episode_0119

So much rain fell that it made me wonder if the seasons had gone awry. The cold grew as strong as the vivid, dense mist that bloomed from my breath. With this unseasonal rain, I welcomed the full onset of winter.

‘…It seems incredibly cold, doesn’t it?’

I stepped outside, holding an umbrella for a walk. Though it was only a walk around the shelter, it was still a decent stroll. A walk on a rainy day might seem atmospheric, but that wasn’t the reason. I was merely checking the surroundings for any abnormalities, as if on a site inspection.

The shelter was located in the middle of a mountain called Yongmasan. Within it were the forest and walls enclosing the shelter. It was a simple patrol, merely walking along the boundary between the mountain and the walls, observing.

I was reluctant to do outdoor activities in the rain, but there was a reason. The existence of zombies and variants encountered in the middle of the street last time became a wake-up call. Danger can suddenly arise in unexpected situations. If one gets used to a sense of security and becomes complacent, it leads to carelessness. And that becomes a fatal dagger, piercing one’s throat. It was a simple thought: better to do something now than regret it later. Normally, I would have just rolled around under the covers, but my body moved according to my thoughts as if it were natural.

Thus began my walk and patrol. I walked a full circle, but thankfully, there were no abnormalities. Initially, I wondered if there would be any problems in a place secretly located in the middle of a mountain, but… Wherever there is land, there are traces of humans. And Korea’s landmass is small. Furthermore, humans beyond imagination exist everywhere. Traces of humans present the possibility of encountering zombies. Keeping that in mind, I completed a full circle along the outer wall.

There were no particular problems. The quiet, peaceful mountain and the edge of the border forest. It was filled with sounds different from the rain hitting city walls and roads. The sound of rain touching the bare trees, stripped of their leaves, and soaking the leaf-covered earth, subtly stimulated my ears. It also eased my mind. I think I understand why people listen to nature’s ASMR.

Standing in the rain, I looked around. The biting cold wind hitting my face cleared my head. It was only December, yet the cold was considerable. Perhaps it was because I was in the mountains. The fierce cold made me shiver, making me wonder if it had ever been this cold at this time of year. Pulling my collar tighter against the cold, I slowly began to return to the shelter.

While walking, I briefly thought about myself. More precisely, my physical condition. There were no issues with my health or functions at all. The scars that covered my body had also faded quite quickly. It might just be my imagination, but it felt like my condition was improving as my scars faded. And with that, confidence grew. A strong conviction that I could survive. I powerfully clenched my empty right hand. Crack! My knuckles twisted cleanly, forming a good shape for striking. ‘I really want to hit something.’ Thanks to the extended rest, I was overflowing with energy, and my body was itching. I had only gone for a walk, but my body felt loosened, slightly warmed up. Just then, the rain began to weaken. …It was time to go outside again. Thinking that, I entered the shelter.

***

It wasn’t just me whose condition was good. The shelter’s residents were also maintaining good health. And everyone had bright expressions. People moved diligently whenever there was work to be done. Thanks to that, there was nothing for me to do inside the shelter.

“You’re working hard outside, please let us handle things like this.”

When the procurement team and I returned with a full load of supplies, people strongly discouraged me from doing any work. They handled things like organizing supplies and cleaning on their own. With many people, tidying up didn’t take long. Thanks to that, the underground storage was organized to a degree that would make a large supermarket envious. Team Leader Choi and Grandmother accurately grasped the status of food ingredients and supplies. They worked hard to create lists and manage things efficiently. And Grandmother, who prepares delicious meals every day, truly impressed me daily.

And everyone started exercising. For women, the goal was health management and physical training, while for men, physical training was the primary objective. However, for some, training would soon become ‘drilling’. In this healthy atmosphere, Miri was rapidly improving. She no longer refused meals, and the effects were clearly visible. Her body, once as gaunt as a dry branch, was gradually regaining its luster. Her eyes still lacked vitality, but she no longer seemed as listless as before. It would take time for her to gain some weight, but it seemed she would be alright. Furthermore, she was even taking her mother’s hand and exploring the shelter’s interior little by little. Sometimes, she would also be with Grandmother or Shia. She still seemed afraid of men. But considering she used to rely only on her mother’s embrace, I thought this was a big improvement.

Incheol and Lee Sohee also seemed to have managed their emotional wounds a bit. They no longer showed signs of distress and had regained their composure. And they were trying to blend in with others. The thigh injury would need more time, so I simply waited.

Team Leader Choi hadn’t just been playing around during this time. As the owner of the shelter, he had been working hard to understand its functions since the first day they moved in. He had been meticulously reading a manual (about a book’s worth) and adjusting the shelter’s functions.

