episode_0290

“You can’t do that here.”

“…Why not?”

This is usually the reaction.

Strong defiance against restrictions.

Annoyance, tinged with rising frustration, leads to a rejection.

“I told you, I’m the guardian!”

“I understand, but please follow the procedures.”

Just like that.

Choi Kang-doo, his face beet red, raised his voice.

A multitude of soldiers surrounded him.

When I arrived at the main gate, a commotion was in full swing.

Choi Kang-doo, looking as if he’d lunge at the soldiers any moment, seemed half out of his mind.

This was a complete 180 from his usual gentle demeanor.

Behind him, a car was visible, widely smeared with what looked like zombie fluids and flesh.

It was only natural for the guards to be on high alert if a car like that had pulled up.

After all, the people here had nearly had an intense encounter with zombies just the day before yesterday.

‘He’s going to hit someone at this rate.’

The atmosphere was nowhere near calming down.

“Excuse me.”

I immediately pushed through the crowd, striding towards the source of the commotion.

“If you keep this up, we’ll be in trouble too.”

“No! Just let me stay by th—”

“Choi Kang-doo.”

“…Huh?!”

Choi Kang-doo, who had been yelling at Captain Lee, tried to approach me as soon as he saw me.

“What are you doing right now?”

“Ah, Seonghan. Please say something. My companions—”

“Enough. Follow the procedures.”

When I cut him off with a low voice, Choi Kang-doo fell silent.

“If you act like that, what will that make of me, who called you here?”

“It’s not that…”

“Did you forget already? How many people are gathered here?”

At my harsh words, Choi Kang-doo’s face twisted slightly, fully revealing his complex emotions.

Seeing him silent, I gave a slight bow of my head to Captain Lee, who had been dealing with a difficult customer.

“I apologize, Captain Lee.”

“Ah, no, it’s fine. I’d like to make an exception for you, but…”

Captain Lee, looking troubled, explained the situation to me.

Choi Kang-doo had brought an injured person, a critically ill girl, and a dog. He wanted to entrust their treatment and stay by their side, but Captain Lee was preventing him.

“Seonghan gave us a heads-up, so we let them in for now, but we couldn’t ignore the procedures.”

There was nothing wrong with Captain Lee’s words.

Affirming the procedures, I asked Choi Kang-doo.

“You said you were a former firefighter, right?”

“…”

“Why are you acting like this, knowing all you know?”

At my blunt observation, Choi Kang-doo clamped his mouth shut.

“Stop raging and calm down.”

“Hmph… I’m sorry. I was afraid something might happen to them…”

“And if you’re with them, can you do something?”

“Kuh…!”

Choi Kang-doo was about to flare up, but…

“Relax your eyes. You know, there’s nothing more frustrating than a guardian causing a scene in a hospital.”

As I spoke with a bit of a barbed tongue, Captain Lee gently stepped forward.

“Choi Kang-doo. I understand your frustration and helplessness. I also understand your desire to stay by your companions’ side. However, there are procedures for the community’s sake. Most importantly, it’s best not to approach severely injured patients. I’m sure you know this well.”

Captain Lee continued in a gentle tone to Choi Kang-doo, who had his head bowed.

“Fortunately, medical staff were on standby. The two have already begun treatment, so please wait.”

“The Director here is very skilled. So, calm down now and wait patiently.”

“…Haa…”

Choi Kang-doo rubbed his face with both hands, and his complexion slowly returned to normal.

“…I-I’m sorry…”

His complexion had returned, but he couldn’t compose his anxious feelings.

“Are you feeling a bit clearer?”

“…Yes.”

“Alright, lift your head. Apologize to Captain Lee here.”

When I told him that Captain Lee was one of the people in charge here, Choi Kang-doo bowed deeply.

“I committed a grave offense.”

“It’s alright. Please lift your head.”

Captain Lee gently patted Choi Kang-doo’s shoulder, whose gaze couldn’t meet his.

“You must have been scared by the fear of losing both of them at once.”

Choi Kang-doo, who had lifted his head, looked surprised.

“I’ve encountered people in pain several times. Back then, I couldn’t do anything proper for them… but it’s not like that now. They’re doing their best inside, so please wait.”

Captain Lee’s calm words.

Not just Choi Kang-doo, but everyone around was captivated by Captain Lee’s words.

