episode_0123

He must have run all the way up to the 5th floor, as he was heavily panting. Yet, his grip on the gun was steady, which was reassuring. Seeing him immediately check my condition with worried eyes the moment he saw me made me feel a bit awkward.

“Hyung! Are you okay? Suddenly there was an explosion in the air—” “Calm down. I’m not hurt.”

He seemed quite startled by the recent explosion. ‘Why is he here?’ How did this guy, who should be at the shelter, know to come all the way here? I calmed down the agitated Incheol and asked about the urgent matters before my curiosity.

“What’s the situation downstairs?” “Ah. Downstairs is handled.” “…What?” “Well…”

After listening to Incheol’s brief explanation, I nodded slightly. Apparently, immediately after I stormed out like a teenager in puberty, my companions panicked. They stomped their feet in frustration, then suggested they should catch me and clear up any misunderstandings. So, he hastily drove here with Jihyeok hyung. But when they arrived, it was a mess.

“People really stomped those bastards.” “…People?” “Yes. They seemed quite angry.” “What were the gunshots?” “I shot those.” “What…?”

Words that I absolutely could not overlook came out. His opponents were not zombies, but living people. In other words, it wasn’t extermination, but murder. Could a young man in his early to mid-twenties handle the shock of murder? He was a guy who had paid no small price to survive. Because of that, he had also suffered deep emotional wounds. It was like giving him memories of brutal violence before his pain had even subsided. I looked at Incheol with complicated feelings. Before, I wouldn’t have even entertained such soft thoughts. On the contrary, I might have even urged him to harden his heart. I had intended to let him slowly come to terms with the resolve needed for combat against humans. But anger surged within me at how the situation had unfolded differently from my expectations. It wasn’t that the shelter was attacked or that my companions were in danger. A deep surge of fury rose within me at the fact that my younger brother had gotten his hands dirty with blood because of some utterly worthless scumbags. Just as I felt the blood rush to my head, Incheol spoke quietly.

“Hyung. I only subdued them. Only subdued them.” “……” “I’m fine, and everyone else is too. So don’t worry.” “Worry? Me?” “It’s all over your face, you know?”

I ran a hand over my face at Incheol’s casual remark. Smiling faintly, he quietly revealed his true feelings. “I know what Hyung is worried about. But my mind was already hardened a long time ago.” Incheol looked me straight in the eye and spoke plainly. There was no tremor in his voice, nor any wavering in his eyes. His resolute demeanor made me feel a bit abashed instead. Seeing my reaction, Incheol spoke with a ‘just as I thought’ nuance.

“Jihyeok Hyung-nim was really right.” “What did he say?” “Just… that Hyung tries to do everything by himself.” “…That’s not true.” “Hyung. It’s overprotection. We’re not kids or anything.” “Be quiet.”

Somehow, the conversation had gone off on a tangent. But I didn’t seem to have to worry too much. Incheol’s casual demeanor after saying he had handled things allowed me to relax. Something else was more urgent.

“Seonghan!” At Director Jang’s firm voice, I turned and approached the young doctor lying down. With a pale face, he was constantly struggling to catch his breath. Director Jang was pressing down on the wound, and the pain must have been considerable, as he was furrowing his brow and sweating profusely. I immediately took off my gloves, untied the drawstring of my sweatpants, and pulled it out. I quickly rolled up the gloves and put them in the young doctor’s mouth.

“Your teeth will come out. Bite this hard.” Fortunately, still conscious, he alternated glances between me and the gloves. Then he opened his mouth wide and bit down on the gloves. Immediately, I prepared to tie his leg to stop the bleeding.

“A little higher. Yes, there. Tie it as tightly as you can.” Director Jang, like a true doctor, displayed composure and adjusted the optimal position for the compression. The more difficult the situation, the more one should listen to the advice of experts. And I followed the expert’s words precisely.

Squeeze-!! “Gasp!!”

The pain must have been intense, as the young doctor couldn’t suppress the groans escaping him. His jaw, clenching the gloves, lost strength and trembled uncontrollably. As soon as the tourniquet was tied, Director Jang checked the patient’s condition and spoke calmly.

“There’s an operating room on the 6th floor. I will move the patient.” “It looks like a gunshot wound… are you capable of this?” I don’t know much about the medical system, but the young doctor’s wound seemed to require surgical intervention. However, Director Jang was an internal medicine doctor. When I expressed that concern, Director Jang put on a serious expression.

