The Only Woman in a Zombie Apocalypse Vol. 2 Chapter 62 - Battle with Humans (1) 

Dayoung was most pleased with the sacks of rice piled up in one corner more than anything else. 

 

As she looked proudly at the rice sacks, Ian approached and patted her head.

 

“Do you like the rice sacks that much?”

 

“Yes. I’m happy.”

 

“Still, it’s a relief that we have plenty of rice thanks to you, Noona.”

 

“Aw. It’s not because of me. You all carried and organized them.”

 

“But you’re the one who found them for us. That’s enough.”

 

The large hand patting her head made Dayoung feel inexplicably good. They say even whales dance with praise. 

 

Dayoung now wanted to quickly clear out the grocery mart too. 

 

At the very least, shouldn’t they eat without worrying about food?

 

Ian and Seojun began diligently moving the rice sacks, and Dayoung also started putting the remaining instant foods into a shopping cart and moving it to the front of the escalator.

 

Dayoung went around every corner of the mart, gathering things they could take. 

 

Another shopping cart was filled, and she placed it in front of the escalator. Then, unfolding a new shopping cart, she looked at the empty shelves and headed to the warehouse.

 

The inside of the warehouse was wider than expected, with many things piled up. 

 

The food supplies stored in the warehouse were in boxes, so it seemed they could just move them as they were. 

 

While checking what kind of ingredients were there by going around the warehouse, Dayoung noticed a light seeping out from a corner deep inside.

 

Dayoung adjusted her grip on the gun and carefully moved her feet. 

 

As she got closer, she heard the rustling sound of a bag, and she tightened her hold on the gun, moving step by step.

 

She swiftly thrust the gun barrel through the piled-up goods, and a man holding a flashlight, who had been hastily eating uncooked instant noodles, was startled and raised his hands, shouting in a quiet voice.

 

“Please spare me!”

 

Dayoung was taken aback by the sight of a man staring at her with trembling hands, looking grubby from being unable to wash, with bits of instant noodles stuck to the corner of his mouth.  

 

Why are you coming out of here?  

 

Blond hair and blue eyes. The only foreigners appearing in this novel were the three who visited the shopping mall. 

 

Ah, let me correct that. Three men with foreign appearances but poor English skills, who held Korean nationality, visited the shopping mall. 

 

Somehow, the man in front of Dayoung now seemed to be one of them.  

 

“Stand up and slowly come outside.”  

 

As Dayoung pointed the muzzle closer, the man sprang to his feet, grabbed a flashlight, and followed her out of the warehouse. 

 

Since the area was still dark, Dayoung decided to take him to the first floor first. When the group saw Dayoung pointing the gun at the man, they all simultaneously aimed their guns at him.  

 

“Ack! I didn’t do anything, I swear!”  

 

“Everyone, you can lower your guns.”  

 

To calm the group, Dayoung lowered her gun. Then, she spoke to the man.  

 

“Let’s go to the first floor for now.”  

 

“Okay!”  

 

When they reached the bright first floor, it was clear he looked like a foreigner. 

 

The group, who had been organizing carts, were startled to see the man Dayoung had brought.  

 

“Wh-what? A foreigner? Hello?”  

 

“Are you a tourist?”  

 

“Huh?”  

 

“…??” 

 

“Um, I’m not good at English. I’m Korean.”  

 

The group was flustered by the fluent Korean that came out of the foreign-looking man’s mouth. 

 

His Korean was clearer and more articulate than that of most Koreans, leaving the group scratching their heads in confusion.

 

“It’s been so long since I last saw that person. I’m Theo Han, and I’m 20 years old! Both of my parents were born in the U.S., but they’ve lived in Korea for over 30 years. I was born in Korea, too. But why does everyone look so clean? I haven’t been able to shower for two months now. Originally, I was—”  

 

Dayoung could clearly tell from the way he familiarly struck up a conversation with the group. 

