Chapter 8: Baek Seona


    1.


    21-year-old university student Baek Seona had a character that could not tolerate injustice.


    Her name, Seona, was given by her grandfather in the hope that she would grow up to be kind (the characters meaning kind  and child ). She had lived a life so far that would not bring shame to this name.


    If there was a child being ostracized in the same ss, she was the first to step up and reach out. If her ssmates fought with each other, she stepped in and mediated appropriately.


    She kindly taught a friend who had a problem they didnt understand until they got it, and sincerely consoled a friend who had concerns they couldnt tell others.


    She had received dozens of love confessions due to her pretty looks that were well-known even to the neighboring school. Still, she refused them all, wanting to focus on her studies.


    By the time Baek Seona entered the Business Administration department of Seoul National University as valedictorian, she had be a celebrity.


    She was always an excellent problem solver and proactively took on difficult tasks, setting an example for others.


    She was the pride of her parents, the idol of her friends, and the inspiration to other students.


    Baek Seona had never once regretted living a life as a good child.


    Of course, the more she helped others, the less time she had for her own work, and there were always people who would twist and nder her good intentions wherever she went.


    However, goodwill returned as much as it was given. Baek Seona thought that she had lived receiving as much help as she had given to others.


    We live by giving and receiving help from each other.


    Mutual aid. That was what Baek Seona thought was the essence of human society.


    And now,


    She was pooping on the floor.


    Sniff sob huck


    While weeping pathetically and shedding tears like drops, she was pooping.


    When the leaders of the G7 countries dered a zombie virus pandemic, the streets were plunged into chaos due to the sudden appearance of zombies


    She had been working part-time at a convenience store on the first floor of an officetel, covering for a friend.


    Zombies had stormed into the convenience store where she worked. Reacting swiftly, she had barricaded herself inside the stores storage room. Until this point, everything was fine.


    However, contrary to her hopeful belief that help would soon arrive, neither 112 nor 119 answered her calls. The constant moaning of the zombies prowling inside the convenience store could be heard from outside the storage room.


    She was trapped inside the convenience stores storage room.


    There were two silver linings, however.


    Firstly, this was a convenience store storage room, meaning there was plenty of food.


    She had more than enough, from snacks to all sorts of ramen, canned food, and beverages. At least she wouldnt starve to death.


    Secondly, she had managed to reach her family.


    Hey, sis! Are you okay? Im safe. Right now, Im with Mom and Dad at a survivors shelter. Over a thousand people are here, so I think were safe. What? Youre trapped in a convenience store storage room? Okay, got it! Ill suggest we organize a rescue team. Even if I have to go alone, wait and dont worry! Never attempt toe out on your own, understand?


    Hey, you better not try toe alone! Im fine here, theres a lot to eat! Hey, hey! Shoot, he hung up


    Her reliable younger brother.


    She felt relieved.


    All she needed to do was to hold on here, munching on snacks until the rescue team arrived. Then she could reunite with her family.


    Thankfully.


    That hope shattered when news about awakened individuals with special abilities broke out in the evening.


    She received a text from her brother, who had been regrly contacting her.


    Sis. About a dozen people here have awakened abilities too, but somethings off about them. They keep gathering and whispering amongst themselves. It doesnt feel right. Considering the situation, Mom, Dad, and I will try to escape. Just wait a bit longer.


    After this, her brother went silent.


    No matter how many texts she sent or calls she made, there was no response.


    From then on, Baek Seona started suffering from anxiety.


    She incessantly trembled, biting her nails relentlessly.


    Something had undoubtedly happened to her younger brother. He might be in danger.


    But there was nothing she could do.


    She had lived her entire life being more virtuous and diligent than anyone else. She had built an impressive level of virtue and social standing that everyone praised.


    However


    In this zombie apocalypse,


    She felt helpless to the point of trembling.


    Since she couldnt do anything, she continued to gather information through news and onlinemunities. But the more she learned, the more she saw the rampant abuses of power and violent acts perpetrated by those with abilities against ordinary people.


    The more such posts she read, the more severe her anxiety became as she remembered her brothersst text. Her mental state continued to deteriorate.


    How to awaken abilities wish intensely, wish intensely. Wish


    She spent the entire day chanting the word wish like a mantra, praying that she too would awaken an ability.


    But she didnt awaken any abilities.


    A day had passed since the zombie virus outbreak, and what came to her wasnt the awakening of an ability but an urge that was difficult to hold back.


    She needed to poop. But there was no toilet in the storage room.


    She endured, and endured, and finally defecated on the storage room floor.


    Huuk Huk


    She shed tears while relieving herself and then made a decision.


    To fight. Directly. At the risk of her life.


