The Sum of Happiness
Cheon-il headed toward the rear barricade alone.
Kim Gang-hyeon watched him, swallowing hard as he checked his revolver.
'He’s going to hold them off by himself? Is that even possible...?'
He knew there was no other way. It was already a struggle for the entire group to focus on the front.
'Still, even so...'
The only ones left were two nurses and Kim Gang-hyeon himself. They hadn't come as combatants in the first place, but rather as medical support. Yet, Kim Gang-hyeon couldn't just stand by and watch Cheon-il walk into the jaws of death alone.
"I'll help you!"
"No. It’s fine."
"I might not be much help, but two is better than one."
For Kim Gang-hyeon, this was a massive display of courage. Classified as high-value personnel, he had never stood guard or gone on search missions. Whether he was being dispatched or returning, the people from Gusan Shelter had always protected him. With the title of "doctor" always keeping someone by his side, he had never once fought a zombie while living in this ruined world.
"I know how to shoot a gun, too! I can do it!"
At his trembling voice, Cheon-il turned around without a word. Though he was shaking like a leaf, he was biting his lips and clenching his fists tightly. Cheon-il knew his words were sincere and offered a faint smile.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but you'll only get in the way."
"But still—!"
"I told you. I’m a man who is used to killing."
The smile vanished. His gaze grew cold, locked onto the enemy, and his breathing slowed. In that moment, to Kim Gang-hyeon, Cheon-il looked like a killing machine with its emotional switches turned off.
"Hah...!"
That was the moment. Cheon-il bolted like lightning, clearing the barricade in a single bound. The monsters shrieked at the sight of fresh meat, a cacophony of wails as they vied to be the first to sink their teeth into him. It was the sound of hell itself, and it was silenced by the roar of a revolver.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The shots rang out without a moment to breathe. It was an impossible speed for a revolver. How many had he fired? Eight? Nine?
Having cleared a space with his rapid-fire, Cheon-il drew his brush knife. A melee ensued. Watching from up close, Kim Gang-hyeon let out a gasp of horror.
'What is this!'
Blood and brains splattered in every direction. Cheon-il drove the blade into the crown of one monster’s head, pulled it out, and immediately buried it in the neck of the next. When they reached out, he swatted them away with his left hand and struck their temples with his right. Like a machine built for combat, there was not a single error or mistake.
"Wow...!"
As someone accustomed to saving lives, Kim Gang-hyeon had believed that humans didn't die so easily. Weren't these things once human, too? The sight of them falling so helplessly shook even his long-held beliefs.
"How is the rear? Are you okay?"
Amidst his daze, Han Jiyoung’s voice broke through, and Kim Gang-hyeon answered subconsciously.
"Yes..."
The barricade, which had seemed on the verge of collapse, remained intact. Because the man standing in front of it was firmer than any wall. Kim Gang-hyeon could only gape at Cheon-il’s dynamic and destructive movements.
"Whew...!"
How much time had passed? While he had been lost in a trance, the sun had begun to set. Cheon-il was still slaughtering them without a hint of fatigue, but one problem arose.
"Han Jiyoung! A sword!"
The edge of the brush knife was starting to dull. Hearing his voice, Han Jiyoung tossed her katana toward the rear.
"H-here!"
Kim Gang-hyeon scrambled to pick it up and handed it to Cheon-il, who grabbed the hilt and drew the blade. The scene that followed was once again awe-inspiring. If the brush knife had been crude, the katana was sharp and beautiful. With a clean horizontal slash, the monsters' heads flew off, and a diagonal strike from upper-left to lower-right split their skulls. Every time he swung, the blade flashed. Every time he cut or pierced, a streak of light moved faster than the eye could follow. It felt as if it had been his weapon all along; there wasn't a hint of awkwardness.
"Wow, damn."
Unable to contain her curiosity, Han Jiyoung had come to his side. The pressure at the front had eased, giving her some breathing room. She had only intended to take a quick look, but like Kim Gang-hyeon, she stood frozen like a statue.
"So that’s what a... Hunter is?"
"Among Hunters, he’s a high-ranking one. And among them, he’s the best, hands down."
"He’s truly amazing. It’s like watching a movie."
"...I know."
Watching Cheon-il’s movements, Han Jiyoung could feel just how lacking her own skills were. She had thought that at least in swordsmanship, she was on a similar level, but that had been a massive delusion and arrogance.
"He’s like a fish in water..."
Han Jiyoung had a deep attachment to her sword. The katana she had cherished was being wielded by Cheon-il to its maximum potential. She felt a twinge of jealousy, but also a sense of pride. At the same time, she felt sorry that she hadn't been able to use such a talented guy properly until now.
"Ah... I feel like my boyfriend got stolen."
"Who’s your boyfriend? Did your boyfriend turn into a zombie?"
"What are you saying? Fuck."
"Hey, why the sudden swearing..."
Thanks to Cheon-il’s efforts, the rear had become secure. Cheon-il leaned against the barricade for a moment, gasping for air. It was the first time he looked like a human rather than a machine.
"Ugh, I'm exhausted."
"What are you going to do about my sword? The edge is all chipped!"
"You do it now. I'm dead tired."
"Tch. You really treat someone else's boyfriend so roughly."
