episode_0218

In the past, watching movies, I encountered many similar scenes and conversations.

For example, like this:

“This is our last job. After this, we’ll make a fresh start.”

“Really?”

“If we succeed with this job, we’ll be drinking cocktails with beauties on a hot beach. All of us will be rich. How does that sound? Tempting?”

“…Damn it! I’m in!”

“Good. We’re all in this together. Let’s make the grand finale a spectacular one.”

“Yeah~!”

It was a familiar, somewhat childish, but also common dialogue.

A very common cliché and motive in crime movies.

One last big score, betting everything for a pleasant life.

Adding lines like “I’ll get married when this is over” or “I’ll meet my daughter” guarantees a bad ending.

Of course, there are happy endings that conclude successfully, but it’s still a cliché.

Why am I thinking about this now? Because I’m doing that cliché right now.

One last big score to have a warm, full, and pleasant winter.

The motivation is similar, and the value of what’s being “turned over” is the same.

But there’s also a differentiating factor.

If I do it, a happy ending is guaranteed.

Probably?

Anyway, I announced it to everyone, as if throwing it out there, that I would do it.

“Seonghan. You’ll soon receive compensation from the Konkuk University Shelter, so do you need to go outside?”

Chief Choi, even blaming the bad weather, seemed a little perplexed.

“You haven’t even rested properly; aren’t you overdoing it…?”

“That’s right. It’s only been a day since you came back, Oppa.”

Chief Choi and Shia looked at me with concern.

Their small but warm consideration was very much appreciated, but…

‘My condition is great.’

It was only a day, but after eating warm food and lying in a warm bed, I was in peak condition.

Everyone else looked at me similarly, but Dong-woo and my hyung were different.

Perhaps that’s why my hyung subtly supported my opinion.

“I think what Hyung-nim says is right… but is there a reason you want to go out?”

“Yes.”

“What is it? It’s nothing problematic, is it?”

“It’s not that.”

I reassured everyone and told them about the current objective.

“As Dr. Jang said, I’m planning to get some cosmetics.”

“Ah ha… It would definitely be good to have them.”

“It’s true that our skin is having a hard time.”

“And I’m thinking of looking for something fun, something to enjoy.”

“Something to enjoy, you say?”

“Well, game consoles, movie DVDs, things like that. Aren’t you all bored?”

Everyone smiled awkwardly, but no one said no.

Until now, the family members had replaced leisure by busily moving around to alleviate their boredom.

While the women focused on cooking and housework, the men concentrated on physical outdoor tasks.

But even that was only for a day or two; the excess free time inevitably led to boredom.

It had gotten so bad that they even read the thick, boring books in Chief Choi’s personal study.

Because of that, the family showed interest rather than opposition.

“At the very least, I plan to bring back music tapes or CDs. If it’s books, I’d even like to bring picture books.”

“Haha… that’s a very appealing idea.”

Chief Choi, too, apparently couldn’t escape boredom.

“I’m in favor.”

A clear voice came from behind Chief Choi.

Dr. Jang, who had been organizing medicines, appeared and took a seat beside Chief Choi.

Her posture somehow seemed very familiar.

‘…What is this?’

Surely, those two aren’t…

“Excuse me for interrupting.”

“Not at all.”

“About what you were saying earlier. I think it’s important to acquire entertainment. Everyone hasn’t really had a way to release tension and stress.”

“Ah ha.”

“It’s such a relief that we can have delicious meals thanks to Grandmother.”

Grandmother chuckled.

“From a mental health perspective, Seonghan’s opinion is valid.”

Starting with Dr. Jang’s praise, everyone gave a thumbs-up, and Grandmother blushed like a shy maiden.

Certainly, if there was one truly enjoyable time in the shelter, it was undoubtedly mealtime.

Dr. Jang said that entertainment shouldn’t be dismissed and that she had been planning to ask everyone for their opinions on it.

