episode_0138

“Whew!”

I, who had been running diligently, slowly reduced my speed.

It didn’t take long to return to Myeonmok-dong. It wasn’t that far in terms of distance. Just a short distance, about five subway stops.

Public transportation, which had served as the feet of the citizens, was paralyzed, and even private cars were difficult to use.

Now, with ‘movement’ restricted in many ways. It’s nothing new, but I’m satisfied with my unusual method and speed of travel.

Last night, I chased an SUV all the way to Konkuk University. It took a long time, even though I only moved and didn’t directly confront any zombies. Of course, that’s not to say I didn’t consider the cautious nature of my movement.

‘It’ll definitely be hard to move within the city.’ It’s obvious that whether it’s the government, corporations, or nameless idiots, they’re in for a hard time unless they clear the roads first to overcome the current situation. Thinking about those bastards who will be working day and night makes me strangely happy.

‘…Surely they won’t push this far…?’ They’ve already invaded twice. It’s not impossible. It might just be a preemptive worry. After all, this neighborhood doesn’t have such a huge advantage.

But seeing them continuously scheme to get their hands on that one doctor, I don’t think it’s an absurd worry either. My neck feels stiff from racking my brain, which I don’t usually do.

*crack crack* Twisting my neck, I trudged along the road at the entrance of Myeonmok-dong.

The street was unbelievably quiet. While this stillness brought a sense of relief, a conflicting feeling of unease crept up, creating a restless mood.

*Crash!* *Thud! Crunch— Snap—* I needlessly kicked a scrapped car blocking the road. The car tumbled several times, and the loud sound of metal crumpling echoed through the quiet street. But there was no reaction. Not even the groans of zombies, sensitive to sound, could be heard.

“Hmm…” Having confirmed that the street was safe for the moment, I walked leisurely.

It was like enjoying a stroll in the early hours of dawn. The unsuited leisure in this situation wasn’t bad. Aside from the desolate and chaotic backdrop, it was a rather scenic time.

More than anything, past days came to mind, making me feel sentimental. Just three months ago, I was commuting to work under the stars, but now I wander around covered in blood. I had so desperately wanted to escape the scenes of splattering blood, yet now that I’ve returned to my hometown, I’m drenched in it as if it were my prime. A bitter laugh escaped my lips at the ironic situation.

‘…The world is really messing with me.’

With such thoughts, I soon arrived at Yongma Intersection in front of the Fake House. After a brief hesitation, I didn’t return directly to the shelter. I changed my steps and headed towards Dr. Jang’s hospital.

It was early, but I figured I should meet him anyway. It wasn’t just that I remembered he said he had something to tell me; I was also curious why he was receiving such enthusiastic “love calls.” Intense curiosity. I’m the type who can’t sleep if there’s something I’m curious about.

Wondering what he would say to start, I arrived at Sagajeong Market.

‘Is it morning already…?’ Night and dawn are distinctly different. Though sunrise is late in winter, dawn was ending and morning was approaching. It was still dark, but I could feel my vision gradually brightening.

At the same time, the somewhat messy street came into view. Bloodstains and spent casings were scattered everywhere on the ground. Black vehicles were still parked, seemingly untouched by people. No corpses were visible…

“Oh…” A place where the market’s survivors had gathered household waste and scrap materials. The corpses were piled up next to that trash heap. I must not have noticed them when I passed by at night.

But now, seeing them, the corpses that had threatened people were being treated worse than trash. I shook my head at the sight, where people’s anger was starkly evident. In a way, it was an obvious outcome, so I felt no pity. I think the dead ones should be grateful they weren’t torn to shreds and thrown to the dogs.

I observed the traces of the rather feisty survivors before entering the hospital.

‘As long as they don’t give *me* trouble. Only me.’ As I ascended to the 5th floor, my mind filled with somewhat selfish thoughts.

Whatever they do to others is not my business. As long as those absurd emotions or actions aren’t directed at me. If they don’t repeat the time they showed their teeth at me, coveting my weapons, I won’t deliberately treat them rudely either.

I don’t know what the market survivors, who have already accumulated their ‘stacks,’ will do. This is why I hate getting involved with many people. I’m thinking of just listening to Dr. Jang and then keeping my distance.

‘…I was the one who broke it.’ The hospital entrance on the 5th floor, which I had ascended to, was dark. Since the door I had kicked open was gone, the entrance was wide open. Without hesitation, I stepped inside and looked around.

