[TV News broadcast]
(Expert interview) "...According to the President's statement, it seems both the military and the police have been mobilized. This isn't war, but it's clearly a state of emergency. Can they really block the roads and ground news helicopters like this? The public has a right to know. This is no ordinary issue. It'll affect the economy too..."
**
The reporting channels were gone.
Now what should I do?
Am I really just allowed to do whatever I want?
I felt completely isolated.
When I hung up on the battalion commander, I was determined to bring my men back on my own terms. But now... I feel strangely alone. Maybe even scared.
We have enough food and water for survival. We have a vehicle for escape... Tomorrow morning, I'll need to ask the people in Room 401 if they brought a car.
So much still needs confirmation.
I glanced at Ji-won.
Tied up miserably in the bathroom.
Wait... is she sleeping?
So they do sleep.
I walked to the bathroom and turned off the light.
While I was at it, I studied her face.
Still—an ordinary face.
Only the eyes and behavior were different.
So then, how should I interpret this situation?
A zombie outbreak? Room 401 seemed sure. Dong-hoon said so too.
But this isn't like the movies.
In the movies, it might have been easier.
These... beings are infectious, aggressive.
But otherwise, they're just like people.
That's what makes this so hard to process.
Am I planning an escape... from people?
How far has this spread?
Just as I was trying to sleep amidst these thoughts—
Knock knock—
No voice followed.
Who?
I opened the door.
Surprisingly, it was the three from Room 401.
They hesitated, and the woman in black glanced at me cautiously.
"Um... do you have a moment to talk?"
"Ah, yes. Of course."
They stood still.
Should I say 'Come in'?
I opened the door wider.
"...Would you like to come in?"
Only then did their feet cross the threshold awkwardly.
They cautiously entered.
And immediately glanced toward the bathroom.
"What brings you here?"
"Is that person okay?"
Clear suspicion in their eyes.
"Well... for now. She's tied up securely."
"Why did you tie her up? She's a zombie, right? You're not taking her when we escape, are you?"
So that's what this is about.
"Or is this some kind of military experiment? It'd look bad if soldiers were escorting a zombie."
I hadn't thought of that.
Soldiers with a zombie. Worst possible optics.
Even I can't be sure what this is.
"I don't know what will convince you, but she's still a person."
The woman in white said, "No, she's a zombie. I saw her attack you. If that's not a zombie, what is it? That's why you tied her up, right?"
Ah, the one who screamed and ran earlier.
I sighed.
"You're right. She did attack me. I'm still confused, but she's a person to me."
They seemed agitated.
Their questions became more direct—what would I do with her?
I took the opportunity to ask what I needed to know.
"Do you have a car?"
...
They stared at me.
"No. Are you leaving us behind then? You said you'd save us!"
They were clearly emotional now.
"Of course I will. I asked because of transport planning. You can ride with us."
They whispered among themselves, then said fine, asked for food and water, and said they wouldn't ride in the same car as the bathroom girl.
Then they left.
...Left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I wish Ji-won would just say something.
What even are you?
A little later—knock knock.
Another visitor tonight.
"Sergeant Yoo here," a voice called.
"Yes? What's up?"
Slightly embarrassed tone.
"You said you wanted a talk today."
Ah, right. I did.
He actually remembered.
"Come in," I said, opening the door.
He brought three bottles of water and stocked the fridge.
"Still want to talk?"
Why not.
"Yes. I had some questions."
"Go ahead."
This guy tends to speak and act with a lot of conviction.
So why...
"Why do you support me this much?"
"...This might sound rude, but you know our battery commander, right?"
Of course. The guy who naps daily in the office.
Never really showed up on-site.
"Whenever I see Bravo, the battery commander is always on the front line, blends well with the men, and wins every skills contest. Honestly, I was jealous."
Embarrassing to hear.
It's thanks to our whole command staff.
"And during winter training, you fought with the colonels, saying not to underestimate artillery. That was really cool, but I also worried you'd get discharged."
More cringe.
"Your integrity, how you lead your men—I admired it. Even though you're not my battery commander."
Didn't know someone this competent respected me that much.
"You're exaggerating, but thank you. It helps. Though I'm not sure anything's 'easy' right now."
"How are Do-yoon and Dong-hoon?"
He paused.
"Dong-hoon's doing fine. Still uneasy about Ji-won, but... he seems to respect how you lead from the front. He finds you annoying but says you're good at identifying what needs doing. He also overheard your call with the commander."
So he already talked to him. Efficient.
Just as planned.
"And Do-yoon?"
"I'll warn him."
What did he say?
"What did he say?"
...
Yoo picked his words carefully.
Then, with a heavy sigh:
"I'll be honest. He's the most frightened. He said he wants to kill Ji-won and you, then escape. He said it... strongly."
Wow. Intense.
"Then protect me well."
I forced a smile.
"He's scared, so he's looking for someone to blame. Don't worry too much."
Still, a scared man with a gun needs watching.
I'll talk to him tomorrow.
I let Yoo go.
But he didn't head to his room—looked like he was going to talk to Do-yoon again.
I hope he can talk some sense into him, but I doubt it.
The resentment and fear need to be addressed by me.
Still, impressive of Yoo to try. He must be tired too.
I couldn't sleep.
Was there any soda in the office fridge?
Probably just coffee.
I crept downstairs.
It was dark, but the streetlights were on.
Thank God the electricity and water still worked.
I checked the fridge. As expected, only coffee.
I knew that.
Sigh.
Curious, I peeked outside, hiding near the broken door.
Might as well check the surroundings.
There were fewer hostiles now.
Among them, further away—some people were lying down.
...Sleeping people?
Were they like Ji-won?
I don't know.
If I could just get closer and see...
Maybe I could.
If these things sleep—if they have to sleep—that might be the key to escape.
My heart pounded.
Just a little... a little closer.
This kind of thing works better alone.
And who else could I ask?
This was dangerous.
I took off my boots to silence my steps.
I lowered my posture and began crawling toward the shadows.
Only a few meters.
Just need to confirm.
Sleep suddenly didn't matter anymore.
I moved quietly, toward the prone figures.
Even breathing felt risky.
I moved quieter than shadows.
Knees bent, hands touching ground.
Avoided every patch of light.
It wasn't easy.
But I got close.
I was exhausted.
I caught my breath.
Even that sounded loud.
I thought I could hear my sweat falling.
Carefully, I studied the figure.
It was human.
I couldn't tell if it was infected or not.
Maybe bitten.
Blood was smeared around the mouth.
But they looked asleep.
If they really need to sleep too...
That changes everything.
Then, the figure I was watching moved.