“It’s not my specialty, but it’s possible. However, I’m short-handed.” At his words, I gave instructions without hesitation.

“Incheol. Go back now, explain the situation, and bring Dr. Jang Heeyeon. Tell her to bring all necessary medical supplies.” “W-wait a moment.”

At the mention of medicine, Director Jang’s eyes lit up. He wiped his blood-stained hands on his clothes and frantically searched for paper. He immediately scribbled a note and handed it to Incheol.

“These are things we need right now, but don’t have here.” Incheol, receiving the blood-stained note, immediately ran out. At the same time, I carefully lifted the young doctor onto my shoulder and headed for the 6th floor. Director Jang led the way with urgent steps, guiding me to the operating room. His movements conveyed urgency, but he constantly spoke to the young doctor, encouraging him to answer. It seemed he was trying to keep him from losing consciousness, and the young doctor, aware of this, groaned but diligently kept talking. Finally, upon arriving at the operating room, I gently laid the young doctor down. And Director Jang began to hurry even more.

“I’ll prepare right away, so please keep talking to him.” The busy Director Jang entrusted the patient, who would be left alone, to me and left. I felt awkward in the operating room, having entered one for the first time. With the power cut, the operating room was only dark. It felt distinctly different from what I had seen in dramas or movies. It was clearly a space meant to save lives, yet I felt a coldness as if sternness resided within it. And it wasn’t just my imagination; it was actually chilly. Even as I glanced around for a moment, the young doctor lying on the operating table was trembling minutely from the pain and the cold. For him, struggling to endure, I began to talk as requested.

“Being here reminds me of a movie.” “…What is it…?” “Spider-Boy 2. You know Doctor Octopus, the villain in that?” “Ah… yes. I remember him….” “The scene where they try to remove his tentacles in the operating room, so he kills everyone and then belatedly screams, ‘NoooOOOOO!!’?” “……” “Isn’t this exactly that atmosphere?” “…Ha! Ugh…”

The young doctor let out a hollow laugh, as if dumbfounded. I smiled back and chatted away.

“Or, the first scene where the Red Evil heroine wakes up in the hospital?” “…At least that one… has light….” “Ah, that’s true.”

The young doctor groaned but chuckled along with the conversation.

“It’s so dark, can a surgery even be done?” At my question, the young doctor, despite being in pain, opened his eyes wide and burst into laughter, repeatedly exclaiming, “Oh my.”

“O-outside… the light switch…” No sooner had he finished speaking than *click!* went the sound, and the lights came on.

“Oh… they said the hospital had an emergency generator, so it must be true.” “…Ugh… N-not all of it… but the Director-nim… is very meticulous… so…” “That’s a relief. Thanks to the meticulous Director-nim, we’ll live.” “Hehehe… *gasp*… *sigh*… Normally, if you s-saw the Director-nim… you wouldn’t… say that.” “Anyway, you’re alive.” “…Oh dear….” “Are you in pain or laughing? Just pick one.”

The young doctor, who had been answering with an ambiguous expression, finally endured the pain and burst out laughing. Although his lips were blue from significant blood loss, he seemed to be holding up well. Perhaps his will to live was strong, as he continued to speak haltingly.

“H-a Korean doctor… in Korea… to get sh-shot… Crap….” “Um… doctors should use polite language.” “I-I’m… a patient right now…” “Well… that’s true. But it’ll be a story for a lifetime of drinks, at least.” “Th-that’s… *sigh*… It’s cold… and it h-hurts.” “Seeing that your senses are normal, it seems you won’t die.”

At my words, the young doctor, grimacing in pain yet giving me a bewildered look, seemed very unjustly treated. Soon, he let out a short puff of air and closed his mouth for a moment. As he caught his breath, I subtly asked him.

“How about doing what you want after the surgery?” “W-what I want to do, I have it.” “What is it?”

The young doctor hesitated for a moment at my question, then answered quietly.

“Get a girlfr…iend.” “What, a doctor like you doesn’t have a girlfriend?” “I-I was too busy…” “Oh… man….” “If the surgery goes well, I’ll introduce you to someone.”

Director Jang’s voice interjected from behind. Director Jang, having finished preparations, looked exactly like a doctor right before surgery, as seen in dramas. But the utterly different atmosphere made me flinch. Until now, I had seen his gentle and mild side, but this was completely different. At his figure, radiating an unknown power and dignified presence, I unconsciously straightened my posture. Perhaps it was due to the chilling atmosphere of the room, but Director Jang felt incredibly significant.

