Throw the Dice (3)
Whatever thoughts I might have had, the internal meeting wrapped up. The rest were trivial matters. Things like distributing daily necessities, or deciding what fruits or meats to summon for meals.
"This is all we need to hand out, right?"
"Yes. It's a bit makeshift, but having some rules is better than none."
"True enough. We'll let our people know, then."
"Sure thing. Appreciate it."
"You guys too. Good work."
Kim Jungshik headed out to distribute the papers. I sat down next to Jeong Suhyun, who was staring out the window from his chair. He didn't seem tired at all, just blankly gazing outside.
"...See anything interesting?"
Jeong Suhyun chuckled without shifting his gaze.
"Nah, nothing much."
"That's the problem. Nothing at all."
"Right?"
The quiet city. The direction we were facing led toward the area overrun by those dark red flesh masses, so it was eerily silent outside. As if the earlier commotion had been a lie, not a sound reached us.
"Still, inside's gotten lively in just one day."
The building interior buzzed with noise. Voices drifted from the second-floor hallway.
Jeong Suhyun narrowed his eyes at the sound.
"Yeah. Lively enough to make living here's not a bad idea."
"Kim Jungshik's won you over, huh?"
I wouldn't have guessed the guy who first suggested barricading the prayer room door would hit it off so well—and in just a few hours.
"Haha, he's got age and brains. The others, not so sure."
"I see."
"Yeah. Doesn't push with authority, patient, smells like a real person."
I wasn't sure, but whatever. Even if his group had beaten a middle schooler, if Jeong Suhyun said so, it must be true. No harm to us anyway.
'Might even be better that way.'
If the group's leader was that calculating, they'd stick together for a while. Even if we split later, long-term trade seemed likely. Plus, their abilities were solid.
As I mulled it over, Jeong Suhyun spoke up.
"Mainly 'cause I sense them trying to get under you."
"Under me?"
"Yeah. Like you said, no attack skills there."
True enough.
"Makes 'em uneasy. No defense skills like those Northdong Station folks either. Thinking about it, they've been subtly pushing to follow you. They know they need us for safety."
Made sense. On reflection, yeah. I'd agreed with his words, no grating behavior, kept his subordinates quiet even while tailing me. I'd known it deep down, just stayed wary.
"People like that are trustworthy. You can read 'em like a book. Real threats are the crazies—like Our Love Church bastards or those black invaders. Primal types. That's the norm in this ruined world. More to come. We'll run into 'em."
Jeong Suhyun yawned, then grinned.
"So we gotta build our side fast. Problem is, it's tough. Can't keep recruiting this easy forever. No brainwash magic? Like, 'become my slave!' and force 'em to work."
"As if."
"Kek. Yeah."
I laughed at his nonsense and stood.
"Heading out?"
"Yeah, gotta check downstairs. See if everyone's meshing."
"Got it. I'll chat tonight, but scoping first ain't bad."
"Take care, Suhyun."
"Yep. See you at dinner."
I left Jeong Suhyun on the second floor. Kim Jungshik was handling watches and the rest.
'Quick workers.'
Glancing out the window, I spotted the glasses guy standing guard. Kim Inho must've drawn first shift. He stared rigidly outside, tension palpable even from here.
'No issues there.'
Not the type anyway. I headed to the first floor, confirming him along the way.
"!!!!!"
"!!!!!"
Passing a second-floor room, I felt the commotion. The food storage room.
'What's up.'
Peeking in: Kim Yunjin and Choi Yuri stacking food, with Section Chief Choi and Officer Joo.
Meal duty and summoners gathered.
The rear officer spoke.
"So we summon here hourly?"
"Yeah. But what meat cuts?"
"Oh, I pick. Beef, chicken, pork, duck—most anything."
"Sync to mornings at 7, cooldown every 6 hours. D-rank, right? Second-floor fridge. Yuri too."
"Yeah. Safe to eat?"
"Eat up. Melons... No fruit summoner at Northdong Station?"
"Well..."
Kim Yunjin's question hung. Officer Joo clammed up; Section Chief Choi deflected.
"There was... no, issues. Anyway, fruits! Haven't had any in forever. Officer, try some."
"Sure. But shouldn't we share with the boss and everyone?"
"Plenty. Eat, fridge next door has pre-summons— Leader!"
Kim Yunjin spotted me, waving wildly. The others turned, resting from summons.
The cheery vibe faded; awkward glances from Section Chief Choi and Officer Joo.
"Uh. Looking good. Carry on."
I moved on, not wanting to kill the mood. No need to meddle in good work.
"C'mon, Leader, don't be shy—check this out."
"Huh?"
Kim Yunjin hooked my arm, pulling me close. The men chuckled; Choi Yuri stifled a giggle.
