I’m a Young God, Won’t You Raise Me? — Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Mo⁠ Haein didn’t answer.

I thought perhaps I hadn’t explained myself‍ clearly enough, so‍‌‌ I put it⁠⁠ more directly.

“I⁠⁠ want you to‍ turn me into‍ a zombie.”

Only‌‌ then did she finally open her‌‍ mouth.

But‍‍ instead of replying,‍‌ she let out‍ a deep sigh.⁠‍

I had expected that‍‌‌ reaction, so I continued defending my‌‍ idea.

“Once‌‍ someone becomes a zombie, other zombies‍ stop attacking them‌‌‌ first. The same⁠⁠ thing happens if⁠‌⁠ the zombification is⁠‍ already in progress.⁠‌ About three hours‌ after infection, zombies⁠ recognize you as‌‌⁠ one of their‌⁠ own.”

I had discovered that‍‌‌ in the game⁠ after trying every possible strategy to‌⁠‌ clear it as‍ quickly as possible.‌

As⁠‌ long as the‌‌ infected player didn’t⁠‌ attack first, the⁠⁠ zombies wouldn’t attack‍⁠‌ them.

The‌⁠ problem was that,‌ since there was⁠ no cure, it‍ could only be‌⁠ used right before⁠⁠ the ending.

I had deliberately infected⁠ myself many times‌‍ before the finale.‍‍

‘Right now, this is‌ the best option.’‍

That‌‌ way, Mo Haein wouldn’t accidentally attack‍ one of her teammates.

And I, the weakest⁠‌ member of the‌ team, would also‌‌ be able to avoid the boss⁠‍ zombie.

Mo⁠‌ Haein and I would repair the‌⁠ generator while Kwak⁠‍ Hanmuk dealt with⁠ the boss.

Surprisingly,‌‍‍ Kwak Hanmuk listened⁠‌ to the entire‌‌ explanation calmly before⁠‍ asking,

“What⁠‍‍ if we let‌‌ Lieutenant Colonel Je‍ handle the boss⁠‌‌ while you and⁠‌‍ I repair the‍‌ generator?”

“We⁠‌ need to collect‌‌ the delivery items⁠ as soon as‍‌ possible. Besides, the‍ generator could be‍ damaged.”

Je⁠ Hyuno’s attacks had far too wide‌‌ an area of‌‌ effect.

Since‍‍ the fight with‍ the boss took⁠‍ place right beside‍⁠ the generator, a stray attack could⁠ destroy the machinery.‌⁠

For⁠‍⁠ the same reason,‌ I couldn’t leave‌ the repairs to‍ him either.

When‌ it came to‌‌ aggression, Je Hyuno‍‍ was no less‍ dangerous.

He‍ wasn’t the kind‍‌ of person who‍‍⁠ would calmly stand‌ by while a boss zombie wandered‌ around just a few meters away.

There‌ was about a one hundred percent‍ chance he would‌‍ blow the entire⁠⁠ underground area apart.‍‌‌

“I‌⁠ see…”

Kwak⁠ Hanmuk nodded deeply,‍‌ as though he‍ completely understood.

Mo⁠‍⁠ Haein looked at‌ him anxiously.

And‌‍ he replied with exactly what worried‍⁠ her the most.‌

“Then‌ I should become⁠ a zombie too.”‍

“Kwak‌ Hanmuk!”

“What?⁠ It’s actually a pretty good plan.”

Completely⁠ unfazed, he continued‍‌ provoking her.

“If‌ the entire Special‌ Mission Team ends‌⁠‌ up infected, the⁠ Agency won’t be⁠ able to execute‌‍⁠ us either. I don’t think they’ll‍‌ dare blow the⁠‌ heads off two⁠ team leaders.”

“That⁠ makes absolutely no‍⁠ sense…!”

“But‍‍ you can’t die.”‍

Mo‌ Haein froze completely.‍

Then‍⁠ she slowly lowered‍ her head.

She‌‍ stayed like that‍ for quite a while before murmuring,‌⁠

“…Recruit.”‍‌

“Yes.”‌

“If we fail to‍⁠ achieve the True‍⁠⁠ Ending…”

“We’ll‌ achieve it without‍ fail. Miss Lee‌⁠‌ Gaon assured us⁠ she can finish‌⁠ the vaccine in‌⁠‌ three days if‌ we restore the⁠ power.”

