episode_0205

Not an Awakened Person (3) ― Doksan 1-dong, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul

There was no smartphone, which was more precious than anything else in the world, and no TV, which allowed us to kill time with chickens instead of pheasants.

No – even if there was, it would just be useless trash now that the electricity has been cut off in the first place.

“If Wi-Fi does not work, is it a smartphone? … .”

Han Ah-reum consoled herself like that and slowly unfolded the bedding.

Wow – A blanket that spreads out and slides down to the floor.

Dust, strangely visible even in the dark, flew everywhere, but she didn’t think anything of it.

Even more than that, my hair, which hadn’t been washed for a long time, felt even more itchy and uncomfortable.

He roughly spread out his bedding and spread out another bedding right next to him and turned his head towards the owner of the place.

“Grandpa.”

“Why.”

A response that follows as if throwing one’s name at the call.

The answer was as cold as a cold wind blowing, but Han Ah-reum continued speaking without any problem.

“You’ve already tied it up sufficiently, so just come in quickly and sleep.”

“You nag me, nag me, for saying that you little guy knows something about safety. Are you my grandmother?”

A small commercial house three stories high.

The grandfather, who was checking the cloth rope on the veranda of the house, glared at her and grunted.

However, despite the grandfather’s efforts, Han Ah-reum only patted the bedding she had laid out.

“Just come quickly if you want. I’m bored because there’s nothing to do.”

“Anyway – When I was your age, whenever an adult spoke to me, I would just say ‘Yes, I understand’ and bow my head – I couldn’t even think of any other answer. Kids these days… … .”

The old man comes out of the veranda, muttering words that will make your ears tingle, as if he had pressed a certain button on the radio.

Even at that moment, the grandfather kept turning his head to check the cloth rope he had tied.

“That’s all – it’s the bone and flesh that comes from experience and wisdom – this is what I mean. Do you know Kyoto Samgul? Kyoto Samgul. A cunning rabbit prepares three burrows – this is it.”

Grandfather pointed with his finger to the rabbit hole he had made.

“There is a house door over there. There’s a rope on the veranda over there. And—”

And the grandfather’s last gesture was to Han Ah-reum, who was nodding her head half-heartedly.

“The last rabbit hole is you, you bastard!”

“Ah – Yes, yes. It’s okay because I run faster than my grandfather.”

“… … If I were really 5 years younger-”

“Ah, yes, yes. I’ll take you down the rabbit hole, so just come quickly.”

The old man started muttering again, saying, ‘Kids these days—’ and reluctantly laid his butt down on the bedding she had laid out.

Just like when she was there, dirty dust flew everywhere, but she just sniffed and turned her gaze toward the outside, illuminated by the veranda.

Sooo!

A brightly lit train quickly passed by their sight.

I slowly hugged my knees as I felt the train lights flashing several times in my eyes.

“Grandpa.”

“Why.”

Han Areum hugged her knees, bit her tail, and stared at the train disappearing on the other side.

“Isn’t this all a ghost story, like a scary story?”

“Here we go again. This young guy is starting again-”

“No, listen carefully, grandfather. In a world where there is no electricity, that train just moves along smoothly.”

Han Areum looked at her grandfather and spoke with a confident voice.

“What is that? I’m possessed by a ghost. Isn’t that train some kind of ghost story? And if you think there are ghosts, all those zombies are explained. People are pitifully possessed by ghosts!”

Tsk!

The grandfather clicked his tongue and countered with a truly pitiful expression.

“You bastard, you bastard. Everything is a ghost story, a ghost story. According to what you said, are all those guys who used those strange tricks turned tigers into humans? huh? Are you a compatible demon that eats people?!”

“… … Oh!”

Han Ah-reum looks with admiration as if she has achieved enlightenment.

The grandfather who saw her expression was so frustrated that he hit his chest as if he was going to die.

