Chapter 51
I urgently shouted and asked,
“Why on earth…?”
“He just fainted, don’t worry.”
Choi Yu, withdrawing his hand from Baek Yi-heon, retorted in a grumbling tone.
His expression had returned to its original arrogant and rude look.
“…Still, to endure this… This Hyung-nim is amazing. He’s someone who could do anything.”
Then he greets with a much lighter tone.
“Well, I’ll be going now. Thanks for getting me out of there. Everyone, live well…”
“Wait a moment.”
I pointed to the makeshift sofa with my chin.
“Sit down for a bit. I have something to tell you before you go.”
“What? You’ve been ordering me around since earlier…!”
Yes, I’ve been ordering you around since earlier, so what?
With that expression, I gently stroked the magic stone.
Of course, I can’t use my power on humans in my unawakened state.
But there’s no need to let him know that right now.
Choi Yu looked back and forth between me and Yu, who was standing with a calm expression…
Then he plopped down in his seat, crossing his arms.
“I was going to sit down anyway, but you keep rushing me, Nunim!”
💎
“In four years, on September 24th, a massive catastrophe will strike Busan.”
Convincing Choi Yu was easy.
“I heard it from a man named Cain.”
Fortunately, Choi Yu, who knew he was a prophet, didn’t doubt my words.
“N-No way… My family is in Busan!”
He asked urgently.
“Is, is there no way to prevent it?”
“It’s probably difficult… That’s why that Cain person is building those barriers, right?”
This wasn’t a lie I made up to make him an ally.
In reality, the 9.24 incident was… a disaster difficult to prevent even if you knew about it in advance.
Probably by that time, most people in Busan, except those inside that Dowonhyang barrier, would likely be sacrificed.
However, unless you were an awakened one, the chances of being exploited and oppressed if you went inside were very high.
‘Maybe with ‘that method’ it could be prevented…’
I couldn’t guarantee it. Above all, by that time, I would already be inside the shelter.
At my words, Choi Yu’s expression darkened like a cloud had passed over it.
“This can’t be… What should I do?”
Looking at his pretty face asking with a serious expression, I pretended to think for a moment before speaking.
“…Well. How about evacuating your family to Ganghwa Island before then?”
“Ganghwa Island?”
“There are survivors we met on our way here. They said they were going to set up a camp there.”
“I see. …I can’t just take my family there without checking, so I guess I should go and look first.”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“I see. Hmm. All the way to Ganghwa Island…”
“Yes. That’s what I’m saying.”
“No, ‘I see’ doesn’t mean… Never mind.”
Towards him, who seemed to have given up and waved his hand, I said with a nonchalant expression.
“It’s too much to go to Ganghwa Island alone, right? Since you’re not a combat type.”
Then I added, as if doing him a favor.
“I’ll take you there.”
At this, Choi Yu made a slightly strange expression.
An expression that seemed to say it hurt his pride a bit to simply go along with my words?
After hesitating for a moment, he suddenly crossed his legs and folded his arms, then exclaimed in a haughty tone.
“Nunim! …I was going to ask you to take me anyway!”
It’s done.
I swallowed a cry of victory inside.
‘Finally, I can make the barrier stone.’
A future where I could live alone in the shelter for 10 years came a step closer.
Of course, I didn’t forget to ask for others’ opinions.
Baek Yi-heon was still unconscious, but well, he wouldn’t refuse to help someone in need.
Yu and Sehun also nodded and agreed to Choi Yu joining.
“I was so scared when Yi-heon Hyung got sick. I’m relieved now that there’s someone who can treat him!”
“That’s right! Haha. The little one knows how to judge people, huh?”
“I’m fine with it too. It’s nice to have more people, it feels lively.”
Unlike me, who was happy about the prospect of being alone, Yu added with a calm face.
“And we won’t be lonely either.”
“…Y-Yeah. That’s right.”
I trailed off awkwardly and glanced at Baek Yi-heon, who was sleeping unconsciously.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
“……”
While deliberately ignoring that low voice tickling my ear.
💎
We quickly left Busan.
After leaving Dowonhyang in that state, we were worried that Cain might hold a grudge and come after us.
So, after driving the camper van at full speed all day long.
By evening, we were able to reach a mountainside in South Gyeongsang Province.
“Let’s stay here for tonight. There shouldn’t be any monsters near the mountain.”
I said to the group with a tired face after driving for nearly ten hours straight.
“Noah. Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’ve driven longer than this many times before, so…”
I waved my hand wearily towards Baek Yi-heon, who immediately checked on my condition.
Yu and Choi Yu both didn’t have driver’s licenses, and I strongly discouraged Baek Yi-heon when he offered to drive.
Arguing that he needed to rest enough for today.
‘Still, even though I drove almost non-stop, we couldn’t get out of South Gyeongsang Province.’
Sitting in the driver’s seat, I looked at the map stolen from the mart and was lost in thought for a moment.
This was the best we could do, given that some roads were damaged here and there, and occasionally monsters separated from their groups would charge at us.
‘I need to make the barrier stone quickly after all.’
With that, monsters wouldn’t charge at us, so travel time would be greatly reduced.
“I can’t sleep here!”
Just then, I turned around at the sound coming from the back compartment.
Choi Yu was grumbling something while looking at the small bed where Baek Yi-heon was lying.
“It’s already full with just one person! Look at how broad this Hyung-nim’s shoulders are!”
Ah. He was complaining about the sleeping arrangements.
This camper van was for four people.
So naturally, there were only two double beds.
There was a makeshift bed made by joining sofas, but it was too small for any adult except Sehun to lie on.
I folded the map and moved to the back compartment.
“As you can see, there are only two beds here. If you don’t like it, you can sleep on the floor.”
“Tch. If we attach this folding table, there’d be some space, right? If we modify it a bit, it could become a bed…”
Of course, I understood his complaints.
Although Choi Yu had a slender build, he was quite tall, and Baek Yi-heon alone took up the space of two people.
Even I could see it would be quite difficult for the two of them to sleep together.
So I added with a benevolent expression towards him:
“Sure. While you’re at it, fix the dented back of the van too.”
Then Choi Yu shouted as if he was about to get angry.
“I was going to fix it without you telling me!”
Heh.
The more I look at him, the more I see he has a sharp tongue, but he diligently does what he’s told to do. That rascal.
As I smiled slightly, Yu and Baek Yi-heon each said,
“I’ll go hunt for some dinner.”
“I’ll check if there’s water nearby. Since we’re at the foot of the mountain, there should be some spring water.”
“Sounds good. I’ll leave it to you then.”
It was best to fill the water tank as much as possible.
This area is mountainous, so there shouldn’t be monsters. Even if there were some stragglers, those two would be fine.
“I’ll set up a barrier! My level has increased a lot now!”
Sehun also exclaimed energetically, seemingly inspired by the sight of people moving busily.
As I patted the child’s head, Baek Yi-heon quietly suggested.
“Noah, you should rest a bit. You must be tired from driving.”
“Ah, then I’ll lay out a mat for you outside. It might get a bit noisy inside.”
At those words, Choi Yu, who was pondering something with a hammer in hand, quickly said.
He really is someone who can consider others thoughtfully, contrary to his appearance.
I didn’t decline and lay down on the mat spread near the camper van.
Unable to overcome the fatigue from long hours of driving, I soon fell into a deep sleep.
And when I opened my eyes again, I was very surprised to see the camper van in front of me.
💎
Thank you for reading! ♡
