episode_0036

A girls’ high school.

Literally, a sacred ground for learning and an area forbidden to men.

Girls of an age who, according to old sayings, would blush even at the sight of a falling flower petal…

…That saying, literally, is now a thing of the past.

The place was swarming with people of all genders, a territory for creatures so powerful that there’s even a saying about “high school girls who’ve served their time.” Although normally a men-free zone, the sight of men in the special position of ‘soldiers’ was truly rare.

Ordinarily, it would have been a fresh, lively, and vibrant school full of high school girls, but now it presented a starkly different scene.

Though the building appeared clean, the atmosphere felt incredibly heavy.

There was no sense of vitality, only a dense, gloomy air settling over everything.

To an outsider, the atmosphere was so draining and tense that it would make one feel utterly exhausted, creating a stressful sensation just by being in the same space.

Adding to that were the soldiers, standing guard at regular intervals.

They, who should have been filled with discipline and order, exuded the air of defeated troops.

They stood, but their posture was not straight, and their bloodshot eyes restlessly scanned their surroundings. Some were even slightly trembling in their hands or legs, suggesting it wasn’t merely due to fatigue.

‘…They’re terrified.’

They looked precarious.

Though they were soldiers, they were young men who had been conscripted.

The current situation was too harsh for people transitioning from adolescence to adulthood to endure.

They might want to run away and cry on the ground, but just standing there holding a gun was deserving of praise.

However, it seemed I shouldn’t offer any words of comfort right now.

If they received warm comfort, they would surely crumble.

In that atmosphere, we followed a guiding soldier into the main building.

As expected, the exterior was clean, but the atmosphere inside was not good.

It was chaotic with the restless murmuring of the refugees.

The dozens of survivors were, as expected, not in good condition.

They looked no different from the soldiers we had encountered outside.

At that sight, I felt as if I had made the wrong choice.

“You just need to follow the instructions here.”

The young soldier, having finished his guidance, quickly returned to his original post.

The people around us glanced at us covertly.

A faint curiosity glimmered in their tired eyes.

When I turned my gaze to meet theirs one by one, they lowered their eyes and avoided contact.

I wondered why—

“They’re all just curious and surprised.”

A well-built soldier stood where the voice came from.

He, too, had a deeply worried and hardened expression, but less so than the others.

His solid appearance seemed to suppress the gloomy atmosphere, if only a little.

“What’s so surprising?”

Jihyeok hyung, standing beside me, asked in a calm tone.

It was a question that could have sounded aggressive, but the handsome man’s charming voice had the effect of reducing unnecessary hostility.

“It’s because out of everyone who’s evacuated here so far, you all look the most normal. All of you.”

“Ah…”

“I am Lieutenant Park Chungwon. Please come this way.”

Following the solidly built lieutenant, we soon began a simple inspection.

The inspection was merely to check for any bite marks.

“For the women, don’t worry. The female soldiers and police officers will take good care of you…”

Gasp!

When I took off my clothes, people gasped.

I was puzzled why, but only for a moment.

‘Ah… I had scars.’

I had completely forgotten.

Countless scars that covered almost my entire body.

Even for my companions, who must have seen them for the first time, this kind of reaction was normal.

Lieutenant Park, like a true soldier, quickly composed his expression and examined our bodies.

My companions, though clearly surprised, still glanced at me, but that was all.

The inspection didn’t take long.

“Confirmed. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Along with words of thanks, he informed us of a few rules.

“I apologize greatly, but all weapons, that is, harmful objects, must be surrendered.”

Everyone flinched at his words, but Lieutenant Park calmly continued his explanation.

He explained that they allowed people to carry weapons for self-defense, but then stabbings broke out inside. There was resistance, but it was too dangerous, so all weapons were confiscated.

However, personal belongings were allowed.

Stabbings inside a shelter…

“It seems the situation isn’t good.”

“…I wouldn’t say it’s good.”

He replied with a self-deprecating tone, clearly racking his brain.

He also mentioned not making loud noises, obeying the soldiers’ orders, and not fighting with others.

At the end of his explanation, my companions submitted the short crowbars and axes they were holding.

It was a good thing I had put Misuru into my inventory beforehand.

Perhaps it was fortunate I hadn’t taken out my bow either.

Fortunately, the slingshot was not confiscated.

