episode_0082

Every person has their own individuality.

Among a population of over 7 billion, there is no one who is exactly alike.

Even identical twins, who look exactly alike, don’t have everything in common.

Diverse people, each with different thoughts.

Because they possess unique personalities and thoughts, friction begins to arise when people gather. And inevitably, an endless stream of incidents, accidents, and problems follow.

Disliking such things, I have avoided getting entangled with groups or organizations.

…It’s not that I dislike people.

It’s more like taking precautions to eliminate potential problems.

From that perspective, my current companions are to my liking.

The fact that there’s a cool actor who played various lives on screen and a beautiful woman also played a part.

Although it’s a special situation where our lives are threatened, they trust me completely. They treat me as I am.

Above all, they are people who know gratitude.

People who respect me, trust me, and follow me.

A man’s pride swells when he receives someone’s full expectation.

Perhaps the desire not to disappoint that expectation and trust is like an instinct carved into a man’s soul.

‘Is this why men are simple creatures?’

Above all, perhaps because we’ve grown fond of each other, my companions feel closer than before.

No matter who it was, I couldn’t let them go in vain.

So, I bought time through some tricks and carefully sounded out their opinions.

“Having other people come here. Is that alright?”

It was a proposal I, who brought it up, was reluctant about.

Hadn’t I been burned by people in the past, and hadn’t I been betrayed recently too?

Of course, even if I go to find a doctor now, it’s not a given that I’ll find one.

Let’s say I find a doctor.

Even setting aside having them stay here, it’s questionable whether we could even let them visit and then leave.

In many ways, it’s full of uncertainties.

Problems arise when there are too many people.

Nevertheless, there’s no particular reason for taking on this task.

‘I’ll try everything I can.’

It’s doubtful whether there’s a living doctor in a street full of zombies.

But none of my companions are raising objections.

They don’t even voice the problems that would easily come to mind.

They’re all silent, but it seems they’re thinking the same thing as me.

“Are you saying you’re going out to find a doctor now?”

“Yes. The possibility of finding one is low, but not zero.”

I briefly replied to Hyung’s question and explained the risks I was thinking of.

Even if we find a doctor, we don’t know what kind of person they are.

If they don’t want to stay and wish to leave, there’s a high possibility that information about the shelter will be spread.

We clearly need a doctor now, but there’s also a burden that comes with it.

Finding a doctor wouldn’t be a simple matter of welcoming them.

Perhaps Bomi knew that, as she swallowed her tears and held her tongue.

Everyone in the room agreed with ‘Let’s bring a doctor!’, but they seemed unable to open their mouths easily.

Just as the atmosphere in the room began to grow heavy with ambiguity.

“I agree.”

A low, raspy voice came from behind.

“We can’t just leave our company employee like this. Above all, aren’t we comrades who survived by breaking through the line of death together? If it’s at all possible, I want to do anything for him.”

Representative Choi, trembling badly, was leaning against the wall; it was unclear when he had arrived.

“Are you alright?”

“Of course. It’s shameless of me, but may I ask a favor? Seonghan.”

These were the words of the owner of this shelter and a brilliant businessman.

It seemed like he had calculated the pros and cons to some extent, but his concern for Byeongsu appeared genuine. Otherwise, how could he bow like that?

At Representative Choi’s reaction, one by one, the companions expressed their agreement.

“Seonghan…. Please….”

“…Please stay by Byeongsu’s side.”

In a situation where nothing could be confirmed, Bomi pleaded earnestly.

I also want to save Byeongsu.

He, who had a slightly timid side, always silently followed me.

After all that hardship so far, wouldn’t it be unfair if he died from a severe fever?

I bought some time with first aid, but it won’t last long.

Now that everyone has given their approval, there’s no time to hesitate.

I quickly finish preparing to leave.

“Be careful out there.”

Everyone came out to see me off at the entrance.

Shia, looking delicate, quietly wished me well.

Everyone in the group looked terrible.

A doctor was indeed needed.

I gave a slight nod and said to Dong-woo.

“You’re the only one who’s relatively alright. Take good care of everyone.”

“Yes, Hyung-nim. Don’t worry and go.”

Dong-woo had diligently done everything I’d asked so far.

In the current situation, he would probably do well even without being told.

I briefly looked back at the people who had come to see me off.

It seemed I had to hurry for various reasons.

After checking everyone’s expressions, I ran out along the path leading outside.

* * *

“Why are there so many zombies everywhere I go?”

“Indeed. It’s as if they’ve been herded together.”

“Could it be the work of those crazy bastards?”

Somewhere in an alleyway a little way from Sagajeong Station, which Seonghan’s group had passed through.

