Walking Daddy

I’d finished telling them about the black creature, and it seemed most of the leaders could not accept the dire situation that we were in. Lee Jeong-Uk massaged his temples gently as he looked around the room at the others who sighed or moaned.

“Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok,” he said.

"Yes?"

“Did you know about this from the beginning? That the eyes of the black creature in Jeju Island had changed color?”

“It was all hypothetical to me as well. I had no hard evidence. I never gave anyone a definitive answer because I knew that rushing to a conclusion could put unnecessary mental and physical strain on the survivors,” I said, laying it all out honestly.

Lee Jeong-Uk sighed deeply and remained silent. Hwang Ji-Hye, who was beside me, crossed her arms and looked at me.

“If you’d told us in advance, we could’ve come up with a countermeasure together.”

“...”

“By making the judgment alone… I can’t say that I’m not disappointed.”

I wasn’t expecting her to actually say that she was disappointed, but I understood where she was coming from. She grimaced and looked away. Kim Hyeong-Jun looked at me, then at the leaders, and went up to the podium.

When Kim Hyeong-Jun took the podium, all the leaders focused their attention on him.

“Please accept our apology for not being open with everyone. But we… we just wanted everyone to have one less thing to worry about, especially in a new environment.”

Hwang Ji-Hye raised her eyebrows.

“Are you saying that you knew about this as well?” she asked.

Kim Hyeong-Jun nodded.

“The original plan was for myself and Hyun-Deok ahjussi to take care of the black creature,” he said. “We were going to tell everyone about it after we got rid of the threat.”

“Then why didn’t you carry out the plan?”

“We couldn’t move hastily, as we didn’t know its whereabouts or the color of its eyes. On top of that, it wasn’t possible to stray too far away from the shelter because of the Hounds on Jeju Island.”

Hwang Ji-Hye smacked her lips without saying anything.

It had been less than three days since we’d arrived on Jeju Island. In this short time, however, Kim Hyeong-Jun and I had wiped out the Hounds in Jeju City, and had even figured out the situation of Seogwipo City. Getting things done any more quickly was utterly impossible, unless we were omnipotent gods.

Park Gi-Cheol, who had been keeping quiet, raised his right hand and spoke up.

“I totally understand the position that Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok and Mr. Kim Hyeong-Jun was in. I know for a fact that you two are far more concerned about the safety of the survivors than anything else, which is why you didn’t share the information that you weren’t confident about. You didn’t want to cause unnecessary confusion amongst the survivors.”

I looked at Park Gi-Cheol and offered him a small bow, thanking him for his understanding. Lee Jeong-Uk silently covered his face with his hands for a moment, then spoke up.

“I won’t lie that I was also disappointed, but I don’t want to get unnecessarily emotional over it. It’s foolish for us to delay matters by going on about what happened in the past. Let’s hear what you have in mind going forward.”

In response to his request, I opened the map I had in my pocket.

“We are currently here, in Hotel L and Hotel O,” I said, moving the discussion forward. “It’s a good place to hide, but it’s also difficult to mount a counteroffensive if we’re discovered by our enemies. The terrain here also blocks off our escape route.”

“Well, that only makes sense, since the south and east sides are wide open. What is the star on the right side of the map?”

“This is where the Phoenix Jeju Seopjikoji Hotel is located. There’s no escape route because it’s surrounded by the ocean on all sides, but only one road leads up to it, making it an excellent place for defense.”

“Are you suggesting we move there?”

I shook my head at his question.

“That was my initial thought, but I don’t think that’ll be possible,” I replied. “We might get caught by the black creature on our way there.”

“Will it be dangerous even if we’re carried there by zombies?”

“The zombies are also just food for the black creature. Besides, we don’t have enough perfume to spray on every person and every zombie.”

Lee Jeong-Uk rubbed his chin quietly, looking troubled. Hwang Deok-Rok raised his hand.

"So, you’re saying that there is no plan?” he asked.

"There is. If everyone could please pay attention over here.”

I placed my finger on the north side of the map. Port Jeju was about two kilometers from where we were. Hwang Deok-Rok squinted as he examined the location of Port Jeju. He tilted his head, a question forming in his mind.

“Are you saying we should head to Port Jeju?” he asked. “Is there anywhere to hide there?”

“You’d be able to avoid the sea breeze and the cold inside the Port Jeju Passenger Terminal.”

"So you’re saying we should just wait at Port Jeju even though there\'s no guarantee when the black creature will appear?”

“Oh no, absolutely not. We have to turn Port Jeju into a fortress. We have a maximum of three days to do so.”

I put my point across rather forcefully, and Hwang Deok-Rok sighed. His expression suggested that he found my idea absurd. Lee Jeong-Uk noted the expression on his face and decided to speak up.

“Mr. Hwang Deok-Rok, I hope you haven’t forgotten how we’ve gotten to this point. I also hope you remember the place you’ve been able to stay in for the past couple of days.”

