Magic on the Dead Chapter 127

Jeffrey moved about restlessly in the darkness. He was making all sorts of racket, rummaging through his bag and lifting his clothes, when he suddenly flinched at a gaze he felt upon him.

【What are you doing?】

Eden’s voice flew right into his ear. Jeffrey turned his head in the direction of the sound and pierced through the pitch-black darkness to stare at a lump he presumed to be Eden’s form.

【What the? When were you awake?】

【Not long.】

Jeffrey, who had carelessly jammed his feet into the shoes he had taken off, hurried him as if there was no time.

【If you’re up, hurry up and follow me out.】

【Why.】

【What do you mean, why. Can’t you see the spot next to you is empty? Do Hajin just left secretly without saying goodbye. It’s his last moment here, shouldn’t you at least see him off?】

Eden used both arms as a pillow, folding his hands behind his head and closing his eyes.

【Forget it. If you’re going, go alone.】

【What?!】

A voice filled with astonishment echoed through the spacious hangar.

【Are you serious? No, just a while ago you were all over Do Hajin, acting like you were dying of love, and now all of a sudden…】

Jeffrey, who was muttering in confusion, quickly stood up, thinking, “Ah, this is no time for this.”

【Anyway, if you change your mind, hurry up and follow me!】

Clatter, crash. The sound of bumping into something and falling was followed by the back door opening. A bluish light shone into the cave-like hangar before disappearing.

“Uncle…”

Just then, Byeol, with sleepy eyes, rolled over thump, thump and snuggled into Eden’s arms.

Pai, who had been whining in front of the door the whole time, had also settled down at his feet at some point. The dense, solid fur tickled his ankle.

“Why did Hajin-ee uncle go without saying goodbye?”

The child’s tone was as feeble as a dying candlelight. Eden answered nonchalantly.

“Everyone was sleeping, so he probably just didn’t want to wake anyone up.”

“…But uncle, why aren’t you going with Hajin-ee uncle? How is Hajin-ee uncle supposed to get to America all by himself?”

The cute voice trembled sweetly. He even let out a small groan, ngh, as if holding back tears. Eden stroked the child’s soft hair and asked.

“Do you want uncle to go with Hajin-ee uncle?”

“Uh-huh. Because uncle, you’re strong. And you said so at the church that time. That you’d protect Hajin-ee uncle.”

Byeol chattered as if Eden were Superman. It was as if he firmly believed that there was absolutely no chance of him dying on the zombie-infested Korean peninsula, and that he could safely escort Hajin and return to America whenever he wanted.

The child’s bright, moist eyes twinkled like jewels even in the darkness.

A dry smile formed on Eden’s lips. He wondered what it would have been like if Hajin had trusted him just a little more, as much as Jeong Byeol trusted him. Such a funny hypothetical thought circled in his mind.

But he knew that his choice and his choice were not all that different. Do Hajin had proven his affection by leaving, and he himself intended to prove his affection by following him, even if it was late. In any case, the desire for each other not to die was the same.

Eden swept Byeol’s messy bangs aside and opened his mouth.

“Uncle is going to go meet Hajin-ee uncle again after I fix that helicopter.”

As if it had been waiting, the child shot up as soon as the words were out.

“Oh, oh? Really? Then am I going with you?”

“No. You go ahead with Jeffrey uncle first.”

“Aww…!”

Byeol rolled his round eyes and then nodded his head quickly.

“Okay. So uncle is going to Hajin-ee uncle, and, um, I’ll go with Jeffrey uncle. Then we’ll all meet again at home later, right? Right?”

Even in the darkness, the child’s pink blush seemed clearly visible. At the more intense reaction than expected, Eden let out a hearty laugh as if he couldn’t be helped. A nephew who would gladly send his uncle into the jaws of death for the sake of his love. Should he consider this impertinent, or praiseworthy….

Not long after, the back door creaked open again. Jeffrey appeared along with the dawn light that illuminated the dark hangar. Just then, someone must have woken up, as the lights hanging from the ceiling flickered on brightly.

“Wow… Jeffrey uncle cried.”

Jeong Byeol pointed at the approaching Jeffrey with his short finger. After a quick glance at the giggling child, he plopped down on the spot with his puffy eyes.

Jeffrey moved his lips for a long while before offering an apology to Eden.

【I’m sorry.】

【…Suddenly?】

【Seeing you two part ways like this without even a goodbye, it didn’t feel right. I was worried that maybe you and Hajin fell out because of me. But still, I know better than anyone that you two were sincere…】

As he continued speaking, his eyes met Byeol’s and he quickly shut his mouth. Eden, who had been listening silently, let out an incredulous sigh.

【Are you saying it’s all your fault that Do Hajin and I fell out?】

As if he didn’t notice the sneering question, Jeffrey shook his head firmly.

【There’s no need to try and deny it. I’m well aware that you chose friendship over love.】

【…….】

【I’m saying it’s okay to resent me. If it helps you feel better, I’ll humbly accept it.】

He even teared up, as if moved by his own words. Eden, who had been listening to the narcissistic nonsense of his friend, sighed and got up.

【Stop your drama and get up. Let’s go fix the helicopter.】

A sudden look of puzzlement appeared in Jeffrey’s moist eyes.

【…What? Already? It’s still dawn. There’s no need to be in such a hurry, is there?】

【I’m in plenty of a hurry.】

A moment of silence fell. Jeffrey, who was staring at Eden with his eyes thinly open, leaned his upper body forward.

