42. Back to Routine. (3)

Nuclear power plant.

Later, we’ll need to secure water and a flour mill, but the most urgent thing to secure right now is the power plant.

President Min Jeong-woo said:

“I just spoke with our special forces commander, and we all agree that we’d like you, Seong Hoon, to lead the operation. I feel bad asking you to put yourself in danger, but…”

I chuckled.

“Don’t worry about me. There’s nothing more important than the power plant right now. We must secure it. When is the operation?”

President Min Jeong-woo looked relieved as he gazed at me.

“You are the key to this operation. I’d like it to happen as soon as possible, but when would be convenient for you?”

I smiled and looked at the team members.

Everyone seems ready, right?

“I’m good whenever.”

Special forces member Seong Gyu-hyuk shook his head and said:

“A few of my men are with the doctor at your area right now.”

Ah.

The doctor.

…Seong Ga-yeon, that woman, wanted to meet my girlfriend, didn’t she?

Ugh, this is a bit awkward.

I laughed and asked:

“What if we leave Seong Ga-yeon behind?”

The usually expressionless face of Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk briefly showed a strange smile.

“I wouldn’t recommend angering a special forces member with a gun.”

President Min Jeong-woo laughed at this.

…I have no response.

I nodded and said to President Min Jeong-woo:

“Let’s go early tomorrow morning. I’ll be there by seven.”

“Alright.”

President Min Jeong-woo finally released my hand.

“Thanks to you, we can all live safely. Please take care and don’t get hurt.”

I smiled and shrugged.

“I can’t promise I won’t get hurt, but I’ll make sure the operation is a success, so don’t worry.”

President Min Jeong-woo nodded without a word, looking at me.

“See you tomorrow.”

I patted Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk’s shoulder and left Seoraevillage.

I returned to the large mart building, dismounted from Dalgaram, and dismissed it.

I heard a voice of admiration.

Looking up, I saw Han-tae on the second floor, munching on something and looking out the window at me.

“Bro, that’s amazing. I’m really jealous. How do you do that?”

I have no intention of explaining.

I chuckled and asked:

“Open the door.”

After a moment, the shutter door rolled up with a creak.

I laughed as I watched Han-tae munching.

“What are you eating?”

“I tried making some donuts. I wanted to add icing, but I just used strawberry jam and sugar. My sisters and the guys said they’re delicious. Do you want some, Seong Hoon?”

He handed me a black plastic bag.

The donuts were sticky with strawberry jam and sugar.

Individually wrapped donuts are a luxury these days.

“Are they really good?”

“Yep.”

He stuffed a donut into his mouth.

I wiped my hands on my clothes and took a sticky donut, biting into it.

The rich flavor and sweet strawberry scent filled my mouth as I chewed.

These are delicious.

I mumbled:

“Do you have more?”

“Yep.”

“Then, bring a few to Ye-eun’s room. We’ll have this for dinner tonight.”

Han-tae raised his sticky thumb at me.

I did the same.

It’s a bit awkward to be standing there with sticky thumbs up, but Han-tae’s continuous baking has ensured we have a steady supply of delicious food.

I nodded and walked to the elevator, munching on the donut.

Ding-

The elevator arrived.

Oh, good…

Exiting the elevator were the gynecologist, two special forces members, the newly arrived women from the 9th floor, and Seong Ga-yeon.

Seong Ga-yeon glared at me the moment she saw me.

I stood there, eyes wide, slowly chewing the donut and looking at Seong Ga-yeon.

…She must have overheard something.

What did she hear?

The gynecologist approached me and asked:

“Is my hospital safe now?”

I nodded with a mouth full of donut.

The gynecologist looked at the women with a sympathetic expression and said:

“It’s good to hear it’s safe. I want to take these women with me. Is that alright?”

…The hospital.

…She’s taking the women there.

…To perform surgery.

I looked at the women.

Their faces showed a mix of sadness, anger, and other emotions.

I slowly nodded.

“Please take good care of them.”

I said this while pushing the donut into my cheek.

The gynecologist nodded at me and gestured to the special forces members and the women.

The two special forces members gave me a light bow and escorted the women, following the gynecologist out.

Then, Seong Ga-yeon approached me.

…Here she comes.

I immediately stuffed the donut into my mouth.

My cheeks puffed up like a pufferfish.

Seong Ga-yeon glared at me and said:

“Greedy!”

“Mmm, up.”

I don’t understand Korean.

I covered my mouth and cheeks, shaking my head to indicate that I didn’t understand and couldn’t speak.

Seong Ga-yeon glanced at the departing group and then glared at me.

