♥︎ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 25♥︎

𝐿 𝑂 𝑉 𝐸❦⊹܀𝑆𝐼𝐶𝐾❦⊹

ೄྀ𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍'𝐒 𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄ೄྀ____

⊹܀☙❦☙܀܀💌🌹ೄྀ𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄ೄྀᴇᴘɪsᴏᴅᴇ ɴɪɴᴇ

ʀᴏᴏғᴛᴏᴘ

Gwi-nam stood there, a sinister mockery etched across his face. "I will find you over and over again!" he shouted, his voice echoing ominously. His words were directed towards Na-hee, filled with a chilling promise that sent shivers down the spines of everyone who heard him.

Cheong-san moved in front of Na-hee, as he glared daggers at Gwi-nam. Gwi-nam rolled his eyes at this, "Always playing the heroin Lee Cheong-san?" Gwi-nam retorted.

Cheong-san dashed forward just as Gwi-nam lunged at him. In a swift motion, Gwi-nam slammed Cheong-san onto the ground, the impact echoing through the air.

A satisfied smile stretched across Gwi-nam's face, a twisted expression that sent chills racing down the spines of everyone watching.

The cold, hard ground felt unforgiving beneath Cheong-san, and he gasped for breath, struggling to regain his composure.

Na-hee felt herself gasp as she, Hyo-ryung, and Ji-min quickly rushed toward On-jo, helping her up before sprinting back toward the others.

Na-hee's gaze locked onto Gwi-nam, her expression a mix of terror and determination. She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears.

"Give me Na-hee!" Gwi-nam growled at Cheong-san as they wrestled for control, his voice dripping with menace.

"Keep dreaming!" Cheong-san shot back, determination fueling his defiance as he struggled against Gwi-nam's grip.

With a sinister smirk spreading across his face, Gwi-nam leaned closer, his eyes glinting with malice. "Then I'll just have to kill you first!" he taunted, relishing the fear that flickered in Cheong-san's eyes.

"Fuck it." Na-hee thought to herself, adrenaline surging through her veins. Without hesitation, she rushed toward Gwi-nam, her heart pounding in her chest. Spotting a nearby metal bar, she seized it with both hands and swung it with all her might, smashing it into his head.

Gwi-nam staggered back, momentarily stunned, giving Cheong-san the opening he needed. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly stood up and delivered a powerful punch to Gwi-nam's stomach, the force of the blow echoing in the tense air.

Cheong-san grabbed Na-hee's wrist, positioning himself protectively in front of her. "Stay put." he told her gently, his voice firm yet reassuring, as he scanned Gwi-nam, waiting for his next move.

"And you think I'm going to let you face him alone? No way." she shot back, her determination shining through as she gripped the metal bar tighter, her knuckles turning white.

Gwi-nam dashed toward the two, his eyes locked onto Na-hee with a predatory intensity. Cheong-san reacted quickly, delivering a powerful kick aimed at Gwi-nam, but Gwi-nam anticipated the move. He caught Cheong-san's leg mid air and, with a swift motion, threw him to the ground, the impact sending a jolt through the ground beneath them.

"Cheong-san!" Na-hee yelled in concern, her voice laced with panic as she watched Cheong-san hit the ground.

Without thinking, she charged at Gwi-nam again, swinging the metal bar with all her strength. But this time, Gwi-nam was ready, he effortlessly caught her weapon, his grip unyielding.

With a sinister smile curling on his lips, he yanked the bar from her hands and tossed it aside like it was nothing. The sound of metal clanging against the ground echoed in the tense atmosphere. In one swift motion, he grabbed Na-hee by her hair, causing her to groan in pain as he pulled her closer, a cruel glint in his eyes.

Na-hee's heart raced, a mix of fear and fury coursing through her. She refused to let Gwi-nam see her weakness, she had to find a way to fight back, to protect herself and her friends from the monster before her.

"Na-hee!" the others screamed in worries, as Na-hee thrashed around his hold. On-jo rushed towards the two, desperately trying to help Na-hee, but Gwi-nam was much stronger, making her efforts seem nothing. With a furious glare, Gwi-nam shoved On-jo away in a swift motion, sending her sliding harshly across the ground.

"H- Hey don't touch her!" Na-hee screamed at Gwi-nam, her eyes full of concern for On-jo.

"why do you care for them? they're nothing." Gwi-nam muttered to her, close to her ears, making na-hee cowered.

