episode_0268

‘Ugh…’ I swallowed the easy grumble. Just as I debated whether to eat it.

“It’s tasty?”

“Oh. There’s a lot inside. Hyung-nim, you should try it too.”

“…Really?”

Suspicious, but I took a bite first. *Munch munch*-

“Oh?”

“It’s good, right?”

“It is. Why is it good?”

Surprised by the unexpected taste, I examined the rice ball. It seemed to be mixed with various finely chopped ingredients and sesame oil. It was savory and salty, perfectly seasoned. There was also the fun of chewing on many different textures.

*Slurp*- “Ah~” “Is this water from boiling meat?”

The soup tasted similar to the broth served as a complimentary side dish at a naengmyeon restaurant. The warm, savory flavor soothed my stomach.

“How is it, Ajusshi?”

“It’s edible.”

It was exactly as Hong Soohee said. Frankly, it was hard to call it excellent. Moreover, our palates had become highly refined by our grandmother’s cooking. Yet, it was still a dish we could eat deliciously.

Rather, being able to distribute food of this quality to three thousand residents was probably remarkable. It was a significant improvement from the cold, bland clumps of rice. The satisfaction of enjoying a meal, not just replenishing energy.

‘……’ Chewing on the rice ball, I quietly observed the scene before my eyes.

‘It’s not the worst.’ Both the rice ball and my impression from observing the shelter residents’ daily lives was, ‘It’s livable.’

It couldn’t even compare to their previous standard of living. There was insufficient food, uncomfortable living conditions, and no personal space. Their living area was restricted due to external dangers. Civilization had clearly been downgraded considerably.

At this level, it might even be comparable to the daily life of commoners in the Joseon Dynasty.

Still, they had a place to lie down, clothes to wear, and enough to fill their stomachs. Their bodies were tired and exhausted, but they still smiled. Now, without electronic devices or equipment, most tasks were done manually. There was no coercion, only cooperation. Everyone visibly adapted little by little. They did their best to connect today to tomorrow. …This place felt like people were truly living.

“People’s efforts are amazing.”

“They are.”

My brother was greatly impressed by the busy people moving around within the shelter. His gaze was fixed as if captivated by a masterpiece, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away for a long time.

He had rarely seen real life outside directly. All he had were glimpses, estimations by eye, or what he had heard through words.

He didn’t know about other places, but he got the impression that this place was a bit different. There was a reason he felt that way.

“The atmosphere is different from what I knew?”

“What do you mean?”

“Normally, it’s not like this in movies, is it? Everyone is sensitive in a heavy atmosphere.”

“Ah.”

“When you see people monitoring with fierce eyes, you usually slip away and avoid eye contact. But it’s not like that here. Look over there. They’re joking around with the people holding guns.”

“Oh, you. Good grief.”

My brother shook his head, as if saying I was impossible.

“Movies are just movies, but you might be right.”

“That’s an ambiguous thought.”

My brother’s eyes, as he swallowed the rice ball, softened slightly.

“If I had to say, I want to believe that this current state is the normal state.”

“Hmm.”

“If everyone goes mad and rages just because the world fell apart, are they still human? They’d be beasts.”

Listening to him, it was true.

“I just… hope everything turns out well.”

“……”

“Seeing them struggle like that just makes me think that. Haha.”

Perhaps because he was an active actor, he seemed lost in emotion. I pretended not to see his eyes turn moist and wistful, and pushed the remaining rice ball into my mouth.

I didn’t say anything to my brother. I was confident in surviving. But as for the happy ending my brother spoke of, I didn’t know. My brother’s feelings themselves… I could understand. I, too, wished for those who struggled to meet a happy ending…

‘…Was this it?’ Chairman Kim and the leadership of the Konkuk University shelter. The reason they stubbornly endured. The reason they could discard pride and bow their heads. Hostility towards Taesong wasn’t everything. They wanted to protect people and overcome reality, but that wasn’t all. Perhaps they wanted to protect this very scene unfolding before their eyes. The leaders were people whose goals were higher than I thought.

“Ha!”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

‘I thought it was soft, but…’ This was a completely different level of difficulty than simply protecting the present.

“It’s different from Taesong.”

Even just by looking now, I could somewhat tell. …Chairman Kim’s words were true. ‘Old Man. Just don’t stab me in the back.’ If he kept that promise, I could settle my grudge in this lifetime.

***

The time when the temperature dropped sharply. Repair work and other tasks ceased as the sun began to set. People moved in groups to their respective resting places, as if returning home from work. It was, in a way, a nostalgic sight. As for how I felt watching that scene…

‘…I’m bored.’ My family and I couldn’t hide a subtle boredom. Watching people in a strange place was only interesting for a short while. If you were left idly for several hours, boredom was inevitable. However, my brother didn’t feel bored at all. When I quietly watched him from beside him, his eyes, rolling ceaselessly, shone brightly. It was as if he was observing and engraving everything into his mind. As he began to concentrate and fell into his own world, I naturally had to stay by his side.