“Oh my gosh, you idiot! What can you do if you have less sense of reality than your dying grandfather? How am I supposed to live if I’m left behind? Huh?!”

“What should I do?”

She, with an extremely calm face compared to her grandfather, stared out the veranda again.

“At that time, I can just die.”

“… … Oh my gosh – you are a compatible mama.”

The grandfather held his head as if he was in pain at her whisper.

Han Ah-reum smiled slightly at her grandfather’s reaction and looked at the gold cloth in the small veranda.

Eyes full of lust that greeted me when I opened my eyes.

People with a strange ability that made them not even think about rebelling even in times of panic.

Those hellish days when I lived without being able to die, surrounded by those people.

The only consolation for Han Ah-reum at that time was that she was not the only one going through such hell.

There was something that the women who held back tears every day and ate the food thrown by those people always whispered to each other.

‘Still, we don’t go ‘out of the blue’ and eat.’

Boom.

Out of the corner of her eye, Han Ah-reum quietly caught the ‘bang’ at that time.

Eyes that shine brightly even in moments when I can’t seem to have the will to live.

An old man named ‘Gwang’ who was tormented by guys like a toy whenever he was bored.

Han Ah-reum stared at her grandfather’s wrinkled arms, which were still untouched by them.

“Still, I wish there were ghosts. Maybe the ghost will win over the tiger, right?”

“… … Even if they’re not ghosts, they’re all dead.”

Hell, which was thought to have no end, ended in an instant.

Suddenly, without warning or warning.

The tigers, who had to go to carry out something, did not return even after the night had passed.

Even after two days, they didn’t come back, but no one tried to escape this hell.

Just in case, I wonder if they will come back.

Then, they too will end up like the ‘crazy’ grandfather.

Grandpa Kwang, who came up to them as they were shaking, helped us get out of hell with just one word.

‘Now we live.’

“So now all you have to do is think about surviving. Do you understand, young man?”

“I don’t know. Since my grandfather saved my life, I will try to keep him alive until the end.”

“Aigoo―”

The grandfather is beating his chest and making a sound, and Han Ah-reum is smiling brightly at the sight.

Then they began to hear someone’s loud voice.

[Are you suffering from the hell you face with your eyes open?]

The grandfather’s melodious voice was naturally buried in that voice.

[I want to ask, everyone. Why are you suffering? Why are you suffering from damage and pain that is not your fault?]

The mansion was suddenly filled with silence.

Han Areum quietly opened her ears and listened to the man’s voice.

[None of this is your fault. Nothing can be a reason for you to be sick. At some point, suddenly, without reason. The country was disbanded, society was disbanded, and the family was disbanded.]

I hugged my knees a little harder and agreed with what he said.

[What we need is to realize that you are not alone! It’s about knowing that we are who we are! I earnestly appeal to all of you who are listening to my voice right now!]

[We need you as much as you need us. We are waiting for you at One Mind Salvation Church.]

One of two light sources that illuminate the dark golden sphere.

I thought of the man with a benevolent smile on a huge electronic display board, not in the moonlight.

“… … Grandfather.”

“No.”

Resolute opposition continues today as always.

The faces of countless people who opposed it and left are drawn.

Han Ah-reum had no choice but to ask the same question in a sad tone.

“… … Why?”

“I know people who are similar to those people.”

Red.

“Soon I just didn’t pick up the gun. There’s nothing different from what they said! Those communist bastards who only made loud noises, saying that they were right and that we should agree together -.”

The grandfather gritted his teeth and continued speaking.

“So, those commies are ruined? Is our country ruined? That’s the same thing, Areum. It’s no use being superficial. Really wealthy people don’t brag about their neighborhood and attract people. Those who are in need are like that.”

A tight corner.

Han Ah-reum quietly looked down at her body and laughed bitterly, mocking herself.

“We are already in dire straits, Grandpa.”

“If you think like that, you will die, you idiot. Areum, when I heard that there was a war, my mother held my hand tightly and said these words.”