“Three? Three of them? Greedy!”

There are actually four, including So-hyeon, Ye-eun, Eun-seo, and the unknown woman, but I won’t correct her.

I rolled my eyes and made a gesture indicating I didn’t understand, while chewing.

“Mmm, oh.”

“Ugh!”

Seong Ga-yeon grabbed my cheek and squeezed it.

They’re not fake, you know.

You’ll regret this.

My lips parted, and the contents of my mouth flew out.

Seong Ga-yeon jumped back in shock.

“Ew! That’s so gross, really.”

Seong Ga-yeon stepped back, glaring at me, and then sighed.

She shook her head and glared at me.

“Greedy! You’ll get what you deserve, really.”

What do you want me to do?

It’s the apocalypse.

Monogamy is now a thing of legend.

Future generations might hear that such a system once existed.

If there are future generations, that is.

I expressed my protest by putting the spilled contents back into my mouth, chewing, and shrugging my shoulders.

Seong Ga-yeon, understanding my gesture or not, turned and ran after the special forces members.

She’s quite attractive when she’s angry.

…I’m still me, even in this situation.

I chuckled and got into the elevator.

On the 10th floor, So-hyeon, Ye-eun, and Eun-seo were gathered by the window, laughing and talking.

Ah.

They saw me.

The three women turned to look at me simultaneously.

Then, they all said at once:

“Greedy!”

And they all laughed together.

…Hmm.

I’ll be called this for a while.

 * * *

The next morning, in front of the motel in Seoraevillage.

The special forces members were gathered.

The 2nd and 3rd teams were going on this mission.

The 4th and 5th teams, which were initially formed for fuel and support, were not going to the field this time.

President Min Jeong-woo looked at the special forces members and said:

“The past operation, this operation, and future operations are all crucial for our survival and the survival of humanity.”

He paused for a moment.

Then, he looked at me.

President Min Jeong-woo said:

“The past operation was completed with your collective effort, and it was done exceptionally well. However, I must emphasize that just as important as the success of the operation is your safe return.”

President Min Jeong-woo turned his gaze to each special forces member and said emphatically:

“There are many of the monsters, and we are few. Each of your lives is precious, so please return safely.”

Behind President Min Jeong-woo, civilians, including Secretary-General Ahn Joon-gyu, were gathered.

President Min Jeong-woo glanced back and said to the special forces members:

“We will all be waiting for your safe return.”

He then shook hands with each member, including me.

He seemed to grip my hand with extra force.

President Min Jeong-woo leaned in and whispered in my ear:

“I’m counting on you again. Please ensure our members return safely.”

I nodded without a word.

President Min Jeong-woo shook hands with each member and then returned to his position.

Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk said firmly:

“Attention. Salute the President.”

Everyone raised their hands in salute.

The President also placed his hand on his forehead in response.

…It’s always impressive to see this.

They lowered their hands, and the members started to move.

As they walked, I noticed someone familiar.

It was the mechanic, Sergeant Song Gyu-tae.

He was wearing a chest rig and a rifle sling, indicating he was going on the mission.

“Sergeant Song is going too?”

The slightly shorter Sergeant Song Gyu-tae glanced at me and shrugged.

“Yeah. They said a mechanic might be needed for the nuclear power plant.”

I tilted my head.

“Can you maintain a nuclear power plant?”

Sergeant Song chuckled.

“How would I know? I just tighten screws on cars and helicopters. But Secretary-General said it might be needed, so he included me in the team.”

…Hmm.

That must be quite awkward.

Sergeant Song said:

“But I’ve done most of the necessary work over the past few days. We’ve made a lot of aviation fuel, so we should be fine for a while even if I don’t make it back.”

I smiled and patted Sergeant Song’s shoulder.

“You’ll make it back. Don’t worry.”

Sergeant Song glanced at me.

“I’ve heard you did great in the last operation. I’ll see it for myself this time.”

I chuckled without a word.

The Chinook helicopter, proudly sitting in the middle of the Banpo Sports Complex.

Captain Park and Captain Kim were already in the cockpit, waiting for us.

The members boarded the Chinook and took their seats.

Seong Ga-yeon was sitting across from me.

Our eyes met.

She glared at me and then turned her head sharply.

Ah, why is this so amusing?

I couldn’t help but chuckle, bowing my head to hide my laughter. Captain Kim turned around and shouted:

“Buckle up! We’re taking off!”

Click, click.

Everyone buckled up or double-checked their belts.

Whirrrrr-

The Chinook’s engines started.

I took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling of the Chinook.

Let’s go.

To the nuclear power plant.