I Don't Want to Shoot Anyone
"I will apologize properly again. Mr. Lee Jun-ho, and everyone... I am truly sorry."
"I'm sorry... I've committed a sin worthy of death."
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
As Go Jeong-nam apologized with deep sincerity, Go Seok-jin bowed his head low while kneeling, and his wife, standing beside him, clasped her hands together and bowed at the waist. Go Seok-jin’s appearance was a mess after getting a proper beating from his father. However, the others who had heard the full story from Jun-ho looked at him with awkward expressions. Now, everyone knew that the nursing home had nearly been burned to the ground because of him.
"I will make amends for this sin, both for this boy and for myself, having raised such a child. It is all my fault for raising my son poorly. I am truly sorry."
"Oh, no. Mr. Jeong-nam, what could you possibly have done wrong?"
"That's right. We were the ones who almost ended up in big trouble, sir."
At the words of the nursing assistant, Kang Su-ah, the nursing home employee Lee Jae-seok chimed in. They didn't dislike Go Jeong-nam; despite his somewhat stern appearance, he had always treated the staff very well. In fact, he was one of the residents they liked the most.
"That's enough apologizing. First, let's treat your son. It's summer, so if we leave him like this, something bad could happen. Especially in a world like this..."
Kim Hui-yeong approached the three family members, then turned back to look at Jun-ho. "Um... is this alright? And may I use some more of the emergency medical kit you gave us earlier?"
"Of course. Please do."
"Thank you."
With a kind smile, Kim Hui-yeong helped the kneeling Go Seok-jin to his feet. "Mr. Go Jeong-nam, even so, how can you hit a person like this?"
"No, Nurse. Do you know that because of this idiot, you and Dr. Choi could have been in real danger? A guy like this needs to be hit more..."
"Tsk! Just try touching him again."
"Ah, no..."
Kim Hui-yeong glared at the flustered Go Jeong-nam and patted Go Seok-jin on the shoulder. "Now, stand up. We need to treat your wounds."
"Th-thank you."
"Thank you, Nurse. Thank you."
Go Seok-jin and his wife followed her, bowing repeatedly. Jun-ho felt a sudden question arise from their conversation. 'Nurse...?'
Jun-ho spoke to Choi Ui-su. "Is your wife a nurse, not a doctor like you?"
"Ah, yes. She helps out at the local clinic I run now, but... a long time ago, she was a head nurse at a general hospital."
"Ah... I see. Then, Choi Ui-su—no, Doctor, what is your specialty?"
"Emergency medicine. I was the head of the emergency department at Hanil Hospital. I run a local clinic now, but... well, not anymore."
"Ah... I understand."
Jun-ho barely managed to suppress a cheer at the bitter expression on Choi Ui-su’s face. *'Good. Very good.'*
He had thought they were both doctors, but finding out the wife was a head nurse at a general hospital was even better. Given Kim Hui-yeong’s age, she must have worked in hospitals for over 20 years, rotating through various departments. That meant she would have knowledge and practical experience not just in internal and general medicine, but also in pediatrics, otolaryngology, and obstetrics. Furthermore, considering the reality of the Korean medical system, it was obvious she had experience making decisions on diagnosis, medication, and treatment herself.
This meant that for *The Shelter*, Kim Hui-yeong, with over 20 years of diverse experience, was far more valuable than any average intern or resident. And Choi Ui-su was an emergency medicine specialist. For *The Shelter*, where trauma cases would be frequent, they were the absolute best talent.
"Has it been about three years since Dr. Choi and Nurse Kim started volunteering for us? They are such grateful people. Watching over us old folks who are just barely hanging on every month... that’s not something just anyone can do."
"It’s nothing. My wife and I just... no, never mind. Anyway, please don't worry about it."
To Choi Ui-su, who had started to say something and then stiffened, Jun-ho spoke casually. "Do you smoke? Would you like to go to the roof and have one? The night view isn't exactly great, though..."
"Oh, do you smoke?"
"No. But I carry them with me."
