episode_0265

Teacher Eom Jihoon’s strong conviction. It made the air in the meeting room heavy. Humans are inherently weak to visual effects. They accept easily and are easily deceived. And their fear of the unseen is equally great. Perhaps that was why. The expressions of everyone in the meeting room were rigidly frozen, showing no sign of loosening. People would startle at something that suddenly popped out. An unknown, fatal virus floating invisibly in the air was more than enough to instill fear in everyone. Everyone kept their mouths shut, but Teacher Eom Jihoon naturally continued to speak.

“Considering that point, it is so fatal and explosive that it cannot be compared to any epidemic humanity has experienced in the past.” ‘…Good grief.’ Unfortunately, Teacher Eom seemed to lack tact. Chairman Kim’s face had completely drained of color, and Hyung’s eyes were trembling slightly. The tactless Teacher Eom, ignoring this, continued to ramble on. He likened the situation’s severity to past epidemics that had plunged the world into terror, from the distant Black Death and Spanish Flu to the more recent MERS and COVID. Too realistically. Just as he was debating whether to ask him to switch to practical matters, as enough fear had been instilled, the topic of discussion began to shift.

“If a person who died from airborne infection transformed, the risk wasn’t significant.” “…?” “What do you mean by that?” To Chairman Kim’s hesitant question, Teacher Eom calmly replied.

“Most of the zombies we encounter now show strength beyond that of an adult male. They also run like mad. Everyone knows this, right?” “…Is there something different?” At Captain Lee’s words, Teacher Eom nodded. “The zombies mutated by airborne infection, which I just mentioned, are weaker compared to the current zombies. In other words… their athletic ability is similar to or slightly less than what it was in life.” “…Are you saying such zombies exist?” “Yes, definitely. And we also found that their movements noticeably slow down over time.” “Hmm…!”

Zombies weaken over time. That statement elicited confused reactions. It seemed they thought that if they just held out, the zombies might self-destruct. The same thought crossed his mind, but there was also a part that bothered him. However, Teacher Eom’s immediate next words made him dismiss that thought at once.

“You might think that zombies will eventually die on their own over time, but that’s not the case.” “You said they weaken, clearly…” At Chairman Kim’s slightly trembling words, Teacher Eom shook his head. “To be precise, their movements become slower and more unnatural. We’ve determined that it’s not to the extent of weakening or leading to self-destruction.” “How did you determine that?” Frustration was evident in Captain Lee’s slightly subdued voice.

“Before coming here, I encountered captured zombies. This is the result of observing them.” Teacher Eom explained that during his continuous evasion, he had stayed with several groups. Among the large and small survivor groups, some were struggling to find the zombies’ weaknesses, much like the topic of this meeting. Thus, they learned that over time, the zombies gradually returned to their original cadaverous state.

“However, such changes are limited to zombies mutated by airborne infection. And for some reason, their numbers witnessed were not large.” “Indeed… I don’t think I’ve seen many of the zombies you’re talking about…” Captain Lee furrowed his brow, recalling past memories. Meanwhile, Chairman Kim cautiously spoke.

“Excuse me, I heard a lot of patients flooded the hospitals.” “That’s right.” “Then shouldn’t there have been many of the zombies you mentioned? The whole country was in chaos…” “That’s a valid point, but I haven’t figured out the reason why.” “Ah…” “It’s also possible that survivors eliminated some of them. They’re at a level that can be dealt with if one is determined.” “That could be, but… the probability is low… and there are too many unknowns.” Captain Lee shook his head. Teacher Eom observed the people’s reactions and began to continue the interrupted conversation.

“And… almost everyone directly involved in the process of studying zombies became infected.” “?!” “During, during the research?” “Yes.” Chairman Kim, startled, couldn’t close his mouth.

“We confirmed that the probability of infection was higher in poorer environments. Masks were not very effective, and we confirmed that infection occurred even if zombie bodily fluids touched the eyes, mouth, or small wounds.” “…” “Th-that kind of…” That statement was proof that research should not be touched. Before Teacher Eom could even finish speaking, Hyung, Dong-woo, and Captain Lee’s gazes struck him. Feeling their stinging eyes, he slowly lowered his gaze. Both hands were wrapped in bandages. Noticing something strange, people finally saw his hands and gasped in horror.

“Se-Seonghan…” “Hmm.” Everyone’s faces turned pale, but he himself was, perhaps, calm. He felt nothing. His body, likewise, felt nothing. He casually asked Teacher Eom.

