Chapter 145
The idea that nuclear plants all over the world would explode was only a hypothesis, based on Rina’s foresight and Jae-ho’s reasoning.
If they ignored the hypothesis and simply lived here, preparing only for the Mutant Shark, they might be able to survive a lifetime without any major problems.
On the other hand, if a nuclear plant did explode one day, everyone could become victims of radiation.
For Yohan, either case was just an uncertain possibility.
But there was one thing he trusted above all.
His physical sense for danger—the instinct that sent chills through his body even now. That intuition was what had kept Yohan alive until now.
He didn’t care about core meltdowns or automatic cooling systems. He just sensed danger, avoided it, and prepared for it. That was how he had survived.
With his decision made, Yohan immediately called a meeting with the leadership.
“Have you decided?”
“Yes.”
It was the moment when Yohan’s roll of the dice would determine everything. Everyone held their breath, waiting for him to speak.
But Yohan didn’t open his mouth right away. It couldn’t have been an easy decision. His room had been lit late into the night, and the dark circles on his face were proof of how much he’d agonized over it.
Everyone knew the weight of his worries, so they waited in silence.
“I don’t know what consequences my decision will bring. I don’t even know if I deserve to make it.”
“Yohan.”
Before Yohan could finish, Hajin cut in.
“Whatever you decide, we—or at least I—will follow you. Even if it’s a decision that gets us all killed. We already owe you our lives too many times. So don’t stress. Just make your choice, and we’ll follow.”
“Same here, man.”
Noah and Elder Yong exchanged glances and each spoke up.
“Bunch of adorable brats.”
“Well, if you and your lot hadn’t taken care of Gae Baekjong for us, even surviving wouldn’t have meant much. I suppose owing you my life is fine.”
Yohan had expected them to say something like this. Still, knowing it didn’t make him any less grateful.
He was just… thankful.
“We’ll leave here as planned. Our destination is New Zealand. But it’s not the only possible goal. If we find a region that seems safe from radiation and where we can be self-sufficient with food, we’ll settle there.”
Instead of expressing his gratitude, Yohan continued in an even more resolute tone.
“Today, let’s slaughter the remaining livestock and hold one last feast on Sindo.”
That was the only way he could repay them.
After sending everyone off, Yohan began preparing the feast. Elder Park skinned and butchered the animals, while Yohan set up tables and washed vegetables. They made plenty of steamed rice. Along the way, people tried to help when they saw Yohan preparing everything.
As preparations were underway, Ji-hye appeared, holding Seri’s hand tightly.
Her face was still clouded, but she looked noticeably steadier than before, as if she’d regained some peace over the past few days.
“You can rest, you know.”
“No, oppa.”
Ji-hye shrugged off her coat and rolled up her sleeves, helping with the preparations. She was determined to do her part.
No one said anything else in the face of her resilience.
No one mentioned Jung-soo or Ji-hye’s pregnancy.
They just tried even harder to act bright, encouraged by her effort.
Seri in particular put on a show beside her, drawing laughs.
The grill was set over the bonfire, and the sound of sizzling meat and the rich aroma of fat filled Sindo. Plates overflowed with pork, chicken, and goat.
There was plenty of alcohol, fresh vegetables, and steamed rice. Once the journey began, any fresh food that couldn’t fit in the ship’s fridge would have to be thrown out. Better to eat it than waste it.
“Don’t leave a single piece behind. Even what falls on the ground—scrape it up and eat it.”
“Don’t worry about that!”
Sweeper and Hajin started stuffing their faces as if in a contest. The others, who had hesitated while watching the leaders, soon got to work eating, and the newcomers from Noah’s and the Mercenary camps started devouring meat with tears in their eyes.
In front of meat, everyone was equal.
‘Meat… I can’t believe it.’
‘This place is heaven.’
‘I could die happy now!’
Exclamations and praise were just a bonus.
For the first time in a while, everyone enjoyed a festive atmosphere. Yohan and Ji-hye kept grilling meat to keep up with the hungry survivors.
“Oppa, say ahh—”
“I’m eating while I grill, you eat more.”
“Just open your mouth, won’t you?”
Watching Seri’s insistent, smiling face, Yohan quietly opened his mouth. The balance of meat and vegetables was perfect.
After a while, Sweeper and Hajin came over to Yohan.
“Boss, why don’t you take a break from grilling? Go chat with the others.”
“I’m good. You two go eat more.”
Hajin snorted.
“He’s had enough. Ate a ton.”
“Why you gotta say that when you stuffed yourself too?”
“Hmph.”
“It’s a shame there’s no music. Now I get why sailors used to go wild on shore leave.”
Yohan laughed as he grilled. Just for today, he didn’t mind the noisy atmosphere. Watching his group chat together, Elder Yong called out to them.
“Hey, brats! Come over here and have a drink!”
The two tried to ignore him, but seeing Noah already caught and being forced to drink beer, they had no choice but to join him. As Hajin headed to the table, he grumbled,
“Seriously, out of all these people, why us again?”
“I’m an old man—if I go to another table, I’ll ruin the mood, you brat.”
In the end, Noah, Sweeper, and Hajin were once again roped in by Elder Yong.
