34. Daily Life. (1)

I swung my sword to release the blood.

Splat!

The long, red line on the road gradually spread, reflecting the summer afternoon sun.

I glanced behind me.

The medium-sized supermarket, filled with hundreds of corpses, was now empty after almost two days of clearing.

My current level is 23.

Strength, 68.

I sheathed my sword and walked down the road.

The sunlight is either good or scorching, depending on how you look at it.

It’s hot.

I took out my phone and called Special Forces Leader Sung Gyu-hyuk.

“Yes, Seong-hun.”

“How’s the rescue operation going?”

A slight sigh could be heard from the other end of the line.

“Too many people have starved to death. But we’re rescuing those who are still alive. How about your side, Seong-hun?”

I nodded and said,

“I’ll need quite a few people to help clear the bodies.”

“Have you finished clearing it?”

Sung Gyu-hyuk’s voice sounded quite relieved.

As the number of survivors at the motel increases, so does the food consumption. The supplies from one convenience store won’t last more than a week.

By now, the food must be disappearing in large quantities every day.

I smiled and said,

“Yes. It’s empty now. We just need to go in and take what we need.”

“Great job. Really. The President even said he would go out himself to secure supplies if needed. I think everyone who can move will be going out.”

“That’s good to hear.”

If the President is willing to roll up his sleeves, others will follow.

I asked,

“Is the Special Forces team focusing on rescue operations?”

“Yes. The longer we delay, the more people who could have been saved will die. It’s better for trained people to handle external operations in case of emergencies.”

I nodded.

“Right. I understand.”

“What are your plans now, Seong-hun?”

Hmm.

If I delay any longer, So-hyeon will get upset.

I chuckled.

“I need to head back. Leaving the place unattended for too long makes our people anxious.”

“I see… That’s a shame. It would be great if you could stay and help us more.”

Yes.

That’s honestly what I want too.

When the zombie wave hit the city, people were anxious, but I felt quite at ease.

I didn’t have to run around to level up.

Experience points came to me on their own. Why wouldn’t that be convenient?

In that sense, this place is almost a perfect hunting ground for me.

The small-scale zombie waves caused by the frequent use of light aircraft and helicopters have filled the stores with zombies, making them like well-prepared meals for me.

I thought the zombie wave that swept through my city would have restored some of my experience points, but honestly, it can’t compare to this.

The stores are so packed with zombies that it’s a waste to pass by them.

I would prefer to sleep at home and hunt here.

However, without a car, and even if I had one, the roads are blocked, and the noise would attract more zombies, making commuting difficult.

Why did it have to be Banpo?

It’s frustratingly far.

Then, something caught my eye.

On the sidewalk.

Dark, hardened bloodstains, undoubtedly from after the apocalypse.

A bicycle lay on top of the stains.

“Hmm.”

…A bicycle?

“Yes, Seong-hun. Did you say something?”

“Ah, yes.”

I smiled.

“I also want to help with the rescue operations.”

Actually, I’m not really interested in that.

If I cared about rescuing people, I would have done it in my city. There would have been no need to come here.

I just added a spoon to what these people are trying to do. My real interests have always been acquiring weapons and leveling up.

I said,

“I’ll commute from now on.”

“Commute? Isn’t it too far?”

I smiled and walked toward the bicycle.

It was awkwardly lying between the sidewalk and the road, and a real estate office with A4 papers plastered on the door was across the street, so the zombies inside couldn’t see me.

I carefully lifted the bicycle.

It’s sleek.

The wheels are large.

It must have been ridden by someone athletic or tall.

A kickboard was also visible across the street.

…Hmm.

A kickboard?

I shrugged and pushed the bicycle onto the road.

While a kickboard would be good, I might as well use the bicycle for exercise.

Physical fitness is important.

Even with skill support, stamina is still required for sword and bow use, and the kill count increases with each level up, so there’s no reason not to train.

I got on the bicycle and said,

“I’ll use it for exercise. Don’t worry about that, and Gyu-hyuk, focus on the rescue operations.”

Ah.

It fits me perfectly.

The upper body leans forward.

I haven’t ridden a bicycle in a while.

Special Forces Leader Sung Gyu-hyuk said,

“Understood. I’ll let Ga-yeon know to set aside your share.”

My share.

Weapons. Of course, they should be set aside.

I smiled.

“Thank you.”

“Are you leaving now?”

“Yes. I’ll come back after picking up my share. See you tomorrow.”

