Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: The Savior's Hidden Price
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After clearing away the toppled shelves and opening the door, the first impression of the man she faced was a relaxed smile.
A mad world where people devoured people.
A serene face that didn't look like someone struggling to survive in such a world.
All the survivors she'd briefly encountered so far had shown traces of exhaustion, no matter how brightly they smiled.
But the man who introduced himself as Lee Seo-ho greeted her with a calm smile that held no hint of even that faint weariness.
"That was close. Good thing I was passing by nearby."
"...Y-yes, thank you... really, thank you. You saved my life."
Was it because he was a man?
Lee Seo-ho had casually taken out the two zombies outside the door and pulled Grace from the warehouse.
By the time they stepped outside, there were no signs of the zombies or any traces of a fight.
Not even a wrinkle on his clothes.
'What kind of magic was that...?'
Though she believed in God, she couldn't describe the unbelievable scene with any word other than "magic."
And even...
'A pleasant scent...'
The faint shampoo fragrance she'd gone so long without smelling.
As Lee Seo-ho approached her side, the nostalgic shampoo scent from the peaceful old world wafted over.
Come to think of it, not only was his face serene, but his appearance was impeccably neat.
Not a single smudge on his face, his clothes as crisp and clean as if freshly bought from a mall.
Everything about him felt alien to her.
In a world where even survival was a struggle.
Lee Seo-ho standing before her now looked mysteriously like he'd just stepped out of the once-happy world.
"...Are you perhaps an angel?"
"Huh?"
That's why Grace stared at him blankly and murmured without thinking.
Lee Seo-ho responded with a puzzled expression.
It didn't take long to realize her absentminded mutter was nonsense.
"N-no! Sorry! ...I was just out of sorts from all the fear earlier."
"I understand. You were trapped, after all."
He smiled kindly at her odd remark and carried on as if nothing happened.
His consideration touched her and made her a bit embarrassed, causing her heart to flutter.
'I shouldn't feel this way...'
She had sworn to become a bride of God, yet she found herself feeling girlish emotions toward this miraculous man who saved her.
But she couldn't help it.
A man who saved her as if sent by God at the moment of death.
Handsome and neat in appearance, gentle in personality.
'Any woman would fall for him...'
Even as a nun, she was still just one human.
Born a woman, she couldn't help being drawn to an attractive man.
She simply had to suppress her instincts, as per her vow of chastity to the Lord.
'Come to think of it... do I smell?'
Standing next to the impeccably clean Lee Seo-ho made her worry about her own appearance and scent.
She maintained basic hygiene using stream water, but it might still be unpleasant to someone smelling of shampoo.
Glancing at him anxiously, his expression remained gentle.
So gentle it made her wonder how he could look like that in this world.
And unlike his refined looks, he skillfully built a fire.
He improvised a large can as a fire pit to keep the restaurant from catching, then lit it with a lighter from his bag.
The dim restaurant interior filled with soft firelight.
Watching him, she finally thought of him as just another survivor in this ruined world.
After boiling water over the small fire, Lee Seo-ho handed Grace a cup of warm coffee and asked the questions on his mind.
"But is Grace your baptismal name? ...You're a nun, right?"
"Ah, yes."
"Were you staying nearby?"
"Yes, at the church I attended before the pandemic... still there."
She blew gently on the warm coffee he offered, bringing her small lips to it.
'It's warm... and sweet.'
The coffee had a hint of honey, making it fragrant and deliciously sweet.
As the warm drink entered her chilled body, her tension melted away, leaving her drowsy and relaxed.
'How long has it been since I felt like this...'
Pushing herself to the limit for the children, she'd forgotten when she'd last had such peaceful time.
It was miraculous.
The situation hadn't changed at all, but that one cup of coffee made her feel like the old days were back.
"Taking care of the kids like that... you must have had it rough."
"No, it's no different from you, Seo-ho, or anyone else."
"No way. Protecting just yourself is hard enough in this world—five kids? That's entirely different."
They shared simple meals from the rations he divided and talked about each other.
When she recounted protecting the children, Lee Seo-ho's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Things she'd done thinking they were just what she had to do.
