Ragged Wanderer Im Jui (4)
As Im Jui explained the situation to her group, the man with glasses pushed them up his nose and said,
"Honestly, when Jui mentioned this last month, I didn't believe her... I still can't fully believe it."
That's when I learned the astonishing fact: the Ragged Wanderer's real name was Im Jui. I'd assumed her group called her "Jui-ssi," which led to the nickname, but no—her actual name was Im Jui. What an uncanny coincidence between nickname and real name.
It was easy to see why they suffered from starvation and disease despite having such a powerful Awakener. Aside from Im Jui, the other seven were all non-combatants. Three were children, and of the four adults, two were bedridden. That meant Im Jui had to scavenge at least eight cans of canned food for minimal meals and 12 liters of water—1.5 liters per person—every single day. Impossible.
The area around here had few monsters, but it had been picked clean. Venturing to more dangerous spots with better supplies was an option, but if Im Jui left, the other seven would be defenseless against raiders or monsters—they'd all die. She couldn't stray far either. She had to grab what she could quickly and return by evening to protect them. And given Im Jui's personality, she wouldn't loot from others even if it killed her. In short, this group was slowly withering away to death.
"Unnie! Can I eat this?"
-Eat it. Wash your hands first.-
The kids drooled over the canned peaches in front of them.
"Please have the cans in the bag I brought earlier too."
-No, that's all right.-
"Just take them."
I spoke firmly, and Im Jui bowed her head before pulling a can from my eco-bag and handing it to the glasses man.
"Thank you."
He bowed to me in gratitude, then he and the woman divided up several cans into bowls to feed the patients.
"Sit up for a bit and eat this."
"Unnie... I'm sorry..."
"What are you sorry for? Eat and go back to sleep."
"Peaches are the best! Unnie, you aren't eating?"
-I already ate.-
Sure enough, I was a lost cause in this brutal world. Watching this unscripted, touching human drama brought tears to my eyes.
The one healthy man and woman, gaunt themselves, yielded their food to the kids and patients.
"Do-hyun-ssi? What's wrong? You're shaking..."
"Master! Something happened, right? Raiders after all? Quick, Dissolving Liquid Projection! There's no other way!"
"Han Byeol-ssi, go to the yard and do 100 squats. Reflect while you're at it..."
"Huh? What did I do wrong?"
"Do your squats and come back. I'll tell you then."
Han Byeol actually got up and headed to the yard to start squatting. Han Seol and I peeked through the window, giggling.
"N-Now tell me!"
True to her Awakener nature, Han Byeol finished at blinding speed and burst back inside. I described what I'd seen, and Han Seol and Han Byeol both looked saddened.
While Im Jui's group ate, we discussed what to do with them. Han Seol and Han Byeol pitied them—they were gentle folk—but especially with the Ragged Wanderer, her attitude might flip once she saw the house. It surpassed her idea of "Paradise," so once the immediate crisis passed, betrayal wasn't impossible. Han Byeol mentioned the worst case but also another angle: if we could truly win Im Jui over, she'd be immense firepower. Honestly, that power to neutralize drones in seconds tempted me too.
After over 30 minutes of debate, we reached a decision.
"We'll leave it at that for now."
Call it intuition, but even she couldn't break the barrier—drones aside. Harsh as it sounded, the moment my drones were there, the other seven became my hostages, excluding Im Jui.
"Can I call you Jui too?"
-Yes, call me whatever's comfortable.-
"I've spoken with Paradise's owner. Tomorrow at 6 a.m., I'll guide you there. Of course, I can't guarantee he'll help you."
Im Jui bowed repeatedly in thanks. I told her I'd power down the drones until morning, then chatted with the glasses man before shutting them off.
"How should I address it?"
"Just call it Drone..."
"Drone-ssi, honestly, I still can't believe in this 'Paradise'... but whether we rot away here or die there, it's the same. So I'll follow."
He gave a bitter smile. I couldn't fathom the hell he'd endured.
"Does Im Jui normally not speak?"
"I've been with her about a year, but I've never heard her talk. It's not that she can't... from what I know."
