episode_0292

“Ah…”

It was an awkward ceiling I’d seen once before.

I ruffled myself awake, scratched my neck, and looked around.

On one side were empty cans and soju bottles.

Quite a pile of snack remnants had accumulated.

And our family members, sleeping soundly.

‘……We drank last night.’

Replacing the lighting with a single flashlight created a nice atmosphere. Everyone seemed excited, as if they were camping away from home, and had a quite enjoyable time.

Now, after playing together and falling asleep, it was early morning.

“Seriously…”

Seeing my brother asleep, clutching an empty soju bottle, I almost burst out laughing first thing in the morning.

If I took a picture, it might even make the front page of entertainment news.

Hyunwoo was sleeping curled up like a shrimp next to my brother.

The faces of the two beauties, hands folded neatly, sleeping soundly on either side of me, strangely drew my gaze.

I wanted to admire them a little longer, but…

My stomach rumbled-

‘……’

First, I quietly got up and put the trash into my inventory, cleaning up.

We had a good time, but given the circumstances, if someone saw this mess, they probably wouldn’t take kindly to it.

And glass bottles were useful to me.

‘I’ll make some Molotov cocktails too…’

After quietly finishing the cleanup, I took out the container burner for the first time in a while and put water on to boil.

‘Ramen is the best the day after drinking.’

If I don’t wake up my stomach with hot soup, I won’t feel refreshed.

While leisurely waiting for the water to boil, I recalled the conversations we had last night.

Although I had revealed the existence of my inventory, no one questioned me deeply about it.

My heart felt somewhat at ease seeing how they accepted it, as if thinking, ‘So, you have a special ability.’

Though I didn’t explain it precisely using this opportunity, I made it clear that we wouldn’t starve until we died.

My brother and Shia were actually happy about that part.

Seeing Heize so delighted that she was rattling off a list of dishes she wanted to eat, I wondered how everyone had held back until now.

Still, the highlight was Hyunwoo.

“Isn’t there anything you want to eat?”

“I like everything.”

“Oh…”

“As long as there’s meat, I’m fine.”

“……”

I kept feeding the guy who wiped his nose a penalty drink full of personal spite until he passed out.

Even as he got drunk, he threw out some fairly useful remarks in passing.

“Han-hyungnim! *hiccup*-”

“What?”

“In hyungnim’s pocket… *hiccup*- in your pocket…”

“What about your pocket?”

“Can’t cars go in? *giggle*- *hiccup*-”

“…Cars?”

When he asked if it wouldn’t be easier to travel if I picked up and removed the abandoned cars on the road, it sounded quite plausible.

Even if I didn’t necessarily clear the road, I thought it might have some uses.

I decided to consider that part later…

“Let’s see…”

Eggs, bean sprouts, green onions, pepper, and more eggs.

It’s important, so I’ll put in a lot of eggs.

Bubbling-

After throwing everything in except the eggs and boiling it.

“Mmm~”

Hangang ramen with its broth overflowing.

I added a bit more of the magic powder to change the blandness, cracked in an egg, and finished it without stirring.

…It’s comfortable.

Now that there’s nothing holding me back, both my body and mind are incredibly at ease.

I can put things in, take them out, eat, and drink whenever I need to.

Why haven’t I done this wonderful thing until now?

I regret the foolishness of my past days.

…I’ll reflect on this more later; for now, let’s eat first.

“Wake up.”

Salivating at the menu I hadn’t had in a long time, I shook Shia and Heize awake.

“Ugh… Did you make ramen…?”

My brother’s nose twitched, even though he couldn’t open his eyes.

“Awwn… Why didn’t you wake me up…? *yawn*~”

“Oh dear…”

“*Pfft*- Where did you learn that?”

I burst out laughing seeing Heize groan like an old person.

Everyone got up with swollen eyes, struggling.

I expected them to stumble around looking for water first, but…

Slurp-

“Kuaaaaah~~”

“Ahhh~~”

“Mmm~~~”

“Kuh… Hyungnim. My hand is tingling!”

“That’s just the alcohol wearing off.”

They continuously slurped down the ramen broth, saying it was refreshing.

“Kuhhh~~~~!”

Yes. This is the taste.

The group, who were quickly waking up, ate heartily from the morning, saying it was delicious.

The overflowing broth disappeared faster than the noodles.

And what was left was all for me.

My brother looked at me with curiosity, seeing my hearty appetite from the morning.

“…How many did you cook?”

“Ten.”

“Eggs?”

“Twenty.”

“No wonder eggs kept appearing.”

“Oh, why? I was hungry.”

“Who said anything?”