【What are you in such a hurry for?】

【…….】

With no answer forthcoming, a meaningful atmosphere began to surround the two of them.

【Don’t tell me, you….】

He couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence, just moving his mouth. In the meantime, Eden swept his messy hair back and looked around the hangar, which was greeting the morning early. A few soldiers, who had picked up and put on their discarded uniforms, were yawning and stretching.

【Eden. It’s not what I think it is, is it?】

Jeffrey asked, clenching his fists. Eden, who had walked clomp, clomp to the front of the helicopter from which the fuel had been drained, replied nonchalantly.

【It is.】

At the immediate response, Jeffrey shot up reflexively. Just then, Jeong Byeol grabbed his thigh and shook it, chattering in an excited voice.

“Jeffrey uncle! Guess what. Eden uncle is going to meet Hajin-ee uncle after he fixes the helicopter! And they’re going to come home together! Isn’t that great?”

Only then did Jeffrey grasp the whole situation, staggering as he held his forehead. Eden, taking out the equipment he had left in the corner, gestured for him to come over as if there was no time for this.

【If you understand, stop dawdling and come over here and help me fix it.】

As soon as he finished speaking, splotchy heat rashes began to bloom on Jeffrey’s face. Eden looked at his friend, who seemed about to explode at any moment, and instead got annoyed himself.

【If only you knew how to handle the software properly, I wouldn’t have needed to stay behind either.】

【You… you crazy….】

【I’ve been thinking about it, Jeffrey, and when you get back to Blue Works, you should sign up for the job competency enhancement program. I’ll make sure you’re the first priority, no questions asked.】

【Hey.】

【If I lose Do Hajin because of this, it’s all your fault, so just know that.】

At that point, Jeffrey could no longer hold back and let out a sharp roar.

【Hey, you crazy bastard! Do you even hear yourself right now?!】

🃏

As much as Blue Works’ aircraft incorporated advanced technology, there were many parts to handle besides simple physical maintenance that required manual labor. A prime example was the integrated software control.

While Jeffrey worked himself to the bone checking the hardware equipment, Eden meticulously went over the unmanned autonomous functions in preparation for any contingency. Since he couldn’t go with them, this was his way of protecting Jeffrey and Jeong Byeol from danger.

Fortunately, the military personnel staying here just repeated like parrots that they were waiting for the transport plane the Ministry of National Defense would send, and they paid little attention to the helicopter of a foreigner they could barely communicate with. To be precise, they seemed to not trust Jeffrey’s expertise.

Moreover, after the last passenger plane left, the number of survivors gathered near the maintenance depot had noticeably decreased, significantly reducing the risk of the helicopter being seized.

On the first day, Eden inspected the helicopter for more than 18 hours without a break. Thanks to pouring all his energy into it without getting any sleep, he saved much more time than expected. At this rate, it would be possible to get the helicopter in the air within three days.

On the second day, Jeffrey, who had been wearing a sullen expression the whole time, called out to him.

【Go to Do Hajin before it’s too late. You don’t even need to see it through to the end.】

【I’m going to watch it take off before I leave.】

【You know. This model didn’t even need to come to a maintenance hangar in the first place. It’s not an old one, either.】

Fatigue was caked under the eyes of Jeffrey as he waved his hand. He had practically worn himself out over the past two days due to the trace amounts of fuel gas remaining inside the helicopter and the delicate work required.

He gave Eden’s chest a hard push, as if telling him to get lost already.

【Because of you, I’m getting anxious too and I can’t even sleep. Are you going to take responsibility if I get into a driving accident? So just hurry up and go! I’m going to finish up leisurely and take off.】

Jeffrey, who had thrown a fit, scratched his head vigorously and plopped down on the spot. Then, as if he were dying of sleepiness, he let out huge yawns and suddenly dropped a bombshell.

【For your information, I gave the Yongun Research Institute key card to Hajin.】

【What?】

【I’m saying if you miss him, you’re seriously fucked.】

Jeffrey looked at the momentarily stunned Eden and raised the corners of his mouth mischievously, as if he had succeeded in his revenge.

【You’re kidding, right?】

【Do I look like I’m kidding?】

【…….】

【If you get it, then hurry up and run, you bastard.】

The most likely way for Eden and Hajin to leave this land was at the research institute. Of course, it was also possible for Jeffrey, who had left for America, to send a transport aircraft to the maintenance depot on a set date and time, but this method had a high probability of failure.

There were more than a few things to consider, such as the possibility of Eden and Hajin not returning in time, as well as the potential for unpredictable actions from the survivors remaining here.

Taking into account various assumptions and variables, finding the Tune at the Yongun Research Institute, which was tucked away in a deep mountain valley, and communicating directly was the best method for escape.

Having heard the whereabouts of the key card, which was no exaggeration to say his life depended on, Eden began to hastily pack his bag. Jeffrey, even after pushing him on his way, seemed troubled, letting out heavy sighs like puffs of cigarette smoke. Byeol took out a lollipop he had secretly hidden and slipped it into Eden’s pocket.

“Uncle, fighting!”

Toward Eden, who had received the child’s loud cheer, Jeffrey nagged.

【Don’t get too cocky and get yourself hurt. Got it?】

【You take care of yourself. Fly safe.】

Jeffrey spread his arms and pulled Eden’s back into a firm hug. Eden, who would normally have rejected the hug, saying it was gross, this time patted his back soothingly.

Under the hot sun that announced noon, sweat was already beginning to form on his back.