episode_0256

A societal structure where humans of diverse personalities coexist has a twofold nature, simple yet complex.

The intricate human relationships intertwined within it go without saying.

Broadly, there are vertical relationships that distinguish hierarchy and horizontal relationships that signify equality.

The elements that form such relationships include status, occupation, age, gender, and so on.

Even if one has a general understanding, enumerating them in detail would be headache-inducing.

Nevertheless, there is content that penetrates the core.

A certain book described that part as follows:

“The most fundamental thing for society to be maintained is one’s attitude towards others, which is precisely one’s words and actions.”

It was a line I saw in an old comic book.

They say all the truths of the world are in comic books, and it seems that’s not wrong.

I remember a character from that comic book who would say, “If you can’t do this, don’t take social life lightly and just get out.”

“Was there a fellow like this here?”

“……”

And I was contemplating whether or not to mimic that character’s line.

The second old man appeared, treating Chairman Kim without reserve.

Like most elderly people, this man was also small and frail.

But unlike Chairman Kim, he was extremely healthy.

His posture was upright and suggested sturdiness.

His back wasn’t bent, nor were his shoulders hunched.

His stubborn face, far from benevolent, was reddish.

His eyes, showing a hint of languor, held a clear gaze.

‘…A burn, or a blister?’

His wrinkled hands bore considerable scars.

Just by looking at them, I knew they were hands that had suffered much hardship.

I realized this old man was also an eccentric person.

He seemed like a friend to Chairman Kim, and it really did look like they were true friends.

Their cheap, unreserved way of speaking was exactly alike…

“Did you examine everything?”

I blinked at the old man’s words.

“It’s not my preference for a man to scrutinize me, but I’ll let it slide just this once.”

“……”

That damned old man is perceptive.

“What’s with you suddenly?”

“I asked first.”

“Ha.”

His eccentricity was different from Chairman Kim’s.

However, it was an atmosphere I was more familiar with, making him easier to deal with.

Perhaps that’s why my expression felt a bit softer.

“I came here to take care of some business and to see my younger siblings.”

“You crazy fool. How dangerous is it outside, and you say you came to play?”

Seeing him scold me as if he found it absurd, I understood.

For one, I wasn’t feeling bad.

This old man simply had that way of speaking.

From his perspective, he was genuinely dumbfounded and surprised.

His crude, inconsiderate manner of speech seemed to be because he was Chairman Kim’s friend.

Chairman Kim, who was next to us, didn’t even think of stepping in, just grinning.

It seemed he found it interesting to see me and his friend exchanging words…

“It’s dangerous, yes, but not necessarily entirely so.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You punk. What are you saying?”

“More importantly, who are you, old man? Calling me ‘what kind of guy’ out of nowhere?”

The old man, about to retort, pouted his lips.

As expected, his actions and reactions were exactly like those of a site foreman.

“Me? I’m this skinny fellow’s friend. I came to get some snacks, but… you caught my eye.”

“And?”

The small old man raised his head and met my gaze directly.

“It would be strange if it weren’t strange, seeing a weirdo like you chatting with Kim.”

“…That’s harsh. Calling someone you just met ‘weird’? What are you, old man?”

“He is Master Park Cheolsu.”

Secretary Seong provided the answer instead.

It was a textbook name, but the title attached to it was not.

“Alright. Stop with the ‘master craftsman’ stuff, it’s cringey.”

“Yes, elder.”

“And you.”

“……”

Old Man Park scrutinized me up and down, stroking his chin.

“You feel like a really dangerous bomb…”

“What is this old man talking about?”

“Yet, seeing this kid calmly stay by Kim’s side, maybe not.”

“Hey, old man. Are you senile?”

“And so impertinent too.”

“……”

“An interesting fellow, indeed.”

Just like Chairman Kim, he gave the same assessment.

“These old men, really.”

“You punk!”

“You punk! Why me, when I’m just standing here quietly?!”

“Quiet down. Are you both bored? Feeling itchy from idleness? Don’t you know it’s rude to call someone ‘weird’ or ‘interesting’ to their face?”

“But it’s the truth, isn’t it?”

“……Secretary Seong-nim. Could you please take these old men somewhere else? It’s uncomfortable to be with them.”

When I requested with a frown, Secretary Seong bowed her head slightly.

“They are people I cannot control.”

“……Ugh.”

“Hahahahaha!”

Chairman Kim burst into laughter, finding something so amusing.

Old Man Park also wore an obnoxious expression, as if saying, ‘See? I told you so.’

These annoying old geezers.

I pulled out all the remaining jerky and offered it to Old Man Park.

“What’s this?”

“Didn’t you say you were bored?”

“So why are you giving it to me?”

“Why else?”

