and simply stood back up, resuming their walk as if gravity meant nothing to them.

"Boya, stop it!" I pleaded again, but she pushed me back to keep herself between me and the threat.

She stumbled, and a particularly large zombie shoved her hard, sending her reeling over the edge of the corridor.

"BO-YOUNG!" I lunged, my fingers catching her wrist just as she slipped.

Bo-Young dangled over the drop to the first floor.

I gripped her with both hands, my muscles screaming.

"Ah, MinMin Oppa, leave me! The zombies will bite you... just leave me, Oppa!" she cried, trying to loosen my grip to save me.

"I can't let you fall, Boya!" I growled, bracing my feet.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw the horde closing in.

They were inches away.

I felt a cold wave of resignation; I was ready to die as long as I didn't let go of her.

A zombie leapt at me, and I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut as I waited for the teeth to sink in. But the bite never came.

I opened my eyes to see Jong-Suk standing over me, striking the monsters down.

I noticed he was wearing thick tactical gloves. "Where did you get those?" I gasped.

"First, get your crush up," Jong-Suk grunted.

The word hit me like a physical blow. 'Crush?'

I scrambled to pull Bo-Young up with a burst of adrenaline-fueled strength.

The relief of having her safe on solid ground was overwhelming.

"Crush?" Bo-Young echoed, looking at me with wide eyes.

'Oh, shit.'

I felt the heat rise to my face, standing up in total embarrassment.

I wasn't ready for this conversation.

"Boya, let's just move. There’s no time for talk!" I hurried her back toward the others.

Ji-Eun, Joong-Ki, Jung-Kook, and Tae-Hyung were leaning their entire body weight against a massive classroom door, acting as a human barricade against the horde on the other side.

I joined them, digging my heels in to help hold the line.

Meanwhile, Nam-Joon, Seok-Jin, and Yoon-Gi assisted Jong-Suk, using sticks and mailboxes to beat back the stragglers until every zombie had been forced over the railing.

To Tae-Hyung’s horror, the monsters below simply resumed their disjointed trek.

"Are they even human? They’re literally just... walking it off," Tae-Hyung exclaimed in disbelief.

"They are monsters," Jung-Kook corrected. We all collapsed onto the floor for a momentary breather.

We were a gruesome sight—covered in blood, grime, and the stinging, copper scent of death.

"Should we keep moving?" Tae-Hyung asked.

"I can't walk, Suga Hyung," Jim-In whined.

The glass shards had pierced through his shoes and deep into his soles.

He was bleeding heavily.

Yoon-Gi quickly pulled out a handkerchief and tied it tightly around the wound to staunch the flow.

The bleeding slowed, but the agony was etched into Jim-In’s face.

We forced ourselves up; Jim-In leaned heavily on Yoon-Gi’s bicep for support.

We formed a new chain, with me taking the lead.

Hyung-Sik→_Bo-Young→Tae-Hyung→Jung-Kook→Ji-Eun→Jong-Suk→Jim-In→Yoon-→Yeo-Been→Joong-Ki→Ho-Seok→Jack-Son→Seok-Jin→Nam-Joon.

We navigated the empty staircase down to the first floor.

I jumped from the final step, but someone tripped behind me, sending a domino effect through the line.

I fell forward with a loud crack, and the entire group tumbled into a heap as Seok-Jin lost his footing.

"Jin, are you okay?" Nam-Joon asked, his voice laced with concern.

...​◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤...

...🄰🅄🅃🄷🄾🅁...

...​◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤...

So-Yeon arrived at the school perimeter, but the police line held firm.

"Officer, please, you have to let me in! I am the reason this is happening, and I have the solution!" she pleaded with a female officer.

The officer looked at her searchingly before leading her to a secluded spot. "Tell me, Miss, how exactly are you involved in this?"

"My name is So-Yeon. My boyfriend is a scientist. He manipulated me, claiming his research would save lives, but he lied. He used my connections to obtain the OC chemical illegally. I know I’m at fault, and I’m desperate to make it right."

"Calm down, Ms Park," the officer said, her tone softening. "Tell me everything about this scientist. We’ll investigate this together. I’m glad you surrendered; we need the truth."

She patted So-Yeon’s shoulder. "I am Officer Kim Hye-Rin. We’ll catch that bastard together."

They retreated to the rescue team’s command tent.

So-Yeon produced the envelope she had stolen from Min-Ho’s laboratory.

"These are the OC protocols," So-Yeon explained as Hye-Rin began making copies.

"The experiment was designed to extend the human lifespan. OC is a banned substance, but I used my father’s political influence to bypass the laws and procure it through the black market."

"He’s a psychopath," Officer Kim breathed, reading the documents. "No sane person would do this to another human being for a 'mere experiment'."

"And who is this boyfriend?" Hye-Rin asked.

"Min-Ho. Lee Min-Ho."

