Chapter 17: Hope

The service continued in darkness. The pastor kept up his solemn recitation as if in prayer, while the congregation remained silent in the shadows, listening intently like ghosts.

The scene resembled ancient persecuted believers continuing their faith in hiding. And like most religions, a trial soon arrived.

A zombie suddenly appeared.

“Lord, help us overcome this tribulation through faith-“

“Kreeek!”

A horrific shriek suddenly rang out in the chapel. A zombie. With only candlelight around the pastor for illumination, we could only guess its direction, not its exact location.

The pastor opened his eyes. As fury seemed to frost over his tear-streaked eyes, his voice thundered:

“Unbeliever!”

Screech-

The portable mic and speaker unleashed an ear-splitting noise. Otherwise silence reigned. Despite the zombie’s appearance, the congregation remained calm. No screams, no chaotic attempts to escape.

I started to quietly rise but assessed the situation.

‘A lure?’

The candlelight and speaker noise were the only stimuli. If people stayed still like mannequins, the zombie would ignore them and charge only at the pastor.

Indeed it did.

“Kreek! Guaak!”

We heard the zombie stumbling, falling, and flailing as it approached.

The pastor, as if used to this, pulled out a large cross from beneath the pulpit. It was the kind meant for wall-mounting, made of steel. The candlelight gave it a holy glow.

It made an excellent blunt weapon. Come to think of it, wasn’t a hammer shaped similarly to a cross?

‘Kind of resembles Immortal Company’s “I” logo too. This level of commitment might be worth it. Looking closer, the pastor even resembles the Chairman somewhat.’

While I reconditioned my thinking for sincere acting, the pastor glared down and raised the cross high. His luring shouts continued.

“One who succumbed to trials! Faithless unbeliever! How dare you who’ve been stained by sin enter this holy church!”

“Kraaah!”

Then the zombie reached him.

The cross fell toward the zombie as it struggled onto the platform.

“In God’s name! Faith! Judgment! Salvation!”

Thwack-! A powerful impact. In the dim candlelight, the cross kept swinging. The horizontal beam where Jesus’ hands were nailed mercilessly struck the zombie.

“God’s touch!”

The zombie took the beating helplessly before collapsing. The pastor had excellent distance control, used the shadows beyond the candlelight, and landed a solid first hit to the head.

His skill was almost that of a professional zombie hunter. No hesitation – murder utilized as performance.

‘Marauder, approved.’

The more I considered it, the more impressive this group was. Even having believers as members was advantageous. Label someone an unbeliever and they could raid without guilt.

As the commotion settled and the pastor used it for his sermon, I lost myself in writing various scenarios.

Methods to join, ways to gain proper position, how to utilize efficiently, survivalist means.

‘What I learned from the professor’s materials…’

Lost in thought without even listening to the pastor, time passed.

The service had ended before I knew it.

Bright lights returned as power was restored. The congregation’s faces showed tears, emotion, prayer.

The pastor smiled faintly as he greeted people.

“Remember your masks. Don’t forget to sanitize when leaving. And as for this unbeliever…”

He suddenly looked down. The zombie beaten with the cross wasn’t dead – its chest still rose and fell.

“Take it to the repentance room, and I will pray. May God save this lamb. Ah yes, those who had contact with this unbeliever, be sure to sanitize any touched areas with my blessed sanitizer.”

People left in an orderly fashion. The grandmother rose and headed to the entrance, presumably to handle sanitizing.

Amid the murmuring crowd, Do-hyung approached me.

“Are you really going through with that plan? Seems risky.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

I opened my eyes wide, as if looking at an unbeliever doubting the apocalypse and the Chairman.

“How could you think of doing that to the pastor? I believe in him. I’ll be his strength.”

“…What are you plotting now.”

Do-hyung, who’d somehow maintained his sanity through the service, pressed his temples, but I turned away.

A church elder in protective gear – mask, raincoat and gloves – wrapped the unconscious zombie in plastic and dragged it away.

I walked toward the pastor as he spoke with the elders.

Though a senior member protecting the pastor tried to stop me, I somehow got a chance to meet him. The pastor, Do-hyung and I faced each other in what looked like an office.

I glanced around the room.

A cross on the wall, a desk with computer and cups, shelves packed with Bibles and Christian books.

“Brother. You said you had something to discuss with me.”

The pastor’s young voice rang out. I turned to him. With whatever confidence, he watched us intently without wearing a mask.

Before speaking, my thoughts raced.

‘Simple fanatic acting won’t cut it. Fanatics are a dime a dozen. So.’

It came down to profit and loss. Just as this church gained people through the loss of virus infection and hell, and the profit of salvation from the virus.

I needed to show not just faith, but unique benefits only I could provide. I spoke carefully.

“Pastor. I see hope in you. You are truly the Chairman’s adversary, the one who will save those suffering from the virus.”

After my flattery, the pastor who’d been observing me replied briefly.

“I know.”

