episode_0184

Humans are arrogant.

It’s the illusion of people who live without a care.

Or it’s the ignorance of those who have lost all fear.

Of course, this is just my personal opinion.

Still, I’ve experienced a lot.

Games, novels, comics, movies, anime.

And experiences I’ve personally had while living a short life (?).

According to the insights I’ve gained directly and indirectly, many incidents originate from arrogance.

Due to the complacent judgment of humans who underestimated the power of nature, half a continent was covered in ice and people froze to death.

Unable to control the immense power they believed they could manage, a major city turned into a city of death, resulting in massive casualties.

They boasted they could control a disease in a small town, but it swept across the entire world, causing immense damage.

And the current situation is no different.

Even a group representing Korea couldn’t handle it, leading to this disaster.

I didn’t see it myself, but I heard about it.

The complacency of ‘it’ll be fine’.

The arrogance of ‘there’s no problem’.

I hate this, which is one of humanity’s many weaknesses and flaws.

That’s why I hate the clueless and overbearing higher-ups.

Every single one of them was arrogant.

Both sides are remarkably consistent.

But now, it seems I need to add a few more names to the list on this side.

‘…….’

Captain Lee Kanghoon.

This man, one of the main figures leading the Konkuk University Shelter.

The favorability stacks I’d accumulated, including for the Konkuk University Shelter, have been reset.

“Why are you asking me that?”

“Huh?”

“Do as you please.”

For now, I showed an indifferent reaction.

Honestly, I wonder what they’re thinking.

It’s unlikely these people don’t know the meaning of their current actions.

Captain Lee was flustered by my lack of reaction.

“Uh… well, I’ll just collect a small amount then.”

Captain Lee, stuttering slightly, soon pulled out tools from his bag.

A black box, briefcase-sized, made of a matte material.

It’s an item I remember.

‘…….’

“I’ll look around a bit first. I need to find something in at least somewhat intact condition… But the smell is quite strong.”

Frowning at the foul stench of decay, Captain Lee unhesitatingly began walking into the middle of the field of corpses.

I slowly followed behind him.

All the fires were out.

Smoke still wafted up in wisps here and there.

There seemed to be a faint warmth remaining on the ground.

“Hmm…”

Captain Lee examined the burned corpses quite carefully.

“They seem more vulnerable to fire than I thought.”

“Is that so?”

“Even if a human body catches fire, it doesn’t burn like this. But these… they seem to be almost ash.”

“Hmm…”

“We’ll have to find a way to use fire effectively.”

Captain Lee, examining the zombies in a crouch, was serious.

I looked at Captain Lee, not the well-cooked zombies.

Looking at the back of his neck, I stroked the end of the knife handle at my waist.

‘…….’

I removed my hand and crossed my arms.

Captain Lee soon took out a few tools from his bag.

His movements were quite awkward, clearly that of a novice.

“Hmm… this…”

“…….”

Only after a bit of struggling did he extract the zombie’s brain fluid.

He put a certain amount into a reagent bottle and stored it in the black box.

They were familiar designs I’d seen many times.

“I’ll try to collect one or two more.”

Captain Lee led the way toward the collapsed wall.

It was where the giant zombie had fallen.

“…So this was that huge one.”

“Yes. It was quite large.”

Captain Lee couldn’t hide his surprise at the giant zombie’s corpse.

“Is this the variant Seonghan-ssi was talking about?”

“I don’t know. This is my first time seeing this too.”

“Is that so? If another one like this appears, it’ll be a big problem.”

Captain Lee repeatedly expressed surprise and horror while examining the giant zombie.

And seeing him look around and roll his eyes, it seemed he was trying to deduce the situation at the time.

“Oh. That building collapsed.”

“I guess it was shoddy construction; the roof caved in when this thing climbed onto it.”

“Ah… Seonghan-ssi, are you really alright?”

“I told you. I wasn’t hurt at all.”