Seizing the moment, Su-hyeok kicked the back of Gwi-nam's leg, causing him to momentarily loosen his grip on Na-hee.

This gave her the opportunity to break free, but she instinctively reached for the back of her head, wincing in pain from Gwi-nam's earlier grip.

Gwi-nam, furious, attempted to punch Su-hyeok, but Su-hyeok skillfully dodged the blow. The two began to wrestle, grappling for dominance. However, Gwi-nam quickly gained the upper hand, knocking Su-hyeok hard in the back, causing him to fall to the ground with a groan of pain.

Na-hee's heart raced as she glanced back at Su-hyeok, her worry deepening as she realized just how strong Gwi-nam was. Gwi-nam delivered a harsh kick to Su-hyeok, sending him crashing into nearby objects.

Na-hee rushed forward towards Su-hyeok, her heart pounding in her chest. She knelt beside him, her eyes wide with concern. Su-hyeok lay there, his body sprawled awkwardly on the ground, the impact of Gwi-nam's kick evident in the way he grimaced in pain.

"Su-hyeok" Na-hee called, her voice trembling as she reached out to touch his shoulder gently. She could see the strain etched on his face, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he struggled to catch his breath.

Gwi-nam observed the group, his piercing gaze thickening the atmosphere with tension. Standing tall, an aura of darkness enveloped him, casting a shadow over everyone around him.

"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice dripping with menace.

Dae-su, visibly shaken by Gwi-nam's imposing presence, managed to stammer, "What the hell are you? Did you come from the One Heart Club?"

A sinister smile crept across Gwi-nam's face as he replied, "It's me." But then his expression shifted, the smile faded, replaced by anger as he continued, "How the hell do you not know me?" His glare intensified, directed at the group.

"I know you." Cheong-san shot back, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. "I've said it many times before. You're the bully's gopher." At that, Gwi-nam stepped forward, his hand reaching out threateningly before he abruptly halted.

The group flinched at his sudden movement. He pointed an accusatory finger at Cheong-san, his anger rising. "If you call me that again, I swear I'll kill you." Gwi-nam growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Cheong-san retorted, "You weren't a gangster, and you weren't a good student. Now, you're neither human nor zombie." His words dripped with disdain. "No matter the time or place, you're nothing."

A heavy silence fell over the group, tension crackling in the air before Gwi-nam finally spoke again. "I won't just kill you." he threatened, his voice chilling.

"I'll gouge out both of your eyes and feed your blind ass to the zombies." His gaze shifted to the rest of the group, and he declared, "Everyone but Cheong-san and Na-hee can go. Unless you want to die." His tone left no room for argument, and the group stood frozen, fear gripping them.

"You're all dead." Gwi-nam told them, his voice cold as ice.

In an instant, he rushed toward Cheong-san, and the two engaged in a fierce struggle, grappling with each other. The rest of the group quickly rallied around Cheong-san, determined to help him against Gwi-nam.

Joon-yeong swung a wooden plank at Gwi-nam's face with all his strength, but it barely fazed him. Instead, Gwi-nam's anger intensified, his eyes filled with rage. In a swift move, he kicked Joon-yeong hard, sending him flying backward. Joon-yeong groaned in pain as he hit the ground, his glasses shattering into pieces.

While Joon-yeong struggled to get back up, Gwi-nam seized the opportunity to break free from the group surrounding him. He pushed their bodies aside, causing them to tumble over each other like a chaotic pile. The scene erupted into chaos, filled with shouting and the sound of bodies hitting the ground.

Cheong-san stood up bravely and threw a punch at Gwi-nam's face. The hit was sharp, but Gwi-nam retaliated with an even stronger punch, causing Cheong-san to stumble back in pain and fall to the ground.

Not stopping there, Gwi-nam delivered a brutal kick, sending Cheong-san sliding across the floor, gasping for air. Seeing his friend in trouble, Su-hyeok jumped into action. Much to Na-hee's worry, he grabbed a sturdy piece of wood and swung it down hard onto Gwi-nam's back.

The sudden attack caught Gwi-nam off guard, and he turned his attention to Su-hyeok, anger flashing in his eyes. Su-hyeok seized the chance and threw a punch, but Gwi-nam was quick, dodging the blow with ease. In an instant, he wrapped his hand around Su-hyeok's neck in a chokehold, squeezing tightly. Su-hyeok struggled against the grip, his face turning red as he fought to breathe.

