Humanity (2)
But my condition right now wasn't normal. I was even more exhausted than when I'd explored Northhyang General Hospital back then.
That's why I can't make sound judgments.
My head throbbed dully, and for a moment, I regretted not grabbing some Tylenol from Kim Jungshik. Then I turned to Lee Seoyul, who was watching me nervously.
"Sleep."
"...Pardon?"
She blinked blankly.
"Go to sleep."
The sun had long set outside. I pulled out my smartphone—past 8 PM.
Fucking exhausted.
Considering everything I'd been through today, it was no wonder. I'd gone to Northdong Station, seen the corpses, gotten ambushed, bashed people with a bat, tortured them, schemed with Jeong Suhyun, come to Southdong, killed Liberation Army bastards... rescued a woman, cleared zombies, and even entered this café.
"Um..."
"What now?"
But the woman kept calling me, full of questions. My voice sharpened naturally.
"Eek..."
She froze instantly.
Still, she didn't know what I'd done today. And from what I'd heard, Lee Seoyul was just a victim, so I could cut her some slack.
I stared at her quietly.
"Problem?"
"S-Sorry. No, it's nothing."
Quick on the uptake, she shut her mouth at my irritation. She was huddled under the tablecloth.
But I couldn't just take her "no" at face value.
"Haa..."
I sighed. I knew I was being sharp.
"Forget it. Busy day, I'm off. So, what's bothering you?"
"...Uh, ngh..."
Lee Seoyul started to speak but let out a groan.
"...You hurt somewhere?"
Come to think of it, she wasn't in good shape. Surviving at all was a miracle.
She rubbed her neck sheepishly.
"No. I was just wondering if there's water or something to eat. Sorry. I was trying to hold out..."
Food, huh. Not a big deal.
I narrowed my eyes.
"...Haven't eaten all day?"
"Y-Yes... sorry."
Grrrrowl.
Her stomach rumbled audibly.
"Ugh, sorry."
Her face flushed red.
"No need to apologize."
It's just biology. Though it probably didn't feel natural to her.
Creeeak.
I opened my bag and pulled out a rice ball—made from Manager Choi's summoned meat mixed with grains from the pharmacist's summons.
Pretty decent.
No seasoning, but millet, barley, rice, and thick sirloin made it palatable. I brushed it off and handed it to her.
"Eat."
"...Th-Thank you."
Nom nom.
She snatched it and wolfed it down. Too eagerly to notice her body was fully exposed.
Great, now she'll catch a cold and piss me off.
Thinking about it, she was naked. Spring nights were chilly, and after being left so long, her condition was obviously poor.
And she said she got hit by a guy.
I eyed her abdomen. Internal injuries were possible there.
I waited while she ate.
"......"
"......"
Silence flowed. Why feel shy after eating like it was the best thing ever?
I spoke to her.
"Now wash up and sleep."
"Pardon?"
"You gonna sleep like that?"
I gestured at her body. Nice figure, but covered in dust, blood, and grit.
"Oh."
Lee Seoyul froze, then bolted upstairs to the bathroom.
Café or not, she'd figure out the shower. I grabbed a stack of tissues and knocked on the second-floor bathroom door.
Knock knock.
Y-Yes?
Panicked voice.
"Tissues outside. Wipe down with 'em. Wrap in the tablecloth after and sleep."
Time was nearing 10 PM. I leaned against a corner sofa and closed my eyes.
Shhhh.
Water running upstairs. I listened, thinking.
Killing her was overkill.
No matter how much I separated business from personal, I wouldn't abandon a woman I'd just saved in front of me. My condition was clearly clouding my judgment.
Need to manage my health.
Body tired, mind sluggish. Not thinking straight.
I'm not sturdy. Better than Jeong Suhyun's weak ass, but below average for guys. Lately, crises piled up non-stop.
Just a recon run turned into a chain of shitshows.
And it didn't even go well.
Only real win: smashing Liberation Army's A-Point at Benefit Mart and B-Point at Southdong Office.
Thought violence would clear my head.
Felt good. Stood tall, ruthless... but no real gains. City in ruins, Yuseong University still crawling with remnants. I'd have to hunt them down, or they'd spawn a second army.
Leave 'em, and base relocation gets dicey.
Overdid it?
Still, their bases limited now—easy to find. Those high schools I eyed? Probably Liberation Army outposts too...
Click.
"...Um..."
A woman's voice suddenly in front of me.
"......"
I opened my eyes. There stood Lee Seoyul, damp all over, clutching the tablecloth as I'd said.
She stared down silently. I spoke quietly.
"...What."
"C-Can we sleep together?"
What the...
"Pardon?"
"...It's cold."
At my dumbfounded look, her body stiffened. Even in the dim light, her flushed face showed she knew it was embarrassing.
Saved or not, asking a stranger to sleep together? That phrase carried implications.
...Like, let's hook up.
Ah, so she wants to latch on.
I rubbed my head. World gone to hell, survival sex wasn't the worst strategy. Throw yourself at the strong...
Is she sane?
No.
I never told her the plan.
I'd only interrogated her. Never said what I'd do with her.
So this reaction made sense: anxiety about the future, fear of me, gratitude shaking her up. Café in apocalypse added to it. Freshly freed from kidnapping, mind mushy.
Haa.
Couldn't read her mind. Could be a spy, everything a lie. But too tired to care. Talking, moving—effort. No reason to refuse.
I spoke softly.
"...Come here."
"Okay..."
She approached quietly. I draped my outer jacket over her.
Should smell—I hadn't washed. But cold trumped it; she burrowed in.
She fidgeted but went no further. Staying put meant anything goes, I guess.
But no interest.
Because.
So damn warm.
Human heat hit, drowsiness crashed.
"...Um..."
She mumbled, but I ignored. Eyes closed naturally.
Night was quiet.
===
"Ah."
Sunlight made me blink.
"Mm..."
Lee Seoyul in my arms. I eased her onto the sofa without waking her and stood, sighing.
Hoo...
Last night's words replayed. My actions too. Scaring a kidnapped woman—pointless.
Headache gone, mind clear. Good call not deciding rashly.
Dawn sentiment?
Overexertion hangover, maybe. Holding her was smart. Not because of health, but it worked out.
Base growing, women depending on me—bad precedent.
Sex means responsibility.
Plus, meat summoner essential now. Not dumping her: wise.
But hooking up makes her my charge.
Good nothing happened.
Brain fog, but no regrets. Just lax vigilance. Fell asleep on second floor—risky spot.
Lucky: real victim, no ambush. But poor choices—from freeing her to not barring the door.
Whatever—live and learn.
I checked my phone: 6:48. Eight-plus hours. Clean up, head to church by morning.
Lots to do.
Shhhh.
Quick wash in bathroom. Packed up, emerged.
There sat Lee Seoyul, awake, awkwardly on the sofa.
"...D-Did you sleep well?"
She greeted shyly.
I replied.
"Yeah, Miss Lee Seoyul. You okay?"
Time to take her and go.