episode_0152

“…Wh-who is it?”

Someone, perhaps still having some energy left, managed to speak with difficulty.

From the sound of it, it seemed to be an old man.

His severely cracked voice was so parched and dry it sounded as if he’d swallowed sand.

First, taking advantage of the people’s gazes being fixed on the floor, I pulled a backpack from my inventory. Then, as if it had been in my original bag, I took out a 500ml bottle of water and offered it.

I knew water was precious, but perhaps giving this much would be a flexible gesture.

‘There’s still a good side left in me, I see.’

I appraised myself as having a neutral alignment and looked at the man before me.

The man appeared to be a middle-aged or older man.

His eyes couldn’t adapt to the light, so he couldn’t open them properly.

Seeing him huddle his body, unable to recognize the water bottle held out in front of him, he seemed to have been trapped for a very long time.

I slowly twisted open the cap of the water bottle and gently placed it in the man’s hand.

He flinched in surprise when I took his hand, but then, realizing what he held, he was astonished.

“…Please drink some water first.”

A jolt!

At the mention of water, many people stirred.

The man’s hands trembled as he struggled to pour the water into his mouth.

“Ugh! Cough! Gulp! Ugh…”

He kept choking, unable to swallow properly.

But enduring it, the man forced the water down, emptying the small bottle in an instant.

I silently handed him another bottle of water, then distributed one to each of the others.

For those too weak to even open the caps, I opened them and placed the bottles in their hands; their reactions were similar.

People drank the water as if pouring it down their throats.

The room was soon filled with a succession of coughs and the sounds of water being swallowed.

‘Were they really trying to kill people by dehydrating them…?’

Both the trapped men and women were in such a state that it aroused pity.

Looking at those who had endured conditions akin to torture, I clicked my tongue softly.

I was in no position to criticize others, but there were more terrible people than I thought.

Indeed, the world is vast and full of talent.

I was merely a beginner who only knew how to strike.

Vowing to try it out on any future enemies, I waited for the people to calm down.

A moment later, as the choking coughs subsided, the man spoke to me.

“…Thank you. Thank you very much.”

The man, who had struggled to get up, expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

His eyes seemed to have recovered, as he looked directly at me.

He had only drunk two bottles of water, but his voice was already much clearer.

Receiving his thanks, I stood up.

“I’ve mostly dealt with the guys who occupied this place, so you can leave now.”

“…Huh?”

“Since they’re gone, you can go home. That’s all.”

The moment I casually informed them of the facts and turned my body.

“P-please help us! Please! Please save us!”

A rescue plea, cutting off all preamble and just blurting it out.

The man’s desperate plea reached me from behind, devoid of strength.

“Please get us out of here! Th-that’s right! My friend and I are technicians! We’ll be useful.”

“No, it’s fine, I’m telling you, you can just leave?”

“Please! Please, I beg you! Please… Urgh…”

I sighed at his frantic, desperate cries.

Judging by their reactions, they must have been terribly tormented by those thugs.

“Alright, just calm down.”

“A-are you serious?”

“Ah, come on!”

I turned back and calmed the man.

The others were also staring intently at me with wide, timid eyes.

I scanned them and fell into thought.

‘…They look like they’d have trouble moving….’

As I silently observed the people, a young woman urgently spoke.

“W-we can move!”

“Oh! That’s right. We can follow well. Really!”

Perhaps she was quick-witted, but starting with her declaration that they could do it, everyone else eagerly showed their resolve.

They looked like they wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible.

But.

Grrrrumble-

“……”

“……”

It seemed their bodies weren’t cooperating with their will.

And as if to confirm that thought, their stomachs rumbled continuously.

“S-sorry….”

They seemed to have suffered terribly.

They hadn’t done anything wrong, yet seeing the women cringe made my mouth feel bitter.

…Pity naturally arose for the people in the room.

‘Well, I’ve gathered a lot of supplies, too….’

Feigning taking them from my bag, I started pulling out water bottles and canned food.

I took out a generous amount of canned porridge, which I hadn’t really had a chance to eat until now.

This wasn’t just getting rid of leftovers.

I was merely giving according to the situation.

And the people’s reactions were quite good.

Those who recognized what I was taking out had their eyes gleaming.

It was almost as if lasers were about to shoot out.

“Th-this…”

“Just eat for now. Slowly, and don’t overeat.”

At my words, the woman who had first spoken stepped forward.

The woman, who quickly distributed the porridge, soon took one for herself and began to eat.

Though it was just opening a lid, those who struggled and strained to open it then tilted their heads back and devoured the food as if shoving it down their throats.

One was certainly not enough, but as if forgetting my warning not to overeat, people continued to eat the porridge ravenously.

‘…My companions ate really quite daintily.’

Recalling the first time I met Hyung and Shia and fed them porridge, I generously distributed porridge to those who looked like they needed more.

“Ugh… Slurp. Sniffle. Slurp. Ugh…”

The women, who looked young at a glance, began to shed mournful tears.

Yet, they didn’t stop chewing.

Was she eating tears, snot, or porridge?

‘I wish she’d just do one thing.’

