Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Cult Hospitality
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The name of the guy I'd helped was Park Byung-seok.
Not that it mattered much, but anyway.
Thanks to assisting this low-rank slave guy everyone called "Boss Park," I made a pretty good impression on my fellow slaves right from day one.
Maybe the affinity boost from my Charm Gaze played a part too.
"What did you do before the pandemic?"
"Just a college student. Nothing special."
"Man, I figured you had some field experience since you handle work so well."
"This guy's got that college education—smart guys like him just do jobs better."
People approached me with unusual friendliness.
Sure, helping Park definitely helped.
*But this vibe... feels oddly familiar somehow.*
Lunchtime after morning work.
We quickly wolfed down our meager rations and gathered around the bonfire for some chit-chat.
In the group, folks were especially kind and open with me.
A far cry from the guarded distance with Kim Tae-young earlier.
I realized what it was thanks to a comment from some uncle blabbing nearby.
"Still, a guy like Seo-ho joining us is all thanks to the Leader's grace. Heh heh."
It was straight-up cult fanatic praise for the Leader.
He praised the Leader—who rejects men and works them like bottom-tier slaves—while patting my shoulder.
The other guys around nodded with pleasant smiles.
*Ah, so that's it.*
That's when I pinpointed the source of that weird feeling.
It was like the vibe from those folks who suddenly strike up conversations on city streets.
You know, the ones asking if you know the "Way."
They're always super nice to strangers.
That classic cult kindness.
These guys were endlessly kind to fellow believers within their religious bubble.
And they extended the same to a newbie like me.
In other words, they were just as deep into the cult as the women here.
But it didn't feel too bad.
Even if the fanatic topics and creepy smiles grated a bit.
Actually, it worked in my favor.
*This'll make things smoother.*
People who've bought into one obsession tend to fall for another easily.
"Ah, gotta hit the bathroom real quick..."
"Yeah, yeah, go ahead."
I seized the moment to slip away from the group.
*Bonding with them: check. Now the real issue...*
Lost in thought, chin in hand as I walked, I locked eyes with her.
Yoon Ji-hye.
She glared at me with narrowed round eyes, arms crossed.
Our eyes met, but she didn't look away—staring intently.
"Ha, haha..."
I responded with a deliberate dumb grin and a slight bow.
Only then did Yoon Ji-hye finally avert her gaze.
*The only thing left is dealing with that bitch somehow.*
Should I just wait for night and pounce?
As I mulled it over—
"Hey!"
"Eek."
Thud.
Someone called out casually and bumped into my shoulder.
It was Kim Tae-young.
The same-age guy I'd just gotten friendly with.
"Bathroom? Let's go together."
"Nah, we're not girls."
"What's wrong with that? Been a while since I hung with someone my age—could be fun."
Kim Tae-young followed with his usual chummy smile.
What the hell?
With a personality like his, he'd be the center of attention around that bonfire, cracking jokes and drawing people in.
But he's zeroing in on me...
I found out why while we were pissing in the slaves' outhouse.
"You... don't really buy into this religion, do you? You came here for some reason too."
His sharp guess cut through as he grinned with that friendly face, freezing me solid.
Seeing my expression, Kim Tae-young smirked.
These types are sharper than they look.
How the hell did he know?
"You eyed that ration we got earlier like it pissed you off, and you kept scanning around during work."
"You some kinda Holmes? Why're you watching me so close? Kinda creepy..."
I recoiled in genuine disgust.
Being eyed by a guy feels off, especially friendly interest without bad vibes.
...Wait, the bathroom?
"You nuts? Not like that. Just..."
Kim Tae-young finished up, paused his words, and quietly washed his hands.
He turned his back, shook them dry, buying time like he was sorting his thoughts.
Then he faced me, serious.
"I came here on purpose too, for a reason. Once I achieve my goal, I'm out."
That was unexpected.
"...Your goal—the girl in that photo?"
"Yeah, came here to find her. Been here about a week."
So not someone he came with and lost, but someone already here—he tracked her down.
We kept walking slowly after leaving the outhouse, continuing the talk.
"Who is she? Girlfriend?"
"Nah, though she's that precious. We've been tight since kids."
Classic childhood friend.
Kim Tae-young cautiously spilled his story next.
"We were part of a survivor group at K Middle School, a bit away from here."
K Middle School... first I'd heard of it.
Middle schools are everywhere, so no surprise. I'll ask Ia-rin about the location later.
"We were doing alright there, teaming up with people. Even found a stable food source."
"Stable? How?"
"Stumbled on two trucks full of food. Plus, someone with farming know-how, so we're trying potatoes and such."
I was pretty shocked.
Zombie outbreak was only a few months ago.
If they're farming, that's basically settled in.
As long as they have solid zombie defenses.
Kim Tae-young's group might be the first humans adapting to this zombie world.
