episode_0214

Immediately after lightly punishing the two boys who had been teasing him without fear.

“Dong-woo, get ready to go out. Let’s go together.”

“Understood!”

Dong-woo, who was rubbing his head after being thumped, moved without a word. He seemed to have forgotten the pain, brimming with energy. It’s hard work leaving the house; I don’t know what makes him so happy.

While Dong-woo was getting ready, I asked Chief Choi if he had a local map and examined it. The health center I found on the map was a bit far to visit right away. I’ll postpone it for now.

I also quickly dressed and packed my backpack. It was a framed backpack, used for the first time in a while. Having only used it a few times, it was still in perfect condition. It would be great if I could pack enough items to make this backpack scream, but I decided to curb my expectations. More importantly, this outing wasn’t for scavenging. The time seemed to be around 10 AM. The timing was a bit awkward, but…

‘…It’s bothering me.’ There was something slightly nagging at me, so I made reconnaissance the main objective.

When I finished preparing and left the room, the others were waiting. “Seonghan. With all this snow, where are you going?” Grandfather quietly asked as he wrapped a scarf around Dong-woo. The others didn’t speak, but their eyes asked the same question. I calmly and lightly replied, trying to reassure them.

“I’m not going far, just planning to look around the vicinity.” “With so much snow piled up, will you be okay?” “Of course. No problem at all.” “If you say so, then I suppose it’s fine.”

Grandfather erased his worried expression with a faint smile. At the same time, Dr. Jang approached and handed me a paper filled with dense writing.

“I’ve listed everything we need for now. The items colored in red are essential.” There weren’t many colored items, only three or four.

I carefully folded the paper and put it in my vest pocket. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to get them right away.” “I know. Oh, right! Seonghan, you’ve been to the Red Hospital, haven’t you?” “Yes.” “Near there, there’s a Myeonmok Health Sub-station.” “Is that also a health center?” “Yes. It’s small, but it hasn’t been open for long, so there might still be supplies.” “Oh…”

That was good to hear. I was thinking of going to a pharmacy anyway, so I might as well check it out while I’m there. While I was listening to the approximate location, Incheol and Sohee were looking at me. They were full of wanting to go along, but…

“Both of you stay put.” “But…” “If both of you catch a cold while out there, I won’t be able to face Sergeant Kang.” “……” “So stay here. You too, Incheol.” “Yes, Hyung-nim.”

The two of them relented, stepping back with regret. “Then I’m okay, right?” Instead, Hyuk hyung stepped forward. He appeared fully geared up, having prepared himself without anyone noticing. There seemed to be no way to stop this man, who was already bursting with enthusiasm. His eyes were blazing…

‘Is this good timing?’ I nodded, looking at Hyung, who was perfectly prepared.

“Let’s go.” “Alright!” Hyung, wearing a black beanie pulled low, was overflowing with eagerness. Like that, he looked like a movie protagonist.

Behind Hyung, Chief Choi quietly appeared. “Seonghan. Is there a purpose for this outing?” “Primarily, it’s for reconnaissance of the surroundings. There are a few things I need to check.” “Hmm.” “Don’t worry, we won’t go far.” “Understood. Then, please be careful.” Chief Choi still sent us off with his usual wonderful smile.

I led the two of them towards the entrance. Grandfather was showering Dong-woo with advice: to be careful, listen to Hyung, and so on. A small laugh escaped me at the sight.

“We’ll be back before dinner.” “We’ll be waiting.” I lightly bowed to Grandfather, who had spoken on everyone’s behalf to see us off, and then we set out.

“Follow behind me.” “Got it.”

We forged ahead, kicking through the snow that sank up to our ankles. The sky was a dismal gray, still dropping snowflakes. However, the snowfall seemed to be weakening slightly.

We walked diligently and left the fake house. “Oh? The snow stopped.” “Wow… it stopped just like that, like a lie.” Hyung and Dong-woo, marveling at the sky, soon collected themselves. Both adjusted their rifles and followed me closely.

