Magic on the Dead Chapter 22

As Hajin mulled over the situation, he soon steeled his resolve and turned the doorknob.

Passing the shoe rack just outside the bathroom and entering the room, he saw three men sitting sprawled on the floor, all turning to look at him simultaneously.

“Ugh, you startled me! Hey.”

Chunbum Park jumped up, pushing up the glasses that had slid down to the tip of his nose. Unfazed, Hajin smiled and asked,

“You’re here? No one’s hurt, right?”

【Hajin, how long have you been in the bathroom?】

“My stomach’s been acting up for a bit. Haha.”

Brushing off Jeffrey’s question with a vague excuse, Hajin leaned against the wall next to the TV. Ignoring the inscrutable Eden, he scrutinized Chunbum Park and Jeffrey’s faces with hawk-like eyes.

“Looks like you didn’t find any food today.”

“I found a fruit shop, but everything was rotten, nothing worth salvaging. I managed to grab some barely decent bananas. Got spotted by a zombie on the way, and shaking it off while running nearly killed me.”

Chunbum Park proudly held up a bunch of blackened bananas. They were so overripe that the peels seemed ready to slip off, precariously clinging to the stems.

Hajin swallowed hard but didn’t let his sharp gaze waver. Neither Chunbum nor Jeffrey seemed particularly tense, not like people caught plotting something.

So… their talk about Yongwoon City wasn’t exactly a secret? What in the world is going on here?

Pushing his confusion aside, Hajin comforted Chunbum for his efforts and slowly turned to look at Eden.

“Um, Mr. Jung Taegeon.”

Eden was leaning against the bed, head tilted back, staring at the ceiling.

“Yes.”

He responded without even glancing over. Barely swallowing his irritation at Eden’s dismissive attitude, Hajin got to the point.

“Let’s have a quick talk.”

As Hajin cautiously walked down the hallway, he poked Eden’s side with his index finger. Surprised by the unexpectedly firm lats, he pulled his hand back, and Eden, frowning, turned around.

“What is it?”

As if waiting for his reaction, Hajin spun Eden around in front of the second-floor staircase.

“You said you’re going to the repair shop. I overheard everything. You, Mr. Chunbum, and Jeffrey talking.”

“…”

“It’s Yongwoon City there too, isn’t it?”

Hajin bit his lip, looking up at Eden. For some reason, it felt like the situation was unfolding similarly to the basement warehouse of the atrium where the magic show had been held. Back then, he had begged Eden to take him along, and now…

Staring into Hajin’s pleading eyes, Eden rubbed his temple and leaned against the wall. He asked calmly, as if peering into Hajin’s thoughts,

“You don’t get it, do you?”

“What?”

“Why I’m not asking you to come along when we’re heading in the same direction anyway.”

“…Well, yeah.”

As Hajin answered hesitantly, Eden’s gaze shifted to the stairs below. His sharp eyes scanned for any threats. Hajin felt oddly intimidated.

Eden, meanwhile, was recalling their past conversation.

‘Why did you save me?’

‘Does there need to be a reason to save someone? I just couldn’t walk away.’

‘No reason at all?’

‘What reason would there be for saving someone?’

If Hajin had said his reason for saving him was calculated, Eden would have had no qualms about bringing him into the group. But rushing to save others without conditions, even at the risk of his own life, wasn’t courage—it was recklessness, foolishness.

Moreover, Hajin had shared food and provided shelter for people who weren’t even his companions. Such unconditional sacrifice was tantamount to suicide in a crisis. Eden wasn’t keen on gambling by taking in a moth that recklessly flew into the flame.

It was ironic to think this way while being the one receiving help, but in a world where selfishness was key to survival, it was no different from the wars he’d experienced in the Middle East.

“To be honest, I’m already stretched thin looking after my own people.”

Hajin’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

“Especially with the kid—Byul, I mean—there’s a lot to worry about. I’m sure you understand, Mr. Do Hajin.”

Eden, who had been looking at the stairs, turned his gaze back to Hajin. A silence followed.