In a desperate move, Su-hyeok gathered all his strength and jumped, delivering a powerful kick to Gwi-nam's stomach. The force of the kick made Gwi-nam stagger back, and a loud crack echoed as he hit the ground. For a moment, he looked dazed, but he quickly regained his balance, his eyes shining with a fierce intensity that sent chills down the spines of everyone watching.

Gwi-nam fixed his gaze on Na-hee again, and she felt a bead of sweat trickle down her forehead. "Na-hee, don't you see you're mine?" he told her, stepping closer as she instinctively backed away.

"Your soul is sick. Do you think this is a love story?" she shot back defiantly. But before she could react further, Gwi-nam dashed toward her. Na-hee quickly dodged, and he collided forcefully with some metal objects nearby, groaning as he steadied himself, his eyes still fixed on her.

"Not bad. I always knew you were fast" he praised, a sinister smirk spreading across his face. He moved toward her again, but before he could reach her, he was interrupted.

Suddenly, Nam-ra seized a burning piece of wood and hurled it at Gwi-nam's back. The unexpected attack caught him off guard, causing him to turn sharply toward Nam-ra, surprise flickering in his eyes.

This distraction provided Na-hee with the perfect opportunity to deliver a swift punch to Gwi-nam's legs, sending him crashing to the ground.

However, Gwi-nam quickly regained his footing, his anger evident in his eyes. In a fit of rage, he retaliated by slapping Nam-ra hard, sending her sprawling to the ground.

He turned his attention back to Na-hee, a sinister smile spreading across his face. Na-hee looked at Nam-ra with concern, her heart racing.

Gwi-nam lunged at her, and they began to wrestle, each trying to overpower the other. As Gwi-nam got behind Na-hee, he quickly wrapped his arm around her neck in a tight chokehold.

Na-hee gasped for breath, feeling the pressure of his grip. "You smell nice, Na-hee" Gwi-nam told her, leaning in closer to inhale her scent. The creepiness of his words sent shivers down her spine.

"I wonder if you'll turn just like me?" he questioned, his eyes narrowing as he eyed her down.

Despite her fear, Na-hee was determined not to give up. In a moment of desperation, she bit down hard on his arm, hoping to escape his grip. Gwi-nam let out a groan of pain, and that gave her the chance she needed. With a burst of adrenaline, she twisted away from him, feeling the cool air against her skin. As she stumbled back, she saw a mix of surprise and anger in his eyes.

Nam-ra crawled forward and stabbed Gwi-nam's leg with a wooden object, her determination shining through despite the pain.

In response, he grabbed her hands roughly, but she tightened her grip around his wrist. "Let go." Gwi-nam warned her, but she only held on tighter. He slapped her again, but she still wouldn't release him. Frustrated, he kicked her, sending her flying, yet she refused to let go. Nam-ra clung to his arm as he dragged her along the ground.

"BITCH!" he yelled, threatening her to let go. He kicked her again, and she felt her strength fading. Then, he grabbed the back of her collar, forcing her to look up at him.

"You smell nice, huh? But I prefer Na-hee's, though" he said with a large grin.

Nam-ra looked up at him, a mix of anger and disgust on her face. She grabbed his hands and pushed them away from her collar before slapping his face. She was about to strike him again when Gwi-nam stopped her by bringing his hand to her neck. "You and I are on the same side. Smell me, come on" he taunted, leaning his neck closer to her face.

In a swift move, Nam-ra grabbed his hair and whispered in his ear, "Fuck off." before throwing him to the ground. Just then, Su-hyeok kicked Gwi-nam's leg, adding to the chaos.

Gwi-nam stumbled as Su-hyeok moved, giving Na-hee the perfect opportunity to punch him in the face. He fell to the ground, and just as she was about to slap him, Gwi-nam caught her hand mid-swing. They began to fight, struggling against each other's strength in a battle for dominance.

"I'll gouge Cheong-san's eye out." he continued, his voice dripping with malice.

"You're mine and i don't want to share. I'm ready to kill for it. " Gwi-nam taunted, causing her resolve to waver slightly. He then dragged Na-hee to the edge of the rooftop, and for the first time, she felt a surge of fear for her life. Her eyes widened as Gwi-nam flashed his signature sinister smile.

Na-hee looked down, panic rising within her as she thrashed against Gwi-nam's grip. Heights were her biggest fear. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the terrifying view below.

"Na-hee!" she heard the others call out to her, their voices filled with concern.

"Scared of heights, yeah?" Gwi-nam taunted, his breath hot against her ear.

