In The Flesh | Yoonmin

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× Church ×

"If you drug a wolf, it does not
stop being a wolf. It’s docile for
a while. And when the drugs wear
off... IT TEARS YOU LIMB FROM LIMB! That is the nature of the beast. To maim, to kill, to devour."

× Out of the church ×

A taxi pulls up. The passenger door opens and Jung Hoseok, an attractive, well put together young man in “countryside wear” steps out. Pinned to his coat is a badge with a red “V” on a white background. Hoseok also has a small wheelie case with him. He looks quite out of place in the rural
surroundings. However the expression on his face tells us that he's excited and a little bit nervous to be here. Hoseok takes a deep breath of the countryside air and walks towards the barn.

× Back to church ×

"You cannot “medicate” evil. You
cannot “chemically control” the
Wicked.", continues the vicar, mocking the concepts.

Hoseok enters.

"The first risen are demons in
disguise. Agents of Satan bent on
pure destruction. And they MUST be judged. Every single one of them!
IT IS YOUR GOD GIVEN DUTY. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!"

Hoseok looks at the congregation, expecting to see most of the village, a multitude, ready for the great battle:
What he discovers is that the vicar is preaching to an almost empty church. Only about half a dozen, past their prime parishioners, including Kim Namjoon, in attendance. Oh yeah and Hoseok. Who is looking at all this perplexed - ‘Where is everyone?’.

"The blessed resurrection is doomed until the judgement of the damned is complete. YET YOUR NEIGHBOURS IDLE IN IGNORANCE, FRATERNISING WITH THE FIENDS. MAY THE LORD HAVE MERCY ON THEIR SOULS. AMEN!"

"Amen.", mumble the parishioners.

The Vicar has a red face, he's out of breath, blood pressure through the roof. He looks close to a stroke. He takes out a whiskey flask and downs some sweet liquor.

× Still in the church ×

The vicar stands going through the motions of saying goodbye to the last few parishioners. Hoseok steps up.

"Vicar Oddie?"

"Yes?"

"Hello, I’m Jung Hoseok."

Vicar Oddie looks at him, smiling but his eyes say - ‘And...’

"The MP for Roarton Valley. Newly
elected.", continues Hoseok.

Vicar Oddie looks to Namjoon, who nods.

"Another one.", says the vicar.

"I’m here because of recent tragic events. Kenneth Burton. He was from Roarton, wasn’t he?"

"He was once."

"I hope his murder hasn’t hit the
community too hard."

"We’re a resilient people, Mister..."

"Jung. Of course you are, Vicar.
But, as a mark of respect, I’d like
to convey my sympathies to the
village.

"You could have paid your respects just now, but I’m afraid the
service has ended."

"I was actually hoping to speak to
more than just a few of the diehard
faithful. Where’s all the rest of
your flock got to? "

× Bar ×

All evidence of this being the Human Volunteer Force’s HQ is almost gone. No photographs or posters adorn the walls. There’s white spaces where the various posters and flag used to be.
Next to the bar’s dishwasher is a box of HVF paraphernalia stored away. The dishwasher dings. It’s opened and someone takes out a tray of cleaned pint glasses. Jimin is  emptying the dishwasher and putting away the glasses.