“……”

Mo‌ Haein only had⁠ two days left.‌

Inevitably,‌‌ she would have‍ to remain a zombie for about‍‍ one day.

I could keep her under control for‍‌⁠ one day.

Any‍‌‌ longer would be‍ dangerous even for‍‍ her.

‘She⁠‍ can’t stay a zombie for too⁠ long.’

Zombies couldn’t feel pain.⁠⁠

If⁠‍ she completely lost‌ her sanity, she‌ might end up‍ mutilating herself without‌⁠ even realizing it.‌‍⁠

Even⁠ if the True⁠ Ending cured the infection, permanent injuries‌ wouldn’t disappear.

My‍ goal was to‌ finish both the‌ vaccine and the⁠‍⁠ cure within three⁠‍ days and complete‌ Dead Zone Delivery.‌

“Captain,‍ trust me and⁠ bite me.”

“You’re‌ just like Kwak Hanmuk.”

“Thank you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“Sorry.”⁠‌

When‍‌ I immediately corrected myself, Mo Haein‍ let out a brief laugh.

Then she looked at Je Hyuno.

“Lieutenant‍⁠⁠ Colonel Je.”

The final decision was‌ his.

Je‍‍ Hyuno silently watched‌ me.

Without‌‍‌ realizing it, I tensed up.

He‍⁠ was completely unpredictable.⁠

With‌ his goggles and⁠ gas mask covering his face, it‌‌⁠ was impossible to‍ read his expression.‌

I wouldn’t have been⁠‌ surprised if he⁠ suddenly tore me‌‍ apart with that metallic hand.

I nervously waited to‌ see what emoticon would appear.

But‌‍ instead, he spoke.⁠⁠

“Goyo.”⁠‍

Whenever‍ Je Hyuno started by calling me‌ by my name,‍ nothing good ever⁠ followed.

I waited for the‌‌ rest of the‍ sentence.

“If you wanted to‍‍ die, all you‍⁠ had to do⁠⁠ was say so.”‍

His⁠ metallic hand opened completely.

The⁠‍⁠ sharp claws gleamed⁠‌⁠ beneath the light‌⁠ of dawn.

“I‍ could have done⁠⁠ it.”

“I‌‍ want to live,⁠⁠ no matter what!”‍‍

I answered without wasting⁠⁠⁠ a single second.‌

Je‍ Hyuno slowly tapped⁠‍ his metallic fingers‌ together.

As‌ the sound echoed, I swallowed hard.‌

His‌ voice, as deep‍ as if it were rising from⁠⁠ the bottom of‍⁠‌ an abyss, pierced my ears.

“Don’t‍ die while I’m‍‍ not around.”

Kwak⁠ Hanmuk, Mo Haein,⁠⁠ and I were‍‍ reflected in his⁠ black goggles.

As‍‍‍ he continued tapping his fingers together,‍ the killing intent‍ he directed toward‌ the Trials and⁠⁠‍ the Compatibles was‌ unmistakable.

“After‍ all the effort‍⁠ I went through‌‌ not to kill⁠‌ you…”

It‌‌ didn’t sound like‍ a simple threat.⁠‌‍

No⁠ one would have‍ thought he was‍ joking.

“We’ll‌⁠⁠ keep that in‍⁠ mind.”

“We’ll‍ be careful.”

The two captains answered as naturally as⁠‍ if they had‌ already agreed that,⁠ if they ever‍ died, it would only be at‍ Je Hyuno’s hands.⁠‌‍

Hearing⁠ their replies, I had the impression‌ that Je Hyuno⁠ smiled for a brief moment.

Although, with his face‍ completely covered, I couldn’t be sure.‍‌

“Goyo.⁠ Tell me what‍ I need to‍‍⁠ do.”

“I’ll‌ prepare a list‍‍‌ of the required‌ items and their‍‍ locations for you.‍ It also includes‍⁠ zombie blood samples—but⁠ not from Dead⁠ Zone zombies, only from ordinary zombies.”‌

I took some paper‌ and a pen‍‍ from the laboratory‌‍‍ and quickly wrote‌‍ out the list.

At⁠ the same time,‌ I sent him‍ a Message.

