episode_0294

Park Moojin, who had said he had something to say, didn’t open his mouth readily.

He subtly scrutinized me and my family, taking his time.

‘Is he shy around strangers?’

Just as that thought crossed my mind, his lips parted.

“It’s a bit careful to bring this up, but…”

“Just say it comfortably.”

We’ve been waiting.

Come on. Bring it.

“…Have you ever seen a monster?”

This guy.

“…A monster? What kind of monster?”

“It looks similar to a zombie, yet completely different. It’s literally as strong as a monster.”

It seems he encountered a variant.

“It’s truly dangerous. The reason I’m in this state is because of it.”

“Hmm.”

“It might be hard to believe, but it’s true.”

“It’s true. It gets up even after being hit by a grenade… ugh…”

Seeing Choi Kang-doo, who was nodding in agreement with a disgusted expression, it seemed he had been properly burned.

“I just thought you should know…”

I asked Park Moojin, whose words trailed off.

“That thing looks incredibly messed up, doesn’t it?”

“…You know?”

“We call them variants, mutated entities,” Director Jang clearly stated to Park Moojin, who was squinting his eyes.

“Variants?”

“Yes. Variants. Was this the first time you saw one?”

“Yes. It was really the first time I saw something like that. It climbed walls, and its back was incredibly hunched…”

Director Jang nodded at Choi Kang-doo’s vivid affirmation.

“It hasn’t been clearly identified yet, but its danger level is completely different from regular zombies. At least, that’s how we’ve assessed it.”

Park Moojin looked somewhat surprised.

“Doctor-nim. Have you seen one?”

“Not me. But most of the soldiers guarding the wall have witnessed them directly. We were attacked just the day before yesterday.”

“What?”

Director Jang gently continued speaking to the startled Park Moojin.

“Thanks to Seonghan, who is here, we overcame the crisis. It’s also thanks to Seonghan that we became certain about the variants.”

Park Moojin’s slightly widened eyes turned to me.

His eyes seemed to say, ‘What kind of guy is this?’

“You had bad luck. They’re rarely seen.”

“…”

“If it’s a warning, that’s fine. We’ve caught a few, but I know well that each one is dangerous.”

“You… caught it?”

Park Moojin’s eyes widened slightly, but I just shrugged.

“Wouldn’t I be alive and talking if I had caught it?”

“…”

“By the way, you miraculously survived.”

This was genuine, I was purely impressed.

Variants are entities that aren’t easily affected by bullets and can withstand grenades.

The fact that only two of them, while protecting a child, survived and returned is truly remarkable.

“No, I was lucky. I don’t know why, but my body was half burned.”

“Burned?”

Ah, this… was it because of me?

“Because it wasn’t whole, I was able to survive. If it weren’t for that, I would have died on the spot.”

‘Oh…’

To think that burning zombies would come back like this.

By the way, the way he coolly assesses the situation is quite to my liking.

“Anyway, you came back alive. You saved the child too.”

“…That’s right.”

“So.”

“?”

“Is that all you wanted to say?”

“…”

Seeing him hesitate again, it seems he’s uncharacteristically timid.

It seems I’ll have to give him a push…

“You said you reside in a different place, not here, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Are there many people with you?”

“Why do you ask?”

Park Moojin maintained his expressionless face and spoke carefully.

“I want to be with you. Can you take us in?”

“Yeah.”

“…What?”

“I said I’d take you in.”

“…”

Even when I say yes, there’s a fuss.

“Um… Seonghan. Making a decision like that…”

Choi Kang-doo, who was taken aback, expressed concern, but it wasn’t like that.

“I answered after thinking. I’ve already brought it up with my family too.”

“Really?”

“What do I gain by lying to you guys?”

At the blunt words, Choi Kang-doo conceded but tilted his head.

Park Moojin, however, immediately understood and opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.

“I have two requests.”

Two?

“Good, being straightforward. What are they?”

“I don’t want Seonyeong to go hungry.”

“The child, right? That much is fine. And?”

“I’d like to bring one more person.”

“Perhaps… Jang Seohee?”

Park Moojin slowly nodded.

“It’s not much of a trade-off, but whether it’s scouting or food procurement, I’ll move and cooperate more.”

He doesn’t forget favors…

“I ask this of you.”

“Alright.”

“…”

“No, seriously. Why don’t you believe me?”

Their awkward reactions made me feel awkward instead.

“If you answer so immediately, you’ll seem light-hearted.”

“Then what should I say?”

Hyung shook his head and patted my shoulder.

“Hello. My name is Kim Jihyuk.”

“…Park Moojin.”

“I’m Choi Kang-doo. That, actor Kim Jihyuk… right?”

“Yes. That Kim Jihyuk.”

“Whoa…”

The sight of a well-built man making such an excited face was truly bad for my eyesight.