I answered lightly, as if asking why he would even ask such a thing.

“Eat this instead of begging somewhere else.”

“Hahahaha!”

“This, this impudent brat…!”

“So, you’re not going to eat it? Fine, then.”

As I indifferently tried to retrieve the jerky, Old Man Park swiftly snatched it.

“…One does not refuse a sincere offering.”

“Seriously…”

“Park-ga. Is there no option to refuse?”

“Quiet. I won’t give you any.”

“…Oh dear….”

I sighed sincerely and pressed my hand to my forehead.

They say people become childish when they get old, but this was like a child all on its own.

Regardless, I asked the old man, who was happily tearing into the jerky.

“Speaking of which, old man. A master craftsman?”

“Master craftsman? I’m just a specialist.”

“Right. So what are you a specialist in?”

Old Man Park mumbled with the jerky in his mouth, answering casually.

“…I strike a hammer.”

A hammer? This old man, could it be?

“You make weapons?”

At my slightly surprised words, this time Old Man Park was slightly surprised.

“You… I had a hunch, but do you handle swords?”

“…It’s not necessarily swords, but… no, more importantly, old man, are you really a blacksmith?”

“Something like that.”

That would explain the numerous scars on his hands.

To think I’d meet such a high-level professional unexpectedly like this.

As much as I showed interest, Old Man Park also sent an intriguing gaze my way.

With a hopeful thought, I asked seriously.

“Old man. Can you also repair them?”

“Do you have a sword?”

“I’ll show you later.”

Old Man Park’s eyes turned serious.

“How is it broken? Is the blade damaged?”

“Some are broken, and some have reached the end of their lifespan.”

“What? Broken?!”

Old Man Park expressed his disbelief with his expression, as if asking if he had heard wrong.

“Yeah. Anyway, do you think it’s possible?”

“I’d have to see it first.”

“Really?”

Old Man Park swallowed the jerky he was chewing and said seriously.

“Don’t have high expectations.”

“Why?”

“There’s too much lacking.”

“Ah…”

I was speechless at the realistic problem.

That’s because this was originally just an ordinary university in Seoul.

With handicrafts happening here and there, and fires being lit, I had temporarily forgotten.

Blade repairs in a place meant for youth, romance, and academics.

“No matter who I am, if the environment isn’t equipped, I’m just a mere country bumpkin.”

I listened to his calm reply and kept silent.

“For now, the most I can do is sharpen blades.”

“……”

“…I’m sorry.”

I gave a wry smile, seeing Old Man Park unnecessarily cringing.

“What do you have to be sorry about, old man? Don’t worry about it.”

“……”

“Seriously, it’s fine?”

“Park-ga. Didn’t he say it’s fine? So relax.”

“…I’ll at least take a look at their condition.”

Old Man Park, visibly disheartened, was timid—no, perhaps I should say delicate.

Once his mood had sunk, it wasn’t easily restored.

Just as the situation was about to become awkward, Sergeant Kang and his companions approached.

“Hyung-nim. All the luggage is unloaded. Oh? Hello, elder.”

“Oh? Hello, Grandpa~”

“…Oh? Kang-gun. Suhui. But ‘Hyung-nim’?”

Old Man Park greeted Sergeant Kang and Hong Suhui, seemingly familiar with them.

He even wore a warm smile, which was such a contrast to how he treated me that it was absurd.

“Old man. You’re completely different when you deal with me. Are you discriminating?”

“Hmph. Do you know how polite Kang-gun here is? And how cute Suhui is? But you, you’re just fierce and… Ugh.”

“Exactly, exactly. He doesn’t respect elders and is just stiff. Park-ga’s words are a hundred percent right.”

“……….”

Unable to bear looking at the two old men chattering away, I slowly closed my eyes.

Beside me, people who had grasped the situation quietly held back their laughter.

Amidst the suppressed giggles, Sergeant Kang cleared his throat and spoke with a smile.

“I told you before, didn’t I, that there was someone who saved my life twice?”

“You did.”

“That’s Seonghan Hyung-nim.”

“Seonghan?”

“That’s me, old man.”

Old Man Park’s eyes widened, and he looked back and forth between me and Sergeant Kang.

“That’s this brat?”

“Yes, elder.”

“Hmph.”

“Oh…?”

The old man’s surprised, reddish face, all crinkled with wrinkles, was truly amusing.

“Ah, Hyung-nim.”

“Yes.”

“About the alcohol among the gifts you gave us.”

“What?! Alcohol!”

At the mention of alcohol, the two old men’s eyes gleamed.

Ignoring the two elders sending burdensome gazes, I asked.

“Yes?”

“Would it be alright to share it with our people?”

“…People?”

“Specifically, our group.”

Sergeant Kang had a more unselfish nature than I expected.

