episode_0193

I have a vivid memory from when I was 22.

I was in the early stages of learning the ropes at an apartment construction site.

That day, too, I was working myself to the bone in the middle of summer, doing as I was told.

At the entrance to the site, some older man was loitering.

He wore a white dress shirt, jeans, and shiny black shoes.

With his slicked-back hair and 80s-style sunglasses.

That old-fashioned man was incredibly cool.

What should I say about him…

He was a man overflowing with composure and the scent of money.

The man, who watched me work for over 30 minutes without saying a word, was an acquaintance of the site director and a business contact.

Instead of leaving immediately after finishing his business with the Director-nim, the man approached me.

“Kid. How long have you been working?”

The conversation, which started abruptly with informal language, turned into an inquiry about my background.

After a brief question, he nodded and handed me a business card.

『XXX, CEO of XX Road Paving』

“Money. You want to earn a lot?”

“I… suppose so?”

“Follow me. I’ll make you a lot of money.”

Damn, it was a straight shot with no looking back.

He was even unrestrained despite the director of my current company being right next to us.

But the way he spoke was incredibly cool.

Of course, having some sense, I politely refused.

“Ah, you crazy bastard. Do you even know who this person is? He has seven imported cars, seven! And he’s a cash millionaire. If you follow this man, your life will change.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’ll work with Director-nim.”

“Wow! You frustrating bastard! Are you really a lunatic? You’re going to drive me crazy! I’m going insane!”

Our Director-nim made an even bigger fuss.

Anyway, I refused the offer, and he leisurely drove away in his expensive imported car, telling me to contact him later if I changed my mind.

Later, I found out he truly was a big shot.

He was indeed one of the wealthiest cash millionaires, an incredibly rich man.

But even after learning that fact, I never contacted him.

His work was truly terrifying.

He paved roads, which meant working on top of burning hot asphalt.

People don’t really know how hot freshly laid asphalt is.

Combat boots, safety shoes, everything melts on it.

It’s not a metaphor; it genuinely melts.

And they regularly undergo mandatory health check-ups, which are special examinations.

Damn, in short, they work by putting their bodies and even their lifespans on the line.

That’s why they earn so much money.

That’s why the laborers skilled in that work were called “Special Forces.”

After learning that, I never even looked in that direction again, feeling a chill down my spine.

That was the day I realized an important life lesson.

「Let’s work together = Let’s see you slave away like a dog under me.」

From then on, job change or job offers sounded like this to me.

But now.

For the first time in a long time, that chilling feeling came back intensely.

Captain Lee’s cautious suggestion to join them.

I understand that he spoke courteously because he needed my strength.

But his words felt different to me.

「The pay might be low and it’ll be an endless fight, but let’s all work our asses off together. We’re going all the way, aren’t we?」

That’s how it sounded in my ears.

Even now, those carefully glinting eyes look like madness.

I shivered, a chill crawling up my spine.

Seeing my reaction, Captain Lee’s eyes trembled slightly.

Even that appearance seems like the master of an antlion pit.

“Seonghan—”

“I… cannot join.”

Slowly, I took out a cigarette and lit it.

“It’s already overwhelming enough just looking after myself, and I already have people I’m with.”

“I am well aware of that. That’s why I’m asking, what if everyone comes together?”

…This guy?

“Everyone will greatly welcome Seonghan and your companions.”

“Captain Lee-nim.”

“We… we need Seonghan too.”

He casually throws out words that anyone could easily misunderstand.

But I couldn’t say anything because Captain Lee’s gaze was so earnest.

“If Seonghan joins us, countless lives can be saved. We might even be able to regain the peaceful daily lives we once had.”

His voice, speaking softly without raising its tone, clearly resonated in my ears.

“There are people who have lost someone precious. People who are scared by zombies, frustrated, giving up… Some people even give up on everything, saying it’s the end of the world.”

“……”

“…There are countless people who bear the pain of having personally killed their loved ones.”

Captain Lee, who spoke the short words as if spitting them out, took a shallow breath.

“Please, I earnestly beg you to lend us your strength. If there’s anything you want, whatever it is, we will accommodate you.”

“Isn’t that just Captain Lee-nim’s personal opinion?”

“…Representative Pyo-nim and CEO Kim-nim will definitely agree.”

Captain Lee, certain of his words, did not drag out the conversation.

Instead of flowery words, I could feel the sincerity in his speech.

I also knew that empty promise wasn’t made thoughtlessly.

‘…Why is he so needlessly sincere, it’s a mess…’

This man seems like he could even grab my pants and cling to me.

