episode_0244

Whenever I walked the streets alone, there was always something I saw and felt.

It wasn’t just the sight of a city crushed by silence or the bone-chilling bleakness.

As I searched for traces of zombies, the final moments of the victims often overlapped.

There was a commonality, almost universally so.

That was helplessness.

Even when I didn’t want to, the traces read like an automatic translation, always seeming to depict helpless deaths.

Whether they fell to zombies or died by the hands of other humans.

The result was always death, leaving behind rigid expressions of resentment and anger at their own weakness.

Perhaps that was why.

Before I knew it, I started to think this.

I can’t always be by their side.

Nor can I protect everyone.

Our family, who might fall into unexpected danger and hardship.

In preparation for that, I hoped they could at least protect themselves.

I wanted them to live differently from the countless victims I’d encountered who had died in vain.

Because dying without being able to do anything is truly unjust.

This thought solidified even more, especially after saving Hyunwoo this time.

It was different from exploring the surroundings little by little while armed and together.

I conveyed what I was thinking to everyone.

“It’s nothing else… but I want us all to learn how to handle a gun, even if it’s just the basics.”

“A gun…”

“Grandfather, and Representative Choi-nim included.”

“Hmm…”

The two elders simply stroked their chins in silence, offering no objections.

“Excuse me, what about the women?”

“For women, only those who wish to.”

To Bomi’s quick question, I added the condition of ‘those who wish to’.

“Hmm~ that’s a good idea. Actually, I’ve always wanted to learn.”

Unexpectedly, there was no resistance, and no one asked why.

Rather, their reliability was evident in their eagerness.

As if reading my expression, Representative Choi spoke softly.

“We couldn’t help it, as we didn’t have enough guns and ammunition.”

“Ah.”

It seemed they had hesitated due to practical issues.

And it made sense, considering we had just rushed outside, treating even practice as real combat…

But not anymore.

“That part will be resolved soon.”

I have what I own, and there’s a lot we’re supposed to receive from Konkuk University—

“Seonghan. About that. Are you referring to the supplies we’re supposed to receive from Konkuk University?”

“…Is there a problem?”

Representative Choi’s ensuing explanation was, without exception, based on the worst-case scenario.

Things like them embezzling or feigning ignorance.

Naturally, he emphasized that the probability was extremely low, and it was just a ‘what if’.

“Or they might ask for concessions.”

“……”

“Of course, they would offer something appropriate in return.”

“Hmm…”

Representative Choi, who was giving his opinion, repeatedly emphasized that it was purely an estimation.

“I heard that the Konkuk University Shelter is having trouble storing supplies. We even received a radio message about it.”

It seemed Representative Choi had been busy working behind the scenes.

“It’s something that could be easily resolved if they handed over our share. Yet, they’re struggling to meticulously organize it.”

“I see.”

“They’ll probably propose another negotiation regarding the transfer of supplies. I also sensed that nuance.”

“Hmm… Is it that bad?”

“If we had met, they might have clung to our pants [a proverb about desperately pleading or clinging].”

“What about them trying to renege or something?”

“I said the same thing, but they flat-out insisted it wasn’t true.”

Representative Choi smiled subtly and added, ‘Still, they are people who think.’

I crossed my arms and leaned back.

Representative Choi seemed to be subtly gauging my reaction, but he said everything he needed to.

“Regardless of the quantity, these are things we absolutely need too.”

Representative Choi was right.

Honestly, weapons and food are incredibly precious.

In truth, there’s no need to consider their circumstances at all.

Compromise and concession cannot exist.

If it had been a few days ago, that would certainly have been the case.

I looked at Heize, who was sipping juice from a large glass.

“Heize.”

“Gulp— Huh?”

“About the weapons we got from Yongsan Base.”

“Mm.”

“How’s their condition?”

“Um… um…”

She seemed to want to say something, but her vocabulary might have been the problem.

Smiling, I encouraged Heize, who was even flailing her hands.

“You can speak in English. There are many people here who can translate.”

“Understood. Then…”

Heize, who had been stumbling over her words, soon began to speak fluently.

My brother expertly translated her fluent English.

It was almost like the simultaneous interpretation seen in movies.

“…Of course, it’s better than nothing.”

“What about the weapon’s condition?”

“…The ones I saw are immediately usable but require maintenance.”

“How do they compare to U.S. military weapons?”

In response, Heize blinked her eyes at me.

“…They are weapons that are at least one generation behind those in the homeland. There are some exceptions, but not many. This is a political issue, so it can’t be helped.”

