Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: 6. Emotional Numbness. (3)
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Oh, there it is.
But no dried anchovies...
Maybe in the fridge over there?
I grabbed two packs of red pepper powder from the display and stuffed them into my bag, then headed to the fridge.
It was filled with kimchi, danmuji, dried fish, and the like.
...I could feel eyes on me.
As I opened the fridge door and glanced sideways, the burly middle-aged guy was staring at me.
Our eyes met, and he flinched in surprise.
"...Why are you staring? Got something to say?"
The big guy averted his gaze, then looked back at me and spoke.
"Ah... uh... where do you live?"
...What the hell?
I spotted a big pack of dried anchovies inside the fridge and pulled it out.
...Depori?
...Why does this flat dried anchovy have a name like some black magic incantation?
Whatever, I'll take it.
Kimchi too.
As I crammed them one by one into my bag, I still felt that gaze.
Glancing over, the burly guy was still watching me.
...He looked kind of amused.
With that bushy beard and his awkward smile, it was a bit...
"Where do you live, mister?"
The burly guy replied with a pleased expression.
"I live across the street with my wife. We've got a newborn too... came to scrounge some food."
Hmm... a baby.
Born at a time like this...
Of course, they had no idea the apocalypse was coming.
The guy said,
"Tr-traveling alone must be scary, right...? You've got a sword and all... that's a real blade, isn't it?"
...Ah.
I could tell where this conversation was headed.
This guy was scared and needed someone to tag along with.
Wife and kid at home?
Hmm...
This burly guy had some size to him.
Plenty scared, but he could probably throw his weight around.
...A companion.
...I hadn't really thought about picking one up, but just the other day in that warehouse, I'd wished for someone who could at least throw a punch.
...Would this mister be any help?
I scooped up tuna cans and squid snacks nearby and shoved them into my bag as I replied.
"...Yeah. Real sword."
Bag's pretty full now.
Ziiiip—
I zipped it up, slung it over my shoulder, and walked toward the supermarket entrance.
As I did, I said to the guy,
"I've got everything I need for today. What about you, mister? Need anything?"
The guy wiped his sweat and said,
"Ah... n-need some diapers..."
Diapers?
Ah, right.
I nodded, about to say something—
Then someone strode into the supermarket.
"Hey, Hoon! What took you so damn long!"
A skinny, dried-up middle-aged guy.
Early to mid-50s?
Graying hair.
Stern-looking face.
The skinny guy spotted me and froze.
Then he scanned me up and down before saying,
"...Who the hell are you?"
Hey now.
I gave him the same once-over and shot back,
"Who the hell are you?"
The skinny guy's face twisted, his lips curling as he started to say something.
I subtly shifted my hand to the sword hilt.
His eyes flicked to my hand.
He shut his mouth.
...What a fucking piece of work.
Well, no cops around anymore, nothing.
I glanced at the burly guy and said,
"Tomorrow morning, around eight? Right here. There's probably a big mart nearby. Wanna go together?"
"Ah, yes. Got it."
The stern-faced guy raised his voice at the burly one.
"You fucking idiot. Don't you know you need to grab shit and get back quick? How many people are waiting? You think I wanted to come all the way here?"
Jeez.
I scoffed and walked out of the supermarket.
Time to head my way.
"Hurry your ass out here, you punk!"
A low yell came from behind.
Pretty skilled tone.
Loud enough to carry but not shouting, while making it clear he was pissed.
The burly guy mumbled apologies in a cowed voice.
Sheesh.
All that bulk.
A few steps later, I heard quick footsteps behind me.
What the—?
Acceleration?!
I whipped around instantly.
The stern-faced guy was right in my face.
Eyes bulging, glaring at me.
Nose wrinkled in a vicious grin.
Tongue lolling out, sneering savagely.
And in his hand—a monkey wrench.
Raised at the perfect angle to smash down on me.
This...
Fucking bastard.
I ducked low, gripped the sword, yanked it out with all my strength, and slashed across the guy's throat.
Throat Severed
Deep arterial spray
Splurt!
His throat split wide open, blood bubbling out in spurts.
Pretty deep cut.
Everything severed except the spine.
I slashed and immediately pivoted to the side.
"-Gurgle!"
Blood gushed forward, soaking the ground.
He made a grotesque, inhuman noise from his throat and pitched forward.
Clang!
The monkey wrench hit the pavement with a clear ring.
"Cough, glurk!"
The guy clutched his throat on the ground, legs kicking and flailing. Blood poured out in heaves, forming a pool in seconds.
...Looked like he was in agony.
