Apocalypse’s Teacher

Chapter 99

I stared blankly at Seungdeok.

It was to recall what Seungdeok had just said.

So, in the end, it was that statement.

"You're going to teach the Mapo Shelter kids how to ride bikes?"

"That's it!"

Seungdeok laughed, showing all his yellowed teeth.

I felt an overwhelming sense of disbelief.

Sure, the idea itself isn't all that bad.

If it's a place you must use a bike to navigate, then teaching is the right call.

'That is, if the world hadn't collapsed.'

If there were no zombies outside, that is.

It was quite literally crazy talk.

Riding through zombies at the risk of one's life.

Encouraging others to do that is no different from encouraging suicide.

Isn't that right?

Bikes, by nature, bring noise and vibrations.

And unlike cars, they lack proper safety measures.

Isn't it obvious how dangerous this is, considering no one else follows Seungdeok's example, even though he rides around just fine?

'Well, not that there weren't any.'

The problem is, they all died.

"Any other methods?"

"None!"

A groaning sound escaped my lips.

"...Let's pretend this conversation never happened."

It was a shame, but there was no helping it.

There's no need to antagonize a friendly shelter just to secure some mediator fees.

'What should I say to them?'

How should I deliver this bad news?

While sighing over such thoughts.

"Brother, it's not entirely impossible."

Seungdeok said those words.

"What part of this has potential, you lunatic...?"

"The map, that is. Actually, the more riders there are, the safer it gets."

My head shot up.

"...Huh?"

"Isn't it true? The most important thing on this map is managing the aggro of those corpses. I can handle it alone, which is why I haven't formed a team. But if one can't manage it alone, then dispersing the aggro among many people works, doesn't it?"

Huh, now that I think about it, that's true.

"Anyway, exploring outside the shelter is always a life-risking task. Isn't it better to let loose for an hour than to spend all day walking on eggshells?"

Seungdeok gave a confident thumbs-up.

Honestly, it still sounded like crazy talk, but with the way he spoke so confidently, it oddly sounded convincing.

"Uh...."

"If you introduce me, I'll try talking to them. Besides, Brother, now that you've finally started interacting with people, I can't ruin it, can I?"

For some reason, Seungdeok seemed to shine.

*

It really was absurd nonsense.

Truly insane nonsense.

"...Here's the mediator fee."

Yet it actually happened.

I received the suitcase handed over by the Shelter Leader.

It was a bag containing vegetable seedlings, cooking oil, some sanitary items, and essential goods.

"It's not an unreasonable proposition. From the start, given our assault troop's overcapacity and team-based operations, as long as the rewards are sufficient, there'll be people willing to do it."

"You're really going through with this?"

"It wouldn't be fake, would it?"

It still didn't quite feel real.

'So this works.'

I took a step back and looked at Seungdeok, who was grinning.

Seungdeok gave another confident thumbs-up.

The Shelter Leader glanced back and forth between me and Seungdeok before finally speaking.

"Let's end the deal with this. The rider will stay with us for a month, so you'll have to head back alone."

"Brother! Since it's nearby, I'll visit often!"

Feeling dumbfounded, I found myself returning home in a daze.

That day, it was four days later when the Seungdeok left at the Mapo Shelter came to my hotel.

*

"They're quite capable."

Crrk-

Seungdeok said this while chewing jerky whole.

"Each of them had a sense of romance. Among them, there was even someone who knew how to fix motorcycles."

"Well, okay...."

Judging by his grinning face, it seemed the teaching job suited his taste.

'Well, when I said I wanted to become a teacher, this guy made a fuss about following me, too.'

Was it back in high school? I remember him coming to the study room with me, saying he wanted to become a teacher like me.

Of course, knowing his personality, he couldn't last three days.

Should I see this as him finally fulfilling that dream?

I couldn't help but laugh hollowly at the amusing thought.

"Things went surprisingly smoothly."

"What's so difficult about it? Besides, that Shelter Leader was a trustworthy person, too."

"Huh?"

I looked at Seungdeok with wide eyes.

"You know that person?"

"Huh? Brother, you don't know?"

"Uh...."

"Isn't it Seo Hakjong, Major? When the incident first broke out, while all military personnel fled, he stayed behind to protect people. He was quite famous around here."

My mouth hung open.

Seeing my reaction, Seungdeok made an 'ah' sound and nodded as if realizing something.

