Stay Sharp
The reason Jun-ho had gone to the trouble of creating a separate container residential area wasn't just to house potential candidates for the shelter after the apocalypse hit. The area surrounding Our Shelter—the "safe zone" that could be monitored 24/7 through various guard posts and PTZ cameras—was incredibly vast. It covered roughly half to two-thirds the size of Yeouido. Even though most of it was mountainous, it made no sense to leave such a large area, which featured a first-class spring behind the shelter and a flowing valley in front, to go to waste.
That was why he had told the siblings Park Deok-cheol and Park Seon-hui, along with Jo Yu-na, to build vinyl greenhouses when they first joined. However, that wasn't for the purpose of farming for those three or the shelter members. They only checked for issues once a week; the ultra-low-temperature freezer still held thirty years' worth of food that hadn't even been touched. The food in the low-temperature warehouse right next to the kitchen was enough for the current shelter members to eat for another two to three years. They hadn't even finished the meat and seafood in the freezers of the several commercial refrigerators placed in the kitchen. Because they had vacuum-sealed them with oxygen absorbers and desiccants in airtight containers, the shelf life was dramatically longer than standard freezer storage.
As such, if it were just for Jun-ho and the people living there to survive, there was absolutely no need to farm outside. But, as if to prove that there is no such thing as a perfect plan, people were constantly needed, and to feed them, they couldn't just rely on the food prepared in advance. Furthermore, those people—though it might be a somewhat cruel thing to say—had to be the manpower that would stand against the enemy first if a situation arose where Our Shelter was directly attacked. They had to show responsibility, a "price" for being allowed to live in the safest place possible, enjoying a civilization that was now hard to find elsewhere.
And in Jun-ho's view, Go Seok-jin, who had led the elderly and the students he rescued from the Hanalreum Nursing Home well, was someone who fully deserved to spend the rest of his life in the container residential area. And now, it was also time for the Hanalreum Nursing Home to take on another role.
“…Understood. I’ll handle the matter regarding Elder Go Seok-jin. Anything else? Nothing else?”
- Well, there is something going on at Our Shelter, you know?
“What? What is it?”
Jun-ho’s expression became even more serious. But then.
- Hehe. But honestly, it’s a big deal if you think it’s big, and it’s nothing if you think it’s nothing? So, Boss, you should come and check it out yourself.
“What…?”
- There’s just something like that. Anyway, I’ll let the others know you’re safe. Akina will handle communications and drone control.
- Akina. Taking over. Welcome back, Master Lee Jun-ho.
Immediately, the cold voice of the AI Akina flowed out instead of Yun Yeong-su. Jun-ho was dumbfounded. However, judging by Yun Yeong-su’s attitude, it was certain that it wasn't a particularly dangerous or serious matter, so he shook his head and said, “Send two surveillance drones and two delivery drones from the shelter. As for what to put in the delivery drones…”
- Confirmed.
It was a cold, business-like response, completely different from the boisterous Yun Yeong-su, but feeling an inexplicable sense of relief, Jun-ho ended the communication.
“I’ve put everything in here, Unni. Do you need help?”
“No. I’m done too. Su-ho Oppa, you can take it now.”
“Is that right? You two stay here. I’ll carry it.”
For about a month, he hadn't been able to get used to Park Seon-hui’s beauty and would blush every time he saw her, but now Baek Su-ho, who had changed to treat her like a neighborhood younger sister he knew, carried the cargo box away nonchalantly. Still, as a celebrity, and an idol in her prime at that, she might have felt a bit strange, but Park Seon-hui felt much more comfortable now than back then. Because not only she, but everyone at Our Shelter knew who Baek Su-ho liked.
“Unni, Unni. You know Su-ho Oppa said he’s going to the nursing home again this weekend, right?”
Kim Ha-yun, who had tied her now-grown hair into a ponytail, closed the basement warehouse door and said, looking at the stairs Baek Su-ho had gone up first.
“He must be going because there’s someone he wants to see. They say he fell in love at first sight.”
“Kick! That’s so funny. He was always drooling over you and Yu-na Unni.”
“What can you do? He said she’s prettier than any idol to him.”
“What? That makes no sense. Well, that Unni is pretty too, but I think you’re much prettier, Unni. Honestly, there’s no comparison.”
Park Seon-hui smiled at Kim Ha-yun, who spoke firmly, unlike a middle school student. That was right. Baek Su-ho had fallen in love at first sight with Lee Seul-gi, a part-time cram school teacher who had been rescued along with several high school students when Jun-ho purged the Daeseonghoe. So, he wanted to go to the Hanalreum Nursing Home to see her whenever he had the chance, but the problem was that there weren't many reasons to go from Our Shelter to the nursing home. It was only once or twice a month when they received rabbit or chicken meat or delivered necessary items there. Baek Su-ho had been desperately following along with work that Jun-hyeok or Choi Jung-woo usually did.
“But Seul-gi Unni and the high school Unnis and Oppas there have almost given up on going home, right? I guess they’ll have to keep living at the nursing home?”
“Probably? Well, Jun-ho Oppa will handle that.”
“Ah! But when is Mister Jun-ho coming home? I wish he’d come back soon.”
“Why? Do you miss Jun-ho Oppa?”
At Park Seon-hui’s subtle question, Kim Ha-yun nodded without hesitation.
“Yes. You know, Mister Jun-ho is really like a real uncle to me. And also, Jun-seo is anxious because Mister Jun-ho isn't here.”
“I see….”