It’s scary because I feel like he would actually do it.

I know well from experience.

That feeling, the surrounding gazes.

It’s absolutely not a level I can handle.

Before Captain Lee crossed the line, I quietly spoke.

“If it’s Captain Lee-nim, you might really do that.”

“I am serious.”

“…Save those words for when you’re trying to pick up women.”

He showed no reaction to the joke.

“I also have my own circumstances.”

“That…”

“I don’t know about anything else, but if I join that side, it’ll turn into a complete mess, won’t it?”

“…Pardon?”

“My personality. Haven’t you experienced it?”

“……”

“I can’t stand anyone being above me. I also can’t stand anyone ordering me around.”

I inhaled the cigarette smoke deeply and slowly exhaled.

“If someone stabs me in the back, their life logs out that day.”

“Ah….”

“Even if you give me a position, it’s a problem. I’ll do as I please and won’t move without compensation. My actions will be close to tyranny. Captain Lee-nim might not know, but Representative Pyo-nim and CEO Kim-nim won’t be able to handle my personality.”

Listening to my blunt thoughts, Captain Lee was silent.

“Because of me, things will only become more tiring. My honest opinion is that it wouldn’t be good for either of us. Doesn’t Captain Lee-nim know that better than anyone?”

*Tap tap—*

I tapped my neck area with my index finger.

Captain Lee stroked his neck, where a faint scar remained.

“I detest crowded places. Group living doesn’t suit me either.”

“But… aren’t you living in a group even now?”

“My family falls more into the category of a large household than a simple group.”

At my words, Captain Lee sighed faintly, as if he understood.

“So, please withdraw that offer.”

“……”

Captain Lee, who had been about to speak, finally pressed his lips together.

I also held myself back from rattling off a string of reasons for refusal.

Two men with poor speaking skills would only make things ugly by dragging it out.

I flicked away the cigarette butt and headed towards the temporary tent.

“Don’t worry, I’ll sincerely finish the work to the end.”

No answer came.

Seeing Captain Lee’s slightly slumped shoulders, I moved on.

‘…He seems to have understood, but…’

It’s a relief he didn’t act clingy.

Not just Captain Lee, but even if someone offered me a fortune, I wouldn’t be interested.

If I keep getting dragged around and exploited, I won’t die a natural death.

I decided to simply take Captain Lee’s offer as a sign that he thought highly of me.

It’s right to finish things when you can still smile at each other, as they say, leave when the applause is loudest [a proverb about knowing when to quit while you’re ahead].

Finishing my thoughts, I sat down in a suitable spot and leaned back.

…It was a little while later that Captain Lee returned.

***

The last day, according to the plan.

The final transport and withdrawal preparations proceeded quickly.

The soldiers, who started moving early, demonstrated their accumulated experience.

They splendidly stacked ammunition boxes and luggage to reduce the burden on the helicopter.

‘…Look at how perfectly aligned they are…’

Each ammunition box looked like a single large crate.

They continued the intense work with that feeling.

As the cargo decreased one by one, a slightly excited atmosphere leaked out.

Still, the work progressed, and not even a small accident occurred.

When they smoothly reached the final stage, they began moving people too.

As both supplies and people started to dwindle, it truly felt like the end.

“We are the last ones.”

“…We actually did it.”

“I even wrote my will before I came…”

“…Just shut up.”

Sergeant Kim got lectured again today.

It’s true that people have the right to speak, but he really is…

But since it’s the end, maybe it doesn’t matter.

All we need to do is return, all of us, just as we came.

With that, this plan is completely finished.

However, it’s different from the first day, when we arrived burdened with all sorts of worries.

It’s like the feeling of a fisherman returning with a full catch.

A certain proud and bittersweet feeling brings a sense of relief.

“Ugh… it’s cold.”

“……”

Two American women added.

The two women who said they would follow us really stayed until the very end.

It’s good that they’re assertive, but…

“Han.”

“What?”

“Lawrence is curious what kind of go, soon? gok? Camp it is?”

“Place.”

“Place! Yes! Curious what kind of place it is.”

“You’re curious what kind of place it is?”

“Yeah.”

“I wouldn’t really know.”

“Oh? You don’t know? Why?”

At my words, Heize and Lawrence widened their eyes.

Captain Lee, who was beside me, quietly said.

“Seonghan is not someone who lives in the shelter.”

“Oh? Why?”

“That’s because he lives elsewhere. This time, he only joined us briefly to help us.”

“Really??”

Captain Lee gave a wry smile as he answered Heize’s awkward question.

This man’s shoulders are still slumped.

