Chapter 78: Rewards and Respite
The next morning.
Several people gathered on one of the tower's upper floors.
The doctor, prepared with writing tools, and his aide arrived first, followed by the lieutenant colonel who had suggested throwing Jaejeong and I-jin to the zombies as bait, then I-jin, and finally Jaejeong.
Congressman Kwon Jeong-woo and the division commander were nowhere to be seen.
The squad leader, the division commander's son, was missing too.
The man who had begged on his knees for help during the mission hadn't shown his face since it ended.
"Looks like everyone's here, so let's get started. First, I'd like to once again express our thanks to the rescue team for successfully carrying out the operation."
The doctor gave a light bow and continued.
"For our side's rewards, excluding the soldiers who participated in the rescue team, we plan to prioritize housing assignments during the safe zone expansion and provide various daily necessities starting today."
"Prioritize housing during safe zone expansion?"
Jaejeong, listening, asked with a look of disbelief.
The doctor had clearly promised to resolve their housing immediately.
"Ah, yes, I was just about to mention that. There's no suitable living space available right now, so for the time being—not in the boundary zone, but there are some empty barracks near the ones you're staying in. You can live there until we secure the mart and building district soon, at which point we'll assign priority housing. I ask for your understanding. From the tower's perspective, we have to consider the people already in the boundary zone."
Jaejeong opened his mouth to argue but couldn't find the words.
It was already decided, just being announced—no room for discussion.
Still, sharing nearby barracks wasn't bad.
He'd be pissed if they just told him to wait indefinitely, but this kept half the promise at least.
The doctor turned to the lieutenant colonel.
"Rewards for the soldiers will be announced by the military."
The lieutenant colonel, lost in thought for a moment, straightened up and nodded.
"Uh... The military has decided to promote Private First Class Hwang Chan-woo, Corporal Kim Chan-yeol, and Sergeant Choi Hoon by one rank each, along with increased supplies. Given the situation, there's not much more we can do. That's it. You all did great work, and we expect more in the future. And..."
The lieutenant colonel's gaze shifted to Jaejeong and I-jin.
"On behalf of this gathering, I'd like to sincerely apologize to the two of you. After treatment yesterday, I reviewed the soldiers' statements from our interviews, and everything you told me checked out. At my age, it's hard to accept new things. Can you understand?"
The lieutenant colonel smiled warmly and extended his hand.
I-jin grabbed it with a crisp salute and name rank report, while Jaejeong just nodded silently.
For some reason, the lieutenant colonel seemed different from the barracks version.
Not acting out of character, but cautious, like he was watching his step.
"There will be more operations ahead, and I'd appreciate your advice at those briefings. It's a relief to have talents like you in our small safe zone. That's all."
As the lieutenant colonel finished, the doctor scanned the minutes his aide had jotted down, then looked at the attendees.
"That covers the military and tower rewards. If the rescue team needs anything else, please let us know now."
"We're good."
I-jin spoke for the soldiers.
The doctor's gaze moved to Jaejeong.
Jaejeong calmly explained the issue between Beom-sik, the girl, and her father, and the current situation.
The doctor nodded, signaling approval.
"Mm... Understood. That's not a difficult request—in fact, it's hardly one. As managers of the entire safe zone, we're grateful. We'll double-check for any items the child might use."
And with that, the meeting ended.
Shorter than expected, and the group had gotten everything they could.
Not in hand yet, but no reason for the doctor to break his word.
The only nagging issue was the no-shows—people who should have been there, unlike during deployment.
"Hyung!"
I-jin ran up to Jaejeong heading back to the barracks.
"Not bad. No house right away, but..."
"It's fine. But you? You worked the hardest."
Jaejeong recalled I-jin dragging the unconscious squad leader, taped up tight.
But I-jin looked unfazed.
"Nah. In times like these, what's one rank mean?"
"True, captain at your age is plenty. The kids happy?"
"Who?"
"The young ones."
"Oh, that duo."
I-jin smirked, remembering something, then grinned.
"Actually, we did internal rewards yesterday first. They stood there all stiff and dazed—looked ridiculous. Felt like looking at us back in the day."
"So now one's sergeant, one's corporal."
"Won't change much. Just a morale boost."
Still, I-jin seemed pleased.
He must have felt the same quiet pride Jaejeong had for Kim Chan-yeol and Choi Hoon.
"But, I-jin."
Jaejeong stopped, and I-jin halted curiously.
"Yeah?"
"Why's your old man seem so uncomfortable? Bad blood with the doctor?"
"Hm... Hard to explain. Not bad blood exactly—the military just unilaterally dislikes the tower, I guess? That's the vibe. I'm on their shitlist partly 'cause of my attitude, but also 'cause I came in guarding the congressman."