“Thank you. From now on, please leave it to me.” Speaking with calm, deep eyes, Director Jang gently dismissed me. As I nodded and turned to leave, the young doctor spoke.

“Se-Seonghan… Thank you….” “…Cheer up and come out well after the surgery.”

With that, the conversation ended. All that remained was for Director Jang to demonstrate his skill. As I exited the operating room and walked down the hallway, I heard urgent footsteps. And I spotted people diligently running towards me.

“Where’s the patient?!” “He’s in the operating room.”

Dr. Jang Heeyeon and the two nurses said only what was necessary and then moved with great urgency. Behind them, Incheol and Dong-woo followed, heavily laden with something.

“Hyung! We’ll be right there!” “Don’t go anywhere!”

I let the two younger brothers, panting as they ran to deliver Dr. Jang’s supplies, pass by before stopping. Beyond the hallway, busy sounds came from in front of the operating room. Before long, the hallway fell silent, and the two younger brothers trudged towards me. Despite the rain and cold weather, beads of sweat had formed on their foreheads. The guys who approached me knelt, panting. The two of them dry-coughed, blaming the operating room being on the 6th floor. After waiting for a moment, I subtly spoke.

“You got here quickly.” “*Huff! Huff*~ We ran fast, *huff*! So we got here quickly.” “*Gasp! Gasp!* The representative opened the door for us. So quickly. *Panting!*” “…You two need to exercise more.”

They seemed not to hear me, as they only stood up after a long period of catching their breath. Seeing that their breathing had returned to normal, I led the two of them and began to move. Dong-woo followed behind, asking cautiously.

“Hyung. Are you very angry?” At Dong-woo’s question, I paused and looked back. Dong-woo was looking at me with a tense expression. Incheol didn’t say anything, but his expression showed curiosity. …Both of them were trying to read my mood.

“…Let’s talk about that later. There’s something I need to do now.” “Hyung. Everyone is really worried.” “Shia noona asked me to tell you that she’ll be waiting.” “Alright. And don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.” “Really?”

Dong-woo, who had been observing my mood, sensed my feelings and relaxed. His expression soon changed to a comfortable, unburdened one. I nodded a couple of times at the two of them and headed for the 5th floor. Before entering, I gave them a word of caution.

“From now on, we’re going to search the bodies. If you’re uncomfortable, go downstairs.” “It’s okay.” “I’m okay too.” “These are the bastards who shot at me and our people. Don’t hold back. And I’m ordering you to do it. Just remember that.” “Yes, sir!!”

With their firm replies, I entered the 5th floor. Since I had caused quite a commotion, the interior was a mess. Amidst it, I immediately had them collect guns and knives. Just in case, I informed them of the presence and danger of grenades and warned them to be careful. Dong-woo and Incheol began to gather the items with slightly hardened expressions. First, the guns, though lacking bullets, were in good condition without any damage. It was a stroke of luck, as we needed weaponry. As for bullets… I don’t know if they’re compatible with the ones I have. Even if they aren’t, we can just find some somehow. ‘I can ask Lee Sohee or Incheol.’ There were also walkie-talkies, which I had anticipated seeing the earpieces, so we took them. However, perhaps because of me, all but one of the walkie-talkies were broken. With the three of us searching, the scavenging was quickly finished.

‘…That bastard should have been alive.’ Recalling the large man who had used a suicide bomb, it felt like a waste. He seemed to be the leader, but since he died, there’s no suitable target to extract information from. Somehow, all the guys we encountered on the 5th floor ended up dead. We took everything we could and began to descend to the 1st floor. While walking, something suddenly occurred to me.

“Incheol.” “Yes, Hyung.” “Were those guys the private organization that was supposedly present when we advanced in Gangnam?” “Hmm… I think so.” “What do you mean, ‘I think so’?” “I didn’t see them closely, just briefly… but looking at their attire, it’s probably them.”

His vague answer wasn’t satisfactory, but Incheol was probably right. In this situation, how many guys would be walking around armed like that? If it’s uncertain, I can find out now. I had been controlling my strength for that very purpose. …I don’t think they died. ‘The ones who got bitten and are still breathing…’ I organized my thoughts while descending the stairs. There were many things I was curious about, and many things to gain. Having suffered a bit on a cold, rainy winter day, it was time for harvest. But. “……” Stepping outside, I was simply speechless at the sight before me.