In "Duty After School" episode 4, titled "To Become The Villain," the students' plight takes a dramatic turn as they navigate the treacherous landscape of an alien invasion. The episode opens with a caravan of trucks on an open road, a symbol of hope for the students as they seek refuge at a designated shelter. However, the journey is far from smooth, as the harsh reality of their situation sets in.
The first truck, carrying a group of students, encounters a devastating accident when a sphere infiltrates and kills the soldier driving. The students are forced to evacuate, tending to the injured So-yeon and the overly-dramatic Soon-Yi, who insists on the severity of her minor scratch. With dwindling ammunition and no immediate rescue in sight, tensions rise as the group debates their next move.
Young-Shin, taking charge, consults the map and reveals that the shelter is a daunting 20 km away—a distance deemed too far to travel given their condition. The group agrees to seek a nearby shelter, leaving a trail for potential rescuers. The decision to split the group, however, sparks a heated argument, highlighting the growing divide among the students.
Meanwhile, the second truck, carrying Lieutenant Lee and the rest of the students, arrives at the shelter to find it a somber site of collected bodies. Their relief at finding safety is short-lived as they realize the first truck has not yet arrived. The wait in the tent is filled with anxiety and fear for their fellow students' fate.
Lieutenant Lee's plea to his superior to mount a rescue mission is denied, but with Kim Won-bin's help, he manages to secure a vehicle to search for the stranded students. The decision to leave is not without its consequences, as Kim Won-bin remains behind, facing potential repercussions.
The stranded group, led by Young-Shin, finds an abandoned house and seeks shelter. They ransack the place for food and medical supplies, treating So-yeon's infected wound with limited resources. The discovery of liquid nitrogen by Hee-rak goes unnoticed, and a truck in the garage remains useless due to a lack of driving skills.
The tension escalates when Joon-Hee, finding a packet of ramen, decides to hide it for her own consumption. Her selfish act is soon forgotten when she encounters a sphere, prompting a frantic rush back to the house. The students, realizing the sphere's cunning nature and sensitivity to sound, devise a plan to outsmart it.
As night falls, So-yeon's condition worsens, and Chi-Yeol takes it upon himself to distract the sphere, allowing the group to move to the garage. Young-Shin's plan to trick the sphere by playing a movie on the TV works momentarily, but the creature soon realizes the ruse and attacks.
In a moment of desperation, the group locks themselves in the garage, searching for the keys to the truck. The ensuing chaos results in the keys being thrown out of reach, and the sphere threatening to break in. The group faces a heart-wrenching decision: one must stay behind to distract the sphere while the others escape.
The responsibility initially falls on Hee-rak, but Jang-soo selflessly volunteers to take his place, ensuring the group's survival. His selfless act is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for bravery in the face of insurmountable odds.
The episode concludes with Jang-soo's heartfelt video message to his parents, a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices made in the midst of chaos. His wisdom, imparted by his father, resonates with the viewers, encapsulating the essence of what it means to be a hero.
"Sacrifice and Survival" is a gripping narrative that explores the depths of human resilience and the difficult choices that come with survival. It is a story of selflessness, courage, and the unbreakable bonds formed under the most trying circumstances. The episode leaves viewers with a profound sense of admiration for the characters who, despite their fear and uncertainty, rise to the occasion to protect one another.