The Scout
The torrential rain had been falling for days.
Under normal circumstances, I would have spent this time tucked away with Cheonsa, slowly whittling down our food supplies. I would have run all four generators at full capacity to keep the batteries topped off, and I would have smiled, heart at ease, watching Cheonsa play happily on the rooftop.
But as long as the severe threat known as the Alpha remained, even that was a luxury I couldn't afford. Naturally, we couldn't go up to the roof, and I only ran the smaller generator. Even then, I was so anxious that checking out the window dozens of times a day had become a habit. Every night, I suffered through nightmares of the creature finding us.
“We can’t go to the roof today either, right?”
“Looks like we’ll have to wait a while longer.”
Cheonsa, who had woken up early, asked. I didn't go out to work on days when it rained heavily; I spent the day with her instead. Even though the routine we’d kept for so long had been shattered overnight, Cheonsa didn't complain or show any sign of disappointment. Instead, she smiled brightly.
I felt grateful for how sensible she was, but at the same time, a sharp pang of pain pricked at my heart.
“I don’t mind not going to the roof. I hope it keeps raining.”
“Why?”
“Because then you don’t have to go to work, Dad. And I’m not bored at all because of Do-jin.”
She stroked the Jindo dog’s head with a satisfied expression. But the moment passed, and a flicker of disappointment crossed her face.
“Well, Do-jin hates me, though.”
I had learned one thing over the past few days: the Jindo dog didn't like Cheonsa. No, "didn't like" wasn't a strong enough expression. He was indifferent even when she touched his head or neck, and he didn't respond when she called him. To put it bluntly, he treated her like she didn't exist. Watching him give her the cold shoulder in real-time made me feel incredibly awkward and embarrassed.
“He doesn’t hate you. He’s just trying to look good for me.”
“Pfft. I’m not falling for that anymore.”
“It’s true. Dogs that are quick-witted know who they need to score points with to survive.”
Honestly, I didn't know much about dogs. I’d just made it up to comfort Cheonsa, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed to make sense. Following commands like "sit," "stand," or "lie down"—wasn't that just a survival activity to get food?
“He’s a total daddy’s boy. He only likes you.”
Cheonsa was right about him ignoring her, but he showed the exact opposite behavior toward me. He’d perk up his ears at the slightest movement, and if I stood up, he’d follow me as a matter of course. He was always watching my eyes, and even if I waved him away because he was being a nuisance, he’d linger nearby. Once, thinking we’d become quite close, he’d even tried to put his front paws on me. When I frowned in displeasure, he’d surprisingly rolled over to show his belly, acting all cute. He’d never shown a hint of aggression. He was definitely more extraordinary than the average dog I’d known.
‘Is the rain about to stop?’
I poured a cup of hot water from the kettle and looked out the window. The heavy downpour that had been lashing against the building was gradually losing its strength. My lips, pressed against the teacup, trembled slightly at the thought that I might finally see the Alpha.
“Oh? Are you going to work now?”
“It’ll only be for a little while. I’ll be back soon.”
“When will you be back?”
“I’ll definitely be back before it gets dark.”
As I checked the items in my backpack, Cheonsa looked up at me with a worried face. I paused my preparations for a moment to pull her into a tight hug and pat her back.
“I have something to check. There won’t be any danger.”
“Then you’re taking Do-jin with you, right?”
“Ah…”
I was conflicted. It wasn't that I doubted the Jindo dog would be helpful, but I’d seen how he ignored Cheonsa. I was worried he might cause trouble if I wasn't there. It would be better to take him with me than to leave her feeling anxious.
“Yeah, I will.”
“Really?”
“I just hope he doesn’t get in my way.”
“That won’t happen. Do-jin will protect you, Dad.”
I’d never imagined such a thing, but I nodded with a gentle smile. Cheonsa clapped her hands silently in delight, and the Jindo dog stood beside her, his tail wagging like a propeller.
‘Does he even know what he’s doing…’
I shifted my gaze to my backpack and began to organize. The key was simplification. Since the creatures had started running, I had to keep my body light. Seven magazines, 30 rounds each, for a total of 210 rounds in the bag. I’d never even used the 150 rounds in my tactical vest, but I always carried them out of habit—better safe than sorry.
‘I’ll only take two water bottles and use a hand axe instead of a brush hook.’
The weather was still chilly, but if I had to run away from those things, I’d be sweating buckets. Because of that, I took out the bulky blanket and stripped off the thermal underwear that would only slow me down. Into the now-lighter backpack went a cheap pair of binoculars and a rope, along with a high-magnification scope compatible with the K23 rifle. I’d almost thrown it away because it was in such bad shape, but now, even that felt precious.
‘I never thought the day would come when I’d use a rifle.’
South Korea was a country where gun ownership was illegal, yet ironically, half the population knew how to shoot. In a country where millions of reservists could be mobilized in an emergency, rifles were powerful, easy-to-find weapons. I had only ever used this powerful weapon as a substitute for a spear. A rifle with a bayonet attached was much sturdier than a wooden spear, and its weight was perfect for putting force behind a strike.
But the situation had changed. Since they had started running, it was impossible to take them out silently every time. If I insisted on melee combat like I always had, I wouldn't survive. Even if it was just one or two, if a group chased me, I had to take them out quickly, even if it meant firing shots. A revolver would have been perfect, but unfortunately, I didn't have much ammunition left.
“I’m heading out.”
“Be careful, Dad. And come back early.”
“Yeah.”
“Do-jin, take good care of Dad, okay?”
