"Virus Dawn"

The next day brought even more tension as the situation escalated. In Busan, reports confirmed that almost the entire population had succumbed to infection due to widespread negligence. This alarming news sent waves of fear rippling through the police force. The gravity of the situation was undeniable, and the weight of responsibility was palpable among everyone.

Breaking the heavy silence in the room, Darian finally spoke up, his voice tinged with worry. "What about our parents? Have they made it to the shelter, or are they staying behind?"

Baek In Yul glanced at him, his expression solemn. "We've tried to establish communication, but the lines to the affected areas are down. All we can do is trust they've made it to safety. We'll keep trying to get more information."

As the team absorbed Baek In Yul's response, Kang Ji Woon entered the room with a determined stride. His tone was sharp yet encouraging as he addressed them. "Listen up. We're getting reinforcements. Agents from multiple departments, including narcotics, are joining us in the fight against this virus. We're not alone in this anymore."

The news of reinforcements briefly lifted the spirits of the team. Those who had been resting after their intense training found themselves smiling, even if only for a moment. Yet, in the midst of this fleeting relief, the conversation shifted back to a pressing topic that refused to leave their minds.

Ji Hoon leaned against the wall, his expression serious. "Kian... What are we going to do about him? His actions keep putting everyone at risk. He's unpredictable and dangerous."

Aria, who had been quiet, finally spoke. "We can't ignore his influence over others. If he keeps spreading fear and chaos, it will be harder for us to maintain control. We need to confront him, but carefully."

Baek In Yul nodded in agreement. "Kian is a threat we can't underestimate. But right now, our focus has to be on containing the infection and protecting the survivors. Once reinforcements arrive, we'll reassess the situation and plan accordingly."

The group exchanged determined glances, their shared resolve strengthening despite the uncertainty ahead. The weight of their mission hung heavy, but they knew there was no turning back.

Meanwhile, outside, the infected continued to spread. Busan was on the brink of collapse, and time was running out.

The teams were assigned to different training areas to hone their specific skills, each designed to enhance their survival and combat capabilities. The atmosphere was tense, with everyone feeling the weight of their responsibilities as they prepared for the looming threats.

Team 3:

Min Joon

Jiwoo

Jinho

Soren

Their training focused on marksmanship, an essential skill for long-range combat. They were taken to an open field turned into a makeshift shooting range, where they practiced precision aiming under various conditions. Instructors placed obstacles and moving targets to simulate real-life scenarios.

Min Joon, ever competitive, excelled in accuracy but kept challenging the others, urging them to step up. Jiwoo focused silently, her determination evident in her steady hands. Soren struggled initially but improved with tips from Jinho, who was surprisingly patient and supportive.

Team 1:

Jae Hyun

Daesung

Haera

Ji Hoon

Aria

Their task was melee combat, focusing on mastering swords and knives. The team trained in a forested area where agility and awareness were crucial. Jae Hyun led the group with swift, confident strikes, his experience in martial arts shining through.

Daesung grumbled about the difficulty of handling a blade but eventually found his rhythm, especially under Haera's calm guidance. Ji Hoon moved methodically, his precision mirroring his shooting skills, while Aria adapted quickly, showcasing her agility and sharp reflexes.

Team 2:

Taejin

Yumi

Seok Woo

Darian

Haeun

Their focus was speed and endurance, participating in high-intensity sprint drills and obstacle courses. The training emphasized moving swiftly through dangerous environments while carrying supplies or weapons.

Taejin set the pace, his competitive nature pushing the team to keep up. Yumi struggled at first but showed remarkable improvement, her determination impressing everyone. Seok Woo maintained a steady performance, while Darian encouraged Haeun, who was hesitant about the grueling drills but gradually gained confidence.

As the day progressed, the teams regrouped during breaks, sharing stories of their progress and challenges. The harsh training tested their limits but also began forging stronger bonds. However, the looming fear of the infection spreading drove them to push harder, knowing their survival depended on mastering these skills.