“Have you always been carrying a gun?” “Hmm? Yeah. Sohee told me it’s important to get used to a gun, so I should always carry it.” “That makes sense.”

It’s important to get used to anything in your hands. Needless to say, if it’s a weapon that will protect your life. Their posture while holding the guns showed little awkwardness, as if they had followed Sohee’s instructions properly. It seemed they had put in a lot of effort in just about half a month.

I walked with the two of them to Yongma Intersection, just ahead. ‘…From here.’ I slowed down, sweeping my gaze in all directions. I checked left and right, the building walls, low fences, and even the road. I walked, examining everything within my sight as if scanning it thoroughly. I intended not to miss even the smallest trace.

As I busily looked around, Hyung spoke softly. “…Is there something?” “No. Not yet.” “Really?” “Just in case. There’s no problem for now.”

As I said, the street was completely clean. No traces were visible on the heavily piled snowfield. Whether on the road or sidewalk, the deep snow resembled a low, snowy plain. We trudged through the snow, walking along the somewhat familiar Sagajeong-ro.

After about 10 minutes, Hyung cautiously spoke from behind me. “I didn’t just come along for nothing, did I?” “Pfft! Saying that now?” “Well, I mean…” “I originally had something to tell Dong-woo, but since I was going to tell you anyway, it worked out.” “Huh? Me?” “Yeah.” “What is it, Hyung-nim?”

As we walked, we arrived near Sagajeong Market. I briefly checked the road for any traces. Still surveying the clean snow, I opened my mouth.

“You know what I can do, right?” “Uh…” “It’s okay.” “Um… yes.” “What are you talking about?” Hyung interjected into the conversation with a slightly lowered, serious voice.

“You saw it before, Hyung. How I fought here.” “Ah.” Hyung turned his gaze to the entrance of Sagajeong Market. It was the spot where I had carried out the zombie defense.

“…I did see it, yes. Even now, I wonder if I was hallucinating.” “How did it feel?” “Like watching a zombie massacre mad movie.” He expressed his impression without reserve, from the perspective of an observer. It was a short but honest assessment. I added a word to it.

“This kind of thing is possible too.” “Huh?” “Excuse me.”

I put one of Hyung’s arms over my shoulder and firmly gripped it with my other hand. Then, with my remaining hand, I tightly wrapped it around Hyung’s waist. “Tell me when you’re ready.” “Huh? What are you doing?” “Just tell me when you’re ready.”

Hyung seemed to sense something, narrowing his eyes. And then, uncharacteristically, he said timidly. “…I’m ready.”

*Swoosh-Thud!* “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah?!!!!!!!”

I held onto Hyung and familiarly leaped onto the rooftop of Director Jang’s hospital. “Gasp! Huff! Huff!”

“We’re going down now.” “W-what?! Wai—!” *Whoosh-* “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!” *Thump-*

“Agh! Agh! Cough!” “Ow, Hyung-nim! My ears hurt.” “Dong-woo, you were like this too, at first.” “Huh?! I was?” “Yeah. You were worse.”

At that time, I was tormented by the eardrum assault. Dong-woo, prattling on while Hyung gasped, clutching the ground, seemed to have forgotten what happened the first time.

“Gasp! Huff! Oh, damn it…” He made a hoarse sound, as if he had scratched his throat while screaming. Hyung, with all the color drained from his face, couldn’t get up easily. He somehow managed to stand, but his arms, gripping his knees, and his legs were trembling. Eventually, Hyung, having composed his shocked mind and body, stood up.

And then he burst out with pent-up frustration. “Hey, you punk!! If you were going to do this, you should’ve told me beforehand!!!” “That’s why I asked if you were ready.” “Hey—!!”

I grinned, watching Hyung jump around and shout at the top of his lungs. I had been waiting for this day, wondering if it would ever come. I don’t know why Hyung’s trembling appearance felt so exhilarating.

After a good while of sputtering, Hyung, who had regained some composure, reached out to me. “…Give me some water…” I immediately took out a bottled water from my backpack’s utility pocket and handed it to him. Hyung, quite shocked, emptied the cold 500ml bottle in one go.

