SRW | Chapter 19

“Wait, why were those supplies there in the first place?”

“Who had time to care? We used them to survive.”

Hyunwoo glanced at me, but I pretended to focus on Seo Yul’s story, avoiding his gaze.

While they hid in the clubroom, trembling, voices echoed outside. Opening the door, they found Bae Yongpal and Jung Hyukjun crawling up the stairs in tears. Though notorious, they couldn’t leave them. The girls let them in, and the boys soon discovered the stockpiled food and weapons.

“We should’ve left them to die…” Yul’s voice cracked. “The internet died soon after, but we still hoped for rescue. Then, skyscrapers began exploding. Military helicopters flew by, but giant insect monsters swarmed them. One helicopter burst mid-air… After that, the world went silent.”

The clubroom survivors had witnessed more than those in the gym or cafeteria. Hearing the world’s collapse firsthand left everyone pale.

“There were eight of us initially. Then Bae Yongpal and Jung Hyukjun killed two to hoard supplies.”

Sleep deprivation worsened their frayed nerves. A second-year asthmatic, Jeon Yeseul, wheezed uncontrollably without her inhaler. Her coughing wasn’t loud enough to attract monsters but stressed everyone. The boys found soundproofing foam and made earplugs. Exhausted, the group slept with them in.

“Those bastards tried to kill Yeseul first. She was the only one not wearing earplugs. Then Hyunji… Haneul… When they were covering the mouth of the fourth victim, Hyeju, I got this weird feeling and woke up.”

A rustling noise seeped through the earplugs, so Seo Yul pulled hers out and looked around. She saw a dark figure looming over Hyeju and nearly screamed, but Yongpal and Hyukjun were faster. One shoved a pillow over Yul’s face, blocking her airways, while the other pinned down her thrashing body.

Then, in the darkness, Go Hyeju, who had almost become the fourth victim, was seen aiming a compound bow. Thunk. An arrow, fired at close range, pierced Hyukjun’s skull. Hyeju fumbled for another arrow and fired again. Thunk. This time, it lodged in Hyukjun’s shoulder. Seeing him collapse, Yongpal panicked and bolted out of the clubroom.

“At the time, we didn’t know they’d already killed the others. I was terrified Yongpal would spread rumors outside about Hyeju shooting someone. Yeah… I wasn’t in my right mind. All I could think was that I had to silence him. So I grabbed a gun… and shot at Yongpal from the second-floor window as he ran outside. But the distance was too far, I missed. In the end… he got away.”

Later, they found two bodies. Jeon Yeseul, the one Yongpal and Hyukjun had tried to kill first, had passed out. Just like that, their group of eight was down to six. Fearing Yongpal might return, they split into teams to keep watch. Days later, they spotted a group gathering in front of the building.

“It was too dark to recognize most of them, but I could tell Sun Eunsoo was at the front. Sun Eunsoo, he’s famous in our school… and he was also friends with Yongpal and Hyukjun.”

“…So that’s why you attacked?”

“At first, we just wanted to confirm. But then Hyeju… fired an arrow. And she told us Yongpal was right next to Sun Eunsoo.”

“Ha! Yongpal wasn’t even there. You guys… drove innocent people to their deaths!”

Hyunwoo’s eyes burned red as he spat out his anger. Seo Yul hung her head, as if she had no rebuttal. The atmosphere in the faculty cafeteria grew heavy. Trying to lighten the mood, I held back my own frustration, slung an arm over Hyunwoo’s shoulders, and stepped closer to Yul.

“Anyway, why were you outside alone?”

“…I was going to the pharmacy.”

“Pharmacy?”

“I mentioned it earlier. Yeseul has asthma. She’s in danger now… Without her meds, she might not make it through the day. When I suddenly got this strange power, I thought it was my chance to get the medicine. Before I left the clubroom, I was even confident I could fight the monsters… Damn it. There were just too many.”

Even as she spoke, Yul’s expression suggested she already foresaw her friend’s death.