I was momentarily speechless. The madness in that calm response. No denial, no humility. Was he a cult leader rather than an intelligent survivor? Or was he acting since this was our first meeting?

When I couldn’t respond, the pastor clasped his hands in prayer and closed his eyes.

“When the greedy lead pastor and weak-faithed congregation all turned to zombies. Only I and a few brothers and sisters who hadn’t fallen survived. God gave me His command.”

“Um… what command?”

Do-hyung asked. The pastor muttered as if praying, voice full of faith.

“Lead and protect the lambs from this disaster brought by Satan! This is the mission God has given me!”

“…”

I couldn’t figure him out.

I thought he was cold, using faith as a tool, manipulating people with rhetoric. But was he actually a cult leader? What was he?

Do-hyung and the pastor conversed.

“Then why don’t you wear a mask?”

“As long as I don’t abandon my mission, the virus dare not touch me.”

“Wow…”

What wow. Obviously he wouldn’t get infected when everyone else wore masks and sanitized, creating a clean zone.

My suspicion wavered dizzyingly between apocalyptic madman and skilled marauder.

‘Ah. Really, what is he? What kind of person is he?’

I’d need time to observe and analyze after joining. There was no rush to decide anyway.

My gaze swept over the pastor’s face. That weakness of not wearing a mask.

‘Let’s join first and assess the situation.’

A well-organized group, armed with guns, many people. Perfect environment to test how helpful the professor’s teachings would be.

A chance to learn how to run a group. If it really worked out, I could settle here.

‘The professor said humans’ weapons are sociality and groups, individuals have limits. The mafia and drug cartel seniors taught winning local hearts and collecting protection money.’

I spoke abruptly.

“Do you know Professor Kim?”

“Which professor?”

I listed Professor Kim’s credentials.

Disaster response expert, famous university, policy consultation experience.

“I’m his student. I want to help you, pastor. Someone like you can save more people.”

“Indeed. This too is God’s work.”

The professor’s authority worked on the pastor too. Smiling happily, he suddenly expressed thanks as if praying.

I quickly joined hands with him and bowed my head. Do-hyung hesitated watching the pastor before praying like me.

After a moment, the pastor asked curiously.

“What did you learn from that professor?”

This was it. Time to prove my worth, the benefits I could provide. First, give a down payment.

“The professor predicted the end would come. He-“

Apocalyptic theory.

A weapon that combined well with religion and could be used as prophecy. I vividly described the end times.

Unstoppable transmission. Coming virus mutations. The day birds and beasts become virus hosts, when air, water and land become humanity’s enemies.

The pastor took notes with a pen, strange emotions gathering on his face.

“To this extent… Indeed.”

He seemed both dismayed at the bleak future and pleased at the trial proving faith. Or perhaps welcoming an era to live as marauders.

Second, I made my pitch for a position.

“Of course, the professor said there was hope. I learned from him how to survive even in this situation. Please let me help you save more people.”

“Wow…”

Do-hyung marveled. Probably wondering how I could make up such insincere words.

Fortunately, the pastor simply asked without much reaction.

“Then, we- Ah, what is your name?”

“It’s Kwon Da-in.”

I answered changing just the surname. No need to use my real name.

“Brother Kwon Da-in. How should we protect the church and our brothers and sisters now?”

“Disaster response needs complex, multi-faceted consideration… First, your current prevention measures are excellent.”

That wasn’t a lie. The sanitizing, masks, visitor logs. All good.

But from my brief observation, things were lacking too. I spoke as professionally as possible.

“However, the wooden chapel doors, glass church entrance – these are vulnerabilities. Zombies could break through anytime.”

Weaknesses I’d noticed if I made this my base.

“The isolated church building is also disadvantageous. In dense villa or mansion areas you could create escape routes across rooftops, but if trapped in the church there’s no escape.”

“But… leaving the church to relocate…”

The pastor spoke as if troubled. I forced out faith. He’s not a pastor but the Chairman. They look similar.

A devout voice emerged.

“Wherever you are is the church, pastor.”

The pastor watched me silently before smiling slightly. He spoke:

“Brother. Age- Ah, no need to be formal at this point. Brother Kwon Da-in. Will you become a deacon and handle the church’s safety management?”

“It would be my honor.”

Success.

Whatever the name, I’d gained an appropriate position. With position comes authority.

“The decision to abandon the church won’t be easy. Deacon Kwon Da-in. Please look into ways we can maintain the church if possible.”

“Understood. Then I should check the building structure first…”

“By all means.”

I smiled happily, though it was hidden by my mask. I just nodded seeing the pastor’s bare face, rare these days, smiling.

‘Well, shall we check the building first.’

I rose eagerly, with Do-hyung awkwardly following.

Only then did the pastor focus on Do-hyung.

“Ah. This brother is…?”

“My friend. Having him help me with work will suffice.”

And so I, once aspiring screenwriter Kim Da-in, joined the church as safety manager Deacon Kwon Da-in.

I ignored Do-hyung muttering “Me too, me too deacon” as he was dragged along.