"Why the hate?"
"Dunno the details. But today seemed friendly enough?"
I-jin recalled the meeting.
"That friendly? Both forcing smiles. I just don't get it. We're all survivors here, few left—why make such a fuss?"
"Something important to them. Whatever it is, doesn't affect us. As long as it doesn't bite you or me. Let 'em kill or save each other."
"Yeah. Good work anyway. Hope no more missions."
Jaejeong clapped his shoulder, and I-jin grinned, heading back to the tower.
Watching him go, Jaejeong wondered.
I-jin's military...
Why live in the tower?
Wouldn't that piss off the army more?
The thought spiraled to the division commander.
He'd never been at the barracks.
Jaejeong never saw him coming or going.
First sighting: the tower.
That room screamed personal space—no one else used it.
He's the real military head here—why separate?
Jaejeong's head spun; he kept walking.
* * *
By the time Jaejeong arrived, soldiers bustled around the barracks.
Supplies poured into two barracks connected to Jaejeong and Youngman's.
They were already moving in.
The group arrived soon after.
"Hyung! Old man!"
Hyun-soo spotted Jaejeong and Youngman first, waving excitedly.
Behind him, Beom-sik stood with the girl.
A sight Jaejeong and Youngman would get used to, but not yet.
That guy with a kid.
A girl, no less.
Beom-sik looked awkward too, face blank.
"Hey, oppas."
Anna dragged a huge bag beside him.
Familiar—from the hospital, packed with essentials.
Heavy-looking.
Youngman welcomed them warmly.
"Gathering again like this. Felt bad lounging alone—glad you're here."
"Snoring away peacefully, though?"
"Th-that's... I've always snored loud since the old days..."
Jaejeong teased, and Youngman stammered, flustered.
Funny enough—Beom-sik's stiff face softened with a faint smile.
"It's fine, old man. We've been good."
Anna smiled reassuringly at Youngman.
Avoiding Jaejeong's intense stare.
"Why the glare?"
"Sneaking casual speech to the old man now?"
"When did I?"
"Just now. 'We've been good.'"
"I said 'We've been good, sir.' And I'm like his niece. Nieces talk casual to uncles? So uptight, just like you look."
"What? Hey, what's wrong with how I look?"
Jaejeong bristled; Anna stuck out her tongue, egging him on.
"What? No mirror? Though mirrors are rare now. Lucky you—don't have to see that mug. Was nice without it awhile; now daily again."
As they bantered, Youngman's eyes drifted to Beom-sik.
Beom-sik dodged.
'Damn...'
Jaejeong shot him a scolding look.
Beom-sik ignored it, pretending to check the new barracks.
"Hey? It's you? Heard a lot."
Jaejeong beamed at the girl beside Beom-sik.
She shrank behind him, uneasy with people.
Anna jumped in.
"Gaon shy. What're you doing?"
"Name's Gaon?"
Ignoring Anna, Jaejeong looked at her.
Gaon eyed people warily.
But nodded.
Nod, nod.
"Yeah, Gaon. Let's get along."
Jaejeong offered a hand; Gaon stared at the pot-lid palm, then stepped back.
Youngman chuckled kindly.
"Needs time. Big, bright eyes—such a clever little thing."
"'Cause you shove your paw out."
Anna's words irked Jaejeong.
"That's not it!"
"Eww, that face. Gaon, never get close to that old man. Got it?"
Gaon ignored Jaejeong but nodded at Anna.
Suddenly the bad guy, Jaejeong gritted his teeth, glaring.
"Good work, sirs."
"Hope you've been well?"
Familiar voices amid the reunion.
Kim Chan-yeol and Choi the sergeant.
No—Kim Chan-yeol the sergeant and Choi the corporal.
Hauling daily goods, they rushed over spotting the group.
Jaejeong grinned.
"Whoa, sergeant now. You're corporal. Promotions?"
"What else? No recruits coming. Empty rank, sir."
Kim Chan-yeol grumbled.
Choi the corporal puffed his shoulders.
"A regular griping before officers? Know what sergeant means, punk? Leader of soldiers. Means responsibility. You'll learn soon—the weight I carried."
"Sergeant means leader of idiots..."
"What?"
"What'd I say, sir?"
Kim Chan-yeol shrugged shamelessly, grinning.
Laughter rippled through the group.
First stability since the outbreak.
Much lost, gone—but better than before.
From that day, peaceful days followed for a while.
Jaejeong and Youngman kept security patrols; the rest lounged under "standby."
Time passed; autumn leaves blanketed the hills.
Trouble brewed from the least expected place.
Infected People