I tilted my head and looked down at him.
...Didn't feel much.
No shock. No surprise.
I slashed to kill, and he was dying.
Hmm...
What the hell kind of guy was this fucker anyway?
Eh, didn't matter now.
Glancing aside, the burly guy was standing there pale as a ghost, watching us.
Empty hands.
Figured this asshole took the wrench from him to jump me?
"Glrk! Grk!"
This one was still heaving blood, clutching his throat. His upper body was drenched.
...Taking a while to die.
Good to remember.
"Grk... krrk..."
...That much blood loss, just die already.
Tsk.
If I leave him, would he turn into a Human Beast?
Or just croak like this?
...Interesting.
Let's wait.
Ten seconds?
Around then, his movements slowed to a stop.
Breathing or dead? Hard to tell.
Wait a bit more.
I stepped back to avoid the blood pool and watched.
...Still nothing?
...Do Human Beasts only turn from bites?
...Hold up.
What about natural deaths? Corpses?
Hospitals, morgues—old folks, sick people who died.
What happens to those?
This guy's dying right here. If a Human Beast bites the corpse?
Then what?
...Hmm...
So much unknown.
Leave him and see?
...Nah.
Too close to the boarding house.
Dangerous having a rampaging Human Beast near my base camp.
The decapitated guy stopped spurting blood from his neck. Now just faint twitches.
Death throes or rigor mortis? Who knows.
Eyes fully glazed over.
Hmm...
About three minutes passed.
Heart's definitely stopped by now.
Bled out plenty.
This was dead for sure.
No movement. Looked like people who die without bites don't turn into Human Beasts.
...Who knows.
Might turn after time passes.
We'll figure it out eventually.
I raised my sword over the corpse's head.
And brought it down.
Splorch!
Eek! A startled yelp.
The burly guy was still watching from there.
I yanked the sword free with a splat! and turned to him.
Our eyes met, and he flinched.
...Sword's filthy now.
I wiped the blood off on the dead guy's clothes, then sheathed it.
Shing—
Nice, clear sound.
Swords were great.
I stomped over the head and picked up the monkey wrench.
Hmm. Pretty hefty.
Perfect as a short club.
Tools were handy in all sorts of ways.
I held the monkey wrench out to the burly guy.
But he just stared at me, face drained of color.
...Tch.
Toss it to him?
Nah, just leave it.
No need for extra noise.
I showed him the wrench, then set it on the ground.
Straightened up and said,
"...Tomorrow, eight a.m."
Then turned and walked away.
Packed to the brim, so swing by the house first, then head out again.
Wasted one Acceleration charge on that 50s thug fucker for nothing.
What a pain.
Back home, Su-hyun was in the yard and jumped in surprise to greet me.
"Oppa, you're back early?"
"Yeah. Gonna rest a bit, then head out again."
I showed her the bulging bag.
Su-hyun smiled and followed me up the stairs.
"Oppa, can you grab some nails and wire?"
"Sure. I'll get 'em later."
The lower-floor windows were almost all boarded up with wood.
Su-hyun was the most diligent about it.
I looked at her and smiled.
Good job.
She glanced at me, then turned away with a glare.
"Why're you staring like that? Trying to seduce me?"
I chuckled.
"Yeah."
Su-hyun poked my butt and said,
"Fine. Tonight then."
Hmm...
Sounds good.
I grinned and headed into the owner's place on the second floor.
Ye-eun greeted me.
"You're back early today."
"Heading out soon. Where's Grandma?"
Grandma shuffled out from the main room.
She saw me and beamed happily.
Not covered in blood this time, I guess.
I dumped out the depori, kimchi, danmuji, tuna cans, squid snacks, and such in a pile. The women's faces lit up.
Grandma grinned wide and said,
"Oh my, young man. What am I gonna do with all this thanks? Eh?"
"I'm the thankful one. Getting meals every day."
I smiled back.
Grandma said,
"Eh, young man. If it's not too much, could ya bring some veggies and meat next time?"
...Veggies and meat.
Hmm.
I smiled.
"Sure thing. Probably tomorrow."
Mid-sized mart with the guy.
As the women tore into the squid behind me, I left the owner's place.
So-eun seemed to like squid too.
She was cute, peeking at me from between her big sisters while eating.
Back in the rooftop room, I lay down.
Rest two or three hours till Acceleration recovers, then go.
Phew...
It's quiet.
I just... killed a person.
Not a Human Beast—a regular person.
...Doesn't bother me.
Came home after killing someone and could chat normally.
Like always.
Completely relaxed.
...My emotions...
...are going numb.