Platinum Skies (The Manifests Series #2)

[3] Law of Attraction

Preparations were immediately done after the meeting at the workshop.

Initially, the ones that are joining the expedition are Zeke, Jihyo, Ryujin, Hyungwon, and Hangyeol.

But Sana also wanted to come despite the dangers they might encounter, because she explained that Mina is also her close friend and that she had to be there when they find her.

Nobody could've argued with that, so they let her join them.

Minhyuk was unable to become part of the expedition due to his injuries, while Seojun and Miyeon chose to stay behind.

April 27, 2023, 5:15 am, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.

Vanta, the Koul'in soldier spared by Zeke and Jihyo's team, was just lying on his cot in his prison room, staring blankly at the empty ceiling above. He had nothing on his mind other than appreciating the fact that he was alive, and was finally away from his home planet. He was lucky that he had survived, and he was hoping to see this new world they call Earth and all it's beauty.

But it sounds so farfetched. The Koul'in had probably wrecked havoc all over the place. And even if he didn't have the intention of invading South Korea himself, he was still part of the Koul'in's invading fleet, causing destruction, pain and suffering to millions of people across the country.

In a way, his imprisonment was just a light punishment. He was supposed to be dead. But he wasn't.

As he contemplated on his thoughts and the implications of his actions, the steel door of his room suddenly opens. As Vanta looks, Zeke and Hyungwon enters.

"Get up. You're coming with us." Hyungwon spoke in a serious tone. "You said you wanted to see this world, right? So we're giving you a chance to see it. But you have to help us with our expedition."

"Really...? I--"

"No more talking. We are leaving soon. Go." Hyungwon said. Vanta slowly stands and walks out of the room, but he is stopped by Zeke.

"A word of advice. We may be kind enough to recognize your own goals, but don't expect the others in this settlement---no, in this whole country, to feel the same way. They will look at you with judgemental eyes. To them, whatever you do, you will always be the enemy. And enemies will surely be killed. But don't worry. We aren't as savage as your kin. We listen to reason, so you're going to be safe."

Vanta just looked at him.

"...but if you harm us in any way possible, you're good as dead. Understand?" Zeke said as he glared at him menacingly.

Vanta just nods.

"Goooood. Good. Glad we are agreeing on something. Follow me." Zeke said as he tapped the Koul'in soldier's shoulder and walked back towards the settlement area, and towards the front arch gate.

As Vanta walks back in together with Zeke and Hyungwon, he sees the people looking at him, seemingly judging him silently with spiteful, angry eyes. It's as if they're going to kill him, if not for the armed guards that were around holding them back. He couldn't blame them, though.

They soon arrive at the front arch gate. Vanta sees a seemingly armored truck. The truck they were about to use for the weeks-long expedition was reinforced with the otherworldly steel that the team has recovered from E-World Amusement Park. Next to the truck was Jihyo and Ryujin.

Jihyo was packed and ready with a small bag, wearing the same "IT'S LIT" maroon hoodie, and black denim jeans---only this time, she had metal elbow and knee guards for extra protection. Ryujin, on the other hand, was wearing a black leather jacket with a plain purple shirt underneath, holding her now fixed stolen Koul'in armor, all welded up with spare metal parts from Hyungwon's workshop.