ZFS Chapter 14

Tae Yujun and Won Hyuk carried taped boxes out of the store. Luckily, no zombies were in sight, allowing them to load the goods onto the truck without delay.

 

After placing the last box in the truck bed, they climbed into the driver’s and passenger’s seats. Won Hyuk started the truck slowly, only accelerating when zombies wandering the streets reacted to the sound of the engine.

 

“Feels like I’ve turned into the Pied Piper.”

 

“Please don’t joke around like that. It’s terrifying to think they might follow us.”

 

Won Hyuk chuckled at Tae Yujun’s comment.

 

As they drove further, the Bangsan Market gradually disappeared behind them. Tae Yujun occasionally checked the side mirrors to ensure no zombies were following. He eventually relaxed as they entered a relatively safe zone.

 

“I’ll turn on the radio.”

 

Hoping for some news, Tae Yujun switched the radio on. It seemed to be the start of a broadcast, and the anchor’s stern voice came through.

 

“―As chaos caused by unidentified assailants continues in central Seoul, military and police forces cleared the Mapo District earlier today. According to the Seoul Western Police Department’s report, 210 assailants were neutralized. Meanwhile, the government announced plans to deploy special forces near Cheongdam Station in Gangnam tomorrow, an area known for its high concentration of assailants.”

 

“There doesn’t seem to be a real solution. Since they can’t wipe out the zombies all at once, they’re just moving from one infected neighborhood to another, killing them as they go.”

 

Won Hyuk clicked his tongue. Tae Yujun shared his disappointment. It had already been over a week since the outbreak began.

 

While electricity, gas, water, and communications remained operational, society’s functions had collapsed entirely within just a week. The market economy had become meaningless, and stocks and cash were now no more valuable than scraps of paper.

 

…at this point, it feels less like humans are fighting back and more like zombies have already taken over.

 

Weary, Tae Yujun turned off the radio. In response, Won Hyuk inserted a CD into the car stereo.

 

“Now it’s my turn to play something, Father. I happened to find this in the truck.”

 

Humming along to the music, Won Hyuk tapped the steering wheel and sang a few lines, clearly familiar with the lyrics.

 

“That’s an old song. You seem to know it well.”

 

“Oh, it was my lullaby.”

 

Won Hyuk answered Tae Yujun’s question nonchalantly.

 

“A lullaby?”

 

“Yeah, my mom used to sing it to me all the time when I was little. Now that she’s gone, I can only hear it like this, through someone else’s voice.”

 

“I’m… sorry.”

 

“What for? You didn’t kill my mom, Father.”

 

Though his tone was light, Tae Yujun couldn’t take the mention of death so lightly. His faith in God made him naturally more contemplative about such matters, and his experience praying with those near death had deepened his reverence for life.

 

Even in the casual way this enigmatic man spoke about his mother’s death, there had to be a weight to it.

 

Noticing the tension in Tae Yujun’s expression, Won Hyuk chuckled quietly.

 

“You don’t have to be so serious about it. She passed away years ago. It’s a normal thing that can happen to anyone.”

 

His voice softened as he added, “If there’s something that seems off, maybe it’s because there wasn’t a cure for her disease.”

 

“…Ah.”

 

Realizing it must have been an incurable disease, Tae Yujun remained silent. Driving steadily, Won Hyuk continued his story, his tone remained calm.

 

“My adoptive father was a kind man. He was the kind of man who would’ve done anything for his frail Asian wife—plucking the moon and stars from the sky if he could. The fact that he left his company to a child who wasn’t even his by blood says it all, doesn’t it?”

 

Hearing this, Tae Yujun began to understand why Won Hyuk had an American name. It seemed his foreign adoptive father had given it to him.

 

“Well, since I was an outsider, I got bullied plenty by the family’s blood relatives… but I paid them all back, so it’s all good now. My foster father and I prayed every day for my mother’s recovery, but there was no medicine.”

 

With a quiet sigh, Won Hyuk ran a hand through his hair.

 

“Then, a few years after she died, a new drug came out. Turns out her illness could’ve been cured if the medicine had been developed just a little earlier.”

 

“…Ah.”

 

Tae Yujun clasped his hands together, saddened by his tragic story.

 

“That’s why I had no choice but to quit car racing and jump into the pharmaceutical business. I thought, ‘Ah! New drugs are humanity’s future!’ So, Father, you should buy some shares in my company later. I’ll say now, the stock prices just keep going up.”

 

“…Why does your story end like that?”

