episode_0224

All refer to terms for enlisting talent. Street casting is like walking down the street and hearing, “Oh?! You’re glowing! Want to be a celebrity?” Headhunting is enticing already proven talent with good conditions. Recruiting, I suppose, is about picking someone based on their potential. I’m not sure which category the situation I’m currently in falls under.

‘…Am I cursed?’ For some reason, I keep getting enthusiastic love calls from these bastards. In the short period since the zombie apocalypse, I’ve received several offers to join groups. Like gangsters, or crazy cults, or gatherings of lunatics. If you include the offer to join the military in between, I just want to curse. Is there some kind of criminal ‘catnip’ stuck to me? They say talent recognizes talent, so I guess I must be a villain. That’s the thought that comes to mind when I see myself being courted by villains at an overwhelming rate. I’m starting to worry that I need to re-examine the position of my moral values.

Section Chief Kim, unaware of my complex feelings, continued to ooze charm. His facial muscles moved smoothly, oily yet appealing. Even his elaborate spiel, with lips seemingly coated in cooking oil, was mesmerizing. I could feel that this man half-seriously wanted to take me with him.

“In a time like this, I highly value your ability to protect the weak and maintain a livelihood. Would you not like to utilize your abilities with us?” If I hadn’t known their true nature, I might have been tempted by such persuasive words. At the strongly flattering remark, I involuntarily let out a small laugh. Assuming this was a positive sign, Section Chief Kim broke into a deep smile.

“Our camp has electricity and running water. You can enjoy a certain degree of comfortable living, as before.” “Oh…?” …His confident tone suggested it wasn’t empty talk.

“We also have enough food and enough weapons to protect our people.” “Ohh….” “However, we also have something we lack.” He slightly lowered his voice, adjusting his pace, showing he had done this many times before. Curious what he would say, I humored him a little.

“What is that?” “People.” “People… talent?” Section Chief Kim nodded, clearing his throat once more.

“There’s much to be done and much to protect, but we sorely lack the manpower to do it.” “So you’ve come all this way to find colleagues?” “…Something like that.” If they were truly colleagues, he wouldn’t be twitching his eyes.

“Colleagues are important, but new talent is also needed. Exactly like you, Deokgyu.” “Hmm….” “If you join us, we promise abundant meals and a comfortable place to sleep. If you demonstrate your abilities, we can provide you with full armament like these gentlemen.” At his confident words, I scanned the security guards.

They certainly had a lot of gear hanging from them. Their guns even had suppressors and various attachments. Just looking at them, they were clearly expensive weapons.

‘What is this bastard looking at… this damn son of a bitch?’ A man, similarly armed but without a helmet. From his build and demeanor, he seemed like the leader. But then I noticed this bastard staring intently somewhere inappropriate, so I followed his gaze and saw him looking at Sohee.

‘Wow… he’s openly staring and licking his lips?’ I could see the faint, writhing emotion he hadn’t fully concealed. “Ahem!” Section Chief Kim deliberately cleared his throat, blaming the leader with his eyes. Only then did the man reluctantly withdraw his gaze, and he was utterly disgusting.

“It seems our Team Leader Lee is quite interested in your companions.” “…….” “Anyway, Deokgyu. You can enjoy a much better life than now. And above all, it’s safe.” “Hmm….” Seeing my unenthusiastic reaction, Section Chief Kim subtly lowered his voice.

“If you wish, you can enjoy alcohol and embrace women.” “…….” “As long as you show your abilities, you’ll be able to enjoy incomparable abundance. You can do it, Deokgyu. I repeat, join us.”

Section Chief Kim, closing with the cliché but effective offer of alcohol and women, couldn’t hide a touch of arrogance and triumph. As I remained silent, the man called Team Leader opened his mouth. “Decide. What will you do?” “…….” “Team Leader Lee.” “There’s no time. The sun will set soon.” “Ah, I see… the situation is urgent. I apologize for pressing you, but what will you do?” …Those two were really in sync.

‘Shall I give them a headache?’ “I refuse.” “Uhm….” As soon as the word ‘refuse’ came out, both their expressions subtly crumpled. Indeed, these guys weren’t used to rejection. The type who looks down on others and demands only ‘yes’. The arrogant air characteristic of those who hold ‘positions’ began to seep out of them.

“I apologize.” “Deokgyu, please reconsider…” “My mind hasn’t changed.” “…….” The team leader’s expression openly twisted, and he grumbled softly about wasting time. However, Section Chief Kim’s expression wasn’t quite that far… I had a feeling he had something up his sleeve.

“It’s hard to believe.” “Yes?” “Hey.” “I understand that the armament is good, but running water and electricity? And safe? Honestly, can there be a safe place? I don’t believe it.” At my words, the two men’s eyes sparkled as if amused.

“If I may ask, where is this camp you speak of?” “That, I cannot tell you.” The team leader’s tone was aggressive, expressing slight displeasure and annoyance. Just as I was about to retort, Section Chief Kim cut in.

“Now, now. Team Leader Lee is right about this. We cannot simply tell you due to security issues. However, if Deokgyu decides to join, then it’s a different story.” “Then I will refuse even more adamantly. All of it is too hard to believe easily.” I spoke gently to Section Chief Kim, who looked troubled.

“No matter who it is, it’s a situation that’s hard to trust easily. I believe you’ll understand.” “Well, now… this makes me like you even more.” That bastard openly uttered disgusting words without hesitation. To Section Chief Kim, who was showing excessive interest, I subtly let slip some information.

“I received a similar offer once before, but I refused it. So I hope you won’t be offended.” “……An offer? From whom?” A slight crack appeared in Section Chief Kim’s calm expression.