‘So that’s what it was…?’

Captain Lee, who must have dealt with many people here, seemed to have guessed why Choi Kang-doo was so agitated.

His feelings, born from experience, seemed to have genuinely touched Choi Kang-doo’s emotions.

“…I lost all my companions who were like family. All I have left are Hyung and Seonyeong… and I couldn’t do anything, just stand by…”

“…For now, please trust the two of them. Lean on the medical staff who are doing their best in your place, Choi Kang-doo. That’s what you should do.”

Ultimately, Choi Kang-doo’s eyes welled up with tears.

‘Oh…’

Unexpected.

It was surprising enough that he was fluent in English, but he’s really good with words.

Who knew such a side was hidden?

Captain Lee. I see him in a new light.

“Everyone, disperse. Return to your positions. Choi Kang-doo, you can follow me.”

Naturally, the atmosphere settled, and people began to disperse.

“Whimper—”

“?? What’s this one?”

A large, dirty, emaciated dog backed away, looking at me.

“Sniffle. Ah, that’s…”

“Was it bitten?”

Seeing the zombie fluid on the dog’s mouth and neck, I furrowed my brow.

“It wasn’t bitten, it bit.”

“What?”

Did I hear that wrong?

“So…”

Listening to Choi Kang-doo explain the circumstances, even while being escorted (?), I couldn’t help but be a little surprised.

‘It didn’t recognize the dog?’

I looked at the large black dog still hiding behind Choi Kang-doo, avoiding my gaze.

Looking back, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an animal turn into a zombie.

No, I hadn’t.

For now, the blood on its muzzle bothers me.

“…It won’t bite humans, will it?”

“I don’t think so. It even tried to save Mujin Hyung.”

I’d have to hear more of the story, but even at a glance, I could tell the dog had played a significant role.

Captain Lee, having heard the gist of the story, also stroked his chin.

“That’s interesting, Choi Kang-doo. I’d like to observe this dog as well. Is that alright?”

“Ah… please do.”

It was no surprise that Captain Lee was interested.

My own curiosity was growing by leaps and bounds.

Now completely calm, Choi Kang-doo was obedient to Captain Lee’s instructions.

However, seeing his gaze fixed on the medical tent even as he moved, I understood his feelings a little.

I knew Choi Kang-doo was worried about Park Moojin and the child, but I hadn’t grasped the deeper pain he carried.

Captain Lee, who noticed that and soothed him, truly seemed like a person with a deep heart.

“Is that the person you talked about?”

Hyuk hyung, who had been watching from behind, subtly asked as he watched the two enter the quarantine tent.

“Yes. It seems he found the child.”

“…That’s incredible, isn’t it?”

My brother was right.

He actually found the child less than three hours after we parted ways.

Excluding travel time, it was almost a two-hour turnaround.

In a situation like this, is it even possible to find a missing child? It must be his abilities, but he’s truly remarkable.

“The child… they’ll be alright, won’t they?”

“…They have to be.”

As Shia said, I hope the child is safe.

I hope the dedication of these two men is rewarded.

No matter how broken the world is, shouldn’t there be at least one happy episode?

“Do you want to bring those people into our group too?”

My brother asked directly, looking at the tent Choi Kang-doo had entered.

“For now… seeing his abilities, I’d like to.”

“He’s certainly reliable.”

“Wouldn’t it be okay? They’re people who can risk danger for a child.”

I nodded at Shia’s words.

Their combat strength is good, and their abilities and character pass.

All that’s left is how to persuade them…

“Let’s think about it slowly.”

First, I should continue the conversation after Park Moojin and the child have safely recovered.

“Han.”

“Hm?”

Heize, her eyes shining, asked cautiously.

“Can’t we take that one too?”

“Who’s ‘that one’?”

“The black one. The retriever.”

“…Huh?”

…The dog?

Not even a puppy, but that size?

It was thin from not eating well, but seeing the remaining muscles ripple, it seemed strong…

‘It might have swallowed zombie blood.’

They said the risk of infection was quite low if it wasn’t bitten.

While it was speculated that being covered in blood was fine, it’s a different story if it enters the body.

Honestly, it feels unsettling.

“Just asking. Sorry.”

“…”

Seeing Heize stammer, I scratched the back of my head.

‘She said she likes animals.’