In the apocalypse, alcohol and tobacco were treated as precious commodities, almost on par with food for some people. That was why, even if he didn't drink, Jun-ho always carried a pack of cigarettes just in case. Fortunately, Choi Ui-su was a smoker.
"Could I have one too?"
At Go Jeong-nam’s casual request, Choi Ui-su turned his head. "Didn't you say you quit?"
"I did. I quit, but... the world is in this state, so let's have one. Besides..."
Go Jeong-nam glared at his son, who was being treated by Kim Hui-yeong, and continued. "Looking at that idiot, my blood pressure is rising, so I need to smoke today."
Jun-ho headed to the roof with the two men. The nursing home building was safe now, but the two still couldn't hide their fear, glancing around cautiously as they climbed the stairs.
"Here you go. It’s probably not the brand you usually smoke."
"No, it’s fine. In this situation, anything is a blessing. Thank you."
"Oh, thank you, thank you."
Choi Ui-su and Go Jeong-nam carefully took one cigarette each from the pack Jun-ho offered. Go Jeong-nam, having received Choi Ui-su’s lighter to ignite his, took a long drag and exhaled, his expression turning dreamy. "Good, this is good. Why on earth did I quit this, thinking I’d live longer..."
"Still, you should quit. If you must, try smoking just one or two a day like me."
"Of course. I’ll do that."
Not daring to go near the railing, they watched the lingering glow of the fire and listened to the bizarre noises of the zombie horde on the road below. For a while, the two stood in silence, exhaling plumes of smoke.
"By the way, young man Jun-ho. Ah, is it alright if I call you that?"
"Call me whatever you’re comfortable with."
"I’m curious why a young man like you, who isn't even a soldier, is like this, but I won't ask. No, I *can't* ask. You’re our savior, after all. But tell me."
Go Jeong-nam’s gaze shifted to Choi Ui-su. "When a person gets old, all they have left is their intuition. I think you came here because of Dr. Choi and Nurse Kim. Am I right?"
"...Yes, you are."
Jun-ho didn't offer a clumsy excuse or change the subject. From the start, he had no intention of taking the other survivors at the nursing home to *The Shelter*, or even to the container residential area, let alone the couple.
"...!?"
Choi Ui-su flinched and looked at Jun-ho. Jun-ho met his gaze and spoke calmly.
"I have built a very safe place. About ten people live there together. And probably over there."
Jun-ho glanced briefly in the direction of Point Two before continuing. "My younger brother is there. Most of the things that died at the front gate of this nursing home were taken care of by my brother."
"Ah..."
"Anyway, I need a doctor there. As you can see, it looks like I’ll have to keep doing things like I did today. There will definitely be times when people get injured. And the people living with me could get hurt, too. So."
"..."
To Choi Ui-su, who was looking at him with a stiff expression, Jun-ho didn't make a request, but a bold proposal.
"How about you and your wife come to where I am? I can dare to guarantee that it is the safest place in all of South Korea. Right now, and in the future as well."
"...!"
Choi Ui-su flinched, then thought about something for a long moment before turning his head. He looked at Go Jeong-nam, who was smoking with a blank face, and then turned his gaze back to Jun-ho. "I am very grateful for your words, but I will stay here..."
"Go, Dr. Choi."
"...Excuse me?"
"Follow young man Jun-ho."
"Sir."
"Ah, don't worry about us here. Even if he’s a good-for-nothing, I have my youngest son here, and my daughter-in-law has arrived. We will survive somehow, so you and Nurse Kim should go with him."
"No, I..."
"Dr. Choi."
Go Jeong-nam, who had firmly cut off Choi Ui-su’s words, stubbed out his cigarette. Then, with his usual stubborn and cranky expression, he spoke.
"I wasn't going to say this, but since the world has turned into this mess, I have to."
"...?"
"I told you that when you get old, your intuition only gets sharper, didn't I? Did you think I didn't know that you looked at us old folks here, starting with me, with pity and disdain?"
"...!!!"
Choi Ui-su was so shocked his shoulders shook.
"Dr. Choi, you come here to feel satisfied looking at us, don't you? I don't know what happened to you and your wife. But you come to see us old people, whose children and grandchildren rarely visit, and you feel satisfied, don't you?"
