Live Broadcast 6 (Part 3)
Before starting the outdoor broadcast, I headed back to the convenience store I had passed earlier. During the fight against demons, it made sense to stock up on simple foods that could replenish water and calories. Long-term battles were surprisingly common.
Ring—
When I entered, the male convenience store clerk from before was furiously tapping away on the phone he had left on the counter, no customers in sight.
“Just when does it turn on?”
He muttered this alone, his face tight with anxiety. It had to be about my broadcast. After all, the man had told me he had watched it.
“Hello.”
“Eek! Welcome—uh, are you all right?!”
The part-timer finally noticed a customer had arrived and looked shocked. His mouth stayed open even after he realized it was me.
“I’m fine, but with the situation like this, you’re still working?”
“The manager called. Said to hold the store until the end. If anything gets stolen or broken, they’ll sue for damages…”
Was that even legal?
“Actually, I was quite surprised. The… attire and the broadcast…”
“I was surprised too. I thought it was fake, but your broadcast really came through. And the very first one at that.”
“Oh, was that so?”
The part-timer smiled awkwardly. But thanks to that, I felt steadier.
“After I turned off the broadcast, I was talking. At first I was shaken, but thanks to everyone who tuned in, I got my resolve back.”
“You’re too kind. Haha.”
The part-timer smiled shyly before his expression shifted to one of worry.
“But seriously? You’re out there fighting demons?”
“Yes, that’s why I came to the store for water and snacks.”
“You’re really going? A broadcast is one thing, but your life is more important.”
“I don’t want to hear from anyone who stayed behind trying to sell stuff desperately.”
“Ah, like I said earlier…”
The part-timer’s face flushed red from embarrassment, so I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“I’m joking. Thanks for worrying about me.”
As I thanked him, the part-timer laughed until his mouth curved near his ears, twisting his body in confusion. I set aside the image of him turning into a pretzel and grabbed battle rations—dried beef jerky or chocolate—and fast-hydrating drinks like electrolyte beverages and water.
“How much is all this?”
“Ah, I’ll pay for everything!”
When I placed the items on the counter, the part-timer shouted that he would buy them as if he had been waiting.
“Why?”
“N-no… it means encouragement! I’ve never tried donating to your broadcast, so I’m helping this way!”
“Oh my, thank you. The Lord will smile upon you.”
“No. I just want to see the customer’s smile… wait—no! Forget the last part!”
“Then keep watching the broadcast.”
Since he was begging me to forget his last words, I pretended not to hear, gave a slight bow, and headed out.
“Hey! Customer!”
The part-timer called after me. Why did he have to look so serious?
“Yes?”
“Still, take care. It’s a real dangerous situation.”
“You too. May the Lord’s protection be with you.”
I walked a few steps and glanced back at the store. He was on the phone with someone. Was he bragging that he had seen me?
She has a cute side.
It might have been fun to tease a real sibling.
Time to start the broadcast again.
I pressed the start button.
“Hello, everyone. I turned the broadcast back on.”
“Wow, the broadcast has been off for so long, I thought something happened.”
“Lmao, I was terrified.”
“I wish we had just run.”
Of course the earlier viewers, and even more people, started tuning in.
“You really went outside.”
“Are you okay?”
“Come back inside.”
“I already reported to the police.”
Some were worried,
“Since you’re out, show us something!”
“Nothing’s happened here yet, so take a proper shot.”
“Even if a body comes out, will it be on the broadcast?”
Others watched out of curiosity,
“I saw the clip and it’s this girl?”
“Whoa, she’s really pretty!”
“I came to see if she beat the demon in a debate.”
“I came to check if it’s real or fake^^7”
“Given how small her heart is, it must be fake.”
“Eek.”
Someone clipped the broadcast mid-scene, and the viewer count kept climbing. If I showed how I captured the demon, it would rise even more. Just then, the sound of a helicopter warning broadcast echoed.
“Citizens! This is the real situation! Everyone, return home and wait for the government’s next instructions!”
Amid the urgent voice from the helicopter, people scattered like lost lambs, running away from the direction where demons were pouring out.
