Stronghold (2)
In the darkness, Jeong Suhyun and I sat in the back gate guard room, staring down the slope.
"...Think they're not coming?"
"Still feels wrong to head in and rest."
"Gonna be an all-nighter, huh."
We had no idea when they might strike. That's why Jeong Suhyun and I decided to pull an all-nighter right there. We needed my firepower, and his wide night vision.
Jeong Suhyun yawned hugely. "No choice, I guess."
"More like, what the hell is this fruit party? Grapes, apples..."
I popped some of Kim Yunjin's summoned fruits into my mouth while eyeing him. The sweetness was insane—skill-summoned stuff must be top-shelf.
As I chewed a grape, Jeong Suhyun, munching an apple beside me, spoke up. "Gotta admit, they're not bad, right? Met 'em today, and bam, fruits offered up like tribute."
"True that."
"Good kids."
Kim Yunjin and Choi Yuri moved fast and efficient. No slacking, no breaks—they hauled all the food and water scattered across the church's fourth floor down to the second, and even sorted the useless junk outside.
Once done, Kim Yunjin brought grapes and healed us both, while Choi Yuri handed over apples and bananas.
'At this point, no need to suspect them.'
Was I too paranoid? Ever since Jeong Suhyun, maybe I had trust issues with people. But better than blind trust, right?
Wonder what Jeong Dojin was up to, though.
"What about Jeong Dojin?"
"Said he'd guard the front gate all night."
"That's risky."
"What can I say? He insisted."
Fair enough. If Jeong Dojin died, it'd suck, but he was low on my priority list, cold as that sounds. Still, his personality seemed solid—worth saving if possible. Plus, it'd mess up Choi Yuri bad if he went down.
'Three more people with powers.'
How to put it? More abilities meant more headaches to manage.
"Sigh..."
Impatience was creeping in. We still hadn't built a proper stronghold.
"Fuck, pisses me off."
"...The people here?"
"Nah, those tattoo bastards."
"Ah."
Logically, remnants should've hit before sunset. But it was nearly midnight now.
"Four possibilities."
Dead, spotted us taking the place by force and bailed, headed to another base, or prepping a dawn raid.
"All make sense. That's the problem."
"Yeah."
The more I thought, the messier it got. I kept rubbing my temples—overthinking gave me a headache.
I sighed and spoke to Jeong Suhyun, who was blankly staring out the back gate into the dark. "...Let's think it through slow."
With the trio awakening powers, heading to Yuseong University via Northdong Station got riskier. Not for me, but others might have abilities now, opening new threats.
Ambush by a power user mid-trip? Someone besides me dies for sure.
So, alternatives.
"You think the three are trustworthy?"
"Yeah. Yunjin's mouthy, but none seem rotten. Pretty straightforward, actually."
Figured. That's why they played along in talks.
"Assume they're full allies, then. Suspecting's exhausting."
"Give 'em trust back?"
"Yeah. No reason for them to screw us. If no survivor drama by tomorrow, seal the front gate—Northdong side."
One of them could be a church plant ready to backstab, but I had Ashes Veil. And the new ice shields. They weren't a big risk to me.
Jeong Suhyun questioned it. "Front gate? Back's better, no?"
Normally, yeah. But.
"Either way, keep the path to Northdong Station and Yuseong open."
I pointed ahead—the one-way slope down the villa's back path to Northdong Station. Quiet alley lined with shops, dead still, no wind.
"We know others can awaken now."
Jeong Suhyun and the trio all did. Everyone I'd seen got status windows and powers—means anyone can.
"Differences exist, sure. You and the three aren't aggressive types."
No real threats besides me so far. Jeong Suhyun: utility. Choi Yuri: food. Kim Yunjin: healing. Jeong Dojin: vague attack/utility.
"Church guys we watched? Mostly weapon summons or weak fire."
Even here, no heavies. Weapons, but not instant like mine. Fire just for burning bodies, not combat. Maybe gas guy at worst, like Dojin mentioned.
"Still dangerous."
Church defenses solid, but we were short-handed. Gates too far apart.
"Worst case: bomb summoner? Could collapse the building."
Seal the back? Screwed against strong powers like mine. Better to guard—noise gives warning.
Jeong Suhyun nodded. "So, seal one side till we have a real stronghold?"
