episode_0221

“The other side is quiet too.”

“Shall we look around more, Hyung-nim?”

The gazes of the three, each stating their findings, urged me on.

I shared the same thought, so I didn’t drag it out.

“Then let’s bring down what we’ve marked first. Let’s start with the big ones, one by one.”

When moving luggage, it’s easier to take the bulkier items first.

At my words, the three slung their guns over their shoulders and relaxed their stiff hands.

“Let’s clear out the pharmacy first. Let’s take all the nutritional supplements and anything that looks good for the body.”

“Oh, good. I was feeling quite weak anyway, so this is perfect. Hehehe.”

“…Jihyeok. Don’t do that. You sound like an old man.”

“Oh, I’m at an age where I need to take care of myself too. Haha~”

Sohee tried to dissuade him with a bitter smile, but Hyung played along even more slyly.

We let out wry laughs at Hyung’s tasteless jokes, which sounded uncharacteristically like an old man.

Still, Hyung wasn’t just spouting nonsense for no reason.

This man isn’t the type to blurt out clueless remarks in such a situation.

We had been searching the building under intense tension until just now.

We only checked up to the 3rd floor, where we expected to find necessary items, but we unconsciously grew sharp and mentally exhausted.

Especially Sohee and Incheol, they were perhaps a bit overly focused.

They might not have known it, but their eyes were slightly bloodshot.

Of course, I was more than used to it, I had adapted, but the three of them… well…

Noticing this, Hyung awkwardly tried to lighten the mood.

The more I observed Hyung, the more I realized he was a sharp man who knew what to do and when to do it.

Thanks to the simple joke, the two preparing to carry the luggage seemed a bit more lighthearted in their warm-up.

Once the working atmosphere was set, we immediately sprang into action.

As soon as the work began, Kim Gijanim, who had been following us like a ghost, also lent a hand.

“Kim Gijanim. Your body isn’t fully recovered yet, no overdoing it…”

“Oh! No, it’s fine. This much is okay. I’ll do what I can, so please don’t worry.”

Despite Incheol’s concern, Kim Gijanim happily began to work.

Although it was called a pharmacy, it wasn’t large.

There weren’t many types of off-the-shelf products available either.

The atmosphere was very different from the pharmacies we had visited so far.

At any rate, we had what we needed, so there was no room for complaint.

We primarily took items that were unopened and intact in their boxes whenever possible.

Starting with emergency treatment tools like medical cotton, disinfectants, gauze, and bandages, we carried out anything that looked useful.

We even coveted familiar daily items like “New Skin Soothing” ointment, patches, high-quality toothpaste, and mouthwash.

『Hair Master Follicle Spray』

“……”

Hyung, whose eyes met mine, saw what I was holding and took one for himself.

…We carefully packed shampoos and medications for dandruff and hair loss prevention.

Going up and down from the ground floor to the third floor was no ordinary feat.

Even more so when carrying heavy loads.

Everyone’s breathing grew ragged, but they didn’t stop.

Seeing the items neatly piling up in the cargo hold was enough to give them strength.

With five people carrying as much as they could, the process itself didn’t take long.

After clearing out the pharmacy, we went down one floor and turned our attention to the things we had noticed earlier.

There wasn’t anything particular in the physical therapy room or the diagnostic imaging room.

There was nothing for us to take either.

However, there were some enticing items in the examination room.

“Would we ever use this?”

“Just in case. I’ve heard that even a simple blood test can reveal a lot… Let’s take it for now.”

The items Sohee expressed bewilderment about were blood testing machines and their sets.

I couldn’t recall where I had heard or seen it.

But I remembered hearing that this blood test was extremely useful.

Conveniently, the shelter’s infirmary (?) had no particular equipment.

Only a few tools and a lot of medicine.

If we took even this, wouldn’t Dr. Jang figure it out?

So, I picked up everything that seemed related.

Reagent bottles and a small microwave-like device for storing them, equipment with many holes where reagent bottles were inserted, and even a microscope.

As a bonus, clean syringes, cotton, and all kinds of disinfecting alcohol were also taken.

Anything that looked to be in good condition was fair game for scavenging.

While moving busily, Incheol pointed to a piece of equipment.

“Hyung-nim. Should we take this too?”

“You….”

“Ah. My apologies.”

“…It’s good? Let’s take it.”

“Hehehe. Understood.”

A device on a medical cart with many electrical wires dangling from it.

We even dragged out an expensive-looking electrocardiogram machine.

While we were at it, we also took the blood pressure monitor, the only examination Koreans don’t dislike, and the number one favorite among the elderly.

And things we found on the first floor while passing by, we took those out too.

Gas masks and first-aid kits for fire emergencies.

And some rather unexpected items.

[Tool Rental Bank]

Next to the storage cabinet where the gas masks were kept, there was a display shelf with various tools.

According to the sign, it seemed to be for local residents, but it looked like a display only.

As evidence, the tools were all brand new, still in their packaging.

Very familiar electric extension reels, electric drills of various sizes, folding ladders, and even tools of different dimensions.

That toolbox, which men might not necessarily need but would still want to own, greeted us in its entirety.

I personally coveted the electric screwdriver I had always wanted to own.

“Oh… they’re all new, so the condition is great.”

“Hyung-nim…?”

“Let’s take this too. Take it all out. These are expensive and good quality.”

They seemed to have intended to put on a proper display, as these were good products from famous brands.