Anyway.

Hyung reassured Park Moojin’s group by starting with a brief self-introduction and then offering some additional explanations.

Park Moojin, listening silently with an expressionless face, was impossible to read, but Choi Kang-doo was easy to understand.

After hearing the brief explanation, Park Moojin nodded.

“It’s not many people.”

“Yes. If the two of you join us, we’ll feel much stronger.”

“Thank you for the words, but you haven’t seen us, have you?”

At Park Moojin’s fastidious remark, Hyung chuckled slightly.

“I trust Seonghan’s judgment.”

“…I see.”

“What ‘I see’! Say ‘Wow’!”

“I know I’m being trusted.”

Only after hearing Hyung’s words did Park Moojin and Choi Kang-doo seem somewhat convinced.

Into that lull, this time, I started speaking.

“I have something to say too.”

“What is it?”

“Prioritizing and caring for the child? I understand that. But.”

“…”

“I hope you’ll protect the other family members too.”

Park Moojin’s gaze showed a hint of surprise.

But this was my main point.

“Family members…”

“Yes. Family members. To be honest, we have few people who know how to fight. Everyone is trying, but they’re not at your level.”

“Hmm.”

I added a little more to him as he quietly stroked his chin.

“That doesn’t mean I’ll burden you heavily. I won’t make unreasonable demands either. I just hope you do your best within your capabilities. That’s what I want.”

Park Moojin and Choi Kang-doo looked serious after hearing my request.

“It’s obvious, yet… it’s heavy.”

“That’s right. Still, nothing is more important than this. But if you agree, your group will live warmly and comfortably, and they won’t go hungry.”

“…”

“This dog too.”

“Gah!”

Park Moojin let out a choked laugh, then clutched his side, contorting his face into a grimace.

Soon, Park Moojin returned to his original expression and extended his hand as he had yesterday.

“I look forward to working with you.”

Clasp.

“Let’s do well together.”

“Welcome.”

“We look forward to working with you~”

“Looking forward to it~”

At my family’s bright greetings, Park Moojin and Choi Kang-doo finally showed relaxed, comfortable expressions.

“But tell me.”

“?”

“It’s a bit late to ask now, but why me? This place is big and nice too.”

Normally, wouldn’t they prefer a place with large scale and armed soldiers?

Park Moojin didn’t hesitate to answer this.

“Certainly, this place isn’t bad either. Everyone’s eyes are alive, and the system seems to be firmly established.”

It seemed he had tried to grasp the atmosphere in the short time since he regained consciousness.

“Oh… but?”

“I was thinking a lot until a moment ago, but seeing the people who came with you, I made up my mind.”

“Huh? Why the family members?”

“Because everyone is healthy and clean.”

“Ah.”

“It’s proof that you’re doing remarkably well even in this situation.”

I was slightly surprised that it could be interpreted this way.

To me, who was admiring his extraordinary observational skills, Park Moojin added one more thing.

“If you walk around outside in that state, there’s a high chance you’ll become a target for other humans.”

“…You’re right.”

“It’s truly perplexing.”

I had no retort for that.

“Personally, I can’t adapt to places with many people.”

“Aha.”

“Hyung Moojin’s personality is a bit like this, haha.”

“I just dislike crowded places.”

“Yes, yes.”

Looking at the two of them, it was like…

…a taciturn older brother and an annoying younger sibling.

They seemed like they wouldn’t suit each other, yet their strangely harmonious atmosphere felt natural.

Just as the atmosphere quieted down again.

Director Jang subtly spoke.

“Seonghan. Are you leaving right away?”

“Yes. I plan to… will it be alright?”

“Normally, it would require complete rest, but…”

Director Jang looked troubled.

And for good reason; although he had regained consciousness, Park Moojin wasn’t in a state to move.

“His internal organs are safe, but a deep cut damaged some muscles. The treatment is done, but he mustn’t move. You’re pretending it’s nothing now, but it hurts a lot, doesn’t it?”

“…”

No wonder his lips were a bit pale.

He had simply been enduring it.

“He also suffered a major impact to his body. Therefore, complete rest is essential. Unless you want to suffer for a long time.”

Even the expressionless Park Moojin couldn’t utter a sound in front of Director Jang.

“Then, how is the child?”

“She has hypothermia. Fortunately, it stopped at the stage of transitioning from mild to severe. We also took good measures.”

“Oh…”

“It’s dangerous initially, but if treated at the right time, recovery is quick. When she wakes up, she’ll probably have chills or feel weak.”

“Is she alright?”

To Park Moojin’s stiff voice, Director Jang replied that she would get better quickly with plenty of rest and appropriate medication.

When people sighed in relief, I turned my gaze.

The last remaining friend.

“And this one?”