According to him, Im Jui had lived alone since childhood. After the gates, she Awakened powerfully. It wasn't a physical issue preventing speech but psychological—she couldn't converse with people, so they used notes. Surprisingly, the glasses man was a doctor, 32 years old, a rare general surgeon. He'd finished residency, become a specialist, and was prepping for military service when the gates hit.
"As a surgeon, other groups would treat you well."
"I don't want to join trash groups where only the elite get medical care."
His lips cracked from starvation, face gaunt, but conviction burned in his eyes.
"Isn't it ironic? I have medical knowledge, but no tools—not even a fever pill. I'm useless, just a bug devouring food Jui risks her life for."
"What's wrong with the bedridden ones?"
"Poor nutrition and unsanitary conditions. I've taken too much time. Sorry. I need sleep for tomorrow too."
He bowed, then wiped down the patients with damp cloths. Im Jui herded the kids for brushing teeth. I wondered why she never removed the gas mask—then realized someone who couldn't talk wouldn't show her bare face.
"I'll carry the luggage, so just follow closely."
At 6 a.m., I activated the drones. They'd finished preparing to leave. Patients rode in Im Jui's large cart; bags would be drone-carried. They'd resolved to eat their last reserves for breakfast. One drone hovered close, carrying Im Jui's mountaineering bag of gear to guide them. The other flew high, scouting for threats.
-Thank you so much.-
"Save thanks for safe arrival. Let's go."
We'd prepared too. At dawn, Han Seol and Han Byeol scouted: a decent house 15 minutes' walk away. We all agreed against bringing them inside the barrier. So they'd live there. The sisters had been collecting planks with nails and tools since dawn, building a simple shower by the backyard barrier. True Awakeners, they'd ripped a bathtub from ruins. Seeing those pretty women wielding hammers with nails in their mouths was oddly cool.
Hunger was bad, but hygiene was worse. No drinking water meant no showers. They looked like the sisters when we first found them—brushing teeth was their limit. Once the shower was done, washing them first.
The house had outdoor taps for yard work—I'd never tested them to avoid attention, filling buckets indoors secretly. No time now. Dawn test: hot and cold water flowed fine. I dragged out the 100-meter basement hose. Connected outside the barrier, infinite water supply. In exchange, I'd demand absolute loyalty from Im Jui.
After 10 hours' march, we neared home. Im Jui's group gaped at the intact three-story mansion in the distance. The glasses man muttered,
"It really exists..."
-Is that Paradise?-
"Ask the owner."
Only Lee Ha-yeon, the girl I'd fact-slapped yesterday, came without complaint. The younger two kids slept in the cart with patients.
They reached the barrier. Im Jui poked it with a finger. I recalled the drones home—her strike yesterday had dented the belly slightly. Stored on the rack, Han Seol, Han Byeol, and I went to the door.
Im Jui alone stood at the barrier; others watched from behind. She looked even smaller in person. The sisters, hearing descriptions, were stunned too.
Im Jui bowed to me and showed a pre-written note.
-Hello. I came under Drone-ssi's guidance.-
As she flipped the page, I said,
"I'm that drone's owner."
She flinched, scribbling frantically.
"No need. I already know your situation."
Silent, staring at Im Jui, the glasses man stepped forward.
"It's not—"
Han Seol snapped with a fierce glare,
"The Master is speaking with Im Jui-ssi. Don't interrupt."
Han Byeol coldly stared too. It wasn't that rude... I felt more awkward. He retreated. I cleared my throat.
"What would I take from you? No water, no food... I want one thing."
Im Jui pocketed her notepad, looking up.
"Absolute loyalty. Unwavering loyalty. Blind loyalty... Can you give that?"
Silence for seconds. She pulled out the notepad, wrote, set it down, knelt, hands on ground.
-Please wait a moment.-
After 10 seconds, she trembled. Breathing rough—she was mustering courage. We waited patiently another 30 seconds. Finally, Im Jui cried out,
"M-Mae! I p-pledge it!"
Her voice—a mid-teens girl's—left us exchanging shocked glances with the sisters.