Park Seon-hui could understand the feelings of the siblings Kim Ha-yun and Kim Jun-seo. She was similar, but the two siblings had literally been saved by Jun-ho at the moment they were facing death. Moreover, thanks to Jun-ho’s consideration, they were able to hold a proper funeral for their grandmother, who was their only blood relative and guardian in the world. In the end, despite their young age, their gratitude and trust toward Jun-ho were sky-high, and since it was the first time such a Jun-ho had been away for a long time, the two siblings, who were mature and sensible beyond their years, couldn't help but feel anxious.
“Oh, and Unni. Jun-seo and Ji-wu made a gift to give to Mister Jun-ho when he comes back. No, they don't have anything for me, who takes care of them every day. Isn't it funny that the little ones are like that? Seriously.”
“Haha….”
Park Seon-hui couldn't help but laugh.
“Oh, right. But Seon-hui Unni.”
At that moment, Kim Ha-yun, who was climbing the stairs together, suddenly pretended to look around, then stuck close to Park Seon-hui and said in a low voice.
“I know you packed clothes and various things because new people are coming, but don't you think there are too many things for women to use?”
“…Yeah. But I guess there are women.”
Since Jun-ho hadn't told them who he was bringing, Park Seon-hui had no idea that the people coming to the shelter were the Blossom members she knew well.
“Ah, Unni, you shouldn't talk so casually.”
“Huh? Why?”
Kim Ha-yun looked at Park Seon-hui, who was tilting her head, with a frustrated look and said.
“Unni. I don't know how many women there are. But in my opinion, there's a very high chance they're people Mister Jun-ho rescued like you or me, right? Then what will happen?”
“What do you mean what will happen? That’s…”
Park Seon-hui, who was about to answer, flinched for a moment and shut her mouth. For some reason, an ominous thought had occurred to her.
“In this world. It’s a man who is fit, fights incredibly well, and is handsome, that Mister Jun-ho rescued. No. I should take out the handsome part. Cancel that. Anyway.”
“…….”
She wanted to retort that it was fine if he was that much, but she was afraid her feelings would be found out, so Park Seon-hui kept her mouth shut, and Kim Ha-yun continued to chatter.
“In my opinion. There’s a high probability that someone has fallen for Mister Jun-ho. So, Unni. You should stay sharp too.”
“M-me? Stay sharp? Why, why…?”
“…Ugh, forget it. Ah, so frustrating, really. I’m going to the doctor.”
Kim Ha-yun, who let out a deep sigh, shook her head and walked away. “H-Ha-yun?” Park Seon-hui, left alone, called out to Kim Ha-yun in embarrassment. But Kim Ha-yun, who glanced back at her, just shook her head again and headed toward the annex building where the medical room was. Left alone like that, Park Seon-hui finally realized the identity of the ominousness(?).
“No way that could happen… Even so, people don't just simply…” she muttered. But realizing that the person who had someone in her heart so simply was herself, she had no choice but to change the words she was saying to herself.
“Yeah. One person is enough for that to happen. Stay sharp… Okay.”
Park Seon-hui had no idea that there were as many as five women coming to Our Shelter with Jun-ho.
“No, all of this…”
“These are basic supplies. There’s more besides these, but you can receive those when you get to the shelter.”
The people, who had been scared out of their wits when the delivery drone descended from the sky and dropped a fairly large cargo box, were now busy examining the items taken out of the cargo box, full of excitement.
“Just change your clothes for now. Bulletproof vests and helmets are mandatory, so everyone wear them.”
The group did as they were told and came out after changing into the work clothes and combat uniforms sent from the shelter.
“Wow, isn't this what the US military wears?”
“Right. It’s killer, isn't it?”
Yoon Seol-hee and the combat team were very pleased with the Gore-Tex combat uniforms and tactical vests containing Level 3 bulletproof panels. On the other hand, the Blossom members, who were wearing the brown work clothes that Park Deok-cheol, Park Seon-hui, and Jo Yu-na had briefly worn in the past, felt a little awkward. However, as Tier 1 female idols, their fit wasn't too bad. And above all, it was just the color that was a bit off, but functionally it was far superior to the daily clothes they had been wearing until just a moment ago, so they also reacted positively.
However, they didn't quite understand why they had to wear such work clothes already. Anyway, perhaps because they were wearing better combat uniforms than when they were in the Special Forces, Yoon Seol-hee, whose expression was brighter than usual, approached Jun-ho.
“Thank you. I never dreamed I’d receive something like this here already.”
“The shelter has many drones. You’ll probably be even more surprised when you go and see.”
“I see. By the way, you said it’s quite far from here, so shouldn't we hurry? Since we’ll probably have to sleep outside tonight, to get a good spot…”
“No. We’ll be there soon. We’ll probably arrive before sunset.”
“…Excuse me?”
Not only Yoon Seol-hee, but even the others looked at Jun-ho as if to ask what that meant. Jun-ho grinned and took Yoon Seol-hee to a secluded part of the pier. After removing the dried-up weeds, he lifted the waterproof camouflage tarp.
“Ah…!”
To Yoon Seol-hee, who opened her eyes wide at the sight of the multi-purpose electric vehicle, Jun-ho said.
“This one can carry luggage and still seat two or three people. And there are several more electric vehicles the gangsters used in that warehouse over there. If we ride those, we’ll be there in no time.”
Now that the Daeseonghoe had been annihilated, this pier, which the gangsters had utilized, had become the property of Our Shelter and an intermediate base. Therefore, Jun-ho said.
“The more it’s a world like this, the more you have to cherish things to live well. Now, everyone, let’s scavenge.”
He planned to frugally take everything except for the solar power facilities, communications, and surveillance equipment. That was why he had sent the work clothes.