Grace felt like she was being rewarded for all her hardships.
Sipping her coffee shyly, Lee Seo-ho, who had been quiet for a moment, cautiously spoke up.
"Um... if it's okay with you, Grace."
He dropped his usual relaxed smile and looked at her with serious eyes.
"Would you like to stay with me at my place?"
"...Pardon?"
An unexpected proposal.
As he said, in a world where surviving alone was tough, taking in five kids and a frail woman meant shouldering a burden.
So Grace hadn't held any such expectations for him.
She was simply grateful for the rescue and the bit of food.
"R-really? You'd be okay with that?"
"Yes, our base has plenty of food. Six more would be no problem."
"Really...?"
His words were like a miracle, sweet to her ears.
Overwhelmed with emotion at the gracious offer, tears welled up in Grace's eyes.
"Sob, th-thank you...! Thank you so much, Seo-ho...! You must be a blessing from the Lord...!"
To her, Lee Seo-ho's willingness to help without hesitation was no different from an angel.
But Lee Seo-ho waved his hand as if her words were burdensome.
"I'm not that grand a person. I'm not taking you in for free, of course."
He would provide food and shelter in exchange for something.
But at his proposal, Grace beamed.
"Yes, of course! I wouldn't dream of taking food for free without shame!"
Cleaning, laundry, manual labor—she could do anything.
No matter what it was.
Without him, her future was bleak anyway.
Even though he'd saved her, after finishing today's canned goods, she'd have to risk her life scavenging again.
One wrong move, and her death would lead to the children's.
A tightrope walk.
She felt endless gratitude toward Lee Seo-ho for pulling her from that wire.
Whatever he asked, she'd do any hard task with a smile.
It would be less painful than watching starving children.
. . .
"Sister—!"
"Sis—!"
The sun had just risen; it was still early morning.
Lee Seo-ho loaded Grace into the van he'd arrived in and headed to the church where she was staying.
Entering the church, the children—who hadn't slept out of worry for her—rushed over and hugged her all at once.
They seemed happier about her safety than the food.
Watching them, Lee Seo-ho could indirectly sense how dearly Grace cherished the children.
"Shall we pack your things quickly, then?"
He approached Grace amid the touching reunion and said that.
Only then did the children notice Lee Seo-ho, widening their tired eyes and asking her.
"Things...?"
"Sister, who's this uncle?"
Afterward, Grace packed their meager belongings with the kids and boarded Lee Seo-ho's van.
The van took only zombie-free, safe routes, driving smoothly.
Grace found it astonishing.
How did he choose paths with so few zombies?
If she could do that, scavenging for food would be easier.
Feeling awe toward Lee Seo-ho again as she enjoyed her first drive in ages, she arrived at the department store.
Faced with it, her amazement reached a whole new level; she could only gape.
Lee Seo-ho led Grace and the children inside through the 4th-floor parking lot.
He took them down to the 3rd floor, showed them his living space, and introduced his women.
Grace couldn't hide her shock at the bright lights and the sight of them playing games on a large TV.
'How is there electricity...'
Power had gone out long ago with the zombie outbreak.
Yet his group used electricity as if it were natural.
And the next surprise was...
"Mister! Huh...? New people?"
"Kids too? Hyun-seo will love it."
"As expected of brother Seo-ho... so kind."
Women as neat and beautiful as Lee Seo-ho.
All of them stunningly pretty, beyond ordinary people.
None showed worry or concern on their faces, just like him.
Afterward, Grace was introduced to the group through Lee Seo-ho.
"Shall we start with showers? We'll prepare food in the meantime."
"...Pardon? Showers...?"
She tilted her head, unable to comprehend his suggestion.
Her question was soon answered in an unbelievable space he guided her to.
"Th-this... is a b-bathhouse?"
"Use it freely. Shampoo and body wash are over there, towels..."
Seeing the steamy hot bathhouse, Grace felt like she was dreaming.
Things she'd thought she'd never see again until death.
Especially the overflowing tub of hot water—beyond her wildest dreams.
Spacious enough for her and all the kids.
"Haaa..."