This thought crossed my mind while quietly observing their meal, but I didn’t thoughtlessly blurt it out.

…Because I deeply understood the feelings of hunger and sorrow.

I subtly took out a can of coffee and drank it, waiting for them to finish their meal.

Not long after, the meal concluded.

Their stomachs seemed to have shrunk from starvation, as they couldn’t eat much.

They seemed quite regretful, licking their lips and just looking down at the canned porridge.

“Are you all finished?”

“Ah! Yes. Th-thank you. Truly.”

Having consumed solid food, the somewhat calmed people offered their thanks a beat late. Looking at them, I quietly asked.

“Can you move?”

“Of course. Somehow.”

“Then… do you know where Sagajeong Station is?”

“Yes. I know it well. It’s not far from here.”

“There are survivors at Sagajeong Market.”

“Really?!”

At my words, the man’s eyes widened.

A small stir arose among the women nearby, who had perked up their ears.

“They probably won’t turn you away. Let’s go there first. And for the rest, you’ll have to manage on your own.”

“…Is it safe there?”

All eyes focused on the man’s cautious question.

My answer, delivered shortly after, was nonchalant.

“Is there anywhere safe?”

“Ah…”

“I have business there, so I have to go. Decide for yourselves whether you follow or not.”

“We will follow.”

The man who had been speaking with me didn’t hesitate at all.

And the others also made their decisions quickly, as if there was no need to think.

“Then let’s leave right away.”

“Ah, I understa… Wait! Thank you!”

“Save your thanks for later.”

I showed a somewhat dry reaction and stood up.

People tried to state their names along with their greetings, but I ignored them.

I wasn’t sure if they’d truly be grateful later.

I also wasn’t sure if they would all make it to Sagajeong alive.

If I heard their names and remembered them for no reason, my sleep might be disturbed.

First, I planned to stop by Director Jang’s hospital, where Incheol would be.

So, it was a small whim to guide them along the way.

These people might not be accepted in Sagajeong.

It would be difficult for them to even look after themselves, so wouldn’t that be the case?

‘Then I can send them to Konkuk University Shelter.’

My thought was that since it was large, they would be accepted there.

Since I had a fallback plan, there was no burden.

I picked up the flashlight I had placed on the floor and exited into the staff corridor with the people.

Then I looked back at the people and closed my mouth.

‘Ah….’

Everyone’s clothing was in poor condition.

The two men at least had something on, but the women…

“There are clothes in the room behind you. Put something on and come out.”

The women, awkwardly covering their bodies, rushed into the room where the clothes were.

I felt a bit bad that these were clothes I hadn’t bothered to pick up, as they weren’t in great condition, but they were much better than nothing.

While they were dressing, I took out my rifle and slung it over my shoulder.

A few minutes later, everyone, having put on jackets or whatever they could find, came out in a line.

With something on, they looked a bit better.

The two men emerged from the tool room, each holding a crowbar.

“Huh? G-gun?”

“…Don’t mind it.”

People were startled by my appearance with the rifle slung over my shoulder, but they mostly overlooked it.

I simply told those ready to move:

“Once we’re outside, keep your mouths shut. Don’t scream, no matter what happens.”

The 15 people nodded heavily, their eyes a mix of fear and resolve.

“Excuse me, are there many of those monsters… outside?”

“There weren’t any nearby, but I can’t guarantee it.”

“…Understood. We’re in your hands.”

I immediately turned around and started walking ahead of the people.

People were slightly startled by the thugs sprawled on the corridor floor, but seeing they were unconscious, they quickly hurried past.

As if avoiding dirty refuse.

We descended to the first floor via the emergency stairs in the staff corridor.

Creak-

The first-floor store was dark.

The side with windows was darker because steel plates had been welded to block them.

I clicked my tongue at the unfitting meticulousness.

“…Those bastards really stuck them on thoroughly.”

“Ah, I did that….”

“What did you do?”

“I mean welding steel plates onto the windows and doors. I did it. They forced me to, but….”

I stopped walking and looked back at the man for a moment.

At my reaction, the man looked flustered and gave an awkward laugh.

‘He said he was a technician, so was he a welder?’

I didn’t know what else he could do, but in the current situation, technicians were welcome everywhere. Of course, that was if they survived.

As I thought this and looked around for an exit, the man quietly spoke.

“I reinforced the exit, so I know. This way.”

The man stuck close to my side, offering to guide the way.

And following his guidance, I slowly moved forward.

In the already quiet store, the sounds of people’s footsteps were noisy.

The tapping footsteps on the tiled floor broke the silence and urged them to hasten their pace.

Perhaps it stimulated their senses, as their breathing grew rough.

Or it could be that their stamina was low and they were struggling.

What was certain was that they were struggling to not fall behind.

Leading the people who followed as if pushed from behind, as if being chased, I headed for the exit.

The exit we soon found had been quite carefully reinforced.

I quietly admired the steel plates, simply but firmly joined together.

Seeing the light streaming in through the gaps in the steel plates, I put away my flashlight.

Then, I forcefully pushed open the locked door and stepped out onto the street.

