Apocalypse: Apparently, I Can See Zombies

"The signal returned?"

Jin-woo showed a look of surprise.

"Yeah, are you up for a match?"

Jeon-sok nodded while holding up his phone in front of Jin-woo.

Jin-woo hesitated and looked over at Ah-yong.

Ah-yong smiled and said.

"It's fine, we can talk later."

"Ah."

Jeon-sok lightly exclaimed as he looked between Jin-woo and Ah-yong, realizing too late that he was interrupting.

Jin-woo, however, smiled and causally patted the seat next to him.

"Come on, sit down."

Jeon-sok smiled apologetically at Jin-woo but still sat down as he didn't want to pass up this chance for a carry. However, as soon as he sat down about ten more youths rushed over upon seeing an opportunity.

What was surprising was that a few of these youths were from Class 1A. After yesterday the conflict between the two factions was mostly eliminated.

This cafeteria section soon became extremely rowdy, drawing over a few spectators to watch Jin-woo and the others play.

The initial number of people playing increased and took over the entire cafeteria.

While Jin-woo and the others had their PvP game, some other groups started their own games. The observers were stimulated and would rotate between groups. They were so excited that they momentarily forgot about their nervousness, which came from the possibility that the rescue team might not arrive.

However, detached from this excited crowd was Ye-jun on the periphery, looking on with an indifferent expression.

Within the crowd, Jin-woo was in high spirits at first, but after about two dozen rounds of games, his brain started to ache.

For some reason, using his ability to improve his physical reaction to achieve a hundred-percent headshot rate in the game was harder than in real life. Perhaps it was because there was an extra gap between his body's movements and the game mechanics, that required him to exert more mental strength.

"Guys, I'm a bit tired so I'll leave first."

Jin-woo said as he exited the game on his phone and got up. Fifteen or so youths who were benefiting from Jin-woo's carry to rank up all wore disappointed expressions, but they didn't force Jin-woo to stay. They could tell he was getting weary after his headshot rate dropped to around eighty percent in the last two games.

"Don't worry, it's not like we can't play later."

Jin-woo suddenly said, and the youths all had the disappointment in their hearts vanished to be replaced by anticipation.

Jin-woo put away his phone in his jacket, then picked up his garbage left behind after eating, and was about to leave. However, the quiet voice of a girl from the crowd suddenly asked a question.

"Jin-woo, is the rescue team really coming?"

Everyone upon hearing this question suddenly became silent, even the other groups who were playing games nearby all stopped and looked over.

Jin-woo paused in his steps and then looked around. When he saw the nervous expressions on the students' faces, he sighed internally.

No matter how much he assured these kids, Jin-woo realized they would always be nervous.

However, it couldn't be helped. So far, Jin-woo was the only one who spoke with the Marshal, leaving everyone else in the dark. If there was a way for Jin-woo to fully reassure them, it would be to call the Marshal in front of them and confirm the rescue team's arrival once again since the signal had returned. But he wasn't sure whether this was a bad idea or not given the Marshal's indifferent attitude towards everyone but him.

After hesitating, Jin-woo walked back to his table and took his phone. In front of everyone he then placed the phone on the table and called his mother's number.

Jin-woo decided he'd warn the Marshal that he was on speaker before he could say something detrimental. Plus, this wasn't only for the students, it was also for him since he couldn't stop thinking about his vision from last night.

Upon seeing Jin-woo's actions, everyone was surprised.

"Jin…"

Jeon-sok muttered softly as he turned to give Jin-woo a worried look.

This made it appear as if they didn't believe Jin-woo and had forced him to make this decision. However, Jin-woo shook his head and said.

"I should have done this before since it involves everyone."

The hearts of the students around couldn't help but be moved by Jin-woo, while some students who had doubts about a rescue team coming, felt guilty for suspecting he was lying.

However, as Jin-woo's phone rang without an answer, the students started to feel uneasy.

That unease only grew stronger as Jin-woo redialed the number for a second and third time without it being answered.

By now even Jin-woo's brows were furrowed tightly.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Either the Marshal was purposely ignoring him, or something had happened.

Thinking about the lone helicopter in his vision, Jin-woo's heart turned cold.

"That's enough, Jin-woo, you don't have to do this in front of everyone. We already believe you."

Finally, the silence was broken by Mr. Kim.

"Perhaps the Marshal is busy with the virus on the outside so he can't answer. When he does, I'll answer in front of everyone."

Jin-woo soon recovered his composure and said with a smile.

The students thought the statement made sense, and they all sighed in relief.

Jin-woo picked up his phone and then calmly left, leaving behind the students playing games.

Walking over to where he slept, Jin-woo picked up his drawstring bag and headed for the backroom to take a shower. However, the moment he passed through the double doors of the cafeteria, his calm expression disappeared to be replaced by slight panic as he went to lean against the wall.

Seong, who was always next to him, immediately became worried.

"Jin, don't panic. Come on, take deep breaths."

Jin-woo leaned his back against the wall and took deep breaths. His chest was visibly moving up and down, signaling he was moments away from having a panic attack.

However, thanks to Seong's constant urgings, he quickly began to calm down.

"Are you okay now?"

Seong asked as he stood in front of Jin-woo, his hands cupping his face.

Jin-woo nodded, but his face was drenched in sweat and his cheeks were flushed red. He looked as if he had just finished a marathon.

Seong instinctively unzipped his blue winter coat about to grab the hand towel from the small bag on his waist, however, he stopped in the middle of his actions when he saw that the bag wasn't there.

Seong thought he must have left the bag somewhere and was slightly panicked since Jin-woo's backup medication was also inside. However, as he was trying to recall where he could have left it, his entire body suddenly stiffened. He remembered that the last time he had it was when Jin-woo picked him up from the library in Gangnam. Then…

Seong's emotions churned and even though he tried not to let his inner turmoil show on his face, his brows couldn't help but furrow slightly. Not to mention losing the handy bag he always carried for Jin-woo, he wasn't even alive so he couldn't have helped him in the first place.

Jin-woo had been silently observing Seong's instinctual actions, and a feeling of grief couldn't help but rise in his heart.

During this routine in the past, Seong would have insisted on taking care of him while he would helplessly protest that he could do it himself.

But as well as feeling helpless, Jin-woo recalled he would also feel extremely annoyed at Seong for constantly babying him. However, after seeing Seong's familiar actions, he only felt a sense of loss and guilt.