The group was in a tense situation, and I suggested, “Instead of worrying about those who left, let’s focus on ourselves. We should get down this hill and out of the forest first, don’t you think?”
I directed my words at Ahn Hyun, not the whole group. As I looked at him, naturally, Lee Yoo-jung and Kim Han-byeol followed my gaze. Ahn Hyun, who seemed unfazed by the attention, nodded in agreement and stood up, peering down the hill.
“Going down is fine, but which direction should we take? We don’t even know where we are right now.”
He glanced back and forth between the clearing swarming with deadmen and the path Park Dong-geol’s group had taken. The path they chose was in the opposite direction of the clearing. It seemed like a calculated decision, but to me, it was far from a good one.
“Maybe this way is better,” Kim Han-byeol, who had been quiet until now, pointed in a direction. Her finger indicated a path about 90 degrees from the clearing. Lee Yoo-jung, assessing the distance, asked with a hint of unease, “Wouldn’t it be better to go in the opposite direction of the clearing? That path seems too close.”
Another one who thinks like Park Dong-geol.
Ahn Hyun pondered for a moment before exclaiming, “Ah!” Despite his appearance, he seemed quick-witted. Kim Han-byeol calmly explained to the still-confused Lee Yoo-jung.
“It’s simple. Most of them are gathered in the clearing. If we assume they’re evenly distributed in the forest, then other areas should be less crowded. This area is likely the safest.”
“The opposite direction might still have some that didn’t hear the commotion. It could be more dangerous,” Ahn Hyun added, and Kim Han-byeol nodded in agreement. It wasn’t exactly the escape route I had in mind, but it was close enough. Feeling a sense of relief, I smiled inwardly.
“Now that you mention it, that makes sense. So, the path that guy took might be the most dangerous?”
“Exactly. Let’s head down and get out of the forest. Sol, get up.”
“Huh? Oh, okay!”
An Sol, who had been watching our conversation like a bystander, quickly stood up at Ahn Hyun’s words. It seemed no one had any major objections to Ahn Hyun and me taking charge. In fact, the atmosphere felt more stable than when Park Dong-geol was around. Lee Yoo-jung even had a slight smile, perhaps relishing Park Dong-geol’s misfortune.
With that, the remaining group swiftly descended the hill.
About two hours had passed since we decided on our escape route and started down the hill. The dense trees stretched high enough to block the sky, making the forest much darker than it appeared from the hill. We had been walking non-stop through the dim forest for those two hours. With each step, the sound of earth and grass underfoot and our steady breathing followed me and Ahn Hyun at the front.
The forest was eerily quiet and larger than expected. But if my memory served me right, and we maintained our pace, we could exit the forest by evening. It occurred to me that perhaps the angels had dropped us in the challenging center of the forest because we were a capable group.
We needed to get out before nightfall. The preparation room only had clothes and weapons, no food or water. Those essentials were elsewhere, like a rest room for a half-day break or a save point for a full day’s rest. Other options included raiding other users or scavenging village shops.
”…Oppa.”
“Hmm?”
Ahn Hyun and I led the way, with An Sol and Kim Han-byeol close behind, and Lee Yoo-jung bringing up the rear, all of us on high alert. Suddenly, An Sol tugged on Ahn Hyun’s sleeve, her face flushed.
“I need to… go.”
”…”
Her shy admission left us all in awkward silence.
‘Is she serious?’
She seemed a bit slow, but this was unexpected. I wondered how she managed in the modern world.
Ahn Hyun paused, gauging our reactions, and asked, “Can we stop for a moment? My sister needs to… take care of something.”
Thankfully, Lee Yoo-jung and Kim Han-byeol agreed without fuss. There seemed to be some unspoken understanding among the women. An Sol, too scared to go alone, tried to drag her brother along, but Ahn Hyun firmly sent her off by herself.
Watching An Sol sulk away, Lee Yoo-jung chuckled and plopped down on the ground.
“Is it safe? What if those things come at us again?”
“We’re keeping watch, so it should be fine. Besides, she’s nineteen. If she can’t handle the bathroom alone, that’s a problem. By the way, how old are you to be speaking informally?”
“Me? I’m twenty-two. You’re speaking informally too. Aren’t you younger? You look barely twenty or twenty-one.”
“I’m twenty-two as well.”
“Really? We’re the same age. How about we introduce ourselves properly?”
With a much lighter tone, Lee Yoo-jung suggested, and Kim Han-byeol, perhaps tired from the tension, cautiously sat down as well. Ahn Hyun and I exchanged nods and joined them on the cold ground.
“Let’s keep it brief since we’ll be moving as soon as my sister returns. I’m Ahn Hyun, twenty-two.”
“What did you do before coming here?”
Ahn Hyun scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, but answered honestly.
“I was just a neighborhood troublemaker, doing odd jobs. What about you?”
“Me? I’m Lee Yoo-jung, also twenty-two. I was on a break from college, studying for the police officer exam.”