    Her inability to awaken abilities must have been due to ack of desperation. If she were to fight zombies in a life-or-death situation, she might be able to awaken. Then she could go and save her family directly.


    But what if she couldnt awaken?


    People bitten by zombies must also have hoped to repel the zombies in their critical situations. But those who could awaken were a tiny minority of chosen individuals.


    What if she wasnt chosen?


    .


    Baek Seona consciously stopped her thoughts.


    Holding a cutter knife, a convenience store staple, in her hand, her face was marked by the grim determination characteristic of someone making their final resolution.


    2.


    Ding- It was the first floor.


    As soon as we arrived on the first floor by elevator, a group of zombies that were crammed into the apartment lobby greeted us.


    At a nce, there seemed to be over 20 zombies.


    Serena, dont let your guard down just because the zombies are weak.


    Yes!


    So far, all the zombies wed encountered were weak. With our increased abilities, Serena and I had nothing to fear, even if a hundred zombies charged at us. All we had to do was to beat them up.


    However, it was a clich in zombie narratives for the heroes to be attacked by special entities mixed among the weak zombies when they let their guard down.


    You should never be careless, regardless of the situation. This wasnt a game. A moments carelessness could lead to death.


    Eeyaahp-!


    Whoom Bang!


    There was no hesitation in my determined bat swing. With a full swing from a thrilling range that capitalized on the bats advantage, the zombies heads burst like watermelons.


    And outperforming me was Serena.


    .


    Serena silently, quietly, and assuredly swung her frying pan. With each swing, two or three zombies burst open.


    Serenas figure running amok among the zombies was like a lion on the Serengeti ins. And the zombies were a herd of weak gazelles.


    It didnt take long to clear out the dozens of zombies that filled the lobby.


    Whew Good job, Serena.


    Its nothing, Master.


    Even as I let out a sigh and rxed, Serena remained on alert.


    I hadnt realized when we were in the room together, but Serena was more of a sturdy warrior type than I thought.


    Anyway, we had made it to the first floor, so it was time to raid the convenience store as nned.


    And the moment I turned my head toward the convenience store, a womans voice burst out from inside.


    Dieeeeeeeeeeeeee!!


    It was a scream that also sounded like a cry for help. It was clear that something urgent was happening.


    Serena!


    Yes!


    I quickly ran and forcefully kicked open the convenience store door.


    I quickly scanned the interior.


    Two visible zombies and a woman screaming, fighting 2:1 with a small cutter knife in her hand.


    Furthermore, there was one zombie lying on the floor with a loose neck. Judging by its condition, she had just killed it. She managed to take it down with that cutter knife.


    A normal person without any special abilities, but a woman who was good at fighting. It took me about 0.2 seconds to make this assessment.


    Ill help you!


    Swish! Bang!


    Given the urgency of the situation, I struck the zombies throat with a quick jab instead of a full swing.


    That alone was powerful enough. The zombie didnt die immediately, but it fell lifelessly.


    The remaining zombie was baring its teeth threateningly, ready to bite the woman any moment.


    I quickly shoved my bat into its mouth.


    Bang-!


    The bat neatly entered its mouth as the zombies upper and lower front teeth werepletely pulled out. I pressed it to the ground, piercing the back of the zombies neck.


    Twang-!


    Behind me, Serena was performing a coup de grce on the zombie I had knocked down.


    With that, all the visible zombies were killed. The remaining threat was the possibility of zombies in the convenience stores storeroom.


    I quickly confirmed this.


    Are these all the zombies?


    Huh?


    Are there no more zombies in the storeroom?


    Ah yes, yes. I was in the storeroom and came out. The ones you just killed are all of them.


    The woman answered with a startled expression.


    Phew. Thats a relief. The timing was good. My name is Kim Doha.


    Ah I am Baek, Seona


    Sniff, sob.


    The woman suddenly began to cry pitifully.


    She seemed like someone who had a story to tell.


    Well, given the state of the world, everyone probably had a story or two.


    Thank you, thank you for saving me!!


    Its okay. Pull yourself together and stay strong.


    I patted the womans shoulder and looked around.


    Inside the convenience store, all the items were neatly ced as if no one had rummaged through them.


    What a relief. If this was the case, more supplies would likely be stocked up in the storeroom.


    I decided to check the convenience store inventory until the woman calmed down and could converse.


    And when I approached the open storeroom door


    Ah, no!!


    Huh?


    The woman suddenly shrieked.


    If, if you go into the storeroom now you cant.


    Huh? Why?


    Youre not nning on hoarding all this food for yourself, are you?


    Ah, no! I wouldnt dream of being so shameless to the person who saved my life!!


    Then why?


    The womans face turned pale. She looked as if she was afraid of being caught doing something.


    Ah anyway, you cant!