Red Dot - 56

Jian made a bewildered face and pursed her lips.

“This guy, did he just call himself a ‘dog’?”

She couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud, fearing that she might get chewed out by that smiling face.

She managed to control her expression while recalling how cute her Pomeranian was, especially when it acted smart.

“Well, even when it’s just sitting still, it’s cute, but I found it particularly beautiful when it acted cleverly. For example, when I said ‘hand,’ it lifted its front paw to my hand, or when I put a treat in front of it and said ‘wait,’ it actually waited.”

Jian laughed at the thought, which was delightful even in imagination.

“Even though communication was difficult, it listened to me and followed my words. How could it not be pretty?”

While Jian happily talked about imagining a ‘real dog,’ Hanseo’s gaze at her changed slightly.

“Hmm, so if you do what you’re told well, it works?”

The eyes that seemed dissatisfied with something slightly relaxed, and the cold expression softened a bit.

“I hope that saying is true.”

Hanseo’s coldness diminished. It didn’t completely disappear, but the sharp and prickly feeling from a moment ago had noticeably lessened.

However, Jian wasn’t relieved; on the contrary, she looked like something big had happened.

“If this guy doesn’t get some beauty… I’m done for.”

Jian sincerely wished for Hanseo’s owner to come back soon and comfort her.

For that to happen, the current plan had to go smoothly first.

Finally, at the edge of the two people’s sight, the awaited drone appeared. From a distance, the white drone resembled a crane, and as instructed, its belly was slightly swollen.

The drone soon approached Hanseo and Jian and landed in front of them. When Jian stepped forward and unwrapped the bandages tightly wound around the drone’s body, a pair of black binoculars emerged from inside.

After handing the binoculars to Jian, the drone did not immediately return but waited quietly in place. Even if it did go back, it would only increase the burden, so leaving it by Hanseo and Jian’s side and taking it after escaping would be the best course of action.

Of course, they had to create an environment for escape.

With the binoculars in hand, Jian adjusted the direction.

The place they were in was the opposite side of Gyeong-oh’s balcony and the direction where the open corridor characteristic of old apartments could be seen.

405 was accurately captured through the binoculars. In addition to that, zombies on each floor in the open corridor and the two people hiding behind the flowerbed behind the building entrance were clearly visible.

Jian admired the high-performance binoculars and picked up the radio.

“Sir, if you signal now, open the door and just run out.”

-Just open the door and run? To the first floor? Can I, can I do that?

In Gyeong-oh’s voice coming through the radio, there was intense anxiety. Jian comforted Gyeong-oh with soothing words.

“Don’t worry, sir. While other guys make a path, I’ll safely guide you to the first floor.”

While Jian was busy soothing Gyeong-oh.

Two zombies, who had been wandering near the cloud bridge, gradually approached. They hadn’t reached the line of sight yet, so they weren’t running, but as creatures who only knew how to walk forward, they would likely spot Jian soon.

Hanseo kept an eye on Jian, who was observing the apartment building through binoculars.

He seemed to think it might be a little stressful.

At the entrance of the apartment, behind the somewhat elevated flowerbed, Junseong and Changmin, who were crouching down, witnessed the two people near the cloud bridge finally meeting the drone. If there were no problems with the binoculars Jian received, the OK signal would soon appear.

Junseong looked at his watch.

“I can definitely match the timing.”

Although Junseong couldn’t recall exactly when and how the zombies rushed in, once they synchronized the departure time, they could anticipate when and how the zombies would emerge later. Checking the time accuracy could be based on the moment they encountered Hwang Gyeong-oh on the fourth floor.

Junseong, who was checking the time, tensed his body to be able to run quickly and tightly gripped the machete in his hand. Then, he turned to Changmin and asked in a low voice.

“But really, can’t we change the weapon?”

Changmin, who was standing behind Junseong, smiled and nodded gently.

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

Changmin replied warmly.

