episode_0066

The route I had planned, after much thought, turned out to be a fairly good choice. We were walking along a side path that crossed the city but was slightly off the main route, maintaining a smooth pace. And the group was feeling the results of their movement in their bodies.

With continuous walking, their bodies warmed up, and sweat drops formed on their foreheads, trickling down their chins. Clothes soaked with sweat clung slightly to their bodies, an irritating sensation on their skin.

Several times, they adjusted their posture, shrugging their shoulders as if the backpack on their backs bothered them.

Though one might expect complaints from the sudden increase in activity, everyone simply walked silently behind me.

Currently, the situation was positive in many ways.

The sun was up, but it wasn’t stiflingly hot, so there was no hindrance to activity. Cool breezes occasionally blew, cooling their heated foreheads. They hadn’t even encountered any zombies so far.

Next to the well-maintained walking path, a river flowed. The river, wide and seemingly deep, flowed calmly. The water, shimmering and rippling under the autumn sun, looked beautiful.

It was a quiet path, completely different from the bustling downtown area just beyond the walking path. It was a good situation for us in many ways right now. A peace that felt almost like a lie could be felt.

And it seemed I wasn’t the only one who thought so.

“It feels like we just came out for a workout,” Jihyeok hyung said from directly behind me, and the group agreed.

I glanced back to see everyone wearing faint smiles.

Hyung was suddenly staring at the flowing river with melancholic eyes.

His hair was slightly damp with sweat and slicked down, and his skin glistened.

‘…He’s doing a photoshoot with those melodramatic eyes.’

It was only for a moment, but seeing his sensitivity pour out like that, he really must be an actor. His unnecessarily overflowing good looks were working hard even in this situation.

Feeling an unfair imbalance, I turned my gaze to check on the group.

It was fortunate that they didn’t seem overly tired yet. However, their lack of exercise until now was unavoidable. Although they were just walking, their breathing was rough from the prolonged activity.

The two patients with severe bruises didn’t show it, but they looked tired. CEO Choi was still holding up well without much trouble. Even the elderly Grandmother kept her lips tightly sealed and maintained a blank expression.

But she couldn’t hide the trickling sweat and rough breathing. The other group members were just hiding their fatigue.

The only ones who still seemed perfectly fine were Jihyeok hyung, Shia, Bomi-ssi, and Dong-woo.

The strong resolve shown by the two delicate women was surprising. I had been worried, so it was a relief to see them endure so well.

“Why are you looking so intensely? Do I suddenly look pretty?” Shia, whose eyes met mine as I glanced at the group, grinned.

My momentary dumbfounded reaction seemed to spark her playfulness. She suddenly swept her sweat-soaked, clinging hair back.

She slightly arched her back, giving a captivating look and smile. It was a sudden, stylish pose, like something out of a celebrity photoshoot.

“Go on~ Look all you want~” She even winked, making me let out an empty laugh.

The pose with the backpack on her back was somehow funny. Everyone in the group burst into hearty laughter at the sight.

Grandmother, though laughing, told Shia to stop because it was indecent. Bomi-ssi also hit Shia’s shoulder, asking if she was crazy, but she couldn’t stop her own burst of laughter.

I stopped for a moment and playfully said to Shia, “Seeing you full of energy, I guess we can keep going, right?”

“Huh?” At my words, hinting at a forced march, the group quickly straightened their formation. Shia’s reaction was the fastest.

I chuckled and quickened my pace.

“We’re going to rest up ahead.” The place I pointed to had convenience facilities for citizens. It was a place with a small sports field, public restrooms, and exercise equipment.

I thought it was better to rest there than in the middle of a wide-open path. We had walked quite a bit, and checking my phone, it was already past lunchtime. It was a good timing for a proper break.

At the word “rest,” the group’s eyes lit up, and they walked diligently. The area with the convenience facilities, which we soon reached, was quite well-maintained.

The group soon sat on a bench under the dense shade of trees, breathing heavily. Though it was autumn, it was hot under the sun, and the sunlight was stinging. The temperature difference seemed clear; even though it was just under the shade, it was very cool.

Everyone stretched out their tired legs, lengthening their posture and groaning.

“We’ll start again after resting here for a while, so please relax comfortably. Take off your shoes and cool your feet.”

They put down their bags, excluding weapons, and let their bodies relax. Even if it was for a short while, resting properly was important.

While the group settled down, I quickly scanned the surroundings. The public restrooms, which I had been suspicious of, were clean. There was no suspicious presence felt in the wide-open surroundings.

After confirming nothing was amiss in the surroundings, I took off my safety shoes and even my socks. It was a habit I had picked up since learning manual labor. Doing this allowed my feet to breathe and rest.

I didn’t know if it was true or just a superstition, but that’s how I learned. …Maybe it was just my imagination, but it did feel better.

The group, who had been watching me intently, also took off their shoes. “Ohh! That’s cool!”

The group shivered pleasurably from the cool breeze tickling their feet. I watched the chuckle-inducing scene for a moment, then, thinking we should eat heartily while it was safe, I started preparing a meal.

Dong-woo took out a container burner and a pot from his backpack and boiled water. He planned to take out retort pouches and canned goods and eat them warm.

‘…I’m starting to get tired of this.’

