Sunday, after spending the entirety of Saturday reading over Heavenly Berserker Arts, it was time for the Travelling Club's freshmen orientation trip.
Being the unsociable wretch that he was, Kim Suho had personally messaged Minori to remind him of the trip.
To which Minori responded.
—fuck off
Despite this, Kim Suho still smiled ever so brightly once he saw Minori arrive.
"I knew you'd come." Kim Suho smirked.
Over the past two weeks, Minori had become close enough to be called a friend to Kim Suho. The two had just so happened to meet at the gym quite a lot and seeing how the two had similar schedules they even sparred together a couple times (without mana of course).
"Yeah, yeah, I just so happen to enjoy travelling so don't get ahead of yourself." Minori huffed and looked towards the exit, the Portal Gate.
"Eugh, Portals." He whispered under his breath, to which Kim Suho chuckled.
I noticed a stare at the back of my head and looked back, my instincts telling me nothing. Despite this it still made me feel a bit endangered, like he was taking in my every move.
Hm? It's gun guy.
Upon realising this I shelved my train of thought and moved my gaze to the next person naturally.
Chase Nayun, Class President, Yoo Yeonha and Kim Suho… what a crazy line up of freshmens.
Then, the club president arrived. He was average height and had a normal appearance, he had freckles and brown eyes. He had short brown hair and looked quite excited.
"Hello, I'm the club president, Oh Hanhyun. I didn't believe it when I saw so many club applications, but… it's real. Who knew such amazing cadets would join my club?"
He looked around while scratching his neck.
"First, I'll give a short introduction about the travelling club."
With a bashful smile, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket. It looked like he had a speech prepared.
He sure is nervous…. Or is he just timid?
"Kuhum. Once or twice a month, we will leave Cube to travel. The purpose of the trip is to relax. So training during trips will be strictly forbidden. It's also why our club is called 'Healing Rain',"
He cleared his throat and put the paper away after only one or two lines.
…that's a bit… embarrassing?
"Today, as a part of orientation, we'll take a short trip to Seoul. We'll have a theme for each trip. Since today's meant to be an orientation, we'll just have a free trip without anything complicated. But instead of travelling alone, we'll split into groups of two."
Groups? You mean you won't let me wander around by myself?
"Then we'll start by drawing lots."
Please be someone I know. Please don't be a judgmental person. Please don't be popular.
Minori had a lot of demands but his first was the most important.
"I'll go first." A girl with black hair stepped up.
Yoo Yeonha, the most likely person to inherit Essence of the Strait, Minori had done a little research on his investments and saw her name.
The lot drawn by Yoo Yeonha had the following name.
"Kim Hajin."
Tracing the gaze of Yoo Yeonha, Minori saw her face sour and–
So the gun guy's name is Kim Hajin.
"Minori Nii." I looked up and saw a stranger looking at me.
"Let's get along." The girl nodded.
Minori nodded back, fully intending to desert her the moment he got a chance.
…
Once the drawing of lots were over, the members gathered by their pairs and stood in front of the Portal.
Minori looked at the swaying blue gate as he received a seal from the portal operator.
This seal would resonate with the Portal and take them to Seoul.
It's a little different from the ones in Japan. Is it because Cube has better tech?
"Let's go." The club president stepped in first.
Minori followed through.
His stomach wrapped around his other organs as the surroundings changed to an unfamiliar place.
Minori's nausea subsided and gave way to unfiltered awe, although it didn't show much on his face the girl beside him still chuckled.
"Is this your first time in Seoul? You're from Japan aren't you? It's no wonder you have that look in your eye." She spoke with a pompous tone.
Minori simply nodded while continuing to look around.
"It's 12 P.M. right now, so we'll meet back here at 6."
Because the portal we were at was connected to Cube there was hardly anyone around, save the Portal operator.
"For now, follow me." The club president instructed like a real leader.
Following the club leader for now, they received another seal before leaving the portal station.
After going outside they could immediately see the words, 'Yongsan Station'.
To which Minori displayed the same blank expression but had a sparkle in their eye.
"You can go wherever you want as a pair using the public transportation system. For today we won't require you to write a report, but make sure you're back by 6. If you're late, you'll be penalized."
With a warning from the club president, cadets left as pairs.
…
I'm lost… I lost my pair after getting off one stop too early. Then I got onto another bus and ended up here…
Where even is here?
I looked over to my left and saw a grand building, a train of thought popping up in my mind.
Grand building → Popular → Attraction → People → Cube Cadet's might visit → Finding someone who knows their way around!
With those thoughts I walked into the building labelled 'National Weapons Museum'.
There were lots of people inside, mainly parents with their children walking around, perhaps because it was a weekend.
All of them with bright smiles and hopeful eyes.
The privilege of the ignorant.
Minori shook his head and searched around.
His eyes landed on a black haired man, he had a dazed look and vacant eyes. He was dressed in a trench coat, white shirt, tie, black gloves, brown trousers that allowed for easy movements and boots.
Those were all second to the feral way his body moved, as if a beast searching for prey.
Minori's instincts told him to look away and so he did, a cold sweat dripping down his back.
The man looked in his direction but turned his gaze away once he saw nothing unusual.
It's moments like these where I'm proud of my eternal poker face.
He sighed in relief and looked back into the crowd, the man making his way through it rather slowly.
Now, what should I do? I can't call the police without knowing anything and if I'm wrong… no, I don't need to worry about being wrong. He's either a dangerous individual or about to be.
As if on cue-
—BOOM!
…Minor Nii POV…
A thunderous sound reverberated through the museum. In an instant, everyone became silent, frozen in either shock or fear.
But I didn't, using my instinct I scanned the room and found the safest spot.
A little inlet in the middle east section.
"Kyaaaak!"
"What is that?!"
Without waiting another second I ye-
A crushing pain sunk into my throat and ripped at my vocal cords, a black claw of dark magic had sliced through flesh and sinew.
I felt my death and changed my mind quickly.
I can't yell! If I yell It'll notice and shut me up! I don't even have a weapon on me! Did he consider me a threat when we passed each other?
I grabbed a person and pointed at the inlet.
"Go in there and hide, outside is dangerous. Be quiet too." I spoke with a serious expression.
I didn't even know if outside is dangerous, but something told me it would be.
The man nodded and grabbed his wife and child. I repeated the process with other people.
"Stay here! Don't go out!" A familiar voice yelled from the other side of the Museum, Kim Suho.
I couldn't fully appreciate the levity Kim Suho gave to me as I focused on getting people safe.
Once I got a lot of people safe, the work almost did itself. People caught sight of large groups and followed along, hiding into inlets-
Clang—
A sharp sound resounded. It was the sound of glass shattering. The source of the sound was on the other side of the Museum, so I couldn't get a proper look. The security system came on but I considered it a good thing.
I heard voices bickering as I kept hurrying people.
F*ck! Why did it have to be sunday!? There are so many families!
I grit my teeth and hurried people along.
After doing so I made my way to the action, breaking a glass and grabbing a dagger.