“Uh… they were soldiers and said they were from Konkuk University.” Seeing me feign recalling, the two men narrowed their brows slightly and immediately bombarded me with questions. “When was that?” “Hmm… about three weeks? A month? It’s been a while. I’m not exactly sure…” “Did they offer you to join them?” “Yes. They were quite forceful. They just abruptly started talking about loyalty to the nation, and it was really…” …Sorry, Captain Lee. When I effectively sold out Captain Lee, Section Chief Kim seemed convinced.

“Hmm. So that happened. It would have been better if you had met us sooner.” “Haha…. Ah! Now that I think of it!” Seeing me smack my fist, the two men wondered what I was about to say, and I told them.

“The car the soldiers were riding in back then looked just like that.” I pointed to the black vehicle they had arrived in. “…Are you sure?” “Yes. It looked really good, so it left an impression on me.” At my words, the team leader lowered his voice.

“Was there anyone dressed like our team members?” “Hmm… no. They were all soldiers.” I pretended to search my memory and spoke with a serious expression, and it seemed to work.

“I see. So that’s how it was….” ‘They believe that?’ A pointless urge to meddle, wondering if he was okay as a team leader, rose within me.

“Well now. I’ve heard some very good information from you, Deokgyu.” “Was it helpful?” “Of course.” Section Chief Kim, with a satisfied smile, had someone bring over some items. Calling them gifts, he handed out boxes of clean drinking water, energy bars, chocolate, and canned goods.

‘Ugh… does this bastard think I’m a beggar?’ To push something like this as a gift now. For someone who calls himself a section chief, he really seems to lack class. I’ll take them for now, but I have no intention of touching them. Being handled by such a filthy person, they probably teem with germs. And who knows what tricks he might have pulled.

“I truly wish to have you join us, but I cannot force you… it’s truly a pity.” “Thank you for the good offer, and I apologize.” We exchanged brief farewells and went our separate ways. I pretended to end the conversation like a normal person. But it was just a pretense, both for me and for them. I don’t know about the man called the team leader, but Section Chief Kim for sure. He clearly didn’t believe everything I said and filtered it. He didn’t seem meticulously thorough, but rather not the type to easily trust people. Anyway, a bloodbath was avoided for now.

While those guys were muttering amongst themselves, I quickly boarded our car. As soon as I got in, Hyung shook his head in amazement. “Hey. How does that guy in the suit talk so smoothly?” It seemed he’d heard everything. But the conversation could wait.

“Hyung. Let’s get going first. Don’t turn immediately, go straight.” “…Because of those guys, right? Got it.” As Hyung started the car, he quietly relayed a message on the radio for them to follow.

Our vehicle slowly crawled forward, squeezing through the narrow lane. “If you go straight like this, you’ll hit a big intersection. That’s Myeonmok Station, turn right there.” “And then?” “Follow the road straight up and turn right again. Then, if you go straight, you can reach the intersection in front of our shelter.” “Why are we taking such a roundabout way? Are those guys dangerous?” To Hyung, who asked about them, I gave a brief answer.

“Those guys are Taeseong’s problem-solvers.” “…Those guys?” “And they had their eyes on Sohee.” “That son of a bitch…! No wonder he kept staring!” I calmed Hyung, who was about to get indignant while driving.

“It’d be good if they weren’t… but they’ll probably follow us.” “…What will you do?” “If they follow, well, I’ll just have to talk some sense into them.” “…….” “No, really.” I don’t know what he imagined, but Hyung pressed his lips together.

I took a roundabout route instead of the easy one, worried our family might get hurt. I don’t know what the result of my elaborate bluster will be. I deliberately mentioned the Konkuk University shelter to divert their attention. There was definitely a reaction, but not the one I expected. It seems those bastards aren’t looking for colleagues, but for people who *were* colleagues. And they seem to have some ulterior motive.

While I was thinking, Hyung followed my instructions, passing Myeonmok Station and turning correctly. There were no zombies openly visible on the streets around here either. According to the high schooler who used to herd them, he had rounded up all the zombies in this vicinity.

“Stop for a moment.” As soon as the slowly moving car stopped, I got out. “Huh? Hey. What are you doing?” “I’ll watch for a bit and then head right over. Hyung, take everyone and go straight into the shelter.” “Hey… no… are you going to be okay?” Ah, it’s not like he hasn’t been with me once or twice, why is he acting like this?

“Of course I will be.” “…Don’t be late. Ah, Shia will nag me again.” “Pfft.” “Seriously! I’m the one who gets scolded! Really, don’t be late!” I answered with a playful smile.

Thump-thump!! “Alright~” At the familiar signal, Hyung started without hesitation, and the following vehicles passed me. Of course, they were staring at me with wide eyes from inside.

“Where….” I scanned my surroundings, looking for a suitable building. This neighborhood generally had many old buildings. Whoosh-! I took up position on the rooftop of an old three-story building, where LE Electronics occupied the entire first floor. It didn’t matter if my presence was noticed. I just needed to confirm if they were coming.

I had thrown out bait by mentioning Konkuk University. If they were rational, if they had a purpose, they would head in that direction. If their brains, filled with semen instead of gray matter, were swayed by instinct, there was a high probability they would follow us. And there was also a probability they would try to stab us in the back. From Section Chief Kim, I felt a coolness like that of a snake. There was a chance he would try to pull a trick.

‘……’ Either way, it didn’t matter. I wondered which route my pet dogs would take. As the sun began to set, the atmosphere felt eerie. The cold wind brushing my face made the feeling even stronger.

‘It would be good if they followed.’ Secretly, I hoped they would trail us closely. It wasn’t often one encountered someone good to hit. I gazed at the path we had taken, tempering my anticipation and curiosity.