I’ll‍‌ also send you‌‌‌ the list through⁠‍‍ the system window.‌‍‍

Checking‍⁠‌ a sheet of‌⁠ paper was inconvenient‍‌ with all his‍ gear.

Besides,‌⁠ I wanted to‌⁠ show him how⁠ useful my ability⁠ was.

‘Please‌‌‌ don’t kill me.’

I had to keep⁠ building up merit‌ so that, when‍‍ we left Dead‌ Zone Delivery, Je‌‌ Hyuno would decide‍ to spare my‌‌ life.

After‌ receiving the list⁠ and the blood‌‍‌ sample collection kit‍⁠ I had brought⁠ from the laboratory,‍‍ Je Hyuno headed⁠ toward the emergency‍‍ staircase.

The‌ windows on the⁠ fifth floor, where⁠‌ the laboratory was‌‌ located, couldn’t be⁠ opened, so he‌‌ had to go⁠ up to the‍⁠ rooftop to take‌‍ off.

Kwak‌‍ Hanmuk followed him to open the‌‌ door.

Just‌‌ before stepping through‍‌‌ the stairwell door,‍ Je Hyuno turned‍‌ to look at⁠⁠⁠ me.

~ ~

And what is that‍⁠ supposed to mean‌‌‍ now?

I kept telling myself⁠ not to get⁠ caught up trying‍ to decipher Je‍‍ Hyuno’s emoticons, but‌ every time a new one appeared‍ on his goggles,‌‌‍ I couldn’t stop‌‌ wondering what it meant.

Since‍ it was a wavy line, I guessed it might‍ mean he’d be⁠ back soon.

And‍‌‍ while I was‌ still thinking about‍ it, Je Hyuno‌⁠ disappeared into the‍ emergency staircase.

Kwak‍‍ Hanmuk went with‍ him, leaving Mo Haein and me‍ alone for a moment.

We‍ sat down in a corner of‍‍⁠ the hallway with‍‌ our backs against‍ the wall.

“Do‍⁠ you want to‌ bite me before Captain Kwak comes⁠ back?”

At‌⁠‍ my suggestion, Mo⁠ Haein let out‌‌ a disbelieving laugh‍ before grabbing my‍‌⁠ arm.

“Don’t‍‍ regret this, Recruit.⁠‌ I’m really going⁠ to bite you.”⁠

“…Ah,‍‌ I’d rather you‍‌‌ bite this arm.”‌

“Aren’t‍ you right-handed?”

I smiled awkwardly when she pointed out‍ how inconvenient that‌ would be.

Fortunately,‍‌ she switched arms‌ without arguing.

She⁠⁠ held my forearm⁠ and met my‌‌⁠ gaze.

“Here‌‍ I go.”

She‍⁠ opened her mouth.‍

Her‌ perfectly aligned teeth⁠‍ now had sharpened⁠ tips.

Then⁠⁠⁠ she lightly rested⁠ them against my‍ arm.

The‍⁠⁠ contact tickled.

My‍ shoulders twitched reflexively.⁠

Mo‍⁠‌ Haein immediately pulled‍⁠ her mouth away.⁠

“Did‌ that hurt?”

I shook my head.⁠

“It‌⁠ just tickled. I’m⁠ fine.”

“Got⁠⁠ it.”

She‍‌ took a couple⁠ of deep breaths⁠ before lowering her lips to my‌ arm again.

This‌‍‌ time, she bit⁠ down without warning.⁠

Crunch.‍

The‍‍ sound of flesh‍⁠ being pierced rang out clearly.

At‌ the same time,‌‌ my heart began‌ pounding violently.

Thump. Thump.

It⁠ felt as though‌‍ the beats were‍ echoing right beside⁠ my ears.

My vision went completely‌ dark, and a system window appeared.

You‍ have been infected!‍

Zombification‍‌⁠ has begun. (Current‌‌⁠ Progress: 10%)

The⁠‌ moment she bit⁠‍‌ me, I felt⁠ my fever begin‍‍ to rise.

It‍‌ was different from the game.

Becoming a zombie was‌‌ far harsher in‌ reality.

I took a deep‌ breath and calmly‍‌ waited for my‍⁠‍ vision to return.⁠‍

Fortunately, it didn’t take⁠‍ long for everything⁠⁠ to clear again.‌

But‌‍ the pain in‌‍ my arm remained.⁠⁠

Mo⁠⁠ Haein was still‍‌ gripping it while‍ breathing heavily.

