episode_0101

One of the small wishes of every office worker in the world must be to leave work on time.

I can guarantee it.

If there’s anyone who dislikes leaving work on time…

They must be a serious workaholic or simply someone who doesn’t want to go home.

I, too, am an ordinary citizen who used to work for economic activity.

Once work is done, packing up and going home is the way of the world.

But what if working hours are extended?

I can guarantee it.

The first thing that’ll burst out of your mouth will be ‘damn it.’

Those damned bosses who always dump work on you right before you’re supposed to leave.

Right now, I’ve met someone like such a manager and am fully experiencing the feeling of an entry-level employee.

‘Ah….’

Now that I’ve dealt with Yeom Seongjin and his remnants, and collected a decent amount of loot.

Now, all that’s left is to happily go home.

The old doctor stopped me in my tracks.

“Shall we talk now?”

I couldn’t really openly grumble.

As for me, I didn’t really have anything to say to this person.

Honestly, I felt like starting a conversation would get me entangled in something troublesome.

I’ve been feeling that way since a while ago.

That’s why, during my conversation with Yeom, I felt curious but ignored it.

I had intended to quietly slip away without asking anything more about the old doctor…

He scratched the side of his head in awkwardness.

“I don’t really—”

“Thank you for saving us.”

The old doctor cut me off and expressed his gratitude.

Straightening his posture and bowing deeply.

At this, the other people nearby also bowed.

‘Damn the timing….’

I felt like I was being talked into something.

Since the old man, who was somehow difficult to treat casually, was bowing so deeply, there was nothing I could do. I decided to humor him a bit and then slip away.

“…I apologize, but I didn’t specifically come here to save you all. Please withdraw your thanks.”

“Even so, we were saved, and gratitude is gratitude.”

The old doctor spoke with a warm smile that didn’t quite suit the situation.

He looked haggard but treated me with a polite demeanor.

Looking into his clear eyes, I felt like he was sincere.

Just as the atmosphere was about to become awkward, the old doctor extended his hand.

“I am Jang Myeonghwan, an internal medicine doctor.”

“…I’m Seonghan… No, wait. Jang Myeonghwan? Ah, my apologies.”

He asked the old doctor again, who smiled forgivingly at his slip of the tongue.

“The Jang Myeonghwan Internal Medicine Clinic next to the market?”

“Yes. I am that Jang Myeonghwan.”

“Oh…”

In a daze, I took his hand and shook it.

‘The neighborhood is certainly small….’

I never imagined I’d meet him here of all places.

Slowly releasing his hand, I conveyed something that might interest him.

“Jang Heeyeon Teacher-nim and the two nurses are safe.”

“Wh-What was that! No, really?”

The old doctor, unable to hide his surprise, his eyes wide open at the sudden news of an acquaintance. I briefly explained what had happened.

How I went looking for a doctor because help was needed, and met Jang Heeyeon Teacher-nim and her party.

The old doctor, greatly relieved and joyful at the news that they were safe, continuously expressed his gratitude.

At this rare piece of positive news, the people around also reacted.

In the warm atmosphere where people rejoiced as if it were their own good news, everyone smiled faintly.

‘…He seems to be a well-respected person.’

Judging by the reactions of those around, he seems quite respected.

But that’s not what’s important right now.

“…I’m sorry, but you’re not planning on staying here, are you?”

At my words, everyone’s gaze converged, and silence fell instantly.

“I have a place to return to.”

“…I’d also like to return to my hospital for now, but….”

Perhaps recalling the situation outside, the old doctor’s face darkened as his voice trailed off.

I turned my gaze to assess the situation.

Everyone was in poor condition, and the women were scantily clothed.

On the corridor floor lay people indirectly intoxicated by drugs.

“When will those people be able to move?”

“They’ll regain consciousness soon, but moving will be difficult.”

“…Then, for now….”

Anyway, going back before sunrise was out of the question.

Since things had come to this, I decided to put in a little more legwork.

“You women over there, put something on. There’s food and clothes on the third floor.”

