episode_0154

To maintain the framework of society, various elements are necessary. Among them are simple yet famous rules and controls. Even if one pursues a direction of freedom, they are undoubtedly necessary. Things that must be upheld minimally for mutual rights. The pursuit of efficiency in a group composed of many. If rules aren’t followed, it becomes a crime, and if control fails, it turns into chaos. Sticking only to rules makes one inflexible and frustrating, while excessive control turns one into a bastard. This wasn’t some teaching from a book or a famous person. It was the precious life experiences shared by older brothers I vaguely knew. Having heard this story over a drink before, I had nodded my head. At first listen, it seemed to make sense. But the decisive blow was something else: a single remark from the guild leader. “Rules are for the powerless to follow, and control is for the powerful bastards to wield. Got it~?” When this chuunibyou-like remark came out, everyone present slapped their foreheads and chugged their drinks. …Though it was an experience he learned while playing games.

Anyway.

Seeing the military man spouting nonsense about control in front of me, I let out a hollow laugh of amusement. Control? If they have the ability to do it, then it’s right for them to do it. But to talk about control in front of me on this street? I exterminated the thugs and zombies that plagued this street. *I* did. Though I didn’t do it intentionally, I protected Director Jang and the people. *I* did it. I hadn’t paid attention since then, but this street became safe after I cleared a large-scale zombie defense. Suddenly appearing and acting like the owner, like breaking into an empty house? It’s exactly as they say: when there’s no tiger in the mountain, the fox acts as king [a proverb about lesser beings taking power in the absence of a dominant force]. Not cute, pretty, fluffy, or cunning foxes, but incredibly sly hyena-like bastards. A small question popped into my mind as I looked at the brazen military man. ‘…Can human skin be made into paper too?’ Paper and even toilet paper aren’t being produced, so it’s something worth considering. I briefly pondered the production of human skin paper, looking at the military men blocking the path. The military men looked a bit gaunt and tired, but not too bad. Their complexions were a bit pale, and they were sweating a bit, but they seemed okay. Their outer skin condition was also decent. Just like dried pollack, and leather, it softens when you beat it. People don’t die as easily as one might think. I could probably tenderize them sufficiently.

I quickly put my mind to work. There’s no talking to these guys. They’re like hyenas. They’re weaker than me. There’s no reason to listen to those weaker than me. Having summarized the key points, I quietly shifted my gaze, pinpointing the number and positions of my targets. If I stirred things up, Hyuk hyung and Sohee would step forward. The calculation was that they would take the younger ones and get out of here. As it was a simple thought, the calculation finished quickly.