They seemed to have judged it as non-threatening, but really?

“You can find a suitable spot and rest. Please try to stay on the first floor and not too far from the entrance.”

When we stepped outside, the women didn’t seem to be out yet.

“Normally, we should provide blankets and other things for you, but the situation doesn’t allow for it… I apologize.”

Lieutenant Park, who bowed his head slightly to apologize, looked incredibly burdened.

At our words of reassurance, Lieutenant Park heavily straightened his body, then hesitated for a moment before making an unexpected request.

“If it’s alright, could we have a brief discussion?”

“…A discussion?”

“I have no intention of asking difficult questions.”

Given his reticence, it seemed like something not to be discussed in front of many people.

I subtly exchanged glances with Jihyeok hyung.

‘We also have questions, so what do you think?’

‘Okay.’

I don’t know if we truly understood each other, but we both nodded slightly.

“We’ll do it after our companions come out and settle down.”

“Thank you. I’ll be waiting in the faculty office over there.”

Lieutenant Park indicated the location with his fingertip and then immediately left.

My spirits sank.

The conditions were much worse than I had thought.

I had expected fire support from the armed soldiers.

That part was good, but the living conditions seemed extremely poor.

For the person in charge to say something like that…

‘This feels like a bust….’

Just then, a hand rested on my shoulder.

Jihyeok hyung gently patted me and showed a soft expression.

Was it too obvious on my face?

He didn’t say anything specific, but it seemed he was thinking the same thing as me.

Not long after, the women emerged.

Fortunately, their expressions weren’t bad, indicating nothing untoward had happened inside.

First, we entered an empty classroom at a suitable location based on the entrance.

Only then could everyone settle down and rest.

Though we had only moved a short distance, the mental exhaustion was significant.

Everyone was incredibly exhausted, as if by a lie.

Still, it was fortunate that it wasn’t too severe, perhaps because we had experienced it once before.

As proof, although the atmosphere was heavy, their facial expressions weren’t bad.

Looking around at my companions, I took out some simple snacks from my duffel bag.

It was an awkward time for a meal, but they needed some sugar.

I handed out water, drinks, and chocolates, saying:

“For now, don’t wander around, just rest here. I’m going out for a moment.”

“You’re, you’re going out? We just arrived?!”

“Ah. No, it’s not that…”

Shia and the others were startled at the mention of me leaving.

I wondered why she was so surprised about it…

I managed to calm them down by explaining I was just going for a discussion, and then I could move.

Jihyeok hyung, who had followed me, and I went to find Lieutenant Park.

It seemed he thought me moving alone would be too burdensome, seeing Jihyeok hyung insist on following me. It was a minor thing, but I felt a strange sense of reassurance, as if it had suddenly bolstered my back.

“Welcome. You both came together.”

Outside, a sign for the faculty office hung, but the interior seemed to have been temporarily arranged, looking like a command center. In the spacious room, only Lieutenant Park was present.

Did he notice my gaze?

“Everyone is busy moving around, so they’re a bit frazzled.”

He offered us seats and handed us canned coffee, as if he had prepared it in advance.

It was cheap canned coffee, but I dared not complain.

In this situation, it was more than enough of an offering.

I felt a fleeting illusion of smooth, sweet coffee seeping in.

If possible, I wished to savor this feeling leisurely, but…

“Do you have something you wish to ask?”

I spoke directly.

Lieutenant Park Chungwon spoke as if he had been waiting.

“…What’s the situation outside?”

“The situation outside, you mean?”

At my somewhat dazed re-questioning, Lieutenant Park added an explanation.

“As I mentioned earlier, among all the people who have come here, you all looked the most normal. Your condition also seemed good. The others were absolutely terrified and couldn’t properly eat or drink.”

Lieutenant Park continued to speak calmly without a pause.

“As you can see, the situation here is not good. Supplies are woefully insufficient. From your appearance, it seems you’ve brought some food with you. That’s why I’m speaking to you. I’d like to ask if you have any information that might be helpful.”

Lieutenant Park spoke earnestly, conveying a sense of desperation.

Hearing this, Jihyeok hyung spoke up.

“We don’t have much to tell you, but…”

Jihyeok hyung briefly recounted the events he had experienced from his perspective as the hyung.

