Chapter 17

00017 Split. =========================================================================

"Yoo-in. We need to lure them."

"Huh? You mean to draw those monsters in?"

Similar, but a bit off. I shook my head. Most of them just stared at me blankly, but Kim Hanbyul raised an eyebrow, seeming to roughly understand what I meant. Anyway, it seemed some additional explanation was needed.

"No. It's not about drawing them in, but one of us needs to act as bait to lead those monsters away."

I paused for a moment, pointing into the forest. As everyone's gaze followed my finger back into the forest, I continued.

"If we make a commotion, the monsters will surely rush to the bait. We need to maintain their attention and lead them deeper into the forest. Meanwhile, the others need to climb over that fence. Then we can escape the forest."

I deliberately emphasized the possibility of escaping the forest with a hopeful tone, but skeptical expressions appeared on everyone's faces. It wasn't a positive reaction. Clearly, they found the idea unappealing. However, the fact that no one spoke up suggested they thought it was a viable plan. Of course, there was one essential issue for this plan to work.

It's obvious even if I don't say it. In short, who will act as the bait? Even if they move as slowly as zombies, it's still a risky job. When Deadmen spot prey, they start running. So, the person luring them could easily be surrounded and become their prey.

Everyone just looked at each other for a while, but as expected, the quick-witted Kim Hanbyul hit the core of the problem.

"Then, ultimately, one person has to sacrifice themselves, right?"

"Yeah."

"Who will do it?"

Silence. With the chance to escape the forest right in front of us, no one was willing to step forward. I could understand their hesitation, so I sighed and raised my hand. I thought it would be less stressful for me to do it rather than send someone else and worry.

"The one who suggested it should do it. I'll do it."

"Absolutely not. It's too dangerous."

"Bro. Hanbyul is right. We should hide and wait a bit longer. Okay?"

Kim Hanbyul's immediate opposition and Yoo Jeong's persuasion. I had anticipated this reaction, so I shared my prepared thoughts.

"We can't keep waiting. We don't know when they'll find us."

"We could try going in another direction."

Again, it was Kim Hanbyul. I shook my head and countered.

"It will take time to move, and it's getting late. This is our last chance to escape."

"Still..."

Despite her skeptical reaction, I spoke with more force than usual. I remembered that she had been uncomfortable with Yoo Jeong's informal speech, so I still maintained a formal tone with her.

"We need to create an opportunity if there isn't one. There's no guarantee that another place will be better than here."

Unable to find a counterargument, Kim Hanbyul closed her mouth with a heavy expression. A moment of silence followed. She seemed relieved that she didn't have to be the bait but also felt guilty about it. This was the difference between her and Park Donggeol.

Park Donggeol would call this hypocrisy. If I were to speak now, Park Donggeol and I had some similar thoughts. In the past, I would have immediately shot down such pretense, but with them, I needed to be the silent helper, the older brother or big brother. If Park Donggeol had been more restrained or useful, I wouldn't have let him go so easily. I chuckled at this silly thought.

The silence was broken by an unexpected person.

"Then... I... Suhyun oppa, it's too dangerous."

Turning my head, I saw An Sol with a flushed face, mumbling. She was worried about me? I felt touched and wanted to give her a kiss on the cheek, but with An Hyun looking like a bodyguard, I just smiled. I pretended to look around and continued.

"We have a chance to escape the forest, and we can't let it slip away. I always thought we'd have to take such risks eventually. It's just happening a bit earlier."

"Still..."

"Though it's silly to say this at 23, I'm the oldest here. If I don't step up now, when will I?"

My casual words seemed to brighten An Sol's face a bit. Then, An Hyun, who had been silent, spoke for the first time. He seemed to have thought deeply and made a decision.

"Bro."

"Yeah."

"From what I saw, the Deadmen usually walk but start running when they spot someone. There's a risk of being caught while luring them."

"That's true, but it seems like a fast walk. I'm confident I can outrun them if I sprint. Just think of it as the morning jog we used to do."

"Even if we manage to escape... what... what will you do afterward, oppa?"

Kim Hanbyul, who had been listening, interjected again. Why is she suddenly like this? I thought I heard her call me "oppa" just now. Did I hear wrong? I tilted my head and replied.

"I'll think about it when the time comes. Anyway, I believe this is the only way. I want everyone, including Hanbyul, to focus on escaping the forest."

