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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Inside the room, Hana trained with the sad-faced zombie, her movements a blur as she flickered around the undead creature, striking it with her knives. The zombie stood silently, its posture unchanging, as Hana's attacks barely scratched its surface. Min-su watched with a proud smile, knowing that Hana's mana capacity far exceeded that of a normal Level 1 Awakened person. Her stamina had transformed into mana, making her a formidable opponent.
After over half an hour of training, Min-su ended the session with a swift beheading strike, his Singularity Strike skill dispatching the zombie with ease. As they exited the classroom, Hana turned to Min-su with a grin. "That was fun, Oppa!"
Meanwhile, in the last classroom, the students huddled together, their faces etched with worry. "Teacher, it's been over half an hour, but they're still not out. I think they're also dead," one student said, despair creeping into their voice. Just then, another student peered through the glass panel of the door and exclaimed, "Miss, they're out... and they're completely unscratched! Wait, they're coming here!"
The students exchanged fearful glances, but also felt a glimmer of hope. Min-su and Hana stood outside the door, their presence commanding attention. Min-su knew that this room held survivors, and he had planned accordingly. "Please open the door, this is a rescue!" he called out, his voice firm but not unkind.
Hana rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Come on, Oppa, try something different." The door creaked open, revealing a student in a black school uniform, his face gaunt from hunger. Min-su gently shoved the boy aside and entered the room with a confident smirk.
Standing before the teacher's desk, he announced, "Sorry to disappoint you, but we're not a rescue team." The students' faces contorted in terror and shock, but Min-su's deepened voice held a hint of menace. "But we won't harm you... if you don't come in our way."
Min-su's voice echoed through the room, harsh and unyielding. "You've all witnessed the horror of the apocalypse, right? Now, it's every person for themselves. No government, no law. Only the strong will survive. I'm Min-su Kim, and I'm fighting to stay alive in this new world. My team and I will make this school our base. You can join us, but know this: we have information about the zombies and the apocalypse that you don't. If you want to learn, you'll have to join us. And if you want to stay here, you'll have to join us too. You have one hour to decide before I kick you out."
The students exchanged fearful glances, confusion etched on their faces. One of them, a boy with a hint of defiance, stood up. "Who do you think you are to order us around? We were here first!"
Min-su's response was a simple wave of his hand, and Hana appeared behind the boy in an instant, her knives pressed against his throat. The students gasped, shocked by her unbelievable speed. To them, it was like magic.
The teacher, a woman with a determined look, stood up. "We'll join your group, but we have conditions." Her voice was firm, her eyes locked on Min-su.
The students grasped the implications of their teacher's words, and most of them whispered, "But teacher..." in dismay. However, before they could express their concerns, the teacher held up her hand to silence them, her palm facing outward in a clear gesture of quiet.
Min-su raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what are those conditions?"
The teacher's voice didn't waver. "You'll protect our lives, and treat us equally and with dignity."
Min-su's smirk returned. "Conditions accepted."
Min-su nodded, "Now that you've joined our group, it's time you knew our situation and everything about the apocalypse. Hana will brief you." He walked towards the window, pulling out a walkie-talkie from his backpack. Hana began explaining the details of the apocalypse, her voice clear and concise.
Min-su spoke into the walkie-talkie, "Min-ho, we've found a group of survivors inside the school building. Eleven in total. I still have one floor to clear, and I think you should stay put for tonight. I have a lot of work to do here, so I'll be there tomorrow. How's it going?"
Min-ho's voice crackled through the walkie-talkie, "All good here, no problems. Just missing the fighting, haha."
Min-su chuckled and turned back to the group, where Hana was finishing her explanation. The teacher asked, "How did you gather all this information?"
Hana's expression turned guarded, "You don't have the authority to know that."
Min-su returned to the center of the room, his eyes scanning the group. "Now, give me details about what happened here. Why are there so few people inside the school? And finally, give me your personal details."
The teacher's eyes glazed over, her voice trembling as she recounted the past. "The day everything happened was a holiday... The 2nd and 3rd-grade students had planned a picnic and were supposed to stay overnight since the next day was also a holiday. That's why there are so few students here... And then, just as you explained, after the rain stopped, those who were soaked in the rain turned into... into those things an hour later." Her voice cracked, and she struggled to hold back tears.
Min-su's expression was somber, his voice gentle. "I see. That explains it. Now, please, give me your details: name, age, and so on."
The teacher, Park Jisoo, composed herself, her voice still shaking. "I'm Park Jisoo, I teach political science, and I'm 28 years old."
Next, a mature woman with a kind face stepped forward. "I'm Lee Hae-in , the school nurse, and I'm 27 years old." Her eyes were red-rimmed, but her voice was steady.
Min-su nodded, his eyes scanning the group, inviting the next person to introduce themselves. The students looked at each other nervously, still trying to process the events of the past few days.
Here is the rewritten part with some improvements and sensory details:
Min-su's gaze swept across the group, taking in their nervous expressions. He nodded sympathetically and instructed, "Let's start with the female students. Please, introduce yourselves."
The students hesitated for a moment before Choi Jiwon stepped forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm Choi Jiwon, a 2nd-grade student studying social science."
Next, Lee Seoyeon introduced herself, her eyes cast downward. "I'm Lee Seoyeon, a 2nd-grade student studying science."
Choi Minji followed, her voice a little stronger. "I'm Choi Minji , a 3rd-grade student studying science."
Jeong Yuna's introduction was accompanied by a small smile. "I'm Jeong Yuna, a 3rd-grade student studying arts."
Cho Ji-eun concluded the female students' introductions, her voice clear. "I'm Ji-eun Cho, a 2nd-grade student studying social science."
After the five female students had introduced themselves, the remaining four male students stepped forward. Donghae Lee, a tall and athletic-looking boy, spoke first. "I'm Donghae Lee, a 3rd-grade student studying physical education."
Jae-hyun Park followed, his eyes fixed on Min-su. "I'm Jae-hyun Park, a 3rd-grade student studying science."
Seok Park's introduction was brief. "I'm Seok Park, a 3rd-grade student studying Vocational."
Lastly, Hyunsoo Yang spoke up, his voice laced with a hint of nervousness. "I'm Hyunsoo Yang, a 2nd-grade student studying science."
Min-su nodded, his expression unreadable, as he committed their names and details to memory.