“That’s not all, is it?” “That’s right. I seem to have surprised you, I apologize. Please listen a little longer.” “Good heavens! You scared the life out of me!” Ultimately, Teacher Eom, having been lectured by Old Man Park, scratched the back of his head and gave a foolish laugh. Hyung simply kept his mouth shut, but he was silently cursing Teacher Eom with his eyes. When Captain Lee also glared at him, Teacher Eom tried to change the atmosphere with a cough.

“Ahem! Ahem!” “Teacher Eom Jihoon.” “Yes, Seonghan.” “As you can see, I cut my hand. And in this room… no, more than anyone alive, I’ve been drenched in zombie blood.” Teacher Eom’s gaze turned to his hand.

“I’ve done that many times, not just today. But I’ve never experienced the symptoms you mentioned.” “I’d like to say you’re fortunate.” “…” Teacher Eom once again adopted a serious posture.

“To start with the conclusion, this virus, and the zombies, have changed.” “Changed…?” At Chairman Kim’s words, Teacher Eom nodded, meeting the gaze of those present.

“First, I apologize to those who were sacrificed, but… hmm… while the initial infection outbreak was fatal, it wasn’t a crisis that would lead to the current situation.” “What do you mean?” “In other words…” “Looking at the entire population, the direct damage from airborne infection was certainly significant, but it didn’t increase rapidly.” Director Jang stepped forward, speaking on behalf of the stumbling Teacher Eom.

“If the initial start was airborne infection, then what truly opened the floodgates was what happened afterward, immediately after the highly mobile zombies appeared.” “That’s right. The low-mobility zombies I mentioned, those that became zombies due to airborne infection, stopped being noticeable at a certain point. And mostly, only highly mobile zombies were seen.” “So, you’re saying that led to the current situation?” To Representative Pyo’s skeptical question, Teacher Eom nodded.

“Is that even possible?” “I can’t say for certain about that. I’m speaking purely based on what I experienced and the results of those who have had similar experiences.” “Hmm…” “However, I would like to offer my speculation.” “…I’d like to hear it.” Teacher Eom excused himself and took a long drink of water.

“Hoo. Hmm…” After a moment of hesitation, Teacher Eom cautiously spoke. “…This might sound absurd, but as I said, I believe the zombies underwent a change. I think it became especially prominent starting from when the highly mobile zombies began to appear.” “So, four months ago?” “Yes. To put it simply, I consider the period to be two weeks or one month based on the date of the government’s announcement.” It seemed that by the time he left the goshiwon, that period had already begun…

“As the incidence of zombies due to airborne infection began to decrease, the incidence of zombies due to oral infection explosively increased.” “…Decreased?” “Yes. And additional infections for which there was no way to cope also significantly decreased.” “Through air, bodily fluids…?” “That’s right.” “…Are you certain?” “You’ll know if you look at the zombies running around in the streets. It’s hard to find slow zombies now. And the patients who showed flu-like symptoms, which were found in hospitals, also sharply decreased and were rarely seen afterward. At least, that’s what I experienced directly.”

‘…Is that it?’ “What was the appearance of the zombies caused by airborne infection?” “There were differences, but they were not much different from intact corpses.” “So, there weren’t any large wounds or bite marks, I suppose?” “Not really. Wounds were either absent or few.” “…” Listening to Teacher Eom’s words, it didn’t seem wrong. All the zombies he had encountered until now had been agile, rampaging ones. He had only seen the initial airborne-infected zombies a couple of times. A slow zombie he encountered while scavenging for food. It rattled like a broken machine, was slow, and had no wounds. Yet, that one was like a bacterial bomb. But such zombies decreased, and the rampaging ones increased?

Teacher Eom pointed at him, just as he was about to fall into thought. “Seonghan is the evidence.” “…” “Because you’ve gone through all those things and are still perfectly fine now.” ‘…Fuck? He’s right?’ Should he call this good luck? He had almost turned into a zombie without even knowing it. He hadn’t cared and had been drenched in blood to his heart’s content. The moment he realized it might have been a biohazard teeming with bacteria. A shiver ran down his spine— ‘Huh, fuck…’ Goosebumps covered his entire body. Director Jang spoke to him as he stood slightly aghast.