Perhaps because I had been inside the building, the outside air felt cold.

Unlike my dry reaction, the people’s reactions were fervent.

“Ah…”

People sighed and sniffled, swallowing their tears.

Among them were some who staggered or covered their faces with their hands.

These were people who had embraced the fear that they might never see light again in the pitch-black darkness.

…Even if I couldn’t empathize, I somewhat understood.

I felt bad for the people, but there was no time to delay.

Standing outside for too long was inviting danger.

Quickly surveying left and right, I turned left from the entrance and headed toward the main road.

Turning the corner of the building, we emerged at the location where the intense shootout had occurred.

I stepped forward without hesitation.

It was a street where loud gunshots had echoed, but no zombies had been drawn by the sound.

Thanks to this, even though I was dragging people along, I could proceed without burden.

I maintained my pace and urged the people:

“Again, don’t make loud noises. If you see or hear anything, don’t shout; signal me.”

Everyone answered well, but if they actually experienced it, well…

It was questionable whether they could truly remain calm.

I walked silently, observing the front, and the people naturally lined up and followed.

I could feel, without filter, the people’s gazes fixed on the back of my head.

“Gasp?! P-people?”

Less than three minutes after I spoke, the women gasped in shock.

‘Thank god there are no zombies nearby, damn it…’

My head was already throbbing.

Regret swelled up, wondering if I had unnecessarily brought them out.

Since we were retracing our steps, we naturally passed through the street where the shootout had occurred.

The women were terrified by the bullet-ridden corpses.

One woman even dry heaved.

All of them had holes in their heads, exposing their insides, so it would be quite shocking for faint-hearted individuals.

“What on earth happened…”

The man swallowed hard and muttered to himself.

I strode forward without looking back.

There were too many people to look after each one, and it was bothersome.

I vowed that from now on, I would never act out of useless pity.

The people who had almost fallen into a panic, stopping for a moment, quickly rushed to catch up once they realized the distance between us.

‘…This is going to take some time.’

They hadn’t been walking long, but people were already panting.

The expressions on the faces of those who glanced back were a mix of anxiety and determination.

Their intention to escape this place and survive somehow was conveyed.

However, their physical stamina wasn’t cooperating.

Having been trapped for a long time and exposed to violence was holding them back.

The street outside was bright daylight, yet it was unusually quiet.

Despite their firm resolve, the people were still anxious and afraid.

The subtle tension blanketing the street quickly exhausted the people.

The one saving grace was that there was no sign of zombies nearby.

If we were to move, now was the right time.

But no matter how I looked at it, these people were not in a state to move.

In the end, not long after leaving D-Mart, I stopped walking.

I quickly looked around, starting to search for a suitable building.

At my actions, the people grew tense, and the man quietly asked.

“Is there a problem or something…”

“…Everyone isn’t in a state to walk, so I plan to hide us.”

“Ah…”

The man himself was sweating profusely, exhausted.

His arm holding the crowbar was trembling from exhaustion.

Everyone had bravely resolved to move, but when faced with the practical difficulty, they couldn’t speak. They didn’t insist on going further either.

At this moment, I desperately missed the flat-tired and smashed delivery truck.

I was about to grudgingly approach a relatively intact building.

‘A car… no, is it a truck?’

From far ahead, I started hearing an engine roar.

I quickly commanded those behind me.

“Everyone, hide behind the car! Quickly!”

“Yes? Yes!”

The people, who had been bewildered for a moment, soon hid behind the wrecked car on the roadside.

Although they were hurrying, their sluggish movements were irritating, but I endured it.

I, too, hid my body and stealthily watched ahead.

‘Was there another gang nearby?’

I held my breath quietly, waiting for the car to pass.

Immediately, the sound of a vehicle approaching grew louder, and I could make out its outline.

‘…Huh?’

Recognizing the familiar vehicle and driver, I quickly dashed out onto the road.

“Hyung!”

At my loud shout, Jihyeok Hyung recognized me.

Sohee, who was in the passenger seat, did too.

Though the distance was considerable, I could clearly see both of them widening their eyes.

Hyung was driving our shattered-windshield delivery truck, rattling towards me.

I certainly hadn’t expected him to return to the site.

His picturesque appearance driving a delivery truck felt somewhat unbalanced, but I couldn’t be more pleased to see him.

Even his timing of appearance was exquisitely perfect.

I stood there and smiled genuinely.

The car gradually slowed down and eventually came to a stop.

“Are you okay?!”

Hyung got out of the car and immediately checked on my well-being.

Sohee also approached, checking first if I was hurt.

Indeed, they had witnessed an arrow almost embedding itself in my temple right before their eyes, so such a reaction was not unreasonable.

“I’m fine.”

I offered a small smile to the two people reacting so strongly.

And then I immediately asked what I was curious about.

“So…”

“Hm?”

“…What are those things you brought along behind you?”

The two people who appeared with the car at such a perfect timing were very welcome.

But the vehicle that followed behind the delivery truck was not.

I quietly adjusted my grip on my gun and heightened my vigilance.

And then I slowly changed my expression and began to glare at the target.