“Great job. See you tomorrow.”

Hmm.

Unexpectedly, I’ve ended up with a job.

I chuckled, put my phone in my pocket, and started riding the bicycle.

Summer afternoon.

The warm wind swept through my hair.

When I returned to the motel, people were gathered in the lobby.

The President, Secretary-General, Sung Ga-yeon, colonels, sergeants, and other civilians.

They greeted me with bright faces.

President Min Jeong-woo approached and shook my hand.

“I heard from our Special Forces Leader. You plan to commute from your place. It must be tiring, but are you okay with that?”

I smiled.

“I’m fine. Our people get anxious if I’m away for too long. I need to go back.”

President Min Jeong-woo looked disappointed.

“I see… Are the people on your side comfortable? Is there anything they need?”

Hmm.

He’s hinting at moving in, but our large supermarket building.

We’ve reinforced it over a long period, making it almost a fortress. I can’t just leave it and move here.

It’s just a motel, after all.

I smiled.

“Yes, they’re doing fine.”

Drop the hint about moving in.

“By the way, don’t you think we need a new place to stay soon?”

I said this and looked over the President’s shoulder. A young man and woman, who seemed to have recovered enough to move, were visible.

They must still be lying down, along with others who were rescued.

The rooms are running out.

Secretary-General Ahn Jun-gyu approached.

“Yes, I was about to discuss this with you, Seong-hun.”

I shook my head.

“I’m just here to help. If you select a candidate location, I’ll help clear it.”

This is a way of drawing a line.

We’re not in the same group.

Handle your own affairs.

I’m here to level up.

I’ll help out if there’s something to do in the process.

The President and Secretary-General’s expressions changed slightly.

They’re both politicians and quickly understood my intentions.

Sergeant Song Gyu-tae approached and said,

“We do have a candidate location. What if we barricade the entire Seo-rae block and secure the whole area?”

Hmm.

The entire area?

Not bad, actually.

And one thing I realized is that Sergeant Song Gyu-tae is not a politician at all.

.

He’s consulting with someone who has clearly drawn a line and doesn’t want to get deeply involved in their group.

He’s just a diligent soldier and mechanic.

I smiled but didn’t answer.

President Min Jeong-woo smiled kindly and said,

“Sergeant Song. Let’s discuss that later.”

Hmm. The President is perceptive.

President Min Jeong-woo turned to me and said,

“If the commute is too tiring, we’ll keep a room available for you. You’ve done a great job these past few days.”

“It’s nothing.”

Sung Ga-yeon limped over.

Captain Park and Captain Kim each held a duffel bag.

Sung Ga-yeon said,

“Good job. We’ll see you again, right?”

“Yes, probably every day.”

“I hope so.”

She extended her hand to me.

I shook hands with Sung Ga-yeon.

Captain Park and Captain Kim handed me two duffel bags.

“You brought a lot of weapons, but you can’t carry them all. Here are two for now, and we’ll give you more each time you come.”

They’re quite polite, unlike during our beer session.

I nodded and slung the two duffel bags over my shoulder.

President Min Jeong-woo said,

“We wouldn’t have been able to get these weapons without you. Let’s use them together whenever needed.”

Secretary-General Ahn Jun-gyu added,

“You should join us for the Pyeongtaek mission, right?”

Hmm.

Pyeongtaek can’t be missed.

I nodded.

“Of course. When do you plan to go?”

Secretary-General Ahn Jun-gyu said,

“I’m not sure. We need to discuss it with our Special Forces members, but I think it’s better to stabilize our area first.”

President Min Jeong-woo nodded.

“That’s right. Rescuing people here is the priority. Seong-hun, although I can’t save the entire country, I genuinely want to save as many people as possible within my reach.”

Hmm.

He wants to save people.

Quite consistent, President.

Secretary-General Ahn Jun-gyu said,

“That’s why we’ve decided not to launch light aircraft or helicopters for now, to focus on rescue operations.”

I nodded.

“Understood. Let me know when the candidate location is decided.”

President Min Jeong-woo finally released my hand.

“Seong-hun, thank you again. Please come back tomorrow.”

I bowed to everyone and left the motel.

Hmm.

Sung Ga-yeon’s waving hand lingers in my mind.

She’s a tall and beautiful woman with a model-like figure…

I shook my head and got on the bicycle.

I really am something.

Time to go back.

To my women, to my people.

I chuckled and pedaled away.