Kang Ji Woon, observing from a distance, nodded approvingly. "They're improving," he muttered to Baek In Yul.

Baek In Yul crossed his arms. "They have to. The infected won't wait for us to be ready."

Unbeknownst to the teams, their next mission was already in the works, and it would demand every ounce of strength and skill they had gained from this training.

As the training continued, small moments of levity emerged amid the tension. In Team 2, Haeun, despite her initial hesitation, was beginning to gain confidence with the sprint drills. However, during one particularly challenging exercise, she tripped over an obstacle, causing the team to pause and check on her.

With a sheepish smile, Haeun stood up, brushing herself off. "I guess I need more practice," she said, laughing off the fall.

Taejin, who had been encouraging her, chuckled. "You're doing better than you think. Just keep pushing."

Yumi smiled, offering Haeun a hand, and the rest of the team shared a brief moment of lightness before getting back to their drills.

Meanwhile, Team 1, though focused, was anything but calm. Jae Hyun couldn't resist teasing Aria every chance he got. He would occasionally make faces or throw offhand comments, which only served to irritate her more. Aria's frustration grew, and soon she couldn't hold back her exasperation.

"Jae Hyun, will you cut it out?!" she snapped, wiping sweat from her forehead as Jae Hyun grinned at her from across the clearing.

Ji Hoon, normally the composed one, couldn't help but smirk at the situation. "You're getting under her skin, Jae Hyun," he said, still focused on his stance with the sword.

Daesung, who had been fighting with Ji Hoon earlier over their training techniques, interrupted, "Both of you stop. This isn't a time for bickering!"

The tension between Ji Hoon and Daesung, however, only intensified, and soon their arguing escalated again. Haera, usually the calm and collected member of the team, was barely paying attention to the ruckus around her, keeping her focus on the task at hand.

Kang Ji Woon, who had been observing from a distance, grew frustrated with the noise. He stormed over, his voice booming, "Jae Hyun, stop teasing Aria! And Ji Hoon, Daesung—enough! You're not children, so act like it! Understood?!"

The team immediately fell silent, sensing the authority in Kang Ji Woon's voice. Jae Hyun's grin faltered as he nodded, "Understood, sir."

Meanwhile, in Team 3, Min Joon and Soren were starting to show signs of frustration as they observed Jinho and Jiwoo. Both were incredibly serious about their training, taking every shot with intense concentration. It was clear they were determined to perform perfectly, but the atmosphere was starting to feel a bit too tense for Min Joon and Soren's liking.

Min Joon leaned over to Soren, speaking quietly, "Do you think they'll ever lighten up?"

Soren glanced at Jinho and Jiwoo, who were focused on the target, then back at Min Joon. "I don't know, but if they keep this up, they'll probably tire themselves out before the real action begins."

Min Joon chuckled, shaking his head. "Maybe we should give them a little distraction. A friendly challenge, perhaps?"

Soren raised an eyebrow, his expression half-amused. "We'll see. But right now, we need to be just as focused."

Despite the lighter moments, the tension never fully dissipated. Each team, while navigating their own quirks and conflicts, knew the real challenges were still ahead. With reinforcements on the way and the infection continuing to spread, their training would soon be put to the ultimate test.

As the final drill ended, the air was thick with exhaustion and a sense of anticipation. The teams gathered together, their faces flushed from the physical exertion. They exchanged brief words and light banter, but their thoughts remained heavy, clouded by the looming threat that still hung over them. They knew that despite the grueling training, it was only a matter of time before they were thrust into the chaos they were preparing for.

Suddenly, the sound of a helicopter's blades cutting through the air broke the tension. The team members turned in unison to watch the helicopter descend, its rotors kicking up dust as it landed on the open field ahead.

Kang Ji Woon, who had been standing at the edge, immediately stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Reinforcements," he muttered under his breath, signaling to Baek In Yul and the others to approach.

