-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 004
Chapter Title: Death Row Inmate
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"4885! You've got a visitor."
Jang Section Chief opened the iron door.
Ma Tae-beom, who had been reading a book, wore a listless expression like he found it all a hassle.
"Your uncle's here."
"Do I have to go?"
"You skipping the visit?"
"Guess it's come."
Ma Tae-beom stood up and walked out.
Jang Section Chief closed the iron door behind him, positioned him at his side, and they walked together.
They passed through one gate, then another, emerging outdoors.
Here, the path split in two.
Left led to the visitation room. Right to the execution chamber.
The right path saw little traffic, so fallen leaves and bits of trash littered the ground.
"Execution, huh."
How did he know?
They hadn't even reached the fork yet, but Ma Tae-beom already knew he was heading to his death.
"You knew?"
"If my dead uncle came back to life, he'd drag me off to the afterlife."
"Ah..."
Before Jang Section Chief could continue, four CRPT officers in black tactical gear approached.
The prison's mobile patrol team, CRPT, grabbed Ma Tae-beom's arms on both sides.
As they entered the right path, Ma Tae-beom spoke up.
"Gimme a smoke."
Jang Section Chief pulled a cigarette from his pocket and handed it over.
"Today's June 30th, right?"
"Yeah."
"Fucking hell. Dying on my birthday."
Ma Tae-beom put the cigarette in his mouth and looked up at the sky.
A clear blue sky so pure it seemed like a pinprick would spill out azure paint.
Jang Section Chief lit it for him, and Ma Tae-beom inhaled deeply.
His eyes always brimmed with murderous intent, no matter when you saw them.
Jang Section Chief had watched him exercise in his solitary cell every day since his transfer here, and it worried him.
What if he resisted?
Even CRPT might struggle—Ma Tae-beom's body was a tightly coiled mass of lean muscle.
Fortunately, he just smoked, showing no sign of any action.
"4885. It's a shame this happened before your retrial results. If you're innocent, heaven will know."
"Fuck that."
Ma Tae-beom stubbed out the cigarette and pocketed the butt.
"Let's go."
He took the lead like he knew the way.
Every so often, he glanced at the sky, eyed roadside flowers, and drew in deep breaths.
A heavy silence reigned as late spring winds carried the heat.
It was hot.
Not the weather—the closer they got to the execution chamber, the more Jang Section Chief's heart pounded.
He dreaded watching someone die.
Hanging.
The floor dropped, the noose tightened around the condemned's neck, and death followed.
They said the neck snapped.
Five witnesses pressed buttons simultaneously to share the blame.
Jang Section Chief checked the iron door to the execution chamber and took a deep breath.
One of the leading CRPT officers opened it.
Clang—
And at that moment.
-GRRAAAH!
A monster's screech echoed, followed by.
"Aaaagh!"
Screams from ahead.
The CRPT officer who opened the door had his throat torn out.
Flesh ripped away.
Blood spraying like a fountain from a severed carotid.
Jang Section Chief froze at the sight of the attacker.
Pale skin veined with twisted lines, fangs embedded in flesh, crimson lips dripping gore, limbs severely warped.
-GRRAAH! RAAAH!
The roars grew louder.
An unbelievable scene.
Humans transformed into monsters surged through the door.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Ma Tae-beom clearly saw the throat of the CRPT officer holding his arm get ripped out.
The others grabbed the monster's waist and legs, trying to pry it off, but it clung like super glue.
More monsters bit into the officers' legs and napes.
Ma Tae-beom seized the chance and bolted for the main gate.
But dozens of monsters had already breached it.
-GRRR! KUEK!
"Uwaaaagh!!!"
"Help!"
The roars and screams shook his eardrums to pieces.
The monsters tore into every visible guard and janitor inmate indiscriminately.
Ma Tae-beom quickly ducked behind a large tree near the visitation area.
"What the hell are these things?"
The monsters came in all shapes.
Skin shredded to ribbons, guts spilling as they ran, pus dripping from ears, exposed kneecaps, eye sockets gouged out.
Arms and legs bent asymmetrically—yet they sprinted.
Corpses rolling on the ground.
The stench of blood closing in, repulsive.
Ma Tae-beom shuddered at the familiar blood scent he'd missed for so long.
He had to escape.
He scanned the walls around the execution entrance.
About 5 meters high, with a 2-meter ladder visible on the other side.
Ma Tae-beom circled to the execution side and grabbed the ladder.
-QRAAANG!
A monster lunged at him.
He swung the ladder end, smashing it.
Jaw shattering, cheekbone crunching in sequence.
Confirming it crumpled, he hefted the ladder and dashed to the wall.
-KWAWOONG!
Monsters chased from behind.
He propped the ladder against the wall and stepped back.
Needed a running leap.
-GRRAAAH!
A monster ahead bared fangs, arms wide.
Thwack—!
He leaped, kneeing its jaw. It staggered.
