Regressing Through the Apocalypse with the Third Male Lead-Chapter 27 Take off (2)

December 19, 2025

Thursday

3:10 PM

METRO MANILA

***

The whole city of Manila was now visible from the air. The destruction was undeniable—damaged buildings stood in ruins, crashed cars clogged the streets, and zombies wandered aimlessly in nearly every direction.

It was chaotic everywhere.

Everyone’s gaze fell upon the devastated city. The same city that had once been alive with energy, where they had been busy thriving, now lay in shambles. Their hearts grew heavier as the tragedy that had befallen the world sank in once more.

Their lives would never be the same again.

there’s no return to the once normal life—it’s all gone.

"We’re pretty lucky, surviving alongside the main protagonist." Nudging Monica’s arm as Gwenette spoke.

"You’re right." Monica chuckled at Gwenette’s words, amused "Though, I wouldn’t mind being the protagonist myself." She added, jokingly.

"A regressor? We wouldn’t stand a chance against that setup. If this were a book, Freyah would definitely be the main character." Gwenette laughed as she claimed, looking back at the plane’s window.

"That’s true." Monica agreed, laughing along with her. "Then our roles could just be the best supporting characters for our dear MC." She declared laughing softly.

"We can settle for that." Gwenette agreed. "Let’s not be annoying supporting characters and survive until the end with Freyah and everyone."

"Deal!" Both exclaimed,

The two of them performed their signature bestie handshake—side-by-side dap, followed by an up-and-down fist pump, then a frontal fist bump, and finally, a frontal dap before linking their pinkies together.

Then the two of them fell into the city that was getting smaller. Gwenette and Monica fell into their own thoughts of Freyah.

"But about Freyah..." Gwenette paused. Taking a moment to continue.

"What about her?" Monica looked at Gwenette, waiting for her to continue as Gwenette’s gazes still fixed, watching in silence as the city grew smaller in the distance. Lost in thought, Gwenette and Monica found themselves reflecting on Freyah.

"But about Freyah..." Gwenette hesitated. Speaking again.

"What is it?" Monica asked patiently.

Taking deep breaths before smiling and shrugging, "Nothing. I just wish I were as strong as her," Gwenette lied.

"That’s not just a mere wish but something that we must really achieve to be a dependable supporting character." Monica said.

"Yes," Gwenette nodded her head. But what she truly wanted to say was that she couldn’t shake the memory of Freyah’s reaction earlier when Cherellyn spoke to her.

"Ah, you’re right. How careless of me. I’ll keep your advice in mind."

Freyah had said those words with an icy expression, her eyes glowing red. In that moment, Gwenette had felt a flicker of fear. If Florence hadn’t broken the tension, the atmosphere might have grown unbearable.

Somehow, she’s been observing Freyah a lot lately. Yes, she’s different now than before, but again she’s still Freyah no matter what, it was probably due to everything tragic she experienced in the past-future she came from.

She quickly shook the thoughts from her mind. No, it’s wrong to think that way. How can I be a good supporting character if I fear our panda?

Monica sighed, noticing Gwenette’s troubled expression.

"Don’t worry. That lazy panda would never harm us. Heck, since she’s a Regressor, she’d probably sacrifice herself for our sake." Reassuring her best friend. Monica clenched her fist and suddenly punched the seat in front of her, startling Gwenette.

"It’s honestly frustrating and annoying," she muttered. "That’s why we need to do our best to lighten the burden she’s carrying." She muttered, frustrated as Gwenette sighs and can’t do anything but to agree.

"You’re right."

Gwenette murmured, only making them both feel helpless at their situation.

***

Freyah took a deep breath as her eyes landed in the ruined city. Nightmares from the time she had spent far too long there echoed in her mind, bringing a dull ache to her head.

’It’s alright. Everything is changing. One step at a time’ calming herself down. And I can see my family now too.’

Florence gazed at the devastated city. During his conquest to defeat the Demon Lord, he had witnessed countless cities and villages reduced to ruins by demons, monsters and bandit attacks.