The people sighing as they looked at the zombies aimlessly milling around, filling the vicinity, all seemed extremely exhausted.

Among them, injured people were visible.

One had bandages wrapped around their thigh, and another around their side and arm.

Seeing the slight bloodstain, it appeared to be a fairly large wound.

Their complexions were poor due to their wet clothes and injuries, but their eyes were sharp.

One of them quietly opened his mouth.

“Private Kang-nim. Have we strayed far from our path?”

The man clutching his side carefully asked Private Kang.

“Not too far, I think. We should have just followed the main road….”

Private Kang’s face, as he answered softly, was full of annoyance.

Separately, Private Kang did not stop surveying his surroundings.

His heightened tension made him look sharp.

“Lieutenant Lee-nim, Reporter Kim-nim. Can you walk?”

“I think I can move. But fighting is out of the question.”

“I’ll try somehow….”

Lieutenant Lee and Reporter Kim, who had many bandages wrapped around their thighs, answered with difficulty.

“There’s a hospital nearby; how about we stop by there?”

“A hospital, you say?”

The exceptionally beautiful woman, holding a child in her arms, spoke to Private Kang.

At the mention of a hospital, Private Kang began to ponder.

‘We’re almost there. But how long will we have to wander outside…? Both of their injuries look serious, and everyone’s not in good shape. Plus, we’ve been caught in the rain…’

With several unfavorable conditions overlapping, Private Kang’s mind was complicated.

“I used to work near here, so I know. It’s not far. I don’t know if the hospital will be safe, but couldn’t we at least get some medicine?”

“Hmm….”

Private Kang racked his brain at the uncertain woman’s words, but…

Patter-patter-patter—

Lashing down—

The rain, which had stopped, began to pour down again as if by magic.

It was a moment that even made them feel as if the rain was urging them on, refusing to give Private Kang’s group any time to think.

Private Kang and his companions sighed.

The child, cradled in his mother’s arms, burrowed deeper into her at the cold raindrops.

Seeing that, Private Kang made up his mind.

“We will move to the hospital. Could you tell us the way?”

“Private Kang-ah. Are you sure? You said we were almost there.”

At Lieutenant Lee’s dispirited words, Private Kang quietly said.

“…Since we don’t know how much longer we’ll be wandering outside, it’s best to go to the hospital for now. And since it’s raining, we can take shelter there before moving on.”

At his resolute words, the people nodded.

Everyone trusted him, having overcome countless crises to reach this point.

Even now, Private Kang’s back, as he stood up briskly and led the way, exuded a trustworthy aura.

The companions walking behind him squeezed out their strength.

Following the mother’s memory, the group soon found the hospital.

【Red Hospital】

A hospital of considerable size appeared, quite large for a neighborhood clinic.

It was a hospital located in a direction far from where Private Kang’s group originally intended to go, but it was an unavoidable choice.

In the quiet alleyway, the sound of raindrops hitting the ground could be heard.

As they drew closer to the hospital, the wails of zombies could be heard from all directions.

They weren’t visible in their immediate path, but the sounds coming from unseen places felt even scarier.

However, Private Kang’s expression remained blank.

He simply raised his rifle, remaining vigilant of his surroundings as far as his sight reached.

Private Kang, maintaining his posture as he slowly moved forward, looked very experienced.

If one didn’t know him, Private Kang currently felt so steadfast that he might be mistaken for a veteran soldier rescuing people.

Corpses lined the alleyway they walked through.

The stench of death permeated the air from all directions, but perhaps thanks to the continuous rain, it was slightly less potent.

Private Kang’s group, silently walking the arduous path, soon arrived at the hospital.

The hospital entrances were blocked.

Crude and clumsy, yet barricades had been erected with various pieces of furniture.

Seeing that sight and confirming there were people inside, Private Kang adjusted his rifle and cautiously approached the entrance.

However, there was no way to get inside.

Not only were furniture piled up, but tape was also haphazardly stuck all over.

Private Kang let out a soft sigh.

“I will look for an entrance we can use. Please wait.”

“…I’m sorry, Private Kang.”

“It’s alright. It might be difficult, but I’d appreciate it if you could keep an eye on the surroundings.”

As Private Kang encouraged his companions and moved, dark storm clouds gathered above their heads. And the storm clouds soon began to pour down cold rain.

The heavily overcast autumn sky seemed to tease them, pouring down rain as if it would stop, then pouring again.

Private Kang and his group lingered around the hospital entrance, seeking shelter from the cold rain.

This happened a full day and a half before Seonghan came out of the shelter to look for a doctor.