"I want to hear you beg for your life." Gwi-nam muttered, his voice low and menacing.

Na-hee gasped, not wanting to open her eyes as tears streamed down her face. She thought she was going to die, but then she heard a voice behind Gwi-nam.

"Have a nice flight." Nam-ra said, her voice steady and fierce. In a swift motion, she grabbed ahold of Gwi-nam and threw him off the rooftop.

Na-hee let out a scream as she clung desperately to the edge, her heart racing and tears streaming down her face.

"Na-hee!" the others yelled as they rushed toward her. Nam-ra managed to grab hold of Na-hee, carefully bringing her back up from the brink of death.

Once safely on the ground, Na-hee collapsed, hugging Nam-ra tightly, overwhelmed by the terrifying experience. "Na-hee, are you okay?" Nam-ra asked, concern etched on her face as she returned the embrace. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, grateful that she had managed to grab Na-hee in time.

The others stood beside the two, worry etched on their faces as they processed how close Na-hee had come to falling alongside with Gwi-nam.

On-jo knelt down beside them, her hands gently resting on Na-hee's shoulders. "Na-hee... are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. Na-hee nodded, wiping her tears away with trembling hands, trying to regain her composure.

Cheong-san stood there, stunned, his heart racing as he realized how close Na-hee had come to death because of Gwi-nam. His fists clenched in anger, but as he saw Na-hee's shaken state, he loosened his grip, knowing he needed to make sure she felt safe.

The group gathered around the fire again, their bodies still sore and aching from the fight. The flickering flames cast a warm glow on their weary faces, but the tension of the earlier confrontation lingered in the air.

"Shit, it hurts." Dae-su commented, wincing as he shifted his weight, trying to find a comfortable position on the cold ground.

"What the hell is wrong with that Gwi-nam kid?" Joon-yeong asked, frustration evident in his voice. He ran a hand through his hair, the stress of the situation weighing heavily on him.

Cheong-san sighed, his brow furrowed in thought. "He said he got bitten. I don't know..." he replied, his tone uncertain. He glanced into the fire, watching the flames dance as if searching for answers.

"It looks like he became something totally different." he added, his voice lowering to a wwhisper.

Na-hee stared into the fire in front of them, her mind racing with thoughts about the terrifying edge of her near death experience.

*My fear of heights definitely returned after that.* she thought to herself, letting out a frustrated tsk.

She had been trying to adapt to her fear, but Gwi-nam had only intensified it, leaving her feeling more vulnerable than ever.

"I don't think he can die." Su-hyeok added, rubbing his neck where Gwi-nam had gripped him earlier. The memory of the chokehold sent a shiver down his spine, and he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that lingered.

"What if he climbs back up here?" Wu-jin asked, concern etched on his face. His eyes darted nervously around the rooftop, as if expecting Gwi-nam to appear at any moment.

The group fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts as they contemplated the possibility of Gwi-nam returning.

"He's bad enough as it is. But to be honest, I'm scared of Nam-ra too." Ji-min admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You saw her fighting before." Ji-min continued, her brow furrowed in concern.

"I think it's reasonable to think that she's half-zombie." After Dae-su said that, Hyo-ryung slapped him, silencing him with a sharp glare.

"What?" Dae-su whispered, looking confused and slightly hurt by the sudden outburst.

Ji-min turned her gaze to Nam-ra, worry etched on her face. "Are you sure you're okay? You won't do anything to hurt us, right?" she asked, her voice tinged with Uncertainty.

On-jo, sitting beside Na-hee, interlocked her fingers with Na-hee tightly, as if afraid to let Na-hee go. The warmth of their connection offered a small comfort in the tense atmosphere.

"Would you believe me if I said I wouldn't?" Nam-ra asked, her tone evasive, her eyes darting away as she avoided their gaze.

"Why do you have to say it that way?" Ji-min shot back, frustration creeping into her voice. The tension in the air was palpable.

"Can you at least try to make us believe you?" Ji-min added, her eyes searching for reassurance. "We're going to be together anyway."

There was a moment of silence, with only the crackling of the fire breaking it. Nam-ra looked down at her lap, her expression shifting as she gathered her thoughts. "I..." she began, her voice barely audible.

"I've never done anything but study. I don't think I was naive. I think I was a coward." She continued to confess her unspoken feelings, her vulnerability surfacing.

"I was too scared that my grades would drop and my mom would get mad, so I didn't do anything." Her voice trembled slightly,

"I was too scared to make friends. My mom would always ask me what rank they were in class, what their parents did, how big their houses were..."

