Mental Protector in the Apocalypse - Chapter 8.2

She found conversing with an individual who was unconscious to be both amusing and sorrowful, and she exhaled deeply. Nevertheless, she continued to talk. Engaging in this dialogue provided her with a sense of solace.

Once she had exhausted her words, a hush settled in. The sensation of being disoriented dissipated, and her sound judgment was restored.

“I anticipate my return shortly, so please be awake by then.”

She spun to face him briefly before decisively swinging the door open. As soon as she stepped out, the presence of the zombies was overwhelming, and a scream threatened to escape her lips. Yet, she managed to contain it and swiftly retrieved her triangle. With it in hand, she proceeded to advance, eliminating zombies. She eventually made it to the stairs leading to the second floor without any difficulties. After contemplating, she decided to take the plunge and ascend.

There were three avenues of obtaining food at this stage. The first was to access a store through unlawful means, and the second was to explore the cafeteria. However, the store and restaurant were located separately from the one Han Ji-Ah was in. The only way to reach the other building was to go outside the building or to use the bridge connecting the two buildings on the second floor.

There was an abundance of regular zombies outside, and a particularly powerful mutant zombie guarded the bridge. It was a choice between facing a multitude of weaker foes or one formidable adversary, making it impossible for her.

Faced with no other option, she resorted to scavenging. Many games feature this activity, which involves searching for valuable items, unlocking doors and boxes, and finding weapons. Similarly, she could locate food when she rummaged through the desks and lockers on the second floor. With the main building containing classrooms from the second to the seventh floor, there was a substantial amount of scavenging to do. However, she lacked the energy to search each floor. Therefore, she decided to explore one level instead rapidly.

Upon reaching the second-floor hallway, she observed many zombies occupying the corridor and classrooms. Her energy levels began to wane as she contemplated if she could overcome the zombies and scavenge the area.

“Had I been aware, I would have consumed the orange juice from the refrigerator.”

She lamented her lack of preparedness and fired at a zombie’s head nearby.

***

“Well… Is this enough?”

After examining the contents of the bag in her possession, she nodded in affirmation. It appears that she can make it through the next two days. However, upon further consideration, she must endure for an additional day if she considers the extra pieces.

She discovered an apple jam cookie in the last locker she searched, and after deciding to add it to her bag, she made her way up to the second floor. There, she found an abundance of bread and snacks and had to take a bag to carry it all in. After searching through five classrooms, her bag was full. Fortunately, Do-yoon was asleep, and she did not have to ask him to accompany her on her scavenging mission. Though it was acceptable in the game, she felt a sense of guilt as it felt like stealing in reality.

After a lengthy period of time had elapsed, she was still apprehensive about potential outcomes despite securely shutting the counseling room door. As she prepared to depart the corridor, she heard a shriek emanating from an unknown source.

“Ahh!!!”

It was undoubtedly a human cry. In this school, only the survivors remained. Unfortunately, it had to be them… Her classroom was located near the bridge connecting the new building. The shriek seemed to be emanating from there. It must have been the janitor they had encountered. She was apprehensive about engaging with the survivors, so she hastily departed the classroom and descended to the first floor. However, they were quicker. Before she could realize it, the survivors had come here with the janitor and noticed her. They gesticulated wildly and yelled.

“Help us! Zombies!”

“Ahh! Save the people!”

Upon spotting them, she quickly spun around and took off in a sprint. Her mind raced,

“I’m going insane, and I must help them! Will I also be killed?”

She could hear a voice behind her, but she disregarded it and kept running. She wanted to move faster, but her energy was lacking. Additionally, the ankle she had injured at the health center when a mutant zombie grabbed her was throbbing as if it was going to snap. Despite this, she continued to push herself, groaning each time she shifted her weight due to the pain radiating up her leg.

“Is it your intention to flee due to a desire to remain alive?”

“As students, it is understandable that adults want to protect us. Therefore, it is not recommended to venture out alone.”

Before she was aware, the voices expressing hostility towards her drew nearer.

What actions has she taken to warrant such mistreatment? Her life is of the utmost importance; who is putting themselves at risk for the sake of others? What sets you apart from her? She is still a student, a college student. These individuals are utterly reprehensible!

She was concentrating on her run, silently expressing her frustration, when she felt a sudden tug on her head.

“Ahh!”

“X-ssi, let go!”

She experienced extreme distress when she felt her hair being pulled back. One of the pursuers had seized her hair and dragged her back, causing her to roll on the ground and clutch her head as they passed.

“Who is planning to depart and abandon us?”

They were the first to be excluded from the group of survivors, and they moved on as if they had a sense of purpose. In the game, they were removed from the group and had to flee, ultimately killed by the gatekeeper. She was left to ponder why this had happened, and all she could focus on was trying to stay alive, though it seemed so unjust.

“What… why are they doing this to me?”

She let out a cry of anguish as she observed them depart.

“Damn it! Get rid of those bastards!”