Generously Stock the Warehouse - 8
"Hold on a sec."
I didn't think it was dangerous. I quietly cracked open the door and slipped into the convenience store. And right then, a massive gunshot exploded right next to me.
"Eek!"
Startled, I urgently dodged backward. Several bullets slammed into the wall with a rattle.
"Oh..."
I couldn't help but smile inwardly in satisfaction. I knew I was strong, but confirming it like this—I can dodge bullets with my speed—felt different somehow.
"Excuse me. I'm not here to hurt you."
"A... a man?"
I peeked around the corner into the store and spotted a girl huddled against the frozen foods aisle, terrified out of her mind.
"Hello. Were you here first?"
"I don't know who sent you... but I'm not going back. I won't go back..."
She kept the gun trained on me, her body trembling as she stared.
"I just wanted to grab some supplies. That okay with you?"
Honestly, guns didn't scare me anymore. I'm strong. A couple of high-speed metal slugs wouldn't even scratch me. But I didn't want to waste her bullets pointlessly. Firing inside might damage the stock anyway.
"Th-that, uh, um..."
She was terrified. Her hands shook like leaves in the wind, and her eyes couldn't meet mine straight on.
"It's okay. I won't hurt you. No plans to drag you anywhere either."
I spoke calmly, carefully soothing her.
"Do you need all these supplies? Is it desperate?"
She shook her head firmly, lips pressed tight.
"Just... don't tell anyone I'm here. Please don't take me away..."
"Ah. Of course."
The girl had wounds here and there, and she looked like she hadn't eaten properly lately—her condition wasn't great. If possible, I'd have taken her home, fed her a full meal, and let her rest. But right now, she'd probably see it as a kidnapping attempt.
Well, with the food here, she won't be in immediate danger...
Food wasn't an issue. I didn't know if she could last forever, but she wouldn't starve to death anytime soon. Elite monsters might be trouble, but regular zombies? She could handle those with her rifle.
"Hmm..."
I'd planned to take as much as I could from the store, but with someone already here, I didn't want to strip it bare. I grabbed a few unique lunchboxes and cup ramens exclusive to this place, then bid the trembling girl farewell.
"I'm heading out. Take care."
She watched me with shaky eyes.
"..."
"If you ever need help—"
"No. I'm fine. Please go."
I flashed an awkward smile and left the store.
"No trouble at all? Who was it?"
"Dunno. Just a little girl. Had a rifle, though."
"Ha, funny. That's why you only grabbed this much?"
"Not much left anyway. Felt bad taking it all."
"Such a softie..."
Back in the car, I tilted my head, thinking about the girl.
"She did ask me to keep her presence here a secret, though... Wonder why."
An Sua, sitting shotgun, gasped dramatically.
"Ah... ah! Master wouldn't know. What kind of place Anseongu is."
"Huh?"
"It's super dangerous here, right? Master might not realize, but others have to run from even a single elite monster."
"Is... it?"
"That's why lots of fugitives hide here. No one chases you this far, no matter the crime."
Han Seohee gave a bitter chuckle from the back seat, eyeing me.
"Me too, and probably her. She's running from something."
"A fugitive, huh."
It didn't click easily. The danger here, or needing to flee something. But if that was her situation, her trembling made sense.
"Anyway, she'll manage. Let's keep doing our thing."
Stocking the warehouse generously, helping others. We still needed more for district liberation, so focus there for now.
"Maybe swing by the orphanage again in a couple days..."
The sun was setting. I drove skillfully home with the supplies. Life here was stabilizing bit by bit.
The orphanage director had too much to do.
Of course, the older kids handled minor chores. But most fell to her.
Yeowon cut back on sleep to manage, with little rest.
This was one rare break.
"Ahh..."
Up on the rooftop, she gazed at the city. Not a tall building, so visibility was limited, but her eyes and scope caught plenty.
Scouting time. Checking surroundings periodically to spot threats to the orphanage early.
She scanned the empty streets daily. Mostly zombies, nothing else—but not today.
People. A girl who'd been at the orphanage until recently.
"...She's alive."
Yeowon knew her well. The orphanage's peril, her flight from where she belonged—all because of that girl.
But Yeowon couldn't blame her. She'd "gently coaxed" the anxious girl there, "persuaded" the fight-hating her to learn combat. All Yeowon's fault.
The tragedy, the current pain—born from Yeowon's contradictions.
Simply because she wasn't a good person.
...Huh?
Lost in thought, Seon Yeowon spotted a vehicle on the road.
"...Hm?"
They reached the mart supply point near the orphanage. Not too far, but gathering people there and returning meant risking lives.
If kids died en route, Yeowon couldn't forgive herself. Or if she died, the thirty kids left would slowly perish.
He entered the mart.
"Delivering more supplies..."
Scope maxed, Yeowon peered at his face.
Briefly. He exited the car quick, entered the mart; she glimpsed only his back.
"..."
They seemed like a beautiful family. You could feel the love.
Not fawning in fear. Not flaunting "in his arms" for show. Not tormenting women to sate conquest. Not using them for chores.
Kids from such a couple would grow loved, smiling wrinkle-free.
Unlike orphanage kids, promised only grim futures.
Man and women vanished inside, shopping.
But Yeowon kept watching the entrance.
...
She knew. His kindness and love wouldn't extend to all women. Low chance they'd warmly accept her kids.
Still, she wanted hope. To imagine.
He emerged. Handsome as first sight—like an ancient media idol, not real.
Staring blankly through the scope, she felt his gaze lock on her.
...Hm?
Illusion. Or at this distance, spotting a person wasn't odd.
No need for unease, Yeowon thought.
Until checking the car's direction.
...This way?
She'd long confirmed his home. But the car headed not there.
Toward the orphanage.
To deliver new supplies. To bestow more "grace" on Yeowon, out of trade leverage.
Her face filled with anxiety.