As she spoke, the others listened intently, their expressions softening as they began to understand the struggles that had shaped Nam-ra into the person she was today.

Nam-ra then turned to Na-hee, her expression softening. "My heart only beats for you." she continued, her gaze drifting down to the flickering fire. "That's why when Gwi-nam had you on the edge of the rooftop, I was terrified. I was scared that I'd lose you too, Na-hee."

Na-hee's heart melted at Nam-ra's words, and she smiled, a small, genuine smile that felt foreign after the earlier chaos. Unfortunately, Na-hee had thought Namra's confession towards her was platonic, Nam-ra lowered her gaze.

I guess she has to confessed to Na-hee in another time.

"I never thought I'd get a chance to sit around a fire with all of you like this" Nam-ra admitted, her smile widening as she glanced around at their group, the warmth of the flames reflecting in her eyes.

Na-hee's lips curved into a smile. "Thank you for... rescuing me, Nam-ra. If you hadn't been there, I don't know what would've happened." she told her, her voice lowering as the weight of her gratitude settled in.

Wu-jin, who was seated next to her, touched her shoulder gently, making her jump slightly. The unexpected contact sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt a wave of discomfort wash over her.

Her feelings for Wu-jin were slowly drifting away, as if something about him was making Na-hee cower. She forced a smile, trying to mask her unease, but her heart raced as she wondered what had changed between them.

The fire crackled softly, the warmth enveloping them, but Na-hee couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She glanced at Wu-jin, searching for the familiar comfort she once felt, but all she found was a growing unsettling feeling that left her feeling scared.

"Can you hear that?" Nam-ra asked, her head tilting slightly as she focused on a distant sound.

"Huh? What is it?" Hyo-ryung asked nervously, her eyes darting around, afraid it might be Gwi-nam again.

Nam-ra stared into the distance, her expression unreadable, and the others followed her lead, trying to discern what she was hearing.

"I don't see anything." Cheong-san commented, squinting as he scanned the horizon. But then he paused, his eyes widening slightly. "Wait, I hear a helicopter." he managed to say, a hint of hope evident in his voice.

Na-hee felt her own eyes widen. Were they finally getting rescued? Was she finally getting away from the zombies and Yoon Gwi-nam? A flicker of hope ignited within her, warming her from the inside out.

Everyone stood up and walked closer to the edge of the rooftop for a better look. And there it wasa helicopter, growing larger in the sky as it approached.

"Hey, it is a helicopter! They're coming!"

Excitement surged through the group as they gathered wood for the fire, waving it in the air to get the helicopter's attention. They waved their hands happily, shouting at the helicopter.

In a moment of unbridled joy, Dae-su hugged Hyo-ryung, who stood there dumbfounded for a moment before punching him playfully for his sudden action.

The intense wind from the helicopter made them cower, shielding their faces from the swirling dust and debris. People from the helicopter descended on a rope, their figures silhouetted against the sky.

However, they quickly drew their guns, causing the group to back away and raise their hands in surrender.

Na-hee stared at them uneasily as they pointed their weapons at the group, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Stop! Get down, all of you!" they demanded, their voices stern and authoritative.

"Sir, can you please help us?" Dae-su pleaded, his hands still raised in a gesture of surrender.

"Face down on the ground! Get down!" they shouted again, and the group complied instantly, lowering themselves to the ground.

"Checking temperature now." a soldier said through a device as they checked each person's temperature one by one, their movements precise and efficient.

Na-hee and Nam-ra were close together, both feeling scared and uncertain about what was happening.

When the soldier checked Nam-ra's temperature, he announced, "The temperature is 34.5. Providing warming blanket."

He then proceeded to check Na-hee's temperature, his expression remaining neutral.

"We'll rescue you after the mission is complete. Over." the soldier added, his words offering a glimmer of hope amidst the tension.

"You can get up now" he instructed, and everyone quickly stood up from the ground.

"Are you the only survivors?" a soldier asked, his gaze sweeping over the group. "We don't really know. There are probably others." Cheong-san answered truthfully, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"We're going down for a few minutes. Wait right here." the soldier instructed them, his tone leaving no room for argument. Ji-min then stepped forward, her eyes filled with desperation.

"Aren't you going to rescue us?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Yes, we will. So don't go anywhere." the soldier replied firmly, his gaze unwavering. "Let's go." he said to the others as they made their way to try to get inside the school, their purpose shrouded in secrecy.