“Phew! Damn it… I’ve lived long enough to experience all sorts of crazy things… Ugh…” “Quite refreshing, isn’t it?” “Shut. Up.”

Laughter burst from me at his sight, speaking in clipped words with clenched teeth. Dong-woo also snickered beside me, but… “Dong-woo was even worse.” “Oh?!”

At the mention that Dong-woo had also experienced it, Hyung’s eyes widened. “…He was carried and jumped too?” “Back then, I carried him on my back and ran and jumped.” “Oh my…”

Hyung looked at Dong-woo with renewed surprise. There was an inexplicable sense of camaraderie in his eyes. Then, as if remembering something, he snapped his fingers. “Did you come like this when we arrived at Times Square too?” “Yes.” “Wow~ No wonder we arrived so fast; so this was why?”

I didn’t know he had thought that, but he was quick-witted. Dong-woo babbled on proudly to an amazed Hyung. “It was really exciting then! We zoomed past over buildings~” “And that guy yelled so loudly into my ear?” “…Please forget about that.” Dong-woo subtly changed the subject, and Hyung, with an understanding expression, straightened himself.

“…I think I understand how it felt. Ugh~ I almost wet my pants.” *Chuckle.* “Don’t you dare laugh.” “Sorry.” Even though I apologized, Hyung looked at me with a rather frosty gaze.

After grinding his teeth for a moment, Hyung relaxed his expression with a deep sigh. “You said you had something to tell me; was it this?” “Well… I guess so?” “Before, you always brushed it off. Even when we asked, you treated it like a joke.” “I did.” “…Did something happen?” “Not exactly.”

I took a step forward and gestured. “Shall we talk while we walk?” “Alright. Ugh… look how weak my legs are.” A laugh almost escaped me at the sight of Hyung’s slightly wobbling legs, but I held it in. Serves you right, pretty boy.

I moved towards the largest pharmacy I remembered. Two pharmacies faced the Red Hospital. There were other large pharmacies, but they didn’t look intact from the outside. And if it was a pharmacy in front of a large hospital, wouldn’t it have a wide variety of items? Many of the things on Dr. Jang’s list might be there. Inflated with vague expectations, I walked along the clean path.

Several centimeters of snow were piled on the electric wires strung along the utility poles. Abandoned cars in the narrow alleyways were covered in snow, hiding their ghastly appearance. No traces of anything were visible ahead, along the alleyway stretching before us. Only pure, heavily piled snow filled the scene.

‘……’ …This way was clean too. Perhaps it was an unnecessary worry after all.

“Seonghan.” “Ah.” I turned back at Hyung’s urgent call. And then, I slowly told him what I had been thinking.

“The Konkuk University Shelter noticed something about me.” “Oh?” “More precisely, about my power.” “Seonghan Hyung-nim. Is that a bad thing?” “Well…”

I didn’t think it was bad for now, but I didn’t know about later. Hyung urged me to continue, as I couldn’t give a definitive answer. “Tell me in detail.”

“Do you remember Captain Lee who came when we first set up a meeting with the Konkuk University side?” “Yeah. I remember him.” “I went on an operation with him.” “And? Ah… perhaps?” “He and his squad members watched me fight.”

I didn’t stop walking as I recounted fighting the giant zombie and fighting against zombies. And I also told them that Captain Lee and his squad, along with Heize, had witnessed the entire process.

“Captain Lee is a straight-laced person, so I believe their leadership already knows everything by now.” “Hmm…” “Hyung-nim. But weren’t you in an unavoidable situation?” “That’s true.” “You helped them, so would they harm you?” “I don’t know.”

At my firm reply, Dong-woo shut his mouth, and Hyung also looked puzzled. “Didn’t you think highly of the Konkuk University people? Isn’t that why you didn’t stop Incheol and Sohee from going there?” “It’s true that I think highly of them.” “But you still think that way?” I calmly replied to Hyung’s cautious question.

