episode_0187

They couldn’t hide their expressions stiffening.

Eyes that had shone with hope were now clouded with disappointment.

The three people each let out a low sigh.

They parted their lips but found it difficult to speak.

From their demeanor, I could sense they found me difficult.

‘Oh, right.’

I remembered how they had talked about killing me or not from the moment I sat down.

Considering that, this reaction isn’t surprising, but…

Looking at them now, their expressions make it seem like the world has ended.

Just as the gloomy atmosphere of a failed business deal filled the room.

“Seonghan. This is absolutely necessary. You might not trust us right now, but…”

“It will be difficult right away, but we will produce good, no, the absolute best results.”

“Please lend us your strength. I beg you.”

A polite request, made with an effort to suppress their regret and desperation.

“As I said again, it’s not possible.”

“Ah….”

It was another firm refusal, but their antagonism lessened.

‘These people, really…’

I looked around at the dejected people whose spirits had been dampened.

At least for now, the thought of beating them to death was gone.

Listening to them, I could roughly picture the situation.

I knew it wasn’t a trick to mess with me.

It was just their foolish behavior that was regrettable.

“Raise your heads.”

“……”

“I’ve listened to your words, so now please listen to mine.”

“…We will listen attentively.”

At my words, the people straightened their postures.

As they seemed to regain their composure, I slowly conveyed my thoughts.

“First, I understand Director Jang’s intentions and your thoughts.”

At my somewhat softened voice, the people quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

“You are not ready right now. That’s why I’m opposing this.”

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

After hearing the answer to Assemblyman Pyo’s question, Director Jang subtly interjected.

“Seonghan. We aren’t planning to do something grand right away, but…”

“That’s what I’m saying, considering that.”

“…Pardon?”

Slowly, carefully, approaching step by step.

I also believe Director Jang’s idea is correct.

But…

“The reality is that this place can’t even take care of itself yet. Have you forgotten?”

“That will gradually be resolved starting with this endeavor…”

“I heard from Captain Lee’s interim report that it’s a considerable amount. You foresee being able to overcome the immediate crisis… Is it not enough?”

As expected, the big score at Yongsan Base had fueled their ambitions.

“Well, food might be a bit lacking, but in terms of combat power, it should be resolved to some extent, right?”

I glanced at Captain Lee and spoke, and he immediately chimed in.

“That’s right. While we lack high-firepower weapons, our basic armaments are sufficient.”

“Even as an outsider, I think we can hold out for a while.”

“Then why on earth…”

“…Are you perhaps talking about the system?”

It was Secretary Choi who spoke up, unexpectedly.

“That’s right.”

“System, you say…”

“Rather than simply referring to the system within the shelter… no, in a way, it’s the same thing…”

Lacking eloquence, my words weren’t being expressed properly.

I’ll just blurt out whatever comes to mind.

“Please speak comfortably.”

I nodded, seeing the people treating me with much more relaxed expressions.

“To put it extremely… Taeseong failed to control it, so do you think it’s possible here?”

“Ah…”

“Setting aside Taeseong Medical Center in Gangnam, there’s that secretive research facility in Gangwon-do. I know that also failed in its management, contributing to this disaster.”

I paid no mind to the people who kept their mouths shut.

“Right now, they’re complete bastards, but what I mean is, they were capable guys. Even they failed, so in this more difficult environment now, do you think it’s possible, Director Jang?”

“Hmm…”

“I’m not saying this to disparage your abilities.”

“I… I think I understand what you mean.”

Director Jang continuously rubbed his temples.

Representative Kim slightly furrowed her brows and touched her lips.

Assemblyman Pyo…

“It seems Assemblyman Pyo had something in mind.”

“…That’s right. But now that I think about it, I seem to have judged it too optimistically…. I only thought about thoroughly strengthening security and such…”

Everyone had a belated “Ah, I see” expression.

“Director Jang’s intention is good. I also support that direction. But if you’re not prepared, it’s meaningless.”

“……”

“I understand that data and information are lacking. However, you shouldn’t take the existence of zombies lightly.”

I conveyed a slight warning to everyone in the room.

“The horror of zombies isn’t just their aggression.”

“…That’s right.”

“You shouldn’t get too used to the current situation. Be careful.”

“Ah….”

Unfiltered murderous intent and malice.

Endless aggression toward humans.

Infectious power that guarantees certain death.

These are facts that everyone clearly knows well.

But somehow, they had grown accustomed to it.

That indifference was a foretold cause of accidents.

Humans are creatures of adaptation, but also creatures of forgetfulness.

But now is the time to forcibly suppress those instincts.

Such complacency cannot be tolerated.

I didn’t stop there.

“Thorough planning, close communication. All of it is lacking. You know, don’t you? Before coming here, I almost chopped off Captain Lee’s head and brought it with me.”

Gulp-

Several people swallowed dryly.

Captain Lee, however, remained calm.