“So that’s how it is…”

“…You’ll also have to go through a lot of trouble with maintenance.”

“Okay. Thank you. Thanks, Hyung.”

Heize responded to my Korean-style pronunciation with an adorable wink.

Based on those words, I did some simple, basic calculations.

Although there are many things we’re supposed to receive from Yongsan Base, I have even better ones. Moreover, the quantity is considerable.

It would be different if it were before I acquired a large quantity of firearms.

I didn’t feel the need to covet items of inferior quality.

My current state of mind is broad and full of generosity.

That’s why I could really put my head to work.

“Heize.”

“Yeap.”

“Among those, what are the absolute must-haves we should take?”

“Hmm…”

I chuckled, watching Heize suddenly racking her brain.

“Sorry. Just wait for a moment. Representative Choi-nim.”

“Yes, Seonghan.”

Representative Choi was listening carefully to our conversation.

“Instead of the original items we were supposed to receive, what would be good to get?”

At my question, not only Representative Choi but everyone’s eyes sparkled.

“Hmm~ Normally, this would be a situation where we wouldn’t compromise at all… but if we were to concede even that, there’s an infinite number of things we could demand. Of course, this is under the premise that they have trust and good faith.”

“Then, what if we give up the items we were originally supposed to receive and replace them with something else?”

“…Pardon?”

Representative Choi was slightly flustered.

Jihyeok Hyung, also slightly surprised, interjected subtly.

“Seonghan. Is there anything that can replace weapons and food in the current situation?”

“That’s right. Getting them no matter what is…”

It wasn’t that the two of them were being greedy; it was the correct approach.

I also had the same thought and had no intention of yielding, but…

“Regarding weapons, I have an idea.”

“…Ohh?”

“…What? What are you hiding?”

Representative Choi’s eyes sparkled, and my brother also wore a villainous smile.

Not to be outdone, I returned a profound smile.

“You’ll find out in due time.”

“I can look forward to it, right?”

I nodded to my brother, whose eyes were gleaming.

Representative Choi had a very intrigued expression, but his words were mixed with concern.

“Seonghan. If that happens, what we can actually receive will be very limited.”

“That’s right.”

“…It might become a form of promising for the future. Simply put, it’s credit.”

In modern society, you don’t do things on credit.

Even more so in the current situation.

“Aside from everything else, if we accommodate them, we’ll become closer than necessary.”

“Hmm.”

“Will that be alright?”

As Representative Choi said, it might lead to an explosive increase in favorability.

If that happens, it would deviate a bit from the picture Representative Choi had drawn.

“Do you think they’ll look down on us?”

“If they have the confidence to.”

This time, Representative Choi also gave a slightly villainous smile.

“If they initiate negotiations, I’d like to entrust everything to Representative Choi-nim again.”

“…Please leave it to me.”

“While you’re at it, I hope you’ll make a big show of it. A really big show.”

“Eheheheheh! I’m confident.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Behind his laughter, his glittering eyes were the same ones I had seen before.

It seemed Representative Choi was feeling motivated for the first time in a while.

“If we do negotiate, there are a few things I’d like to receive.”

“What are they?”

“All information regarding Taesung.”

“Cough—?”

Representative Choi’s eyes twitched.

Hyunwoo, who had been listening blankly, seemed to choke and coughed repeatedly.

It wasn’t hard to understand, as he had suffered greatly while being held captive.

“The more recent the information, the higher I’ll value it. And…”

“Please speak.”

“Should an unforeseen situation arise, they must assist us with all their might.”

“……”

“Please start with these two conditions as a basis.”

“Hmm…”

Instead of Representative Choi, who was stroking his face, my brother gave me a look of concern.

“Seonghan. Wouldn’t you be at too much of a disadvantage if it goes this way?”

“You’re right.”

I didn’t deny my brother’s words.

The moment we put down the weapons and food, the loss began.

“It seems there’s something on your mind.”

“It’s not exact yet.”

“Hmm. Understood.”

Representative Choi added no unnecessary remarks.

My brother also looked curious but didn’t press the issue.

It was good that they let it go quietly, but I felt like I should tell them later.

“……”

When we herded zombies in Sangildong, Representative Choi’s words came to mind.

His conjecture that most of Seoul’s population might have fallen to the zombies.

As we herded them, I wavered, wondering if his words weren’t true.

I ran around the entire area, but there was no sign of any living person whatsoever.

Only zombies responded to the loud loudspeaker sound.

It truly felt as if there were very few living humans left on Earth.

In contrast, Taesung was unnecessarily robust and intact.

I didn’t like that they surpassed us in both quality and quantity in every aspect.