“Even if you joined us… well, I don’t expect any special synergy. It’d probably just split my focus even more.”

It finally hit Hajin that Eden saw him as a “burden.” He hadn’t even considered that this might be why Eden didn’t want him along. Was he serious? His mind reeled.

“I saved your life, Mr. Jung Taegeon. Doesn’t that make me useful?”

“I’m grateful for that. Your driving skills weren’t bad either.”

Hajin couldn’t close his gaping mouth. For someone who’d been saved, given shelter, and shared food with, Eden’s attitude was excessively cold. What kind of ungrateful jerk…

Eden continued dryly, looking at the stunned Hajin.

“But the skills I’m looking for are a bit different.”

“…”

“I want someone who can kill zombies barehanded. Someone who can act selfishly when the situation calls for it. But you, Mr. Do Hajin—”

Eden paused, his gaze shifting to Hajin’s lips. Under the dim light, Hajin’s full lips, likely bitten in frustration, were slightly red and swollen.

“You’re too kind and selfless.”

Hajin’s pupils trembled as he listened. His ears tingled. …Was that an insult or a compliment?

“But while we’re staying at the motel, I’ll help out as much as I can. I’m the one indebted here, after all.”

With that, Eden neatly ended the conversation and walked past Hajin down the stairs. The veins in his right arm bulged as he gripped the hammer tightly.

Hajin blinked repeatedly, watching him go. He wanted to grab Eden by the collar and yell, “Who do you think you are?” but his mouth wouldn’t open.

Too kind and selfless…? In other words, he didn’t need a fool who couldn’t even look after himself because he was too busy helping others. Stunned for a moment, Hajin followed Eden’s steps.

‘Now what? Just keep pushing?’

Though he’d been rejected, it wasn’t over until they left. Despite his frustration, he understood Eden’s point, so he decided to keep highlighting his strengths and sticking close.

Clinging to someone who didn’t want him was a nuisance, but since Eden said he valued selfish people, Hajin resolved to act selfishly for once.

As Eden said, what wouldn’t he do to survive? The weak had no choice but to side with the strong.

If the skill Eden wanted was someone who could kill zombies with their bare hands… Hajin was determined to prove he could do it. He’d do anything to save his younger sibling. Sure, he’d probably be vomiting bile for days, but still.

At the first floor, Eden checked the glass door. People often left it dangerously unlocked after going out for supplies.

As Eden confirmed the door was secure, Hajin was looking for a chance to speak when—

“Young fellas, what’re you doing there?”

A feeble voice came out of nowhere. Startled, they turned to see a sweaty old man standing at the top of the stairs, staring at them in surprise.

A person. Hajin’s jaw dropped at the sight of a “person” after so long. Since Eden usually handled visitors to their room, it had been a while since Hajin had seen someone new.

“You folks staying here? I heard voices and followed them.”

The old man’s eyes darted nervously, but he couldn’t hide his curiosity and delight at meeting people.

He looked well over seventy. His back was hunched, his body gaunt, and his skin darkened, perhaps from the sun. He gave off the vibe of a kind, rural grandfather who farmed.

Instead of answering, Eden slung the hammer over his shoulder and tilted his head. In the awkward silence, Hajin spoke up first.

“Yes, hello.”

“Hah… must be tough, huh?”

The old man, wiping sweat from his forehead with a hemp cloth, asked kindly. Hajin and Eden exchanged glances. Not having planned to say anything specific, Hajin turned back to the old man on the stairs.

“My name’s Yongsu Kim. I’m staying long-term in room 305 with my wife… I’m not a bad person, so don’t be too scared.”

Perhaps thinking they were wary, the old man pointed upstairs and shared his details first.

“Oh, okay…”

As Hajin answered awkwardly, wondering if he should introduce himself too, the old man called out again.

“By the way, young fellas…”

He suddenly seemed hesitant, wiping sweat from his forehead again. His hunched posture made him look like he might tumble down the stairs any moment.

“I know it’s shameless, but this old man’s in a bit of a pinch… I’m sorry, but could you possibly find some candy or chocolate?”