“Seonghan. Do you remember what I told you while treating your hand?” “You mean the people who were drenched in bodily fluids?” “Yes. Not a single one of them turned into a zombie.” “Ah.” “You should be fine, so you don’t need to worry. And because of that fact, Teacher Eom Jihoon’s words have a certain degree of credibility.” “Hmm.” The patients Director Jang had examined, including himself. Though there were only a few, it seemed certain that Teacher Eom’s hypothesis wasn’t just nonsense. Moreover, Teacher Eom said he had experienced these things firsthand. ‘…’ Similar to infectious diseases, one must be directly bitten to turn into a zombie. From slow ones to fast and strong ones. The threat of infection remained, but wasn’t it fortunate enough to be free from incidental dangers like airborne infection? Now that he knew the situation, albeit late, he could adjust to unexpected damages.

‘…He hadn’t just rushed in blindly.’ He thought he was trying to research in a frenzy, but it seemed that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t a perfect validation, but it was a situation where he had calculated and taken on the challenge. Last time, he hadn’t known these facts, so it was naturally out of the question. This time, he knew it was a situation that Chairman Kim might stir up. He understood, but…

“Teacher Eom Jihoon.” “Yes, Chairman Kim.” “Do we really need to bear the burden of research in such an uncertain situation? You just said the virus changed, didn’t you? Wouldn’t it be better to allocate resources to annihilating the remaining zombies?” Oh… Chairman Kim. He could come up with surprisingly bold ideas. Teacher Eom, having received Chairman Kim’s calm question, responded without losing his composure.

“There’s a reason. First, I’ll explain the risk aspect. You two, come here.” At Teacher Eom’s summons, two people hesitantly stepped forward. A glance—a glance— “…” A young woman who was intensely watching him. It was the female team leader he had punched in the stomach, and the bulky deputy team leader.

“You were alive?” “…” “…” The deputy team leader was less affected, but the female team leader tried hard not to even glance his way.

“Hello. I am Kim Woojin.” “…I am Han Seryeong…” “Uh… you two, relax.” Teacher Eom, flustered at seeing the two rigidly frozen, tried to change the atmosphere, but it didn’t work. Teacher Eom, who had roughly grasped the situation, simply continued speaking quickly.

“These two here played a significant role in rescuing survivors.” “So?” “I’ve brought them here directly to share with you certain important events that occurred during that process. Team Leader Han, please proceed.” Even after Teacher Eom passed the baton, Team Leader Han hesitated.

“Well… *A sigh—*” “…” “…We were a team providing rear support to another team, under orders from above. Our mission changed midway, so we moved.” Team Leader Han briefly explained the situation, but it wasn’t difficult to understand. He had already heard it all once.

“…And that’s how we collected zombie samples periodically.” “Did Team Leader Han do it alone?” “No. I was with her.” “After that, did either of you experience any health problems?” “No.” “Even flu-like symptoms?” “Truly. We collected samples many times, but there was nothing wrong with our bodies. Even after coming here, that has never happened.” “Thank you for your words.” Team Leader Han, who stepped back at Teacher Eom’s gesture, visibly showed relief. Leaving her behind, Teacher Eom turned his gaze to Chairman Kim.

“Based on what I’ve told you earlier and the experiences of these two, you can consider the indirect infection or risk of harm that might occur when studying zombies to be close to zero.” “Compared to before the zombies changed, you mean?” “Yes.” “But it seems rather haphazard to call it perfect.” “…That’s right.” Chairman Kim crossed his arms and furrowed his brow.

“I understand the situation…” Chairman Kim was surprisingly quiet. Unlike before, when he tried to push research without understanding the situation, he was now pondering deeply. Would it have been better if he had been like this earlier? Anyway. Teacher Eom’s assertion itself might be good news. Though only within the category of ‘research’. As Chairman Kim said, there were many deficiencies to call it perfect. Teacher Eom’s claim was merely a persuasive ‘hypothesis’. The leadership, including Chairman Kim, were being cautious.

“I will explain why we must proceed with the research.” Seeing them, Teacher Eom did not give up. He turned his gaze and designated one person. “I am Park Gyunam from the Infectious Disease Crisis Response Bureau.” The man who bowed to greet was familiar. He glanced at him and flinched, then quickly composed himself and opened his mouth.

“First of all… I apologize for having to say this.” “…” The people in the meeting room tensed. What weighty thing was he going to say now…? “Three years.” “?” “We estimate the remaining time until the Republic of Korea is annihilated to be three years.” That man seemed to be very ill somewhere.