“There was more specialized content than I expected, it was quite a task. Haha~”

Contrary to his feigned headache, his expression seemed very joyful. It was like the expression of a child who had received a huge toy. Thanks to Team Leader Choi’s explanations, which flowed splendidly when the topic was related to his interests, I learned that this shelter was not just a simple protective facility. First off, the power facility was extraordinary. I didn’t understand the complex parts even when I heard them, and I had only thought it was solar power. But that wasn’t entirely the case.

“…You mean we don’t have to worry about electricity?” “That’s right. As long as we don’t overspend significantly, it’s a sustainable level.” “I don’t know much about it, but I heard solar power isn’t always that great….” “Because it’s not ordinary technology.”

He said this and laughed heartily, and I had to stop Team Leader Choi right away. My mind almost went blank from the sudden barrage of explanations. The gist of his long explanation was simple. An incredibly awesome solar system incorporating high-tech technology that made you want to slap your forehead.

“Since its slogan is concentration, accumulation, and efficiency, it’s truly innovative technology.” “Oh… Is it a famous technology?” “No, it’s not.” “?” “Because the unit cost wasn’t right. It was clearly excellent technology, but its profitability was so abysmal that it couldn’t be commercialized.” “…Could this also be…?” “Yes. It’s thanks to the Chairman.”

In any case, it was high-performance technology that was abandoned because it wasn’t profitable. That abandoned technology was now supplying us with electricity. It made me wonder how much they had milked from the chairman of a large corporation. Besides that, Team Leader Choi, who told me a few more things, wanted me to know at least the basic information. He said he just felt like it. When I asked why he hadn’t told me sooner, he answered without hesitation. “You were constantly busy, so there was no opportunity to talk. I wanted to tell you right away.” At his words, I could only give an awkward laugh.

Only after understanding the general situation like this did I feel confident. The minimum conditions for survival had been met. And this place was safe. That fact eased some of my burden and put my mind at ease. I could now leave the shelter and be absent with a slightly more relaxed mind. However, my mind was not completely at ease.

“I’m finally introducing myself. I’m Kim Daesik.” “I’m Seonghan. …You’re a journalist?” “Yes. Though I’m just an entry-level one.”

The man with the severely injured side, whom I had rescued with Incheol. Grit! After a simple greeting and introduction, I was genuinely furious. Unconsciously, my expression twisted, and I even ground my teeth. People were startled by my blatant expression of displeasure. Kim Daesik himself, the man in question, was also quite flustered, not knowing the reason. Team Leader Choi and Incheol, who were nearby, composed their surprised expressions and spoke cautiously.

“Seonghan. Um… Reporter Kim is someone I know personally.” “Hyung-nim. He was with us when you helped us escape before.” “…He didn’t say anything.”

Unlike my abruptly sour mood, I immediately composed my expression. I exchanged a perfunctory introduction in a dry voice and then left. Behind my back, I could hear and feel people’s confusion. But I shut my ears and went into my room. If I stayed there any longer, I wouldn’t be able to say anything good. And I wasn’t confident I could speak kindly.

“Ha… damn it….”

I sat on the edge of the bed and tried to calm my anger, but it was useless. Once unleashed, anger and irritation don’t easily subside. Feeling a stiffness in my neck, I twisted it, but only heard my cervical vertebrae crack. I couldn’t calm down at all for a short while, so I got up from my seat. I had a feeling that if I stayed like this, cancer cells would grow from the stress. I felt like I needed to get some fresh air and move my body.

When I opened the door and came out, Hyuk hyung and Shia were standing in front of it. “Hey, Seonghan.” “I’m going out for a bit.” “Huh? Now?” “Don’t wait for me, eat first.” “Hey, hey, wait a minute!”

I just blurted out what I had to say and left. Outside, it was still drizzling and windy. But I paid no mind and started running with all my might. Patter patter! My body lunged forward rapidly, and the drizzle hitting my face stung. It felt less like the drizzle was touching me and more like it was hitting me. Soaking in the cold rainwater and facing the chilly wind seemed to clear my head a bit. But my mood didn’t calm down.

“Haaa…”

The large intersection in front of the fake house, which I had run to in one breath. I stood still in the middle of it. In just a moment, I was completely soaked, looking like a drowned rat. And my mood was just as foul. I had just ruined the pleasant atmosphere inside the shelter, but I had no time to worry about it. I felt like I was about to be ruined myself. Without much thought, I started walking towards Sagajeong Station.

Everyone has something they dislike. As a person, I also have things I dislike. Things like hunger, lies, and deception. And in this world, there is always something beyond that. A feeling beyond mere dislike. The object of emotions like disgust or hatred. Since I am also human, I naturally have such feelings, and objects for them. One of them is the type of people who work as journalists. That kind of person had been inside the shelter all this time. And I had unconsciously saved the life of such a person.

“……”

No thoughts came to mind. Only one emotion permeated my chest now. Regret. For the first time since returning to the modern era, I regretted saving someone.