Excluding freaks like me or the Leader.
"Things were good at the school... but she got dragged here while I was out scouting. So I came looking."
Short version: that was it.
Like me, Kim Tae-young was an infiltrator.
*Looks like he's the leader of that middle school crew.*
I clocked it right away from the story.
Social skills to befriend anyone easily, sharp eyes to read intentions.
Fearless in helping strangers.
Prime leader material.
The kinda guy who'd star in some apocalypse story.
"But why tell me? How do you know I won't snitch?"
"Pfft! You? The guy who charged in to protect a total stranger, ready to take a hit?"
Kim Tae-young slung an arm around my shoulder, laughing warmly.
"Sorry, but I'm good at reading people. You're not that type. That's why."
Good at reading people, huh.
*Spot on or way off?*
Dead accurate that I wouldn't snitch.
I don't wanna leave evidence of infiltrators here.
But if he sees me as some noble sacrificial youth? Way off base.
No gain, and I'd have let that uncle get beat today.
"So if you spot her, lemme know. Name's Cha Hye-yeon."
"...Got it."
Still, I liked his warm vibe.
*If... instead of the dorm, I'd been with his group...*
Just a quick glance at the guy.
He'd probably be the beacon giving hope to his crew, a signpost in this hellish world.
And if I'd followed...
*...No cushy, comfy life like now.*
Dropped the dumb what-if.
I'm plenty satisfied with my setup.
*Once this Leader gig's done, invite him to the department store?*
I don't just want girls squirming under me.
This guy's worth keeping friendly.
My life doesn't end with the Leader.
Humans are social—pack up, mingle, survive.
For the future, solid ties with Kim Tae-young's group sound good.
"Alright, let's power through the afternoon!"
Back at the group, the suddenly hyped Kim Tae-young grabbed my arm, raising it high to pump everyone up.
*To help this guy... I gotta push my own agenda anyway.*
Arm locked, I forced my hand up while eyeing the watcher overseeing us.
Yoon Ji-hye.
The woman who wouldn't stop staring at me.
Deal with her first.
。 。 。
Late night.
Hotel second floor, dorm for women in management roles.
Rooms overflowed, so managers each got their own.
Yoon Ji-hye, off night duty today, had washed up in her room and was changing into pajamas.
*...Lee Seo-ho.*
In her underwear, staring at her pajamas, Yoon Ji-hye murmured a certain slave's name that popped into her head.
*Day one, and he was already super chummy with everyone.*
Kept lingering in her mind, weirdly.
Was that her type?
*No, men are gross, all trash.*
She shook her head hard to banish the stray thought.
Just twenty-one, but she hated men.
From childhood, they were dumb, violent, nasty.
Pecking orders even among friends, bullying the weak.
Brutes solving everything with fists.
Her type? After seeing guys like that growing up.
Never considered dating men.
Live with gal pals, sisters—become a stellar career woman, pamper Mom, elegant and happy.
That's why she applied to aviation school, leveraging her pretty face.
Zombie apocalypse ruined it all, of course.
*Anyway, not this. It's... something else.*
Yoon Ji-hye denied her feelings.
Not attraction or whatever.
*Yeah, just respect. Who sacrifices for others? That's noble.*
Huh? But that's not the men I know.
In trying to convince herself, her thoughts contradicted her beliefs—she tilted her head.
Forced denial muddled her brain more.
"Eek...!"
Scratching her hair, trying to shoo the thoughts—
*Knock knock.*
Someone knocked on her door.
[Ji-hye, you asleep?]
She knew the voice instantly.
Hong Si-eun sunbae, the slave trainer.
Close with Yoon Ji-hye here, someone she admired.
"Y-Yes! Unnie! One sec!"
Startled by the visit, Yoon Ji-hye scrambled into her pajamas and rushed to the door.
Twisted the knob and opened it.
"Ta-da!"
Hong Si-eun, with her sharp features, grinned childlike and shoved something at Yoon Ji-hye's face.
"Huh? Unnie, this is..."
"Amazing, right? Leader sent it for our hard work. Afternoon shift tomorrow?"
It was booze.
Not just any—fruit wine.
The sweet kind women love.
Gulp.
Facing it after so long, Yoon Ji-hye swallowed involuntarily.
"Wanna catch up over some tonight?"
Yoon Ji-hye nodded eagerly at Hong Si-eun's sly smile.
*It's been forever...!*
Young and prime drinking age, she'd missed booze since the zombies.
And a gift from the Leader's grace.
No one could refuse.
"Hang on! I'll clear the table quick!"
"Sure, take your time. We gotta set up too."
"...We?"
Yoon Ji-hye latched onto the wording, turning—
"Oh, called a helper. Come in."
There stood.
"Excuse me."
The guy messing with her head earlier.
Lee Seo-ho, arms full of tasty snacks, right at her doorstep.