Father's Smile and the Failed Rescue
Ever since he was a child, Baek Woojin had often dreamed the same dream.
It was always the same scene: young Woojin playing in someone's arms on a park bench. Distracted by the toy fire truck clutched in his hands, little Woojin suddenly realized something. On that day—whose date he couldn't recall—the only toy he'd brought out was that fire truck.
"...Ppa."
Little Woojin looked up, fixing his gaze on the face of the man holding him. The man's features were shrouded in shadow under the blinding sunlight of a clear day. But even just seeing the bright smile on his lips was enough for Woojin to know exactly who it was.
"Daddy!"
Always so proud and missed... but also painfully resented at times.
His father.
"...Ugh."
Woojin grimaced, letting out a short groan as he dragged his heavy body in a full sprint toward the tunnel. It was truly bizarre.
He'd dreamed this dream countless times, but he'd never once clearly called out "Daddy!" to the man in it. He'd never even imagined doing so while recalling the dream.
So why, in this sudden memory surfacing now, had he called out to his father so vividly?
Like being possessed, the scene floated unbidden into his mind, beyond his control. Then, what had young "me" said to his father next?
As various thoughts bubbled up, stirring complex emotions—
> Geon-woo, you there?
Right on cue, the fire chief's voice crackled over the radio, shattering his tangled thoughts.
Click.
Woojin halted at the tunnel entrance, panting heavily as he replied,
"...Yes, Chief."
> Can you see inside?
"Not yet. I'll head in and report back."
Woojin stepped into the tunnel. The explosion site seemed some distance from the entrance. No major flames were immediately visible. The real problem was the thick smoke filling the interior.
He moved forward cautiously, step by step, scanning his surroundings. This old tunnel apparently lacked ventilation shafts or fire hydrants.
No wonder the smoke has nowhere to go.
"No ventilation shafts or hydrants in sight. Visibility is naturally poor in these conditions."
> This is insane...
In the meantime, Woojin spotted the kindergarten bus and approached it. At least the distance from the entrance to the bus wasn't too far—a small mercy.
"Chief! Found it!"
> Bus condition? Survivors?
The bus was precariously leaning against another vehicle, tilted halfway over. Only two of its four wheels touched the ground.
"It's still tilted, with flames lingering only at the rear for now. Everyone seems to be inside."
> Flames near the engine... Damn.
In a life-or-death crisis, a firefighter had to judge and act on the best option. Woojin's choice was obvious:
"I'm entering the bus."
No sooner had he spoken than he used a nearby crumpled car as a step, climbing toward the bus's side. He first peered through the windows into the interior.
The survivors inside were all buckled in but appeared unconscious, motionless.
> Risk of rollover and explosion...
"Twenty confirmed."
> R-roger. We'll clear a path and send support. Start rescue carefully.
"Got it."
After signing off, Woojin checked the interior once more. Breaking a rear window from an empty seat would be safest.
He raised the fire axe high.
One, two, three...!
Trusting his comrades would arrive soon, and that the kids could hold on until then, Woojin swung with all his might.
Crash!
The window shattered easily. Woojin quickly wedged the axe between the tilted bus side and the ground as a makeshift brace. Then he climbed in and began swiftly carrying the children out.
Ding—
Count:1/21
Ding—
Count:2/21
Ding—
Count:3/21
Ding—
Count:... (continuing)
His mind raced, but he had no time to glance at them. He started with the children closest to the flames at the rear.
He wanted to move them out faster and in greater numbers, but reality allowed only one per arm at a time.
The routine was simple: carry two out, lay them safely a short distance from the tunnel entrance, then return and repeat.
Ideally, he'd check consciousness and administer CPR if needed... but getting everyone out first was best.
Please...
No one's dead, right? The messages say 'survivor.'
Even if the diary was inflexible and curt, even in this virtual world, it wouldn't toy with lives like that. He had to believe.
Ding—
Count:10/21
Halfway done, "Hoo..."
Physical limits hit. He could barely breathe.
Ah, if only one teammate were here, it'd be over quick...
Even such thoughts were a luxury he couldn't afford. Woojin gritted his teeth and turned back toward the tunnel.
"Geon-woo!"
"Senior, we're here!"
He turned at the voices. Two firefighters were running toward him, waving from afar.
Like a weary starting pitcher relieved by the bullpen. Relief washed over him, his legs buckling as he plopped onto his butt.
