Chapter 28: Jeongbalsan Station

Chapter 28: Jeongbalsan Station

1.

The next day, Seo Yuna, who I met for the extermination team schedule, appeared as always with her usual emotionless face.

I pulled her aside to ask about what happened yesterday.

Yuna, you looked upset yesterday. Did something happen?

Seo Yuna remained silent for a long while. It seemed she had something to say, so I patiently waited. Finally, she spoke.

That Land of Hope ability isnt Baek Jihuns, right?

Huh?

I tried to respond as nonchalantly as possible.

How did she find out? That Land of Hope wasnt Baek Ji-huns ability

Isnt it his? Why?

I just felt its not Baek Jihuns ability.

Oh? Why did you suspect that?

It was crucial to find out what made her suspicious. This feedback would be valuable for future plans.

After a brief pause, Seo Yuna, with her ever-stoic face, replied.

The zombie virus outbreak was over 2 weeks ago. Its unlikely that someone just awakened their power. So, the Land of Hope mustve been an ability that was awakened before but was used only yesterday.

Indeed.

Baek Seona, who used the Land of Hope, had indeed awakened her power only yesterday. Because I had triggered it.

However, to those unaware of this fact, it would seem as though she had awakened it long ago but only chose to use it recently.

There hadnt been any cases of belated awakening so far.

Seo Yunas deduction didnt end there. She continued,

If Baek Ji-hun had such an ability, theres no reason he wouldnt have used it before. His sense of justice is unwavering, and above all he has a built-up craving for recognition.

Seo Yunas reasoning was sharper than expected.

She saw through the psychological state of Baek Jihun, who felt tormented for not being assigned any role.

Right, just because I noticed it didnt mean others wouldnt.

I wanted to hear the conclusion of her deduction now.

So according to you, Yuna, whose ability do you think Land of Hope is?

Seo Yuna paused again, silent. However, this time she stared straight into my eyes, as if trying to find something within me

At last, she spoke,

Its the captain.

What?

Captain Kim Doha. All the battles so far were resolved with seemingly high strength and endurance stats. Everyones curious. What is the captains special ability?

Its the captains ability, isnt it? Land of Hope.

Ah

I see how one could make that mistake.

Furthermore, it was a misconception that wasnt harmful to us. If I were suspected of being the real person hidden behind the ability, the likelihood of Baek Ji-hun, playing the role of the substitute, being targeted would decrease.

I need to keep this suspicion alive.

So, how should I respond?

With a meaningful grin, I replied,

Who knows?

The conversation ended there. Seo Yuna didnt press any further.

Good. My conversation with Seo Yuna was quite informative.

I intended to continue giving off the vibe that in fact, I am the real person with the power.

2.

Browsing the community, one could see the abilities that anonymous ability users share with each other. In other words, data on the power users was accumulated.

And about 3 weeks after the zombie virus outbreak, the average rank of people had risen quite a lot.

Its dangerous if you keep going that way!

Hold on for a second, Serena.

Yes!

Screeeech

We stopped our bicycles near the department store.

Woaaahhhhhhhhh

Woaaahhhhhhh

First and foremost, to avoid becoming a nuisance, we needed to deal with the zombies that had been chasing us.

Serena. Kill all of them.

Yes, Master.

Serena dashed into the middle of the zombies. Her movement was so fast that it would be difficult for an ordinary person to follow with their eyes.

It only took a few minutes to dismantle the dozens of zombies that had followed us.

4.

The woman who had warned us about the danger stood with her mouth agape, watching Serenas combat skills in awe.

Black long hair with a perm, dressed in a tracksuit. She looked to be in her late twenties.

As the fight ended and we approached her, she became cautious, albeit belatedly.

Wait, stop right there!

Serena and I obediently halted.

You guys are pretty strong, huh?

Well, dont think of doing anything dangerous. If anything happens to me, the over 50 ability users inside this department store will attack you in an instant!

We have no such intentions.

I took a step forward.

Instead, can you tell us quickly why its dangerous ahead?

Keeping her guard up against me, the woman began to speak.

Theres a military unit up ahead. To be precise there are thugs armed with firearms who have occupied the military base.

Firearms?

Yes, firearms. In fact, we had a few at our own shelter.

We cleaned up the nearby police station and managed to secure a few revolvers and ammunition. Only the leaders among the survivors at D-Mart secretly carried them, intending to use them in emergencies.

But the firearms at the military base automatic rifles that could unleash firepower incomparable to revolvers.

Probably K2 rifles.

I dont exactly know how everyone gathered there. However, Ive heard that they threatened survivors living nearby with guns and took them. Especially women

Women?

Yes. I warned you because there was a foreign-looking girl beside you who looked pretty. Those thugs are notorious for hunting down beautiful women.

Upon hearing this, Serena responded with a laugh.

Im not a foreigner. Im Korean.

Oh, what?! Ah, hello?

Hello.

Admittedly, Serena did look as if she wouldnt speak Korean.

The woman greeted Serena awkwardly with a noticeably flustered expression.

I stepped forward and extended my hand.

We might as well introduce ourselves given the circumstances. Id like to hear more about the military base. My name is Kim Doha.

Oh, uh Im Jin Serim.

The woman, who introduced herself as Jin Serim, awkwardly shook the hand I extended. Given how the world had become, there hadnt been much occasion for handshakes.

Um would you like to come in? It seems a bit odd to continue standing and chatting here. I can at least offer you tap water.

Tap water sounds good.

It had been three weeks since the zombie virus outbreak, and the water supply was starting to cut off in certain areas.

If one could still drink tap water, they were relatively lucky.

We followed Jin Serim into the department store.

With her radiant smile, the young and pretty Serena seemed to have lessened her guard. Otherwise, it would be rare for her to invite outsiders in so easily.

Could it possibly be a trap?