 

His appearance was very gentlemanly and delicate, but once he started chatting, he could go on as long as any woman, explaining TMI-like details. 

 

Theo Han…

 

“Quiet.”  

 

At Dayoung’s voice, Theo flinched and shut his mouth. 

 

Theo found the woman who had pointed a gun at him in the darkness utterly terrifying. 

 

But now, out in the light, she looked very small and pretty, and he was momentarily dazed before pouting at her words.  

 

Theo Han, who had survived by his wits alone. His entire being screamed that this woman was the leader of the group. 

 

That’s why he couldn’t help but shrink at Dayoung’s slightest word.  

 

“Where’s your group?”  

 

“Gone… I had one, but they’re gone now.”  

 

“Sigh. Let’s talk details back at the hideout. First, are you hurt anywhere?”  

 

“No! I’m fine.”  

 

“If you’re fine, then move the boxes from the warehouse you were in earlier. Here, put on this headlamp and give me that flashlight.”  

 

Dayoung tried to take the headlamp she was wearing and put it on Theo’s head, but she couldn’t reach, so she tossed the lamp to him instead. 

 

Theo was flustered, but since these were people he hadn’t seen in a long time, and they didn’t seem like bad folks, he diligently carried the boxes as Dayoung instructed.

 

The group stared blankly at Theo as they loaded all the luggage onto a cart and tied it down with straps. No matter how they looked at him, he seemed like a foreigner. 

 

Yet, he wasn’t speaking broken Korean—he was enunciating it clearly, which made the sight quite fascinating.  

 

“This is Alpha Team. We’re returning to the base from the department store. One new member. He looks foreign but doesn’t speak English. Please prepare some bathwater. And we’re hungry…”  

 

―This is Beta Team. Pfft. It’s past lunchtime, so Dayoung’s stomach clock must be making a racket. We’ll have the meal ready on time, so come back carefully.  

 

“Okay.”  

 

Dayoung ended the radio transmission and glanced alternately at Theo and the group. 

 

Should she have him introduce himself now, or not? 

 

They’d have to do introductions at the base anyway. Might as well do it there.  

 

“Let’s save the introductions for when we get back. Here, push one of these carts. Follow us quietly.”  

 

“Yes.”  

 

Theo, pushing the cart, felt a sense of wonder. This was only the second time he’d encountered so many people, but most of them seemed to be around his age. 

 

Even though they’d pointed guns at him immediately, in a world like this, it was only natural to be wary of strangers. 

 

The fact that they were taking him along made him wonder if he might be gaining new companions.

 

His heart raced with excitement.  

 

The small woman walking at the front was a bit intimidating, but her face and figure were exactly his type. 

 

Not that he was eyeing her or anything, but it was still nice to look at someone who matched his ideal.  

 

The group walking alongside Theo glanced at him strangely as he ambled along absentmindedly. 

 

One of them moved behind Theo, twirling a finger near his temple and making a questioning face. 

 

Is this guy crazy?

 

After walking for over two hours to reach the shopping mall, Theo was left speechless. 

 

The barricades that had created safe paths along the way were impressive, but the mall was even more astonishing.  

 

“Wow. Amazing!”

  

“It’s amazing, right? This is our hideout.”  

 

Theo pushed the cart and entered inside. A

 

s he stepped in, a fairly large number of people greeted them. 

 

Of course, everyone was holding guns, which was intimidating, but Theo mustered up his courage and introduced himself.  

 

“Hello! I’m Theo, 20 years old! Nice to meet you.”  

 

“20 years old? Wow. You’re such a baby.”  

 

“Anyone would think you’re in your 40s.”  

 

“Pfft— He’s the youngest, the youngest.”  

 

Geonwul, who was treated as the youngest among the three 21-year-olds in the group due to having the latest birthday, danced his shoulders and approached Theo.  

 

“Your Korean is really good. I heard it over the radio, but you really can’t speak English well?”  