“Perhaps… you tried to contact us midway with that satellite phone, it seems…”

“That’s right. We exchanged messages when Seonghan was on operation and when he was away from his post.”

“But the truly important core information wasn’t conveyed, and we almost had a disaster.”

“……”

“It was shoddy and too rushed.”

No one in the room could open their mouth.

They seemed to realize their foolishness with belated understanding.

And it seems there were parts where they thought too highly of me.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have said they planned to explain it later.

They probably didn’t even think I’d openly compare and oppose them like this.

I gazed intently at the key members of the Konkuk University Shelter.

A politician who, in his own way, pursued righteousness.

A large corporation representative who, in his own way, conducted honest business.

A doctor and researcher who, in his own way, held the title of a renowned physician.

And a soldier who risked his life for a duty that wasn’t even his official duty.

Each of them was a prominent figure in their own right.

There were also people supporting them and working alongside them.

They were by no means incompetent.

The reason why they were still faltering like this.

“You all have a major problem.”

“A problem?”

“Yes.”

“Um… what is it?”

Representative Kim asked calmly, seemingly having calmed down a bit.

A cautious tone, completely devoid of pride.

“Strong hostility, immense rage.”

“…Pardon?”

“You are currently viewing Taeseong as an enemy, and you are far angrier than you think.”

“Uh…”

“That’s…”

“Hmm…”

No one said it wasn’t true.

“Those emotions are clouding your judgment. They’re making your decisions soft and causing you to make unnecessary mistakes.”

At my words, the people gaped foolishly.

Their wavering eyes showed their true feelings, unable to deny my words.

“Perhaps before… no, normally, you would have judged more coldly and had fewer weaknesses.”

Assemblyman Pyo sighed, pressing his forehead.

“…So that’s what it was…”

“While everyone was going through difficulties, you were betrayed by two groups and suffered great damage. Director Jang, it’s the same for you. You suffered direct and indirect harm. I don’t know for sure, but I believe your feelings are anything but positive.”

“…I admit it.”

“Representative Kim, you also had a precious person harmed.”

“……Yes.”

“Assemblyman Pyo…”

“I also have a lot of pent-up feelings…”

At first, they showed signs of denying my words, but gradually, they seemed to reflect on their true feelings and eventually admitted it.

The fact that they themselves had become clouded and dulled by emotions they hadn’t even realized.

The three people couldn’t speak.

“Actually, Taeseong didn’t directly harm me.”

“……?”

“I just happened to get unlucky and entangled in things while passing by, and Taeseong was behind it.”

“Aha.”

“So, Seonghan, does that mean your hostility towards Taeseong is less?”

“That’s not it.”

Representative Kim asked, slightly unenthusiastically.

I took a moment to drink a glass of water from the table and continued speaking.

“Aside from that, aren’t they the masterminds who caused this whole situation?”

“Right?”

“They’re the bastards who screwed up my perfectly normal life, isn’t that reason enough?”

“Ah…!”

“This is the fundamental reason, and other incidents are just a bonus.”

A look of understanding appeared simultaneously on everyone’s faces.

From everyone in the room.

The reason everyone’s anger was greater than expected.

The fact that not only the visible incidents but also their very lives had been destroyed.

They hadn’t realized that.

Anger can be a driving force that allows one to exert more power and ability than imagined.

This is the case when one loses reason and unleashes monstrous strength in deep rage.

But the side effects are considerable.

It doesn’t look behind, lacks precision, and is fleeting.

Most importantly, anger clouds one’s reason.

Even the unacknowledged emotions beneath the layered and tangled issues.

It was no wonder they caused absurd mistakes.

Fortunately, it didn’t lead to major harm, purely due to luck.

Frankly, if something had gone wrong, not just Captain Lee, but everyone in this room might have ended up as headless corpses.

Or, even without me, they might have self-destructed.

Unlike me, who was having somewhat grim thoughts, everyone else was silent.

Each of them wiped sweat from their forehead or regulated their breathing.

Secretary Choi even trembled her slender fingers.

“…I apologize for touching on your emotions. But I thought it was necessary.”

“Ah, no… no… not at all.”

Assemblyman Pyo, who continuously wiped sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, was more agitated than expected.

“I prided myself on being a cunning old fox who had been through all sorts of hardships, but…”

Everyone found it difficult to compose their emotions easily.

Especially Director Jang.

He just kept staring blankly at the documents containing his friend’s handwriting.

I couldn’t possibly guess what that doctor was feeling inside right now.

I could only hope that his wounds wouldn’t fester and burst.

“…If we hadn’t talked with Seonghan… we would have made the same mistakes as them.”

“Indeed…”

“Well, isn’t it fortunate that it’s not too late? And the misunderstanding has been cleared.”

“Hoo-hoo… That’s true.”

Representative Kim smiled in front of me for the first time.

A faint, yet soft and light, honest smile.