His handsome eyes, completely unrelated to his age, filled with sorrow.

“If you’re scared, you can hide. Absolutely do that. So—”

Live.

“You just have to stay alive, Areum. How much tax have I paid? If I hold on just a little longer, the police or the military will come. Even if that’s not the case, he’s not that weird communist!”

“There are people like tigers like that. Will a rescue team come?”

“You bastard – What do you think of the country? This country did not die even if it was pushed all the way to the Nakdong River! If there are tiger scum, there will also be tiger police!”

“Oh… … That’s a bit reassuring.”

Han Ah-reum agreed with a small smile and stood up, shaking her butt.

The grandfather who saw Han Ah-reum asked urgently.

“Why are you waking up? Where are you going this late at night?”

“I’m going to meet the tiger police officer, whether he’s coming or not.”

Han Ah-reum picked up the tissues on the floor and made a light joke.

“This grown woman has something to be ashamed of! Don’t take the risk of going outside, just cum inside!”

“I don’t like it! Even if I just open the door, the smell makes me nauseous even on an empty stomach! I heard you have to go a little far to get food tomorrow! Do you want me to vomit all night?!”

“That’s why they say you can’t come or come back― That was in my time―”

Han Ah-reum walked to the front door, covering her ears as if to show her grandfather who was starting another boring repertoire.

“You bastard! Bring a plastic bottle with you! In times of emergency, it’s all water!”

“… … It’s shit! Shit—!”

“Or at least take a weapon! This is it-”

chin-!

The grandfather’s voice, which had been murmuring until the end, faded away as the door closed.

“I’m going to cook right in front of you, but it’s really difficult―”

Han Ah-reum, who was grumbling as if she was annoyed by the nagging, began to go down the dark stairs.

I carefully went down the stairs one by one in the familiar posture of leaning against the wall, and before I knew it, I entered an alley softly illuminated by moonlight.

She carefully took off her pants at a corner of the alley, barely visible thanks to the moonlight.

Squeak-

She turned her head for a moment as if she was still embarrassed by the sound of running water, then quickly ripped off two boxes of toilet paper and started cleaning up after herself.

She lowered her head for a moment to clean up after herself thoroughly, but then froze.

“Hello.”

A polite tone that is so out of place at a moment like this.

Han Ah-reum, who instantly got goosebumps all over her body, creaked and raised her head.

middle of the alley.

Something, barely recognizable as a human being, was looking at him.

And the black shadow greeted me again.

“Did you not hear clearly? Nice to meet you, lady who was running errands?”

“… … .”

Han Ah-reum did not dare to answer that person’s question.

Pupils and lips trembling.

Because I was squatting, I could only feel my legs shaking more violently.

“It’s fate that we met like this, should we shake hands?”

A very delicate hand.

Han Ah-reum did not respond this time, but stood up carefully.

A voice is heard again as she manages to pull up her pants with trembling hands.

“Ah― I think I know what you’re thinking.”

The soft voice that opened the conversation like that stopped all of Han Ah-reum’s actions with the next words.

“Catch it. Nothing will change if you catch it, but if you don’t catch it, a lot will change.”

A black figure continues to extend its hand after making a threat that is not a threat.

Han Ah-reum caressed her trembling hand on her chest and watched the figure.

A black shadow that still holds out its hand without moving an inch.

Just looking at it gave me strange goosebumps and made my heart tremble.

Passyek-

Eventually, Han Ah-reum took a step, brushing against the cobblestones of the alley.

Carefully, very cautiously, I approached the dark figure and grabbed the hand that the shadow had extended.

“Yes. This is how you greet someone, believer.”

“… … Ah.”

However, Han Ah-reum could not afford to be reassured by the soft voice of the shadow.

The creepy squishy feeling you feel as soon as you shake hands.

And the smell of something rotten becomes more and more evident in the nostrils.

Shocking fragments presented to pupils who are gradually becoming accustomed to the shape.