“Kyaaaaak!”
“Help me!”
While I ran in the opposite direction of the evacuation, only I headed straight for the gate where demons emerged.
“It’s like a zombie movie.”
“It’s scary even from the start.”
“You’re not too late yet, go back.”
“I’m fine. The Lord is watching over me.”
“But where are you heading?”
“Well, let’s try going toward Jongno.”
“Where exactly? Walking all the way to Jongno?”
“Looks like it’s nearby.”
“The distance is a bit far, but since there’s no car, I’ll have to walk.”
“Walking, lol.”
“Walking lol lol lol.”
“How is she keeping the concept lol.”
People laughed, but they had no choice. I didn’t have a driver’s license yet, and the only thing I had been riding was a horse.
I should try borrowing a horse from the racetrack.
While I walked with all my might, loud sirens sounded from behind, growing louder. I turned and saw a police car.
Police car.
Of course the police were rushing to stop the demons, but this car passed me and stopped abruptly.
“Hey! Miss!”
The one who got out was… Detective Seo Minjae.
“We received a report! A live streaming broadcast in this situation! Are you out of your mind?!”
I glanced at my phone chat.
Oh, another mess. I ignored the chat and smiled at Detective Seo Minjae.
“Hello. You’re Detective Seo Minjae, right?”
“Eh? You’re the lady from before, aren’t you? What are you doing in that weird outfit?”
“Weird outfit? This is the Inquisitor’s attire, holy…”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but go home right now!”
“No. I have to film the fight against the demons.”
“Film? Is this seriously a live broadcast? Are you out of your mind, Miss?!”
Well, that was probably the average police reaction. But I couldn’t back down.
“Please trust me. I’m good at catching demons.”
“I know you’re confident since you caught Kang Sangdae, but this is a completely different issue! Do you know how many officers have gone out of contact?!”
Ah, that’s what he meant.
“Ah, I didn’t mention catching Kang Sangdae on the broadcast.”
“That’s not important!”
Detective Seo Minjae sounded frustrated, slipping into informal speech. Either way, the chat was in chaos again.
Thankfully, the positive chaos helped.
“Anyway, Miss! I definitely told you to go home! If you don’t, I’ll arrest you!”
Seeing how desperately Detective Seo Minjae was trying to stop me, it seemed like he thought I was a heretic. But no, it was probably because he was worried. If so, I wouldn’t be able to purged him. That was a problem.
“Don’t worry about me. Helping others should…”
At that moment.
“Kyaaaaak! They’re coming! They’re coming!”
“Run before they eat you!”
Crash!
The building exploded in a massive boom. Concrete fragments rained down like meteors, crushing cars without mercy.
“Danger!”
Detective Seo Minjae rushed toward me, shielding me. But since I could protect myself, his action was appreciated but unnecessary.
“That’s not necessary.”
“What nonsense are you talking? If fragments hit you, even the body can’t be found! Do you know how dangerous it is right now? Get in the car!”
“No, I have to go.”
“Get in before the cuffs!”
Due to Detective Seo Minjae’s stubbornness, I had no choice but to get into the police car.
Whoosh!
We pulled farther from Jongno-gu where the demons were emerging, but it was inevitable.
“Everyone. I ended up getting into the police car.”
“Good, you stopped before doing something weird.”
“It’s a shame.”
“Then I can’t broadcast anymore?”
“No. I’ll still be able to broadcast.”
“No, Miss! Turn off the broadcast! What kind of broadcast is this!”
“Everyone. This detective is acting out of a sense of duty to save citizens. Please don’t say anything negative.”
“Are these people watching my broadcast right now insulting me? How ridiculous. Really.”
Detective Seo Minjae was truly angry, shaking his head.
“Anyway, where is your house? I’ll take you there. Just don’t come outside…”
At that moment.
“Eh?”
Someone blocked the car. Judging by the impact, it must have been a zombie infected with the plague.
Kong!
“Damn it!”
Creak!
The police car that hit the zombie lost control, shaking wildly before crashing off the road.
Crashed!
…Aaaah.
When I came to, I was inside the overturned and smashed police car.