Chapter 3 - Intimidation (3)

As darkness enveloped the night, Dokyung produced the mountaineering rope that must have been purchased by Boyeon's grandfather and declared, "Decide whether you will follow me or stay here, bound and waiting."

"Where are you going? Why are you tying me up?" Boyeon inquired innocently, feeling at ease since she hadn't done anything wrong while eating.

"Just in case you try to do anything foolish while I'm gone. I'll be back shortly."

He made it clear that he didn't trust her, yet Boyeon's response was unexpected. "It must be dangerous out there..." she murmured. Her wide eyes shimmered with subtle concern before dimming into bewilderment. She was uncertain whether to be concerned for herself or for the man who had so nonchalantly intimidated her.

“…….”

Dokyung gazed silently at her worried expression before pulling on Boyeon's wrist, intending to bind her and depart.

"I-I'll come with you...!" Boyeon exclaimed, shaking her head and withdrawing her hands to prevent being restrained.

If Boyeon were being sneaky, she might change the bunker's password to prevent him from entering and then hide there alone. It wasn't that she hadn't considered it; Dokyung seemed to see right through her. Given his previous actions, he would show no mercy, possibly binding her so tightly she couldn't move. But what if he never returned?

Imagining a slow, agonizing death from starvation, her body decaying from lack of circulation, she concluded it was safer to accompany him. The prospect of being left alone was, in some ways, more frightening than death itself.

"It's just... are you certain you'll return alive?"

"Don't make a sound; just follow me," Dokyung said calmly. Despite the clear danger and gravity of the situation, it was met with nonchalance. Perhaps Boyeon's life would be treated the same way. Once more, Boyeon grasped his hand and clung on.

"Please don't kill me..."

“…….”

In response, Dokyung firmly clasped her hand. Witnessing Boyeon's tears, he experienced an odd yearning and acted impulsively. With no hesitation, he seized her hand and drew her close.

In the end, Boyeon was led into the anarchic darkness, cautioned to remain silent and stay close behind.

“…….”

The night's darkness brought an intense sense of fear. Boyeon, accustomed to the bright lights of Seoul's nights, found the deep darkness puzzling.

The artificial illumination that once painted the city's nocturnal canvas had vanished. Natural light remained: the darkness did not render humans and nocturnal creatures completely sightless.

Night does not signify absolute darkness. The glow from streetlamps, vehicle headlights, and building interiors may have been absent, yet the natural luminescence of moonlight, starlight, and the night sky's diffuse glow persisted.

Still, the human eye, with its abundance of color-detecting cones over light-sensitive rods, still struggled with night vision. Boyeon could see, but on such a night, discerning anything more than vague shapes was a challenge.

She was baffled by Dokyung's composure.

How could he walk so calmly, so decisively?

Nights like this were familiar to him, but not to her. Boyeon had been too self-assured, misled by Dokyung's serene and nonchalant manner into believing that keeping quiet would be enough to keep her safe.

Yet, the moment she stepped outside, it was as though she became blind. Even though she was aware of the lurking zombies, she still couldn't spot them. A scream nearly escaped her when a figure resembling a human flashed before her eyes, and even the grasshoppers' chirping sounded sinister.

Dokyung's hand, leading her confidently forward, was her sole anchor. Following him, her thoughts faded, and her desire for his grasp intensified. If Dokyung were to release her hand, she'd be helpless, a goner. Boyeon, her trust in him still shaky, felt tears threatening to spill at any second.

Her palms were slick with sweat as she gripped his hand tightly. Clinging on was her only option, her lifeline, even as he stood before her, a man known for his merciless threats. Dokyung could feel the tremble of her pleas resonating through the small hands that held onto him, imploring him not to release his grip.

No, I'm frightened. Please, help me. Don't let go...

With that image in his mind, the corner of his mouth twisted into a sinister sneer.

Dokyung's destination was nearby. It took less than five minutes to reach, even with cautious steps and a leisurely pace, yet for Boyeon, nerves stretched the time considerably.

"We're here."

Upon closing the door and entering the secluded room, Dokyung attempted to release her hand, but Boyeon, gripped by fear, held on tightly.

"No... please, I'm scared...."

Click.

The flashlight flickered on, casting light on Boyeon's tear-streaked, flushed face.

He clicked his tongue, observing Boyeon's damp face intently; her will that he hadn't even began to tame had been broken. Her face, pale with terror, appeared submissive and frail, whetting his thirst again. He imagined that if he asked her to wantonly spread her hole, she'd do it wholeheartedly.

"Ugh, hah, ha... kgh!"

However, he noticed that Boyeon's breathing was odd, not merely sobbing, but also choking and uneven. Her chest heaved. She stuttered out an explanation, "It's A-...agh, asthma... hah..."

“…….”

She appeared so fragile and pitiable that it seemed as if she might crumble into pieces if he held her. Dokyung had the sensation of recklessly compressing Boyeon's heart, as if it would burst by his own hands.

"Breathe."

The cool bass sound resonated so sweetly that it sent shivers down Boyeon's spine. Dokyung drew her in closer and gently massaged her lower back, coaxing her to take deep breaths. She nestled into his embrace like a young animal seeking comfort. Her breathing, once ragged, slowly steadied as she synced with his rhythm.