“He just called the people who are easy to drink with, damn old man.”
“If you know that, just drink up.”
Clink. Four glasses clashed in the air.
“Ah, that hits the spot.”
Elder Yong looked supremely content as he gestured to Yohan.
“Hey, boss brat. Stop grilling meat and come have a drink. What are you, a BBQ restaurant server?”
“I’m fine, really.”
“Fine, my ass—I’m not fine.”
“If everyone’s drinking, someone has to stay sober.”
“The rookies are on watch with clear heads, so stop lecturing and have a drink with us, kid.”
“Lecturing? That’s a bit much.”
“When the boss sits there being all serious, nobody else can really relax, you know? It’s like when your boss says, ‘Have fun after work, I’ll just be here doing overtime.'”
At that, Sweeper—already tipsy—shouted, “He’s right!” Yohan looked awkward, and Elder Yong continued gleefully.
“Also, don’t you have any whiskey or soju? Beer doesn’t even touch the sides.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Tightwad.”
A little drinking was fine, but anything that would mess with tomorrow’s schedule was out. Soju, whiskey, and any other hard liquor were banned except for cooking or the few bottles brought when first arriving on the island.
Most of that, anyway, had been polished off by the visiting navy officers.
‘The navy, huh.’
Looking back, the navy’s arrival had been a key moment. After they seized the warship and its weapons, the Mutant Shark attacks started, and the nuclear explosion became an issue.
It felt like fate had arranged everything just so.
If they hadn’t docked here, fighting the Mutant Shark or even just being without a warship would have been a disaster. It was pure luck.
“Argh! My arm’s falling off!”
Elder Yong complained, beer in hand, so Yohan reluctantly joined their table. As soon as he sat, someone filled his glass.
“Cheers—”
Four glasses clinked. The sharp fizz of the beer and the flavor of barley cleared Yohan’s mind, refreshing him to the core.
“Hey, can I join you guys too?”
“Why don’t you go hang out with your friends?” Yohan said, glancing at Seri, who had wedged herself into a seat.
She smiled brightly. “This seems more fun. So, are you just going to leave your glasses empty with a new guest here? I’d love for the handsome grandpa here to pour me a drink.”
“Oh, you know your etiquette, huh? All right, have a glass!”
Soon enough, Seri and Elder Yong were clinking glasses, pouring drinks for each other. Watching them, Yohan couldn’t help but laugh quietly.
“You cheeky brat. Are you really as good as people say?”
“Of course! Want to know what Yohan oppa said to me?”
“What did he say?”
Seri puffed up and imitated Yohan’s tone, “He said, ‘You’re better than most guys with one of those down there.'”
The crowd burst into laughter. Yohan frowned, but the old man just roared with delight.
“That’s spot-on!”
“I’ve made plenty of guys regret it for real, you know.”
“Hahaha! Wonderful!”
After laughing so hard he clapped, Elder Yong’s eyes sparkled.
“I like your style, Seri. Want to be my foster daughter?”
“No thanks. I’m going to marry Yohan oppa, but being your daughter-in-law sounds good.”
“That’s even better!”
“Okay, enough. This is getting childish and embarrassing. Seri, do you want to get kicked out?”
Yohan finally cut in as the two got carried away. Seri flinched.
“You’re both going overboard, Elder.”
Both of them clicked their tongues in unison. Yohan glanced at the three men—Sweeper, Hajin, and Noah—who were cramming food into their mouths as if competing.
“You three, slow down. Are you going to eat everything?”
“Mmmph ay mmh mmhm.”
“What?”
“He said, ‘You always tell us to eat more.'”
Seri translated Sweeper’s chipmunk-mouthed reply.
Fine, eat up.
Yohan looked away.
At the next table, Hyuk was chatting and laughing with friends his age.
The fire blazed as they grilled the meat, and ash carried on the wind flickered up into the black night sky.
It was a peaceful night. Like the calm before the storm.
Before midnight, Yohan called an end to the gathering. Some people looked disappointed, but Yohan resolutely flipped over the tables.
Everyone was full and pleasantly tipsy. Knowing the hard voyage would begin the next day, they left their regrets behind and went to bed.
Tonight, many people would fall asleep with anxiety at their pillow.
The voyage ahead would be long and grueling—there was no doubt about it.
There were plenty of people who got seasick just riding a small fishing boat for a few minutes.
Yohan stopped Ji-hye, who was still cleaning up at the end.
“Ji-hye. Go get some rest. You worked hard today.”
“You too, oppa. I’ll finish cleaning up and go.”
“No. I’ll handle the rest. Go get some rest.”
She hesitated, but gave in when she met Yohan’s determined gaze. As she took off her apron and gloves, Yohan managed to say,
“Ji-hye.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll make sure you can have your baby safely.”
It was just a single, short sentence, but its weight seemed to catch in his throat.
“I promise. Somehow, no matter what.”
* * * * * * *
(T/N: Still not back to a regular upload schedule, but I’ll be uploading at least 5 chapters per series every week, in order based on the most recent series I picked up. No fixed days yet, but I’ll keep the bulk uploads coming as best as I can!)
