Magic on the Dead Chapter 72

Currently, the battalion commander’s closest confidant was, by far, Sergeant Shin. He seemed to know everything that happened here as if it were a matter of course, but for the first time, the lieutenant colonel had a secret he hadn’t told him.

Sergeant Shin was heading to the official residence with Eden. He had been ordered by his superior to bring a man named Jung Taegeon, but he was in a foul mood because he couldn’t even begin to guess the reason for the private meeting.

‘Something smells fishy…’

Those who spoke with the lieutenant colonel alone always had a certain value. Therefore, this man must also hold something of significant value.

In the end, unable to contain his curiosity, the sergeant stopped in front of the residence entrance and turned to look at Eden.

“May I ask what your profession is?”

Eden’s eyes glinted with a strange light for a moment.

“…”

When an unreadable gaze lingered instead of the expected answer, a flustered Sergeant Shin changed the subject.

“Never mind. Please go in.”

“It seems you haven’t been told anything.”

“Excuse me?”

“Are you curious about the reason for this private meeting?”

The sergeant, unable to bear Eden’s meaningful gaze that had been directed at him for a while, let out a dry cough.

“…Ahem. I was just following orders to escort you here. I don’t think it’s something a mere sergeant like me needs to know.”

“Is that so?”

With a light laugh, Eden knocked on the door a couple of times.

“Come in!”

As he watched the man’s back disappear into the residence as soon as the response came, Sergeant Shin swallowed a nervous gulp.

“You’re here—!”

The lieutenant colonel, dressed in his military uniform again today, welcomed Eden’s arrival with his arms wide open. On the table prepared for him were warm tea and a cold iced coffee filled with ice.

Eden stifled a snort at the more blatant hospitality than he had expected. The lieutenant colonel smiled like a cunning snake and stroked his short goatee.

“Seeing the look on your face, Mr. Eden, it seems you came here knowing everything.”

“When did I ever tell you my American name?”

“Ahaha! Even though I’m getting old, I still work for the government. I’ve heard and seen so much about what you do, Mr. Eden, that I know very well.”

Eden had already deduced the lieutenant colonel’s true intentions for suddenly summoning him through Sergeant Shin’s lukewarm reaction. If it was a secret conversation where the reason for the meeting had to be hidden even from a subordinate he treated like his own limbs, there could only be one answer.

That he knew his identity.

“Why did you call me here? Just get straight to the point.”

The lieutenant colonel, who had intended to leisurely open the floor for conversation, narrowed his thick brow at Eden’s stiffer-than-expected attitude.

“It seems you’re much more straightforward than you look. Then I’ll get right to it without mincing words.”

“…”

“It’s about Blue Works, where you work, Mr. Eden. As I understand it, it’s a defense contractor that even the US government can’t touch. Do you… by any chance, have you received any separate instructions about an escape plan? I also understand the maintenance depot is almost complete.”

He’d thought the man was just lazy and arrogant, but it seemed he was more interested in national affairs than expected. The lieutenant colonel was retracing Eden’s steps with surprising sharpness.

Only then did it all make sense—the reason he hadn’t killed him and kept him alive, the reason he had rambled on and insisted on keeping him at the ranch.

Eden, who had remained silent, finally broke into a handsome smile, his dimples deepening.

“It seems you need an escape plan of your own. If I recall correctly, you said yesterday that the zombie situation in the capital region would be brought under control.”

“Actually, that’s not certain.”

“Hmm, you keep changing your story.”

Lieutenant Colonel So, paying no mind to the somewhat sarcastic tone, began to speak as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“If you have a destination you need to get to, you’ll need a sturdy vehicle and plenty of weapons. I can provide you with as much support as you need.”

“I doubt you’d provide support without something in return. What do you want?”

He asked calmly, but Eden already knew what answer would come from the lieutenant colonel’s mouth.

“Let’s escape together.”

Just as I thought.

He took a sip of the hot tea and slowly parted his lips.

“Shall we have a cigarette?”

The lieutenant colonel, who had been tense, brightened up at the suggestion of a smoke and waddled to the front of his desk. He grabbed a pack of cigarettes, smiled broadly, and led Eden outside.

Sergeant Shin, who was standing in front of the residence, saluted the lieutenant colonel as he came out of the door moments later.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m going for a smoke, so you wait here.”

“Yes, sir.”

The lieutenant colonel, who had thrown a short command to the sergeant, disappeared behind the building. Eden paused in his steps and glanced back at Sergeant Shin.