"Hah, phew..."

Yet, a lingering tightness in her chest kept her from feeling completely at ease.

"How can a person see in this darkness at night?" Boyeon asked, puzzled.

"Because I have good eyesight," Dokyung replied, tapping just below her eyes. Boyeon still appeared confused.

"But even with good eyesight, night vision is another matter..."

"I have quite a bit of night vision," Dokyung asserted.

“…….”

It is often stated that the limit of human vision is up to 6.0. Among birds renowned for their keen eyesight, ostriches reportedly have a visibility range of up to 20km, which numerically is about 25.0. Boyeon, with a visual acuity of approximately 1.0, could not comprehend the significance of such exceptional eyesight.

However, night vision is a different story. Even ostriches, known for their remarkable eyesight, possessed poor night vision.

Yet, Dokyung had both excellent eyesight and night vision. Was that even feasible?

Indeed, it is plausible. A few humans are born with highly developed rod cells in their retinas, granting them superior night vision, though the likelihood is incredibly low, especially considering his immunity as well.

"You have good eyesight, and you're immune...?"

"It appears so."

“…….”

The idea of being immune to zombie attacks, barring the mutant kind, caused Boyeon's eyes to glaze over. The man before her had the freedom to conduct his day and night activities unhindered, despite the zombies roaming the streets.

Boyeon could hardly fathom possessing such liberty, enough to lead a life akin to her pre-apocalyptic existence, even amidst this dreadful chaos. She didn't dare to consider its value in their current reality.

Envy and a touch of fear crept into Boyeon. Dokyung's face remained impassive, making it impossible to discern his thoughts. He simply gazed at Boyeon, who was gasping for breath, and inquired about her immediate need.

"Where's your inhaler?"

"It's... gone. Someone took it."

"What type do you use?"

"A powder inhaler..."

Boyeon responded mechanically to his questions, feeling a twinge of shame. She had hoped Dokyung might offer some assistance, and though it would have been simple for him, he had no obligation to do so.

“You won't last long with asthma attacks like that. There should be plenty left out there.”

“…….”

It was an acknowledgment that she couldn't survive alone, yet it was also a subtle offer of help. The thought of the inhaler sent her into a nervous state, akin to withdrawal, and she found herself biting her lip repeatedly, her gaze becoming distant as her thoughts fluttered weakly.

Inhalers are readily available in pharmacies. Dokyung, if alone, could swiftly visit a pharmacy or hospital to obtain one. However, given the circumstances, Boyeon was a 'liability.' Leaving her might be simpler, yet he feared her condition would deteriorate without him.

Consequently, Dokyung had to bring Boyeon along.

Climbing onto a chair, he reached for the ceiling and traced his hand along the relatively thin wall, revealing a space that contained electrical wiring. He retrieved what he needed and descended, now brandishing a long gun. Carrying a pistol openly in Seoul was already startling, but possessing a machine gun was another matter entirely.

"That gun, what is it?"

"K-7."

"No, I mean, where did you find the gun? Does everyone outside carry one?"

"There were many armed zombies when Seoul was abandoned."

"Oh..."

As the military's efforts to reclaim Seoul failed and they withdrew, it appeared that the zombified soldiers and their weapons were left behind. Was the gun acquired by defeating a zombie soldier? It seems he had plenty of bullets, too, so what about their origin? Although she was curious, she refrained from asking further.

Dokyung provided Boyeon with a backpack and hoisted her onto his back. He then secured Boyeon with a rope to ensure she wouldn't fall. Carrying a person made it challenging to react to surprises, yet he deemed it a necessary risk.

"Just give me 10 minutes."

Having reassured Boyeon, Dokyung ventured back into the night.

The darkness was pervasive, and visibility was limited, but Boyeon felt a newfound sense of security compared to when she was clinging with one hand. Her only task was to rest against his back and remain still.

Boyeon understood that Dokyung's mobility was as compromised as her comfort was assured. He was even in the midst of searching for an inhaler for her.

Had she not encountered him today and been left to search for her inhaler alone, it's likely she would not have survived. Her ignorance stemmed from a lack of experience with the altered ecosystem.

Perhaps he wasn't as terrible as she thought. Despite his abrasive language, he had never done her any harm. In fact, he was assisting her. The world had become so severe that trust was a rarity, which explained his guarded demeanor...

“…….”

Boyeon was aware she was over-rationalizing. Perhaps it was the long-missed tickling warmth of someone that made her head spin. No, that wasn't it. She was merely searching for excuses to justify his behavior and to soothe herself.

'If you weren't a woman... I'd have no use for you.'

Dokyung had clearly spoken those words.

He was not a good person, perhaps even frightening.

Maybe, if we try... we can get along?

Boyeon's eyes, damp with emotion, closed gently.

Her thoughts were a tumult, all stirred up by Dokyung.

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Daewoo Telecom K7 gun - dang he's not playing fr

Translator's corner: I just realized that Taemin's song Criminal kind of suits this chapter. I recommend giving it a listen with the subtitles on. <3 What do you guys think so far?