Chapter 7

EP 2 - The Red Han River's Psychic (4)

A girl's scream pierced through the gap in the car door. We had already lost too much to be sad about it. I opened my mouth, my body exhausted.

"What about the others?"

"......I have an apartment nearby. I dropped them off at the entrance on my way here."

It was too clear to ask why they were left behind. It was too much to blame when we owed our lives to him. Yet, it was too emotionally drained to even mention it.

"Do you have any food at home?"

* * *

It seems I dozed off.

When I opened my eyes, I was on the bed. There were signs that someone had been there. It was Yeo Doyeon's scent.

I sat up, swaying from the throbbing headache. My muscles ached, and the fatigue and stiffness made it hard to regain my senses.

I got up from the bed, swaying slightly, and hurried my steps, leaning against the wall.

I barely made it to the living room.

"......"

"......"

"......"

Everyone was standing up, admiring something.

"What's going on? Everyone."

"Ah, well, bro, uh, uh."

Yang Ilho wiped his sweat and pointed at something.

Gam Jiyun. The daughter of Gam Jija.

She was waving her hands in the air.

And in front of her, a spoon was floating.

In the air.

*

"What was that just now?"

We were sitting in a circle in the living room, eating snacks. Gam Jiyun was tightly hugging her mother on the sofa.

"Didn't I say I picked something up from the monster's body yesterday?"

"That, the blue thing?"

"Yeah."

Yang Pansuk pointed at Gam Jiyun with his hand.

"When the kid touched it, the gem entered her body."

"How did it happen?"

"......Ha. A blue light, I don't know how to describe it."

"Since it's already a bizarre situation, what does it matter?"

"It flashed blue and then slipped into her body."

The world is going crazy.

"And she made the spoon float in the air?"

Yang Pansuk nodded, looking tired.

Yeo Doyeon didn't move like a human either. I performed a circus act in front of a crocodile's mouth, and Gam Jija caused a traffic accident at 120 km/h and was unharmed.

Now, even Gam Jiyun can make a spoon float.

"It's not just the monsters appearing......"

I peeled a cookie and stuffed it in my mouth, but everyone seemed to agree with this statement.

"Jiyun, you said you saw the blue thing, right?"

"......Yes."

"How did you make the spoon float?"

"It, it was just, just......"

It was a very coherent explanation.

"Sis."

"......What."

"Just go back to being a fighter. Try to become a world champion."

"......I'm going crazy."

Yang Pansuk summarized the situation.

"Whether it's Yeo Doyeon or Gam Jiyun, there's definitely something about them. But what can we figure out by arguing? It's all just speculation. Open the curtains a bit."

When Yang Pansuk poked Yang Ilho, he got up and opened the curtains. The burning 63 Building came into view. Our house faces south.

"Doctor, I just saw some soldiers far away."

"Are you saying the battle has already started in Gangnam?"

"Yeah. Gunshots can be heard around here from time to time."

Just then, gunshots were heard from somewhere. They were much louder and more terrifying than in movies.

"From what I can see, we are already within the range of the army's activities. How about we slowly find a way to contact the army from here?"

"......Is there any water?"

Chun Hwara answered for him.

"We have a baby, so we've been living on mineral water. There are about four boxes in the storage."

"I have some beer hidden from my wife. I've also stocked up on food because Hwara is pregnant with our third child."

Chun Hwara poked Gam Jija's side hard. It seems he's living a controlled life.

Yang Pansuk started managing the household, using a method he sometimes uses with his constituents.

"You've been through a lot, even though you're not alone. You've done a lot as a family man."

"Ah, ......I'm sorry. Yesterday, really."

"I have three kids too. I understand. It's fine that you came back to save us. You made a good, calm decision."

Gam Jija left us behind but came back. Still, if the atmosphere gets bad, the situation won't improve.

"Thanks to Mr. Gam, we survived. I don't have any grudges."

"Ah, Doctors......"

I saved Gam Jiyun's life, but Gam Jija had already left me behind once. I just hope this guy remembers that.

*

I also followed Yang Pansuk's example and started managing the household. First, Yang Pansuk himself.

"Doctor, do you have any injuries?"

"Take care of yourself."

"Still, isn't it my job to take care of you?"

"You only care about your mouth......"

It was a transparent act, but he seemed grateful to be taken care of first. He's a lonely old man.

I approached Yang Ilho and Lee Hojeong, who were creating a cozy atmosphere. They are a good-looking couple.

"Hey. You two were kissing by the Han River earlier, right?"

"Ah, no, we didn't!"

"......Are you ashamed of me?"

"Ah, no! Hojeong, it's not that......"

It seems they are gradually returning to their original personalities. Lee Hojeong's sharpness is starting to come back. I shouldn't approach her.

I offered Yang Ilho as a sacrifice and approached the Gam family.

"Mr. Gam, where do you work?"