"Are they looking for something?" Dae-su murmured to Joon-yeong, his voice barely audible.

"Are they heading to the science lab?" Joon-yeong asked, his brow furrowed in thought. Na-hee furrowed her brows in concern, a sense of unease settling in her stomach.

After some time, the soldiers finally returned to the rooftop, quickly working on their mission, their movements hurried and purposeful. A helicopter flew overhead, its wind whipping through their hair and the noise making Na-hee and Nam-ra flinch, their senses overwhelmed by the chaos.

"We pull you up one at a time. Stay still, even if you're scared." the soldier instructed them, his voice cutting through the noise. "Okay?" he confirmed, his gaze sweeping over the group to ensure they understood.

"Wait, you're not landing the chopper?" Ji-min exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief.

"We can't. It could become unstable. We're going to pull you up, so don't worry." the soldier replied, his tone reassuring but firm.

Another soldier then climbed up toward the helicopter with the rope they had used to descend earlier, preparing for the rescue operation.

Na-hee, noticing Nam-ra's distress, gently covered Nam-ra's ears with her hands, offering a silent gesture of comfort and support.

"You can't go all at once, so let's proceed one by one." the soldier instructed everyone, his voice clear and concise.

"We can't all go?" Cheong-san asked, his voice filled with nervousness as he processed the implications of the situation.

"We can take all of you, but it has to be one at a time." the soldier replied, his words offering a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.

"Ji-min, you go first." On-jo urged her, her voice filled with encouragement.

"You go first!" Dae-su added, cheering Ji-min on with a supportive smile.

Na-hee gave her a supportive thumbs up as Ji-min and she locked eyes, a silent exchange of encouragement passing between them.

The soldier then secured a safety strap on Ji-min so she could be pulled up, and everyone looked at her with hope ignited in their hearts, their faces reflecting relief. The soldiers gave a thumbs up, signaling that it was alright to pull Ji-min up.

As Ji-min was almost lifted to the helicopter, one of the soldiers spoke into the device in shock, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Sir, I think I'm going back down." Ji-min told the soldiers, her voice trembling as the rope descended, bringing her back down to the rooftop.

"What's going on?" Na-hee stepped forward, her brow furrowed in confusion and concern.

"What operation is this? What are you doing?" Cheong-san asked the soldiers in disbelief, stepping forward alongside Na-hee, his voice filled with anger and suspicion.

"Please pull me back up! I'm not going back!" Ji-min exclaimed to the soldiers as they began to undo the strap on her.

"I want to get out of here! Please take me with you!" Ji-min cried out toward the soldiers, her voice filled with desperation as she was pushed back toward the group.

The soldiers pulled out their guns and pointed them at the group, their expressions cold and unyielding.

"Wait, what's wrong with you? We're fine!" Joon-yeong said anxiously, raising his hands in a gesture of peace, his heart racing as fear gripped him.

"Go ahead, shoot." the commander on the device ordered the soldier, his voice dripping with authority.

"Stand back, or we'll shoot!" the soldier warned, his finger hovering dangerously close to the trigger.

Cheong-san then took Na-hee's hand, bringing her forward, his grip firm yet reassuring. "Sir, can't you take some of us with you?" Cheong-san begged, interlocking his fingers with Na-hee's, their connection grounding them amidst the chaos.

The soldier fired into the sky instead of at the group, the sound echoing ominously around them.

"I'm begging you. Please take just a few of us with you.Cheong-san pleaded with the soldier, his voice trembling with urgency. He stepped forward, desperation etched on his face, but he was startled when the soldier fired into the sky again, causing Na-hee to flinch at the sharp sound.

Cheong-san quickly covered her with his body, shielding her from the noise, and then looked up at the soldier once more. "Please, rescue us." he begged, his eyes wide with fear and hope.

The soldier then secured the strap around himself as the helicopter began to lift off, the whirring blades creating a deafening roar. The team watched the helicopter from a distance, their hopes fading away like the distant sound of the rotors.

Na-hee covered her mouth, trying to stifle the sob that threatened to escape. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision as she struggled to process the situation, her heart heavy with despair.

Cheong-san, who was standing beside Na-hee, wrapped his arms around her tightly, offering the comfort they both desperately needed in that moment. The warmth of his embrace provided a small comfort amidst the overwhelming fear.

⊹܀☙❦☙܀܀

(This chapter took SOOOOO longgg •̩̩̩̩ᯅ•̩̩̩ ) worth it thoughhh hehe.