Washing clean and sinking into the hot water relaxed her muscles, bringing blissful sensations.
Hearing the kids splash and giggle, she almost wondered if the zombie apocalypse was a dream—this was pure happiness.
But the surprises didn't end there.
Still dazed by the clean, fresh feeling she hadn't known in ages, Grace was led by Lee Seo-ho to the 5th floor as she emerged.
The 5th floor was the men's clothing section; he'd cleared a space, filling it with sofas and beds.
"I-is it really okay to live here?"
"Yes, no one's using this floor, so make yourselves at home. Let me know if you need anything. Oh, and about meals..."
Unlike the church, the 5th floor looked clean and cozy.
He'd even wired electricity from the 3rd floor for small appliances.
"Ah, perfect timing."
As the kids happily claimed beds and played, Lee Seo-ho looked toward the rattling sound.
A woman introduced earlier as Yoo Ha-yeon approached, pushing a silver cart.
"You must be hungry? I made plenty—if it's not enough, just say so."
"Huh? Wh-what is this..."
"Wow! Food!"
"Steam's rising!"
What she brought was the meal he'd mentioned.
But nothing like what Grace had imagined.
She'd pictured simple cans or crackers.
On the cart: steaming kimchi stew, various seasoned vegetable side dishes, hot rice, and fried eggs.
Unsure of the kids' tastes, it seemed a safe Korean combo no one would hate.
'And even pork in it...'
Where on earth did they get these ingredients?
Grace was beyond surprise—utterly baffled.
Electricity could be solar, water possible with power.
But food? Impossible to comprehend logically.
The side dishes weren't canned; all fresh, newly made.
A miracle she could only attribute to Lee Seo-ho being a heaven-sent angel.
If this wasn't a miracle, what was?
"Um, Seo-ho..."
After feeding the exhausted kids and putting them to sleep, Grace cautiously called for him.
Using the walkie-talkie he'd given her—"tell me if you need anything"—he came up to the 5th floor personally.
They sat at a table a bit away from the sleeping kids.
Facing him, Grace fidgeted restlessly, looking at him carefully.
What he'd given her today.
Safe, clean shelter; hot bath; fresh food.
Having received all that, gratitude gave way to fear on her face.
She'd never imagined such luxury in this ruined world.
Her conscience stung at repaying such grace with mere labor.
"Thank you so much for today. This precious space and food for me and the children."
The grace felt burdensome, but she bowed her head in thanks first.
"B-but... I wonder if it's okay to accept all this so readily."
Even if he had the ability and resources.
In a zombie apocalypse, these were priceless.
Not something to give lightly to someone met by chance yesterday.
At her worried words, Lee Seo-ho grinned and replied.
"Don't feel too burdened. I told you—it's not free."
"Yes, I'll work hard to repay it all. ...But it's too much for labor alone..."
Though he said not to worry, Grace bowed her head slightly, unable to shake it off.
Lee Seo-ho tilted his head at her words.
"Hm? Ah... seems like there's a misunderstanding..."
"Pardon? What..."
"What I want from you in return. I have no intention of making you work, Grace."
"B-but! Without work, how can I repay your grace...!"
"Don't worry. You can give me something even more precious than what I've given you."
He gestured to calm the anxious Grace and smiled gently.
His serene smile puzzled her instead.
Seeing her innocent expression, Lee Seo-ho smirked, stood up.
He quietly moved behind the staring Grace.
And lightly placed his hand on her slender shoulder.
As the man's firm, large hand covered her shoulder, Grace flinched in surprise and looked up at him.
"Se-ho...?"
His gaze now seemed sly, different from the smiles before.
Under his leering eyes that roamed her body, Grace's pupils trembled instinctively.
"Eek...!"
Just a casual touch on her shoulder.
Yet her heart raced, her face flushed red, breath coming ragged.
For some reason, a story came to mind.
The devil tempting the Lord's followers.
Always in a seductive, beautiful form.
As that tale surfaced, Grace gazed at Lee Seo-ho caressing her shoulder inescapably.
Perhaps he wasn't a grace from God.
But a trial sent by Him.
With that thought, Grace's eyes wavered under his temptation.