With an expert’s opinion added, the justification for this ‘outing’ gained strength.

I added a bit more to the plan.

“I’m also planning to use this opportunity to stockpile some fuel and look around the health center and other facilities.”

“Hmm… Are you trying to understand the surrounding situation?”

“That’s part of it, but we also want to secure things before others take them.”

“Ah…”

It’s finders keepers, and if the items were abandoned anyway, we wanted to secure them.

It was no different from a greedy person’s mindset, but…

‘If they feel wronged, they’ll come protest.’

After listing the necessities, I told Chief Choi.

“Since everyone is worried, I won’t overdo it. We won’t go far, just look around the vicinity.”

“Hmm… If that’s the case… it seems fine.”

At my promise not to overdo it, everyone expressed their approval.

And, with Dr. Jang’s recommendation, as she knew the area well, we narrowed down the places worth visiting.

Fortunately, it was within the range I had explored before.

At least the risk from zombies was much lower there.

A rough itinerary also took shape.

“Seonghan. Are you planning to go out alone again this time?”

“That…”

As I was about to answer, sharp gazes pierced my face.

Especially the men’s gazes were burning…

“…Since we need to take all the cars, we’ll need to match the number of people.”

“I see. Then I’ll keep that in mind.”

The members were configured similarly to last time.

Me, my hyung, Dong-woo, Incheol, Sohee, and Young-cheol, who drives well.

“Seonghan. I want to go with you too.”

Unexpectedly, Reporter Kim Daesik strongly appealed to join.

“Are you sure? Your side injury was severe.”

“Thanks to Dr. Jang and all of you, I’ve almost fully recovered. I’ll follow quietly. Please.”

Reporter Kim wanted to record and capture the situation outside.

He wanted to record the abandoned streets, devoid of light and color, and the streets scarred with horrific wounds, without exaggeration.

‘……’

I could feel his serious and burning sense of mission.

It sounds funny, but I really felt a burning passion from Reporter Kim.

I subtly glanced at my hyung.

Nodding.

Seeing him give a small nod, I quietly told Reporter Kim.

“No individual actions. You must unconditionally follow commands as well.”

“Of course.”

“…Let’s go together.”

“Thank you!”

It’s going to be tough out there, but why are they so happy?

Incheol and Sohee also seemed full of enthusiasm, not planning to relax.

Hyuk hyung’s taciturn manager, Young-cheol, also showed a subtle sign of excitement.

‘…Are they feeling very suffocated?’

Still, I thought it was better than vaguely fearing going outside.

“Seonghan. When do you plan to depart?”

“I’ll go out tomorrow morning.”

“Huh?!”

“Oh?! Really?”

My hyung and Dong-woo flinched at the mention of “tomorrow.”

They seemed quite tired from wandering through the snowy road today…

“If you’re tired, stay here.”

“No, I’m not? What do you mean tired?”

“The person whose legs were trembling is all talk.”

“What, you punk?”

“Hmph~”

“?!”

I smiled and said to my hyung, who was trembling and couldn’t say a word.

“You won’t be too tired tomorrow. Don’t worry.”

“…Who said I was worried?”

“If not, then fine.”

Groan…

Comforting my hyung, who couldn’t cry or laugh, I briefly outlined tomorrow’s plan.

“Gasoline… It’s definitely good to have. But will you be able to get fuel?”

“Hmm… I can’t be sure, but we’ll have to go and see.”

Chief Choi, who couldn’t quite grasp how to secure gasoline from a gas station, tilted his head but didn’t object.

“Hyung-nim. Don’t you extract gasoline from cars? In movies, they suck it out with a hose, you know?”

“That’s true, but… well, let’s go tomorrow and see.”

“Seonghan. Do you need anything?”

Young-cheol, who had been quiet, asked about preparations.

Perhaps because he’s a manager, he’s very thorough and meticulous.

‘…What did I need again…?’

