The Weight of Family
In a fight, momentum is everything. There’s a saying that "the first strike wins," and in any conflict, momentum is the deciding factor. If you look at historical records, you often see stories of the few defeating the many. In Jun-ho’s experience, nine times out of ten, it was because the victors seized the initial momentum and carried it through to the end. This was especially true in large-scale battles involving thousands, but in small-scale skirmishes, it was even more absolute. If you have numbers, you might have a chance to counterattack, but if you’re outnumbered, once you’re pushed back, it’s over. This is even more true for people who aren't used to fighting—especially those who have never experienced the terrifying, life-or-death reality of a real brawl. And right now, that was being proven.
It had only been six people since the first one had his skull cracked by Kim Ji-min’s baton. In contrast, there were still well over thirty people standing on their own two feet. But among those writhing on the ground like insects—or lying still, their fate unknown—not a single one had managed to land a hit on the three men, let alone graze their clothes. The mob, which had been charging forward with such vigor, had no choice but to stop.
"Ugh..."
Their momentum shattered, they retreated, stumbling over one another with the look of men who had just had ice-cold water dumped over their heads. Because the three men wore helmets, goggles, and masks, their expressions were hidden, making them appear all the more terrifying as they advanced.
"B-bows! What are the people with bows doing?" someone shouted, looking for the ones armed with crossbows.
"Gah?"
But the two men who had been holding the crossbows were already slumped over, bullets lodged in their stomachs and shoulders, letting out only pained groans.
"God-fucking-dammit! Let's just rush them all at once! If we surround them and attack together, we can take them!"
At the shout, the retreating crowd began to eye one another nervously.
"Yong-sun’s dad, what are you doing!? D-do something!"
"F-fuck off. What about that lady’s son? Why are you giving me shit?"
"The person who brought it up should step forward first, come on."
"No, we should all go together..."
"T-they're coming...!"
But no one moved. Not even the person who had incited them. It was only natural. Without a single exception, not one of them had ever fought for themselves before this moment—whether against zombies or people. They had always pushed their family members to the front to commit robbery and murder, surviving on the spoils of those acts.
"Parasites..."
The word, dripping with contempt, slipped from Jun-ho’s lips as he climbed down the retaining wall, having watched the situation unfold. The residents of this apartment complex who had attacked The First Apartments and died at the hands of the Slayer Squad and the zombies had at least been brave. In any other region, they might have been standard, normal survivors of the apocalypse. After all, harming others and taking what they had was the default setting in this world. Their only mistake—their only misfortune—was doing it in Gahyeon-ri, a territory claimed by a regressor.
But these people? They were just cowards and parasites, lacking even that scrap of courage or initiative. Yet, they couldn't even tolerate the smallest loss, and so they had crossed the 'line.' Moreover, these stupid, worm-like humans had overlooked one crucial fact.
"I said let's all attack together!"
"Let’s just surrender instead. If we stop now, they might spare us... Eek!?"
"Fuck!?"
"Aaaah!"
As Yoon Seol-hee, Kim Ji-min, and Kim Jae-mun suddenly sprinted forward, the crowd fell into a state of utter panic.
Whoosh! Thwack! Thud!
The batons danced without hesitation, and every time they moved, someone’s head cracked or a bone shattered, sending them sprawling to the ground.
"Argh! Argh!"
"Kuh-ack!"
The three showed no mercy. There was no distinction between men and women. Those without weapons were beaten on their limbs, but anyone holding a weapon—without exception—had their skull shattered.
"Cough! Ugh... Please, please save me."
And so, the mob of Riverview Apartments learned through their own bodies that if you cross the line first, others can cross it against you at any time.
The riot at Riverview Apartments ended with five dead, including the ringleaders, and over twenty suffering from serious injuries. Song Ki-jun, who arrived a bit late with the Slayer Squad, was left speechless at the horrific scene. However, after confirming that the rioters had harmed those who tried to stop them, and that three of the five deaths were caused by the ringleader group itself, he couldn't bring himself to feel even a shred of sympathy for those who had participated in the uprising.
"What will you do now?"
"As I said before, the people in charge here are Song Ki-jun and the village head. Post-riot management is something you all need to handle, not me."
"...Understood."
Song Ki-jun ordered the dead and wounded to be moved, then gathered the captured rioters and the residents who hadn't participated.
"Let's go."
"Yes? Aren't you going to check how they handle it?" asked Gu Jeong-mok, who had shot the ringleader with an air rifle. Jun-ho shook his head.
"Whether I check or not, nothing changes. It’s right for the people here to finish it themselves. Besides, knowing that man..."
Jun-ho glanced at Song Ki-jun—whose body was sturdier than when they first met, but whose face had grown sharper—and continued.
"He’ll make sure to tie up the loose ends so this never happens again."
Given the character and ability of Song Ki-jun that he had seen before the regression, and confirmed again over the last six months, he was certain of it. Just looking at those cold, glinting eyes, one could tell how furious Song Ki-jun was right now.
Above all, since Jun-ho’s actual age, including his past life, was now in his mid-thirties, he had developed a sense of 'experience.' And Yoon Seol-hee, who had worked for quite a long time with Kang Baek-ho, the owner of a corporation, seemed to have caught on to Jun-ho’s intent.
"Assistant Manager Gu. You don't like it when a manager interferes with your work one-on-one, right?"
"Well... it doesn't feel great."
As Gu Jeong-mok shrugged, Yoon Seol-hee wiped the blood from her baton and continued.
"Imagine if a manager or director kept interfering and lecturing you on your work in front of other subordinates or business partners. How would the others see you?"