"I, I..."
"I was grateful to you, Dr. Choi, but I always felt uncomfortable. It wasn't just me; most of the old folks here must have felt the same way, right?"
"Ah...!"
Choi Ui-su’s eyes widened, and he couldn't continue.
"But we couldn't say anything. Because other than you and your wife, there are no doctors who look after old people like us. Even if you laughed at us in your hearts, you were the only doctor who came to check on us, after all."
"...!"
The moment he heard those words, Choi Ui-su’s face twisted horribly. Gritting his teeth, he spoke slowly and quietly, as if vomiting something from deep within his chest.
"...You are right. I don't know about my wife, but I... I felt relief and satisfaction looking at the old people here. Because..."
Staring at Jun-ho, who was embarrassed by this sudden confession, Choi Ui-su’s lips trembled as he continued.
"Because I, too, cannot see my daughter even though I want to. But... our Yuna is dead, so that’s why."
"...!"
Jun-ho and Go Jeong-nam’s eyes widened.
"But the old people here... their children are alive and well, yet they... they rarely see them."
Choi Ui-su, trembling while gritting his teeth, slowly turned his face toward Go Jeong-nam.
"Satisfied, you ask? Yes, I was satisfied. I was happy. These old people cannot see their children even though they are alive and well, just like me. I cannot see my daughter no matter what I do. Our Yuna... my daughter who left early at such a young age, she cannot come even if she wants to see her mom and dad. Compared to these people, I am bett... bett... *sob*, *sniff*..."
Tears poured from the eyes of the middle-aged doctor, who had looked cold enough to not shed a single drop of blood even if pricked. Go Jeong-nam, who had been watching him quietly, slowly approached and patted his arm gently.
"I only just found out the details, but I had guessed to some extent. That you and Nurse Kim were people with wounded hearts—I and the other old folks here had noticed that for quite a while."
"*Sob*, *sniff*..."
"How could an old man like me even begin to guess the pain of losing a child? When my eldest son went to prison, I felt like my heart was being torn apart... I don't know. Of course, I don't know. But still."
Go Jeong-nam looked at Choi Ui-su, who was crying low like a wounded beast, with pitying eyes, but continued in a firm tone.
"A person shouldn't try to heal their own mental illness by looking down on others who share the same pain. Don't you, Dr. Choi, who is much more educated than an ignorant old man like me, know better than anyone that the illness only grows worse if you do that?"
"...!"
"So, Dr. Choi. Go with Nurse Kim. If you stay here with us, it will only be uncomfortable for both sides, and your mental pain will only grow deeper. Our smart Dr. Choi knows what I mean, right?"
"Yes. I know, sir... I know very well."
Go Jeong-nam looked at Choi Ui-su, who was wiping away his tears, as if he were his own son, patting his back and shoulders. And Jun-ho watched the two of them in silence. He had thought Go Jeong-nam was just a cranky old man with a filial but troublesome son, but he saw him in a completely different light now. Especially since he believed that a person’s "true nature" emerged in times of absolute crisis. Jun-ho was quite impressed by this wise and deep-hearted old man who, in this desperate apocalypse, was considerate enough to send away a precious doctor—someone who had even looked down on him—for the doctor's own sake. So, Jun-ho made a decision.
"Mr. Go Jeong-nam."
"Ah, I’m sorry, young man Jun-ho. An old man like me talked too much and meddled unnecessarily, didn't I? Anyway, Dr. Choi and Nurse Kim..."
"You’re going to stay here with your son and daughter-in-law, right?"
"Well, I suppose I have to. Where else is there to go in a world like this?"
"Then let’s go down first. There are things the others need to hear, too."
"...?"
"Ji-won...?"
"Yes."
The survivors of the nursing home, gathered again in Room 203, could not hide their bewildered expressions at Jun-ho’s words.
"There are three elderly people and four adult men and women. There might be some food in the kitchen here, but I can provide you with rice and side dishes on a regular basis. If you need them, I will also give you seeds for crops to grow here."
"Ye-yes...?"