Hye-Rin froze. "Wait... Lee Min-Ho? The blacklisted biologist?"

So-Yeon nodded.

"Good grief, So-Yeon. He was banned from practicing years ago for ethical violations. You were a fool to help him."

"I know," So-Yeon whispered. "But please, help me save those kids. They’re suffering because of my stupidity."

"We’re trying," Hye-Rin assured her. "The infected are too strong for a direct assault, but we’re in contact with some of the students. They’re barricaded inside."

So-Yeon’s eyes lit up. "They have phones? Officer Kim, can I speak to them?"

Moments later, a patch went through to Joong-Ki.

He answered with a trembling voice. "Hello?"

"Child, listen to me carefully," So-Yeon said, her voice urgent. "I have a solution, but it requires immense courage. Will you do exactly what I say?"

"Hello? We’ll do anything! Kook can't walk, Jin fell on him, everyone’s in pain... just tell us what to do!"

Tae-Hyung snatched the phone from Joong-Ki.

So-Yeon felt her heart ache at the mention of Jung-Kook’s injury; she didn't know these boys, but she felt the weight of their suffering.

"Okay, listen—" So-Yeon commanded.

"—You need to act as bait. Attract the zombies. Make them follow you. Be careful, but move fast—remember, they are slow and lack the capacity for complex thought. They are driven by the scent of living flesh. Lead them out of the school building. Keep your friends hidden in a room where their scent won't draw the horde. Lead the pack to a specific location—I’ll send the coordinates. Once you’re there, call me for the next step. And child... be careful. They are slow, but they are persistent."

"Roger that," Tae-Hyung said, his voice hardening with resolve.

As the call ended, So-Yeon broke down.

"Are you sure those boys can pull off a stunt like that?" Officer Kim asked.

So-Yeon wiped her eyes, looking at Hye-Rin with newfound steel. "They will."

...​◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤...

"Jin, are you okay?" Nam-Joon asked, but his words were drowned out by a sharp cry of agony.

They turned to find Jung-Kook sobbing, clutching his leg.

When the group had tumbled down the stairs, Seok-Jin had landed directly on Jung-Kook’s ankle.

"Kook, Kook!" Tae-Hyung panicked, trying to inspect the injury, but Jung-Kook recoiled.

"It hurts!"

Tae-Hyung’s heart twisted at the sight of Jung-Kook’s tears.

They tried to help him stand, but it was clear he couldn't put any weight on it.

That was when Joong-Ki’s phone rang.

Tae-Hyung took the call and listened to So-Yeon’s plan.

He promised her he would do whatever it took to save Jung-Kook.

"I’m going to draw them away," Tae-Hyung told the group after hanging up. "I’ll make them follow me out of the building."

"No, V! You can't!" Jung-Kook pleaded, his voice breaking. "Someone else can go. Not you. What if they catch you? What if you turn into... into one of them?"

"I’ll be fine, Kook. I can outrun them," Tae-Hyung explained, but Jung-Kook tried to stand, limping toward him.

Tae-Hyung caught him by the waist, steadying him.

"Kook, trust me." Tae-Hyung looked deep into his eyes.

Jung-Kook’s resolve crumbled, and he snuggled into Tae-Hyung’s neck, weeping for a long moment.

"V, you aren't going alone. I’m going with you," Nam-Joon announced, stepping forward. Tae-Hyung nodded.

"Joon Hyung, no—" Seok-Jin began.

"Don't worry, Jin," Nam-Joon said firmly.

The atmosphere was heavy.

Jim-In was still in pain, Ji-Eun was traumatized, and Yeo-Been was clinging to Joong-Ki like a frightened koala.

"The rest of you need to lock yourselves away,"

Tae-Hyung commanded. "Wait for my call."

"What if you don't call?" Jung-Kook asked, his eyes wide with fear.

Tae-Hyung went silent, unable to voice a response to the possibility of his own death.

"Then I’ll call," Nam-Joon joked, trying to lighten the mood. "I have a phone too. Don't worry."

"V... you’ll stay alive, right?" Jung-Kook sobbed.

"I’ll stay alive, Kook. I’m coming back to you. I promise."

They decided on the library; it was on the first floor and had been locked all day, meaning it was likely clear of infected.

It was a short, painful trek to the heavy doors.

"Get in!" Tae-Hyung ordered, breaking the lock with a metal bar.

Jung-Kook leaned on Ho-Seok as they filed inside.

Tae-Hyung’s heart ached as the door began to close.

"I promise, V, Joon Hyung—everyone in here will be safe," Yoon-Gi vowed, giving them both a final, supportive hug.

With one last look at Jung-Kook and Seok-Jin, Tae-Hyung and Nam-Joon locked the library from the outside.

They checked their phones, took a deep breath, and ran into the halls to find the horde.

...​◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤...

...Tbc......

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***