Although we had raided a base, there might be other bases.

And beyond that, there were no clues.

I want to draw the Konkuk University Shelter into the fight against Taesung.

Fighting itself is more comfortable and better when done alone.

However, it’s difficult to chase down every single clue about them.

So, if possible, I wanted to receive help in terms of ‘information’.

I vaguely went around taking down guys related to Taesung that caught my eye.

I knew their armaments were good, but they were better than I thought.

If I hadn’t forcibly taken some weapons and food from Sangildong and seen their true nature, I clearly wouldn’t have even considered concessions like this.

Now, we are full of high-quality weapons.

Food is abundant and overflowing.

The only things we lack are those for cultural life.

In that case, we hand over the inferior goods and make a big show of it.

While doing so, we receive what we want and make the scales tip in our favor.

We make them, not us, be the ones who owe a debt and cling to us.

And as a bonus, it would be even better if the Konkuk University Shelter could improve its meager military strength and become self-sufficient.

So, what if they become an opposing force to Taesung?

‘All the bothersome tasks can just be pushed onto them.’

Thinking about the future, it’s not bad at all.

The problem is that the Konkuk University Shelter’s continued existence is uncertain.

‘Well, that’s a bridge we’ll cross when we get there.’

With a full wallet, my mind and perspective become this broad.

Thanks to this, I, with my not-so-great brain, could actually think.

Thinking about later, we might need the Konkuk University Shelter’s help.

Because I had that thought, I could let go of my immediate greed.

More than anything, I wasn’t simply making concessions.

“They’re contacting us frequently, so if the topic comes up, I’ll sound them out.”

Seeing Representative Choi burning with enthusiasm reassures me.

If it’s Representative Choi, we won’t suffer a loss at least.

Profit isn’t always limited to material possessions.

Now, holding excessive supplies for only about 20 people to enjoy.

I believe it can bring us benefits in some form.

After a few more exchanges, we roughly concluded the discussion.

As always, there were no dissenting opinions.

Everyone agreed and moved on, acknowledging the progress of the work.

Just as the atmosphere turned to dispersal.

“Wow… amazing…”

Everyone looked at Hyunwoo, who had unexpectedly burst out in admiration.

“What’s so amazing?”

At my brother’s question, Hyunwoo began to chatter as if he’d been waiting.

“Before I came here, I saw people gathered for meetings a lot, you know.”

“And?”

“This is the first time I’ve seen a meeting end so cleanly. The discussion felt like it fit perfectly, and it felt… like a real meeting?”

“Pfft~”

“No, Senior-nim. Seriously. Whenever people gathered, they always fought… I thought a meeting was just ending after constant opposition, you know?”

“Oh dear~ Was that so~”

Everyone chuckled at Hyunwoo’s fuss.

However, amid that, Miri’s father added seriously.

“I agree with Hyunwoo.”

“Right?!”

“Yes. The Jamsil Shelter I was at was truly… most of the time, it was embarrassing to even call it a meeting of the leadership.”

“Hmm… was the atmosphere that bad?”

“Yes, Elder-nim. It’s a bit rude to say this, but… it was truly a mess.”

“Oh dear…”

“If the Jamsil Shelter had this kind of atmosphere… I think it might not have collapsed.”

At the sight of Miri’s father smiling bitterly, the atmosphere became solemn for a moment.

Miri’s father immediately composed his expression and said with a smile.

“Seeing the scene of us exchanging ideas like this today, I feel like things will work out somehow.”

“Haha~ That’s a relief. Miri’s father-nim, and everyone else, please feel free to speak up if you have good suggestions at any time.”

“Understood.”

“Alright then… I’ve said everything I needed to, so shall we take some free time?”

Thanks to Hyunwoo and Miri’s father, the discussion ended smoothly.

As everyone was dispersing.

“Heize.”

“Ooh~? Why are you calling~?”

Heize, who was about to enter the room with Lawrence, gave a deep eye-smile.

“Look at me for a moment.”

“?!!”

Heize patted Lawrence, then rushed towards me.

“Why? Why?”

“Follow me.”

Her eyes widened at my words, and then she soon smiled sweetly.

I don’t know what she was thinking, but I’m sorry to say it wasn’t that for now.

I took the needlessly excited Heize and stepped out into the hallway.

‘…Will it be alright?’

I couldn’t guarantee it either, but the deed was already done anyway.

And I need Heize.

“……”

“What’s wrong?”

Facing her clear blue eyes that were fixed on me, I thought.

Please, I hoped my judgment wasn’t wrong.