“Hmph— Hahh—” I took a small breath. I swung my foot with all my might between the legs of the military man blocking my path— “Wait!!” A high-pitched, urgent voice brought me to a halt. Still frozen in my stopped posture, I subtly glanced sideways. “Wait! Wait! Just a moment!” The door of a black SUV opened, and figures hurried out. One of them shouted loudly and ran over. Seeing the woman rushing over breathlessly, I lowered my leg which had been just about to connect with the military man’s crotch. ‘…….’ A familiar face. ‘So it was these bastards.’ The Daehan team leader – that woman – and her hulking subordinate, whom I’d forgotten about, appeared before me. They had more guts than I thought. I never imagined they would appear before me like this. “Ex-excuse me. I’ll explain, so please don’t get angry and calm down…” “I’m not angry.” “…You’re really scary right now… So please calm down and let’s talk…” “Oh, really?” Thud— As I slightly turned my body towards the team leader, the military man facing me slumped to the ground. Glancing down, I saw their face had gone white as they gasped for breath. The nearby military men also looked sickened. No wonder their reactions were so strong; it seemed I had unconsciously amplified my aura. Unlike their confusion, they were still armed, so they didn’t drop their guard. It was just a temporary pause. Killing them was something I could do easily at any time. The team leader, meeting my gaze, flinched. “I saved you, but it seems you don’t value your life?” “Huh?” “We agreed not to see each other again, didn’t we? Remember?” “Th-that… Yes, we did, but…” “I clearly told you to forget about me and Director Jang not just out of politeness.” I glared at the Daehan team leader. “It was a warning infused with my genuine sincerity.” “No! It’s not like that!! I really didn’t intend to break the promise?!” “But you did, didn’t you?” As I slowly approached, the team leader began to stumble backward. Her shoulders trembled slightly, indicating she hadn’t forgotten about me. But what did that matter? She had led these bastards and swarmed all the way here. I interpreted this as a desperate plea to be killed. It just so happened that I was curious about the utility of human skin. Since she’s a woman, I expect the leather texture to be good. Though informal, we had agreed on immediate death for breaking the promise, so… “They’re begging to die, so I should grant their wish.” “Hic! Hiccup!” “Wait! We didn’t come here willingly! Truly! I swear it!” When I genuinely decided to kill her, the team leader was so shocked she started hiccuping. The hulking subordinate I’d seen before stepped forward, blocking the frozen, helpless woman. “Swear to your chairman. Just close your eyes. Since we’ve met once, I’ll send you off painlessly. You goddamn bastards.” I planned to deal with these bastards who had created this annoying and dangerous situation. I should have finished them off back then. I regretted casually letting them go due to my curiosity about their base and the bother. Faced with such sincere and blatant killing intent, even the hulking subordinate fell silent. In that opening, I subtly looked back at Jihyeok hyung. When I signaled with my eyes, Hyuk hyung, understanding the meaning, quietly began to enter the hospital with Sohee. But the two of them soon came back out from the entrance. As luck would have it, a group of people was walking out from inside. “Everyone, lower your weapons!” A man issued a command in a loud voice and fast tone. At his single word, all the military men simultaneously lowered their muzzles. The well-built man, meeting my gaze, strode purposefully towards me. His considerable height, broad shoulders, and solid build seemed to be the result of extensive training. His steps were powerful, and his expressionless face exuded a resolute feeling. Seeing the numerous scars on his face, I realized. A formidable expert who had survived a scene of carnage. A veteran was approaching, clearly superior to the showboating thugs with their twin blades or the lunatic sub-team leader. ‘This is quite…’ I might have had a glint in my eye and accepted the conversation with courage. If it weren’t for this situation and if he weren’t wearing a military uniform. “I am Captain Lee Kanghoon, of the Provisional Unified Army.” “…….” A deep, masculine voice, like a cave echoing. I didn’t respond to the military man’s introduction, which was full of elements of a true man. To be precise, I paid no attention. Instead, I eyed the accompanying personnel out of the corner of my eye. One young woman exuding a meticulous and intellectual aura. Behind her, a muscular giant, appearing over 190cm tall. One female soldier with a boyish face who looked like she worked out. And Director Jang. I don’t know why that old man came all the way out here. It seems his life became trivial after he awakened. “I regret meeting you under these circumstances, but please allow me a chance to explain.” “…….” “…I understand that you’re upset, but it’s a misunderstanding.” “A misunderstanding?” Despite my brief reply, the military man opened his mouth, unfazed. Respectfully, yet not subserviently. And all the while, he seemed to be carefully observing me. Seeing his confident demeanor, I decided to listen for now. Click-clack—! “Gasp?!” “!!” When I aimed the gun at the Daehan team leader, she trembled in confusion. Seeing her twitching, I turned my gaze to the military man, the one called Captain. “I’ll listen.” “Th-the gun…” “These bastards broke their promise and created this situation. So, I