episode_0295

***

Choi Kang-doo originally dreamed of becoming a soccer player.

Receiving the gaze of the spectators, hearing their cheers, and clashing with all his might in intense tension.

On top of that, strong camaraderie with his teammates.

The exhilaration of embracing such elements and freely running across the green field, kicking the ball with powerful shots, was indescribable.

A soccer star dominating the field.

He was able to decide on his future dream early on, and it wasn’t simply because he loved soccer.

“You have to do sports!”

“But I’m playing soccer right now?”

“Kang-doo. Don’t do that, let’s do track and field together. Let’s aim for a gold medal together! You can do it!”

A talent that appears perhaps once every ten years.

His physique was so exceptional that sports teachers, praising him to the sky, competed to recruit Choi Kang-doo.

Even in high school, his height already surpassed 180 cm, and his bones and muscles grew to match.

It went without saying that his athletic ability improved even further during that process.

However, he was unwavering even amidst the passionate calls from the sports world.

Because Choi Kang-doo had already established himself as a rising star receiving great attention in the industry.

Choi Kang-doo dreamed of becoming Captain Shoot-dori.

One day, he was on his way back after finishing a joint training session with a friendly school’s soccer team.

The bus Choi Kang-doo was on was involved in a major traffic accident.

Choi Kang-doo, who had heard a loud noise and felt his body shake, lost consciousness.

He didn’t remember the details.

He vaguely opened his eyes midway through, then fainted again.

In that brief moment.

He was confused whether it was a dream or reality, but…

“Rescued person found! Unconscious! Student! Can you hear me?!”

“So… so… cool…”

“Bring something to stabilize him here! He hit his head!”

A fragment of an unforgettable memory remained.

A rare catastrophe born from the chaotic collaboration of drunk driving and drowsy driving.

The incident that day, which had no fatalities apart from the driver, led Choi Kang-doo to make a big decision.

“Dad. I want to become a firefighter.”

“…”

“Please give me your permission!”

It was an awful thing to do to his parents, who had already invested heavily in his goal of becoming a soccer player, but Choi Kang-doo pushed forward.

Choi Kang-doo, who had braced himself for not only a scolding but also a severe beating…

“Take it. When you receive something from an elder, you should do it with both hands.”

“…Yes, sir.”

That day, for the first time, his parents taught him how to take initiative in his own life.

He received calm yet immense support from his parents, who told him it was a wonderful thing to protect lives and encouraged him to work hard.

Choi Kang-doo firmly resolved.

“I’ll do it!”

He aimed to be the best firefighter, but the wall of reality was high.

Choi Kang-doo, a true physical powerhouse, had only ever used his head for heading a ball.

The hurdles he had to overcome to pass the firefighter civil servant exam were formidable.

But even this merely served as a stimulant for Choi Kang-doo, like pouring oil onto his passionate nature.

He plunged into intense study and continued his desperate struggle.

Even the soccer coach who had tried to persuade Choi Kang-doo eventually grew tired and gave up.

The continuous, passionate calls from the sports world gradually dwindled, until at some point, they stopped altogether.

He entered university, served in the military…

He sometimes grew weary during his unproductive days, but…

Buoyed by his parents’ encouragement and friends’ support, days of nosebleeds continued.

Then one day.

“Waaah?!”

– Pass –

He unexpectedly passed the very first exam he took, just to gain experience.

Not only were his parents overjoyed, but he himself leaped with happiness.

After that, it was smooth sailing itself.

His written exam was touch-and-go.

But in the practical exam, he showed his true worth.

The practical exam, which measured pure physical ability, was a stage where a man like Choi Kang-doo shone.

An all-time record.

Choi Kang-doo, who rewrote all records with an overwhelming margin, was instantly elevated to a person of significant interest.

“Choi Kang-doo.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Let’s get you examined.”

“…Huh?”

As a result of receiving a detailed examination due to his overwhelming physical ability being suspected…

“He’s a monster.”

“If this becomes known, the athletic training village will hit the ground weeping [a phrase indicating deep regret or frustration] for letting such talent slip away.”

“To think such a talent would just roll in here…”

“Um… am I okay?”

“Choi Kang-doo.”

“Yes…”

“You are a man born to be a firefighter.”

“…Thank you!!”

The examination revealed that Choi Kang-doo also had a weakness.

Thinner discs than an average person.

Normally, he would have had to be careful with his activities and suffer from pain, but his muscles solved everything.