Sergeant Shin tried his best not to react, but he couldn’t stop his mind from racing, consumed by suspicion. It felt as if the man’s gaze was urging him to follow.

In the end, unable to resist his curiosity, he slowly began to tail them after Eden had completely disappeared from his sight.

The lieutenant colonel offered Eden a cigarette.

“I’m not sure if it’s to your taste. This is all I have.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Eden wasn’t one for talking much during negotiations. His characteristic authoritative aura was unmatched by anyone, regardless of status or age, so Lieutenant Colonel So was already intimidated.

The hand that kindly lit his cigarette for him was trembling, unable to hide its nervousness. The opportunity to finally end this tiresome life on the ranch and escape this ruined country had arrived.

Until now, befitting his rank as a field-grade officer, he had faithfully carried out the Ministry of National Defense’s orders to protect civilians, but there had been no news of supply support for ages, and it had been a long time since contact with the higher-ups was lost.

Most units had disbanded and left to find their own ways to survive, so it was his turn to make a decision. This was his first and last chance. To survive, he had to hold onto Eden, a treasure that had rolled right to his feet.

“As you said, Lieutenant Colonel, Blue Works is planning to send an escape transport plane.”

The lieutenant colonel’s fingers, which were bringing a cigarette to his mouth, faltered awkwardly.

“I-is that really true?”

“Yes. In exactly one week, and we’re scheduled to go to Hwajeong City. Will you come with us?”

Eden spouted lies without batting an eye.

“Of course, isn’t that obvious! If you’d take me, no, I can follow you no matter what!”

Eden took a deep drag on his cigarette, his cheeks hollowing, and let out a cloud of murky smoke as he opened his mouth.

“You’ll have to hand one thing over in return.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean…”

“The culprit who killed my colleague. If you just hand over that culprit, I will make sure to take you, Lieutenant Colonel So.”

The flustered Lieutenant Colonel So scratched his greasy forehead and reluctantly answered.

“Oh dear, that was one of the rioters…”

“Are you going to keep spewing lies?”

“…”

“It would be best for you to cooperate. Whether you kill me here or try to deceive me, you’ll only lose a precious chance to escape. Think carefully.”

At Eden’s resolute words, Lieutenant Colonel So’s face hardened like a rock. After racking his brain, he finally let out a deep sigh and pleaded as if begging.

“I’m sorry about what happened to your colleague. It’s all the fault of my stupid subordinates, so it’s just… very difficult. I told them to only shoot when it was certain the rioters were breaking in, but wouldn’t you know it, these troublemakers started shooting and killing innocent civilians indiscriminately at some point?”

Watching the lieutenant colonel make endless excuses, Eden calmly suppressed his seething anger.

“Are you saying that the killing of my colleague was entirely the independent action of your subordinates?”

“Yes! Of course, I had nothing to do with it!”

“…In any case, you’re saying the culprit is here. What is his name?”

“Well, there’s no need to tell you, that friend is currently…”

“Ah, before that, I forgot the most important question.”

Eden glanced at Sergeant Shin, who was secretly watching them, and opened his mouth.

“There isn’t enough room on the escape transport plane. I don’t think I’ll be able to take your subordinates, Lieutenant Colonel.”

“That doesn’t matter! Those useless bastards would just be baggage anyway.”

The face of Sergeant Shin, who was watching, began to distort frighteningly. Eden smiled brightly and turned back to the lieutenant colonel.

“Sergeant Shin, too? Isn’t he a subordinate you cherish?”

“Haha, it’s fine. That guy is just a lackey to be used and thrown away. He’s so sly, I can never tell what he’s thinking. Guys like that always end up stabbing you in the back… In any case, you don’t need to worry about him either.”

“Are you really planning to leave them all behind?”

“Oh, you’ve seen it yourself, haven’t you? Just like what they did to your colleague, Mr. Eden, I, as their superior, am getting a massive headache wondering how much more trouble these guys will cause in the fut…”

“You son of a bitch!!”

With a sudden shout, Sergeant Shin rushed at the lieutenant colonel. Eden lightly dodged out of the way, snatching the dagger from the lieutenant colonel’s belt and gripping it in his hand.

“Wh-what! Keok!”

“You fucking old fox! How dare you… how dare you leave us behind!!”

“Ka-heok…! M-Mr. Ede…!”

The enraged Sergeant Shin climbed on top of the lieutenant colonel, who had fallen to the ground, and began to swing his fists indiscriminately.