"Cool, right?"
Atmosphere loosened. Kim Yunjin gestured at the spread.
"This is dinner."
"Tons here."
All our food piled up, varied: retorts, Yuri's fruits, and...
"Pork belly?"
"Yeah. Not much, but only grillable stuff."
Section Chief Choi's summon sat plump on the table—maybe a pound, enough for bits each.
"And we can finally have pot rice."
Kim Yunjin chattered on: pots for soup, no kimchi for stew, but warm rice rocks, etc.
'Worth scavenging.'
I smiled. Section Chief and Officer awkward but blending with the girls.
'Skills differ, though.'
Kim Yunjin would transfer later—healer wasted here.
"Oh, last: fruit punch. Eat later!"
"Got it."
No stopping her bubbly ramble. I took the watermelon punch and headed out. More folks to check.
"Leader. Ugh, head..."
Jeong Dojin approached, fresh from sleep, tousling messy blond hair, tired face.
"Work?"
"Slept?"
"Yeah. Nothing to do off-shift. Cleanup done, Suhyun-hyung on watch. Girls handling food..."
Fair. Napping conserved energy.
Jeong Dojin eyed my outfit.
"Not heading out? Just patrolling?"
"Yeah, quick loop to check."
"Tough. Nothing I can help with?"
I waved it off.
"Plenty. Just being here's help."
Knowing I had a return spot and reliable people—that alone helped. Did he get it?
"Aw, still."
"If anything, Yunjin and Yuri prepping meals—help there. Better than me."
"Yuri and Yunjin-noona?! Yeah! On it!"
"Careful."
Rare good nature in this world. I watched him dash off, then stepped outside.
Whoosh—spring breeze. I headed via passage to the rear guard post.
Two men: one on watch outside, one spacing out in the chair.
'Shifted with Kim Inho already.'
Unmet pair, chatting quietly. Barely noticed me.
The spacer spoke.
"Deputy, I wanna go home."
Voice drained.
"...Country's gone. House intact?"
Weaker reply. Sigh familiar.
"Still. Gunshots earlier. Thought I'd die crossing."
"Me too, Officer Hwang. Hellish."
"Never again."
Lee Deputy and Hwang Officer. Spears or blunts per Kim Jungshik. Old city spooked 'em.
'Fair. Shithole.'
I hated it too. ...Had to go soon.
Yawning Lee said:
"Not your shift. Hour late?"
Hwang sighed.
"Weird mood."
"Weird how?"
Hwang stretched, grimacing.
"Day changed everything. Kids whining at dinner routine. World this quiet? Sick of brats, moms snapping."
"Watch it."
Lee glanced around. Hwang waved laughing.
"Who cares. Boss and rest think same. Light watch duty bliss. Solo shifts sucked, right? Why we followed quiet."
"Mind words. Bad terms. Day birds hear, night rats."
Lee hushed urgently. Hwang louder.
"Let 'em hear. Ruined world. Suhyun-hyung too. Home? Monsters sides, raiders invade, insiders chaos. Park Donghyuk politicking like king."
"True..."
"No booze? Off-days? Wine only, no watch—still villains."
"Yeah..."
"Contract too. Us producers with Chief, Officer. Kids excuse, break promises, hush—fuck."
"......"
"Boss here normal. Hundred times Park. Blunt: trust or die. Real man."
Kim Jungshik spot-on. Men's gripes peaked. Without me, internal strife likely.
'Flattering me's much.'
Burden heavy. Hwang's words cringy.
"..."
"Suhyun-hyung right? Glad out. Fresh air, sane folk. Station full smashables. Timing perfect. Boss quick."
Hwang summoned/canceled blunt.
"...Best: no parents nagging."
Voice dropped.
"Hwang—no, Jinseok."
Listening Lee spoke.
"You okay?"
"Fine. Just... lying. That day haunts. What if better power? Leave? Station rage buried it, but parents hit hard. Sick, hurts—think folks, right?"
"They fine. Yours, mine."
"Worried sick."
"Phones dead."
"Haha, Suhyun-hyung too nice. Why miss it? Not close then. Wanna hook you with girls. Dead. Hahaha! Life sucks!"
"Uh... well..."
"Company, country's fucked! Hear it! Scream, hyung!"
"Ha... ha... I gotta watch outside."
"Fine. Me then! Hahaha. Ha... fuck."
Hwang Jinseok's laugh, Lee Jeongsu's awkwardness—I turned away.
No joining weird duo's ha-ha-ho-ho.
And...
'Internal issues settled.'
Our Love Church would run smooth. Unseen vice-leader, Kim Inho—no issues by age/skills.
Plus...
'Chatting but alert.'
Strong youths: no troublemaking intent. Willing to follow orders.