Everyone who had put down their chopsticks stared with wide eyes as I emptied the large pot in an instant.

“I thought you ate well, but…”

“Oppa. You eat so much, why don’t you gain weight?”

“Yeah. Why don’t you gain weight?”

Shia and Heize questioned me, almost as if demanding an answer, but…

“I don’t know either.”

They booed, saying they were envious, but there was no way to explain it. Because I really didn’t know.

I just considered it ‘because I use my body a lot?’

Considering my activity level, it might even be that I eat too little.

As I finished the simple(?) meal and slowly packed my things, Shia chuckled softly.

“So this is how we benefit from Oppa.”

“Seriously, if we stick with you, we won’t starve.”

“I told you. I said we wouldn’t starve.”

“Puhuhu~”

My brother, letting out a loose laugh, tidied his hair and brought up yesterday’s events.

“Are you going to do exactly what you said yesterday?”

“Yes. I think it will be fine, without anyone getting upset.”

“If that’s what you think.”

My brother didn’t say much.

I was fully awake, sober, and my stomach was full.

Just then, the view outside the window was gradually brightening.

Everyone adjusted their clothes and finished preparing.

“Shall we go out then?”

“Let’s go.”

I left the room with my family.

Coming out of the building, the wind was quite chilly.

But having filled my stomach with hot food, it was bearable.

Just then, as I was walking towards the administrative building where the meeting room was located.

“Excuse me. Are you Seonghan?”

One of the soldiers standing at the entrance approached.

“That’s me.”

“I have a message.”

“What is it?”

“The doctor-nim said I should tell you that your companions have regained consciousness.”

It seemed he was referring to Park Moojin and the child.

“Thank you. Oh, where is Captain Lee?”

“He just went to the administrative building.”

“Aha.”

“Then…”

The young soldier saluted, though he didn’t need to, and returned to his post.

“Those people from yesterday?”

“Yes. Looks like they’ve already come to their senses.”

“Oh… That’s a relief. Are you going there now?”

I shook my head.

“Let’s meet Captain Lee first.”

We walked leisurely, also to aid digestion.

The shelter grounds were a chaotic sight, but in the current quiet, it wasn’t bad for a slow walk.

‘He’s no gentleman.’

Just then, I saw Captain Lee smoking heavily at the entrance of the administrative building.

As we approached, he hastily put out his cigarette and greeted us.

“Good morning.”

It was a welcoming greeting, but my concern came first.

“…Did you get any sleep?”

“I did sleep, but… Haha.”

He boasted that he was fine, claiming he’d at least caught a short nap.

But anyone who saw his hollow eyes and sunken cheeks would undoubtedly say the same thing I did.

To put it harshly, he looked like a zombie.

“You seem to have a lot of work.”

“It’s an important time. No, it’s not like there’s ever a moment that isn’t important, but…”

At this rate, he’s going to collapse.

Captain Lee was that drenched in fatigue.

Chairman Kim. I didn’t see him that way…

I quietly spoke to Captain Lee, who looked physically on the verge of collapse.

“Would you like to go somewhere quiet for a moment? I have something to tell you.”

“…This way.”

“If possible, I’d prefer if we weren’t seen by people.”

“?? Understood.”

We followed Captain Lee’s guidance and headed a bit towards the outskirts.

“This should be fine. By the way, I’m worried about what you’re going to say.”

“……”

Worry about what?

I’m just trying to boost your spirits.

Thud- Thud- Thud- Thud-

“Wh- What?!!!!!!”

I opened my inventory and took out four generators.

They were the ones I had looted from Sangildong.

Captain Lee was startled to see the portable generators suddenly appear out of thin air.

His eyes widened like lanterns.

His jaw dropped open.

Including his trembling pupils, it was a ridiculously uncharacteristic sight.

“Ju- Just now, just…”

For this man to even trip over his tongue.

This is precious.

Compared to my family, his reaction was incredibly vivid.

I smiled contentedly at his expression and said,

“It’s a gift.”

“A gi… gift? No, this isn’t…”

Captain Lee, greatly flustered, quickly regained his composure.

“…Seonghan. What on earth is this?”

Captain Lee, somewhat calmer, demanded an answer.

“They’re generators.”

“Generators? Are you serious?”

The design of a black steel box.

I added an explanation to Captain Lee, who was blankly staring at the large generators.

“…So, these are what you took from the Taeseong bastards’ base…?”

“Yes. I don’t know the exact details, but their performance seems reliable.”

“……”

“I will give these to you.”

Captain Lee was surprised once again by the sudden offer of high-performance generators.