"Here, take your boyfriend back."
Han Jiyoung stared blankly at the sword she received. It was damaged in so many places that it could no longer be called a fine blade. I guess it was too much to ask for it to handle Cheon-il, huh? Looking at her "boyfriend" in tatters, a strange sense of betrayal washed over her.
"Just make sure they don't get near the barricade. How’s the front?"
"It’s fine. Unless a runner comes, our firepower is far superior."
"Good. You’ve worked hard."
Cheon-il looked toward the front. His body, trudging forward, was soaked in sweat, and hot blood dripped from beneath his torn palms.
The sun was setting. There were no more zombies standing upright. A perfect victory. The university operation had succeeded without a single casualty.
"Did we really catch all these zombies?"
"Honestly, I was terrified at first, but wow..."
"This is all thanks to the instructor. We just did what he said, and we won, haha."
Everyone was flushed with excitement. A great victory lifts the morale of even the most defeated soldiers. Their expressions were no less than those of war heroes returning with news of triumph.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. Thanks to you, we finished safely."
"This operation was mostly your doing. You really worked hard."
"That’s right. Cheon-il carried us."
Hwang Gyunam and Oh Jeonghwan took turns patting my shoulder. I spoke to Hwang Gyunam, who was about to pick up the radio.
"It seems the zombies are sensitive to frequencies."
"Yeah. It was my first time trying it, so I had no idea. We could have been in big trouble."
"Thanks to that, we gained useful information."
"Next time, I’ll just turn the volume up a little."
There had been crises, but we overcame them well. I wouldn't have even dared to try it alone, but under the name of "we," it was possible. Perhaps that’s why it felt even more joyful and precious. I started to think that maybe, even in a world like this, hope still remained. They were all smiling, and for today, I wanted to be part of that laughter, too. Without me even realizing it, a layer of camaraderie had been added to my heart.
"Let’s wrap this up."
I led the people to sweep the inside of the university. It was a final confirmation procedure, and as expected, there were no monsters left. From Choi Hyeon-ho and Dae-heung to the university zombies themselves—with this, all threats to Osori Shelter were gone. From now on, I just needed to focus on scouting missions and take down the general hospital as soon as possible. If I could just get the vaccine, our survival rate would increase even more. If that happened, I could stay with these people for a long time.
"I’m heading out first."
I sent the members back to the shelter and headed toward my hideout. My steps felt exceptionally light. It felt as if something that had been weighing down my shoulders had completely vanished. There was plenty of beer left from Enfield; should I suggest we have a party tomorrow?
I found myself humming a tune.
"Cheonsa."
When the hideout came into view in the distance, I turned on the radio. Would Cheonsa be happy that I was home earlier than expected? With that anticipation, I wanted to hug the child immediately. What kind of reaction would she have if I told her about today’s events, she who always listened with wide, sparkling eyes whenever I told her stories about the outside world? She would probably say her dad was the best, say all sorts of pleasant things, and then drift off to sleep. My day would end perfectly like that.
"Cheonsa?"
I called out once more, but there was no answer. What was this? Did she fall asleep again like last time? Well, it was the age where she needed naps.
'I won't wake her up today; I'll surprise her.'
It was Do-jin who welcomed me, as always. Do-jin, who had come down to the first floor through the doggy door, showered me with affection. I stroked the dog's head and neck and climbed the rope.
"Huh...?"
I entered the house, but Cheonsa was nowhere to be seen. I immediately opened the bathroom door. I checked the bedroom, the living room, and the laundry room. Just in case, I searched the fourth-floor storage room thoroughly, but the child was not there.
"Cheonsa?"
My vision went dark. My mouth went bone-dry. In an instant, my imagination began to crack and splinter. Does the law of the sum of happiness really exist? Was it because I was too happy today?
I went back down to the first floor and wandered around like a madman. Where could the child be? Did she go to get snacks for Do-jin? I searched every nook and cranny, but Cheonsa was nowhere to be found. When I realized there was nothing I could do, I trembled, my hands and feet shaking with extreme terror. In that moment, I couldn't think of anything else.
"Dad?"
"Ah...!"
Cheonsa poked her head out from the rooftop. As soon as I heard the child’s voice, the strength left my legs, and I collapsed. I didn't even have the energy left to stand up from the overwhelming sense of relief.
"Dad, what are you doing there?"
"Cheonsa, you..."
I should have scolded the child for breaking the rules, but my throat was blocked, and no sound came out. Instead, water flowed from my eyes. Thank goodness, thank goodness. That was the only sentence floating in my mind.
"Ha... You, why did you go up to the roof? Did you forget the promise you made with Dad? This isn't the first time, is it?"
"I felt stifled, so I did. I'm sorry."
"Are you really trying to get scolded? Why don't you listen? I told you so many times that the roof is dangerous!"
"Dad."
Cheonsa looked down at me without a word. She smiled brightly despite my scolding. It was a smile that felt warmer than anything in the world, yet for some reason, it looked sorrowful.
"I am always by your side, Dad. I always will be."
It took me quite a long time to understand that single sentence, which felt so out of the blue. Perhaps it was because of my tears. Cheonsa, bathed in the sunset, sparkled like a mirage.