Wear the Mask (3)
“This way... you say?”
Bae Young-ho stared blankly in the direction Go Cheon-su was pointing.
“How do you know there's something there?”
Because the mask detector is pointing right at it.
Still, Go Cheon-su understood why Bae Young-ho was skeptical.
It'd be weird not to be.
A guy who knew nothing about the ship was telling them where to go—it was ridiculous no matter how you sliced it.
“So, should I just guide you there?”
“Guiding's not hard...”
But the other crew members, though hesitant, weren't showing the same level of wariness as before.
As the viewers said, his strategy during the red zombie swarm had clearly paid off.
“This way.”
While the crew showed varied reactions, the engineer stepped forward first to lead the path.
“Let's go, Heukgu.”
Go Cheon-su followed without further delay.
“Ah! Wait for us!”
Bae Young-ho yelped in surprise and hurried after him with the other crew.
The group arrived at an atmospherically decorated restaurant.
“The kitchen?”
Go Cheon-su tilted his head slightly while checking the mask detector.
Premium Dustproof Masks x5. Right in front of you.
The arrow pointed straight toward the kitchen.
Why the hell would masks be in a place like this?
As he pondered, Bae Young-ho glanced at him and asked.
“Hey, uh, what's that thing anyway?”
He'd probably noticed it wasn't actually a pocket watch despite the appearance.
“Oh, this?”
Go Cheon-su snapped the mask detector shut.
“Pocket watch.”
“Huh?”
Bae Young-ho muttered in disbelief.
“But it doesn't look like a watch...”
“Does that matter right now? Finding what we need does.”
Go Cheon-su slung an arm around Bae Young-ho's shoulders and murmured low.
“Monsters could pop up anytime, anywhere. You're a veteran crew member who knows this ship inside out, right, Mr. Bae?”
“V-veteran...”
“Better than me, at least. Right or wrong?”
Caught off guard, Bae Young-ho swallowed hard but nodded slightly.
“Right? You know it well?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I guess I have to trust you.”
Go Cheon-su spoke earnestly.
“As you saw, I'm good at fighting monsters. But I don't know much about this ship.”
“Mm.”
“So guide us well, yeah?”
Go Cheon-su flashed a smile.
“I'll help save this ship you care about so much.”
If their wariness came from overzealous loyalty to the ship and captain, building teamwork wasn't hard.
Show off his skills as a new member, then respect what they valued.
“Ah.”
Of course, Go Cheon-su wouldn't care if it didn't work—but luckily, Bae Young-ho wasn't that unreasonable.
“Yeah, sure. I mean...”
Hesitant but accepting the dynamic Go Cheon-su proposed.
“Good, Mr. Bae. Shall we?”
Go Cheon-su brushed past the engineer at the front and entered the kitchen first.
The place was a mess of spilled ingredients and scattered utensils, clear signs of chaos.
Where would masks be in here...?
As Go Cheon-su scanned around, the engineer approached.
“Mr. Go, maybe over there?”
An iron door stood where he pointed.
“There? What's that?”
“Utility storage.”
The engineer looked confident.
“Perfect spot for emergency supplies, whatever they are.”
“Got it.”
Go Cheon-su moved toward it immediately, the engineer following.
“But how'd you know masks were around here?”
“Oh, that.”
Go Cheon-su answered calmly, unfazed.
“Song Hana said to check this area.”
“Huh?”
“Said the chefs were safety nuts, stocked extra emergency gear.”
Lame excuse, but it didn't matter. Just find the masks.
Axe raised, Go Cheon-su pressed against the storage door.
“Hm.”
Peering through the small window revealed nothing special—just shelves lined up.
Knock knock.
He tapped the door.
Grrraaah.
A zombie inside slowly rose.
“Yeah, figured there'd be one in a spot like this.”
Go Cheon-su hefted his axe and turned to the engineer.
“Engineer, if you would.”
“Ah, sure.”
The engineer gripped the door and nodded.
One, two...
“Three!”