His comrades rushed faster. Somehow, Woojin recognized them instantly.
Won Jong-su, his closest academy rival and friend. And Moon Hee-yeon, the rookie from Inju City's North Station where Geon-woo was stationed.
"You okay?"
Won Jong-su offered a hand, voice laced with worry. Meanwhile, Moon Hee-yeon had already entered the tunnel, illuminating the interior with her headlamp.
"...Path secured?"
"Still the same."
"How, then?"
"Couldn't just stand by. Shoved through like you did."
Like Woojin, they'd crossed via the temporary path before flames sealed it again. A razor-thin window.
"Crazy bastard."
"Who're you calling that?"
Woojin smiled, grabbing Won Jong-su's hand to stand—but his legs wouldn't cooperate. His head spun.
Even in turnout gear, prolonged toxic gas exposure had taken its toll. His suit was charred black as if born that way.
"Can you get up?"
"...Gotta."
He tried again, but his legs trembled. He collapsed once more.
"No good. Rest a bit."
"No, come with."
Woojin clutched his dizzy head, steadying himself. Won Jong-su replied firmly,
"Leave it to me and Hee-yeon. Check these kids first."
"...Got it. Be careful. I'll follow soon."
"Yeah. Hee-yeon!"
"Yes, Senior!"
Won Jong-su and Moon Hee-yeon entered the tunnel. Watching their backs, "I should be going too..." Woojin muttered in frustration.
He'd fought alone under dire conditions, saving ten already. But that didn't matter.
In a situation craving every extra hand, sending comrades ahead stirred heavy guilt. This camaraderie etched deep in his chest—that was a firefighter's bond.
Get up, Baek Woojin.
Gathering his remaining strength, he rose. He checked the kids' consciousness, then moved them to a safer spot.
Meanwhile,
Ding—
Count:11/21
Ding—
Count:12/21
Ding—
Count:13/21
Won Jong-su and Moon Hee-yeon swiftly evacuated more survivors. The 'ding—' sounds he'd once found distracting were now music to his ears.
Keep ringing. Please.
Then—
Boom!
A massive roar echoed from within the tunnel.
Fresh anxiety gripped Woojin.
"What, what was that?!"
Grabbing his trembling legs, he rushed to the entrance. About 20 seconds after the noise, Moon Hee-yeon burst out, a child tucked under her arm.
Ding—
Count:14/21
The welcome 'ding—' rang again, but her words were the opposite:
"Big trouble, Senior!"
"What happened?!"
"The bus collapsed."
Despite the axe brace, the bus—tilted over 45 degrees visibly—had finally crashed down.
"Jong-su?"
"Don't know. When the boom hit, I called for Senior Jong-su, but he yelled to get the kid out first..."
Disaster upon disaster. Rage surged.
I just wished the survivor dings would keep coming, and now this...? Even a firefighter's simple hope to save lives—ignored?!
"I'm going in first. Lay the kid safely over there and follow!"
"Got it."
Moon Hee-yeon ran to the spot he indicated. Woojin plunged into the tunnel without hesitation, approaching the now-grounded bus.
The impact had shattered several front and side windows.
Unconscious survivors—glass shards from the collapse could be deadly.
Clang!
Woojin pulled away remaining front glass, then entered.
"Jong-su!"
"Here!"
His comrade's desperate cry came from a rear corner. Woojin rushed over.
"You okay? Hurt?"
"I'm fine."
Ironic. Minutes ago, Jong-su had asked him the same.
"Your arm..."
No major injuries, but in the collapse, Jong-su's arm was pinned between seats.
"I'll handle it. Get the kids out first!"
Even buckled, unconscious bodies had taken a massive jolt in the fall. Survivors first.
"Hang on. Back soon."
Nodding at Jong-su's shout, Woojin turned, scooping two kids under his arms and heading out—
"...?!"
His eyes widened.
Flames... the fire...
The collapse's shock had reignited the rear flames dormant until now. In just 1-2 seconds, they erupted unbelievably, engulfing the vehicle.
"No!"
Before his shout ended, eyes meeting Jong-su's—
BOOM!
The bus exploded. Remaining survivors, Jong-su, and Woojin himself were hurled into the blast's maw.
Unbearable agony seared his body, and in a nanosecond before blackout—
Failed to rescue all survivors.
Ding.
Drip.
Consciousness faded.