Chapter 347
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 347
Chapter Title: Everyone I Wanted to Save
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How long had the three adults and one child been walking?
*Vrooom.*
The still-unfamiliar sound of a tremor vibrated through the air. The survivors, flinching, reflexively raised their heads.
“Do they still have bombs left to detonate…?”
Raymond Wish, his nerves frayed after losing one of their own, listened intently. It felt as though he had returned to a battlefield.
Front, back, left, right, above, below.
There wasn't a single direction they could afford to ignore.
“I think it’s from behind us.”
“Let’s move forward.”
Jackson Miller, supporting the injured Lee Hyunwoo, started walking. Raymond Wish moved cautiously, scanning his surroundings.
It was then.
As if something had been dislodged, the debris began to collapse like a row of dominoes.
It all happened in an instant.
*Craaaash!*
Through the billowing dust and falling stones, Raymond Wish’s eyes caught sight of two figures. He saw the pile of rubble about to pour down on them. Without thinking, his body moved first.
It wasn't so much for their sake as it was an instinct triggered by the memory of the deceased Ian Weaver and the catatonic Lee Hyunwoo. A kind of occupational hazard ingrained in his very being, a purely reflexive action.
‘…What rotten luck.’
Shoved aside by something, Jackson Miller fell to the ground, doing his best to shield Lee Hyunwoo, determined not to lose him this time.
The vibrations subsided, and one by one, they shakily got to their feet.
The rising dust settled.
“…!”
“Raymond!”
The sight revealed before them made the two adults and the boy collapse to the ground in utter despair.
Raymond Wish lay on the floor, breathing raggedly, his body from the waist down crushed beneath a pile of rubble. A red liquid seeped out from the gaps between the stones.
“…Go.”
“Just hold on a minute. We’ll get you out, right now…”
Cynthia Lindbergh scrambled about, not knowing what to do. Jackson Miller quickly assessed the pile of stones. Even he, trying to figure out how to free Raymond Wish, wore a look of panic.
“…We, we can move it…”
Lee Hyunwoo, clutching Ian Weaver’s bag tightly, his face deathly pale, stammered.
It felt like a nightmare from which there was no escape.
Not only the kind Ian Weaver but also the strong and fearsome Raymond Wish had been swallowed by the darkness.
Lee Hyunwoo couldn't… he couldn't imagine ever getting out of this hell.
*Trickle, trickle.*
Sand fell, as if the aftershocks hadn't ended.
“This place… is going to collapse too.”
At Raymond Wish’s cold statement, the two adults squeezed their eyes shut, then opened them. Tears welled up at the thought of having to make such a choice.
Her eyes reddening, Cynthia Lindbergh took a water bottle and some food from Ian Weaver’s bag, which the dazed Lee Hyunwoo was still holding.
“We’ll leave this water and food here for you.”
“…Take it with you. My lower half is completely crushed.”
“We’re leaving it here! So… you have to hold on until we bring back a rescue team.”
Raymond Wish, sweating from the excruciating pain, didn’t answer.
An unbearable groan escaped his lips.
“…Let’s go.”
The first time had been hard; the second was easier.
The three of them pressed their lips together and began to walk away.
“Let’s get out of here quickly and call for rescue. The faster we go, the higher the chance of saving Raymond.”
Cynthia Lindbergh said, her voice trembling. But no one nodded in agreement.
A somber melody began to play. It was a familiar piece of the OST, and now the difference was starkly clear.
The screen was slightly darker than in [The Survivors - Theatrical Cut], making the colors more vivid. It was a ‘trace of death’ rarely seen in the theatrical version.
Bloodstains were scattered here and there. A shoe someone had worn peeked out from between the rocks. Broken glasses and scraps of clothing came into Song Yoojung and Im Yena’s view.
It felt as if the shadow of death was creeping out from beyond the television screen.
Cynthia Lindbergh led the way, holding the compass. Lee Hyunwoo was in the middle, and Jackson Miller took up the rear. When Hyunwoo looked back, Jackson Miller, still not free from his guilt, gave an awkward smile.
“I can get away faster than you with your bad leg.”