Grabbing its wrist, he yanked hard—shoulder tore, arm detached.
-GRRR!
As it lunged mouth agape, he shoved the severed wrist in.
-KUWEK!
Straight punch to the solar plexus. Ribs pulverized, the sensation transmitting to his fist.
The monster flipped backward, writhing to rise.
Ma Tae-beom dashed forward, mounted the ladder, and vaulted off the top.
Hands gripped the wall.
-KWARAANG!
Ankle snagged by a monster.
He shook wildly, but it held.
Full power into his arms, hauling his torso up while shaking his leg free.
Another dragged along.
Chest on the wall, he backkicked its skull with his free foot.
-KWARAANG!
It fell, ladder toppling.
Dozens below gaped upward, howling brain-rattling cries.
More climbed over shoulders.
No time to think.
Ma Tae-beom hooked the wall and jumped down facing outward.
"Hup."
Electric jolt from his soles shook his brain.
Ahead, four monsters prowled.
"Damn! What a dynamic birthday."
He scooped fist-sized rocks in both hands and ran.
The four turned toward him.
Jump—
Airborne, he smashed two heads on descent.
Splat—! Thud—!
Blood and brains sprayed.
Sticky feel on his hands disgusted him.
The remaining two lunged for his torso.
He forward-rolled, spun around.
-KURAAA!
A monster approached, head cocked crookedly, staggering.
"You fuckers! What are you? Can't talk?"
-GRRR!
They only growled, no words.
Their stares were lethal.
Sclera threaded red.
Ma Tae-beom focused.
-KUANG!
As one opened its maw, he mounted its torso, uppercut its jaw.
The other closed in—he ducked and unleashed an uppercut.
Kwajik—
Jaw shattered, staggering.
Elbow to cheekbone—it flopped sideways.
Yet they rose again.
Mangled jaws and cheeks made their faces uglier, grinning eerily.
Chilling.
Undead?
-GRRAAAH! KURAAANG!!!
Turning, monsters poured over the prison wall like popcorn.
He checked ahead.
Open fields and mountains.
No telling what paths lay beyond.
One thing certain: get out of here.
Ma Tae-beom sprinted at full speed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The hotel staff fawned before Oh Jong-seong.
"I'll look into it."
"Handle it now! If my father finds out, you're all done for!"
Two staff huddled in the corner, whispering.
"The chairman and executives' families arrived earlier, so we asked everyone to double up. No more options—what do we do?"
"Lovers won't agree. Can't kick them out."
"What about 1205?"
"Right, single occupant."
My room number dropped.
I approached them.
"Let's do that."
The staff startled at my appearance.
"When did you come down?"
"Just now. Who's that guy?"
"Mr. Oh Jong-seong, third son of Hanlight Group and resort CEO."
"Share with me first. I might leave depending on the situation."
"Thank you so much."
I went to him.
"Mr. Oh Jong-seong, if it's not too much trouble, share my room. Can't displace others in this mess, right?"
"Who the hell are you to call my name so casually!"
Not easy.
But what power does wealth hold now?
I'd subdue him later and smiled.
"Chairman and executives' families filled the hotel. I'll give you the master bedroom."
Oh Jong-seong eyed the staff.
"Is this guy telling the truth?"
"Yes. Sorry, we're fully booked."
Oh Jong-seong.
CEO of Hanlight Resort in Haeundae.
His father, Oh Han-gwang, a golf nut, might be at a resort with a course.
Needed to check Hanlight Resort.
He glared at me.
I bowed slightly.
"I'll attend to you."
I led him to the elevator.
"I do overseas trade. I know all about top conglomerates like Hanlight Group."
I handed him my card.
He skimmed it and sneered.
"Director at your age? Must be a small fry."
"Overseas trade—not that small."
"Still a mom-and-pop shop."
Elevator opened; we entered 1205. He spat curses.
"Fucking bastards! Sticking me in this dump while royals get suites? I'll have your heads!"
I told him.
"Take the left room."
"Don't order me around! Your tone pisses me off."
"Get out!"
I glared; he flinched. Refusing to back down, he raised his voice.
"You little shit! You don't know who I am, or you'd be de—"
The rest choked off as I gripped his throat.
Terror flashed in his eyes.
No wonder.
We'd been over 2 meters apart moments ago.
I unleashed raw killing intent.
"Appreciate the courtesy. I could toss you out right now."
"Hng."
I released him.
"Zombies everywhere outside. If you think you can survive alone, go. Stay, and I'll protect you."
"You... what!? ...Who?"
"Don't believe me? Leave."
Already cowed by my strength and aura, his tail tucked.
He glanced at me and entered the left room.
His voice leaked out.
"Park Section Chief! Tell Father to send people here fast! Stuck with a psycho! ...Shut up and find another hotel, or take me to the resort!"
Not easy after all.
Tomorrow, when Ma Tae-beom and Ye Ji-ah arrived, I'd alter their fates.
Couldn't sleep, plotting details.