I pondered for a moment, then made a few requests.

“As Dong-woo said, let’s pack a hose first. It would be good to have unused clothes and plastic bags too. And something to tie them with.”

“You’ll need jerry cans, won’t you?”

“Ah. Essential.”

He pulled out a small notepad from his pocket and jotted something down, indicating a meticulous personality.

Given his broad shoulders and large build, it felt somewhat incongruous.

His image of talking and exchanging opinions with my hyung looked familiar.

Asking various other things and preparing in advance felt very reliable.

Because of such qualities, entertainers seem to trust their managers.

“I don’t know if it will work out, but we’ll head to the gas station first. If things go well there, we’ll proceed with the rest of the plan.”

“What if it doesn’t go well?”

“We’ll have to see then. We can’t just keep walking forever, can we?”

“…That’s true.”

“Stretch before you sleep. Otherwise, you’ll be very stiff tomorrow. Dong-woo too. Got it?”

“Yes.”

I gave a slight smile to Dong-woo, who answered readily with good humor.

I also planned to help with stretching a bit.

Myself, directly.

“Incheol, do some weapon maintenance. You probably won’t need to use them, but just in case.”

“Of course.”

“Are the bullets enough?”

“Yes. We have plenty.”

“Don’t do it alone, do it with Dong-woo.”

“Hehe~ Got it.”

Incheol, who smiled mischievously, handles things well on his own, so he requires less supervision.

I immediately spoke to Byeongsu, who was sitting silently.

“Byeongsu.”

“Yes, Seonghan.”

“By any chance, were there any broadcasts from this vicinity?”

“Hmm… No. Definitely not.”

“Understood.”

At least we can assume there aren’t any loudmouths causing trouble, right?

Zombies are annoying enough, but if other troublesome individuals start acting up, it would be severely inconvenient.

‘Ah, that’s right.’

Thinking of zombies reminded me.

I asked Chief Choi to relay our conversation to everyone.

If I said it, it would inevitably sound too blunt…

I thought it would be better for Chief Choi, who knew how to speak tactfully, to do it.

Since everyone except Heize and Lawrence was gathered, Chief Choi began to tell the family about what I had experienced outside.

Chief Choi’s storytelling ability was indeed excellent.

He had a knack for conveying the same message in a way that lessened the shock and burden.

Thanks to him, the family could listen to the story relatively calmly.

It was a good choice, as even Miri’s father, who had been part of the conversation in the study, listened, nodding continuously.

We could warn them about the current situation outside and about the variants.

And we, too, set the same course of action.

Run without looking back.

No one disagreed with this.

Although the content was somewhat heavy, even when softened, everyone didn’t get dejected.

They couldn’t afford to react negatively to everything, as they had accumulated enough experience by now.

“What should I make you tomorrow morning?”

“…Huh? We haven’t even had dinner yet?”

“Just taking orders in advance, you know. Is there anything you want to eat?”

“…I’ll eat whatever Grandmother makes.”

Shia, asking about tomorrow morning’s menu, showed no sign of fear.

Grandmother, needless to say…

It was fortunate to see them having a positive outlook somehow.

…I wonder if this is right.

…Anyway.

Everyone present naturally dispersed to prepare for tomorrow.

While Grandmother and the women prepared dinner, I moved on my own.

“Follow me.”

“H-Hyung-nim…”

“You too, hyung.”

“…Do we really have to do it now? We’re going to eat soon.”

“Your bodies will stiffen, I’m telling you.”

“……”

“……”

“Quickly.”

I led the two, whose faces had turned tearful, to the gym on the second floor.

And a moment later.

“Arrrgh!”

“Ah! Ah! It’s tearing! It’s tearing! Hyung-nim!!!”

“It’s not tearing. Relax.”

“Kyaaaah-!!!”

“Choked cries!”

Inside the luxurious gym, the agonizing screams of two men continued without end.

Until Shia came to call them for dinner.