“Th- Thank you… No, is this, uh, really okay?”

“Yes?”

Captain Lee didn’t immediately agree with my words.

“…I’m sorry to say this, but… Seonghan… you’re not someone who just moves around for no reason, are you?”

“That’s right.”

“But why this…?”

The reason is… trivial.

“Captain Lee.”

“What about Captain Lee?”

“He seems to care a lot about you.”

“…Is that so?”

“Even when you took out the minigun, was it Sergeant Kim? He was silencing the soldiers, wasn’t he?”

“……”

“I heard Captain Lee gave a strong warning about that, so no unnecessary rumors would spread.”

“Hmm…”

“I heard the story.”

“What…?”

“You said you’d take care of things for me, didn’t you?”

“Ah…”

“It’s a token of my sincerity for that.”

“Hoo…”

I’m quite generous under certain conditions.

I felt a bit sorry for Captain Lee, who was expressing both admiration and surprise at the same time, but generators weren’t a very important item for me right now.

I might need them later.

But it’s fine.

‘Because I can just get more when the time comes.’

I have Korea’s greatest benefactor, so there’s nothing to worry about.

Right now, I’m satisfying what they need most, like aiming for a vital point in a fight.

Something desperate for them, but just so-so for me.

Aim for maximum impact with minimum effort.

It’s a cost-effective way to curry favor with the connections who are subtly looking out for me.

Last night.

It was also a decision I made after discussing roughly with my brother.

“This really… makes me wide awake from the morning.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I did think Seonghan had something special, but seeing it this close, the feeling is different.”

“Is that so?”

“Because all I’d seen was a fleeting glimpse from afar.”

Captain Lee, joking that he was fully awake, spoke casually with a faint smile.

“Still, I can’t accept them.”

“Why not? Aren’t these things desperately needed here right now?”

“They are.”

At my words, Captain Lee revealed his true feelings.

“I’m already deeply indebted… and just a few days ago, I received significant help again. But a gift like this? It’s too much.”

He seemed to have a great sense of indebtedness towards me.

“I think Old Man would gladly accept them, though.”

When I mentioned Chairman Kim, Captain Lee scratched his cheek.

“That’s… true.”

Chuckle.

“Haa…”

I calmly spoke to him, who was quite troubled.

“…It’s not just for Captain Lee.”

“Is that so?”

“I received something extraordinary from Old Man Park.”

“I heard the story. That your father-in-law gave you a precious sword as a gift… But isn’t it just one sword?”

This was a typical reaction.

However.

“To me, it’s more than that.”

“……”

“Half of this is a small repayment for that sword.”

“Hoo…”

“So, you can accept them.”

At my honest answer, Captain Lee clicked his tongue in surprise.

In truth, equating the value of a sword with a few generators made no sense.

For those who wield weapons, the desire for powerful armaments pierces the heavens.

Mithril swords, magic-engraved swords, demon swords, and so on.

They could barely be bought with money, and in some cases, they were even designated as national treasures.

There were even instances where a neighboring kingdom spent two years’ worth of its national budget for a single demon sword.

Such excellent weapons were rare and their value was extremely high.

The sword I received from Old Man Park was beyond imagination.

‘Even if they gave me a kingdom, it wouldn’t be enough.’

Myeongwol held that much value.

Of course, it was a difficult part for Captain Lee, a modern person, to understand.

“Shall I take them back?”

“Groan…”

“Oops, time’s ticking.”

At my playful urging, Captain Lee gave a bitter smile.

“…I’ll accept them.”

Captain Lee respectfully bowed.

“I will use them where they are truly needed, and put them to good use.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Haha…”

“For moving or setting them up…”

“Leave it to me.”

Whether he accepted them or simply gave up.

Anyway.

Captain Lee’s expression looked much more at ease.

“Try assigning one to Old Man Park. The old man seems to be feeling lonely.”

“Haha~ I’ll consult with your father-in-law.”

Seeing Captain Lee’s refreshing laugh, it seemed he would handle it well on his own.

“Please take care of the rest.”

“What?”

“I trust you’ll find a good excuse.”

“Ah?!”

I nudged the backs of Shia and Heize, who were standing frozen in place, and left.

“Then we’ll be going.”

“Se- Seonghan? Wait! Just a moment!”

“I believe in you.”

“Hey-!”

Leaving Captain Lee behind, stomping his feet while looking at the generators, I quickly left the spot.

“Oppa, is it really okay to just leave like this?”

“It’s fine. Captain Lee will handle it well on his own.”

“Still…”

“I said it’s fine.”

Show them your abilities, Captain Lee.