Chapter 4: The Weight of Survival

Songwoo squinted against the harsh light. It was still early, but the skies were tinted in a strange, dusty orange—clouds hanging low like the apocalypse painted them there.

Minjae followed behind him, pipe still gripped tightly, as they stepped out into the ruined city.

Burned cars. Shattered glass. Distant sirens that had long since died out. The streets were quiet… too quiet.

Then they saw them.

Zombies.

Not too close. A small pack, maybe a dozen or more, dragging their rotting limbs across the cracked road. Bloodied clothes. Hollow eyes. Some limped, some crawled. Rotten smell all over. But all of them moved in the same direction—searching.

Songwoo's heart began to race.

This time, not out of fear. But something else.

Excitement.

He tightened his grip on his sword, taking a step forward, eyes locked on the undead.

"They're slow," he whispered. "I can take them."

His eyes even shine out of excitement..

"Eeeeh! You lunatic..."

Minjae's hand shot out and yanked him back.

"Are you crazy?!" Minjae hissed. "There's more than ten! What if more show up?!"

"I can handle it—"

"This isn't a game idiot, Songwoo!" Minjae's voice cracked. "We don't need to fight unless we have to."

A tense silence. Songwoo breathed hard, his knuckles white around the sword.

Then, slowly, he nodded disappointedly.

"…Right."

They ducked into an alley, navigating through broken fences and narrow paths, avoiding open streets. Minjae led cautiously, scanning every shadow. He was physically strong—but his hands shook when he heard growls in the distance.

Songwoo noticed.

["He's strong, but… he hasn't adjusted yet."]

Songwoo pushed forward. Not because he wasn't scared—but because he had to survive. He had to get back home. To his mother. His sister. His father. His world.

"Mmm.. So where're we going... Don't tell me you don't have a destination..!"

"Naah... Don't worry.. We're heading to mall. Need to secure supplies."

They found a large abandoned mall complex—glass doors shattered, stores looted—but it must have decent supplies.

As they approached, they heard screams.

"Aaaaaah.."

Five people were cornered near the food court entrance—three women and two men, one of them shielding the others with a metal chair, swinging wildly at incoming zombies.

"Help!" one woman cried.

Without hesitation, Songwoo charged.

He moved fast. Sword flashing.

One zombie lunged. CRACK. The blade smashed through its skull

Another came from the side—Songwoo ducked and swept its legs, then finished it with a clean strike to the head. 

Minjae, still behind, froze for just a second, eyes wide at how easily Songwoo fought.

While Songwoo busy fighting the zombie, one approach him from behind. Without a second thought Minjae charge at the zombie and defend him.

"Thanks scary cat.."

"Huh.. Be grateful. 

Breathing heavy, Songwoo looked over the survivors.

"Is anyone hurt?"

One of the men—a middle-aged man with a white coat—stepped forward.

"No. Thanks to you. I'm Doctor Hong."

"Don't stay here for long. Let's take shelter.."

They went inside the mall. And block the entrance using shelf. There are a lot of foods and mineral water.

Songwoo pick up a new bag and fill as much as food he can.

"What are you waiting for pick them up as you can."

"You want us to run around caring these?.."

"We can't stay in one place unless it's a safe shelter. So pick them up."

As the group settled in, Minjae sat next to Songwoo, watching him quietly.

"You didn't have to help them," Minjae said.

Songwoo didn't answer right away.

He stared at the wall.

"If I stop helping people," he finally said, "I'll stop being human."

Minjae looked at him for a long moment. And for the first time since they met, he smiled.

"I still think you're insane. But… thanks for not giving up on me."

The mall had gone quiet.

What was once a noisy space filled with shoppers and music now echoed only the occasional creak of wind pushing against broken windows. The mall was brightened by a single trough.

Songwoo sat cross-legged on a dusty floor mat, a can of peaches between him and Minjae. Across from them, the five survivors rested in scattered groups—three women huddled together, and the doctor collecting medicines to survive, another man trying to fall asleep.

Minjae leaned back on an old bench.

"I still can't believe you rushed in like that."

Songwoo spooning out a piece of peach.

"I saw people who needed help. That's all."

"You keep doing that," Minjae said quietly. "Helping. Even when it's risky."

"I have to."

Minjae stare at the wall, then spoke without looking at songwoo.

"My little brother… he turned. A few days ago. I wasn't fast enough."

Songwoo said nothing. He just listened.

"I wanted to die with him, to be honest. Then I saw you. Like some idiot charging into the world like it still made sense.""…I guess that gave me hope again."

Songwoo smiled faintly.

"Hope's dangerous in a world like this."

"So is losing it."

"Won't deny."

While others slept in corners of dark stores and broken dressing rooms, Songwoo stayed awake, patrolling the mall with Minjae.

That's when they heard it—a banging on the glass entrance, followed by desperate screams.

"Let me in! Please!"

A group of people about 10 were cornered just outside by a small group of zombies.

Without hesitation, Songwoo rushed out, open the door. Minjae followed close behind. And both shut it tight.

Other's jumped form their sleep.

The survivors gathered at the center of the mall, shaken but safe.

But not everyone was grateful.

One of the women he save early—the one with dark eyes and tangled hair—stood up, trembling.

"You're going to get us all killed!" she screamed.

Songwoo turned, confused. "What?"

"You just keep bringing more people in! Do you think food grows in here?! Do you think the zombies won't notice all the noise?!"

"They needed help—

"We don't even know you! Who made you the leader?!"

The woman's breathing was erratic now, her fingers clawing into her own arms. Her voice cracked into panic.

"You're going to get us all killed…

Songwoo took a step forward. "Calm down. Please. You're safe here—"

"No, I'm not! Not with you bringing every stray dog into our shelter!"

Then she ran.