Chapter 91 - The Lee Man Corps – 4 (1/2)

The Lee Man Corps – 4

“Hmm.”

“Whoo…”

“Captain, why the long sigh?”

“It’s just…”

In the end, we found a Chinese restaurant on the university street in Jongno-gu. The very same one where I died. Since I had been unable to find a meal in Seongbuk-gu, I was determined to come here and completely cut off any regrets I had.

“This is a place where I was once greatly respected.” I heard Lee Chan-yu mumble these words, a bit surprised. I turned to look at him as I entered the store.

“Is it okay if you show up here?”

“It’s alright. I evolved several times in the dungeon, after all, so my face has changed quite a bit.” That was how it happened with me as well. When I evolved into a Crimson Elf, Lee Chan-yu had said he was envious of the way I looked. But in my opinion, I thought he was the one that looked pretty cool. I sat down at a table that had just been wiped off as I considered these idle thoughts.

“The last time I was here, I was still human.”

“Look.” Following Lee Chan-yu’s gesture, I gazed outside the store. I had been so focused on the restaurant that I didn’t even notice the other stores around. There were all sorts of businesses around us: Italian and Indian restaurants, clothing stores, and even a movie theater directly across the street. Thinking back to my human memories, I didn’t remember this place being so active. In fact, I assumed that most of the places here would be destroyed in the attacks. But instead, it appeared to be flourishing.

Thinking about it, it started to make sense. The facilities and people here were all gathered in one place, which meant the manpower required to defend them would be reduced. They wouldn’t have to spread thin to defend a large area; they just needed to protect this fortified place. It was an effective way to deal with enemies and reduce the number of allies sacrificed. Theoretically. The danger would never be zero. Now, humans had to risk their lives every day, and if they were afraid of dying, then their only choice would be to hide inside their houses and wait for death. Knowing that everyone here had to live with death at every corner, the sight of them laughing and talking looked different to me. Perhaps more determined.

“The whole world has changed in such a short time.”

“It’s hard to adapt to it. For me as well.” He muttered with a bitter smile after we ordered some jajangmyeon and sweet and sour pork.

“It’s a good thing that communications and transportation are still working.”

“No kidding.” Many of the humans we had seen in Seongbuk-gu weren’t original residents of the town. There wouldn’t have been enough to deal with that group of monsters if that were the case. Other administrative districts nearby, Jongno-gu included, were supporting them. Not that battles like that were commonplace. Everywhere was dangerous, but that would be too much to deal with even given how effective humans were at moving together to solve problems. It was necessary for them to do so, after all, to keep their population safe. They were sending those with the ability to fight to struggle against the odds, so that the others may be safe.

“Here’s your meal.” The clerk brought us several plates. The dishes were a proud reminder that this restaurant had survived despite the world around it. I couldn’t help but recall the events of when I faced my death here.

“If you need anything else, please let me know.” I felt like I could even hear the voice of an old friend. I raised my head, the young male clerk stepping back as he felt my gaze upon him.

“Are you a college student?”

“What in the world is a college student in a place like this? I’m just working here.”

“I’m sorry for asking something weird.”

“No, it’s alright.” He waved it off and left, my eyes staring blankly at his back. I let out a sigh and put a hand to my forehead, closing my eyes.

“Captain, what’s up?”

“That was someone who was with me when I died.” I let out a laugh, the situation so absurd. He was working at a restaurant where his friend died. Lee Chan-yu gave me a bitter smile.

“Life is often full of irony.”

“It doesn’t sound like a joke when you talk about it.” He retorted as he lifted up his chopsticks. I decided to push it all aside, the jajangmyeon before me much more important than those reflections. I had to eat before it got cold, after all. I dug in right away.

‘Ah.’ Inexpressible emotions filled me, countless memories filling my mind rather than the taste of the food. The jajangmyeon before me was no longer a simple meal. Instead, it became a symbol for my life, my death, my patience, and my suffering. Everything that happened since I rejected Rain’s offer. I couldn’t be a human, but here I was. I became a man who could fool all these humans. I hadn’t accomplished everything, but I was here, eating jajangmyeon. It was delicious. So delicious that I wanted to cry.

“If there was an eating contest, you would definitely take first place, Captain.” I ignored his words, focused on the food in front of me. There was no time to joke around.

“Ah, wait. Don’t eat in such a hurry; we have plenty of time!” Lee Chan-yu’s chopsticks moved faster, as well. Neither of us said another word until our bowls were cleared out.