I asked about the retriever, which was sitting and wagging its tail.

“Hmm… Well, first of all, we don’t have a professional veterinarian. For now, a doctor with at least some knowledge examined it, and it wasn’t seriously injured. We also did a blood test, but there were no particular abnormalities.”

At Director Jang’s reply, I looked at the retriever.

‘Where are you looking… this rascal?’

The retriever was staring intently at Heize.

“Do you intend to take this dog too?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Seonghan.”

Director Jang leaned in a bit closer to me.

“…Honestly, taking a dog is a bit…”

“Is there a problem…?”

“Not exactly, but a small amount of zombie bodily fluid might have entered its system. We don’t know what kind of problem might arise…”

If that happened, it would be another headache.

But seeing as it’s been perfectly fine so far, wouldn’t it be okay?

More than anything, it’s a grateful companion who protected the child until the end…

“If a problem arises, I’ll put an end to it.”

“Oh… are you sure?”

“I’m very grateful that it protected Seonyeong, but safety is a separate issue.”

Park Moojin didn’t even think for long.

“Since I requested it, I’ll take responsibility for the outcome too.”

“…Do that.”

I feel sorry for Park Moojin, who had made a firm decision, but I doubt such a thing will happen.

‘Anyway, I haven’t had any problems.’

I don’t know how much zombie blood I’ve been covered in. Yet, I haven’t changed.

If it’s this dog, which didn’t attract the zombies’ attention, perhaps nothing out of the ordinary will happen.

It’s just a thought, but…

Perhaps the zombie virus only affects humans.

If all living beings were targets, then I might as well consider all meat eaten from now on.

For a moment, I envisioned a world without meat.

I imagined cows, pigs, and chickens turned into zombies.

‘Fuck… that’s terrible.’

I vigorously shook my head to shake off the unholy thoughts.

In the meantime, Park Moojin asked Director Jang to let him meet Jang Seohee.

When Director Jang left to send someone, I subtly asked Park Moojin.

“Did that woman say she’s coming too?”

“…”

“…Hey.”

“She… won’t refuse.”

“Huh.”

This person has a rather reckless streak.

“What if she says no?”

“That’s…”

“Oh dear.”

Had he not thought about it, or was he unable to?

Sure enough.

“…I’m sorry…”

Jang Seohee, who appeared a moment later, politely refused, and Park Moojin was genuinely flustered.

“The child needs a protector like you. It’s too much for someone like me to take care of a child.”

“…”

“Won’t you come with us?”

Watching Park Moojin try to persuade her, he truly lacked eloquence.

He said he wanted to repay her kindness, but…

“I didn’t do it expecting anything in return.”

She was unyielding.

“But you risked your life, didn’t you?”

“That’s… what an adult should do.”

Noble words.

It’s true, but…

It seems there’s some reason, but I don’t quite understand.

“Even for Seonyeong’s sake… won’t you reconsider?”

“…”

“…Is that so.”

His slumped posture, as if he had committed a sin, somehow evoked pity.

Unable to watch any longer, I subtly interjected.

“Jang Seohee. Please raise your head. We’re not trying to bother you.”

“…”

“Hmm…”

This doesn’t seem to be working at all.

They say a woman’s heart is incredibly complicated, but I really don’t know what she’s thinking.

They say there’s nothing an official can do if a person is truly unwilling.

If she says she doesn’t want to, what can I do…?

“Um… Hello?”

“…”

“You said you were Jang Seohee, right? I’m Lee Shia.”

Shia gave me a signal with her eyes.

That she would try talking to her.

Shia cautiously stepped forward and led Jang Seohee outside, suggesting they talk quietly.

Heize also followed, and the three of them returned only after a long time.

Watching the three of them approach wearily, we fell silent.

On Seohee’s swollen and bruised face were tear streaks and puffy, swollen eyes.

The problem was that Shia and Heize’s eyes were also puffy and swollen.

‘Did they cry?’

What on earth did they talk about outside to appear drenched in tears?

Still, it felt like her expression had lightened a bit, as if they had a proper talk.

As if the shadow on her face had lifted somewhat.

This time, Seohee didn’t lower her head.

“…If I’m acceptable, I’ll go with you.”

At her small reply, Park Moojin was greatly relieved.

“That’s a good decision. Seonyeong will be happy too. I can only say thank you so much.”

“Yes. I… look forward to it.”

At Seohee’s words, Park Moojin grunted as he pushed himself up. Then, staggering, he stood before Seohee.

“I will protect you. …I look forward to working with you.”

“…Yes…”

Somehow, the recruitment was successful.

Including an unexpected woman and a large dog.

“Sniff-”

“Snort-”

“…”

Shia and Heize rubbed their noses, their eyes red like rabbits.

Their appearance was somehow cute, and I found myself smiling without realizing it.