Chapter 83
“We’re departing in a week. What will you do?”
I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them again. Of course, I want to go search for my brother, Woo-joo, right now. I want to cast aside Saver and everything else and say let’s go immediately, not wait for the departure in a week. But…..
I thought about the people wavering before my eyes—the many individuals in this university shelter with whom I had formed, albeit tenuous, connections. Could I really just abandon them like this? Leave them to be taken over by the Savior…? Just pursue my own interests and leave?
“Do you know what Savior is doing to the civilians?”
At my question, Shin Hae-jun shrugged and glanced at Habin, who also shrugged.
“If we knew, there’d probably be a huge public announcement warning everyone to protect themselves, since Savior are shitty bastards.”
“I’ve heard they’re using the infected as bait.”
Shin Hae-jun and I simultaneously looked at Habin. What’s with that tone? Are all the kids these days like that?
“So nothing specific is known besides using them as bait?”
“Seems so.”
“Then……”
I repeatedly brushed back my falling hair and bit my lower lip.
Savior is using civilians as bait for the infected, I get that much. Actually, that much is fine. If people are warned, they can be cautious on their own.
But there was something else that felt off to me.
‘Could that really be all?’
No. There’s no way.
The infected we saw earlier… The ones that avoided Yoon Soojin and Im Do-hyeon, then turned around like moths drawn to a flame when those strange fireworks went off. Their condition is definitely not normal. If an abnormal state is induced, there must be a price to pay for it.
‘They may have used people somehow.’
Then how?
I need to find out. That’s the only way to minimize future damage.
Woo-joo and people. People and Woo-joo.
If I were more selfish, I would have chosen Woo-joo, the side that weighed heavier on the scale. But… just as I have Woo-joo, those people each have their own ‘Woo-joo’ too. Having glimpsed the potential end of their individual spaces, I couldn’t pretend not to know anymore.
“Then I’ll stay here for just one week.”
Having added weight to the side without space, I let out a deep sigh and continued speaking.
“I’ll try to find out what they’re doing, how they’re treating people, and how we can put an end to the organization called Savior.”
“You really don’t look like you want to do this.”
“But it’s something that needs to be done.”
Shin Hae-jun tilted his head slightly as he looked at me, his gaze carrying a subtle sultriness that made it somewhat embarrassing to meet his eyes directly. I averted my gaze, and Shin Hae-jun asked again.
“What are you planning to do with that information once you find it?”
“I won’t hand it over to the military.”
“I see.”
Shin Hae-jun exaggerated his expression and narrowed one eye. Then he came closer and draped his arm over me like a buddy hug, using that hand to poke my cheek.
“I thought we were getting a bit closer.”
“We’re not.”
“Come on. We’ve come to know quite a bit about each other, haven’t we?”
“…..?”
I could feel Shin Hae-jun’s gaze lingering on my chest bone. Haha. This pervert.
“Just because we know each other doesn’t mean we’re close. Isn’t it human nature to grow more distant the more you know someone? I’m a bit of an introvert, you see.”
“Are you a T1From MBTI personality types., Lieutenant?”
“You’re noisy.”
Ignoring the trivial conversation between Habin and me, Shin Hae-jun lightly cleared his throat and rested his chin on my shoulder.
“So, it comes down to this.”
He whispered into my ear with a slightly vexed voice.
“I should bite you once.”
“Hey! Stop!”
I hurriedly pushed him away. I could feel my face burning hot. Even without a mirror, I knew my cheeks must be beet red from the rising heat.
“Don’t say things like that, understand?”
“Lieutenant Min.”
“It’s Ahyeon. Please.”
“Alright, Ahyeon-ah.”
Having moved away from me, Shin Hae-jun lit a cigarette and raised his eyebrows.
“Do you have a gun?”
Ah.
I blinked at the empty gun magazine in my hand.
“I could just go out and get one…”
“They’d lock the shelter doors as soon as we step out. Would that work?”
“……”
He’s right. Why didn’t I think of that? I shifted my gaze to the guns Shin Hae-jun and Habin were holding. Ah, it would be perfect if I could take those.
“Putting the gun issue aside, what’s the plan in case of an emergency? Put aside any arrogance about being able to handle them alone.”
“Hmm.”
Haha, I let out a laugh.
“I’ll probably die.”
Then, Shin Hae-jun’s face became distorted.
“Death is not something you choose so lightly, Ahyeon-ah. Understand?”
“No…what…”
Feeling slightly embarrassed suddenly being lectured, I scratched the back of my head, and Shin Hae-jun took advantage of the moment to turn his gaze to Habin.
“Sergeant Oh.”
“Yes, did you call me!”
“Bring the guns and the radio. Sniper, rifle, fill up the magazines.”
“Yes, sir.”
Habin immediately turned around and ran toward the car they had used. Shin Hae-jun let out a long sigh mixed with hazy cigarette smoke, then tapped my forehead with his finger and said,
“I’ll give you a gun, a radio, and even my personal identification code.”
“…Huh? Personal identification code?”
I was dumbfounded, my eyes wide open.
A personal identification code is a code used when radioing to identify the other party’s identity. It must be kept secret as there is a risk of misuse. Moreover, someone of a high position like Shin Hae-jun, a Brigadier General, had the authority to mobilize an entire unit with just a word, so he had to be extra careful.
Yet he was telling me his identification code?
I stuttered as the scrap of paper was handed to me.
“Isn’t the exchange of information enough payment? Asking for more would be problematic.”
“No, no, General.”
I waved my hand dismissively.
“Aren’t you trusting me too much? What could I do with this? Mobilize a unit? Stage a coup?”
“A coup?”
Shin Hae-jun lowered the corners of his eyebrows and burst into laughter.
“Ahyeon-ah.”
Then, in a remarkably affectionate tone, as if it couldn’t get any sweeter, he said in a soft voice.
“What do you think I’ll do if you do something?”
“Oh…”
“Your death will not be by your own choice.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll be careful with it.”
Without further response, I bowed and tried to receive the paper from him. No, I tried to receive it.
“And…”
Suddenly raising the hand holding the paper, he wrapped his arm around my slightly swaying waist and pressed his forehead against mine.
“My side is more expensive, now.”
Bringing his face so close our noses almost touched, he exhaled a breath mixed with the pungent smell of cigarette smoke, kissed my cheek, and gently bit my earlobe.
“Ugh!”
“I’ll collect the payment later.”
“Don’t joke around!”
I hurriedly tried to push him away, but this time I couldn’t. Shin Hae-jun was firmly exerting his strength.
Not budging an inch, he took my hand and made me touch the area around his pocket, which was bulging as if stuffed full of something. And it didn’t take long for me to realize that ‘something’ was his ‘thing’.
“Does this look like a joke to you?”
“Oh, come on, seriously!”
“So.”
Shin Hae-jun kissed my cheek again and frowned.
“We’ll settle up later.”
🕂
Thank you for reading! ♡
just get married already 😩