"Come to think of it, you might not know. That person... He hasn't come out from the northwest since the incident started. Well, now hardly anyone remembers that story since he's been staying quiet all this time."

"...I didn't know."

"You were in Gangnam back then, so it's no surprise."

Seungdeok scratched his head roughly.

That bastard is shedding dandruff.

I deliberately avoided looking at the white flakes, continuing my question.

"Anyway, since he's the Shelter Leader, from my position, it's a deal where I lose nothing. If you owe him, he always repays the favor somehow."

The word 'debt' triggered memories of past actions.

'...No, let's not think about it.'

Would that person nitpick such petty things?

He would probably overlook it all.

"Ah! By the way!"

In the middle of the conversation, Seungdeok changed the subject.

"Brother! I heard from Mr. Park! There's a beam projector here!"

"Uh... there is!"

"Ahhh-! Didn't I bring something amazing?"

Seungdeok reached into his arms.

What he pulled out was none other than a DVD.

And it was a movie that brought a strong sense of nostalgia to both me and Seungdeok.

"Mad Over! Shall we binge-watch it for old times' sake?"

A movie that made Seungdeok crazy about bikes.

A movie I enjoyed the most back when I was a middle schooler.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the DVD before me.

*

Hyesung held her breath as she stared at the screen.

[Bald-Tiiime-!]

The setting was the wilderness.

The protagonist, riding a cool bike with horns, was chasing a bald villain.

The bald villain wiped the sweat trickling down his head as he fled desperately.

[Aaaahhh-!]

The protagonist jumped off his bike and grabbed the villain.

Then came the fight scene.

Hyesung had clenched her fists tightly and was mimicking the protagonist's punches before she realized it.

"Hiya! Hiya!"

[Arghhh-!]

At that moment, the villain's scream erupted.

The protagonist, leaving the fallen villain behind, gazed at the setting sun and spoke.

[Fuck-.]

He pulled a cigarette out with a hiss and put it in his mouth, walking toward the sunset.

The movie ended.

Hyesung's heart pounded for some reason, and she couldn't stay still.

"Motorcycle!"

"Hyesung, did you think the motorcycle was cool?"

"Yes!"

Answering Seokho's question enthusiastically, Hyesung immediately struggled to climb onto Seokho's shoulders.

"Uncle Motorcycle!"

Hyesung thought the movie's protagonist was incredibly cool.

So she wanted to imitate him, and the coolest thing she knew was sitting atop Seokho's shoulders.

Seokho smiled warmly at Hyesung, who was stomping her feet excitedly, and volunteered to play the role of a motorcycle.

"Vroom vroom~."

"Ah! There's Bald-Time over there!"

Hyesung pointed at Chun-bae with her hand.

Chun-bae blinked, then, realizing what role Hyesung wanted him to play, chuckled and raised his arms.

"Roar~."

Light reflected off Chun-bae's head.

Oblivious to the fact that his shiny bald head had earned him the role of a villain, Chun-bae simply played along with the youngest's game.

Hyesung gulped nervously as she glared at Chun-bae.

Then she formed her hand into the shape of a pistol and made 'Bang! Bang!' sounds.

When Chun-bae pretended to fall, Hyesung exhaled and said.

"Fuh...."

"Hyesung, you can't do that."

"Yes!"

Hyesung nodded and then slid off Seokho.

Right after, she asked Seungdeok, who had been watching the whole process with a laugh.

"Uncle Tyranno, are you a motorcycle too?"

"Of course! This uncle is also a motorcycle!"

"Wow...!"

Hyesung's eyes sparkled.

Seungdeok thought it was the appropriate reverence and admiration for a man on a motorcycle, but only because he didn't understand Hyesung.

"Motorcycle!"

With her arms wide open, Hyesung ran toward Seungdeok.

Knowing what Hyesung wanted, Seokho nudged Seungdeok's knees to make him sit on the ground.

Then, he placed Hyesung on top of him.

"Hey, no human words allowed from now on."

"Motorcycle, go!"

"Ah! I want to ride too!"

Even Dabin climbed onto Seungdeok's back.

Still not understanding what was happening, Seungdeok blinked, then laughed heartily, deciding it didn't matter, and began crawling on all fours.

"Vrooooom-!"

The Seungdeok Motorcycle even came with a muffler.

A peaceful moment, on a day when Hyesung gained yet another toy.

That night, Hyesung dreamed of riding a horned motorcycle and shooting a pistol.