Downpour (1)
Go Cheon-su continued his conversation with Jang Seo-yeon like that, sharing with the group everything else he'd confirmed from Kim Ha-ryeong.
"We can't relax here, folks."
There wasn't a single monster nearby. Not even the usual zombies.
"They said those things we fought at the arboretum have swarmed out here in droves."
Ents. They were still around.
"They've devoured every zombie-like bastard nearby, which is why there's nothing left. Honestly, it's a seriously dangerous situation."
This meant Ents were lurking around here too. Yang Min-cheol and Jang Seo-yeon swallowed hard at Go Cheon-su's words.
"You don't mean..."
"Yeah, that."
Go Cheon-su stepped out of the snack bar, looking at the shocked Jang Seo-yeon. A single roadside tree stood there. He grabbed the axe from his belt and hacked right into it.
Splat.
Sap burst out like blood spraying from a wound. It definitely wasn't a normal tree.
"See?"
Go Cheon-su mouthed the word silently and pointed at the tree for the people inside behind the glass. This was an Ent.
'Huh?'
He'd swung the axe just to confirm it for them, but Go Cheon-su spotted something unexpected. A red mark left on the spot where the sap was gushing out.
'This is...'
It was the same as the one that had appeared when he'd struck the lock at the arboretum. Thwack. On impulse, Go Cheon-su swung the axe at the Ent again. Another red mark appeared.
"...!"
His eyes widened as he saw it.
'2?'
The mark wasn't just a scar from the axe. It was shaped like the number 2.
'What the hell?'
Go Cheon-su was briefly confused. Then he realized it. The initial red line mark from when he'd first chopped the Ent's trunk had vanished.
Thwack!
No time to hesitate. Go Cheon-su swung the axe at the trunk once more.
3.
Staring at the new number that appeared where the 2 had been, Go Cheon-su let out a sigh.
'This is...'
It was clearly counting something.
"Go Cheon-su!"
At that moment, Jang Seo-yeon burst out again, grabbing him.
"I get what that is! But come inside first!"
She dragged the puzzled Go Cheon-su back into the snack bar and pointed at something on the counter in front of the kitchen.
It was a radio. A broadcast from someone. Go Cheon-su couldn't identify the source right away, but he quickly pieced it together.
It was the 7.5 Division.
This wasn't limited to Daejeon.
Go Cheon-su stopped listening to the radio. He swallowed dryly and asked,
"Jang Seo-yeon-ssi, where'd you find this radio?"
"Saw it on a shelf earlier and turned it on in the corner. It's battery-powered, so it's still picking up signals."
Where it came from wasn't important. The broadcast content was so absurd he'd asked pointlessly to regain his composure.
'Spreading to almost every major facility in every city?'
It was an enormous scale. Not impossible given the division's forces, but the issue was elsewhere.
'We're not the only military unit in the country...'
Acting like they were the only ones around would inevitably clash with other units. It felt off.
Go Cheon-su bit his lip slightly and glanced toward the dining tables. Kim Ha-ryeong was still standing blankly, while Yang Min-cheol was watching them nervously. Meanwhile, sap was splattering outside the glass—a bizarre harmony.
"Meal's over."
Go Cheon-su walked to the table and said quietly,
"We're heading straight to the terminal."
The viewers' concerns poured in, as expected. But Go Cheon-su was already aware.
He hadn't suddenly decided the terminal was safe.
"Don't make that face. I'm not saying we jump into the fire."
Go Cheon-su waved off Jang Seo-yeon's bitter expression, like she'd chewed something nasty.
"We'll go to just before the Daejeon Complex Terminal—not far from here. We checked the real estate offices on the way. We can stop before we get there."
"Just before?"
Yang Min-cheol asked with curious eyes.
"You've got another plan, right?"
"Yeah, something like that."
As Go Cheon-su chuckled dryly at the more proactive Yang Min-cheol—perhaps from surviving death—Kim Ha-ryeong raised her hand.
"Mind sharing the plan? I really don't wanna meet soldiers. You get that, right?"
"She's already one of us, huh."
Go Cheon-su explained without further delay to the bold Kim Ha-ryeong voicing her opinion.
"A car."
"A car?"
"Yeah, automobile. Wheels."