"Yeah. Front gate blocked, Northdong open—survivor camp. Till mobile and stable."
"Right. Low chance of heavies Northdong side... Church stuck to this route too."
"Exactly. We didn't see shit at the front for days coming in."
Long game. Northdong safer than Southdong for sure. Prioritize it.
'Stay cautious, though.'
Couldn't guard both forever. One gate easier than two.
"...True."
"Yeah. Haven't even talked proper with the trio."
Skills unknown, roles fuzzy. First day was improv, but tomorrow: schedules. Watches, meals, supplies, outings, rescues.
"Finally."
I slouched in the guard chair. "We need to build a force."
Military? Chaos with powers. No law, groups turn to raids, rape, slavery. Church proved it.
Need a group that holds without me.
'Hope Southdong has survivors intact.'
I stretched, gazing into the dark. Tense all day—body ached.
'Rest tomorrow.'
One day slack, then plan ahead.
"Call everyone before lunch tomorrow."
"Got it."
"Assuming no night bullshit."
All-nighter for raid prep.
=====
"They really didn't come."
"Nope."
Next morning, we rubbed tired eyes and stood. Back still quiet.
"Seven?"
"Yeah."
Sleepless vigil, no remnants.
Jeong Suhyun sounded worried. "Could hit morning..."
"Too annoying. Sigh... Didn't plan this far."
Ice Shield x3
Scraaaape. I stepped out, summoning three ice shields at the back gate.
Thud.
Thud.
"Wha... what?"
3x3m shields stacked, sealing the gate. Jeong Suhyun gaped.
"Whoa... the hell?"
"New skill."
"No way, that's bullshit."
"It's here. Quit freaking, let's go in."
"Not freaking. And weren't we leaving this open?"
"Temporary. Obvious ice."
Ice melts eventually. But till then, safe. Breach it? Ladder over wall or tank it—noise guaranteed.
'Unless explosive power...'
Even then, I could defend or bail.
Me inside? Just block sides.
We left the guard room. Fresh air cleared my head a bit.
Jeong Suhyun looked puzzled. "With this, could've done nights easy?"
"Goal wasn't block. Prep for raid, clear remnants."
Blocking gives intel. Bad move.
"...Right."
"And without me. Have Dojin block front with cars, debris."
"Ah, got it."
Quick nod.
"C'mon. Hungry, headache. Seal everything today."
Sleep first. Dojin probably all-nighter too—no docs, flu's deadly.
'Four shields at front?'
Led him to the front.
Scraaaape. Empty first floor to gate.
"...You're back?"
Haggard Jeong Dojin sat there, wiped out.
"Yeah, all clear. Come on."
"Thanks."
Ice Shield x3
Thud.
Thud.
"...What the..."
"C'mon."
"Junyoung's skill, Dojin."
Dojin gawked too, but explaining was a drag now. Their chatter faded as we headed to second floor.
"Shit, why's it so hot? Hot hot."
Kim Yunjin and Choi Yuri messing with a coffee pot.
"Yunjin unnie, handle's back there."
"Oh? What was I doing?"
Already buddy-buddy, casual talk, unnie-dongsaeng vibes.
They spotted us, eyes wide.
"You're here?"
"No trouble?"
"Nah, just sorting."
Choi Yuri grinned. Kim Yunjin approached me. "You worked hard. Listened to Suhyun yesterday—Yuri and I finished sorting. Leader's orders, right?"
"Leader?"
Why am I leader if he's Suhyun?
"Talked it over. 'Leader' fits better. Not bad, right? Suhyun approved."
"Yeah."
Dojin chimed in, then dipped with Yuri for meal prep. "We'll handle food."
"Me too..."
Off to pouches and water.
I eyed Jeong Suhyun.
"Jeong Suhyun."
"Haha, it's fine, right?"
Glared at the culprit. What is this, kindergarten?
"Leader beats 'head' anyway."
"Sigh... whatever."
Too tired to argue. Petty, too.
"Haha, I'll help too."
Watched him flee, sighed.
'Leader ain't bad.'
I'll lead the base anyway. Might as well own it now.
"Here."
"Oh, thanks."
"Sit, rest. Yuri and Dojin got it."
Pondering helping, Kim