episode_0126

The high schooler’s figure, pleading in a timid voice, was pitiful.

“No.”

“I, I can really do whatever you tell me to!”

“Go when I tell you to.”

He pushed away the high schooler who clung stubbornly despite noticing his mood.

It was a problem that required no thought.

At his cold reply, the high schooler couldn’t speak.

Regardless, he had Dong-woo search through the Daehan Security guys’ bags.

From their luggage, he filled a bag with food and handed it to the high schooler.

Though the food wasn’t tasty, it was a generous gesture, keeping his promise.

The value of food right now was immeasurable.

With the amount of food the high schooler received, others might see him as a golden goblin.

The high schooler’s expression remained unchanged, even as he clutched the bulging bag of precious food.

But after handing over the bag, he didn’t spare the high schooler another glance.

The people and his companions watched his somewhat cold demeanor.

He didn’t care about the market people’s gazes.

However, he gave a hint to his companions, who were sending him complicated looks.

“He’s the one who was herding zombies.”

“…What?”

“Don’t make it obvious, just send him off quietly.”

At his quiet whisper, his hyung was quite surprised.

Both he and his hyung were also victims of zombie herding.

They probably hadn’t expected that the person who did such a thing would be such a young kid.

He had wondered, but perhaps it was a groundless fear.

Jihyeok hyung, who had composed his facial muscles like an actor, no longer showed any conflict in his eyes.

Of course, he knew the high schooler’s circumstances from what he’d heard a little while ago.

He knew about being robbed of food and threatened by Yeom.

But even so, the outcome of what he’d done was too severe to just gloss over.

The high schooler would have no right to complain even if he were torn limb from limb on the spot at his word.

He would have no right to complain even if his life was cut short by his hand.

Because he, too, had directly received the damage.

Yet, the reason he let him go alive.

That he hadn’t acted voluntarily, but under threat.

That he had discovered them and led the zombies in a different direction until the end.

That he had warned them at the top of his lungs to run.

And that he was still too young.

So, he judged as he pleased and let the young high schooler go alive.

It was clear that others wouldn’t understand if they knew.

People had stomped and killed the incapacitated Daehan Security guys as soon as they saw an opportunity.

But right before their eyes, the zombie herder, who had caused them pain, was trembling and watching them cautiously.

He had arbitrarily let the high schooler go alive, even though he was at risk of dying from the people’s collective wrath.

The people might feel wronged and indignant about this.

But it wasn’t his concern.

He watched the high schooler, who kept glancing back as he slowly walked away, and thought.

‘If you didn’t like it, you should have stepped up and handled it yourself.’

Whether that high schooler was roasted or boiled, the authority was his.

If he didn’t speak, people wouldn’t know.

Those who were already dead couldn’t speak.

All he had to do was keep his mouth shut.

“…Will he be alright?”

“If he goes around doing foolish things again… it won’t be too late to deal with him then.”

He answered his hyung, who asked cautiously, without hesitation.

His hyung, who had heard the high schooler’s circumstances with him, seemed to have complicated feelings, and his eyes fell.

“…It looks like a kid got tangled in the ugliness of adults….”

“…At least we shouldn’t become like that.”

“Hmm….”

“More importantly, Hyung. You should take the kids and go back now.”

At his nonchalant words, which changed the subject, his hyung looked at him for a moment.

“So you’re planning to go there.”

“A tail appeared, so I have to step on it.”

“…Seonghan. Do you really have to go?”

His hyung, speaking quietly, seemed to wish he wouldn’t go.

“You might think I’m cowardly. But do we really need to get involved with those guys? Just let them stew and stir among themselves.”

“…….”

“Couldn’t we just quietly endure among ourselves?”

His hyung’s thoughts were right.

He also thought the same.

Whatever the higher-ups did, it had nothing to do with them.

Nothing would change if he stepped forward either.

“Hyung is right.”

“Then…”

“But I will go and see.”

“Really…?”

“I’ll just go, take a quick look, and get a taste of it.”

“What… is it sweet and sour pork? Good heavens…”

He smiled back at his hyung, who let out a chuckle in a helpless tone.