However, at my words, the women merely hesitated and didn’t move.

It was a strange situation where they were somehow extremely hesitant.

As I couldn’t gently take care of each one, I said only that much and stopped paying attention.

Then, two young women who had been held captive in Yeom’s room stepped forward.

As they comforted and led the cowering women, they finally began to move.

After sending the women up, I exchanged opinions with the doctors regarding transportation.

It was cold outside, and there weren’t no zombies at all.

Everyone was in poor condition, and most were women.

The distance wasn’t far, but walking would be a bit too much.

“…How about using the cars the thugs were driving around?”

“Are there any working cars?”

“I believe there are some in the basement.”

“…That’s good.”

‘Good thing I set fire before coming.’

Throwing Molotov cocktails at the swarming zombies as I came had been effective.

There might be zombies left in front of the old doctor’s hospital, but it wouldn’t be a problem.

A situation where things were falling into place smoothly wasn’t bad.

Once the discussion was mostly settled, I got up from my seat.

“First, I’ll go check the parking lot.”

“A-Alone?”

“No problem, don’t worry… Where are the car keys?”

“They’re probably… in the ignition. I remember hearing that.”

I nodded at the young doctor’s words.

First, I headed to the parking lot to secure vehicles and check the entrance.

‘If there are no keys… then there’s nothing I can do.’

The underground parking lot I arrived at, filled with small worries, was simply pitch black.

It seemed the electricity hadn’t reached the basement.

Amidst the complete darkness, a wind blew in.

As a bonus, it carried an eerie sound, perhaps blowing from the exit.

The underground parking lot, which perfectly set a scary atmosphere, seemed to have no other issues. There were no zombies I hadn’t known about. It was clear since not even a small groan could be heard.

Only then did I relax a little and pull out my flashlight.

A ‘Super Bright’ that was a bit more than just a flashlight.

I took it out.

A flash—

“Wow… the performance is solid.”

In an instant, the underground parking lot was brightly illuminated.

It was so bright that, to exaggerate a bit, you could even call it broad daylight.

‘So that’s what it was like to shine something like this directly into someone’s eyes….’

A laugh escaped me as I recalled the first time I got my hands on this item.

Chuckling to myself, I quickly scanned the parking lot.

And I was able to find vehicles nearby right away.

There were a few vans and small trucks, commonly seen on the streets.

There were also three foreign cars famous for spewing oil on the roads and boasting terrible fuel efficiency.

And luckily, except for the foreign cars, most had their keys still in the ignition. The fuel was sufficient, and after checking each one, they all started well.

“…It seems like we’ll manage somehow.”

Vehicles can pass on the road to Sagajeong Station.

I don’t know if the thugs cleared it, but for now, it’s a good thing.

Thanks to the ‘fire play’ that resembled a huge, spectacular campfire, I don’t think there will be many zombies left on the streets.

If I don’t let my guard down, we can reach the internal medicine building without difficulty.

Having organized my thoughts, I went back up to the second floor.

On the second floor, where I arrived, people were in the middle of eating.

Each of them was frantically devouring cup noodles and simple food.

The people, wearing ill-fitting clothes and eating as if to bury their faces in the food, were all silent.

In the corridor, only the sound of food being swallowed and a faint sobbing could be heard.

Feeling like it was an atmosphere I shouldn’t disturb, I stood awkwardly until the old doctor waved his hand and called me over.

“Welcome. Please have some of this.”

I quietly took the cup noodles the old doctor offered.

Then, whether it had cooled a bit or not, I swallowed the lukewarm cup noodles in one gulp.

At my strange act of finishing the cup noodles in less than 5 seconds, the old doctor just stared blankly at me.

“M-More? Would you like more?”

“No. I’m fine.”

The woman who had first bravely stepped forward offered food again, but I quietly declined.

And I waited calmly until the meal was over.

It didn’t take long for everyone to eat their fill and finish.

Perhaps because it had been a long time since they had a proper meal, people’s complexions were very bright.

