Apocalypse’s Teacher

Chapter 104

At the warehouse where I arrived with Hyesung, I took out all the seedlings I had been collecting.

Cabbage, chili peppers, and even things like onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

Besides the kidney beans that Hyesung had grown, the warehouse was lined with all sorts of seeds.

'It was a good thing that we worked hard.'

These were all things we had received from the Mapo Shelter.

And that wasn't all.

Fertilizer and various tools necessary for farming were also hanging on the wall in abundance.

"Baby Kongkong!!!"

Hyesung raised her hand high and showed the kidney beans.

I patted Hyesung's head and said.

"Today, we're just organizing. Let's start growing them when the weather gets warmer."

"Okay!"

Hyesung giggled as she looked at the beans in her hand.

"I'll raise them beautifully!"

Was this how a mother looks at her child?

Hyesung's face, blushing and smiling, was truly filled with satisfaction.

'But will that grow well?'

I recalled hearing somewhere that beans from stationery stores are hard to grow for a second round, but I wasn't sure.

'If it comes to that, I'll just ask Helen or Mr. Park for help.'

With experts in biology and chemistry by our side, there wasn't much to worry about.

I shook off the thought and clapped my hands.

"Alright! Let's start organizing!"

"Yes!"

The responding shout was so characteristic of Hyesung.

*

About three more days passed.

While preparing to fully commit to farming, I suddenly fell into a deep dilemma.

'Hmm, but do I really have to do it in the flower bed?'

Upon thinking seriously, that's where my thoughts ended up.

'Greenhouse cultivation.'

Obviously, cultivation in a flower bed makes it difficult to control changes in external temperature and humidity.

Not only that, but unexpected torrential rains could also wipe out the crops.

Considering these factors, the only method I could think of to minimize crop loss on this small hotel rooftop was that.

Fortunately, there was someone who could share this concern with me.

"A greenhouse, you mean?"

"Yeah, I'm thinking of planting some vegetables this spring, and that seems like the best option."

Helen, who had a doctorate in biology, let out a "hmm" and fell into thought.

Muttering something in English as she continued thinking, Helen soon shook her head and replied.

"...Can't do it."

"Huh?"

"Not possible here. Rooftop, not enough soil. For a greenhouse, you'd need soil up to your waist. Water too. Construction necessary. Also...."

Snap-.

Helen pointed at the battery shoved into a corner of the living room.

"Electricity, don't have it. Greenhouse needs electricity."

"...Why does it need electricity?"

"Has to have it. Without it, managing is too hard. Serco, without farming knowledge, plants will just die."

"Uh...."

"Serco, farming isn't easy."

Helen shook her head firmly.

'Will it really be impossible....'

There must be a reason why Helen, the expert, said this, but I still couldn't let go of my lingering attachment.

Why wouldn't I?

The benefits of having a greenhouse were just too numerous.

'To reduce crop loss, it's absolutely necessary....'

Since we needed to grow enough crops to feed nine people, the number of crops lost to nature had to be minimized.

As I was struggling to let go of my lingering thoughts, Helen scratched her cheek and casually said.

"...If you solve a few issues, it'll work. Then you can do the greenhouse."

My head shot up.

Seeing me perk up, Helen followed suit, straightened her posture, and continued speaking.

"Just get electricity. Then, procure a lot of water and soil."

"Really?!"

"But you'll need a lot of water and soil."

My face brightened up.

'I can handle water and soil!'

If it's water for crops, not drinking water, I could gather it anywhere in this city.

Even if the zombies start moving more actively in spring, it's the same.

And soil?

Soil was everywhere.

"With humus?"

"Yes, if you can't find it, I'll make it for you."

Snap-!

I grabbed Helen's hand tightly.

"Thank you!"

"Ack!"

Helen jolted.

At the same time, her skin turned a bright red.

Her lips quivered as if trembling, clearly startled.

'Ah, oops!'

Realizing what I had done, I quickly pulled my hand back, startled.

"S-Sorry...."

"It's... okay...."

Our gazes shifted awkwardly elsewhere.

The atmosphere quickly became uncomfortable.

For some reason, I felt a sudden warmth bubbling inside me, prompting me to take a deep breath.

'...This is driving me crazy.'

I didn't know when this awkwardness would ever go away.

*

Two days later.

I called Mr. Park, who had come for Dayoon's lesson, to the rooftop and explained everything so far.