He usually gets over things quickly, but now he’s acting like a man who’s been heartbroken.

“Seonghan. Then where do you sleep?”

“Where else? My home.”

“…Home?”

“Yeah. I also have a home where people are waiting for me.”

“Um…”

At my answer, Heize seemed flustered, her eyes trembling uncontrollably.

“You and Lawrence can follow Captain Lee-nim.”

“Oh…?”

“There’s also Head Doctor Jang-nim, a skilled doctor there, so Lawrence doesn’t need to worry. You should get a check-up too.”

Instead of answering me, Heize quickly conversed with Lawrence in English.

When native speakers conversed as they normally would, I couldn’t understand a single thing.

Then Captain Lee subtly interjected.

“They think Seonghan and we are on the same side.”

“Not exactly on the ‘same side’… but we’re not enemies, are we?”

“Haha. Anyway, they’re saying those things because they thought you were part of the same group.”

“Well… won’t these two be well looked after at the shelter?”

“I think we’ll have to be very considerate of them.”

Captain Lee looked at the two women with a warm gaze.

Given the current Konkuk University Shelter, wouldn’t they be able to take good care of two people?

‘…Can an internal medicine doctor also deliver babies?’

While I was lost in thought for a moment, I heard the sound of a helicopter approaching.

The helicopter leisurely approached, creating a strong wind as it landed.

We are the last ones.

“Boarding!”

At Captain Lee’s shout, all the remaining personnel rushed forward.

‘Wow, what a wind…’

I realized why people in movies lower their bodies near helicopters.

The wind is strong, but feeling the blades rotating above my head gave me a chilling sensation.

My neck instinctively recoiled.

Unlike the dragonfly-shaped helicopter I first rode, this helicopter is good.

The space was ample enough for six people to comfortably take their seats.

And with the door closed, the noise seemed a bit less…

“Boarding complete.”

“Taking off.”

The helicopter floated up, ascending high.

And it began heading towards Konkuk University, its point of origin.

“Oh… the ride is much smoother.”

“You shouldn’t compare it to the last helicopter.”

The cheerful voice of Jo Junwi, who was piloting in front, could be heard.

“It seems its purpose was transport, so its armament was removed. That’s why we plan to arm it first when we return.”

“Oh…”

“It’s a model that can also be used for combat. We can connect heavy weaponry and…”

Something ominous was mentioned, but Captain Lee’s expression was bright.

Not just Captain Lee, but everyone’s expression was the same.

Heize and Lawrence also had expressions of relief.

Even amidst this, Sergeant Park watched over Lawrence, who was pregnant.

His current attentive demeanor was that of a medic itself.

‘His first impression was terrible though.’

No, now that I think about it, it wasn’t just Sergeant Park, but all the people from the Konkuk University Shelter were like that.

“What do you plan to do when you get back?”

“…I wonder. I’ll probably take it easy for a while?”

“Hmm.”

Captain Lee, asking about my future plans, gave a small smile.

He looked out the window without a word, then muttered as if spellbound.

“It’s snowing. It’s sleet.”

Looking out the window, snow was really pouring down heavily.

I thought the weather was just cloudy, but snow started falling in an instant.

The intensifying snowflakes blanketed the streets in white.

‘I wonder if the zombies will freeze to death.’

Since human corpses are their base, it would be great if they just froze to death.

“Even if a lot of snow falls, the wind is weak, so flying is fine.”

Captain Lee seemed to interpret my wish for something futile differently.

Captain Lee, who had been staring at me for a moment, slowly spoke.

“…You’ve worked very hard.”

“It’s not over yet.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

The settlement hasn’t happened yet, and an ending remark is a bit premature.

I’m also curious how much my share will be…

“Han!”

“Huh?”

Heize gently tugged at my collar.

“Han, where do you live?”

“…Why are you curious about that?”

“Quickly!”

“I just live at home.”

“Home? Like family?”

“With my family. No, why are you curious?”

When I corrected her pronunciation and asked again, Heize’s eyes gleamed.

“You know, there’s this…”

“Captain!!!”

Just as she was hesitating, trying to say something, Jo Junwi shouted loudly.

“Look at that!”

At the series of urgent shouts, Captain Lee reacted immediately.

Leaning sharply into the cockpit, he flinched.

…Judging by his reaction, it seems something is there.

I looked out the side window, but I couldn’t see anything.

Instead, larger snowflakes obstructed my view.

“Hmm…!!”

Captain Lee let out a low groan, his body still rigid.

At his appearance, tension rapidly filled the helicopter.

Indeed, the ending remark was a bit premature.