His impossibly developed muscles had a density that was extraordinarily different from others.

In particular, the existence of his abnormally developed core muscles compensated for the function of his weak discs.

Choi Kang-doo was afraid his dream would be shattered here.

“A-are you sure I’m okay?”

“It’s not that there aren’t similar cases… it’s generally fine, but at this level… hmm… Mr. Choi Kang-doo?”

“Yes?”

“May we report Mr. Choi Kang-doo’s case to the academic society?”

“…”

Choi Kang-doo, who had received definitive certification, passed all kinds of examinations with excellent results.

From personality assessments to field evaluations.

Choi Kang-doo became a rising star and received great attention from the superiors.

After completing all processes, he was successfully appointed as a firefighter.

The cool man who remained in his hazy memory.

Choi Kang-doo could rejoice like a child at the fact that he had reached the same level as those men.

***

“I really achieved my dream! That’s exactly how it felt, you know?”

“So, you became a firefighter after falling for the firefighter who saved you from a crisis.”

“Haha~ Of course, I didn’t forget my duty either.”

“Right. That’s a truly touching story.”

While Dr. Jang went to prepare the medicine, Choi Kang-doo began chatting and recounted his past memories.

His time felt so passionate, it was like reading a shonen manga.

“Right? Even I think, wow~~”

“So…”

I crossed my arms and chuckled softly.

“You’re saying you shattered the gun with all that overflowing power, right?”

“…”

“Into shreds, into pieces.”

“Ha, haha…”

My head was getting hot just thinking about it.

I gazed steadily at Choi Kang-doo, who was avoiding my eyes.

The guns a soldier brought, claiming they were the two men’s belongings, didn’t match the number.

So, I subtly asked, and apparently, this muscleman swung full force at a variant’s head.

Choi Kang-doo’s excuse was that the gun wasn’t just bent, but completely shattered, so he couldn’t help it.

“…I’m sorry…”

“Hehehe~”

“Pffft~”

Seeing Choi Kang-doo shrink so much, Shia and Heize chuckled softly, which made me laugh too.

Actually, there was no need to get angry.

Things like that can happen during a fight.

Especially if the opponent is a variant.

However.

“Even though you had a crowbar… did you have to?”

“…Sorry…”

At my remark, Park Moojin also subtly averted his gaze.

The body of the shotgun he was holding was badly scratched, and bite marks were blatantly left on it.

Still, this was fine.

It felt like the grittiness of the field was etched onto it, adding a strange kind of coolness.

On the other hand, shattering a weapon is a bit…

“…”

Choi Kang-doo, having nothing left to say, pulled his head into his shoulders and eyed me warily.

His appearance was exactly like a dog that had gotten into trouble, making me smile wryly.

“It’s fine. I’ve ruined things before too, so don’t worry about it.”

I wasn’t in a position to criticize others.

“Y-you did?”

“Still, I’d appreciate it if you’d take care of the guns from now on.”

“Ah, I’ll keep that in mind.”

With Choi Kang-doo firmly resolving, Park Moojin spoke seriously.

“I’ll make sure to teach him properly.”

“I’ll also engrave it into his body.”

“I’m counting on you.”

If even Heize steps in, wouldn’t the effect be certain?

Anyway, after hearing Choi Kang-doo’s story, I could confirm that his physical ability was extraordinary.

I hope he’ll put that overflowing strength to good use.

The agile, muscular Choi Kang-doo chats happily and without hesitation with our group members.

He certainly has a simple side, but just having him nearby makes the surroundings feel brighter.

Seohee felt a bit awkward, but she still blended into the atmosphere. It was a pity her face was a mess, though.

The problem was on this side.

Park Moojin, who barely opened his mouth except for absolutely necessary words.

He was so taciturn that it made the times he had talked to me about various things seem meaningless.

His facial expressions changed very little, making his already ordinary impression even more indistinct.

“…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Still, in his gaze directed at the sleeping child, human emotions felt intertwined.

He might feel pity or sympathy, but the warmest feeling was the strongest.

To that extent, his gaze towards the child was easy to read.

I was curious about their relationship and their story, but I didn’t press the matter.

It wasn’t likely he’d answer if I asked, and what was important wasn’t that, but the time ahead.

“Whine- pant- pant-”

“So cute~”

“Oh my~ How can such a big dog be so well-behaved?”

The black retriever was busy nuzzling Heize and Shia and acting cute.

