6. Emotional Numbness (3)

Oh, found it.

But no anchovies…

Maybe near the fridge?

Took two packs of chili powder, moved toward refrigerator section.

Kimchi, pickled radish, dried fish inside.

…Feeling watched.

Opened fridge while glancing sideways – the big man staring at me.

Flinches when our eyes meet.

“…Why’re you looking? Something to say?”

Big guy avoids eye contact before speaking:

“Uh… where… where do you live?”

…What?

Found large anchovy pack in fridge.

…Depori?

Why’s this ugly fish have such a fancy name?

Whatever, take it.

Grabbed kimchi too.

Stuffing items into bag when I still feel his gaze.

He’s still staring.

…Almost smiling?

Scruffy beard makes his awkward grin look…

“Where do you live, mister?”

His face brightens:

“Across the street with my wife. Got a newborn too… came for supplies.”

Hmm… baby.

Terrible time for a child…

Not like anyone knew the apocalypse was coming.

He continues:

“Aren’t… aren’t you scared alone? Saw your sword… real one?”

…Ah.

See where this is going.

This scared guy wants protection.

Wife and kid at home?

Hmm…

Big guy like him.

Timid but probably strong.

…A companion.

…Never really wanted one, but yesterday I did wish for someone who could throw a punch.

…Would he be useful?

Grabbing tuna cans and squid snacks while answering:

“…Yeah. Real sword.”

Bag’s full now.

*Ziiip*

Zipped up, slung over shoulder, headed for exit.

Told him:

“Got what I needed today. What about you? Need anything else?”

Wiping sweat, he says:

“Uh… diapers would help…”

Diapers?

Ah.

Nodding, about to respond when-

Someone stomps into the store.

“Hey Hoon! The fuck took so long!”

Skinny middle-aged man.

Early 50s?

Greying hair.

Hard-looking face.

Stops when he sees me.

Looks me up and down:

“…Who the hell’re you?”

Well then.

Return the favor:

“Who’re you?”

Skinny man’s face twists, lips curling to speak.

My hand drifts toward sword hilt.

His eyes follow.

He shuts up.

…Fucking idiot.

No cops around anymore, I guess.

Glance at big guy:

“Tomorrow morning, eight? Might find diapers at bigger stores. We’ll go together.”

“Y-yeah. Got it.”

Skinny man yells at big guy:

“You fucking moron! Others are waiting! Had to come get you myself? Huh?”

Jesus.

Snort and exit.

Got my own path.

“Get your ass out here, shithead!”

Muffled yelling behind me.

Impressive skill.

Quiet but dripping with rage.

Hear big guy apologizing meekly.

Ugh.

All that size for nothing.

Few steps away-

*Tap tap* behind me.

What?

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

Acceleration?!

Whirl around-

Skinny man right in my face.

Eyes bulging, staring.

Nose scrunched in a grin.

Tongue out, snarling.

Monkey wrench raised-

Perfect angle to bash my skull.

This…

Motherfucker.

Bend knees, draw sword in one motion-

Slice across his throat.

*Schlick!*

Neck splits open, blood droplets spraying.

Deep cut.

Nearly decapitated.

Follow through, pivot sideways.

“-Ghk!”

Blood gushes, pooling rapidly.

Making inhuman sounds, he collapses.

*Clang!*

Wrench hits ground cleanly.

“Ghk! Gk!”

Clutching his throat, legs spasming. Blood gushing in pulses, forming a lake.

…Looks painful.

Tilt head, observing.

…Feel nothing.

Not shocked, not surprised.

Tried to kill me, now dying.

Hmm……

What was this idiot thinking?

Doesn’t matter now.

Big guy watching, pale-faced.

Empty-handed.

Must’ve taken his wrench to ambush me.

“Gk! Hrk!”

Still gushing blood. Upper body soaked.

…Taking forever to die.

Note to self.

“Hrk… kh…”

…Just die already.

Tch.

Leave him, will he turn?

Or just stay dead?

…Curious.

Let’s wait.

Ten seconds?

Movement slows, then stops.

Can’t tell if alive.

Wait longer.

Step back from blood pool, observing.

…Still nothing.

…Do they only turn from bites?

…Wait.

What about natural deaths?

Hospital morgues full of corpses-do those turn?

This guy’s bleeding out-if a beast bit him now, what then?

…Hmm…

Too many unknowns.

Leave him?

See what happens?

…No.

Too close to boarding house.

Can’t risk beasts near base.

Neck wound stopped gushing. Faint twitches remain.

Death throes or rigor mortis?

Eyes completely blank.

Hmm…

About three minutes now.

Heart must’ve stopped.

Lost enough blood.

Definitely dead.

Non-bitten corpses don’t turn, seems.

…Maybe.

Could take longer.

Figure it out later.

Raise sword over corpse’s head.

Bring down hard.

*Thunk!*

“Huh?!” – startled gasp behind me.

Big guy still watching.

Pull sword free, stare at him.

Flinches when we lock eyes.

…Sword’s dirty.

Wipe blade on dead man’s clothes, sheathe.

*Sshing*

Clean sound.

Good steel.

Step over corpse, pick up wrench.

Hmm. Solid weight.

Could work as a mace.

Tools have their uses.

Offer it to big guy.

He just stands there, pale.

…Tch.

Toss it?

Nah, leave it.

No need for noise.

Set wrench down, stand up:

“…Eight tomorrow.”

Turn and walk away.

Drop off supplies, then head back out.

Wasted Acceleration on that bastard.

Fucking hell.

Returning home, Suhyeon greets me in the yard:

“You’re back early?”

“Yeah. Resting then heading out again.”

Show her bulging bag.

She smiles, follows me upstairs:

“Oppa. Can you get nails and wire?”

“Sure. Grab some later.”

Lower windows nearly fully barricaded.

Suhyeon’s the hardest worker.

Smile at her:

Good job.

She glances away, pouting:

“Why that look? Flirting?”

Chuckle:

“Yeah.”

She pokes my butt:

“Later tonight.”

Hmm…

Nice.

Smile, enter landlord’s unit.

Ye-eun greets me:

“Early today?”

“Leaving soon. Halmae?”

She emerges from inner room.

Bright smile seeing me-no blood this time.

Dump anchovies, kimchi, tuna, squid on table.

Faces light up.

Halmae beams:

“Aigoo, boy! How can I thank you?”

“I should thank you. Eat your food every day.”

She continues:

“Next time… vegetables? Maybe meat?”

…Veggies and meat.

Hmm.

Smile:

“Sure. Tomorrow maybe.”

Going to mid-sized mart with big guy.

Leave them eating squid.

So-eun likes it too-cute how she peeked at me between bites.

Return to attic, lie down.

Rest few hours, recover Acceleration, then out again.

Haa…

So quiet.

Just… killed a man.

Not a beast. A person.

…Feel nothing.

Came back, talked normally.

Like always.

Completely calm.

…Emotions… numbing away.