As he flung it open, the zombie lunged at Go Cheon-su.
Crunch!
No contest. The axe buried into its neck.
Thud.
Pulling it free from the collapsing zombie, the engineer marveled.
“Like before—you're amazing. No hesitation...”
“Can't hesitate.”
Zombies charged mindlessly at sight of humans. Better act first than get grabbed.
“Let's see...”
Go Cheon-su entered and checked the shelves.
“Whoa, you guys see this too, right?”
Go Cheon-su sighed at the mask bags on display.
“They're really here.”
Easily over ten. Enough for everyone here and spares.
“Mr. Go, you okay?”
“Yeah, fine. Hang on.”
Replying to the engineer, he inspected them.
Basically gas masks...
Two breathing filters like oxygen tanks, plus goggles. Packaging promised solid dust filtration.
Woof!
Enough masks for the group secured.
But seeing Heukgu bounding in, Go Cheon-su sighed.
Over ten, but none for Heukgu. Human-sized masks wouldn't fit.
“Sigh, damn it.”
He frowned at Heukgu trying to enter the storage.
Woof!
Ignoring the chatter, Heukgu trotted in cheerfully.
“Food's in the fridge, man.”
As Go Cheon-su muttered guiltily,
Woof!
Heukgu went deeper and barked up at a shelf.
“No food here.”
Go Cheon-su grabbed one of the packaged masks Heukgu stared at.
“See? Just masks...”
He froze.
“What.”
Something different. The package said Dog.
“Huh...?”
Not slang—clear English instructions for dogs. Large size, for big breeds.
“What is this, guys?”
Dust masks for dogs? Unheard of.
Pet-friendly cruise...?
There was a pet shop, so yeah, dogs allowed.
But still weird. Especially Heukgu sensing his own mask.
Sip.
Scanning shelves again, Go Cheon-su's eyes widened.
Five for humans. Rest for dogs and cats, assorted sizes.
“...”
He stared at chat.
“Yeah.”
Dog masks in kitchen storage? Not normal.
“Yeah.”
Short reply, then he tore open the package and fitted the mask on Heukgu, who crouched obediently without fuss.
“No pet dog like you exists.”
Smart beyond a regular dog, but that was enough. More than enough—worth raising.
“Alright. We're going to Jeju together now.”
“Just like you said, Mr. Go.”
Turning at the sudden voice, Go Cheon-su saw the engineer sighing at the shelves.
“Plenty for us.”
He'd come in uncalled.
Go Cheon-su stood, handing over four masks.
“Share with the crew.”
Masks secured—no more delays.
“Time to save the ship.”
Escalator.
The masked group descended slowly, sighing.
“The passengers...”
“All dead?”
“Nah, not dead.”
Go Cheon-su spoke softly to the gloomy crew.
“Don't worry. Priorities first.”
No saving the sleepers. Even healthy folks struggled; these were corpses now.
“Hah, but...”
The crew hesitated seeing Go Cheon-su step over bodies.
“Just follow. Heukgu's doing it.”
At his gesture, Heukgu lightly hopped down.
Sigh.
Knowing it was unavoidable, they carefully descended with sighs.
Graaaaaah!
Repeating, a red zombie roar echoed nearby.
“That guy's smashed the elevator entrance around here. Any quiet way down?”
“Follow me.”
Bae Young-ho led at Go Cheon-su's question.
“Crew passages everywhere.”
He took point again.
“Unlocks in emergencies... not exposed, should be fine.”
Creeeak.
At a “Staff Only” door, he cautiously turned the valve.
“In.”
Checking inside, he beckoned.
The group entered, descending stairs.
“Where's this connect?”
“Everywhere below except engine room bottom.”
Meaning danger loomed soon.
Clack, clack.
Their footsteps echoed tensely.
All on edge.
Engine room—lost contact with chief. Threats rising per step.
Creak, click.
Stairs ended; Bae Young-ho eased the door.
Huff, huff.
Nothing.
He gestured the group forward.
Crack!
And it ripped right off him.