Disclaimer: This novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real events, people, or places is coincidental. The author does not endorse or promote any harmful or illegal activities, including violence, discrimination, or harmful survival practices. The novel's content is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as a guide for real-life survival or preparedness. Always prioritize safety, respect, and well-being in your actions and decisions.
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Min-ho sat in a lotus position, having ingested the Nexarion. Soon, his body was enveloped in a vibrant red-colored mana. Hana's eyes widened in curiosity. "Why is Min-ho oppa's mana color different from yours, oppa?" she asked.
Min-su's expression turned thoughtful. "The color of one's mana indicates the element they will awaken to in the fourth stage. Red mana signifies fire." He paused, his gaze drifting to Hana. "By the way, what was my mana color?"
Hana's response was prompt. "It was black and blue, with a few sparks on it."
Min-su's eyes narrowed slightly and he whispered, 'I understand the black mana part, but what about the blue sparking mana? That typically represents lightning. However, in my previous life, I had the Shadow element...' His voice trailed off, lost in thought. 'Well, only time will tell.'
As Min-su thought, Min-ho's body began to radiate a faint light. His physique grew, his muscles expanding, and his eyes snapped open, burning with newfound strength and power.
Min-su's face broke into a wide smile. "Congratulations, Min-ho! You have successfully awakened and are now an Evolutionary Path Awakener!" He turned to Hana, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Now, Hana, it's your turn!"
Hana also sat in a lotus position, ingested a Nexarion, and meditated for a few minutes. However, nothing happened. "Why is nothing happening, oppa?" she asked worriedly.
Min-su reassured her, "Ingest as many Nexarions as you need to awaken. Don't hold back." Hana ingested another Nexarion, but still, nothing happened. Only after ingesting the next Nexarion was she surrounded by a massive amount of white-colored mana, filling the room like mist.
"What is happening!?" Ji-yoon asked, observing the scene.
When Hana explained everything to her at first, she thought they were mad. However, after witnessing the events, she began to understand the depth of the situation.
Min-su explained, "Her massive amount of mana indicates that she is a Magical Path Awakener, also this white-colored mana signifies pure mana, which means she will not awaken any element."
Min-ho added, "That means she's a Mana Mage, a supporter class."
After a few minutes, the mana was absorbed by Hana, and she was floating a few inches above the ground. When she opened her eyes, a wave of mana excluded from her eyes, and she lost balance and fell.
Min-su congratulated her, "Congratulations, Hana! You are a Magical Path Awakener, a Mana Mage." Hana's heart felt heavy, and her face fell in disappointment. "That means I can't help you in battle."
Min-su reassured her with a big smile, "Haha, your class is also called the best backup class. Your class can help your teammates by giving them your mana in battle, and I needed that class the most." Hana's expression brightened, feeling good about her new role.
Min-su gave orders, "Now then, Ji-yoon and Kang-min, you two won't be awakening today since you've just joined. Be patient for now." He paused, then continued, "Let me share our plan. We'll be relocating from this place to the nearby school, Gangnam High."
Ji-yoon asked, "Why are we leaving? We have everything we need here, right?"
Min-su gestured to Min-ho, "Min-ho will answer that question for you." Then, he turned to Min-ho and said, "You'll stay here to protect them while Hana and I scout out the school."
Min-ho questioned, "Why do I have to be the one to stay?"
Min-su's voice was deep and calm, "Firstly, it's my order. Secondly, Hana is a supporter class, making her unsuitable for defense. Thirdly, I don't need another fighter with me; I can handle combat alone. I just need a mana backup." He tossed a walkie-talkie to Min-ho, "Take this. I'll keep in touch with you, and if you notice anything unusual, contact me immediately. Got it?"
Min-ho nodded silently, accepting the task.
After gearing up, they opened the door cautiously, despite knowing there were no zombies in the building. "Then we're departing. Take care of yourself," Min-su said, before Min-ho closed the door.
Min-su and Hana headed down to the ground floor, where they found a car with an unlocked door. However, as Min-su opened the door, a zombie jumped out, only to be beheaded by Min-su before it could attack. He dragged the zombie out and entered the car, finding the keys inside.
He surmised that the owner had returned home from work but was turned into a zombie before exiting the vehicle. Min-su started the engine and gestured for Hana to get in. As they drove to the school, Min-ho watched from the apartment window.
Suddenly, Min-ho realized something and turned to Ji-yoon and Kang-min. "You both must be hungry, right?"
They nodded eagerly, and Min-ho apologized for forgetting that they hadn't eaten in days. "Please help yourselves to food in the kitchen. I'm not a great cook, but I can make instant noodles," he said with a nervous laugh.
Ji-yoon offered to cook for everyone, and Min-ho sat down with his machetes, starting to clean and sharpen them.
Kang-min approached him, curious about the awakening process, and Min-ho began explaining various aspects of it while tending to his weapons.
Vroom! Min-su crashed the car into a zombie gatekeeper, entering the school premises. He got out, and Hana, still shaken from the wild ride, stumbled out of the back seat. "I'll never ride a car again... I'll never ride a car... I'll never ride a—"
Min-su slammed the car door, interrupting her. "We've reached our destination!"
Hana looked around, dazed. "Have we reached heaven? Where's God?"
Min-su chuckled, pinching her cheek. "What heaven? We're at school! Are you daydreaming?"
Hana snapped out of her trance, rubbing her sore cheek. "Ouch! Where are we?"
Min-su gestured to the school building. "At the school, of course! Come on, we need to check the whole place."
As Hana got out, she saw the car's huge dent and the half-maimed zombie body in front of it. Min-su ordered her to close the main gate and contacted Min-ho through the walkie-talkie. "We've reached the school."
Meanwhile, a boy watched from a second-floor window, excitedly telling his classmates, "Miss, everyone look! There are two people in front of the main gate! They came with a car and are well-equipped. One has a big sword, like a katana, and the other is a girl with knives on her waist. Both are wearing bulletproof vests!"
The teacher, fearful, ordered the students to stay away from the window. Eleven people, including two teachers and nine students, were locked inside the classroom, barricaded from the zombies clawing at the door...