From being trapped in Times Square and struggling with thirst and hunger, to meeting me and coming all the way here.

His storytelling was neither too long nor too short, hitting only the key points.

From my perspective, it was quite exciting.

‘Was he always this good at talking?’

His way with words seemed extraordinary.

He hadn’t even exaggerated, yet a short action thriller seemed to unfold effortlessly.

When hyung’s story ended, Lieutenant Park’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me.

The sturdy soldier’s glittering gaze was very burdensome.

“Your name?”

“Seonghan. Shin Seonghan.”

“That’s a good name. Seonghan. You’re truly an amazing person.”

He spoke calmly, but his expression was burdensome.

I briefly recounted my experiences to Lieutenant Park, who asked about my story.

Lieutenant Park and Jihyeok hyung, listening beside me, seemed to find it exciting.

“How were such things even possible…? If I hadn’t heard it directly from you two, no one would believe it.”

“Thank you, but it seems we couldn’t be of much help.”

Lieutenant Park’s expression didn’t improve, so I knew I hadn’t been helpful.

“Actually, I was planning to form a team and go outside, but…”

It wouldn’t have been easy.

Our group was truly lucky when we moved.

The reason Lieutenant Park was pushing to go outside was to procure supplies.

But since I had confirmed that the nearby convenience stores and supermarkets had already been cleared out, he was disheartened.

“Originally, we deployed with a certain amount of supplies.”

“Excuse me for interrupting, but should we be hearing this?”

I quickly cut him off, feeling as if classified information was about to be revealed.

But Lieutenant Park was unperturbed.

“It’s fine. Please try not to talk about it if possible.”

“Even if not to others, I will tell my companions. There should be nothing hidden from them.”

“If that’s the case, then do so. It’s fine.”

Lieutenant Park assented very simply and continued speaking.

I worried if I was getting involved in something I shouldn’t be.

Lieutenant Park’s explanation was as follows:

A battalion-sized force established defensive lines using large buildings like schools and city halls as strongholds, evacuating citizens. They were supposed to follow orders according to the situation, but the zombies were unexpectedly powerful.

They resisted with all their might but were pushed back all the way to Mapo Bridge.

From that hellish, chaotic situation, they barely managed to gather their forces and attempt an escape.

The places they barely managed to secure were Yeongdeungpo Girls’ High School and Yeongwon Middle School.

“…Even the troops who managed to escape with us suffered heavy losses…”

“……”

Lieutenant Park Chungwon, explaining the situation at the time, looked utterly despairing.

This man wasn’t explaining; he was making a confession.

His eyes were bloodshot, as if their capillaries would burst.

A distorted face, unreadable as anger or sorrow.

Was it guilt over the soldiers who had fallen so futilely?

Unable to even cry freely, he looked so pained.

Perhaps he wanted to unburden his unbearable anguish.

Though he was speaking it out, as if it weren’t enough, red blood began to drip from Lieutenant Park’s clenched fists.

“After several engagements, we’re low on ammunition. Yesterday, we ran out of food too. Everyone is surviving on water alone right now.”

He finally lowered his head after struggling to speak.

“I saw soldiers and police officers protecting civilians and coming here.”

“Ah… You mean yesterday. We actually went out to get food and luckily rescued them, but…”

It was a situation where the number of people grew, but not the food.

It was understandable that he felt burdened.

“Communication with central command has also been cut since yesterday.”

I didn’t know the details, but it was clear the situation was chaotic.

“Phew~ I’ve held you both here and told you everything I could and couldn’t. I apologize.”

“Ah, no, not at all. You must have been through a lot.”

Jihyeok hyung comforted Lieutenant Park, who was wiping his face with his hands and blaming himself.

I felt sorry for the two of them, but I was worried about something else.

It sounded like classified information; I was worried there might be trouble.

I was afraid we might get caught.

“Is there absolutely no food left now?”

“…No. Just a few simple provisions…”

I subtly glanced at Jihyeok hyung, who gave me a ‘Why?’ look.

“Lieutenant Park.”

His expression asked, ‘What is it?’

First, I needed to ease this soldier’s worries a bit.

“Could you lend me a pot? A very large one.”

Since he had told us so much, I should repay him, however little.

Give & Take.

Lieutenant Park’s blank expression upon seeing me suddenly ask for a pot was something to behold.