Infected - Chapter 578



Only Noblemtl

Side story 65 – The final episode

Inside the gas station office.

Jaejae, Gongdu, and Gyeonyukseong were sitting on the sofas on either side of the table in the middle.

Outside, the voices of a group of followers of Kenyukseong were heard, forcing them to their knees.

There was a heavy silence for a moment.

The first thing that spoke was finances.

“We didn’t have to meet like this, did we?”

“I see… … .”

Ken Yuk-seong had an expression of resignation on his face.

“Yeah. You probably don’t want to talk. I’m not in a good mood either. So let’s wrap things up and end it here. How do you want to go?”

Finance placed a knife and a pistol on the table.

“Mr. Kyeon, you choose it yourself. I’ll do the rest.”

“… … .”

The eyes of the savage, who was staring intently at the knife and pistol, narrowed.

“Can’t you just go quietly by yourself?”

“I would like to do the same, but Mr. Kyeon’s sin is too great.”

“crime…….”

“According to the rules, I should go to Seoul and stand trial. But that’s too much trouble. There are a lot of eyes watching, right?”

“I guess so.”

“I don’t care what Mr. Kyeon thought of me or what he planned to do with Seoul. He must have a different reason than what the lower-ranking people know. So what’s the point? It’s all over anyway.”

“…It doesn’t matter.”

“Okay. Now choose. I don’t have much time either. I have to finish up quickly and go back to Seoul. I heard you made such a fuss that it’s a mess.”

“With this.”

Ken Yuk-seong chose a knife.

“Why?”

“If I go with a gun, I won’t know I’m going to die. Even if I die, I want to go knowing that I’m going to die.”

“You must be in a lot of pain… … .”

“My heart hurts more now.”

Finance nodded and took his pistol and knife.

Then he stood up, looking at the gongdu and kenyukseong alternately.

“You two probably have a lot to talk about. I’ll give you some time, so you can talk and come out.”

When he left, only two people were left in the room.

Gongdu looked up and down at the castle, which had changed a lot over the past 10 years.

“… You’ve gotten so old.”

“I’m a bit old-fashioned.”

“I’m sorry. I sent my brother to the nameless church… … .”

“What’s the use of talking about the past? It was my choice, Gongdu.”

“Still, I don’t feel good. There have been many more good times.”

“what…….”

Jian Yuk-seong sighed deeply and continued speaking.

“Before I came here, right before I left, I honestly resented you. It’s funny. It’s been ten years and I still resent you. But just now, I realized that. In the end, it was my choice. I didn’t have to do anything, but I thought that I had to use you as an excuse to do the things I wanted to do. So, eat well. But I’m the older brother.”

“There is another… way. A way to end it without necessarily dying.”

“Well, if I go to trial in Seoul or rot away in prison for the rest of my life, will people leave me alone if I survive like that? And I don’t want to live that way.”

“Why did you do that?”

“what?”

Ken Yuk-seong raised his eyebrows and asked back.

“You could have just stayed with us. Why did you have to leave like that?”

“Self-actualization? Something similar. I thought I would live my whole life as a veterinarian and then die. But… I realized that I was better at a lot of things than I thought. Now that I know that, how can I give up?”

“Me and Hyuntae?”

“… If you were going to say something like that, you shouldn’t have sent it in the first place.”

Gongdu, with his head tilted back, washes his palms.

I felt suffocated.

What difference will it make if we bring up the past now?

As his death was imminent, I couldn’t help but think, ‘what if?’

“Yeah. You’re right, hyung. It was a bad start. Who can I blame for this? It was my fault.”

“Lee Gong-du.”

The fierce eyes of the stern man turned towards him.

“If you’re going to do something big, first let go of the burden on your mind. That’s what I said to you when I tried to persuade you when you were about to commit suicide 10 years ago.”

“… … .”

“The two of us were destined to meet like this anyway. It would have been the same even if I had won. I also wouldn’t have wanted to let you go. But now, you have colleagues who have been with you for a long time. Gongdu, anything is painful when it’s right in front of you. But once you let it go, it’s nothing.”

Then he was the first to get up and leave.

“brother.”

As he was about to open the door and go out, Kyeon Yuk-seong hesitated.

“why?”

“See you later. We’ll see each other again someday. Wherever.”

“… Okay. Give my regards to Hyun-tae.”

The shaking eyes of the public servant captured the side profile of Jae-yi, who was smoking a cigarette outside.

It was a strangely conflicted face.

* * *

The war is over.

And months passed.

A new wind has been blowing on the Korean Peninsula.

A positive change, with the warm spring hidden behind the cold wind of midwinter.

My house is still in Yongsan.

There was no need to move it since it started there in the first place.

If you look around right now, there isn’t much that has changed, but if you stand on the rooftop like this, you can see it all at a glance.

A safe zone whose area has expanded several times in just one month.

Now we use the whole of Seoul.

What happened?

The last war we fought was not just a war.