As I observed the mood of the people, the old doctor spoke to me.

“Are you injured anywhere?”

“No, I’m fine. More importantly, can everyone move?”

“…I’d like them to rest more, but that would be difficult here. For now, I plan to go to my hospital and treat everyone.”

From what I heard, it seemed there wouldn’t be much trouble for everyone to recover their strength.

They said that people intoxicated by drugs would quickly recover if they used some kind of neutralizing agent.

It’s a relief that no more victims emerged.

When I remained silent, the old doctor subtly asked about the well-being of my companions.

“Is Heeyeon safe?”

“She was beaten a bit, but she is safe.”

“…Those terrible bastards.”

The old doctor, perhaps because there were so many people who had suffered, didn’t express it greatly, but he couldn’t hide his anger.

I stared at him for a moment before opening my mouth.

“Doctor Teacher-nim.”

“Please just call me Director Jang.”

“…Why did Taeseong try to take Director-nim?”

“Hmm…”

Originally, I intended to let it go, but since things had come to this, I wanted to satisfy my curiosity. I’m the type who can’t sleep if I have unanswered questions.

“I don’t know either, but I suppose it might be due to my capabilities as a doctor.”

“…Is that so?”

At my nonchalant reaction, the people nearby added more.

“Director-nim is one of the top experts in the country regarding cancer.”

“Haven’t you heard of the famous doctor of Myeonmok-dong?”

“…I’ve only been in this neighborhood for a few days.”

He seems to be a more capable doctor than I thought.

Director Jang’s words also didn’t seem to be a lie.

Because even Yeom Seongjin didn’t know Taeseong’s intentions for taking the doctors.

However.

‘He’s not telling everything.’

He certainly didn’t lie.

But he didn’t tell everything either.

From my conversation with Yeom Seongjin until now, by observing him, I could faintly discern it.

In a way, it could be called deception, but I wouldn’t press the issue.

I had a feeling that if I found out, I’d somehow get entangled in something troublesome.

Moreover, if the target is Taeseong, one of the top organizations representing Korea, I should avoid it even more.

‘……’

When our party recovers, I think I should also retrieve Jang Heeyeon Teacher-nim and the others.

Since Director Jang also said he’s returning to his hospital, I thought I should return them to their original place.

“I will escort Jang Heeyeon Teacher-nim back soon.”

“Where are they now?”

“A safe place.”

“Hmm…”

“There’s someone in my party who is gravely ill. Once they regain consciousness, I’ll send them back right away.”

“……”

It seemed Director Jang and the people around him sensed something in my tone.

That feeling, as if I was putting up a wall.

I paid no heed to the gazes of the people showing puzzled reactions.

“Since I received help from Jang Heeyeon Teacher-nim, I will definitely guide them to the hospital. But that’s as far as it goes.”

“……”

“Everyone, please get up. We’ll move before it gets any later.”

Although they would leave, everyone became noisy at the sudden announcement of movement.

However, seeing me take action without a word, people realized it wasn’t a joke. And they immediately began supporting the stumbling people and moving.

“Just in case, I’m telling you, try not to go to the first floor if possible.”

At my warning, people nodded gravely and hurriedly moved.

After that, things were quick.

We selected people who could drive and decided to move using four vehicles.

I urged them not to turn on the lights, just in case they attracted the zombies’ attention.

I rode separately in a small truck, and a young woman who had been held captive by Yeom took the wheel.

“We have to go in front, is that okay?”

“It’s fine. But are you sure you don’t want to drive yourself?”

“…I have a closet license [a license held by someone who rarely drives].”

“Ah~”

She must have gone through something terrible, but she seemed perfectly fine.

Whether her mental strength was strong, or she was just suppressing it and enduring…

For now, as long as she plays her part, it doesn’t matter.

After waiting for a moment, the other vehicles sent a signal, indicating they were ready.

“There’s no need to drive fast.”

“Yes.”

“Even if you see zombies, don’t panic, just drive.”

“Yes.”

“……”

“Why??”