He had 30 tons of rice and 10 tons of flour stored in the low-temperature and ultra-low-temperature freezers. He didn't even need to touch the tons of ramen, noodles, pasta, and MRE combat rations kept in storage. Even if they only ate rice and flour, it was enough for the 20 residents of *The Shelter* to eat for nearly 30 years. So, supporting the people at Hanalreum Nursing Home for a year or two wouldn't even make a dent. He had other plans for after that.
"And I see you have solar panels here, but what is the system? Are you storing it in ESS batteries?"
At Jun-ho’s question, Lee Jae-seok, who had handled various chores at the nursing home, raised his hand.
"It’s a regular inverter battery. Night rates, I think? Anyway, we used electricity that way."
"Then I will give you ESS batteries as well. And the location here is good, so I will install a few high-performance CCTV cameras for you. You’ll be able to see everything within a radius of 300 to 400 meters, whether it's zombies or people. Ah, I’ll also install a relay station that connects to where I live. You can communicate with each other at any time."
Hanalreum Nursing Home, located on a slightly elevated area, could be called a strategic point. Even if it wasn't at the level of high-altitude drone surveillance, installing one imported high-performance camera and three or four domestic CCTVs would allow them to monitor the area in great detail. In other words, for *The Shelter*, making this place a "forward base" or a "cooperative partner" was a strategically sound decision. If Go Jeong-nam, who was healthy enough that one wouldn't believe he was in his 70s, knew how to draw the line, and had excellent judgment, was the leader, he could be trusted to a certain extent.
"Re-really?"
"Whoa..."
After Jun-ho took Go Jeong-nam and Choi Ui-su to the roof, the people who had been worrying about how to overcome this desperate situation changed from being delighted to looking like they were about to cry.
"So."
Jun-ho’s gaze turned to Go Seok-jin, whose face was starting to bruise.
"Ah..."
Go Seok-jin, who had turned pale thinking Jun-ho might tell him to get out, heard Jun-ho’s cold voice.
"Mr. Seok-jin, get to work right now."
"Wo-work?"
"Gather the dead zombies from inside the nursing home into the yard. Collect the shell casings I fired, too. Anyway, clean everything up. If you don't want to die—no, if you don't want to be kicked out."
"Yes, sir!"
Go Seok-jin, who had clearly heard the word "die," instantly turned into a gentle lamb and nodded vigorously. Go Jeong-nam glared at his son.
"You idiot. I will keep watching you. No, let’s do it together. What’s the point of being healthy if you’re just going to loaf around? Young man Jun-ho, I will keep a tight watch on this idiot so he can't cause any trouble."
"Yes, I trust you, sir. I don't want to shoot someone else's precious child with a gun, either."
"Ye-yes... I will never take my eyes off him."
Go Jeong-nam was completely submissive to Jun-ho, and Go Seok-jin was like a mouse before a cat, not just to his father but to Jun-ho as well. Since he had been told that he didn't—or rather, *couldn't*—cause any trouble when they lived together at home before he enlisted, he would no longer be a nuisance villain, but would work hard as the "yard hand" of the nursing home.
The zombies outside the front gate of the nursing home had mostly died from Jun-hyeok’s prolonged air rifle fire. The others, seeing no more humans, had returned to their original locations following their homing instinct. There were still many zombies left on the lower road, but because of the 3-meter hill and the wall built on top of it, it was impossible for them to perceive movement on this side. In other words, unless they shouted loudly in the yard on purpose, there was no chance of being heard, so it was a situation where simple work could be done.
"Keep watching carefully. Jun-hyeok, keep taking care of the ones you see from your side."
- Don't worry. -
- There aren't any right now. I'll take care of them as soon as I see them. -
Jun-ho, having ended the communication, stood in front of a living room door on the second floor with Choi Ui-su and Kim Hui-yeong.
"It’s here. In here..."
Choi Ui-su couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
*Thud! Thud-thud...!*
The closed door of Room 207. Inside the door, which had a small transparent window, the zombie old woman who was staring at Jun-ho with grayish-white eyes and repeatedly banging her head against the door was Yang Myeong-suk, the grandmother of the Kim siblings.