 

“Yes! I only know the basics. Where are you from? I’m fine, thank you! And you? Things like that…”  

 

“Pfft. That’s me. Ah, I’m Kang Geonwul. I’m 21. The rule here is that everyone speaks casually. And Theo, you’re the youngest here.”  

 

“Then… I’ll speak casually. I’m the youngest? Then feel free to boss me around a lot. I may not be good at other things, but I’m confident in my physical strength.”  

 

“Alright, alright. Let’s wash up first, then gather in the dining area for introductions. Especially the newbie, scrub off all that grime and come out.”  

 

“Yes!”  

 

Minho clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. He had considered letting Dayoung eat first since she said she was hungry, but after seeing Theo’s condition, he decided it was impossible and sent everyone to the bathhouse. 

 

Geonwul watched the group and noticed Dayoung following at the very back. He ran over to her.  

 

“Noona.”  

 

“Yeah.”  

 

“You must be really hungry. Here, eat this for now.”

 

Geonyul placed a small rice ball in Dayoung’s hand. 

 

It seemed the group had been concerned about her radio message saying she was hungry. 

 

Seeing this, the members walking ahead chimed in with their comments.

 

“Yeah, eat that for now. Geonyul’s so thoughtful.”

 

“Right. Everyone must be hungry.”

 

“We ate a big breakfast, so we’re fine. It’ll take a while for you to get settled as a newcomer. Eat that and then take a bath.”

 

“Okay. Thanks, Geonyul. I’ll enjoy it.”

 

Dayoung stood on her tiptoes to pat Geonyul’s head, then unwrapped the rice ball and began nibbling on it. Her resemblance to a squirrel eating an acorn made the group ahead watch her fondly.  

 

When they entered the mall, Theo was taken aback by the change in Dayoung’s demeanor, but the others reassured him that he would get used to it.  

 

The group retrieved clothes from their rooms on the second floor and brought suitable outfits for Theo from the men’s dressing room.  

 

“From now on, you can find your size here and wear whatever you like. If you find something you really like, you can take it to your room too.”  

 

“Wow…”  

 

“The bathhouse is usually available from 4 p.m. onwards. That’s when we turn on the boiler. If you don’t mind cold water, you can use it anytime. The hot bath can be used about once a week. As for other details, Dohun will fill you in later.”  

 

Jiwoo explained the rules for using the dressing room and bathhouse, leaving the rest to Dohun. 

 

Dohun was responsible for briefing newcomers on the general rules and matters related to Dayoung. He would likely call Theo aside after the meal to talk to him about Dayoung.

 

The men went into the changing room, and Dayoung approached the bathhouse carrying her clothes bag and bathing basket. 

 

Minho, who was sitting at the counter, patted her head and told her she had worked hard. 

 

Feeling inexplicably happy, Dayoung disappeared into the changing room with quick steps out of shyness. Minho smiled as he watched her retreating figure.  

 

Thinking that today had been exhausting too, Dayoung soaked her body in the bath. 

 

Three foreigners had come to the shopping mall at the end of July. But she had encountered one of them today. 

 

From what Dayoung knew, the three had been together since the zombie virus spread. 

 

Why was one of them found alone?  

 

It seemed they had been living in a department store before coming to the shopping mall. 

 

Even if one of them was found early, she wondered why the rest of the group wasn’t visible. Deciding she must ask about it in the evening, Dayoung finished showering and came out. 

 

As she roughly dried her hair and stepped out, Minho said he knew she would do that and pulled out a towel from under the counter.  

 

“Sit here.”  

 

“It’s fine.”  

 

“You came out without drying properly because you were lazy, right?”  

 

“…”  

 

“I’ll dry it for you. Sit here.”  

 

As Minho patted his thigh, Dayoung quietly sat on his lap. 

 

Minho gently toweled her hair dry. His soft touch made her feel drowsy.  

 

“Dayoung.”  

 

“Hmm?”  

 

“Why aren’t you wearing underwear today?”  

 

“Huh?”