"I know, I know. But…”

“Have you gotten used to sleeping in a bed or something?” asked Lee Jeong-Uk sarcastically.

Hwang Deok-Rok frowned at Lee Jeong-Uk, not appreciating his mockery, but I was certain that he knew where Lee Jeong-Uk was coming from. The fact that he was offended by his sarcastic tone meant that he acknowledged what Lee Jeong-Uk had said. He grimaced and let his head sag.

Lee Jeong-Uk got to his feet and continued to speak, meeting the eyes of each of the leaders.

“These two did not get a single day of rest, while we filled ourselves up and rested comfortably, totally ignoring the situation that we were in.”

“...”

“As soon as Mr. Kim Hyeong-Jun arrived on Jeju Island, he wiped out the Northwest Gang’s base and took care of the Northeast Gang’s base with Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok. Think about it—what did we do during that time?” asked Lee Jeong-Uk with a frown.

The other leaders didn’t dare to speak. In fact, they knew that there was nothing for them to say. When the entire room remained silent, Lee Jeong-Uk let out a deep sigh.

“To be frank, the fact that Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok and Mr. Kim Hyeong-Jun kept quiet about the black creature… It disappointed me a little as well. However, just look at how everyone’s reacting right now. I think I know why Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok kept quiet about the black creature.”

On the way from Gimpo Airport to Hotel L in Jeju, none of the leaders had ceased worrying. They also had to be alert at all times. However, all of the fatigue and stress they had accumulated along the way had gone away as soon as they arrived at Hotel L. They had spent the last two days going about their business as if everything was over, as if there were no more threats.

When Hwang Deok-Rok inadvertently implied that he had gotten used to this lifestyle, it made the other leaders rethink the situation they were in. They realized that, unbeknownst to them, they were in the same boat as Hwang Deok-Rok. It seemed like none of them knew what to say, now that Lee Jeong-Uk had brought everyone back to earth.

Whether they were looking back on their actions or feeling guilty for what they’d done, it was now up to them to take in the bitter feeling they were feeling right now to make a change.

Lee Jeong-Uk looked at me directly.

“What’s the reason for fortifying Port Jeju?” he asked.

I took a deep breath.

“There’s a high chance that the zombies in Seogwipo City will mutate,” I replied. “If Kim Hyeong-Jun, Do Han-Sol and I are to stop the black creature, we have to throw all of our underlings at the black creature.”

"So you’re saying that there won’t be any zombies for defense, right?”

“Yes. Kim Dae-Young and Jeong Jin-Young will certainly help with the defense… But if there are mutants with the zombies, they won’t be able to stop the zombies by themselves. Everyone has to arm themselves and fortify the base.”

Lee Jeong-Uk pursed his lips and nodded, then turned around and looked at the other leaders.

“What are you all going to do?”

“Pardon?”

The leaders looked at Lee Jeong-Uk with dumbfounded expressions. Lee Jeong-Uk looked at each of them in turn, with steel in his eyes, as he spoke in a low and powerful voice.

“An enemy that Mr. Lee Hyun-Deok and Mr. Kim Hyeong-Jun will have trouble dealing with is coming after us. I’m asking if you’re going to sit around waiting to die, or if you’re going to go out and fight.”

The leaders began to stand up one by one. Park Gi-Cheol smiled as he saw the leaders get to their feet.

“We have to tell the survivors as well,” he said. “To get ready for war.”

When Lee Jeong-Uk nodded, the leaders left the meeting room and ordered the floor managers of each floor to gather all the survivors in the lobby. Lee Jeong-Uk looked me straight in the eyes.

“I want you to give a speech in front of the survivors.”

“What? Me?”

“This news will be out of the blue for everyone. I bet it’d be easier for everyone to accept the news if you told them about it instead of me. Don’t you think so?”

I grimaced and smacked my lips, and Lee Jeong-Uk smiled.

“So, we have a deal?” he asked.

“Deal…”

I couldn’t help myself from smiling, as I hadn’t heard the word ‘deal’ in a while. It was such a relief that Lee Jeong-Uk was the representative of the Survivor Rally Organization. In order to get a heavy wagon moving, the person at the front pulling it was naturally important, but to be frank, the person pushing it from behind was as important, and perhaps even more important.

Lee Jeong-Uk had always been a supportive partner, and we as a group had come this far thanks to him. I took a deep breath and left the meeting room with Lee Jeong-Uk.

* * *

A little later, the hotel lobby and restaurant were filled with survivors. I let out a small sigh and climbed on top of the concierge desk in the lobby so that I could see all of them. Everyone had their eyes on me. I took another deep breath, then began to speak.

“I’m Lee Hyun-Deok, and it\'s nice to meet every single one of you. Thank you everyone who believed in us to lead all of us to where we are now.”

The survivors returned my greeting, then looked at me blankly. It seemed like they were wondering why I’d summoned them out here at this time, when the sun had already set. I offered a faint smile.

“Everyone, how is life on Jeju Island?” I asked.

"Very good."

“It’s very comfortable.”