“Seonghan Hyung-nim.”

Sergeant Kang, who finally appeared, approached with a pleasant smile. Behind Sergeant Kang, a group of people walked in step.

‘Are they already close?’ Sohee and Incheol walked alongside Sergeant Kang, chatting with people. Reporter Kim also seemed to have blended in well among the people. It truly was an outstanding ability to socialize. …Somehow, that scene felt like a natural picture.

“Hyung-nim? Your hand??”

“Ah. It’s just a little scraped.”

“They said you grabbed a blade with your bare hands…”

“Huh?”

“The rumors are widespread, you know?”

The man who came as a guest sliced the neck of a giant zombie in a single stroke! Sergeant Kang explained that the biggest topic of the day was the large-scale zombie attack, and I was an unending subject of conversation among the workers.

“Hyung-nim. They said you cut it like this? *Swish!*”

I let out a bewildered laugh watching Incheol, who was goofing around, pretending to swing a sword.

“You’re exaggerating.”

“When I was helping with the work with you, everyone kept talking about that.”

“They also said Seonghan-ssi ran up the wall…”

Even Sohee, trailing off her words, had sparkling eyes.

“More importantly, is the door completely fixed?”

“Ah, the repairs are finished. We just need a little more work to finalize it, but the sun has set.”

Listening to Sergeant Kang explain the general situation, I nodded.

“We will return as soon as it’s light tomorrow.”

“…You should.”

Sergeant Kang gave an awkward laugh.

“You’ll handle it well, but I’m entrusting these three to you.”

“Yes.”

There was not an inch of hesitation or wavering. In short, it was a good answer that showed firm resolve.

“Then, are you staying overnight today?”

“It seems I should.”

At my words, Sergeant Kang smiled broadly.

“Then, a drink?”

“…I can’t refuse.”

“Alright, alright. Let’s go in, everyone! Let’s eat and drink until we burst tonight!”

At Sergeant Kang’s shout, the atmosphere became lively. Everyone clapped their hands and cheered so much that it seemed like a riot would break out if no alcohol appeared.

‘He handles people well.’ He definitely had a knack for leading the atmosphere, guiding people, and uniting them.

Just as we were about to move, receiving enthusiastic welcome.

“So you were here after all?”

Old Man Park appeared with three other people.

Manager Seong and two men carrying burdens on their shoulders.

“You’re here?”

“…Damn you.”

“Why now?”

Sergeant Kang greeted the grumbling Old Man warmly, but the Old Man waved his hand.

“I can’t join the young folks. More importantly, you.”

“?”

“See me for a moment.”

“……”

His tone was gruff, but he was utterly serious, so I approached with a puzzled expression.

“Is something wrong?”

“This. Is it yours?”

The man standing behind him held out a sword hilt.

“You found that again.”

It was the hilt I had thrown aside when the sword broke, pulling with both hands. I hadn’t been able to find it and had just come, but he had picked it up and brought it.

“I found it while cleaning up and brought it.”

“Oh. Thanks.”

“Where is the broken body of it?”

“Why?”

“Just show it to me, no excuses.”

“…Wait.”

Because of the Old Man playing important, I picked up the sword blade that was in the car. While I was at it, I also stealthily took out the broken crowbar piece and offered it to Old Man Park.

“Here.”

“…It’s heavy.”

Old Man Park, who easily received the broken sword and blunt weapon, examined them carefully and thoroughly.

“Old Man. Can you fix this?”

“Impossible.”

Seeing him answer immediately without taking his eyes off it, my eyes crinkled.

“This looks like decor… it was melted down and remade once. There was enough material to make several… it’s crude but sturdy. It’s very old.”

“You can tell just by looking?”

“Naturally.”

He said he was an artisan, and it seems he really is.

“There’s no way?”

To my question, Old Man Park, who had only been examining, finally opened his mouth after a short while.

“There’s nothing to see.”

“…What?”

“Both the sword and the blunt weapon are utterly crude. I can’t understand what they were thinking when they made them. What a waste of materials.”

“Old Man.”

My mood instantly soured.

“Watch your words.”

“Hmph. Just wait.”

At Old Man Park’s gesture, the men behind him carefully put down a long box and stepped back.

The Old Man didn’t care about my gaze and opened the box himself.

“A sword…”

“Here. Try pulling it out.”

I looked at Old Man Park, who politely offered me the sword he held up with both hands.

