Chapter 2153 – 2153. Eternal Eden
“Irina is not a parasite. I guarantee it in my name. That twisted bastard is a parasite, so execute him.”
“……”
Silence fell all around.
The residents quietly mulled over my words. They pondered the meaning again, and their faces flushed. They glared at me, their eyes filled with tension. The atmosphere was so charged it felt like it could explode at any moment.
They had been holding back for a long time. That’s what they must be thinking. It wouldn’t be strange if their discontent erupted.
But I didn’t care. I held the cutlass and loosened my muscles, swaying my body.
Crack.
Sparks flew from my entire body.
It was impossible to fight all the residents of Saetbyeol Apartment, but breaking through was possible. If I broke through them and fought while holding out in the narrow space of the apartment, it would be possible to kill all the residents.
Before exploding, the residents looked around. As if they wanted someone to step forward first. But no one did. As time passed, the residents’ anger faded.
A minute passed.
The atmosphere that was about to explode had already disappeared.
Lee Yebin asked me in a subdued voice.
“Then what are we going to do about the vote now? You proposed and carried out the vote to kill the parasites. And now you’ve ruined the vote.”
“That’s right. From now on, we’ll stop voting. Is that okay?”
“…The parasites. How are you going to find and kill the parasites?”
“If you keep an eye out, you’ll see those who are like parasites. Oh, by the way, it might be a good idea for you to vote among yourselves. I mean, dividing into groups and doing it.”
Lee Yebin’s gaze turned behind me. Those who had been waiting for the next execution vote. They were now furious that the vote had been suspended and they had survived. Anger at the apartment residents who had reported them. If these people returned alive, there was a 90% or higher chance that they would cause problems.
And Building 102 was currently the building with the most damage caused by parasites. They had to find and kill the parasites no matter what. If that was difficult, they had to at least suppress the parasites’ activities. Doing nothing was the worst choice.
“…We in Building 102 will hold a vote among ourselves. We have to find and kill the parasites. So, I’ll ask you.”
Lee Yebin turned her gaze away from me and spoke to the residents of Building 102.
“If anyone opposes the parasite vote, please raise your hand and state your opinion. I swear there will be no disadvantages.”
People were hesitant. No disadvantages? But if they opposed here, they could be mistaken for parasites. People chose to remain silent.
From my perspective, this also seemed to be the result of Lee Yebin’s calculations and actions.
A few brave people raised their hands and voiced their opposition. But they were not the majority. Voting is usually about silencing the opinions of the minority.
“Everyone. If we don’t act, the parasites will kill us more actively. Yesterday, it was three people, today it was two. Tomorrow, five people might be attacked by parasites. So, we have to find and kill the parasites, even if it means sacrificing ourselves. This is the will of our Building 102.”
The dissenters had no choice but to follow the majority.
“Regardless of Building 101 and Building 103, Building 102 will start its own vote. There are suspected parasites over there, so let’s start voting right away. Seong Yujin, can you lend us the voting machine?”
“Use it as much as you want.”
To manipulate the vote, a special remote control was needed. That remote was in my pocket, and I had no intention of giving it to them.
The vote for Building 102 alone began.
Five suspected parasites. Three of them were executed and died, and one was a parasite.
It was the moment when the effect of the vote execution was proven. From now on, Building 102 would voluntarily conduct votes to find parasites.
The atmosphere in Building 101 was subdued. The atmosphere was completely ruined. They had tried to kill their own building representative and failed. It would have been stranger if the atmosphere was good.
Building 103 watched the events of Building 101 and Building 102 with great interest. But the leisure of Building 103 would soon end.
“From today, the food provided by the government will be reduced. Listen to the details from your building representative. Ah, they’re coming.”
I looked up at the sky. Drones carrying boxes were flying to the rooftop of the apartment. Their number was less than half of what I had seen last time. The drones carelessly threw the food boxes on the roof and immediately left. I could feel their indifference.
“The government is reducing the food supply? Then what about distribution? How will we distribute it?”
“Distribute it yourselves.”
“Can’t we get food support from Seongak Elementary School?”
“You bastard. Did you leave your food with us?”
I beat up the bastard who was talking nonsense.
The building representatives, who had known in advance that the food supply would be reduced, spoke immediately.
“The food will be divided into three equal parts for each building and managed. We will distribute it as fairly as possible, so please understand.”
The building representatives said. The residents were forced to accept it for now. On the surface, it seemed like everyone was being considerate and peace would continue.
‘This place is already hell.’
From the moment they killed people by voting. No, from the moment they were trapped in this narrow apartment with parasites, hell had begun.