"I\'m happy here."

There were positive responses left and right. Their voices were full of hope and excitement, conveying their hope for a brighter future. I waited for the crowd to grow quiet, while the survivors started giving me compliments and thanking me for what we had done for them so far. Not a single person brought up something negative. Everyone was invested in a shared vision for a brighter future.

But… But now I had to tell them the bad news and ruin everything they had on their minds.

“Great. When I look at all of you, all cheerful and positive, I can’t help but recall the memories we’ve had together. I still remember everything, as if it had all happened just yesterday. The moment when everyone gathered at Shelter Silence to repulse the Family’s attack, the long march that lasted for days as we made our way to Gwangjang-dong, and the courage you all showed me as we made our way through the zombies to escape the wetlands and get to Gimpo Airport. ”

I could tell that the survivors shared my feelings as I went over what we had gone through together. I saw heartwarming smiles, eyes full of determination, and expressions that showed that people had been touched by what I’d said. I swept my gaze over the crowd again, then continued to speak.

“I know that every situation we’ve gone through was really bad. The guards had to engage in close combat and fierce battles against the Family and their forces, and the ambush at the Children\'s Grand Park at night was desperate and nerve-wracking. And I don’t even have to mention the battle in the wetlands, with bullets flying everywhere and zombies howling all around us.”

I gently closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Every anxious moment from that day flashed through my mind one after another like Polaroid photos. I opened my eyes again and continued.

“But, everyone, we’re still very much alive in this tragic and hopeless reality. Many of you thank me and say that it\'s because of me, but I’ve never thought of it that way.”

I paused, noticing that the lobby had gone dead silent. The only thing I could hear was my own voice; I couldn’t even hear a single soul breathing. Everyone was fully focused on what I had to say.

“You all survived together by becoming each other’s eyes and ears, hands and feet in this damned world. I want to ask the guards a question. When you were fighting the Family and its forces, was I there?’

"Uh… No.”

“Yes, exactly, I wasn’t there. I was at the enemy’s base, and never offered you any help on the front lines.”

The guards nodded vigorously, their gaze locked on mine. I looked around at the other survivors and.

“Let me ask all the survivors who were at the fountain in Children’s Grand Park,” I continued. “Was I there with you while you were all gathered at the fountain?”

The moment I asked my question, I heard voices here and there, defending my actions.

“You were holding the front entrance. We totally understand.”

“You came to the fountain later on!”

“Didn’t you come back after dealing with the zombies elsewhere with Mr. Kim Hyeong-Jun?”

I also heard some survivors giving each other encouragement and compliments for holding off the zombies back at the fountain. I nodded vigorously and continued to speak.

“And how about in the wetlands? It was you who held the children in your arms and made it to Gimpo Airport, braving your way through the endless wave of zombies. And not a single person gave up. Everyone ran on their own, fighting to the end.”

Every survivor, from the front of the hotel lobby to the rear of the restaurant, had eyes full of life and energy. None of them showed a hint of fear. I could feel their emotion, their determination.

I clenched my fists.

“This damned world keeps on telling us to die, but we cried out for life to triumph over death,” I continued. “And just as you can see, we are still very much alive.”

The survivors shouted in unanimous agreement and applauded. I quieted everyone down and continued with my speech.

“But, everyone, there’s still a threat that’s coming after us at this very moment. In fact, it’s right here, on this very island. It’s here, at our final destination, Jeju Island, which will be the new starting point of human history! This is a being that we have not come across yet, by far the worst being that we’ll ever face, and it is coming for our very lives.”

The survivors swallowed collectively as they took in what I’d just said. I looked across the crowd of survivors, wondering if anyone would grow scared or terrified now that I’d mentioned that we would now be confronted with the worst thing we could ever face. But to my surprise, none of the survivors, including the ones from the Survivor Rally Organization, even flinched. Instead, they all gritted their teeth in determination, standing together with me.

I looked at the survivors one by one.

“No one, not even myself, can predict what will happen in the final battle to come,” I continued. “Nothing is guaranteed. Not even my life, Hyeong-Jun’s, Han-Sol’s, Dae-Young’s, Jin-Young’s, or yours. But I can tell you one thing with confidence.”

My blue eyes flashed.

“I can tell you with confidence that I won’t be afraid of anything while I’m with you. If we work together, we can overcome any adversity, just as we’ve done so far. Let’s survive to the end! We will survive to the end, tenaciously, and make this Jeju Island a paradise!”

"Let’s go!!! Let’s fight!!"

The survivors clenched their fists and pumped their fists in the air, shouting in unison. I nodded vigorously.

“Let\'s fight! Let\'s fight for our home, for our children\'s future!!” I cried.

"Let’s fight!!"

“Let’s go!!”

A determined roar echoed around the space like thunder. Lee Jeong-Uk saw their energy and gave me a thumbs-up, a wide, warm grin on his face.

I looked back at Lee Jeong-Uk and nodded, then I explained my plan to the survivors.