Chapter 1
— — —
1. The Dead Hunter
— — —
Beep, beep, beep.
The electrocardiogram monitor in the hospital room chimed. It was a sound he had been hearing for over half a year. Rhythmic and utterly dry.
And... Mom did not open her eyes today, either.
"Mr. Seong Jae-hak."
Jae-hak lifted his head. An elderly man in a white gown and horn-rimmed glasses stood there.
It was Professor Park, Mom’s attending physician.
"Could we talk for a moment?"
Click. As soon as the hospital room door closed behind them, Professor Park wore a look of pity.
"It isn't easy for me to bring this up, but..."
It’s time to start considering other options, the professor said.
Other options.
Jae-hak knew that was just another way of saying euthanasia.
"As you know, your mother’s condition is a disease with only a few reported cases worldwide. We only suspect it’s one of the new illnesses that appeared after the Gates opened."
Idiopathic encephalopathy with suspected genetic underlying factors.
That was the diagnosis for Mom’s condition.
In other words, it meant, "No one knows exactly what this disease is."
"It’s been half a year now, but it could be months or even years more. Since there is no cure, the possibility of recovery... realistically, we have to consider it low."
The professor continued.
"Your mother wouldn't want her only son to struggle with her hospital bills for the rest of his life. Think about it."
"..."
Professor Park patted Jae-hak’s shoulder with a sympathetic look and walked away.
Jae-hak stared silently for a long time at his mother through the hospital room door, her hand motionless with an IV drip inserted into the back of it.
— — —
* * *
— — —
When night fell, a heavy monsoon rain poured over the alleys of Nowon-gu. Rainwater formed small rivers between the asphalt and the sidewalk blocks, and the hazy light of the streetlamps floated on top like lukewarm oil.
A police car drove slowly through the downpour.
"So, in the end, it’s all God’s fault. That’s what I’m saying."
Seong-min cracked the passenger window open and exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke.
"It’s in the Bible, you know? He worked his ass off for six days creating the world and took one day off, which is why the week has seven days."
"And?"
"He screwed up the first button. Suppose he’d just half-assed it for three days and taken a day off. The week would be four days long. Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday. See? Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday. Damn, how great would that be?"
"Please, for the love of God, don't go around saying things like that."
Jae-hak, gripping the steering wheel, replied listlessly.
"You’ll get us in so much trouble for disparaging religion as a police officer."
"If Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday is too greedy, then Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday is fine too. If we worked three days and rested two, I’d be smiling during weekend night patrols. Don't you think?"
Even if he didn't look like it, Seong-min had married quite young and already had a child. It hadn't been planned—it was more of an accident. Regardless, Seong-min was the only married man among Jae-hak’s peers who had a child.
"And hey, look at the state of the world. If we can’t even bash religion a little when the world is going to hell, what’s the point? I’ve been thinking about it lately. You know my mom is a deaconess at her church, right?"
"I know."
It was true; Seong-min was the son of a quite devout family. Even at this very moment, he was wearing a rosary bracelet on his wrist.
He said it was something his mother had bought for him while on a pilgrimage in Europe, and she had made him promise to always keep it on his person when he went out. It was a bit subtle for a Protestant to wear a Catholic rosary, but parental love knew no denominations.
And Seong-min, despite his constant grumbling, always wore that rosary.
"But look at the world now. Gates are opening, and monsters we’ve never heard of are running wild—is this God’s will?"
"Don't take it out on me. I’m an atheist."
"My rabbit-like wife gave birth to a rabbit-like daughter, and I’m just frustrated and resentful that I have to be stuck here with you all weekend night. Why?"
Seong-min said, stubbing out his cigarette in a paper cup that had held coffee. Jae-hak couldn't help but laugh. The alleyway in Nowon-gu, drenched in heavy rain, was blanketed in the muffled sound of the downpour. It was warm, and quiet.
"...How is your mother?"
"Same as always."
"I see."
Seong-min watched the windshield wipers moving in perfect unison for a moment. The engine hum of the old police car softly enveloped the sound of rain hitting the windows.
"If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. Anytime."
Jae-hak chuckled at the sudden offer.
"Why are you acting all tough all of a sudden? Forget it. I’m doing okay for now. If you have money for that, buy your wife some herbal medicine instead."
"She’s not just my wife, she’s your sister-in-law, man," Seong-min said.
"And what do you mean you’re doing okay? You quit your career as an athlete because of money, didn't you? You even sold your house last month. Do you think I’m an idiot? How are you going to cover hospital bills on a rookie cop’s salary?"
"The doctor was talking about the hospital bills today, actually."
"What, are they asking for more money?"
"No. It’s just... she’s been unconscious for half a year now... and the bills must be a burden..."
Other options.
"They told me to consider euthanasia."
Seong-min looked at Jae-hak, then looked ahead, then back at Jae-hak.
"...I don't know what to say."
"I didn't know what to do either. It’s not... wrong, per se. But if it were you, could you just pull the plug?"
"I couldn't."
"Right? But you know what’s even more f***ed up?"
"What?"
"When they told me to consider euthanasia, for a split second, without even realizing it, I had this thought."
Jae-hak spoke in an effort to keep his tone calm.
"Oh, it’s finally ending..."
"..."