Its tail wagging vigorously left and right seemed to send fur flying. It wagged its tail happily, accepting their touch.

It certainly seemed to follow people well.

And it seemed to follow Heize a bit more.

Even to a dog, blonde hair and blue eyes must be a curious sight.

It was just when I was thinking that the dog also needed a bath.

“…”

“…”

“Oh dear? What’s wrong with him?”

The retriever, whose eyes met mine, averted its gaze and slumped down.

With its eyes already drooping slightly, it looked truly pitiful doing that.

Heize, who had been quietly observing the dog, lightly hit her palm with her fist.

“The dog is scared.”

“He? What’s he suddenly scared of?”

With that size, what could he possibly be scared of…

“You.”

“What? Me?”

“This one is scared of Han. Look at his eyes. He can’t look at you.”

It was true.

When Heize tried to hold the dog’s face and turn it towards me, it desperately avoided my gaze.

“It really is… The dog is scared of you?”

“Huh…”

“Why, why is he doing this?”

Even Park Moojin was so surprised by this that he observed me and the dog intently.

Looking closely, it wasn’t just avoiding my gaze; its body was subtly trembling too.

“…”

To an outsider, the atmosphere would make it seem like I was a bad owner who had abused the dog somewhere out of sight.

The others neglected me, who was flustered, and were completely absorbed in examining the dog.

“It’s okay~ It’s okay~ There, there~”

Heize, who claimed to love animals, comforted the dog well.

As she made clicking sounds with her tongue and continuously stroked it, the dog visibly calmed down in real-time.

A big dog and two beautiful women.

The scene was quite splendid.

‘I’ll make him into my assistant.’

That’s that, and this is this.

My motivation to calmly take my time and turn him into a loyal subordinate welled up.

It was half a joke, and I also liked animals.

If a cute puppy was scared and avoided me, even I would be hurt.

While I was contemplating his future training.

Dr. Jang returned holding the medicine he had prepared.

Handing over the medicine, he gave various precautions and delivered a small lecture.

Park Moojin nodded indifferently, and Choi Kang-doo carefully held the child in his arms.

“Heeyeon will take care of the rest herself.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Don’t mention it. If you need anything, feel free to contact me anytime.”

Dr. Jang smiled and offered a meal, but I politely declined and hastened my steps.

“Why the hurry?”

Park Moojin, who was following with an uncomfortable gait, looked puzzled, but…

“There’s no problem. But we have to go quickly.”

“?”

“It’s just one of those things.”

It was because Captain Lee seemed like he would chase us, and Chairman Kim seemed like he would cling to us.

For now, we decided to leave the Starex.

I conveyed the message through a soldier to have the heavily scratched and dented car taken care of.

We divided our group and boarded the Porter we had arrived in.

The patients went inside, the able-bodied ones outside.

As soon as we settled into the cargo bed, the vehicle slowly began to move forward.

It stopped briefly at the iron gate, but as soon as I showed my face, the gate opened immediately.

This kind of service… I don’t dislike it.

Hyung, who knew the area, led the way, and Heize followed behind.

From the cargo bed, I saw Heize, sitting with the dog next to her, beaming happily.

Shia, who was pressed close beside me, was busy smoothing her hair that was scattered by the wind.

Hyunwoo and Choi Kang-doo were silent.

They just gazed at the desolate street.

Even though it was morning, seeing the eerie street made me uncomfortable…

“…Ugh…”

“…”

It was a misunderstanding.

It was just that my stomach was upset from the alcohol I drank yesterday.

Seeing Hyunwoo suppress his dry heaves, I felt a mix of pity and amusement.

As I chuckled to myself, a light weight settled on my shoulder.

“…I’m a little cold.”

Shia, resting her head on my shoulder, didn’t look at me.

In response, I shifted my posture and put my arm around Shia’s shoulder.

She flinched slightly but then leaned her body against me obediently.

Even though she was wearing a thick coat, I somehow felt a softness.

‘This is quite… in its own way…’

…I don’t dislike it.

I think I understood why male leads in dramas put their arms around the female leads’ shoulders.

It was while I was holding Shia close, comforting her from the cold.

“Pffft-!”

A laugh burst from me at the sight of Heize, glaring fiercely with wide eyes, through the window of the car behind us.

The vehicle, paying no mind to me, diligently drove and arrived at the shelter.

Immediately after everyone got out.

I chuckled softly once more at the reactions of the new arrivals, surprised by the shelter’s hidden gimmick.

Welcome to our home?