"...Ah."
Finally realizing something, Gu Jeong-mok nodded. Kim Jae-mun and Kim Ji-min also realized Jun-ho’s intent belatedly and nodded along.
"Lee Jun-ho was establishing that man's authority and face earlier. Besides, what we did today is work they should have done themselves. In times like this, it's right to quietly step away at the right time. That way, we won't have to face each other with red faces later."
"Phew... I guess I still have a long way to go."
As Gu Jeong-mok scratched his head, Jun-ho stepped in.
"No. You did a great job today. By the way, Assistant Manager Gu. Are you okay?"
"Yes? Ah... that. I'm fine. I already have experience."
Regardless, since he had killed a living person with a gun, Jun-ho was a little worried about him.
"In this world, what can you do? Besides, that bastard I shot—they said he killed two people who were trying to stop him? He was a guy who would have killed more people if left alone. I'm fine."
Jun-ho felt somewhat relieved by Gu Jeong-mok’s reaction, which showed no signs of PTSD, even if his expression was bitter. Kim Jae-mun and Kim Ji-min also looked a bit stiff and tired from combat fatigue, but they didn't seem excited or thrilled. Jun-ho felt grateful and reassured by Yoon Seol-hee and Park Cheol-woo for recruiting people who were not only physically but mentally strong.
"Alright, we're almost there, so let's hurry. Let's arrive before the sun sets, have dinner together, and introduce ourselves."
He headed home—to our shelter—with the new members.
"This is really... incredible."
"It's insane, really."
"Wow... does this even make sense? A few billion won wouldn't even come close to this, right?"
"Not even close."
Yoon Seol-hee and the three men whom Yoon Yeong-su had dubbed the 'KJM Brothers' were in a state of continuous awe from the moment they saw the shelter entrance at the foot of the mountain. It was surprising enough that the old iron gate, which didn't even look like it would open, opened automatically, but the CCTV cameras—which they hadn't even known existed until Jun-ho told them—had no blind spots. Also, like everyone else, they widened their eyes at the automatically opening container doors and the container residence created within.
"For now, unpack your things here. You can stay for about two weeks to adjust."
"Yes? You mean this isn't the shelter?"
"Yes. That's right. This is a temporary residence. Other people will be moving in soon, but for now, our shelter family doesn't live here."
"Whoa..."
Jun-ho, turning his gaze away from the 'KJM Brothers,' spoke to the Blossom members, who seemed tense despite their amazement.
"You'll be two to a room for now, but if you want, the four of you can stay together. However, it's a studio style, so it will be very uncomfortable if four of you stay together."
"Um... Brother, would it be okay if only two of us sleep together at night?"
"Do whatever you want."
"Ah! Thank you so much!"
Cherry, Ahn Yu-jeong, whose expression brightened immediately, headed toward the container house with the other members. Thanks to the six container houses finding owners, the residence was full of life. Just then, the automatic door of the container on the opposite side opened.
"Uncle Juno...!"
Woof! Woof woof!
Choi Ji-woo, Kim Jun-seo, and the two dogs came sprinting toward Jun-ho.
"Careful, kids. Don't run."
Jun-ho smiled before he knew it. He finally felt like he was home.
Choi Ji-woo, who hung onto his thigh and chattered incessantly about how much she missed him, and Kim Jun-seo, who bowed politely and asked if he had a safe trip. Jun-ho, having barely managed to peel off Ferdy and Kkamsuni, who were rushing at him like crazy, spoke to Baek Ha-il, who had come out to meet them.
"I heard from Yeong-su on the way here that there wasn't anything major, but is there really nothing going on?"
Baek Ha-il scrunched up his face.
"Oh, you man, you man. You're talking about work the moment you get back? I heard you were fighting tooth and nail with some gangsters? You didn't get hurt anywhere, did you?"
Jun-ho, feeling a bit awkward at Baek Ha-il’s tongue-clicking, gave a bitter smile.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry, Brother."
"What are you saying? What do you have to be sorry to me for? Anyway, I'm really glad you're safe. And, well, I am too, but everyone else was worried sick about you, Jun-ho."
"Is that so?"
"Of course. So when you see them, talk to them nicely. We're all family, aren't we? You're the head of this shelter, Jun-ho."
"......!"
For a moment, Jun-ho shut his mouth, feeling as if he had been struck on the head. Family. At that word, something he had forgotten welled up inside him.
"...That's right. We're all family."
Jun-hyeok was the only one he was related to by blood, but the shelter members were indeed 'family' with whom he might spend the rest of his life, eating meals together. And it was only natural for such family to worry about each other. He had just forgotten for a moment.
"Of course. Anyway, this guy. He's brilliant at everything else, but he has no sense for things like this."
"That's because you're here, Brother. If I'm the head of the house, aren't you the mother of our shelter?"
Jun-ho smiled and nudged Baek Ha-il, the only person besides his brother Jun-hyeok to whom he could show his sincere heart.
"Hey, look at this guy? Don't smile at me like that. It's creepy."
Baek Ha-il, who knew Jun-ho’s heart well, pretended to be horrified, but soon chuckled and patted Jun-ho’s shoulder. He felt an incredibly warm glow from that rough touch. That was when it happened.
- Hey, Boss.
"Yeah. What is it?"
Yoon Yeong-su spoke in a voice that was a bit more subdued than usual.
- I'm sorry to say this as soon as you get back. But there's something you need to check right now.
"Check? What is it?"
- The government that fled to Jeju Island just uploaded a video.
"......!"
It seemed those incompetent fools, who had done nothing but push the people into further chaos instead of saving them, were trying to do something again.