A police officer, huh? I could see her in a uniform. As they chatted about police work and being a troublemaker, they turned to me and Kim Han-byeol. Kim Han-byeol spoke first, unable to resist their curious gazes.
“I’m Kim Han-byeol, twenty-one, a college student.”
“You’re younger? Which university?”
“I went to Yonsei University.”
“Wow, you must be smart. I’m jealous.”
After a moment of admiration, they turned their attention to me, and even Kim Han-byeol looked at me expectantly. Feeling the pressure, I responded as calmly as I could.
“My name is Kim Soo-hyun. I’m twenty-three. I was a soldier.”
“An oppa! Then speak comfortably, oppa. Were you in the army, air force, or navy?”
“So you’re older. Feel free to speak informally. What was your rank?”
I had thought Lee Yoo-jung was just strong-willed, but she seemed naturally lively. Ahn Hyun, intrigued by military talk, asked me.
“I was an army sergeant.”
“That’s too bad. You were so close to discharge.”
Lee Yoo-jung laughed, and I added with a wry smile.
“I was discharged. I ended up here the day I was supposed to go home.”
”…”
”…”
”…”
Why were they looking at me like that? What was with the sympathetic atmosphere?
“Why are you all looking at me like that? I’m fine. I don’t feel anything about it. So stop looking at me like that.”
Despite my reassurances, an awkward silence settled over us. Ahn Hyun cleared his throat and looked away, while Lee Yoo-jung openly gave me a pitying look. Even Kim Han-byeol seemed to feel sorry for me. I was really okay, though.
Trying to break the tension, Lee Yoo-jung changed the subject with a deliberately cheerful voice.
“I still can’t believe we’re here. Normally, I’d be studying in the library, then run out to meet friends. We’d chat in the lounge, eat something delicious, and I’d go home thinking I’d study hard tomorrow.”
Everyone’s expressions turned dreamy at her words. Ahn Hyun joined in with a wistful smile.
“I’d probably be working at the PC room, arguing with customers trying to leave without paying. Catching those who run off, getting scolded by the boss for not cleaning well. Then I’d eat the chicken the boss’s wife gave me and wait at the counter until it was time to pick up Sol. Heh. What about you, hyung? What would you do when you got home?”
“Me?”
Caught off guard by Ahn Hyun’s question, I tilted my head. Hmm. It had been over ten years, so my memory was fuzzy. After a moment’s thought, I decided to keep it simple.
“Well, I suppose on my way home, I’d breathe in the air of society and finally feel like a free person. Then I’d stop by the house, bow deeply to my mother, and give my father a call. After that, I’d enjoy a delicious meal my mother prepared and soak in a hot bath… Wait, why are you all looking at me like that? Don’t look at me like I’m some pitiful creature. I’m really okay.”
The commotion settled down once An Sol returned from her errand. Watching her politely bow and say, “I’m back,” I couldn’t help but find her endearing. Yet, her words were a stark reminder that we had to face reality again. We probably just wanted a brief escape from this hellish place, to introduce ourselves and chat for a moment. An Hyun let out a deep sigh and reluctantly got up from his seat.
After a brief but sweet respite, we resumed our march through the dark forest. Although An Hyun and I were leading, I was subtly guiding us, steering clear of areas with more Deadmen. So far, we hadn’t encountered any.
But we couldn’t avoid them forever. The closer we got to the forest’s edge, the more evenly distributed the Deadmen became. All I could do was lead us in the direction with the fewest of them.
I was most worried about An Sol. Even though we were heading in the least populated direction, we might still run into dozens of Deadmen. I wasn’t sure if Sol could stay calm in such a situation. Just then, An Hyun suddenly stopped and shouted urgently.
“What’s wrong?”
“Shh.”
Following An Hyun’s gaze, Yu Jeong and I turned to see three Deadmen wandering nearby. They were sniffing the air and licking their lips, clearly having caught our scent. Instinctively, I glanced at An Sol, who had her hands clamped over her mouth and her eyes tightly shut. We had narrowly avoided a crisis.
“Can they really find us by smell, not just sight and sound?”
“Seems like it. Let’s crouch down.”
An Hyun quickly hid behind a large tree, pulling Sol into his arms. Yu Jeong, Han Byul, and I followed suit, hiding and waiting for the creatures to pass. I saw An Hyun raise his shield, but I shook my head. It was better to save the training for killing Deadmen for later. I couldn’t remember exactly why, but I recalled hearing that during the initiation, everyone agreed never to enter the forest.
We were about halfway to the forest’s edge. If we killed these Deadmen now, we risked being surrounded again. If they signaled others, we’d be in real trouble.
Even if we managed to take them down, we’d have to do it instantly, without giving them a chance to alert others. But with just stones or a shield, taking out three at once was nearly impossible. My sword at my waist clinked softly, and I regretted not giving it to An Hyun earlier. Meanwhile, the Deadmen continued to sniff the air, inching closer to our hiding spot.