“…It’s nothing.”

I wondered if I could trust her, but there was no one else who could drive a stick shift.

I had no choice but to let her take the wheel, albeit reluctantly [a proverb about doing something unwillingly].

Taking advantage of the darkness, I took out my bow and arrows.

In preparation for any eventuality, I climbed onto the small truck’s cargo bed and took position.

“Huh? Huh?”

“Depart.”

Tapping the roof of the driver’s seat, I sent the signal.

Five vehicles, carrying me and the others amidst worries, set off.

The young woman drove surprisingly smoothly and well.

They effortlessly exited the alley and drove along the wide road.

It seemed we had spent quite some time inside the building, as the sun was slowly rising.

The streets were still dark, but visibility was gradually brightening.

So much so that I could faintly see black smoke rising in the distance.

Perhaps thanks to the thugs clearing the road for their own use, there was no difficulty in moving. Aside from the scattered abandoned corpses, there was nothing bothersome.

The carefully and gently driven car soon reached the vicinity of Sagajeong Station.

As we approached, the smell of burning rotten food waste grew stronger.

Dark smoke was billowing from all directions.

The streets were filled with the charred corpses of zombies that had burned and collapsed.

Most of the numerous zombies that had filled the streets were burned and lying collapsed.

The fallen zombies didn’t even twitch.

Even passing nearby, there was no reaction.

‘…Indeed, the fire attribute is reliable.’

The effect was so good that I wondered if I would develop a taste for arson.

At this point, I almost felt like commending the thugs for their hard work in herding the zombies.

The vehicles cautiously passed through the field of corpses.

Every time they drove over a corpse, the vehicle swayed and bounced.

Occasionally, if the sound of bones crushing was heard, shrill screeching burst out from inside.

But that was only for a moment; soon, perhaps accustomed to it, they skillfully found paths to avoid the worst bumps and drove along.

As we got closer to Sagajeong Station, there were more scattered corpses.

And here and there, stumbling zombies began to appear.

Thwack- Thwack-

Before the zombies could recognize us, I drew my bowstring and dealt with them.

The bumpy ground was bothersome, but I skillfully shot arrows.

There was nothing I couldn’t do if I imagined I was riding an excited horse.

Thanks to continuously firing arrows without rest, we arrived at the intersection that had been full of zombies.

‘……?’

From Sagajeong Station’s intersection to the market entrance.

No zombie corpses were visible on the ground.

There was plenty of burnt soot stuck to the ground, but no corpses.

Looking at the traces on the ground, it seemed the zombies had been herded to the opposite side of the market entrance.

I don’t know why that happened.

However, in the end, we were able to travel very comfortably and quietly.

The vehicles moved quietly and safely arrived in front of Director Jang’s hospital.

By then, I had fired dozens of arrows.

It was a shame that I couldn’t retrieve the arrows, but I decided to be satisfied with the comfortable journey.

As soon as I jumped out of the car, I guided the people to the back entrance.

I led the people along the same path that Jang Heeyeon Teacher-nim and I had used to exit, and brought them inside the building.

People, panting, diligently followed behind me.

‘…It seems there are no zombies.’

It seemed no zombies had entered the building since then either.

Once I judged it safe, I quietly slipped away to the back, sending the people upstairs.

Those low on stamina didn’t even notice me slipping away.

Everyone, including Director Jang, safely settled in.

Having discreetly slipped to the rear, I quietly closed the back gate and left.

‘It should be fine if I take this, right?’

I started the small truck I had ridden in and left the place.

I thought we should have at least one or two means of transportation in case.

Thinking everything was over, I leisurely drove the car along the road.

It didn’t take long to drive to Fake House.

By the time I drove the car and arrived at the shelter, the sun was already rising.

‘…I should quickly wash up and sleep…’

I felt a slight fatigue.

It felt like a very long day.

I wanted to quickly lie down in bed, but I couldn’t.

When I entered the shelter, a commotion broke out.

And I had to break a sweat just to calm the commotion.