Episode 57
There was opposition from a doctor with a sour and rotten face, but in the end, it was Lee Jae-heon who won.
In the case of a small lake, we knew the way there and it wasn’t a very dangerous place, so we sent only three chicks, but this time, we didn’t move with any specific purpose in mind. We needed someone who had the fighting ability to protect the foraging team, but was also knowledgeable enough to find food found in the wild, and that was none other than Lee Jae-heon.
He couldn’t help but sneer and twisted his lips.
“I don’t know if there is anyone with more knowledge of survival than me?”
“Actually, it wasn’t really necessary, but don’t you think the manager was too stubborn? really?”
“There’s no way you wouldn’t need me.”
“…If you can’t even talk…”
Of course, the eyebrows of the doctor and student Park Da-hoon furrowed slightly, but since the former was trying to smile and the latter was watching, they decided to ignore it. It was the leisure of the winner.
However, what was surprising was the fact that the main character, who had been reluctant to listen to Lee Jae-heon’s external activities, smiled and welcomed him. Although objectively speaking, the movement of Lee Jae-heon, a critically ill patient, was clearly unreasonable.
“I will do the overall protection anyway, so I think all you have to do is find a way.”
“…gross bastard.”
“yes?”
“You’re disgusting, Assistant Manager Jeong.”
It was disgusting to have to ask one more time, pretending not to hear.
‘I guess the intention was to take away all the knowledge that could be taken away…’
The pitch black eyes seen through the rounded eyelids were creepy. Maybe that’s why the main character wasn’t something everyone did.
Actually, it wasn’t that difficult to find out what Assistant Manager Jeong In-ho wanted. He pretends not to, but due to his cold-hearted personality, he probably thought it would be foolish to leave the knowledge of Manager Lee Jae-heon, who has experience in the underworld, as is. In particular, since it is about food that goes into the mouth, you also need to be careful.
‘But is it possible to distinguish between edible mushrooms growing in the wild just by being careful?’
This must be done based on knowledge of the existing ecosystem, and in other words, expert opinions were essential. Director Lee Jae-heon would not have wanted to leave the issue of food, which plays a big role in supporting people, to rest just because he was a patient.
Of course, Lee Jae-heon also had no intention of giving away such knowledge.
‘Knowing when things will get tough.’
No matter what environment, human value has always been important. Especially in extreme situations like this.
Lee Jae-heon did not let down his guard as his assigned role in this world was that of an old villain who dies for the development of cider. If I got hit in the back like this, I felt like I would be traumatized, without any exaggeration. He really had no intention of being abandoned after being sucked out of the honeydew.
He looked at the doctor and continued speaking.
“Anyway, please take care of the standby team.”
“I would also like to ask you to provide a guard for your life.”
“Oh, you’re so persistent, really….”
“Since this has already happened, please consider stopping by the pharmacy again. You like moving around like this, but I really don’t understand why you don’t want to go to the pharmacy. Of course, in that case, you will have to stay here.”
“You’re going to the pharmacy and you’re leaving me out? No, if we go further than that, we’ll all die? “If you go to the pharmacy with members like this, you’ll really die. Just believe me.”
“I always trust my teachers.”
“Huh.”
For reference, the doctor remained on standby guarding the bonfire.
If Lee Jae-heon had to go, Jeong In-ho, who would guard him, would also have to leave, but in this case, there was no one except the doctor who could provide mental support to the remaining group. Since it was going to be a long march where it would not be easy to get treatment along the way, it was better for him to remain in the waiting group.
Lee Jae-heon, whose pride was hurt by the concern he received from the chick, replied with his eyebrows furrowed.
“If it becomes dangerous, will I come back safely?”
“It’s because the level of risk you think is unusual. Even if you just cut your finger, come back. “You understand, right?”
“I guess I didn’t mention that it’s been a while since I turned 40.”
Lee Jae-heon continued speaking as the doctor looked at him with a bitter look.
“It’s not like I lost my leg or can’t walk, so what’s the problem?”
“That’s not the problem, you’re just limping… Why are you always so extreme? Teacher, if you do that, you will really die.”
“Wouldn’t it be okay if I don’t die? I won’t die. “I won’t die.”