“Your old man’s arm will fall off.”

“……”

Under the Old Man’s urging, I picked up the neatly placed sword.

“How is it?”

“……”

It was a well-forged, good sword. The balance was good, and the blade was sharp. But it was light. A thin sword like this would probably…

“…Break easily, wouldn’t it?”

“Really? Then swing it.”

“What?”

Pushed by the Old Man’s silent pressure through his eyes, I created some distance.

*Whoosh*-

The downward strike that was ingrained in my body.

“Do it properly!”

I chuckled seeing the Old Man yell, clearly unhappy with something.

“Don’t regret it.”

“Oh, for crying out loud!”

“I clearly said it, right?”

With Old Man Park and the others watching, I adopted the proper stance.

I didn’t like being a spectacle, but I intended to grant the Old Man’s wish. I would see that Old Man’s expression change.

First, I lightly gripped the hilt. *Squeeze*- *Swish!*

It was the same downward strike, but the power and speed put into it were completely different. But the result was.

“……”

“See, I told you. The Old Man made me do this?”

As if he didn’t hear me, Old Man Park couldn’t take his eyes off the sword, which had bizarrely twisted and bent.

“…Was this expensive?”

“This time, pick this up.”

“Um…”

“It’s fine.”

Putting aside the other boxes, what he took out and showed me from a chosen box was also a sword.

‘……’ It was strange. The body was dark and had no luster. The blade was sharp, but there was no sharpness to be felt. It was certainly a clean-looking sword, but it was strange.

‘…It’s not a cursed sword, is it?’ That didn’t seem to be the case, as the cursed swords I’d seen were usually flashy in appearance. They said it was to mesmerize the user, but this one looked dull, even strange.

When I lightly touched it, it had the texture of an ordinary sword. It seemed to have no problems, so I picked it up.

‘?’ It was clearly a slender sword, but it felt heavy. By hand, it felt similar in weight to the broken crowbar. I narrowed my eyes, looking at the sword that made me feel a physically impossible phenomenon.

Soon after, the moment I properly gripped the hilt. *Hummmmm*-

“……”

“……”

A faint vibration transmitted to my grip. The body trembled. The sword resonated.

“!!”

Without time to be surprised by the strange phenomenon, my body flinched. The sword absorbed my remaining mana, which was about the size of a bean, then slowly released it. And after a moment. *Hiss hiss hiss*- “Whoa.” “Ohh…”

The dark sword blade transformed cleanly. I couldn’t close my mouth at the sight of its hidden, sharp interior being revealed as if shedding old grime.

Soon after, the body began to glow with a bluish luster. A very subtle, shimmering haze rose from the blade, which was imbued with a mystical blue light.

“Is this what they call a true one?”

There was no reaction from the sword, but it felt as if I had received an answer.

‘…I think it’ll work.’ *Swish*- …*Whooshhhhh*-

The familiar downward strike. But I brought it down with more force than before. The sound of it cutting through the air followed a beat later. The sword was unaffected.

“……”

I approached a large stone slab nearby. A huge monument with writing carved into it. I lowered my center of gravity at an appropriate distance. My left foot naturally moved back. I held the sword at my left hip, parallel to the ground. A common, showy drawing stance.

“Hoo…”

Exhaling softly, I leaned my upper body forward. Starting from my toes, I activated my entire body, moving as if gliding. I used the flow of power to move even faster. My muscles reacted, and my arm followed naturally. The moment the flow erupted.

*Flash*- *Flash*-

An upward diagonal cut, then a downward strike while pulling back. No sound of cutting air was heard.

“……”

The monument was intact.

*Clink*- The moment I stood the sword upright and flicked the blade with my fingertip.

*Slide*- *Grrrk*- *Thud*- *Thud*-

The thick monument slowly slid apart, split into three pieces, and rolled on the ground.

I stared blankly at the sword. The blade wasn’t damaged in the slightest. Not a speck of dirt clung to it. Even after cutting through a thick rock, I felt no resistance. It was a clean, precise cutting sensation. Only an indescribable feeling of satisfaction and unity remained in my hand.

“…Damn.”

A sensation I hadn’t felt in a very long time enveloped my body. I savored the feeling remaining in my hand, then shifted my gaze. Suppressing my surprise and surging emotions, I turned my eyes.

There, a small Old Man, his eyes red-rimmed and his body trembling, was looking at me.

“Old Man…!”

“You…!”

Old Man Park slowly approached, his eyes fluttering, and took my hand. The Old Man, tears streaming from eyes filled with complex emotions, smiled brightly. And with a voice thick with emotion, he said.

“That sword is yours from now on.”

I also smiled back at the Old Man. Artisan Park Cheolsu is the best.