Cheonsa stroked his neck, but the Jindo dog was still only looking at me.
I had to use a rope to descend from the fourth floor. I’d made a "dog hole" while I was resting, and as I hung from the rope, the dog quickly scrambled down through it.
“Wow. Look at that. He really only likes you.”
“That’s a bit much, isn’t it?”
“But still, he’s going to protect you.”
“I’ve opened a can of food, so eat that if you’re hungry. Don’t cut your hand like last time.”
“Okay.”
Cheonsa waved her hand vigorously until I was out of sight. I turned back occasionally to wave at her, but even then, the Jindo dog was only looking forward, three or four steps ahead of me. How should I put it? It was like watching a soldier on guard duty, perfectly disciplined.
“You must not bark, no matter what. If you get in my way, you won’t be coming with me again.”
“We’re going to the Enfield Shopping Mall. Or rather, a high-rise building where I can get a good view of it. If I’m lucky enough to spot the creature, I’ll attempt a sniper shot.”
“There were only walkers at the mall. It shouldn't be hard to get out, even if I have to fire a shot.”
Maybe it was to soothe my own anxiety, but I babbled on about things the Jindo dog couldn't possibly understand. The dog, who had only looked at me while we were inside, didn't take his eyes off the front even when I spoke to him outside. Seeing him turn his head left and right, sniffing the air diligently, I wondered if he was actually playing the role of a scout.
-Dad, left there. Then straight ahead.
“Thanks.”
Before I knew it, I had moved beyond the area I’d been scouting. According to what I’d learned at the school, trying to reach the destination in one go was suicidal. Normally, you had to move by clearing the path and expanding your territory. That’s what I’d been taught about walkers, and it was doubly true for runners.
I was moving along the main road on purpose, but my nerves were frayed at the thought that a zombie could pop out at any moment.
‘Smart kid.’
I slowed my pace, and the Jindo dog adjusted his speed to match mine. Even though it was a main road, it was a four-lane street, and the abandoned cars blocked my view. I needed to move in small increments to minimize noise.
‘Huh?’
While I was walking straight, the Jindo dog suddenly stopped. He perked up his ears and tail, staring fixedly at one spot, holding his position. It was the first time I’d seen him do that, but it wasn't hard to guess what it meant.
‘Is there a zombie somewhere ahead? He really was a scout.’
The suspected location was a black van 50 meters ahead. I lowered my posture and walked slowly toward the target, and the Jindo dog followed behind me, muffling his footsteps. Even though it was our first time, we worked surprisingly well together.
‘There.’
As I angled myself slightly, I saw a zombie standing at an awkward tilt. Perhaps because I’d experienced so many dangerous situations lately, I was cautious with every single movement.
‘Just one?’
Only after scanning the surroundings thoroughly did I feel sure. If it was just one, it wouldn't be a problem. As I approached, the zombie, shaken from its light sleep by the sound of my footsteps, began to lift its head.
‘A runner?’
The moment the creature saw its prey, it lunged at me. I’d killed quite a few, but how many runners were actually left? Pushing aside the surge of irritation, I used my rifle to block its reach.
Grrr!
The creature struggled, trying to sink its teeth into my skin. I faced the hunger and hostility radiating from the zombie’s eyes at point-blank range. I always hated this moment.
The most ideal way to kill a zombie in close combat is to knock it down first. Once it’s on the ground, accuracy increases, and you can target vital areas with much less effort. If you don't have a decent weapon, a zombie’s skull is weak enough to be crushed with a heavy combat boot.
Gruk!
I eased off my strength slightly, causing the creature to lose its balance. If you just trip them while they’re moving, zombies fall easily. The school had taught us about 20 of the 101 ways to knock down a zombie, and they’d drilled it into us so thoroughly that I could do it in my sleep. It was a brutal training method, as mindless as brainwashing, but looking back, I was truly grateful for that place.
Thwack!
Of the vital areas, the weakest are the eyes and the neck. I stabbed the creature’s right eye with the bayonet attached to my rifle. The filthy sensation traveling through the tip of the blade and into my brain was something I was quite used to by now.
“Tsk.”
I twisted the rifle to pull it out, then wiped the blood off the blade onto the creature’s pants. Another reason I was grateful for the school was that it had castrated the human instincts of aversion to killing, guilt, pity, and compassion. Of course, I didn't think it was intentional. It was more like it happened naturally while they were trying to create human weapons. This might be the byproduct of brainwashing, but questioning right and wrong was meaningless to me. All I knew was the undeniable fact that a moment’s hesitation led to death.
-Dad, everything okay?
My emotions were cooling down, and my senses were sharpening. At Cheonsa’s voice, a small crack spread across my face. My brain hit the reset button, quickly restoring everything I’d believed was deleted and returned to square one. The warm crack that had spread across my face relaxed my stiffened lips and made me smile again.
“Everything’s fine. I’m okay.”
-And Do-jin? Is he doing well?
“What’s this? You weren't worried about me, were you?”
-Ah… Of course I was worried about you, Dad. I just thought of him suddenly, that’s all.
“Are you sure?”
-I told you, I was. Anyway, is Do-jin doing a good job?
“He’s decent enough.”
-Really?!
On the four-lane road where time seemed to have stopped. A pair of blood-stained combat boots, a Jindo dog wagging its tail beside them, and me, smiling more happily than anyone else in front of a corpse with a punctured eye. I tilted my head and looked up at the sky. Through the gloomy, heavy clouds, the sunlight of early spring was beginning to leak through.