One The Verge [SH Fanfiction]

Seven

Junghwan found himself alone in the management office while the other residents were embroiled in debates over whether to stay on the first floor or retreat to their respective apartments.

Choosing solitude to mitigate the fear of potential transformation or another nosebleed, he observed the multitude of monitors, yearning for a glimpse of his brother. Unfortunately, there was no sign of him, suggesting that Jaehoon might be in hiding, strategizing a way to descend safely.

Knowing the dangers that awaited him on the upper floors – having spotted more than three monsters during a brief 15-minute surveillance of the CCTV feed – Junghwan hesitated to risk ascending without proper preparation. His past proficiency in shooting wouldn't be enough without access to firearms in the current situation. Recognizing the potential danger, he heeded his brother's advice, opting to remain on the lower floors, patiently waiting for his brother to join him.

As the internet connection was restored, Junghwan chose not to indulge in games but rather sought information to better understand the unfolding disaster. His focus sharpened on a thread authored by someone with the username 'CRUCRU,' titled 'IT'S NOT A DISEASE. IT'S A CURSE.' This post, nestled within an online gaming community, became the source of his exploration. He delved into the content, seeking insights.

"It's not a disease. It's a curse. They complained of frequent nosebleeds and auditory hallucinations. The cause could not be determined. They weren't from here originally. They came here because they showed symptoms. They turned into miserable, desperate beings. Every prediction was wrong. It suddenly begins one day and it never stops. I was consumed by it, too. Humans will not be able to overcome this. If you have symptoms, kill yourse- Aisshhh... The heck is this.. This is depressing" Frustrated, Junghwan swiftly closed the tab. The ominous thread seemed to add fuel to his anxiety rather than offering any solace. In search of something more calming, he redirected his attention to explore other corners of the vast internet landscape.

Junghwan scrolled through various unrelated news stories, attempting to divert his mind from the ongoing crisis. He delved into reports about criminals, predators, and even the latest comebacks in the idol world. A brief chuckle escaped him as he contemplated the absurd idea of celebrities falling victim to the unfolding disaster. Despite the grim circumstances, the temporary distraction seemed to work in easing the tension.

Eunhyuk, catching a glimpse of Junghwan's reading material, couldn't help but comment, "You're in the middle of an apocalypse, and you choose to read articles about idols... You really are an odd case, huh?"

Junghwan shrugged, "Got sick of all these monster articles. I need to refresh my mind," casually slipping his phone into his pocket.

"What's with them?" Junghwan asked as they could hear the muffled sounds of residents bickering from the lobby.

"They fight, of course. Some people wanted to go back to their apartments, some people wanted to stay here, and there's a guy that just arrived here; he was bitten by one of these monsters," Eunhyuk explained, the dim glow of the monitors casting eerie shadows on their faces.

"So, what did they do to the guy?" Junghwan inquired, the low hum of electronics emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

"We tied him up and locked him in a room in case he was infected or something," Eunhyuk informed, the flickering light from the screens reflecting the uncertainty in his expression.