“Let’s wait and see. If there’s nothing wrong, we’ll take it with us.”

“Really?”

“Oppa, really?”

You were hooked too.

“Looking at it, it’s a Labrador Retriever.”

“Is that so? I didn’t know.”

“It’s highly intelligent and strong. It’s also very obedient to people. If you train it well, it’s reliable.”

I subtly asked my brother, who was adding explanations about it being an “angel dog” and good with children.

“…You know a lot about them, don’t you?”

“I worked with the same breed when shooting a commercial. That’s how I got interested.”

“Hoo…”

“Well, just for your reference.”

It seems even my brother is hooked.

“Wouldn’t it be good as a guard dog? And it’s cute too.”

Even Hyunwoo.

Still, a guard dog is a tempting idea.

“We’ll see about the situation first.”

What am I supposed to feed that size?

I’ll have to look for a pet shop too.

***

Because I got involved in the minor commotion, the sun had completely set.

Thanks to that, a night’s stay at Konkuk University Shelter was confirmed.

After finishing a late dinner with the unnecessarily excited Old Man.

“There’s no danger to his life.”

“Oh…”

“He’ll regain consciousness right after a good night’s sleep.”

Director Jang delivered the good news with a gentle smile.

First, contacting them to house the women I inadvertently rescued proved effective.

The fact that preparations for quarantine and examination had been made in advance.

The fact that Park Moojin’s injury was barely not fatal.

The fact that the child bravely endured.

Director Jang explained that a good outcome was possible because luck had followed them in many ways.

Even I, listening, couldn’t help but feel that everything fell perfectly into place.

I was especially a little impressed by the part where the black dog I saw earlier had helped the child survive.

‘It protected the child…’

It earned huge bonus points for sharing warmth and protecting the child from zombies.

At this point, it almost feels worth raising…

“Oh, the retriever doesn’t have any significant injuries. Its bruises are a bit severe, but it will recover quickly.”

“Won’t it be dangerous?”

Director Jang, realizing what I was asking, paused to choose his words.

“For now, we need to observe it over time for any changes. This is the first time we’ve seen a case like this, and even if we wanted to test it, the facilities aren’t operational yet…”

“Electricity is the problem.”

Chairman Kim interjected abruptly, mentioning the lack of electricity.

Currently, Konkuk University Shelter has some electricity supply.

It’s used to operate the pumps installed in the lake on the premises for the cafeteria, meeting rooms, and drinking water.

And that electricity is thanks to a portable generator that can be used on construction sites.

Although it consumes a lot of diesel.

“Hmm…”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it, is there?”

Chairman Kim, wearing a bitter smile, tried to foster a positive atmosphere, saying it would work out somehow.

My thoughts on this were, ‘I wasn’t so sure.’

If the power plants aren’t reactivated yet, I doubt electricity production would be much different anywhere else.

However, there is a solution, albeit a temporary one.

In my inventory.

Anyway.

After spending time with the somewhat lonely Old Man like this, we were assigned a relatively clean room for the night.

I wanted to meet the Sergeants Kang, but since they were on night patrol, I unfortunately had to postpone it until next time.

Eventually, I returned to my room and lay there, staring blankly, not falling asleep right away.

‘I’m so frustrated I could die.’

I tossed and turned, then sat up.

I had been deliberating for a long time.

After much hesitation, I quietly left the room.

Knock-knock—

I lightly tapped on the door of the room next door, and heard slow footsteps approaching.

Click—

“Hm? You’re not asleep?”

“Hyung. Can we talk for a bit?”

“?? Sure. Come in.”

He must have been lying down, as he was in comfortable attire, having only taken off his outer coat and socks.

My brother casually perched on a chair and immediately showed his curiosity.

“What’s up at this late hour?”

“Hmm…”

How should I start?

“How about a beer?”

“Beer? I’d love one. Did you bring it?”

“I did.”

“Huh? Where—”

I pulled out imported beer and jerky from my inventory.

“…Huh?”

“Here.”

My brother blinked, staring at the beer and the inventory open in mid-air.

“Why aren’t you taking it?”

“…”

Even as my brother took the can of beer, his gaze remained fixed on the entrance of the inventory.

“This is sort of like my personal pocket…”

“…”

“What do you think?”

At my cautious question, my brother didn’t speak for a moment.