The helicopter touched down with a heavy thud, the wind from its rotors swirling around them. As the door opened, a group of well-equipped agents, clad in tactical gear, emerged. They were from various divisions, including specialists from the narcotics unit, all ready for the mission ahead.

Among them was an imposing figure, Agent Min Seok, the head of the narcotics division, who strode forward with confidence. His face was stern, and his posture suggested years of experience in high-stakes operations.

Baek In Yul approached him first, extending a hand in greeting. "Agent Min Seok, welcome. We're glad to have you with us."

Min Seok shook his hand firmly. "The pleasure's mine, Commander. We've been briefed on the situation. We'll do whatever it takes to help contain this outbreak."

Kang Ji Woon stepped up next, his sharp gaze assessing the new arrivals. "We need to move quickly," he said, his voice steady. "The infection is spreading faster than we anticipated. We've trained our teams, but we'll need everyone on their toes."

Min Seok nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Our team's ready. We'll work together to fight this—no matter the cost."

As the new agents began unloading equipment from the helicopter, Ji Hoon, Jae Hyun, and the others exchanged glances, their previous tension momentarily forgotten. The sight of the reinforcements brought a flicker of hope, but it was quickly overshadowed by the realization that the real battle was still ahead.

Daesung cracked a small smile as he looked at his teammates. "Looks like it's really happening," he said, adjusting the gear strapped to his side.

Ji Hoon nodded, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a rare hint of determination. "Time to put everything we've learned into action."

Haera, standing silently with Aria beside her, gave a slight nod of approval. "We're ready."

Taejin, Yumi, Seok Woo, Darian, and Haeun gathered in a huddle, all eyeing the new arrivals with a mixture of curiosity and resolve. "Let's show them what we're made of," Taejin said, his competitive spirit flaring.

Soren and Min Joon exchanged a quiet word, both understanding that this was no longer just a training exercise. It was real. It was war.

With their teams now complete and their resources bolstered by the reinforcements, the group stood tall, the weight of their mission clear on their shoulders. The helicopter's roar slowly faded, leaving behind a chilling silence.

The next phase of their journey was about to begin.

During lunch, while the rest of the team engaged in light conversation, Jae Hyun's mood shifted dramatically. The usual cheer and camaraderie around him seemed to fade away as he stared down at his untouched meal. His mind was racing, burdened with the weight of everything going on. He couldn't shake the thoughts of the impending danger, the infection, and the fact that they were all at the frontlines.

Noticing Jae Hyun's distracted state, Kang Ji Woon approached him with a concerned expression. "You need to eat, Jae Hyun," he said firmly, placing a plate of food in front of him.

Jae Hyun sighed and pushed the food away. "I'm not hungry, Ji Woon," he muttered.

Kang Ji Woon, not taking no for an answer, nudged the plate back toward him. "You need your strength. If you don't eat, Eun Seul will be mad at me for not making sure you're taking care of yourself."

Jae Hyun gave him a tired smile, despite the frustration bubbling inside. "This is so annoying," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Seems like you're really concerned about me. Is it because I'm your brother-in-law?"

Ji Woon paused, then gave a playful grin. "You guessed it," he teased. "But seriously, you know how Eun Seul is. She'd have my head if I let you starve."

Jae Hyun shook his head, his smile fading into something more serious. "When will we get rid of all this… Necroflora?" His voice was low, laced with frustration and desperation. "How much longer until this nightmare ends?"

Ji Woon's smile disappeared as he took a step back, his expression hardening with the gravity of the question. "We don't know," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. "But we're going to fight it, and we'll do everything we can to stop it. It's not over yet, Jae Hyun."

Jae Hyun nodded slowly, still not convinced, but he appreciated the reassurance. It wasn't much, but it was something to hold on to. As much as he hated it, he knew they had no choice but to continue pushing forward.