“Humans fear what they cannot control.” “……” “Even if it’s a good relationship, not everyone thinks well of it. Nor do relationships last forever.”

That was the reason I clashed fiercely with the Empire when I was on the other side. Their coveting of the wealth I possessed was merely the superficial reason. Those bastards felt greedy for my power, yet they also feared it. Convinced that they couldn’t control me, the Empire tried every trick to eliminate me. Wealth and treasures were just the starting point, and the pretext was continental peace. They claimed I was causing chaos on the continent, or something like that. In a way, perhaps that was true. Thanks to that, war broke out.

…The Empire wasn’t the only one who felt fear during the fighting… It was like that even over there, where strong individuals were abundant, but this is modern times. In a different sense, it might be even more dangerous.

“If people find out, there’s a high chance I’ll be designated as a threat.” “Hey.” “I could be used, become a guinea pig for experiments, or perhaps even be targeted for elimination.”

“…Aren’t you overthinking it?” I chuckled softly at Hyung, who looked regrettable and bewildered. “Humans are more cowardly than you think. And just as cruel.” “……”

This isn’t my subjective opinion. It’s a fact about humanity, proven by history. That’s why I tried to live quietly, but it seems I’ve failed now.

“Not everyone is like you or Dong-woo. Right now… I’m lucky. It’s hard to meet people like our family again. You know that well, don’t you, Hyung?” “……That’s true…” “Hyung-nim…”

It might be why I’m not leaving the shelter and staying with everyone. I didn’t voice these words.

“If others found out but we didn’t know, that would be pretty funny too. It would look strange, wouldn’t it?” “That… that’s true?” “So I thought I’d bring it up with Dong-woo first.” “Aha!” “But I interjected, didn’t I?” “You did.” “Good timing, then.”

Hyung nodded, a satisfied expression on his face. “So that was it.” “What was?” “Every time you fought alone, Dong-woo tried to stop you. So he knew, and that’s why he did it.” “Heh heh.” “Funny.”

“Agh!” Hyung, chuckling, sharply poked Dong-woo in the side, who was rubbing under his nose with a grin.

“I feel like I lost out by worrying.” “Haha. You don’t have to worry anymore.” “Well? We’ll see about that.”

Hyung’s expression was a little lighter. But contrary to his expression, he spoke words that carried a quiet sincerity. “I know you’re supernaturally strong. But even so, there’s no one in this world who wouldn’t worry about a younger brother fighting with his life on the line, is there?” “……” “I feel the same way as Hyuk hyung-nim. When I see you fighting alone, I feel sorry and also…”

“…Right.” I lightly ruffled Dong-woo’s hair as his words trailed off. “Thank you, Hyung.” “If you understand, then don’t try to bear things alone from now on.” *Chuckles.* “So you were going around alone to hide things like this?” “Well…” “Seriously, don’t do that. Oh? Are you smiling?”

It wasn’t entirely true, but for now, only a bitter smile escaped me. Dong-woo, who had been smiling warmly with us, suddenly brightened his eyes as if he had remembered something.

“But Hyung-nim.” “Hmm?” “If those people mess with you, will they be safe?” “…What?”

A quite provocative line popped out of the gentle boy’s mouth. Both Hyung and I were a little surprised and looked at Dong-woo, who seemed slightly frustrated.

“No, seriously. You caught that huge zombie by yourself and burned it all, didn’t you?” “Th-that’s right?” “So if they mess with Hyung-nim like that, won’t they all just die?” “……” “……”

“Messing with someone who can beat hundreds of zombies with just one stick? Ugh! I couldn’t do it!” At his violent words, Hyung and I fell silent. It was actually possible, but… No, Dong-woo’s words were quite plausible.

“If it were me, I’d just shut my mouth and back off on my own…” Perhaps Dong-woo knows me best of all.

“Hyung-nim. I keep my promises well, you know?” *Grin~* Gentle Dong-woo, smiling brightly. He truly is a cute kid in many ways.

Hyung and I burst into loud laughter at the younger brother’s charm, which wouldn’t work on anyone.