The rescue

The hallway was eerily quiet as Taesoo and his group moved cautiously, their footsteps barely audible against the tiled floor. The flickering fluorescent lights cast long shadows, making every corner feel like a potential threat. Hyejin walked beside Taesoo, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings.

"We should check out the class next door," Hyejin said, her voice low but firm. "And while we're at it, we need to find a weapon for me. A fire extinguisher doesn't exactly pair well with someone who's good with swords."

Taesoo nodded. "Agreed. Let's see what we can find."

As they approached the next classroom, the sound of guttural groans and shuffling footsteps grew louder. Taesoo held up a hand, signaling the group to stop. Peering around the corner, he saw a horrifying sight: five zombies were clawing at the classroom door, their bloodied hands leaving dark smears on the wood. A dozen more lay motionless on the ground, their bodies mangled and broken.

"Looks like they've been trying to get in for a while," Minho whispered, his voice tense.

Taesoo's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. "Only five of them. We can take them down if we're careful."

Hyejin smirked, cracking her knuckles. "Finally, some action."

The group moved in silently, their movements coordinated despite the tension. Taesoo led the charge, his combat skills on full display as he delivered a powerful kick to the nearest zombie, sending it crashing into the wall. Minho and Jaehyun followed suit, using their strength to overpower two more zombies. Soo-ah stayed back, her speed allowing her to dodge attacks and deliver precise strikes when needed.

Hyejin, meanwhile, grabbed a broken chair leg from the ground and wielded it like a makeshift sword. With a fluid motion, she drove the sharp end into a zombie's skull, her movements as graceful as they were deadly. "Still better than a fire extinguisher," she muttered.

Within minutes, the zombies were down, their lifeless bodies sprawled across the hallway. Taesoo wiped the sweat from his brow, his breathing steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "Good work, everyone," he said, his voice calm but firm.

As the group caught their breath, the classroom door creaked open. A nervous face peered out, followed by a flood of relieved voices. "You saved us!" one of the students exclaimed, tears streaming down her face.

Almost fifteen students spilled out of the classroom, their expressions a mix of gratitude and fear. Some thanked Taesoo and his group profusely, while others eyed them with suspicion, their arms crossed and their faces hard.

Taesoo ignored the hostility for now, his focus on finding Jihoon Lee. "Is Jihoon Lee here?" he asked, scanning the group.

One of the students, a tall boy with glasses, shook his head. "He left the second we heard the announcement. Said he had to 'take care of something.' After that, the zombies showed up, and we've been trapped here ever since."

Taesoo's jaw tightened. *Jihoon left? Why? And where did he go?* The questions swirled in his mind, but he pushed them aside for now. "Alright," he said, turning to the rescued students. "We're forming a group to gather supplies and secure the school. If you're willing to help, come with us. If not, stay here and barricade the door."

The students exchanged uneasy glances, but a few stepped forward, their faces determined. "We'll help," the tall boy said. "We're not just going to sit around and wait to die."

Taesoo nodded, a small flicker of respect in his eyes. "Good. Let's move."

As the group prepared to leave, Hyejin approached Taesoo, her expression serious. "We still need to find me a proper weapon. And we need to figure out what Jihoon's deal is. Something about this doesn't sit right with me."

Taesoo agreed. "We'll find answers. But first, we need to make sure everyone stays alive."