Being polite was good, but it didn’t seem like something he specifically needed my permission for.

“I already gave it to you as a gift, so you can do as you please with it.”

“Haha. Thank you.”

Sergeant Kang and his people, who weren’t greedy, cheered softly.

“Instead, not a single drop for these old men.”

“!!”

“What, how could you!”

The two old men looked as if they had been greatly betrayed.

“Hyung-nim. Not even one bottle?”

“No.”

“Why can’t we have it?!”

Old Man Park protested harshly at my firm decision, but…

“Seriously, you want to beg when giving you pocket money isn’t even enough? And you’re an adult.”

“Ugh—!”

“And old man, you’re not even in good health, why alcohol?”

“Ahem!”

“Secretary Seong-nim. Please keep a close watch on these two so they can’t even get near alcohol.”

“Understood.”

This time, she also didn’t say no.

Through Secretary Seong’s calm reply, even the slightest possibility was erased.

At this, Old Man Park showed the epitome of shamelessness, saying, ‘Aren’t Kang-gun and I close?’

The people felt joy and exhilaration, while the old men trembled with injustice.

In a somewhat comical atmosphere, Sergeant Kang smiled and urged.

“Hyung-nim. Instead of staying out here, let’s go inside.”

“Is that really alright?”

“Of course. You and your companions are welcome.”

I nodded at the simple invitation.

I looked around for my family members and saw that everyone was busy.

Little Incheol was already with Dong-woo and Young-cheol-ssi, chatting away.

Miri’s family was also engrossed in conversation…

We approached the building they used, guided by Sergeant Kang.

I didn’t stop the two old men from subtly following us as if they weren’t.

*Architecture Hall*

The building, with its relatively well-maintained exterior, at least felt like a place where people lived.

At the same time, it was also a moment when numerous gazes were fixed on me.

*Swish—*

“……”

“Hyung-nim?”

Sergeant Kang looked at me with a puzzled expression as I abruptly stopped, but I turned my gaze outside.

“Why are you…”

Feeling something strange from my expression, Sergeant Kang’s face hardened.

“Hyung-nim.”

“What’s over there?”

Sergeant Kang quickly spoke, assessing the direction I pointed with my finger.

“There’s a back gate called Geongungmun. But it’s currently blocked off…”

“Defensive forces?”

“Uh… they should be deployed there now.”

“Try contacting them.”

“This is Secretary Seong Yura. Respond, back gate.”

Secretary Seong reacted a step faster, perhaps having a separate walkie-talkie.

But there was no response on the walkie-talkie.

She calmly tried to radio again, but…

*Bang! Bang! Bang—! Tatatatatatatatatang—!!*

Instead of a radio response, gunfire began to erupt in the distance.

Once the gunfire started, it showed no sign of stopping.

“Sergeant Kang. Is this building safe?”

“Ah! Yes, it can be defended.”

I quickly began to issue orders.

“Young-cheol-ssi. You, Incheol, and Sohee-ssi are to receive orders from Sergeant Kang here. Miri’s family is the top priority.”

“Yes.”

I left a word for Incheol and Sohee-ssi too.

“You two aren’t formally organized yet, so protect our family.”

“Understood.”

“Old man. Where’s a safe place to take cover?”

“…Anywhere on this premise is pretty much the same.”

“Then both of you wait here. Follow Sergeant Kang’s orders without question.”

“What are you going to do?”

Chairman Kim, slightly flustered, asked without losing his composure.

But I didn’t answer.

“Dong-woo is coming with me. Get behind the wheel. Can you do it?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Good.”

As I was about to move quickly, Secretary Seong called out to stop me.

“Seonghan-ssi. We’ve successfully fended off attacks until now. This time as well—”

“No.”

I turned my head slightly and spoke.

“There are a lot of them.”

“What do you mean…”

“Radio them quickly and tell them to stay alert.”

*Tatatatatatatatang—!!*

The gunfire grew increasingly intense.

Following Dong-woo, who was running to start the engine, I said.

“Hurry up if you don’t want to all die.”

Behind my receding back, a frantic radio call echoed from Secretary Seong’s walkie-talkie.

*Rattle rattle~ Vroom—*

I jumped into the cargo bed of the car as the engine started.

“We’re going to Hyuk-hyung.”

“Yes!”

People startled by the gunshots moved all at once, instantly creating an uproar.

Dong-woo skillfully navigated through the chaos, constantly blaring the horn.

The closed back gate that Sergeant Kang had told me about.

I didn’t know how strong its defenses were, but I wanted to rely on Secretary Seong’s confident words.

If so, they might be able to hold them off without much trouble.

But I couldn’t let my guard down.

‘……’

Because the zombies weren’t just coming from one place.