It was a spoiled thought that other survivors would go crazy hearing. But it wasn’t my problem, was it?

Our group ate this well without a single complaint. At the school, while other survivors ate poorly, we grilled meat and even had alcohol. At first, the group was conscious of others. Not anymore, though.

Perhaps they were accommodating my somewhat stubborn preferences regarding food, as there were no complaints. Thanks to that, we could enjoy better meals in terms of quantity and quality compared to the situation.

I dissuaded Grandmother, who had tried to take the lead in preparing the meal until the end, and made her rest. In this kind of situation, someone with remaining physical strength should do it, rather than someone with specialized skills.

Everyone filled their stomachs with the convenient meal and rested. Patting their full bellies, the group began to chat lively.

“If we eat this well and then start eating tasteless food, I think I’ll get depressed.” “Exactly…”

Shia and Dong-woo’s deep sighs made everyone smile bitterly. Certainly, in that situation, it would become more about nutritional supply for survival than a meal.

It was a depressing sight I absolutely didn’t want to imagine.

I’ve shaken off dirt and chewed raw potatoes. I’ve peeled and eaten tree bark, only for my backside to tear and bleed from the pain. I’ve also gulped down water, thinking it was clean, only to squeeze it out of my backside.

I could never experience that again.

While I shivered at the past I didn’t even want to recall, the group was listing gourmet foods they wanted to eat. A feast of menus that made my mouth water just by hearing them.

I chuckled at Dong-woo and Shia’s vague imaginings as if they were picturing the food. The other group members, though not showing it, swallowed hard, seemingly thinking about it too.

“Once we arrive safely, let’s have a party. How about it?” At my words, everyone gasped in delight.

A banquet after safely reaching the destination and achieving our goal. Everyone’s faces bloomed with smiles at the mere thought of such a joyful scene.

However, amid that, Grandfather and Grandmother’s expressions were not good.

“What’s wrong with you two? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?” As I approached, checking on their well-being, Grandmother spoke with a heavy voice.

The reason was none other than our travel speed. Unless one was a fool, it was obvious who we were adjusting our pace for. The road ahead was long. Too many dangers awaited outside. But she seemed to feel the pace was too slow. Because of her, an old and weak Grandmother. She believed she herself was holding everyone back.

Grandmother showed tears, perhaps from regret and sorrow over her aging body. In front of her, I knelt on one knee, lowering my posture. I gently took her rough, wrinkled hand in mine.

“Grandmother. Do you know why people climb mountains?” At my sudden question, Grandmother looked at me with tear-filled eyes.

“Because the mountain is there. That’s what they say.” “……”

“The reason we are walking now is because a safe place is far away.” “I know that, of course…”

“Just like the mountain, the shelter isn’t going anywhere.” I continued softly to Grandmother, who blinked her teary eyes at my words.

“Whether we go by road or by alley, fast or slow. We just need to get there, so you don’t need to think about it at all.”

Grandmother, who nodded at my words, eventually shed a single tear. I hadn’t known because she didn’t show it, but she must have been suffering alone. She had no need to worry needlessly….

“Grandmother, if you’re tired or in danger, I’ll carry you and run, so don’t worry.” “Why would you carry my wife?”

Grandfather, who had been quietly standing by, spoke up. “I should take care of my own wife. Of course! Honey! You don’t need to worry about anything!”

At the sight of Grandfather loudly thumping his chest, Grandmother’s face turned red. She then repeatedly slapped Grandfather with her palm.

“Th-this crazy Old Man! What embarrassing talk is that!” “Hahahaha!! Just trust your husband, who is like the heavens!” “Oh, you really…”

Grandfather’s powerful declaration and Grandmother, who couldn’t lift her head. Everyone smiled and clapped their hands.

And they comforted and encouraged Grandmother. Dong-woo, who hugged Grandmother from behind, said nothing. He just held Grandmother tightly.

I watched the heartwarming scene for a moment. People tend to become selfish in extreme situations. It was clear how Assemblyman Lee and those thugs would have acted before. If there had been more people, there might have been talk of sacrificing the few for the greater good. Rather than listen to such nonsense, I would have traveled alone.

Fortunately, our group seemed far from that. ‘…This is how people should live.’ People with such warmth deserve to do well. And it would be even better if I did well too.

After Grandfather’s passionate display of affection ended, the atmosphere calmed down. Fortunately, Grandmother also seemed to have unburdened her heart. In her eyes, instead of tears, courage shone brightly.

With enough food, rest, and a change of mood, their condition improved again. After getting reorganized, we resumed our walk. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but the group’s steps felt lighter. Their motivation also seemed overflowing.

I was sorry to dampen their high spirits, but the pace remained unchanged. We didn’t need to push ourselves right now. It was important to maintain our optimal condition, even if it meant being a bit slower. At least, that’s how I judged it.

Although the group was burning with heightened morale, I needed to remain a little calmer. I monitored the front with my eyes and assessed the group by their breathing, which I could hear. I prepared for any sudden, unexpected situations and adjusted the pace to suit the people.

From the moment we left the school until now, continuously. What I needed to do wouldn’t change in the future either. I would simply fulfill my role as a guide, bearing the safety of everyone.

I steeled my resolve, led the group, and continued walking forward.