 

As they exchanged trivial banter, the truck stopped near the Gwanghwamun bunker. Tae Yujun and Won Hyuk opened the windows to check for zombies. Finding none, they stepped out of the truck.

 

Leaving the goods in the truck, they entered the underpass and unlocked the bunker door with the code. However, when they descended to the second basement level, they found a group gathered at the entrance. It was the bald man and his lackeys, who had previously acted as the leaders inside the bunker.

 

“What is this? You didn’t die and come back?”

 

“Thought you’d be dead by now. You guys are way more resilient. Hey, those who bet against them, don’t forget to pay up. One bottle of water each!”

 

His lackeys exchanged frivolous chatter, mocking as they spoke. Their faces were etched with sneers of ridicule. Tae Yujun could easily guess the reason.

 

“Empty-handed, huh? You were gone for two whole days, and yet you came back with nothing? You failed, didn’t you?”

 

A short man among them pranced about, seemingly trying to curry favor with the bald leader. The bald man snorted at both Won Hyuk and Tae Yujun, but soon, his smirk quickly vanished.

 

“We couldn’t carry it all because there’s too much of it. We’ll need strong hands to move the goods.”

 

Won Hyuk strode arrogantly into the bunker. The short man scrambled after him, practically stumbling over himself, speaking hastily.

 

“Hey, big guy. Is that true? Did you really bring back food?”

 

“You and your gang won’t get any, so mind your business.”

 

“What?!”

 

Won Hyuk shoved the man aside with one hand and used the opening to step into the center of the auditorium. Tae Yujun followed, taking his place beside him.

 

“Everyone, we’ve brought food. If you’re strong enough to carry heavy loads, please step forward. There are plenty of boxes to carry, so we’ll need many hands.”

 

A ripple of unrest passed through the crowd at his words. Is it true? Did those two actually bring back food? Baldy said they wouldn’t make it back alive, yet here they are, completely unharmed. How could this happen?

 

The people exchanged uneasy, confused glances. It seemed too incredible to believe. To bring back food, not just a little but plenty, from the monster-infested outside world? It sounded impossible.

 

“Father!”

 

In the midst of this, a woman suddenly stood up. It was Kim Eun-jin, the graduate student who had previously spoken with Tae Yujun.

 

“You’ve returned safely. Thank goodness.”

 

She wiped her reddened eyes with her dirtied sleeve as she approached. She looked even more haggard than she had two days ago. The situation didn’t need explaining. The bald man had undoubtedly hoarded food for his group, leaving the weak to fend for themselves.

 

“I’ll help carry the goods. Please let me assist.”

 

“Eun-jin, are you sure you’re okay?”

 

“Yes, I’m fine. You went out there to get food for us, risking your life…”

 

At that moment, others who had been hesitating began to raise their hands one by one. Most were from the lowest-ranked Group 3, but a few from Group 2 also joined in.

 

“I’ll help too.”

 

“I’ll carry the goods too.”

 

As people began to rise, the bald man let out a hollow laugh.

 

“These worthless beggars…! Fine, do whatever you want! Go ahead and try!”

 

Ignoring his outburst, Won Hyuk and Tae Yujun led the volunteers. Under their guidance, the group began carrying the boxes of goods. Each time a box was brought in, the crowd rejoiced.

 

Though weakened from hunger and unable to cheer loudly, even the elderly and children who had been lying down rose to watch the food being carried in.

 

“We’ve brought food, chopsticks, water, and tissues. While we’d like to distribute it equally, the elderly and weak will be prioritized. Elderly, those with children, and women, please line up here.”

 

This group, of course, consisted of Group 3. Tae Yujun gathered the elderly and weak in one corner, distributing the food evenly. At first, people stared in disbelief, but once food was placed in their hands, tears began to flow.

 

“Thank you, Father. Truly, thank you.”

 

“I thought we’d die of hunger… Thank you. Truly… thank you very much.”

 

Women and the elderly embraced each other, crying, while the ragged children, oblivious to the gravity of the moment, ate their snacks and played with the toys from the packages. Kim Eun-jin took a bite of bread, tears streaming down her face, and drank the sterilized milk Tae Yujun handed her, only to cry again.

 

“I’ll repay this kindness, no matter what. I’m so grateful.”

 

“Kindness, huh. There’s no need to think of it as a debt.”

 

From a distance, the members of Group 2 watched as Group 3, Tae Yujun, and Won Hyuk distributed the food. Their gazes, filled with a mix of envy and unease, flitted back and forth among one another.