“…”
Silently clutching Ian Weaver’s bag, Lee Hyunwoo faced forward again. His face was shrouded in shadow.
*I wonder. Can we really get out of here?*
*…No. Let’s be strong. We can make it.*
*‘Right?’*
Ian Weaver’s bag felt heavy.
But, as expected.
Misfortune never comes alone.
*BOOOOM!*
A bomb exploded nearby, and Jackson Miller, who had claimed he could escape faster than Hyunwoo, failed to dodge the cascading debris. The passage before them was blocked, and Lee Hyunwoo, unable to even know if Jackson was alive or dead, burst into tears.
The person who had saved him, from the very beginning until now, was gone.
He never even got to say thank you, thank you for saving me…
*‘…I should have said it sooner. Right?’*
Cynthia Lindbergh comforted the crying child who was hugging Ian Weaver’s bag.
Now, she was the only one left to protect him.
“…Let’s go. We have to go. We have to get the rescue team…”
Cynthia Lindbergh swallowed her fear along with her tears.
***
Worried that the yellow bag would be a burden for the injured Lee Hyunwoo, Cynthia Lindbergh took it from him.
“You’re definitely better off carrying it than I am with my hurt leg.”
“Oh? Yeah. Right?”
Compass in hand, Lee Hyunwoo limped ahead. Cynthia Lindbergh slung Ian Weaver’s bag over her shoulder and followed.
“Cynthia. It’s a dead end.”
For some reason, Lee Hyunwoo seemed to have regained some of his spirits. Cynthia, inwardly relieved, quickly began to think.
*That makes sense.*
The two of them had been walking for a long time. They might have reached the end of the first basement level near the north gate, or the path could be completely blocked by collapsed debris.
Cynthia Lindbergh decided to think positively.
“Let’s go up!”
“…Up?”
“The north B1 isn’t that big. I think we’ve made it!”
At Cynthia Lindbergh’s bright voice, Lee Hyunwoo’s face lit up.
“Really?!”
Seeing Hyunwoo look so cheerful for the first time, Cynthia Lindbergh flinched in surprise before managing an awkward smile and a nod.
“So let’s go up.”
“Okay!”
Shining the light upward, they saw a hole above.
Lee Hyunwoo slowly began to climb the rocks. The stones weren’t stable, and he slipped a few times, but he managed to get into the hole safely.
“Can you move?”
“Yes!”
Hyunwoo beamed, his face filled with hope. Feeling a surge of strength herself, Cynthia Lindbergh smiled back.
“Cynthia! Help Ian up first!”
“…!”
Cynthia Lindbergh, about to climb with the yellow bag on her shoulder, looked up with a stunned expression. She saw Lee Hyunwoo, smiling brightly without a hint of strangeness. He tilted his head, looking at the frozen Cynthia as if something were wrong.
“Cynthia. Hurry and help Ian…”
Hyunwoo urged her on, reaching out his hands as if to take a small child’s arms.
Frozen in place, Cynthia Lindbergh couldn't extend her hands.
Disaster struck suddenly.
An explosion roared.
The pile of rocks Cynthia had been climbing collapsed. Wearing the yellow bag, she slid back down. The distance between her and Hyunwoo grew.
“Cynthia! Ian!”
Amidst the crumbling debris.
Cynthia Lindbergh vanished without a scream.
Lee Hyunwoo couldn't tear his eyes away from the darkness. A tremor started in his fingertips and spread through his body. His vision blurred, and his heart pounded in his chest. The silence, broken only by the sound of his own breathing, made him feel sick.
He couldn’t save anyone. He failed again.
Once again, he was the only one left.
Only him…
Just as panic threatened to consume him, a warm presence wrapped around him. Hyunwoo flinched and opened his eyes. A child was there, looking worried and on the verge of tears.
*Ah.*
*Not yet.*
His eyes met Ian Weaver’s, and Hyunwoo bit the inside of his cheek. His heart stirred at the sight of the child, who, despite being scared and sad himself, was thinking of Hyunwoo first.
There was still one person left.
“Let’s go, Ian!”
Now, he was the only one who could protect this child.
“Let’s go get the rescue team and come back!”