So the finishing took longer than expected.

As expected, my uncle chose absorption and understanding rather than revenge.

It started with the mountains and rivers and from then on they came voluntarily.

This is because all the Allied forces captured by Aunt Jang Liming were detained in Seoul.

There really wasn’t any other way.

The rumor spread like wildfire.

A few weeks later.

Forces that had been suffering under the pressure of the organization for a long time surrendered as if they had made a promise.

Thanks to this, we have grown to a size that is difficult to handle.

If it were me, I wouldn’t go through the trouble of creating something that would cause me a headache.

Seeing things like that, it’s clear that my uncle is a great person.

They even collected all the corpses abandoned throughout the city of Chungcheongbuk-do and cremated them.

They say a clean finish is needed for a new beginning.

Well, whatever.

I like this rooftop.

It may be because the building I live in is tall, but I can see pretty much everything from here.

This was especially true for those who had come in recently.

Because I had to go to the nearby management center twice a day.

It was partly to monitor their every move, and partly to see how well they were adapting.

To be honest, it takes a long time for faith to develop.

Another thing that had changed was that wherever you looked, armed soldiers were walking the streets.

It was awkward at first, but now that I keep seeing it, I feel like I’d feel empty without it.

Oh, it appeared.

The first person to show up at this time.

A spotted dog carrying two families was crossing the bridge that had just been renovated and entering Yongsan.

The only good thing is that I was able to persuade both my wives.

Wow, I could never live here. And in the same house.

The funny thing is that the kids just hang out together like it’s nothing.

They also clearly established a vertical relationship among themselves in order of age.

After a long time, the spotted owl comes out and waves his hand from afar.

My uncle Sanha was running towards me, jumping up and down.

That uncle… … .

Since coming to Seoul, people have completely changed.

Unlike his deep voice, he is comically bright and cheerful.

How on earth have you been enduring this all this time?

Beyond the two people waving as they pass by, a massive solar power plant can be seen covering the south.

Electricity is now produced in Seoul.

Of course, this was possible because of Aunt Zhang Liming’s full support.

Now, China and we have become inseparable.

We received asylum from the Chinese government, and thanks to this, Aunt Zhang Liming was able to reclaim the mainland with the support of the Marine Corps.

Should we call it a blood alliance that goes beyond an alliance?

Anyway, we have become a relationship where there is no need to consider each other’s interests.

Although they are separated by the sea, in reality, it is safe to say that they are the same power.

Oh, and I like Uncle Hyuntae a lot.

Although I couldn’t run around as freely as before, I still had no problem getting by as long as I had the cane.

Aunt Min-young said that the tip of the knife hit a nerve.

It was a blessing.

If you turn your head here, you can see the cathedral located in Yongsan Park.

Today too, the area in front of the cathedral was filled with people.

People line up for dawn prayer before the sun rises.

The priest continued the mass, grumbling as if he were about to die.

The more I think about him, the more amazing he is.

I can see you swearing like that without missing a single day.

The reason people respect priests is not just because of the Mass.

Before the dawn prayer begins, I always kneel in the park and pray to heaven.

When I asked who I was praying for, the priest just laughed.

So I don’t know either.

Who on earth are you doing this for every single morning?

Some said it was for all those who have died so far, others said it was for Grandfather Yeong-man, and still others said it was for those who sacrificed themselves in this war.

The truth is known only to the priest.

“Han Seung-woo! You’re going to die!”

Ye-ju, whose anger is rising, chases Seung-woo with Si-won.

They still fight every day for months.

Aren’t you bored? … … .

Those guys continued doing what they were doing.

Because the safety zone has become so large, they even have people underneath them to operate.

Things like where there are cracks, where repairs are needed, etc.

I think that in the long run, this is the most important thing.

Other than that, everyone else is the same.

Daily life that has nothing to change and no reason to change.

But there are people who know more than anyone else how precious that daily life is.

Now I have to talk about the most important person… … .

“Gaon!”

Anyway, I’m telling you, you can’t become a nobleman.

The one who came closer and grabbed my shoulder was none other than Seonwoo.

“You were here? I was looking for you for a long time.”

“why?”

Big eyes and a worried gaze looking down at me.

Now it seems like I openly think about myself all day long.

“I have to change shifts.”

“ah…….”

I went down the stairs with an awkward smile.

What do I do?

I manage the prison.

No, to be exact, I choose to work.

When the time comes, it will come naturally.

Whenever the time came, Seonwoo would come to me first.

The two crossed the bridge and looked at the river.

Late March, when a spring breeze blows gently.

The Han River sparkles in the sunlight, and ducks that have flown in from somewhere swim in the river.

During that time, there were many changes for Seonwoo and I.

I think I learned and felt a lot while going through the last war.

It’s good to be motivated, but actions always come with responsibility. And conversation always comes first.

I learned that killing, stealing, and destroying in the name of protection is not a good thing.

My uncle’s decision, which at first seemed frustrating, now began to reveal detailed reasons for it.