It was to seek his help.

However, as expected.

After hearing my story, Mr. Park just looked indifferent.

"So, you're asking me to help prepare for farming?"

"Well... I'll share some of the harvest with you."

"Hmm...."

Mr. Park pondered, cigarette in his mouth.

Furrowing his brows as if deep in thought, he soon asked.

"You're asking for help with making soil, right?"

"Y-Yeah... Mr. Park, you're a master at mixing stuff...."

"Water... well, yeah, if you look for it, you could find it, I guess."

"If it gets difficult, you can just use rainwater...."

I bowed to Mr. Park with a servile smile on my face.

It was only natural.

Whether it was the world before the apocalypse or after, technicians were the cream of the crop.

An uncomfortable silence settled in.

Mr. Park lit a cigarette in that silence.

Sizzle-.

"Sigh... Hoo... So what about electricity? Even if you manage the rest, you'll definitely need electricity to maintain the house."

"Well, that's why...."

The moment had come.

It was the time to reveal the real reason I made this request to Mr. Park.

Bowing even lower, I wore a businesslike smile and continued.

"Could you, um, introduce me to the engineer?"

"...An engineer?"

Mr. Park's expression instantly twisted into a frown.

His face brimmed with displeasure.

While the reaction was expected, I couldn't back down here.

"Yes, that guy! He's the one who can build solar generators! Didn't he go around last time saying he'd make some new generator?"

Yes, the Blacklist Engineer.

I needed that guy.

The only technician in the world now who wasn't tied to a shelter.

Moreover, one who wouldn't spill secrets about the hotel.

Honestly, I would've preferred to go ask him directly....

'If only I knew where he was....'

That was the problem.

No one, except the Mr. Park in front of me, knew the engineer's whereabouts.

He was so low-profile that even his Blacklist status was due to a revenge-driven shelter attack, making him impossible to lure out.

I had only met him once by coincidence, and the only way to meet him again was through Mr. Park.

Displeasure deepened on Mr. Park's face.

The reason was... honestly, I couldn't understand it at all, but it boiled down to 'pride.'

Something about being a techie with an annoyingly high nose in the air.

Something about the pride of physics and chemistry.

Anyway, I couldn't wrap my head around those highly educated types.

"I really don't want to."

"P-Please don't be like that...."

"The more you whine, the more I don't want to."

"Come on, Mr. Park!"

Watching my groveling antics, Mr. Park finally spoke.

"You know how hard this is for me, right?"

"I know... That techie...."

"Physicist."

"...That physicist with a high nose—you don't visit him often, either. Yes, I know."

Sigh-.

Mr. Park exhaled cigarette smoke.

"15 percent."

"...What?"

"Give me 15 percent of the harvest. Then I'll introduce him to you. No, I'll even get his approval for installation."

I stared blankly at Mr. Park.

He looked down at me indifferently, making it clear he had no intention of withdrawing his words.

'Taxes?'

I never imagined I'd be paying taxes even in a ruined world.

It stung, but there was no choice.

"O-Of course! Did you think I wouldn't give you that much?!"

Let me emphasize once again.

Technicians are the cream of the crop.

No, they are the cream of the cream of the crop.

'...Damn it, I should've learned some technical skills.'

I don't know why I was so determined to become a teacher.

*

Preparations were finished.

Exactly one week after negotiating with Mr. Park.

I spent each day hauling as much soil as I could before the weather warmed up more.

With Gihyun, Jinwoo, Juyeong, and even the old man helping, we worked eight hours a day.

"I'm dying...."

Juyeong collapsed onto the living room floor.

Gihyun, stumbling, fell on top of her, while Jinwoo crawled on all fours like a dog.

Surprisingly, the old man shook his head, lamenting the kids' lack of stamina.

"This is what happens when kids stay home all the time. They need to run around more. Back in my day...."

Of course, stepping outside meant risking life and death, but in the face of an old man's 'back in my day,' such facts were irrelevant.

I silently kept my mouth shut and let the old man's words wash over me.

'He should be here soon.'

I had heard they'd bring the engineer around 3 p.m.

Now, it was 2:50 p.m....

"He's here!"

My thoughts were interrupted by Dabin's shout.

Dabin pointed out the window, where she'd been resting her chin, and called to me.

"Mr. Park is coming! And there's someone strange with him!"

Punctual as ever, that man.