“I’ll be back soon. I’ll just go and exercise the public’s right to know a little.”

“…Pfft.”

Taeseong was involved through Yeom, but he also shot at him.

Since Taeseong seemed to be the one commanding Daehan, he intended to go and ascertain responsibility and ask what needed to be asked.

Why they were stirring things up like this.

There was nothing to prepare, so he intended to leave immediately.

He calmed his hyung and two dongsaengs who wanted to follow, and gave them a few instructions.

“You’re telling us to leave those cars? The jeep is fine, won’t it be useful?”

“I just have a bad feeling about it.”

“…Really? If that’s the case…”

He coveted the seemingly fine and high-performing jeep, but he had a bad feeling.

From experience, if he ignored this feeling, something always happened.

So, though it was a great waste, he cleanly gave up on the vehicles.

Beside his hyung, who nodded at his explanation, Dong-woo asked a question like a student.

“Hyung. What about Dr. Jang Heeyeon?”

“…If she says she’ll come, take her. If she says she’ll stay here, tell her to keep the shelter’s location a secret.”

“A secret?”

“Yes. Tell her clearly to keep her mouth shut if she doesn’t want to see me turn into a killer.”

“Uh….”

“I can’t trust people. Director Jang is the same. On the surface, she seems like a kind-hearted doctor, but she’s hiding something. So, don’t trust anyone.”

“Ah… Yes, sir!”

“As for Incheol…”

Incheol, holding the slung rifle diagonally, held a sharp posture.

There was no doubt about Incheol’s shooting skills.

“If they threaten you or act hostile even a little, don’t spare the bullets.”

“…….”

“As you saw earlier, you never know what someone whose eyes have gone crazy will do.”

“Don’t worry. If they charge, I’ll just subdue them for now.”

His unwavering reply felt reassuring.

Since they were living humans, even one shot to each limb would be enough to subdue them.

It seemed there was no need to worry much.

Both Dong-woo and Incheol had shed quite a bit of their naivety.

They certainly left a good impression, but there was little softness about them.

They felt a little bigger than when he first saw them.

He turned his gaze from his younger companions, who seemed a little more mature.

“Don’t weaken even if people try to hold you back.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take Dr. Jang and leave immediately.”

“Okay.”

He replied briefly, turned, and began to walk.

Sangbong-dong, which he had received a relatively detailed explanation about, wasn’t far from here.

His destination was Holy Sale Sangbong branch.

He had never imagined it would be in this neighborhood too.

The emotion he felt when he first entered was still fresh in his mind—

“Seonghan!”

“?”

At the call from behind, he turned slightly.

“…Hurry up and come back!”

Judging by his hyung’s expression, he seemed to want to say, ‘You’ll come back, right?’

He nodded a couple of times at his hyung, then started walking again.

Just then, the drizzling rain also stopped.

‘…Shall I move?’

He left the people’s gazes behind and slowly began to run.

That place, which had left a great impression on him, a common citizen, in the form of a memory.

He needed to go see the faces of those who dared to defile such a pristine and beautiful place.

***

The rain was falling quite heavily on the street.

The rain, a somewhat excessive amount for winter rain, continued for several days.

There were several men on guard in the bad weather.

“What kind of rain keeps falling, darn it.”

“Tell me about it. I wonder how cold it’ll get this winter for it to be like this.”

“Ugh! It’s too cold, I can’t stand it.”

“Use it sparingly. They’re yelling that there isn’t much.”

When he dissuaded the man who was about to open a hot pack, a grumbling complaint burst out.

“Ha! Damn it, really! Why are we even taking in civilians?! We don’t even have enough for ourselves, what are they thinking?!”

“Exactly. Still, it’s a relief we have enough food.”

“Ugh… If we didn’t even have food! We’d all be dead by now!”

“…Calm down. Someone might hear you.”

The men standing guard at the entrance of the large, stark white supermarket building continuously voiced their complaints.

Their rough curses and sincere remarks didn’t easily fade.

Judging by their conversation, the situation seemed dire.