“… … Ah.”

Han Ah-reum’s eyes fill with moisture as she lets out a short sigh.

Sigh – The zombie tilted his head as he saw the tears flowing down his cheeks.

“Women’s sensitivity seems to be in an area that is difficult to understand. Was our meeting that touching?”

“Uh, how… … .”

She had no choice but to ask that question as she was already caught in the zombie’s clutches.

“Ah—how do you say it?”

And the zombie, who clearly understood what he said, nodded.

“Well- I recently made a new friend. That friend’s abilities are a bit outstanding, so I’m benefiting from it. It’s a new technology that I’ve just recently adapted to.”

“… … Sir, are you human?”

“Of course. Not yet.”

“Then, are you a tiger?”

“… … A tiger? Ah, I think I know roughly what you mean. That’s a pretty interesting analogy.”

The rotten skin slowly spreads and creates a strange smile.

Han Ah-reum’s lips trembled and she tried to somehow remove the hand holding the zombie.

However, her hands did not move as if they were stuck in stone.

And the zombie, noticing her subtle efforts, looked down at the hands she was shaking.

“… … hmm? ah-! The conversation with the believer was so interesting that I was distracted for a while. I have a few questions. Can I ask our congregation?”

Han Areum didn’t understand what the zombie was going to ask or what he was saying.

There was only one thing that those lips could say.

“Ma, if I tell you, will you save me?”

“Huh?”

The zombie tilts its head again at her earnest wish.

He asked her as if he was genuinely curious.

“Die? Who?”

“… … I am.”

“How do you die?”

Han Ah-reum looked at the zombie’s teeth asking that question and frowned.

“Mu, I asked… … .”

“If I ask, are you going to die?”

“… … You will become a zombie.”

“Ah—If you become a zombie, you die. Who said that?”

“… … Yes?”

“Didn’t dying mean you couldn’t have a conversation or shake hands?”

“… … .”

The zombie smiled at Han Ah-reum’s silence and continued speaking.

“Do I look dead, believer?”

“Still… … Outside, the appearance.”

“Oh my, Shindo-sama doesn’t look that bad either?”

Han Ah-reum did not dare to refute the zombie’s words.

Especially thanks to the itchy hair in this moment of rashness.

“What’s important is not what you look like, but what’s inside, believer. The appearance is just a shell that indicates the degree of circulation.”

Tap!

The zombie that stabbed Han Ah-reum in the heart smiled kindly and continued speaking.

“Okay, let’s talk about that later. Have you seen my friends who ran away from here recently? Since they were such noisy friends, you probably knew right away.”

“… … I don’t know.”

Han Areum, who was nodding her head, suddenly shrugged her shoulders.

Cold eyes quietly scanning me as I shook my head.

“Hmm – First of all, aside from my friends, I’m worried about the health of our believers. If hunger continues, it is inevitable that your eyes and ears will darken. This is a problem I can solve.”

“Ah – Trigram, it’s okay! I stock up on food on my own and am living very well! I have a hideout around here in a bit, and I’ll share some food with you there!”

“You suddenly started talking a lot.”

A question from a zombie that seems to suspect something.

However, the mouth that was trying to urgently supplement the explanation to that question could not be opened.

The zombie looked down at Han Areum and smiled.

“It seems as if you have the will to say this. I guess you wanted to emphasize that you were alone?”

“… … .”

[We need you as much as you need us.]

A familiar voice is heard from Han Ah-reum, who is just trembling.

The zombie turned its head and stared at the light of the giant electronic display board, which was clearly visible from the alley.

“Ah! Come to think of it, I forgot the first thing I should have asked.”

The zombie slowly stretched out his hand and pointed at the electronic display board.

A rotten hand, hidden in the dark, was clearly revealed in the moonlight and pointed to a man who continued broadcasting.

[We are waiting for you at One Mind Salvation Church.]

Dear believer.

“Who is that cheeky frog?”