“Hmph…”

Captain Lee, after a brief exclamation, soon began examining the giant zombie and touching it.

“This is…”

Captain Lee, examining the part severed by my sword, didn’t say anything specific.

He seemed to think he’d passed it off smoothly, but from behind, it was all obvious.

He had accurately read the traces of my attack.

And now, it seemed he had felt something.

I casually asked Captain Lee, who was prodding the giant zombie.

“By the way, why do you need zombie samples?”

“They say research on zombies is necessary.”

“Research?”

That sounds good.

This is a one-way ticket to a human flesh unlimited refill party.

Naturally, the customers are the ravenous zombies.

“They say it’s necessary to understand zombies… which is why these samples are needed.”

“Ohh…”

“So, to understand zombies through research… *Oof!* Ah, excuse me. They want to find their weakness.”

“A weakness, huh…”

My blood ran cold.

“Who came up with such a brilliant idea? CEO Kim of Daesan?”

“This isn’t coming off well… Ah! Yes, that’s right, but they said they want to proceed independently with what Taesung used to do.”

“Oh…”

This young woman.

If she’s going to die, she should die alone.

“At first, everyone was against it, so it quietly passed. Just a moment. This… got it. Ah, it seems they pushed for it again when the situation showed signs of improvement.”

This recent success seems to have spurred them on.

“They had another meeting, made a decision… and said their interests aligned.”

“And your thoughts, Captain Lee?”

“Well, as for me… hmm… I’m in a position where I follow orders….”

“My, my…”

Swish-

“?!”

“You shouldn’t have said that.”

I brought the knife to Captain Lee’s neck as he crouched.

Just enough for a little blood to flow.

“Seo-Seonghan-ssi?”

“Kneel.”

“What are you doin’—”

“Kneel when I tell you to.”

Noticing the flatness in my voice, Captain Lee immediately did as he was told.

“’Interests aligned,’ you say… That means you’re all in cahoots, by unanimous consent, doesn’t it?”

“…….”

“Seriously. Is this how you stab someone in the back?”

The words, ‘Is it alright to collect zombie samples?’

It’s no different from asking, ‘Is it alright to smack you upside the head?’

At least, it was to me.

But apparently, this was decided by the top brass of the Konkuk University Shelter.

As I savored the chilling sensation in my chest, Captain Lee opened his mouth.

“It’s a misunderstanding, Seonghan-ssi. We would never antagonize you.”

“People stab knives into your solar plexus even with a smiling face.”

“We are not!”

“You’ve already done it, so why are you denying it?”

I felt the corners of my lips twisting.

It was a relief that Captain Lee had his back to me.

If he had seen this, I would have looked like nothing but a madman.

I asked indifferently.

“Do the other squad members know?”

He startled when I mentioned Captain Lee’s subordinates.

“My subordinates don’t know!”

“Hmm…”

He calmly exhaled and emphasized again.

“It’s true. My subordinates have nothing to do with this.”

“Who said anything about that?”

“…….”

“I’m going to ask a few questions. Please answer honestly.”

“…Anything.”

“Oh… that’s a good attitude.”

I smiled faintly, but Captain Lee couldn’t see it.

The knife I had taken from Daehan’s crazy deputy leader rested against Captain Lee’s neck.

A little blood smeared and gathered on the blade.

As its original owner wished, it finally got human blood on it.

“When was that decision made?”

“…….”

“Before we departed? Or after?”

“If the mission failed, it would be nullified…”

“Before? Or after?”

“…Before.”

Oh, wow… These bastards?

“Then you received orders when you contacted them with that goddamn phone, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Who exactly were the people who made that decision?”

“…Seonghan-ssi.”

“Who?”

When I pressed him briefly, Captain Lee soon opened his mouth.

“Representative Pyo, CEO Kim, and Doctor Jang Myeonghwan.”

“…Director Jang?”

“That’s right. He also cooperated…”

“Cooperation? More like coercion.”