Seong-min didn't say anything for a long time. Jae-hak was deeply grateful for that silence. Sometimes, silence is the greatest form of understanding.
"...Sorry for killing the mood. Should I tell you something funny?"
"Good timing. Listen to this for a second. Our Su-jin learned a song at kindergarten yesterday, and it’s honestly the cutest thing in the world..."
Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark!
Grrr... Bark!
Just as Seong-min leaned over to play the video on his phone, the sound of dogs barking echoed from somewhere in the distance.
"Seriously? I’m trying to brag about my daughter here, and the dogs start barking."
"Maybe another pack of wild dogs is lurking around...?"
In Nowon-gu, where the initial damage from monsters had been severe, many abandoned buildings remained that hadn't been cleared out yet. The alleyway Jae-hak and Seong-min were passing through was full of such ruins, where stray dogs and pets that had lost their owners to monsters would often hide from the cold in winter.
Bark! Bark! Bark!
Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark!
"Hey, shouldn't we get out and check? I have a feeling..."
"In front!!"
Just then, something pitch-black suddenly darted out in front of the patrol car. Jae-hak reflexively slammed on the brakes. *Screech!* The tires let out a bone-chilling scream.
But it was already a beat too late.
*Thud!*
The patrol car jolted violently. The black figure, struck by the car, flew through the air and landed some distance ahead.
And it didn't move.
"...Damn it."
Jae-hak spat out. *Thump, thump, thump.* His heart began to race like crazy. His mind went blank. He couldn't think of anything.
*Click.* Seong-min opened the car door and jumped out. Then he clutched his head.
"Damn it..."
Lying on the asphalt in the pouring rain was... clearly a person.
Due to the heavy rain, it wasn't easy to make out his appearance. A man. Probably in his 30s... and he was clutching a black sports bag to his chest.
"...I don't know yet. I don't know yet. Please."
Jae-hak, who had followed him out, ran toward the man.
"Excuse me? Sir?"
Jae-hak brushed the hair plastered to his forehead with one hand and desperately called out to the man.
"Sir. Please, say something. Please..."
The man didn't respond. Seong-min approached cautiously, reaching out to check the man’s pulse.
But the moment Seong-min’s hand was about to touch him, the man’s eyes snapped open.
"Hah...!"
Seong-min jumped back in surprise, slipped, and landed hard on his backside. The man gasped for air, his bloodshot eyes darting around frantically.
As if he were being chased by someone.
"Sir, sir? Are you alright?"
Jae-hak was so relieved he felt tears welling up. But the man didn't answer and struggled to his feet. His face was clearly etched with exhaustion and fatigue.
"Sir. I’ll call an ambulance..."
"I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m an Awakened."
The man said that and stood up on his own two feet. Then, he adjusted his bag and began to limp away.
Jae-hak and Seong-min hurriedly followed him.
"Sir, please stop for a moment. Even if you are an Awakened..."
"I’m perfectly fine."
"No, you’re limping right now. How are you fine?"
Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark!
Once again, the dogs began to bark in unison. For some reason, it sounded much closer than before...
The man stopped in his tracks. He turned his head nervously, following the sound of the dogs. Seong-min, who had followed them, panted as he said,
"Sir, don't do this, let us call an ambulance..."
"It’s too late..."
"What?"
The man seemed to be thinking about something for a brief moment. Then, he whipped his head around to look at Jae-hak.
"Let me ask you for a favor."
"Yes?"
"No, let me threaten you. It would be troublesome for you if it got out to the press that a police officer hit a civilian with a car, wouldn't it?"
The man said.
"I won't tell anyone about what happened today. But in exchange..."
The man rummaged through the sports bag he was carrying and pulled something out. It was a small wooden box carved from smooth ebony.
The man held it out to Jae-hak.
"Please, keep this for me."
"What...?"
The man forced it into Jae-hak’s hands, almost against his will. A hint of desperation could be felt in his touch.
"Sir...?"
The man didn't take his eyes off Jae-hak. Holding Jae-hak’s hand firmly, he stared intensely at him.
"Remember my face. My name is Do-young, Jeong Do-young. I will come back to retrieve it tomorrow."
"No, wait..."
"Until then, absolutely, no matter what happens, you must not hand it over to anyone else but me. I beg of you..."
As Jae-hak took the box in a daze, the man bowed his head. It sounded as if he had quietly added an apology. Then, he turned around and began to limp away again.
Whether it was true that he was an Awakened or not, the man ran through the alleyway with that awkward gait and vanished from sight in an instant.
"...What the hell was that?"
A long moment later, Seongmin grumbled.
"…Damn, I feel like I’ve been possessed by something."
"Hey, let’s just get to the station and change out of these wet clothes. My underwear is soaked through."
"At least the car is fine," Seongmin said while inspecting the front of the patrol car. Meanwhile, Jaehak stared blankly down at the ebony box.
Jeong Doyeong? Jaehak rolled the name around in his mouth a few times. It felt rough and grating, as if he had heard the name somewhere before.
"What are you doing? Let’s go."
Seongmin, who had laid a raincoat over the car seat, shook his hair as he spoke. Jaehak tilted his head, tucked the box into his pocket, and slowly turned to head toward the patrol car.
It was the next morning when the man, Jeong Doyeong, was found as a brutally murdered corpse in a nearby hill.
0 Comments