“Has Gaon come?”

The worker in front of me waves as he passes by.

“Yes. Nothing special, right?”

“there is.”

“What is it?”

“I’m here today too.”

“Permission?”

“There’s no such thing. How reckless. Oh, I don’t know. It’s just everyday life now.”

I sent Seonwoo back and went down to the dungeon.

I know who is coming.

Because I’ve been coming here every day for months without missing a single day.

As I walked down the hallway, I saw Uncle Gongdu sitting on a chair in front of the iron bars.

“Open, Kim Ga-on.”

“What is it, Uncle? Aren’t you bored?”

“What else could I do?”

“I want to date a bit too. I feel bad about my face.”

“Oh, yeah. Dating. That went well. You sit here.”

Uncle Gongdu pulled another chair in front of the iron bars and had me sit down.

“why?”

“Hey, what do you think of your uncle?”

“He’s handsome.”

“and?”

“That’s the end.”

“… … .”

“My uncle is good in every way, but his only flaw is that he’s handsome.”

“No. How detailed am I?”

“I heard. You said you cut chicken with a dagger on a blind date. Who likes that? You should have at least wiped off some of the chicken blood before you left.”

“Hey, I’m the one who made the northern farm. If you work there, you might be able to take out a dagger or a sickle.”

“That’s my uncle’s business.”

It’s surprising that you dream of love with such thoughts.

Oh my, it really hasn’t been a day or two.

That’s why my aunts shake their heads whenever they see Uncle Gongdu.

“Poohahaha!”

Loud laughter can be heard from inside the cage.

Oh, I honestly don’t know why this guy is still alive.

No matter how much I have changed my thoughts about life and death… … .

“Gongduya. Are you really saying this because you don’t know?”

“I’m trying too… … .”

“Do you believe a word he says? You just have a problem with your face, to begin with.”

“What about me? I’m better than my brother.”

“Hey, girls really like guys like me who wear glasses and have a smart vibe.”

“What a… … .”

That person is a man named Ken Yuk-seong.

The main culprit who started the last war and threw the Korean Peninsula into chaos.

But he’s still alive.

I can’t believe it either.

The trial result is life imprisonment, so what can I do?

They said that they couldn’t execute him because the forces gathered from all over the country wrote petitions every day.

Well, it’s not surprising when you consider that the white-haired old man was punished by community service, spending all day in a street tent reading palms and faces.

But that old man can see incredibly well… … .

“Who is talking like this?”

At that moment, a sharp voice came from the hallway.

My uncles shut their mouths as if they had eaten honey, and I turned my head with a happy face.

A charismatic figure leading a line of people in white gowns down the street.

Minyoung is my aunt.

As various forces joined together, the number of medical staff also increased several times.

My aunt was like the leader of those people.

“Do you think prison is worth living in? Mr. Kyeon Yuk-seong, please answer.”

“No, I… … That kid keeps coming!”

“Huh? No. I just stopped by for a moment. Am I crazy? Do I have to come and visit the person who made Hyun-tae like that every day?”

“I never said every day. Anyway, since it’s the day of the checkup, please step aside. If you don’t want to become a beehive, Mr. Kyeon Yuk-seong, spread your arms and lean against the wall.”

“Oh, what are you talking about… … .”

I watched the conversation between the three people and then quietly stepped back.

Uncle Gongdu quietly left the basement, and the sinner clung to the wall as his aunt had told him to.

If Aunt Jang Liming was a cold awl, Aunt Minyeong had the charisma of a calm lake.

I thought it was a lake, but upon closer inspection, it was a tsunami.

I had a lot of thoughts while watching Aunt Min-yeong getting a checkup.

When I was very young, just out of my parents’ arms and not even knowing what death was.

From then on, adults risked their lives to protect me.

Actually, I never thought about the reason.

I guess he just helped her because there was a child in front of him.

But actually, that wasn’t it.

What the adults were trying to protect was not me, but the next generation.

Even now, when I go outside, little children run to me and hug me tightly.

The reason I exist is to protect those children.

Doing our best to create a better world, a better environment, and a better life.

Some might say that life is boring and meaningless, but that is not the life and death I have experienced.

We should be grateful that we are alive and breathing in this moment.

How many lives have been sacrificed to sustain this trivial daily life?

Survival is the bitter relief of standing on the death of others.

If I am grateful that I am not the one who is dying somewhere at this very moment, the time given can never be boring or uninteresting.

I know.

That I too will die someday.

Death is not far away.

So, it’s scary, but it’s not something to be afraid of.

Only by accepting the flow can I truly understand and appreciate the time I have.

Even if you act like you’ll live forever, there will always be an end.

So I decided to live today with gratitude.

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Because these are the kinds of legacies that Grandfather Youngman left us.

Don’t be fooled by the magic of time, feel this moment where I exist.

Just as those who left first live and breathe in our hearts forever.

The end of the side story of the infected.