I approached Irina. Irina was still sitting on the floor. She couldn’t get up because she was embarrassed about wetting herself.
“Can you get up? Should I help you?”
“Ah, um. Yes. I can get up.”
Irina got up. There was a stain left where she had been. Irina lowered her gaze, looking embarrassed. It was best to pretend not to notice in this situation. If we were lovers, I would have teased her, but… we weren’t there yet.
“I’ll take you. I don’t know what those Building 101 bastards will do.”
“…Yes.”
Irina nodded without refusing. It seemed that her trust in Building 101 had completely disappeared.
As I was entering the apartment with Irina, Woo Taehyun shouted from behind as if screaming.
“Irina! Irina! We voted against it! Please believe us! I tried to save Irina! I bowed my head to Building 102 and Building 103 as well… but those bastards betrayed us! Irina! Please believe me!”
Irina paused. She let out a small sigh and looked back. Woo Taehyun, with blood streaming down his forehead, looked like a madman.
“I know that Woo Taehyun and some of the residents of Building 101 were among those who reported me. I don’t have any particular desire for revenge. I just… let’s end it here.”
Irina turned her body again without any lingering feelings.
I took her home and said in front of the door.
“I don’t think Woo Taehyun will end it here. He looks like he’s going to do something. So, I was wondering. Can I stay at your place for a while? If I’m here, Woo Taehyun won’t be able to move recklessly.”
“Ah. Um, yes. Please come in.”
Irina’s permission was granted. Perhaps because I was her savior, she had almost no wariness towards me. Well, it was a bit dramatic when I saved her. I had overturned the vote to save just one person. The atmosphere among the apartment residents was right on the verge of a riot.
I entered Irina’s house. I could feel the signs of life. It was natural since she had been living with her father and mother until a few months ago.
“Um, can I, can I take a shower?”
“Ah. Of course. You’re the owner of this house. Take your time.”
She must have felt uncomfortable in many ways since she had wet herself. I looked around the house. I found a pile of food in one corner of the kitchen. Canned goods and ramen. About a week’s worth of food.
‘She was a building representative, but she only has this much food? She said she became a building representative because she could get more food?’
It seemed like Irina had been taken advantage of. If it were me, I would have secretly hoarded enough for three months.
Soon, Irina came out. She was a blonde beauty wearing pants and a T-shirt. Without the hood and mask covering her face, she was dazzlingly beautiful. True to her nickname, Elf, her limbs were long. She was tall for a woman, about 173 cm. The only thing that wasn’t elf-like was her large chest.
“Is, is it strange?”
“No. It suits you well. You don’t cover your face at home, after all.”
“I tend to be comfortable at home. But… is that person okay alone?”
“That person? Ah, Hyejin? She’s fine. She’s not weak enough to be defeated by the riffraff.”
She could win even if she fought against dozens of people alone. Besides, she now had bombs and a hoverboard. If necessary, she could just throw a bomb and escape on the hoverboard.
“Would you like some water? I have boiled water that I got from the tap. The tap water is clean, but I can’t trust it for some reason…”
“You have to be careful about even the smallest things in the current situation. It’s a good habit. I’ll take a glass.”
She brought lukewarm water. Since the refrigerator couldn’t be used due to the lack of electricity, the only way to get cold water was to drink tap water.
Irina sat next to me with the water.
“……”
“……”
We were 20 cm apart. In the awkward space, only the sound of swallowing water could be heard.
“Um, Yujin. How do I get into Seongak Elementary School?”
“Our Seongak Elementary School doesn’t accept just anyone. We’re quite strict about the conditions. But you’re welcome.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I heard you killed several zombies with a bow? I haven’t seen your skills with my own eyes, but you’re fine. New recruits usually have to go through all sorts of hardships… but I’m behind you. You’ll be able to live comfortably at Seongak Elementary School. Well, you’ll have to work, though.”
“Work… Is it like being a building representative? I’m not confident in management work. All I know how to do is shoot a bow…”
Her voice trailed off.
I heard that archers train in archery from elementary school?
I smiled and took Irina’s hand. She was startled and fidgeted. Before she could shake off my words, I continued.
“You just have to shoot a bow. Management? You don’t have to do that.”
I had already finished figuring out Irina.
“You just have to do as I say.”
“Y-you just want me to do as you say? If, if I make a mistake…”
“That’s my responsibility. You’re just doing as you’re told.”
“…Ah.”
Irina’s eyes became hazy.
Some people are extremely passive. Irina was one of them. A person who doesn’t like to think for themselves, doesn’t like to take responsibility, and doesn’t like to be the center of attention. That was Irina.