The somewhat messy hospital interior had at least been cleaned. All the broken fixtures seemed to have been removed, as they weren’t visible. No bloodstains or spent casings were visible on the floor.

“Did they go home…?” I thought he would be at the hospital since there was a patient who had undergone major surgery, but the 5th floor was empty. Just in case, I headed to the 6th floor.

Entering the relatively intact 6th floor, faint light leaked from inside. Focusing a little, I could also hear signs of people and faint voices.

“Is anyone here?” I deliberately made a loud sound and headed towards where I felt the presence of people.

As I approached the source of the light, people popped out from inside.

“…What are you doing here?” The people who came out were Hyuk hyung, Incheol, Dong-woo, Dr. Jang Heeyeon, and Kim Heejin. And then Dr. Jang himself appeared from behind. Our group, surprised at my appearance, rushed towards me.

“You! Where have you been, coming back now! And what’s with your appearance?”

“What do you mean, what’s wrong with my appearance?”

“No… sigh…” Hyung kept opening and closing his mouth, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

“Hyung-nim, you look… grubby.” “What, you punk?” I swallowed a hollow laugh at Dong-woo’s unfiltered, cautious remark.

At my reaction, people burst into small laughs. I had certainly poured water over myself, but I was still drenched in blood, so their reaction wasn’t unreasonable.

I subtly observed the people. Everyone looked tired, as if they had spent the night here.

Listening to Hyung’s subsequent explanation, it seemed they had been here continuously since I left for Sangbong-dong. Our group had calmed everyone down, tidied the streets, and cleaned the hospital. And just in case, they had stayed by Dr. Jang’s side, helping to look after the patient. He also added that he had a feeling I would come here. Talking with them like that had led to the present moment.

Even though Incheol was armed with a rifle, they were still exposing themselves to danger. I was about to point out Hyung’s somewhat complacent thinking, but a different question came out instead.

“…What about the others?”

“They left with proper notice, so they won’t be worried.” At his words, I nodded slightly and turned my gaze.

Dr. Jang, meeting my eyes,’s expression turned serious. Seeing that, I cut straight to the chase without dragging it out and stated my business.

“There’s something I want to ask you, Dr. Jang. That’s why I stopped by.”

“…Please, come inside.” Dr. Jang, letting me in without a word, had a calm reaction.

The small lounge contained nothing but a faint light. The light was just a flashlight standing on the table, serving as a substitute for a fluorescent lamp. A desolate space, feeling somewhat chilly due to the cold weather. Without minding, I found a suitable spot and sat down.

“Given the situation, there isn’t much I can offer you.” “It’s fine.”

Dr. Jang, offering a vitamin drink and taking a seat, adjusted his posture and slowly opened his mouth.

“The others are…” “We’ll open it up to our group anyway. You can speak freely.” “Hmm…”

At my unhesitant reply, Dr. Jang seemed to ponder. My words were true. I intended to share most of the current situation with my group. Secrets create doubt, and doubt breeds mistrust. I had no intention of leaving such seeds of mistrust.

Of course, I couldn’t speak about myself. Either they would call me crazy, or they wouldn’t be able to accept it. I had things to say, but I just wasn’t saying them.

As I waited a little longer, thinking selfishly, Dr. Jang gravely opened his mouth.

“You’re curious why they want to take me, aren’t you?” “Yes. Thanks to that, we’ve become hostilely entangled. At least I need to know why those bastards did it to feel satisfied.”

“…Do you have any cigarettes?” “You’re a doctor, and you smoke?”

I unhesitatingly offered cigarettes to Dr. Jang, who was asking for them. At my words, Dr. Jang smiled bitterly, put a cigarette in his mouth, and lit it.

“Phew… This is the first time I’ve smoked a cigarette since entering medical school.” “You’ve abstained for quite a long time.” “Haha~ That’s true. It’s been decades.”

Dr. Jang smoked the long-awaited cigarette with great enjoyment. Even though it was smoking inside a hospital, no one pointed it out. The inside of the lounge was utterly silent. So silent that I could hear the sound of the cigarette burning as Dr. Jang deeply inhaled.

Exhaling the deeply inhaled cigarette smoke in a long stream, Dr. Jang opened his mouth.

“……I am connected to the current situation.” “…?” The air in the small lounge turned cold.

“What people call zombies, I am entangled with them.” Dr. Jang’s gravely spoken words struck my head with a great reverberation.