There were no cheap continental products that would break, wear out, or disappear after a little use.

We didn’t miss the large monkey wrench and the big two-handed shears either.

The monkey wrench would be good for swinging, and the two-handed shears could probably even cut a zombie’s neck.

Since these were for local residents, there’s no problem with us using them.

Moreover, it’s an emergency, so perhaps they should be grateful we’re using them like this.

There was no stopping our hands.

By the time we thought we had brought everything we needed, one cargo hold was completely filled, and the second cargo hold was also considerably occupied.

Young-cheol, along with Dong-woo, set up the net they had prepared in advance and tied it tightly, finishing up.

His way of tying and knotting the items with ropes to prevent them from moving was quite skillful.

Young-cheol might have become a favored talent in the field.

After finishing the organization and past mealtime, we satisfied our hunger with the jerky and water I had brought.

“Is it good?”

“Yes. This… my hands can’t stop.”

“Eat a lot.”

Incheol seemed to enjoy the jerky, finishing one bag by himself.

Dong-woo also ate relentlessly as if in a competition, showing off his appetite.

Everyone had their fill, took a deep breath, and enjoyed the break.

“Now that we’ve taken them out, it’s quite a load.”

Hyung showed satisfaction looking at the items piled high in the cargo hold.

Others also couldn’t hide their reassuring and satisfied expressions.

“We struck out a lot before, but today was successful.”

“Right? Isn’t this a jackpot?”

Dong-woo and Incheol seemed quite excited.

Before, they had only struck out or come up empty-handed, so such a reaction was understandable.

Hyung, who had been watching the two younger ones chatter away, subtly asked.

“We’re not going in right away, are we?”

“I was thinking of going to one more place.”

“…In movies, they don’t scavenge this intensely…”

I chuckled at him speaking like a rookie who had never even played a scavenging game.

“It’s different from the movies, isn’t it?”

“Hmm~ That’s true, but… Oh, I don’t know. So where are we going this time?”

“Um… Seonghan.”

As I was about to speak to Hyung, who was unnecessarily complaining, Sohee interjected.

“Are you moving immediately?”

“I was planning to, but is there a problem?”

“There’s a place I want to check before we move.”

Her firm, clear words piqued my curiosity.

“I’d like to check the Mayor’s Office and the Planning and Situation Room.”

“Hmm… Is there a reason?”

Her bringing up an unexpected location made me a little curious.

“I thought there might be some useful information there.”

“Information… huh…”

I subtly turned my gaze to Hyung.

“…It shouldn’t take long, and there’s no harm in checking, right?”

Their words made sense.

Since we were already here, checking it out wouldn’t be bad…

“That’s true, but… what are you looking for?”

I wasn’t arguing, just asking out of curiosity.

“It’s just a ‘what if,’ but I’m curious about what countermeasures they had.”

“You’re curious how they reacted?”

“Yes. And there might be something useful for us among them.”

“Uh… would there be anything like that?”

I was skeptical of Sohee’s words, which held a faint glimmer of hope.

As for the reason, repeating it would just be a waste of breath.

So, I had no shred of the small hope Sohee was talking about…

As if she noticed my thoughts, Sohee gave a weak smile.

“Alright. Let’s go up.”

Sohee wore a surprised expression.

“Incheol, wait here.”

“Yes.”

“Hyung, you come with us. And Kim Gijanim?”

“I’ll go too.”

I dusted off my hands and took the lead.

Having to climb those stairs again, after going up and down repeatedly, felt undeniably bothersome.

Still, a party member had expressed their opinion for once, so I figured I should at least pretend to listen.

Anyway, we were just checking.

Inside the quiet building, only the sound of our four footsteps echoed.

And when we reached the 4th floor.

“……”

“This smell…?”

The three slightly covered their noses.

Unlike the 3rd floor, an unpleasant, unhealthy smell permeated the hallway.

It was a terrible odor of something rotting away.

‘Is it over there?’

It wasn’t hard to tell the direction of the smell. It seemed to be coming from the back hallway, opposite the Mayor’s Office, which was visible.

I immediately walked towards the Mayor’s Office.

“Hmm.”

As I got closer, I could distinctly feel a foul odor seeping from beyond the door. It seemed there was something here too, not just on the opposite side.

“Seonghan. Just go back—”

I covered my mouth with my finger and drew closer to the door.

‘……’

There was no sign of movement beyond the neatly designed iron door.

Only the sound of a faint breeze rustling within the room could be heard.

The Mayor’s Office was empty.

With everyone holding their breath, I turned the doorknob and quietly pushed the door open.

*Whoosh—*

“Gasp!”

“Cough!”

Suddenly, a horrifying stench of decaying flesh hit our noses along with a cold draft.

The three instinctively turned their heads, but I stepped inside.

I quickly darted my eyes around, scanning the interior.

Nothing was moving, and there were no corpses playing dead.

On the floor lay discolored piles of documents.

Along with food waste and scattered dirty clothes.

Cold, fresh air poured in through the slightly open window crack.

But the deeply ingrained smell in the space didn’t dissipate at all.

As soon as I took another step, a familiar form came into view.

On the floor, on the luxurious-looking sofa, and on the table.

Four severely decomposed corpses, left neglected.

‘Damn it….’

“Ugh—!”

Sohee gagged violently and rushed out of the room.

No one thought to follow her.

They just furrowed their brows as much as they could, looking at the corpses before them.