She‌‌‍ was fighting the‍⁠‍ urge to tear⁠‌ a chunk of⁠‌ flesh from my⁠⁠ arm.

The⁠‍ veins in her⁠‌ neck bulged prominently.‍

“Captain.”⁠

“Haa…‍ haa…”

“Captain‍‌ Mo. I’m fine. Take it slowly.”⁠

“Ugh…”‍‌‍

She⁠‌⁠ squeezed her eyes‍ shut.

After letting out a short groan, she‌ slowly opened her‌‌ mouth.

With⁠ a wet sound,‍ she finally released‍⁠‍ my arm.

Her‌‍ mouth completely covered⁠‍‌ in blood, she⁠⁠ muttered with a dejected expression,

“I⁠‌ almost… I really‍‍‍ almost ate you…”‌

“You⁠⁠ did well.”

While‍ stopping the bleeding,‍ I quickly moved‍⁠ away from her.‌⁠

If‌⁠ I stayed beside her, it would‌‌‍ only be a matter of time‍ before she bit‍‍ me again.

I was clumsily bandaging‍‌ my arm when‍⁠ Kwak Hanmuk appeared.‌⁠⁠

“What?⁠‌ You already bit‍ him?”

He‍ casually walked over‌ and held out‍⁠‌ his own arm⁠ to Mo Haein.‌

“Aaaagh!”‍

Kwak‌ Hanmuk let out‌ a scream.

Mo⁠ Haein showed him⁠ absolutely no mercy‍‍⁠ and sank her⁠ teeth into him‍ immediately.

It‍‍ must have hurt‌‍ terribly, because tears‍‍ even welled up in his eyes.

“Captain‌⁠ Mo… damn it…‌‍‌ that hurts like‌ hell…”

“Stop exaggerating.”

Licking‍‍‍ the blood from her lips, she‌ replied coldly.

Then‍‌ she stared directly‌ at me.

“…I’m⁠⁠ going to bandage‍ myself.”

Without‌ saying anything else,⁠ I took the‌‍ opportunity to put‍‍‍ a little more‍‌ distance between us.‍

***⁠

Before‌ heading into the⁠‍ underground area, I stopped by to⁠‌ see Lee Gaon⁠‌‌ for a moment.‍‍

The‌ instant she saw⁠ me, she was⁠⁠⁠ about to scream.‌⁠

I hurriedly spoke first.‌‍

“It⁠⁠ was intentional. I let myself get‍ bitten.”

“……”

Lee‍‌⁠ Gaon stared at‌ me speechlessly before‌ exclaiming in a low voice,

“Why‍ would you do‌⁠ that?!”

I briefly explained that it was to⁠‌ avoid the zombies.⁠⁠

And⁠ before she could⁠‍ really start scolding⁠ me, I pulled⁠ out my bribe.‍

“Here.”

“Is‌ this…?”

It was the portable‍⁠‍ cassette player Kwak⁠‌ Hanmuk had given⁠ me.

I remembered that, in the game, Lee⁠⁠ Gaon complained to⁠ Lee Seon that‍‌‌ she wanted to⁠ listen to music.‍

That’s⁠⁠⁠ why I’d brought⁠ it.

Since she was an⁠‌‍ NPC, nothing would‌ happen if she‍⁠ listened to music‍ using a player’s item.

“You‍‍ might get bored⁠ while you’re taking‌ a break.”

Lee⁠⁠ Gaon gripped the‌‍ cassette player tightly.‍⁠‍

Her‍‌⁠ fingers trembled so much that her‍‌ knuckles turned white.‌

“If you don’t come‍⁠⁠ back…”

She‌‍ gave me a rather frightening threat.‌⁠

“I’ll‌ release every virus⁠⁠⁠ in this laboratory.”‌‍‌

“…I’d‍‍‍ rather you didn’t⁠‍⁠ do that.”

“Then‌‍ come back quickly.”⁠‌

“I‌ will. I’ll come⁠‍‌ back.”

If Tak Jucheol and‌ Paeng Sangdo found‌‍ out that I had been infected‍‍ too, everything would⁠‌‍ become much more⁠‍⁠ complicated.

For‌ now, I had‍‌ to keep it‌‌ a secret.

I quickly said goodbye‍‌ and left.