He bit his tongue inwardly, wondering how on earth I had ended up in a situation where I was making excuses for my own death. I thought that the day would come when I would have to reassure strangers that I would not die.
He glanced at Manager Kang Min-ah, who was meticulously packing a bottle of bottled water and holding a hammer in one hand, and then turned to Ha Seong-yoon and spoke again.
“…I hope there are no problems.”
“me too.”
I don’t know if that means ‘We hope we’re safe,’ or ‘Just take care of yourself,’ but given that that smiling face looked oddly unpleasant, Lee Jae-heon guessed it was probably the latter.
Did I save that bastard for nothing?
* * *
There are a total of three entrances to this park managed by City Hall, with a side road from the front gate to the back gate.
There is a large lake inhabited by green algae monsters between the main gate and the side road, and when you enter through the back gate, there is a small lake on the right. If I were to ask where in the park there was the most food to gather, I would say the flower field near the side road, but it was difficult to expect the group to be able to get there right away.
Therefore, the place where Lee Jae-heon and other foraging teams were moving was towards a small lake.
“It’s no different from the jungle, but the air and the ground are dry. “Generally speaking, it would be better to look at the lake side where there is more moisture first.”
When he spoke first, fortunately, President Garam Yoon supported his opinion.
“Oh, I see. “I think there are also fruit trees.”
“…Was there something like that?”
“I’m sorry, it only occurred to me now.”
She showed off her awkwardness with an awkward smile.
However, just because I had walked regularly before, it didn’t mean I could go around the entire park every time, and my mental capacity was low, so it would have been difficult to remember what was hanging on the tree I glanced at one day. Even in the novel, President Garam Yoon remembered this fact when he came to the park for the second time.
Still, I quickly remembered that at this rate, no one died and the flower shop escaped safely, probably because I was in a fairly good mental state. Lee Jae-heon, who received President Yoon’s support at just the right time, spoke even more freely.
“Then let’s move towards that fruit tree. “It would be nice if the boss could guide me.”
“Actually, I don’t know exactly where that tree is, but… it’s no problem getting to the lake.”
Even though they were not elderly or infirm, they were like a loach, slipping away from responsibilities that seemed like they were going to eat and drink. It was a pretty disgusting response for a chick.
He looked back at Chief Kang, trying not to crumple his expression.
“PET bottles. “Isn’t it difficult to lift it?”
“Ah… yes yes yes. “It’s not that big.”
Manager Kang Min-ah was holding a bottle of bottled water in one hand. When asked why she only brought one, she said it was because the waiting team had no water to drink. As long as they set their sights on a small lake in the first place, the foraging birds won’t have to worry too much about water.
Lee Jae-heon continued speaking with a wicked smile on his face.
“What is it? “If you’re having a hard time, pass both your hands over to the empty student.”
Yes, surprisingly, student Dahoon Park was joining the current collecting group.
Honestly, it was difficult.
‘I thought the Park siblings would take care of themselves due to their personalities, but why are they doing that again?’
If I had to give a reason, it was probably because I was stimulated by the words ‘work hard’ that we shared this morning. Student Da-hoon Park raised his hand after a moment of hesitation when he was told that a collecting team was being recruited.
Of course, the expression on his older sister, student Park Da-young, was quite worth seeing. It’s almost like, ‘What kind of bullshit is that now?’ Although they do not have an overtly affectionate relationship with each other like they do in cartoons and are typical Korean siblings in real life, the bond they built was special.
In the end, student Dayoung Park couldn’t even tell her younger brother not to go. She, who had no special talent for survival other than her wits, was embarrassed to learn that she could not properly protect her strong 18-year-old younger brother, so she did not show such explicit concern.
‘Furthermore, if my younger brother contributes to the food supply, they will be able to raise their voices.’
The collection team decided this time is the main character, Jeong In-ho, and the main characters, Yoon Gar-ram and Park Da-hoon. It was Kang Min-ah, who had to die in the prologue… and
Lee Jae-heon, the possessor, reincarnation, and returnee.
“….”
Meanwhile, what is going on with my unrivaled life history?
“Are you…are you tired? Shall we take a rest?”
“Why are you saying you’re going to rest already?”
I just felt a little dizzy.
“Are you tired?”
“Shall we rest for a moment?”
“Do you need help?”