They were struggling between the cover blocking the entrance and the building.

These people, drenched by the midwinter rain, were not soldiers.

However, they wore unified uniforms and protective gear.

Just by their appearance, it was clear their equipment was superior to that of ordinary soldiers.

Furthermore, the weapons they carried were formidable.

Guns, weapons not easily encountered in Korea.

It was strange for non-military personnel to possess guns.

But even stranger was the condition of the guns.

They were distinctly different in appearance from the rifles Seonghan had obtained from the soldiers.

To be precise, they were much more luxurious and modern.

Among them, there were also guns that felt a little shorter and lighter than rifles.

Weapons that felt good for running with or for use in confined spaces.

Various attachments were even affixed to the barrels.

Truly, an appearance befitting modern weaponry.

Compared to these, the guns Seonghan had picked up seemed like relics from an old era.

Robust men who weren’t soldiers, and comprehensive armaments.

The men, who had blocked the entrance with large vehicles and a black bus and concealed themselves, turned their gaze towards the inside of the building.

Inside, people were moving busily.

Individuals with the same armaments and attire as the men on guard were occasionally standing guard, or rather, supervising.

And some soldiers were also standing guard.

However, the atmosphere was closer to surveillance than actual guard duty.

An atmosphere of monitoring unarmed civilians.

In the cold, chilling space, people were working according to instructions.

Constantly moving and organizing items.

The expressions of the people working were not bright.

Fatigue mixed with signs of exhaustion was evident on everyone’s faces.

And they seemed greatly intimidated, as if terrified.

It was truly the feeling of moving their bodies reluctantly and by force.

Amidst them, a person was seen leading a group of people.

Leading the way, inspecting various places, repeatedly giving and receiving instructions.

They seemed just as busy as the other people, only they weren’t carrying loads.

After moving diligently for a long time, they settled down in a customer lounge a short distance away.

“Phew… How long has it been since Deputy Team Leader Choi left?”

“Three hours have passed.”

“Haa… We spent too much time pushing out the wrecked cars.”

“Still, there was no choice. Moving bare-handed would have been too risky.”

“Right. I know. That’s why we must bring him back this time.”

“Team Leader-nim. Perhaps you should rest a moment…”

“I can’t do that yet.”

The person called Team Leader wore the same attire as the men standing guard outside.

The same uniform, the same protective gear.

The differences were their delicate build and long, straight hair.

The young, beautiful team leader blinked continuously, straining her eyes as if they were tired.

Yet, she didn’t stop speaking.

She received status reports, checked them, and issued commands.

If one didn’t know better, it would seem like watching workers of a rapidly growing company.

“The total number of personnel exceeds 200.”

“…Are supplies sufficient?”

“Food is sufficient, and clothing can be managed somehow, but water and daily necessities are a problem.”

“And medicine and hygiene conditions are also critical.”

A young man interjected into the team leader’s conversation.

The man, who didn’t look good but whose eyes were alive, spoke cautiously.

“Investigator Park.”

“We need to check the civilians’ physical conditions, but it’s not being done properly. They’re also uncooperative.”

“Haa….”

“In this state, it’s too dangerous.”

As bad news began to be delivered, it poured out as if a dam had broken.

The woman, who was the team leader, listened expressionlessly and rubbed her temples.

Then she continued speaking in a deflated voice.

“I cannot allow weapon distribution. Neither soldiers nor volunteers. I can’t trust them.”

“I agree. They’re already quite dissatisfied. It doesn’t seem like they’ll follow our orders.”

“State firmly that it’s impossible. If they say they can’t follow orders…”

The team leader, choosing her words for a moment, spoke resolutely.

“Expel them. All of them, without exception.”

“Team Leader Han. That’s…”

“Investigator-nim. We are not a charity. Nor is this a situation to increase enemies internally. We cannot increase risk factors any further.”

“But expelling them is!”

“…We allowed them to accompany us on the condition that they follow our orders. If they can’t follow… then Investigator-nim, you may also leave.”

“…….”

The man called Investigator merely looked at the team leader with regret, unable to say anything else.