Lee Hyunwoo said, forcing his voice to sound bright.
Seeing Ian Weaver’s expression lighten, Hyunwoo finally understood how the adults had felt.
Song Yoojung and Im Yena couldn't take their eyes off the screen.
It was a hot summer morning, but they didn’t feel the muggy air. A chill ran down their spines as they looked at Lee Hyunwoo's bright smile on the screen. An icy coldness seemed to fill the small studio apartment.
Lee Hyunwoo crawled through the passage. Ian Weaver, still so young, followed without crying, and Hyunwoo smiled with satisfaction. A protruding rebar scratched his face, and his palms and knees were scraped. The exhausted child would crawl for a bit, rest, and then move again.
“It’s blocked…”
The passage, which had been getting narrower, was now completely sealed. He tried to move the rocks, but they wouldn't budge. To make matters worse, the light from the last phone he had went out.
Darkness.
The darkness that had devoured everyone else had come for them.
Lee Hyunwoo’s body trembled. Noticing this, the kind Ian Weaver looked at him with worried eyes.
“…It’s okay. Don’t worry.”
Despite his words, Hyunwoo’s breathing grew ragged. His vision went completely black. Seeing him tremble, Ian Weaver snuggled into his arms. The narrow passage was filled by their presence.
Feeling a solid warmth, Hyunwoo instinctively hugged it close.
So much had happened, and he was mentally and physically exhausted. Taking solace in the faint warmth that mingled with his own body heat, Hyunwoo began to talk.
“…Really?”
“…Should we?”
A faint smile touched Hyunwoo’s lips.
In the silent space, only one set of breaths could be heard.
*-----!*
Just then, he heard a sound.
Hyunwoo’s eyes shot open.
He heard a sound.
He didn't know if it was the vibration from an explosion or a hallucination only he could hear. But Hyunwoo wanted to bring back the warmth that was fading from his arms.
He wanted to save him. This child, at least.
“…So…!”
Hyunwoo tried to shout, but only managed to choke on his dry throat.
‘No…!’
His voice wouldn't come out.
His heart sank, but he couldn't give up. After a moment's thought, Hyunwoo raised his right arm and picked up a stone slightly larger than his fist. Then he fumbled around in the dark.
He found a spot that seemed wide and sturdy. Holding Ian Weaver tightly, Hyunwoo struck the spot with the stone in his hand.
*Thud!*
Once.
*Thud!*
Twice.
*Thud!*
Three times.
His lips were parched and no sound would come from his throat, so making noise like this was all he could do, but Hyunwoo didn't give up.
*Thud!*
*Please.*
*Thud!*
*There’s.*
*Thud!*
*Someone here.*
*Thud!*
*…Help me.*
*Thud!*
*…Please, someone help us.*
Time, which felt both short and agonizingly long, passed.
Hyunwoo's strength seemed to be draining away as the sounds grew weaker.
Then.
*Trickle, trickle.*
Sand began to fall.
A look of despair crossed Hyunwoo’s face. It was a learned fear, born from his experiences so far.
*It’s going to collapse.*
Hyunwoo dropped the stone in his right hand and held Ian Weaver tightly.
*I’m scared.*
*So scared.*
*I’m so… so scared.*
He could barely breathe.
Unconsciously holding his breath, Hyunwoo felt slightly larger pebbles fall onto his dark hair. He curled up into a ball, his body shaking.
It was then.
[Survivor found. Survivor found.]
A deep voice echoed.
Hyunwoo jolted violently. Hearing the voice, he slowly lifted his head. Through his blurry vision, he could see something moving.
He saw light.
‘Ah…’
Tears streamed down Hyunwoo’s face. A wave of relief washed over him, so powerful he felt he might lose consciousness at any moment.
He could hear the sounds of rescue workers moving, clearing the surrounding debris and securing a path. The world was filled with sound again.
[Are you conscious? We’re getting you out now.]
Clinging to his fading consciousness, Hyunwoo took ragged breaths as the passage widened, and then he began to move. It was tight, but he could just manage to squeeze through.
[You shouldn’t move right n—!]
The rescue workers fell silent for a moment as a small hand and arm, different from the boy’s, appeared from below him.
