The Wielder's Winter (The Manifests Series #1)

[39] New Advent

It has already been six days since Jihyo's decisive battle against Khera, and the settlement had been busy treating the injured in the past few days.

Hyungwon, Hangyeol, and Minji, despite being tired, went immediately back to work after the battle, supporting the settlement in any way they can.

Seojun, Ryujin, and Miyeon needed medical care as they sustained moderate injuries and had to rest for a full day or two at best.

Minhyuk, who was injured by Zheri by damaging his left lower ribcage, has been slowly recovering, too. He can still walk and oversee the settlement, but he was banned from doing extreme physical activities such as lifting, pushing, and pulling materials for the next four to six weeks.

Sana, fortunately, sustained no grave physical injuries, with dehydration being the only major issue to her health. She was recovering at the medbay for time being.

Jihyo was also confined at the medbay. Despite her being unconscious for nearly six days, she was fairing well. Her wounds have fully healed, and she is expected to wake anytime soon.

As for Zeke...

April 25, 2023, 7:33 am, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.

Zeke was sitting alone inside his makeshift apartment, stirring what seems to be a tall glass of orange juice. He had just fully recovered, and he wasn't planning on going out until afternoon came.

He liked the alone time he was having. It was, after all, his first time that he was completely idle after many weeks of training, battling, and planning. It was nice to be able to relax for a good while, content at what achievements he had done.

And what big achievements it was.

From saving Jihyo to meeting more friends, to fighting alongside them, to defeating multiple superpowered aliens... and now, saving Sana and a lot of survivors from the clutches of a mad general.

It was still hard to believe.

It all still felt like a fever dream...

Suddenly, a female voice followed by some knocking snaps Zeke off his thoughts.

KNOCK KNOCK!

"Hello? Zeke..? Are you home...?"

"Uh... yes, yes, I'm here. Who's there?"

"...it's Sana."

Zeke's eyes widen as he immediately stands up and goes for the door. As he opens it, he sees Sana looking at him with a faint smile. She was wearing a dark fur coat, a tight-fit white shirt that has a bouquet design on the middle, dark blue jeans, and a white pair of winter boots. She had a few bandages here and there.

She looked calm. Her face was gleaming with beauty, and her hair flowed as if it resonated with the cold wind.

"Oh, h... hi." Zeke blushes. "I'm guessing you've recovered..."

"Yes... Just needed to hydrate, patch up some of my troublesome wounds, and rest, that's all." Sana replied as she smiled.

"I... I see." Zeke said as he just looks at Sana.

For a moment, Zeke was stunned by Sana's beauty, and he was just in awe of how she looked in person. Her beauty was ethereal. How could someone look this beautiful? So charming? So cute?

"Hey... Hellooooo..." Sana waves her hand in front of him.

Zeke, realizing he's been looking at Sana for a while, soon shakes off his flustered stance and tries to compose himself, his mind frantically gathering the proper words to conjure a sensible response.