Plague 2023 (Plague 2022 Season 2)

Episode 33

THE UNYIELDING BATTLE: FIGHT FOR US

Sae Joon Hyun’s eyes narrowed as he took in the determined faces of those surrounding him, their eyes darting from one to another, signaling their silent agreement. He tightened his grip on the rifle and growled, “If it’s a fight you want, then a fight is what you’ll get.”

They moved quickly, closing in on him in a wide circle. Yuri was the first to break the tension, muttering under her breath, “What we do now is for your own good, Joon.” She lunged forward, her wooden stick aimed straight at him.

Sae Joon Hyun reacted instinctively, sliding to the left and pulling Jaeyeon along with him. With a swift motion, he slammed the edge of the rifle into Yuri’s back, sending her stumbling forward. The others took this as their cue, and they all rushed him at once.

In a fluid motion, Sae Joon Hyun ducked and slid beneath their swinging sticks, keeping Jaeyeon tightly wrapped in his jacket and close to his chest. He maneuvered them both towards the door, his movements quick and precise. Once there, he released Jaeyeon, positioning himself in front of him, ready to protect him at all costs.

Eugene and Yon were the next to attack, charging at him with their sticks raised. Sae Joon Hyun dropped his gun, catching their sticks in his hands and gripping them tightly. He struggled to wrestle the weapons from their hands, but they held on with a surprising strength.

“For a half-zombie, you should be stronger,” Sae Joon Hyun taunted Yon, his voice strained as he fought to overpower them. Yon’s face twisted in frustration, knowing full well that he could be stronger, but his emotions were too unstable. If he let the transformation take over now, he might never be able to return to his human form.

As Sae Joon Hyun battled the two boys, he caught a glimpse of Hailey sneaking up on Jaeyeon from the corner of his eye. Without missing a beat, he kicked the rifle towards her, forcing her to duck. The gun skidded across the floor, landing just out of her reach.

Using the distraction, Sae Joon Hyun pushed Eugene away, sending him crashing to the floor with a loud thud. He quickly tossed Yon aside as well and scrambled to retrieve his gun. But as he reached for it, Eunhye and Yuri seized the opportunity to close in on Jaeyeon.

“Run towards me!” Sae Joon Hyun shouted, his voice urgent. Jaeyeon obeyed immediately, stumbling towards him like a lost child. Sae Joon Hyun grabbed his wrist, pulling him close just as Hailey lunged forward, trying to grab Jaeyeon by the collar. Sae Joon Hyun spun around, using the gun to shove her back.

But the chaos wasn’t over. Hamin, unable to watch any longer, roared in anger and charged at Sae Joon Hyun. The force of Hamin’s attack nearly knocked Sae Joon Hyun off balance. The virus had given Hamin enhanced strength, a side effect he couldn’t control, and it was clear that he had the upper hand.

Despite being overpowered, Sae Joon Hyun refused to back down. He clung to Jaeyeon with one hand, using the other to fend off Hamin’s relentless blows. But it was becoming increasingly clear that he was outmatched.

Just as Hamin pressed his advantage, Su-yeong approached Jaeyeon from the side, raising her wooden stick with intent. Before she could strike, Sae Joon Hyun barked out a command, “Duck!” Jaeyeon dropped to the floor just in time, and Su-yeong’s swing missed its mark.

“Hyeong,” Hamin’s voice cut through the chaos, his tone almost pleading. “You do understand that we’re doing this for you, right?”

Sae Joon Hyun’s eyes burned with fury as he glared at them all. “You’re fighting me, overpowering me, and playing dirty. Don’t stand there and tell me you’re doing this for me,” he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. “I don’t care about any of you anymore.”

Sae Joon Hyun gritted his teeth as he struggled against Hamin’s relentless assault. With every ounce of strength he had, he tried to push Hamin back, but the sheer power behind the half-zombie’s attacks was overwhelming. Hamin’s stick bore down on him, and Sae Joon Hyun found himself sinking to one knee, using both hands to shield himself from the crushing weight.

His breath came in ragged gasps, and he spared a quick glance to his side. Jaeyeon was still crouched on the floor, his body trembling with fear and uncertainty. Sae Joon Hyun’s heart clenched at the sight. “Dude! Fight! You must fight to survive!” he yelled, desperation lacing his voice. But Jaeyeon remained frozen, lost in his own fear.

Sae Joon Hyun felt his strength waning as he saw the others getting to their feet and advancing towards him. He knew he couldn’t hold out much longer. “Jaeyeon!” he shouted, his voice cracking under the strain. “Jeon Jaeyeon! You are not useless! You were always more than human—like a superhuman! I need you right now. So please, fight! Fight for yourself… fight for me…” He paused, drawing in a deep breath before delivering his final plea, his voice raw and filled with emotion, “Fight for us, Jeon Jaeyeon!”

Jaeyeon’s head slowly lifted, his gaze meeting Sae Joon Hyun’s. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Sae Joon Hyun could see the war raging in Jaeyeon’s eyes—the fear, the doubt, the pain of what he had become. But beneath it all, there was something else: a flicker of resolve.

“If I fight… is it okay? Will I still be human if I fight in that form?” Jaeyeon’s voice was soft, almost childlike, as if he were asking for permission to be himself.

Sae Joon Hyun’s heart swelled with a fierce, protective love. “Yeah! I know you’re human! I don’t need any evidence or proof, Jaeyeon! I trust in you! That’s how much I know I love you!”

“Just shut up!” Hamin snarled, pressing down harder, his eyes burning with anger. “Saying all this sappy bullshit won’t save him. We’re doing this to save you from him!”

But something had changed in Jaeyeon. He was no longer trembling, no longer paralyzed by fear. With a sudden burst of strength, he stood up, his eyes locked on Hamin. Without a word, he trudged towards him, his movements deliberate and powerful. With a single, swift motion, Jaeyeon reached out and shoved Hamin away. The force of the push sent Hamin flying across the room, crashing into the far wall with a heavy thud.

Sae Joon Hyun exhaled sharply, a massive sigh of relief escaping him as he slumped back against the wall. His body ached, but the sight of Jaeyeon standing tall, his eyes bloodshot and his teeth slightly elongated, was enough to ease his pain. The transformation was there, but it wasn’t complete—Jaeyeon still looked like himself, still human.

“Took you long enough,” Sae Joon Hyun said with a breathless chuckle, looking up at Jaeyeon with a smile that was equal parts exhaustion and pride.

Jaeyeon’s lips curled into a small smile, the corners of his mouth twitching as he reached out a hand. Sae Joon Hyun didn’t hesitate. He grasped Jaeyeon’s hand firmly, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet. As he stood up, he could feel the warmth in Jaeyeon’s grip, the strength that had returned to him.