Walking Daddy

Chapter 166

Hyenas tend to back down when they see apex predators.

The street zombies I’d met so far were like that, which made me assume that the ones I’d meet in the future would be the same. However, the zombies gathered in the plaza charged toward me without the slightest hesitation, as if they did not care about the hierarchy of the food chain.

As I saw them get closer, my blue eyes flashed as I hurriedly accelerated my blood flow. While I was still channeling strength into my arms, the mad zombies were right in front of me before I realized it. I urgently twisted my lower body and waist and punched the zombie in front of me.

Pow!

Their defenses were no different from the ordinary street zombies.

'I guess the only thing different about them is their appearance?’

They only seemed to be more violent and hideous-looking than the ordinary zombies. Their defenses were weak, so I figured that I could take them out easily if I just strengthened my lower body and core so that they wouldn’t be able to bear me down through sheer weight of numbers.

I concentrated on keeping my balance as I continuously hurled punches at the incoming zombies.

GRRR!!!

A zombie running in from the left reached out its hand toward me, spitting out thick saliva. As I twisted my back and tried to kick it, I felt something grab my ankle. I reflexively looked down at the ground and noticed that the zombie I had hit earlier had grabbed onto my lower body.

Even though I had caved its face in earlier, even though I had felt its skull disintegrate under my fingers… It was holding onto my ankles like a leech.

A disgusting, uneasy feeling sent chills down my spine and through my entire body. The madness within them was out of this world. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I wondered if another type of mutant had emerged.

Chomp!

Before I knew it, a zombie from the left bit me on the shoulder. I’d let my guard down for a second and allowed a zombie to get to me. I couldn’t believe that this street zombie had left a clear bite mark on my shoulder blade. It had managed to pierce through my flesh, the flesh that pistol rounds couldn’t even pierce.

Their defenses were weak, but they had incredible vitality, and their attacks were far superior compared to the other zombies.

I quickly stepped back and called in my underlings.

‘All of you, gather up.'

KIAAA!!!

The fifteen stage-one mutants who had been waiting for my orders started running toward me at once. I realized that, if the zombies were still alive after their heads got crushed, all I had to do was to completely destroy their bodies. I knew it would take some time, so I called in my mutants to quickly wrap up the situation.

I gave my underlings orders as I accelerated my blood circulation.

“Crush them all.”

* * *

Yoon Jeong-Ho told the survivors what had happened at Daegu Airport, and the survivors gathered on the platform began to mutter amongst themselves.

“It’s only right for us to join them!”

“Aren’t they too cold-hearted?”

“Let’s not think so much about it and follow them to Jeju Island. We’ll think about the rest of it after that. I’m sure Jeju Island will be safe.”

“I bet those people won’t even blink an eye if their family members die. What? Go to Jeju Island with them? Jeju Island my ass! Do you think they’ll protect us?”

“Then what? Do you want to die here? If it hadn’t been for the blue-eyed zombie, we'd all be dead. Wake up you fool!”

As the chaotic atmosphere continued to bubble, Jeong Jin-Young approached the survivors with a sketchbook and a ballpoint pen. He began to write in the sketchbook, and the survivors all grew quiet and paid attention to the sketchbook, as if they had agreed to do so beforehand.

- I understand where everyone is coming from. It is natural to view the survivors from Gangnam both positively and negatively.

“Jin-Young, do you have any good ideas? You’re the leader, so you have to decide on something so that we can follow!”

The survivors howled out for Jeong Jin-Young to come up with a plan. He asked for calm amidst the chaotic atmosphere, and wrote some more in the sketchbook he was holding.

- I also think we should join them.

“See? Jin-Young says it’s right to follow them.”

“No, listen up. How can you trust this man who suddenly shows up and says he’s part of this Survivor Rally Organization or whatever nonsense?”

The survivors began to raise their voices again. Jeong Jin-Young sighed, his expression growing complicated. Yoon Jeong-Ho, who was next to him, spoke up.

“Jin-Young, this isn’t something that you should take lightly.”

- We shouldn’t spend so much time on it either. There’s no point in thinking about it some more.

“The way we’ve survived and our experience of this zombie apocalypse is too different from theirs. I have no doubt that we’ll get into conflicts with them.”

- Even if we do get into a conflict, don’t you think we can just let it slide? I don’t see a reason to fight with them.

“What if we get mistreated when we do that? Think about it. Even the soldiers in Daegu weren’t like this from the beginning. They weren’t this reckless, remember?”

Jeong Jin-Young hesitated a moment as he listened to Yoon Jeong-Ho. Jeong Jin-Young remained still, and Yoon Jeong-Ho grimaced and continued.