“No―”

A hard press-

“Gasp…”

“Don’t talk nonsense. My hand is getting stronger.”

Captain Lee’s words made me feel a surge of anger.

Director Jang was the one who poured out his heart as if confessing, under the flashlight in the dark space.

He’s a man who considers himself a sinner even though he didn’t do it himself.

He’s a man who volunteered to help people, saying he would pay for sins that weren’t even his.

He’s a man who quietly shed hot tears in front of me.

There’s no way Director Jang would have agreed to this kind of scheme.

“It’s true. For everyone’s sake—”

“For everyone’s sake, for the world’s sake, for the greater good.”

I cut Captain Lee off and spouted my own words.

“You know that’s bullshit, don’t you?”

“…….”

“’It was just business, no personal feelings involved,’ ‘I was just following orders,’ ‘It was an unavoidable choice for everyone’s sake.’ Don’t you know how infuriating that is to hear?”

Whether they’re businessmen or gangsters, politicians or soldiers.

People are so diverse, yet their excuses are similar across professions.

‘Bastards with no creativity whatsoever.’

I scoffed at Captain Lee.

“If you had thought even a little, you wouldn’t have made such a decision.”

“…We considered it thoroughly…”

“Can you still say that after seeing what Taesung did?”

Captain Lee’s body stiffened at my remark.

“You people are even dumber than Taesung. That’s how I see it.”

“…….”

“Still, your skill at backstabbing is quite impressive. I’ll admit that.”

“That was absolutely not our intention….”

“Drunk drivers also say they never intended to hit anyone, don’t they?”

What does it matter if there was no intention?

They already acted on it.

‘What should I do…’

I had already pressed the knife to Captain Lee’s neck.

Though very little, blood had flowed, and trust was broken.

Captain Lee here, and the leaders of the Konkuk University Shelter who are waiting.

Eliminating everyone present right now was also an option.

Whatever happened, it wouldn’t end well.

‘Should I eliminate everyone, take what I need, and leave? There’s no CCTV either.’

My killing intent flickered precariously, almost rising.

But then, his subordinates are innocent.

‘Ah…’

There’s Heize and Lawrence too.

Those two are truly unrelated and unfortunate people…

As my thoughts lingered, Captain Lee spoke.

“Seonghan-ssi.”

“Speak.”

“Didn’t I ask you at the beginning? If it was alright to collect samples?”

“You did.”

“I had no intention of deceiving you, Seonghan-ssi. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have asked so openly.”

His words sounded plausible, but.

“It could also be a trick played right from the start.”

“…….”

“Don’t say anything more. It makes you look pathetic.”

At my words, Captain Lee’s shoulders slumped slightly.

But he spoke again.

“In that case, how about you call them directly?”

“…Are you serious?”

“I can connect you right away.”

Captain Lee spoke firmly, as if for once.

‘He sounds confident…’

I hesitated to answer.

My speaking skills are lacking, and I have a straightforward personality.

It was obvious I’d get tangled up if I tried to talk to someone like Representative Pyo.

Unless it was a face-to-face conversation where we could be honest with our bodies and minds.

Just over the phone, it felt a bit… off.

More importantly, I didn’t want to give them time to think or prepare.

They are the kind of people who create an escape route at every opportunity.

‘…In that case.’

“Where is that phone?”

“It’s in my backpack right now.”

“Take it out.”

Captain Lee took out and unfolded that familiar phone from the backpack he was carrying.

His slow movements showed that he didn’t want to provoke me.

…Now?

“It will connect you to Representative Pyo.”

“Switch to someone else.”

“…Huh?”

“I have nothing to say to that person.”

Regardless, I conceded that I would have to speak with Representative Pyo at least once.

It didn’t matter, and there was no need to speak at length.

The person I needed to talk to was already decided.

Just a moment would be enough.

Just a very brief moment.

Until then, the hand gripping the knife wouldn’t tighten.

Probably.