Song Yoojung and Im Yena, too drained to even speak, watched the screen with devastated expressions.
[…A doll?]
A bewildered rescuer roughly pulled Ian Weaver—no, the baby doll—out of the hole. The baby doll, half-crushed and smeared with blood and dust, seemed to represent the horrific tragedy of the terror attack.
Only then was Lee Hyunwoo brought out.
[Get a stretcher!]
As Hyunwoo was placed on a stretcher, a rescuer beside him felt a tug and turned. Hyunwoo, who had seemed to have lost consciousness, had faintly opened his eyes.
The rescuer began to speak.
[We’re taking you to the hospital by ambulance right—]
Though his face was pale, Hyunwoo's gaze was more intense than ever. His lips moved. The rescuer stopped talking, bent his knees, and leaned in close.
“…Be… below…”
A faint voice whispered.
“…There are people there.”
…!
The rescuer gasped, his eyes trembling as he looked at Hyunwoo.
Hyunwoo struggled to continue.
“I-It took about 30 minutes to crawl. Her name is Cynthia, Cynthia Lindbergh…”
His voice was dry and raspy.
“And from there, south for 10 minutes… we-west for 5 minutes… His name is Jackson Miller.”
The rescuer took a sharp breath and gestured. Someone quickly turned on a recorder. The rescue team bustled with activity.
“And,”
Closing his eyes, Hyunwoo took a ragged breath and spoke again.
“From there, east for 5 minutes, south for 15 minutes… east again for about 15 minutes… south for 5 minutes… His name is Raymond Wish.”
Hyunwoo truly wanted to save them all.
Seeing Hyunwoo gasping for breath, tears rolling down his cheeks, the rescuer spoke.
[Don’t worry. We’ll go get them right away.]
Only then did Hyunwoo’s hand, which had been gripping the rescuer’s uniform, finally let go. The television screen showed Hyunwoo’s relieved face as he was carried away on the stretcher.
***
*Drrrrr—*
The sound of a machine drilling through rock echoed. Pebbles fell with a clatter. When an empty space appeared, a rescuer who had been scanning the area with a flashlight picked up his radio.
[…Missing person found. Missing person found.]
His voice was grim.
[…Body presumed to be Raymond Wish discovered.]
***
A blood-red sunset illuminated the ground.
A camera shot from above showed the collapsed Galleria Mall, dozens of ambulances and fire trucks, and people and rescue dogs moving about busily.
The camera slowly panned down.
A report came through a rescuer’s radio.
[Body presumed to be Cynthia Lindbergh discovered.]
[Body presumed to be Jackson Miller discovered.]
A moment ago.
The final report had come in.
[Body presumed to be Raymond Wish discovered.]
The camera swept past the face of a rescuer with a grim expression.
Outside an open ambulance.
Someone who looked like a paramedic was on the phone.
Since many of the victims at the Galleria Mall were tourists whose identities couldn't be immediately confirmed, the rescue team was actively using video calls to get confirmations from survivors.
But that was only possible if someone was alive.
“Are there any Asian tourists among the survivors?”
-No. We haven’t found a single Asian tourist among the survivors so far.
“Damn…”
The paramedic’s gaze shifted toward the collapsed Galleria Mall. Having been there before, he knew just how many Asian tourists frequented the place.
“Still no room at the hospital?”
-No. We’re getting too many patients…
Leaving the two men’s bitter conversation behind, the camera moved inside the ambulance.
A young boy, having received emergency treatment, lay inside.
Lee Hyunwoo’s faint breathing could be heard through the respirator. His breaths were slow but steady, and Song Yoojung and Im Yena found themselves breathing along with him, their hearts pounding.
It was then.
*Beeeeeeep—*
Without any warning, his heart stopped.
The cruel sound blared from the speakers as the frantic sound of footsteps rushed in. But the sound of the flatlining heart monitor was louder. The noises tangled together.
Amidst the cacophony, the screen filled with Lee Hyunwoo’s face.
The boy who wanted to save everyone, who had tried with every last ounce of his strength to do so,
was smiling more blissfully than ever before.
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