The Congressman's Proposition
The door opened, and inside waited a man in a crisp white shirt.
Han Jaejeong tilted his head.
He'd definitely seen this face somewhere before.
Not in person, though.
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
Jeong I-jin, having finished the escort, gave Jaejeong a quick nod and vanished outside.
The man poured tea into a prepared cup, muttering to himself as if talking to no one in particular.
"What a cold fish, that guy. Right?"
He was talking about Jeong I-jin.
"Yeah, well... no flexibility at all."
"Haha."
The man laughed and looked at Jaejeong.
Ah, now he remembered.
The youngest-ever party leader of the opposition, the real power broker and a strong contender for the next presidential run.
Assemblyman Kwon Jeong-woo.
For someone with all those titles hanging off him, he looked surprisingly young.
Just barely into his forties, in fact.
To think that this man—not the ruling party leader or even the president—had planned and executed the safe zone.
Kwon Jeong-woo spoke up.
"Still, it's people like him who change the world. No flexibility, cold as ice, but they give their all to the job they've taken on."
"Yeah... maybe. But why'd you want to see me?"
"I like how direct you are. Straight to the point. Have a seat first."
As Jaejeong sat, Kwon Jeong-woo handed him a teacup.
Jaejeong pretended to take a sip before setting it back down on the table.
He didn't feel like putting on a show of politeness, but he couldn't help thinking of the people in the boundary zone, living in tents, eating and sleeping there.
It just made it hard to drink.
"Get to the point, please. Sorry, but politicians and businessmen? Not my type."
"Not your type? Do politicians and CEOs have some special blood type? First I've heard of it."
Kwon Jeong-woo scratched his head.
He wasn't sitting in his chair or standing fully—just leaning half a butt cheek on the corner of the table.
Kwon Jeong-woo's gaze drifted past Jaejeong to the floor-to-ceiling window.
Following it, Jaejeong could see the safe zone laid out below.
The perfect height: high enough to take in the whole thing without blind spots.
This place was a living CCTV.
Hell, he could even see across the river at a glance.
Maybe he'd been watching Jaejeong's group from here.
It was close enough if you wanted to look.
"You're a cop, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then handle security here."
"The military's already on that..."
"The military's gonna get busier. The safe zone's only gonna keep expanding. Population stays the same, but area grows? Control gets tricky. That's why we need people for security. You in?"
Jaejeong didn't like the way Kwon Jeong-woo phrased it—like he was testing him. Those big eyes weren't helping.
"Why me? I just got here. Surely there are more trustworthy folks already inside."
"Hmm, the folks already here..."
Kwon Jeong-woo nodded and started pacing.
Hands in his pockets, he stood by the window overlooking the safe zone.
"Right now, confirmed survivors in the safe zone number barely a hundred thousand. Seoul's population? This is basically human extinction levels."
"Just get to the point."
Kwon Jeong-woo paused, then turned back to Jaejeong.
"How many cops do you think are here? Medical staff? Most survivors are ordinary people. That's why I'm making this offer—to people like you, with special skills."
Kwon Jeong-woo's eyes gleamed meaningfully.
Jaejeong felt exhausted just listening.
It had only been a few days.
He hadn't even reunited with his group yet. What nonsense was this?
"I think there's a misunderstanding. I'm not that guy. No special skills."
"Fascinating, your survival story with the group."
"Pure luck. I didn't do shit. Find someone else. And I hate complications."
Kwon Jeong-woo's brow twisted oddly at Jaejeong's response.
"Not asking you to do it for free. Name your price. Whatever I can do, I will."
Like a horse taking the carrot and running where the rider wants. Was that too cynical?
Jaejeong thought about brushing it off and standing up, but changed his mind.
He did have a want.
His group, stuck in the boundary zone, tent-living.
But like the manager said, the production zone apartments were full—no more housing.
Couldn't snatch spots from people doing fine.
Couldn't ask for new houses built, either.
Still, worth a shot.
It wasn't his job to overthink.
There might be options he hadn't considered.
"Move my group to better housing. Can you do that?"
Kwon Jeong-woo's head tilted slightly at Jaejeong's words.
He found it amusing how Jaejeong mimicked his speech.
"Solve that, and you'll do what I want?"
"Don't know how much you want, so can't say. But security duty like you mentioned? Yeah, I could handle that."
"Trained not to lowball yourself... Fine. That's easy. But they can't work security with you. I'll pick your team. Separate housing, weapons supply—same deal."