"Ah, I'm an international correspondent."

"Have you ever thought about moving to the social department? I know a lot of journalists because I used to be a legislative assistant."

"Haha! I don't know if my job will still be there."

"I lost my job yesterday too. The National Assembly building collapsed."

"Oh......"

I poked the baby's cheeks that Chun Hwara was holding. The chubby baby waved its short arms.

"Baby, do you like mommy or daddy?"

"Kaw......"

"Do you like mommy?"

"Uaa...!"

"Do you like your sister?"

I stroked Gam Jiyun's head and spoke to Chun Hwara.

"I didn't know you weren't alone. You must have had a hard time yesterday."

"Ah, no. You saved our daughter's life......"

"It's just a prosthetic leg. Still, it must be hard to raise three kids."

I asked about Chun Hwara's job.

"Ah, no. I work at a research institute......"

"Ah, you're in science?"

"Yes, Chun Hwara Pharmaceuticals, have you heard of it...?"

I don't know.

"Ah, I only know about making people happy......"

"Oh, you're too modest......"

From her tone and behavior, she seems to be 'educated.' Not just highly educated, but from a wealthy family. She reminds me of the madams I sometimes saw in hotels during my days following Yang Pansuk.

'Chun Hwara' Pharmaceuticals. 'Chun Hwara.' She might be from a wealthy family. I remembered her name.

The last target of my household management was one person.

Yeo Doyeon.

She was watching the collapsing city from the balcony with sad eyes. To others, it might have looked like a fierce expression, but I could distinguish the subtle difference. By the way, my uncle can't tell the difference in his daughter's expressions.

She glanced at me as I approached and chuckled.

"Are you showing off because you're a politician now?"

"Another, another, cool disease."

"Damn, shit...!"

She raised her fist, and I flinched reflexively. I've been hit since childhood, so my body reacts automatically.

"Anyone who sees us would think I raised you by beating you."

"Do you have a conscience?"

"What, this brat."

She suddenly put me in a headlock. I quickly tried to talk my way out.

"Ah! Ah! I think it's wrong to express affection through violence when you can't be honest about your feelings! Putting me in a headlock in this context is too unnatural-"

"Who left who and ran away?"

I shut my mouth.

"Would you think I would leave you and run away?"

"......No, if both of us are going to die, at least one of us should-"

"Shut up."

I couldn't see her expression, but as always, I could guess what it was.

"Just stay like this. Damn."

A Busan woman's affection can sometimes be aggressive.

"......But can you let me go a little?"

"No."

*

That day passed without any major incidents until evening. We took turns watching through the window, and fortunately, the gunshots nearby gradually decreased.

The army is close.

We were gathered for dinner. Yang Pansuk started complimenting the meal Chun Hwara had prepared.

"Our Mr. Gam is a lucky man. His wife is beautiful, a good cook, smart, and considerate......"

"Ah, no, no!"

"Here, have a drink. It might seem like I'm showing off, but..."

"No! I'll take it!"

I wonder if the international correspondent Gam would have been able to drink a drink poured by a four-term congressman. I don't know.

I was sitting with Ilho and Ho, munching on snacks and discussing.

"Could they be aliens?"

"Honestly, just by their appearance, they could be..."

"The problem is why they kill people. Besides, they don't seem to use their brains much?"

"It's hard to consider them the same species..."

"They are diverse?"

"Right. Biological weapons, teleportation, me, wow. Levitation, physical enhancement......"

Yang Ilho licked the crumbs from his mouth and spoke seriously.

"But, bro."

"What."

"Why are you so cool?"

"What?"

"Chill guy? Limping around, just, you know. Leadership is what...!"

Grr! Yang Ilho raised his thumb and made a fuss, but Hojeong hit the back of his head, and he quickly shut up.

"Good job."

"What are you going to do now? Join the army?"

"It's a bit awkward to say, but since we have privileges, joining the social infrastructure doesn't seem like a bad path."

"I have good connections. With fewer congressmen, you've become slightly more important politically, right? From 1/300 to 1/N."

"Are you saying you want to be a legislative assistant now?"

"Should I drive? I know the law well? Instead of drinking with uncles in my constituency, I should think about this."

Hojeong smiled slyly. As the emergency situation ends, everyone is gradually showing their true personalities.

Although Gang Seokho, who was always with us, was not there, no one mentioned him. It seems the world has changed.

Ding-dong

When the doorbell rang, the noisy house fell silent.

Gam cautiously approached the door.

"......Who is it?"

"...Ah! It's me, the neighborhood leader! We're gathering everyone for a meeting. I was wondering if you could join us!"

Don't open it, damn it. Something doesn't feel right.

I didn't shout because I knew Gam would ask for my permission before opening the door, but I overlooked that he was drunk.

Gam opened the front door.

- Thud

The knife of the waiting intruder plunged into his body.