“Daegu is now in this situation, and it all started with a single can of canned food. Once the people of Gangnam start drawing a line between us and them, we’ll be inferior in terms of numbers and power… So…”

Jeong Jin-Young put his hand on Yoon Jeong-Ho's shoulder to cut him off. He flipped to the back page of the sketchbook and started to write.

- Hyung-nim, Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok saved everyone here.

“I know, I know. And it’s really something we should be thankful for. But there is no guarantee that the survivors at the airport have the same mindset as Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok.”

- I honestly don’t see any difference between them and Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok. The people at the terminal, they all had faces full of hope. Even in this damned world, they didn’t seem exhausted or tired.

“It’s also possible that he forced them to follow him using his power…”

- He didn’t say or do anything when we told him that we wouldn’t join him. That shows that the relationship between the survivors of Gangnam and Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok is built on trust, rather than oppression.

Yoon Jung-Ho could not refute Jeong Jin-Young's observation. He stayed silent as Jeong Jin-Young continued to write in the sketchbook.

- I think Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok’s mindset is such that he doesn’t care about people who aren’t on the same page as him, and that he more than welcomes those who are willing to join him. He probably got all the way here by incorporating what he thought would be useful and helpful, and abandoning whatever was opposite.

"So?"

- He seems like someone who would seek to weed out the bad early on, and take in those with the same values as him. And if there are any signs of conflict, he would step in to resolve it quickly. Don’t you think so?

"What exactly do you mean by signs of conflict?”

- I think he has a thing against selfish people, and people who have lost their humanity. And I believe the survivors of Gangnam at the terminal share Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok's beliefs.

Yoon Jeong-Ho read the letters written in the sketchbook and gently rubbed his chin, lost in thought. As the two fell silent, Kim Min-Jeong joined them.

"I… I also think that it’d be a good idea to join them,” she said.

“Wait, Min-Jeong. You too?”

Kim Min-Jeong frowned.

“At first I was surprised and got all worked up, but now that I think about it, I think I overreacted,” she said, her expression rather downcast.

It was hard to tell if she was sad, or if she was feeling bad for what she’d done. Regardless, it seemed like she was still thinking about how she’d shot Lee Hyun-Deok and Kim Hyeong-Jun without asking the two of them anything, assuming that they were mindless zombies.

Kim Min-Jeong’s expression remained troubled, and Yoon Jeong-Ho sighed and scratched his head.

Even Kim Min-Jeong, who had been against Lee Hyun-Deok, had changed her mind. It seemed like the incident that had just happened had changed her mind.

Lee Hyun-Deok had brought Yoon Jeong-Ho and Jeong Jin-Young back from Daegu Airport to Ansim Station in good condition, and had also saved the survivors there as well. His actions may not have been enough for the survivors in Ansim Station to develop full trust toward him and the Survivor Rally Organization, but it was enough for them to take an interest and to thank him and the organization.

Yoon Jeong-Ho sighed as he placed his hand on his forehead, and before long, he slicked his bangs back and spoke up.

“So you’re saying following them is the best for our future?”

- Yes, now’s not the time to be arrogant. We have to ensure our survival first.

“Surviving on our own… Do you think that’ll be impossible?”

- Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok told me earlier that we would have to be wary, even during the day. He said that zombies evolved much faster than humans could adapt.

Yoon Jeong-Ho’s expression grew complicated, and he smacked his lips. He then calmed the survivors down and raised his voice.

“Everyone, please pay attention!”

When the survivors looked at him, he took a deep breath and continued.

“We’ve decided that it would be beneficial to join forces with the Survivor Rally Organization. If anyone is against this idea, please speak up now.”

A man who appeared to be in his early forties raised his voice.

“I’ve been saying this all along! How can we live with such cold-blooded people?!”

It was Kim Min-Jeong’s turn to frown and speak up.

“Then what do you want to do? We’re all going to die to the zombies on our own. What do you suggest we do?”

“Well, hmm… That's not what I meant.”

"What do you mean, that’s not what you meant? If you're going to speak, don’t beat around the bush and especially, don’t just blurt out the first thing that comes to your mind.”

“Are you saying it’s wrong to even give an opinion?”

Kim Min-Jeong’s eyes widened in anger. “What I’m saying is, stop saying things without thinking them through first. If you just blurt something out without offering another solution, you’re just being an idiot. Am I wrong?”

The man in his forties snorted but remained silent. Even though she had hurt his pride, he knew he had nothing to refute her with, and so all he could do was snort.