“…Ah, go away, go away, you disgusting things!”
It was 100% sincere with no lies whatsoever.
Jaeheon Lee was dumbfounded by the worry of the chicks nibbling on his backside. The reason I wasn’t angry was because I was completely dumbfounded rather than angry. Who cares about whom?
In a different way, the protagonist opened his mouth when he saw Lee Jae-heon’s white face.
“It’s not a problem to take a break, Manager. “He should have stayed where he was in the first place, but I think he came out anyway.”
“…kkuukkkuuk…. No, the problem is that if it gets dark, it’ll be difficult again… No, it’s not really difficult, is it?”
“Oh yes… I understand.”
It doesn’t seem like he knew anything, but Jeong In-ho nodded. Lee Jae-heon realized for the 79th time how on earth a person can be left speechless by the pitch-black gaze that seemed to know very well that such an ambiguous response would scratch Lee Jae-heon’s nerves even more.
Lee Jae-heon, who was shaking his hand as if he was going to hit him in the back today, something he had never done before while working at the company, soon realized that he was more sensitive than normal and quickly took a deep breath.
It seemed like he was quite influenced by the underworld.
“….”
“It’s right after you cross the wooden bridge here.”
“…The small lake is closer than you think.”
Jaeheon Lee consciously spoke and crossed the wooden bridge lightly.
The wooden bridge was a common bridge that could be seen at least once in any large park, but moss had grown on it, as if it had become a relic after a very long time. The moment you step on it, it makes a creaking sound and it gives you goosebumps rather than comfort.
The musty smell of a rotting tree vaguely stings my nose, and even though it is clearly a dead tree, my eyes catch the sight of small leaves on a branch that has sprouted as if I had never cut it so finely. When a shoe touches the wet moss, it crushes with an inaudible slapping sound.
After briefly worrying about whether it might collapse, you set foot on the ground again. Not long after walking on the moist soil, a small lake comes into view.
“….”
A transparent and clean sight.
When you show a child the most transparent diamond in the world, the jewel that appears in his eyes is like a lake made entirely of water that has been melted into a very pure form.
Under the windless, swaying surface of the water, a haze or glass-like sparkle remained, and the transparent bottom was littered with even more transparent pebbles.
After seeing it, I suddenly remembered the description recited by the main character in the novel. Did you say
[I thought this is how I would feel if I saw God]
…?
‘I can see it myself.’
Out of nowhere, I thought it was some kind of praise, but it turned out to be an insult.
At first glance, it felt as sacred as when encountering God, but it was not the sacredness of praying with both hands to a god in a religion that exists on Earth. It was not a sense of wonder, nor was it the joy or fear one should have for the Creator.
Cleanliness, transparency, and the terrible fear of the unknown. Rejection of what should not exist, not what cannot exist.
It’s such a weird thing that I can’t even express it.
“…It’s terrible.”
It was a lake that looked as if it might be poisoned at any moment.
“It’s cool, but… isn’t this a bit different?”
“In what sense?”
“well. “Why can’t fish live in water that is too clean?”
And I thought at the same time.
‘It’s safe here.’
Although I wasn’t 100% sure, it was highly likely.
If Lee Jae-heon, who had done all kinds of things in his past life, felt an instinctive strangeness, there was nothing more to say about Manager Kang or President Yoon, who were still just chicks. If he hadn’t felt any particular threat, his words would have been different, but right now, it wasn’t true.
Moreover, even in the 19-year-old devastated survival that the main character rolled over, there was no problem with the small lake. Of course, if the main character, who was not in his right mind, could not describe it properly, there would be nothing to say, but even looking at it objectively, except for a little bit of mental damage, the small lake was okay. It was always safe.
‘Of course, there is a monster that lives…’
No matter what happens, that monster has never attacked people directly.
Among monsters, it is rare to have a neutral attitude, and the small lake where it lives provides fish and drinking water as long as it is supplied, but it has never caused any physical harm.
Of course, it would be quite embarrassing if my current judgment was wrong, but the water was safe to drink raw, and I had never read any description of some kind of huge monster living in this area, so I wouldn’t be in too much trouble.
I think so, but…
“…huh.”
I couldn’t help but sigh because even a fairly safe area was in such a mess.
It’s hard to make a living.