But⁠‍ the real reason⁠⁠‌ I practically fled‌‍‌ was something else.⁠

A thought had surfaced‍ in my mind.‌

I wanted to bite‌ Lee Gaon.

I could still suppress‍ the urge without‌‌‌ much difficulty.

But⁠ the moment that thought appeared, I decided it was better to get away before I made a mistake.⁠‍

The⁠‍ aggression zombies felt‌‌ toward humans was⁠‌ an instinct, just‍ like hunger.

‘So‍⁠ this is what⁠‌ a zombie feels.’

Experiencing⁠‍‍ that was something‍ I had never‍⁠ been able to‍ feel in the‍‍ game.

With⁠‍‍ a strange excitement‌ beating in my⁠ chest, I opened⁠⁠ the emergency stairwell‌ door.

“You’re⁠‍ back already?”

Mo‍ Haein, who had‌‌ been sitting on⁠ the stairs, stood‍ up.

Kwak⁠ Hanmuk also got⁠ to his feet‍‍ from where he’d‍‌‌ been leaning against⁠ the wall.

A small crossbody bag‍ hung across his‌⁠ shoulder.

Inside‍ were the items⁠‌ I’d asked him⁠‌‌ to bring.

The three zombie us‍ began descending the⁠‍ stairs.

There⁠‍ weren’t many zombies‍‍‍ in the emergency‌ staircase, though it‌ wasn’t completely safe.⁠

Starting‌⁠ from the second⁠ floor, which Mo⁠ Haein and Kwak‍⁠ Hanmuk hadn’t passed through before, a few began to⁠ appear.

We⁠⁠‍ silently walked past‍‍ them and soon‍⁠ reached Basement Level⁠‌⁠ 1.

The⁠ staircase leading to‌‌⁠ Basement Level 2 was blocked by⁠ rubble, so we‍ had to access‍‌⁠ it from inside⁠‍ the first basement.‍

I planned to use‌⁠ the freight elevator.‌

In‌‍ the game, it‌ was necessary to crawl painfully through‍⁠⁠ the ventilation ducts.‌⁠

But‌‍⁠ now that we⁠⁠ were zombies, we‍ could use the‌ elevator.

Kwak⁠‍ Hanmuk opened the door first and⁠‌ let out a whistle.

“Oh,⁠‌ the cafeteria.”

The⁠ stairwell opened directly‌⁠ into the cafeteria.

Since⁠ we were zombies‌‌ now, crossing it⁠ shouldn’t be difficult.‍

“We can take the⁠⁠ opportunity to gather⁠ food while we‍ cross the cafeteria.‍ We should also‌⁠ thoroughly check the‌‌ rest of the⁠⁠‍ area. There’s also‍ a freight elevator‌‍ that connects to‌‍ Basement Level 2.‍ Inside that elevator,‍⁠ there’s—”

Bzzzt.‌‌

The‌‌⁠ sound of static‍⁠ interrupted me.

I stopped explaining and‍‌ looked around.

‘That‌ came from the⁠‌⁠ PA speakers…’

I wondered if I’d⁠ imagined it and⁠⁠‌ listened carefully.

Then—‌‍

WEEEEE-OOO!

A piercing siren suddenly blared.

Every‍‌ zombie sleeping in‍‍ the cafeteria opened‌ its eyes at‍‍ the same time.‍⁠‍

Amid‍⁠‌ their growls, a recorded female voice⁠ echoed throughout the⁠ underground area.

It⁠ was an automatic⁠ emergency announcement.

“Attention.⁠‍‍ All researchers must‌ evacuate the laboratory‍ immediately. The emergency⁠ generator’s operational capacity‌ has fallen below‍ 3%. Estimated remaining‍‍ power: fifteen minutes.”⁠

Kwak⁠⁠‌ Hanmuk and Mo⁠‍ Haein looked at⁠‌‌ me simultaneously.

The‌⁠ announcement continued.

“In‌ fifteen minutes, isolation‍ bulkheads will activate‍ throughout all areas,‍‍‍ and the facility‌ will be completely sealed. We repeat.‌‌ All researchers must evacuate immediately…”

“Captains.”⁠

I looked at both‌‌ of them and‍⁠ announced our new‌ objective.

“We‌⁠ have fifteen minutes⁠⁠ to repair the‍‍ emergency generator.”