Kim Min-Jeong looked around at the rest of the survivors, then continued to speak.

“Honestly, there’s no hope for us. Jin-Young oppa is always the one bringing us food, and there’s nothing we can do to help him. What do we do here, besides eat and go to the bathroom?”

“What do you mean, we don’t do anything? We defended ourselves when the zombies came, and we fought them off with all our might!”

"You fought for the first time today; stop talking as though you’ve done something great.”

"What’s that?"

“I saw it all. I shouted to reinforce the barricade on the right, but ahjussi, you stepped back so that you could ensure your own survival. Am I wrong?”

Kim Min-Jeong glared at him as she spoke, and everyone’s eyes immediately turned to the man in his forties, their eyes full of hatred and disgust. The man began to yell, almost foaming at the mouth.

“What is that crazy bitch talking about!? Hey! Did you fight them off alone? Huh? Why are you going on as if you did something amazing? You’re only speaking because that blue-eyed zombie saved you too. Don’t you dare speak as though you’re different, you little bitch!”

"Yes. Ahjussi, you’re right. I’ve lived my entire life like this, justifying myself. Fine, then. I’m going to leave.”

Although her words were harsh, her fists were shaking. Judging by the redness around her eyes, it seemed as though she was barely holding herself back from crying. Yoon Jeong-Ho realized what was going on, and his expression grew somber.

“Min-Jeong, calm down for a bit…”

“I hate everything. I hate everything about this place! Aren't we just waiting to die here? You know I’m right. What kind of future do we have here? Wake up everyone!”

“Min-Jeong.”

“I don’t want to live in a smelly subway like this, never being able to see sunlight for the rest of my life, waiting for death!”

Kim Min-Jeong collapsed to the ground and began to sob. While Yoon Jeong-Ho comforted Kim Min-Jeong, the survivors that shared her viewpoint moved to join her.

The man in his forties puffed his cheeks forcefully, as if he thought that whole situation was ridiculous.

“What? You guys, are you going to follow them, work like dogs, breathe like slaves and die? Yes, if you want to go, go. I won’t stop you either. So stop messing around and get out!”

The survivors of Ansim Station were divided into two groups. Seven men and women joined the man in his forties, while the rest asked to join up with Yoon Jeong-Ho. Yoon Jeong-Ho sighed deeply.

“I don’t see a point in persuading you to join us and go with Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok, the man who saved us,” he said forcefully. “After all, even he said that everyone should live according to what they believe.”

"Ha! There’s no use giving me a lecture. Get lost. Go on your way already.”

The man in his forties clicked his tongue vigorously. Yoon Jeong-Ho helped Kim Min-Jeong up and looked over at Jeong Jin-Young. Jeong Jin-Young nodded and stepped off the platform and onto the tracks. Tommy, who had been watching the survivors of Ansim Station with anxious eyes, hurried over to Yoon Jeong-Ho.

“You’re going to go right now?”

“Yes.”

“Wait… Then… What about the people over there?”

“They're not our business anymore.”

“But still, I don’t think this is going to solve the problem… Didn’t you already get off on the wrong foot with the Survivor Rally Organization?”

Tommy seemed restless and nervous.

“That’s why the least we can do is show them our will,” Yoon Jeong-Ho replied in a calm voice. “I know I’m shameless for doing this… But the least we can do is get to where they are on our own and beg them to accept us.”

Tommy scratched his head and smacked his lips.

"Ha… You… You really do know how to put people in a difficult position.”

His expression grew bitter. “What should I say when Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok comes back? If you choose to act like this out of the blue, I won’t know what to do either. Think about this from my perspective.”

"I'm sorry. But I’ve finally realized what he meant. I now understand why Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok doesn’t cling onto people who wish to leave.”

Yoon Jeong-Ho gritted his teeth and glanced at the man in his forties.

Abandoning someone who would become a burden early on. Being a burden had nothing to do with a person’s abilities. It was about their mentality. Thanks to this man in his forties, he was able to understand and sympathize with Lee Hyun-Deok and Lee Jeong-Uk.

Yoon Jeong-Ho gave Tommy a small nod.

“Your vaccine research… I hope you get good results.”

"Ha… Take care,” replied Tommy with a bitter smile.

With the exception of the eight survivors, including the man in his forties, the remaining thirty survivors, along with Jeong Jin-Young, made their way along the dark rail tracks. They walked, hoping that a bright future awaited at the end of the pitch-black tunnel that seemed to continue on forever. They acted as each other’s eyes and ears as they moved forward.

Their destination was Daegu Airport, where the Survivor Rally Organization was.