After waking up in the morning, Junseong had asked Changmin to speak comfortably and get to know each other as much as possible. Since he had never moved with Seo Changmin in his dreams, he wanted to quickly become familiar with him to better understand his personality and style.

In addition, to join Hwang Gyeong-oh, they had to go into the midst of zombies together, so he had to narrow the distance with Changmin to trust him to some extent. Otherwise, before properly using the card named Seo Changmin, he might fall victim to zombies.

Considering the age difference with Junseong, which was only two years, Changmin readily accepted his proposal. Calling each other “hyung” and “dongsaeng” and having known each other for a long time, Changmin already considered Junseong as a good brother.

Changmin looked at the machete held firmly in Junseong’s hand and laughed.

“It’s good to use a weapon that you’re familiar with. I only need this iron pipe.”

The long iron pipe brought from the construction site next to the container office looked quite sturdy. Perhaps because Seo Changmin was holding it.

‘I wouldn’t want to imagine if Do Han-seo had it.’

If Do Han-seo had held the long iron pipe, it would have been terrifying beyond imagination.

No, just the thought of Do Han-seo holding anything is scary.

Junseong suddenly looked up at the cloud bridge. Do Han-seo seemed to be looking down at this direction as well. They didn’t exactly exchange glances, but there was a feeling that they were looking at each other.

“Junseong-ah.”

Junseong turned around. Changmin’s face had already changed to an indescribable expression.

“I have a lot of questions to ask. Can I ask them one by one?”

Junseong knew the reason why Changmin brought up this topic.

Although Gyeong-oh seemed to know him, they had never actually met each other, unlike what Junseong had thought.

Junseong had grasped all the items he had without even looking at them. His excellent judgment and coping ability were just impressive.

However, there was one strange thing.

Gas explosion.

He had thoroughly explored every nook and cranny of the shopping district in the early morning, trying to find water somehow.

He knew that the restaurant where the explosion occurred was locked.

Then how could he anticipate the explosion timing and prepare for it?

Changmin was looking at Junseong, who was still looking at the watch as if back then.

Junseong, who understood what Changmin might be thinking, opened his mouth towards him.

“I’ll tell you after we rescue this guy. It’ll be easier for you to understand then.”

One of the things he felt when rescuing Seo Changmin in his dreams repeatedly and failing was that Changmin was more cautious and suspicious than he had thought.

Even if he saved him, he might not easily believe it. Instead, he would likely raise an eye of suspicion and doubt rather than appreciating it. Even without the ability to know the future in rescuing him, there were parts that could be explained to some extent, so he could be labeled as a dubious person.

Rather than discussing such abilities, it was better to spend a comfortable time together with mutual trust. Then, let Seo Changmin experience a phenomenon that could not be easily understood solely based on his common sense and thoughts, and make him speculate unrealistic things on his own.

People naturally understand better through actions than words.

Explaining something as vague and unrealistic as one’s dreams a hundred times with words would only arouse suspicion and distrust in a cautious and skeptical person.

“For now, please trust me and follow along.”

“…Alright.”

In response to Junseong’s words, Changmin nodded with a still ambiguous expression.

Regardless of what Junseong might have in mind, the current priority was urgent rescue. As a person with a strong sense of justice, Changmin decided to focus on trusting Junseong, who was taking action to save people.

Meanwhile, Jian, who had put on the binoculars, waved her hands towards Junseong and Changmin. After confirming that, Junseong, who had been looking at the watch again, straightened his body from the crouched position.

“We’ll be leaving soon.”

He had jumped into action to rescue Hwang Gyeong-oh in his dream, and the departure time was becoming exactly the same as that successful day.

Only a few seconds remained.

Feeling a tension that raised the temperature just right, Junseong urged.

“Now, let’s go. Just follow what I told you earlier.”

Instead of verbally responding, Changmin nodded and adjusted his grip on the iron pipe.

Junseong, who measured the timing while gauging the time, soon jumped up and left. Changmin, with a more serious expression than ever, followed behind him.