need to show some sincerity too.” “…….” At my hostile action, the military man, the one called Captain, closed his mouth. “The moment you start spouting nonsense instead of talking, I pull the trigger. If you babble idiocies, I pull the trigger. If you try any tricks, I pull the trigger.” I felt the tense gazes of everyone present fixated on me. Just the right amount of tension hitting me. “After these two, I’ll put a bullet in the head of everyone else here. Not a single one of you will be left. I promise you on my name.” Still aiming at the team leader, I relaxed my eyes and faced the military man with my usual expression. “Alright. So, what do you have to say?” “First, it seems my subordinates misunderstood due to considering this an important location. We absolutely had no intention of being hostile towards you and everyone else.” “For that, they seemed quite arrogant and confident.” “…It’s my fault. We were in such a hurry….” I looked at the military men standing with tense expressions. Somehow, their eyes looked stupid, and I was sure it wasn’t a mistake. “When we first arrived, everyone had similar reactions, but we cleared up the misunderstanding. We explained to the survivors in the market and to Dr. Jang Myeonghwan here.” The military man diligently continued his explanation. His serious expression, speaking calmly and concisely, made him seem like a normal person. As he explained at length, during a moment he paused to take a breath, I asked. “What about the control?” “Ah… We ordered them to be careful not to be disturbed because it was an important location, but it seems my explanation was insufficient.” The part where he didn’t shift blame to his subordinates and admitted his own mistake was worth listening to. It even felt a bit regrettable, as if he might be reasonable. I nodded and asked again. “Leaving that aside. Why are you trying to take Director Jang?” “…Huh?” “’Huh?’ What do you mean ‘Huh?’ Did you think I wouldn’t know? Don’t deny it. My finger is tensing up.” It was a pity that this military man, who was cosplaying as a normal, manly person one could reason with, was a subordinate of Taesung. If that hadn’t been the issue, I might have been more open to conversation. When I made a gesture as if I would really shoot, the people in front of me began to tense up. “You speak well for a military man, it’s a shame. You should’ve just worn a suit like that woman. I’ve had too many bad experiences with military men, you see.” “No, that’s a misunderstanding—” “If you guys weren’t ordered by Taesung, I might have been tempted. Really.” I confessed my weakness of having ears that flutter, and chuckled lightly. And I prepared to rampage. I gripped the floor with my left hand and clenched my right hand into a fist. Crack-crack— “I’ve heard enough. It doesn’t seem like you have anything more to say, so now…” “Seonghan.” Director Jang, who had been silent, abruptly interjected. The old doctor, with his usual mild expression, didn’t seem to have been beaten. He didn’t look hurt anywhere, but he was interrupting me. “What are you doing?” “Calm down. Seonghan is mistaken.” “About what?” “It’s true these people requested my help as a doctor, but they weren’t trying to drag me away by force.” ‘…Doesn’t seem like a lie…’ His calm tone, no different from when we conversed before, confused me. I don’t know why he’s doing this after all the trouble he went through because of Taesung. And those events weren’t long ago, but quite recent. “Also, the person these people originally wanted to meet wasn’t me.” “…?” “It seems these people came looking for Seonghan.” “It seems they came,” not “they came.” What was that supposed to mean? For a moment, I wondered if Director Jang had dementia. He said the target wasn’t him, but me. ‘There are many things that come to mind….’ A person like me couldn’t compare to Director Jang in terms of importance. To Taesung, wasn’t I just worth about as much as an annoying ant? In my bewilderment, I turned my gaze to the military man. Then, as if he had been waiting, he opened his mouth. “So your name is Seonghan. Dr. Jang is correct. I came looking for you.” “Why? To mess me up?” At my still prickly response, the military man made a bitter expression. “I broadly heard from Dr. Jang about what happened. I understand your wariness. However, we are different from those scumbags.” He spoke well, but still… “Then why would people from Konkuk University Shelter look for me? There wouldn’t be any other reason, would there?” “…How did you know who we are?” “I don’t know who you are. I know where you came from.” At my words, the military man and the others’ eyes gleamed with curiosity. They really have no fear in a situation like this. “People from where Taesung is came looking for me; could that really be a good thing? No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem so, does it?” At my words, the muscular military man behind him frowned. The female soldier next to him glared at me. Chewing gum noisily. If it were possible, she looked like she would kill me with her gaze. Just as the military man called Captain was about to say something, the woman who had been standing like a mannequin beside him spoke. “That misunderstanding is offensive.” “Misunderstanding? So you’re saying it’s not true?” “It is not.” “…What?” “We are not Taesung’s subordinates. Apologize!” The woman, speaking haughtily with a cold expression, had a fiery glint in her eyes. A beautiful woman, whose eyes screamed, ‘I’m angry!’ “Bullshit.” I let out a hollow laugh, as if my sanity had left me.