"Got it. But... what does that guy outside do here?"
Jaejeong asked about Jeong I-jin, who'd brought him here.
"Captain Jeong's military. Soldiers handle all sorts here. Guarding against zombies, leading expansions to clear them out up front—that kinda thing."
"I see."
Jaejeong thought it was a waste.
Jeong I-jin was too good to just kill infected and stand watch.
He'd been elite back then; surely even better now.
"Such a shame, right?"
Kwon Jeong-woo picked up on Jaejeong's thoughts seamlessly.
"His original role was different. VIP protection, precisely. I came here under his guard, so I know him well. He's not the type to stand watch with the grunts. And I know you're no slouch either, Mr. Han Jaejeong."
"That's ancient history. Plenty of team members better than me."
"So where are they?"
Kwon Jeong-woo narrowed his eyes.
Jaejeong had no answer.
"They weren't as good, so they died first. Right? Bottom line: you and Captain Jeong are the top talent right now. You survived."
"I'm not military anymore. Just a regular cop, a detective. No idea what your angle is, but it's uncomfortable. Especially dragging up dead comrades."
Jaejeong emphasized.
"If it's uncomfortable, I apologize."
"Forget it. So, what's the plan going forward?"
"Which part?"
Kwon Jeong-woo cocked his head.
"Heard about ops at the barracks. And that we'll counterattack eventually."
"Counterattack... Who knows. Nothing set in stone. Just some chatter. Ultimately, I decide. One thing's sure: I haven't said a word about it."
I decide. The words echoed in Jaejeong's ears.
Authoritarian? Or the leadership to overcome crisis?
"Anyway, we're working together now. Let's make it good. Someone'll come soon. Your group's housing gets sorted too."
Kwon Jeong-woo offered a handshake; Jaejeong took it reluctantly.
Was this the right call? He felt uneasy.
He'd figured reaching the safe zone meant it was over.
Tough, sure, but pitch in with everyone else.
Reality was messier.
Especially this assemblyman, Kwon Jeong-woo.
Sounded emotional, but no sincerity.
Jaejeong, who'd grilled suspects endlessly, saw right through it.
So he pondered.
The offer wasn't hard, really.
Just like his old job: prevent crime, investigate incidents.
The area? Half of half of Yeouido—tiny.
Hard to imagine actual security issues.
The problem: hidden motives.
Didn't know what, but ignorance made it worse.
What the hell was going on?
Sudden Jeong I-jin, politician from TV—too abrupt.
Then the major at the barracks, talking counterattack.
Not the tone of someone awaiting orders.
Conviction it'd happen; just timing TBD.
Pushing aside the tangle, he opened the door.
Outside the wide-open doors stood unfamiliar faces.
In this world, a woman clinging to suits and two men younger than Kwon Jeong-woo jumped at the sight of Jaejeong.
Just for a second—then polite nods.
They looked like aides or subordinates, unable to hide shock at his overwhelming build.
Like the beast from Beauty and the Beast, if it were real.
Jaejeong ignored it, brushing past to the elevator.
No sign of Jeong I-jin.
He gazed out the glass at the vista.
Dust made it hazier than from Kwon Jeong-woo's room.
Blurrier, more oppressive.
The boundary zone wasn't far.
The zone hugging the outer wall boxing the safe zone.
People who should've died, too late to get in proper.
Did they accept reality?
Did the blatant gaps and discrimination not enrage them?
Suddenly, he missed his group.
Go see them?
Yeah, time to.
Waiting period excuses for no movement—over now.
Check how they were holding up, for real.
And share the hopeful news of relocation soon.
He spotted the long barracks strip right before the tower.
Glad he didn't need to go back to command.
Jaejeong chuckled suddenly.
His cop years: stained with dirty money, illegality.
Funny, him judging soldiers from command.
Some like Captain Kang, others playing soldier games—made sense.
He only remembered his pure service days.
Still far to the first floor?
Glancing at the doors, no floor selected.
He hit the button, looked out again.
Trucks loaded with food rolling past the production zone apartments toward the outer wall.
Containers barely half the bed.
Gaze shifted to the swarming boundary zone.
Most populous by far, even at a glance.
Woefully short.
If not mistaken, those trucks ran once a day, same load.
Surely not rationing leftovers by turn?
No way they'd go that inhumane...
Jaejeong decided to head to his group first.
Infected People