There was no way to get transport around here. Sure, parked cars dotted the area, but no way to start them. Reality wasn't a movie. A universal key from a supply box would've been nice, but he'd only gotten an axe.
"Think about it—this radio isn't just for us."
But there was always a way.
"Other people are hearing it too and agonizing over it."
Stay in this safe spot? Or head to the station or terminal hoping for military help? Some might pick the former, but plenty would choose the latter.
"People heading to the station will have cars. Obviously."
"Steal 'em?"
Kim Ha-ryeong looked a bit troubled.
"Nightingale Pledge makes hurting others tough."
"Hard to believe."
She'd seemed capable of scary stuff at first.
As Go Cheon-su made a baffled face, Kim Ha-ryeong's eyes widened.
"It's true."
"Got it."
"Believe me."
"I said got it. Calm down."
Her shadowed under-eyes fixed on him made him flinch a bit. Go Cheon-su soothed her and continued.
"Anyway, we won't steal from others. If we can help it."
"Then?"
Jang Seo-yeon walked over, cutting in.
"Get an abandoned one?"
"Exactly."
Go Cheon-su gave her a thumbs-up.
"People heading into the station will leave their cars. We snag one."
"Keys?"
"Ask the folks going in."
Simple.
"...Uh, hey."
Jang Seo-yeon asked, sensing something off.
"What if they won't give 'em?"
"Then we borrow by force."
Go Cheon-su smiled brightly, as if there was no worry.
Kim Ha-ryeong raised her hand again.
"Isn't that hurting people?"
"Nah, not at all."
Just forcing the keys. A bit of pain maybe, but not harm. A crystal-clear plan, yet the reactions were subtle.
"Guys, this is a solid plan. No one's dying. Unless they deserve it."
As Go Cheon-su admired his own scheme, Yang Min-cheol stood from the table, gripping it.
"Okay. Got it, hyung."
He didn't question the plan long.
"You saved me, so I'm good wherever you go."
"I did save you."
"I'll prep right now."
Ignoring Kim Ha-ryeong's mutter, Yang Min-cheol stretched for departure.
Seeing that, Jang Seo-yeon sighed.
"Fine, whatever. No other options anyway. Let's go snag a car somehow."
Consensus reached. Go Cheon-su looked at the table. The heaps of food were long gone. He smiled.
"Yeah, let's roll."
They'd filled up plenty.
Whoooosh.
The streets were still empty. Wind-swept leaves filled the deserted roads.
'Creepy.'
Knowing Ents hid among the roadside trees gave Go Cheon-su chills.
"Ha-ryeong, how far to the destination?"
The sky was darkening. Not quite night, but rain loomed.
Kim Ha-ryeong pointed ahead at Go Cheon-su's question.
"One alley after that corner."
The reason Go Cheon-su was leading the group to Kim Ha-ryeong's place was simple.
'Getting too dark.'
Clouds blocked the sun. That alone was fine, but turning inky black made him uneasy. The countless roadside trees lining the streets. Ents rose at night, but would they hunt if darkness fell like night?
"Almost there. Hang in just a bit longer."
Thankfully, her place was close. As the group followed her reassuring words like soothing a patient,
"...Fuck, where is it!"
A shout erupted ahead. Go Cheon-su grabbed Kim Ha-ryeong's nape and pulled her into a nearby alley.
'What the?'
The rest followed his urgent gesture, hiding deep in the alley.
'People?'
Go Cheon-su peeked out alone to assess.
"Damn, wrong spot."
"Fucking sucks."
"Direction's right at least. Let's go."
Young guys. Around Kim Ha-ryeong's age, he guessed.
Sure enough, tattoos covered their bodies. Could be a hobby, but spitting on the street and glaring around wildly bred prejudice.
"Everyone, wait a sec before moving."
Go Cheon-su whispered to the group.
"...What kinda guys?"
"Not sure yet."
Replying to Jang Seo-yeon, he kept watching.
"But best not tangle."
The guys consulted and vanished. Go Cheon-su exhaled softly. A few guys' strength didn't scare him—he had power now. But shady behavior meant avoid if possible. Who knew what could happen.
"Alright, everyone. Follow carefully again."
Kim Ha-ryeong led at his gesture. The rest trailed warily, scanning around.
"We're here."
Destination in sight. Kim Ha-ryeong pointed at the ground.
"Right here."
Her finger pointed to a manhole cover.