It was never an easy sight to bear. But just like before, they had to keep moving forward—only then could they shape the future they longed for.

He stole a sideways glance at Freyah. Just as he expected, a sad and lonely expression clouded her face. He knew that whatever she had experienced in this city was forever etched in her mind and soul.

"Mom! mom!"

"Be strong. Survive. Reach for your happiness, Florence..."

A faint smile crossed Florence’s lips as he shifted his gaze forward. After all, tragedy was something forever etched in one’s memory.

With this, I just have to make sure you survive and find your happiness—just as I was saved before.

***

Harley woke up and slowly rose from his seat.

"You’re awake," Tatay Timothy said. He was seated next to Harley, keeping watch over him in the business class section.

Harley simply nodded. Then, his gaze shifted to the window, where the devastated city stretched out below. A faint smile crossed his lips.

"I’ve never been on a plane before. My ears hurt."

Tatay Timothy chuckled at his words, then reached for a piece of gum. "This will help ease the pressure in your ears."

"Thank you, sir."

"Just call me Tatay or Lolo."

"Ah... yes."

Harley unwrapped the gum, and as he began chewing, the dull ache in his ears gradually faded. He remained silent, watching as the city below grew smaller with each passing moment.

’Thank you for everything, Aunt Carla.’

***

Down below, survivors still hiding in the city looked up at the departing airplane. Their eyes quiver of helplessness

"That... is that a plane taking off?" They all looked up following the plane as it flew higher taking their hopes.

A particular group of ten people, all of different ages, had been roaming the streets when they spotted it.

"We’re too late..." one of them murmured. Panic started to stir.

"What should we do now?" another asked.

"We keep going," a young adult man replied firmly. "If they managed to leave the city, that means we can too." Trying to reassure the others. After all they must keep sane to keep moving forward

"You mean... fly a plane?" someone scoffed.

"But does someone else know how to fly around here and where we will go?"

"I flew planes in video games. And rather than the city, it’s much preferable to go to provinces especially soon when food starts to decline."

"Hahaha! Well, how hard could it be to fly a plane? I’ll be your copilot then. Let’s go to my province in Davao. That place is always covered by the military so that area might be safe."

"But it is not posted in that post. The one who posted should not only post things around Luzon."

"Then should we just go there, to the safe places mentioned in the post?"

"Not really. If a lot of people would come to those places, soon there would be more problems with supplies. It is much better to create a different fortress that we can control."

"As expected of the leader! Then to Davao!"

***

"Paula, are you sure about this? Thousands of knives fell on her—how can she still be alive?" Simeon asked, his gaze fixed on her.

"A skill," Rudy, the sniper, replied. "And probably an annoying one."

"Well, she’s the one destined to destroy the world. Of course, it won’t be easy," Grace added.

"Do we really have to kill her, just like you said, Paula?"

Paula lifted her head. "Chief... yes. You know my skill allows me to see the future. And the future I saw—was her destroying the world."

"Kill her. Kill Freyah Lima."

"She will destroy the world."

But it was a lie. The voice in her mind had been speaking more frequently now, whispering its demands.

"To think we have to eliminate a fellow human instead of just focusing on the real monsters," their Chief muttered.

"We’re nearing the airport, Dad!"

Everyone paused. A departing plane soared across the sky.

"It seems we’re too late. They’re already leaving," Grace observed.

"This can’t be... this can’t be," Paula whispered, her eyes widening as she watched the plane. The van screeched to a halt.

"I can handle it. I can shoot it from this distance," Rudy said, adjusting his sniper.

"And what do you think you’re doing? Freyah Lima might not be the only one on that plane," their Chief warned. "If we involve innocent lives, then we’re no different from the monsters that caused all of this."

Paula bit her thumbnail. Fool... a small sacrifice like that is nothing if it means getting rid of her. But she forced a smile onto her lips.

"The Chief is right. We shouldn’t endanger innocent lives. We still have plenty of time. Let’s just find out where that plane is headed."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