After that, Director Jang’s voice was heard.

“I almost put everyone in danger. I’m truly sorry. I’m ashamed…”

His expression was composed, but his voice was heavy with self-reproach.

It seemed the others had also somewhat come to their senses.

I opened my mouth once more.

“Don’t blame yourselves any longer. There’s no damage, and mistakes can be corrected. I apologize to those of you present here, but you are people whose time is too valuable to be lost in guilt.”

“Hmm…!”

“Control your emotions and be with everyone. It might get even harder from now on.”

At my words, which foretold a difficult road ahead, the people nodded subtly.

I spoke to Director Jang.

“Director Jang.”

“Yes, Seonghan.”

“What I said ‘no’ to was ‘for now’.”

“…Now….”

“Director Jang. My specialty is digging.”

“…Pardon?”

“I carry loads, dig ground, and act as a signalman at construction sites. What I mean is, labor is my specialty. Well, even though I’m acting as a hunter now, which doesn’t suit me at all.”

“Haha…”

I continued speaking gently to Director Jang, who let out a small laugh.

“You are a doctor, and you have knowledge. It’s just not the right time yet.”

“……”

“Even for an uneducated person like me, the time when Director Jang’s strength is needed will surely come. Don’t be impatient.”

“Hmm!”

Director Jang nodded and his eyes sparkling.

He seemed to feel a great deal from the words that he would be needed.

“No need to think so hard. Let’s think simply.”

Everyone’s gaze focused on me.

“Whether it’s Taeseong, or zombies, or a ruined world. We are fighting right now. In a fight, the one who stands last and laughs is the victor. You all know that well, don’t you?”

Small bursts of laughter erupted here and there in the once bleak room.

“Captain Lee and I will go back and continue what we were doing. I hope you all will do what you can. Especially the three of you…”

I looked at Assemblyman Pyo, Representative Kim, and Director Jang.

“Please maintain your core well. Aren’t you the pillars of this place?”

“…Seonghan.”

“Representative Kim, straighten your shoulders too.”

At my remark, Representative Kim Sookyung’s face flushed slightly.

“Wh-What?!”

“Yes. Exactly like that.”

“……”

I felt sorry for Representative Kim, who was needlessly trying to act innocent, but she looked pitiful.

My first impression of her was absolutely terrible, making me not want to associate with her at all, but opening the lid, it’s truly…

‘A branch about to break.’

I don’t know the full details, but that was the impression I got from our conversation today.

Considering how much she carries on those slender shoulders, I worry if she can handle it.

‘Though she lacks common sense.’

Director Jang found it difficult to add anything.

It felt like no words of comfort would reach him.

Perhaps sensing my gaze.

“Young man, you shouldn’t look at an older person like that.”

“Ah… I apologize.”

Director Jang drew a familiar smile.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

“……”

“As Seonghan said, I intend to refine myself and wait for the right time.”

Director Jang, who calmly voiced his renewed determination, seemed like he would be fine.

“Then, please take a look at Captain Lee’s injury.”

“Ah! Right. I’ll check it.”

“Ah. No, I’m fine.”

“It looks like you did some rough emergency treatment. Let me take a proper look. You shouldn’t let illness or injuries worsen, should you?”

“Then… I’ll leave it to you.”

As the conversation flowed this way, the atmosphere became one of general dismissal.

It felt like they could disperse without issue.

“Then I’ll take Captain Lee to the examination room.”

“Please do. Will we gather again this evening…?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“I’ll see you again too.”

I also naturally stood up and followed Captain Lee.

“Excuse me. Se-Seonghan.”

I turned back at Representative Kim’s soft call.

“…Th-Thank you. For everything.”

“……”

“Really.”

It seemed she was giving an unfamiliar greeting in her own way.

Still, it was an honest sentiment that felt pleasant to hear.

“…Don’t mention it.”

I nodded subtly and implied a future meeting.

While Captain Lee was receiving treatment, I stepped outside, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

The slightly strong cold wind made me feel a bit more awake.

“Hooooh~”

Perhaps because I spoke a lot, the cigarette tasted sweet.

‘Fortunate… isn’t it?’

Fortunately, there was no bloodshed.

It didn’t even reach the stage where I had to physically persuade them.

They understood what I said and reacted immediately.

This was thanks to an open conversation where I didn’t concern myself with status or age.

I felt that no time had been wasted.

‘How good it would be if things could always be solved with words.’

Of course, for now, it was nothing but a futile wish.

Right now, I have to keep moving to survive.

Both myself and the people here.

I gazed blankly at the scenery of Konkuk University campus.

As I was just letting the cold wind hit me without any thoughts.

“Were you waiting?”

Captain Lee approached with his usual steady gait.

“Shall we depart immediately?”

“…Let’s go.”

At Captain Lee’s refreshing question, I stubbed out my cigarette.

Worries that had suddenly flown in and been resolved.

It was time to work again without rest.