"Then let me go with you, bro. I can't leave this to you alone. I'll go with you."

You should just stay here. As An Hyun finished speaking, An Sol's eyes widened, and she grabbed his collar. I looked at An Hyun with a bewildered expression and sighed deeply.

"No. You have to go with the kids."

"Why? You don't have to take all the risks alone."

"We don't know if there will be more of them on the other side of the fence. One person needs to protect the group. And it's easier to lure them alone."

"Still..."

"And you have a sister."

Mentioning An Sol, An Hyun closed his mouth. An Sol looked at me with a mix of gratitude, worry, and guilt. I usually dislike kids like An Sol, but for some reason, she didn't seem annoying to me.

After some time, An Hyun finally nodded.

"...Alright. I'll leave it to you, bro."

"Sure. I want to live too. Trust me."

"Okay. I'll trust you."

"You can trust me. I'll act now. Everyone, stay low. When I've lured them enough, Hyun, you take the kids and run. Don't look back or come back. Just keep running forward. Got it?"

The women were silent, with troubled expressions. They seemed relieved that they might survive but also guilty for not stepping up as bait. Before I stepped out and loaded the crossbow, I heard Kim Hanbyul, Yoo Jeong, and An Sol each say a word.

"...I'm sorry."

"Oppa... thank you. Don't die."

"Be careful..."

Their sincere concerns made me respond with a strong voice.

"Good luck."

*

I immediately took action. Of course, I came out from where the group was hiding, but I didn't immediately cause a commotion. If I made noise here, the group hiding inside might get caught. After quickly scanning the area, I noticed the boulders at the end of the hill. If I climbed up there, I could see the outside situation and all the Deadmen would spot me. The trees weren't as large as before, but they were big enough to hide and move through.

I crouched low and moved between the trees, trying to minimize my breathing and footsteps to avoid being seen. I had done this many times, so it wasn't particularly difficult. The first play of the rite of passage came to mind.

In the clearing, Park Donggeol and Yoo Jeong were fighting, and the Deadmen were drawn by the stone he kicked. I had only thought about saving myself and ran away. I wandered the forest for two days, unable to find a proper direction. Comparing then and now, I couldn't help but laugh.

I could have been more composed and had other options. I had such thoughts.

I reduced my breathing and footsteps, moving stealthily between the trees. The target boulders weren't very high, but the rounded shape made it difficult for the Deadmen to climb. I also wanted to see if there were any villages or buildings in the distance beyond the stone wall.

I moved through about twenty trees without being spotted. I briefly checked the surroundings and quickly climbed up the boulders. The open view and the situation below were clear. I couldn't see any villages or buildings beyond the stone wall, but I wasn't too worried. I was glad I had given up on a frontal assault. The judgment based on mana detection was correct. Looking at the Deadmen around me, I slowly stood at the top of the boulders. I glanced at where the group was hiding and saw An Hyun peeking out, waiting for the right moment. Now, I needed to be a clear bait for everyone. I exchanged a quick glance with Hyun and took a deep breath.

Then, I shouted with all my might.

"Aaaaaaaaah!"

My voice echoed loudly. The effect was immediate. Literally, all the Deadmen below turned their heads toward me. Soon, they started running and howling in my direction. It was a success, but it felt a bit lacking.

I waved my arms and shouted, provoking them. The number of Deadmen emerging from the forest increased. To draw in the Deadmen on the right side, I needed to hold out on the boulders for a while. I shouted again.

"Waaaaaaaah! Monsters! I'm here! Look this way!"

Grrr. Grrr. Grrr. Grrr. Grrr. Grrr. Grrr. Grrr.

As soon as I finished speaking, a chorus of growls filled my ears. At the same time, I felt the monsters moving in large numbers toward me. The Deadman closest to me was already at the boulders, trying to climb up. I didn't need to shout anymore. They seemed to be starving for prey, and all the nearby Deadmen were running toward me with roars. I calmly muttered,

'Those old memories are coming back.'

I smiled deeply as I watched the monsters gathering. I held the crossbow on my left arm and took out three arrows. The crossbow I was holding could load one arrow on the string and two more, allowing me to fire three arrows at once after a single loading.

Before aiming at the forehead of the Deadman struggling in front of me, I glanced at where the group was hiding. For some reason, I kept smiling.

============================ Author's Note ============================

1. Typos and context corrections.