I follow Xin as she makes her way through the Headquarters. Apparently, She told her boss earlier that she would bring me home and he didn't say anything about it, so it's probably good. As she walks by the reception(?) desk, she tell the guy behind it, "I'm leaving now, don't do too much work."
We leave through the front doors and head towards the left part of the lot. She presses the unlock button on her car keys and a white, 2010 Toyota Camry beeps alive. Xin gets into the driver's side while I get shotgun.
We ride in silence for a few minutes before I it and ask, "Why were you worried earlier? Is it bad to leak(?) Gi?"
She keeps her eyes on the road but I swear she perceives me more after I say that, "Yes, it is bad to 'leak' Gi. As Gi is either another form of Life Energy or an offshoot of it, if you use too much you start to use Life Energy instead. Though you were a suspect, the fact you couldn't withdraw Gi made me worried because it could result in your death. Does that make you understand why I was worried?"
I nod my head before realizing she probably can't see that, "Yes, it does."
We continue in silence until arriving at my apartment. I whisper a, "Thank you." to her before leaving the car. I walk to the stairs afore stopping and looking back. Xin is still there with a conflicted look on her face. I stand there for a few seconds, thinking of what to do, and deciding to just head up the stairs.
Before I take the first step, I hear Xin say, "If you ever need help in the future, you can call me."
Her words stun me still, still long enough that she drives off. My heart beats a little faster after hearing her words. That's... a new one. Can't do anything about her right now so might as well ignore her. Yeah, let's just forget about her, when will I ever have to deal with the police again?... I should definitely remember her.
I shake myself from these thoughts and finally head up the stairs and into my apartment. Upon entering, I see Hana hard at work on dinner and Ryung working on homework at the table. They turn there heads to look at who had just entered and see me. Ryung puts down his pencil while Hana turns the pan and they both come running at me.
"Choehabu Hyung!"
"Choehabu Oppa!"
I chuckle as I hug the both of them, "How are you two doing?"
Ryung replies first, "I'm doing well. I'm currently learning pre-algebra, and Hana noona was helping me."
"I'm currently making dinner, or I was before you arrived. We're having sheep and cabbage stew tonight. We also need to buy some groceries later, could you do that, Oppa? I need to focus on studies or else I'd do it myself."
I look at her, confused, "Why would you need to focus on studies? You're only thirteen, live life a little. Enjoy it. Only start worrying about studying extra hard freshmen year."
It's now her turn to confused, but at me. "Why would I focus on studies? Why wouldn't I focus on studying? I want to get into a good high school so I have a shot at National University! If I don't start early then I can kiss any opportunity goodbye."
"No kissing, you're thirteen."
She tries to say something before giving up and simply laughing. It's nice how well we're getting together, all of us. I thought they would notice that I wasn't Choehabu, but maybe Choehabu didn't do this with them. If I remember correctly, he was too tired to do anything when he got home and was simply in high school to, to.... I don't know.
It's while I'm thinking that a faint vibrations traverses through the floor and into my knees. That's weird, was there construction going on, somewhere? I look around for some reason and don't feel anything different.
*Duuung*, there it is, another faint vibration. Wait, no, this one was heavier. What's going on?
The blare of sirens starts up. For a full minute, it's just, I would guess, air raid sirens. Yet, after that minute, it becomes words. "This is not a drill. A Dragon Class Beast Horde is moving towards the city, head for the nearest Beast Shelter in a calm and orderly manner. This is...." it repeats.
I just stay kneeling, not knowing what to do. Ryung nudges me and asks, "What are we going to do?" in a small, meek voice. I look into his eyes and see absolute terror in them. I look into Hana's and see the exact same. They've been hurt by Beast Hordes before, and it terrifies them.
I stand up and grab their hands, saying "Do either of you know where the nearest shelter is?"
They both nod their head. "Alright, so you'll be the guides. Ryung, you're going to be on my back while Hana will run with me. Am I understood?"
They both nod again. "Good, let's go."
We exit the apartment to a near separate world. people everywhere, running, screaming, crying. Cars getting tipped over, some bodies already lining the street, things of that Ilk. I look left and right, seeing nobody on the apartment floor, only open doors and droplets of probably tears.
I head down the stairs with Hana trailing after, "The Shelter is on Gangyu Street, only eight blocks away!"
With that said we start running to there. Looking behind me, over the shoulder, I see the Horde. I understand now, why there was such fear in Ryung and Hana's eyes, why the streets devolved into chaos as soon as it was said a Beast Horde was approaching. What assaulted my eyes, was the most profound terribleness that could exist.
Creatures bending and breaking and falling and flying. Everything all at once, taken the shape of innumerable bodies in a wave fit to bring entire nations to the heel. I knew why we feel terror and not fear, for fear is too light for which we have seen.