“Alright, now tell us about your skill.”

“…Skill?”

“Seems related to this.”

I tapped the gun Hyunwoo was holding. Yul nodded, as if deciding there was no point hiding it anymore.

“Yeah. My ability is gun-related. I can use it in two ways: a basic mode with weaker firepower but less noise, and an explosive mode with stronger firepower but way louder.”

Murmurs of awe spread through the group. Unlike Hyunwoo, who still hadn’t figured out his ability, or me, who’d vaguely described mine as “being good with weapons,” Yul’s skill clearly seemed powerful.

“I can use my ability even without a gun, but the power drops significantly. The gun acts as an amplifier.”

“You’ve done a lot of research.”

“…I had to protect the others.”

Hyunwoo was now somewhat calmed down and started untying the hose restraining Yul. Huh? Why’s he letting her go? As I stared in disbelief, Hyunwoo said it was because she’d told the “truth.” How could he even know if it was true? Well… she didn’t seem to be lying, either.

Mrs. Kim Boksoon hugged Yul and patted her back. You’ve been through so much… At the maternal kindness in her voice, Yul finally broke down sobbing.

I could feel Hyunwoo’s shoulders slump. It seemed he couldn’t bring himself to resent Yul and the clubroom survivors, not when their suffering had been just as great. Too damn kind for his own good. As I watched Bear step forward to comfort Hyunwoo, I turned back to Yul.

“So, what’s your plan now?”

“…I have to go back. Now that I know I can’t make it to the pharmacy alone, I at least want to be there when Yeseul passes.”

As Yul stood up, Hyunwoo handed her the gun he’d been holding. My gun… I stared wistfully as it disappeared into her arms, then suddenly remembered the rest of the weapons still in the clubroom.

‘Wait… Does that mean the clubroom kids have never fought the monsters up close?’

Guns, compound bows, signal flares, all the weapons I’d seen so far were long-range. Yul’s story never mentioned close combat with monsters. That meant the weapons I’d hidden like the katanas, knuckle dusters, bats, knives, axes were probably just gathering dust.

“Hey, Yul. You were trying to get to Nuri Pharmacy, right? The one past the back gate?”

“Yeah.”

“With you, me, and Hyunwoo, the three of us might actually stand a chance.”

“What are you talking about?!”

Hyunwoo bristled at my sudden, unplanned suggestion. I raised a hand to cut him off, then smirked at Yul.

“In exchange, give us the weapons in the clubroom.”

“What?”

Yul tightened her grip on her gun. She clearly had no intention of handing that over.

“Not the guns or bows you’re using. The swords and stuff, close-combat weapons against the monsters. The more, the better.”

“Why do you need those?”

“Not interested?”

“…No. If it’ll save Yeseul, fine.”

Yul agreed. Next, I had to convince Hyunwoo, who looked pissed at my recklessness.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“You still don’t know what your ability is, right? Try out different weapons while we’re at it. And if we hit the pharmacy, we can grab some first-aid supplies too.”

“It’s still too dangerous!”

“Nuri Pharmacy’s just over the wall. Five minutes tops. Three Awakened can handle that distance. Don’t trust me? Oh, right… you don’t.”

Earlier, when Yul asked who trusted me, Hyunwoo hadn’t stepped forward. Suddenly, he seemed unbearably annoying. After everything I’ve done for him. I pouted, making my displeasure obvious.

“I believe what you just said. But we still have to consider the risk of failure.”

What’s with the sudden change? Hyunwoo’s voice softened. Seizing the opportunity, I leaned in and whispered in his ear.

“If you don’t go, I’ll take Bear instead…”

Bear was weirdly devoted to me and would definitely follow even if he was scared as long as I said it’d be fine. Not that I’d actually drag him along. At my playful threat, Hyunwoo’s face twisted in anger, but then he glanced above my head and quickly regained his composure. Lately, this guy’s face is like Jekyll and Hyde.