“From the beginning, we had no intention of taking in civilians. We are not a rescue team. We have no obligation to protect them.”

“But you Daehan people have weapons, don’t you?”

“For mission execution. And it’s already difficult enough to protect my own life. I cannot create any more risks.”

The team leader’s eyes, speaking coldly, shone even colder.

“…Playing along stops here.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Whether you contact the higher-ups or not, it no longer matters. You look like a kite with a snapped string.”

“…….”

“If you’re going to keep your mouth shut, claiming it’s a secret until the end, then do so. And don’t expect anything afterwards.”

The team leader, showing a smile akin to a sneer, stood up.

And as she was about to move back among the people.

“Isn’t that also true for you?”

At the emotionless investigator’s words, the team leader stopped.

“Isn’t it a bit much to say you were just following orders?”

“…….”

“Rarely seen weapons and equipment. Blind aggression.”

“…Hey.”

“Is collecting zombie samples that important?”

“You…”

“It doesn’t seem like Taeseong will step up for you, does it?”

“Investigator-nim. You should watch your words.”

“Team Leader-nim should be careful with your actions. You’re so reckless that I don’t know when an accident might happen.”

As they began to sharpen their barbs, the man assisting the team leader stepped forward.

The team leader, raising a hand to stop him, remained expressionless.

“Those words. Can you take responsib—”

Bang! Bang bang bang!

Gunshots ripped through the conversation.

The inside of the building became silent in an instant.

And the two people who had been in a heated argument were the same.

Breaking the silence, the team leader quickly gave instructions.

“Let’s check.”

“Status report. Status report. Report what happened.”

She tried to radio, but there was no response.

The assisting man gestured to some subordinates and moved.

At that moment.

Aaaaaaaah!!

Bang!

Graaaah-!

A person’s tearing scream, gunshots, and chilling roars mixed together.

And those strange noises were clearly coming from inside the building.

Now that the strange noises had swept through the quiet supermarket building once.

“Screeeeeeeam!”

The screams of people and the sound of stomping feet shook the ground.

Amidst it, gunshots burst out in succession.

The team leader and those beside her watched their faces decay.

Especially the person called Investigator.

‘Damn it! What is this, for words to come true?!’

Though he was certainly upset, he lamented his reckless mouth.

Unlike him, the team leader bit her lip and quickly composed herself.

“You, take Investigator-nim to the control room. The rest of you, deploy.”

“Ha, Team Leader Han!”

“Hurry.”

The two people, who had been exchanging sharp words, separated just like that.

One headed in the direction people were fleeing, the other in the opposite direction.

“Team Leader-nim! Be careful!!”

The investigator shouted even as he was dragged away.

The man’s cry contained apology.

The team leader, whether she knew it or not, just ran forward.

“…The collected samples and data are well hidden among the equipment.”

“Good. First, let’s handle the situatio—”

Groooooooooowl!!!

A terrifying roar of a different magnitude struck the inside of the supermarket building.

A powerful roar that made the listener’s lower abdomen tingle.

「Mutant detected! Mutant detected!」

And the radio’s response confirming it.

The bodies of the personnel running among the people stiffened and stopped.

“Wh-Where on earth did it come from…”

“Everyone, full firepower! Everyone, respond with full firepower!”

The team leader, giving rapid orders, quickly raised her gun.

Those who began to move again gradually approached the source of the gunshots.

Just as they were about to enter combat with resolute expressions.

「Zombies at the entrance! Zombies at the entrance! Requesting support! Requesting support!」

Rough gunshots and shouts mixed together flowed from the radio.

People immediately fell into a panic.

A mutant in front, zombies at the entrance behind.

People suddenly cornered in an instant.

“Take down the mutant first!! Personnel near the entrance, support the entrance!”

The team leader, shouting into the radio, rushed out.

The team members followed a beat late.

Open fire!!!

With the desperate command, modern firearms simultaneously spewed fire.

A situation of being surrounded on all sides.

The fierce resistance of the living humans had begun.

This happened two hours before Seonghan encountered the assailants at Sagajeong Market.