By Zephyria 
85
How could there be 500 nobles in the shelter? Is that even possible?
No, even a moment’s thought makes it impossible.
First of all, it didn’t seem like there would be 500 nobles in this town. I hadn’t looked at the whole town, but they said there were about 2,000 people in the town, and looking at the map and the buildings I saw on the way here, even if you gathered all the nobles’ families, it didn’t seem like it would be 500 people.
Even if there were 500 people, when the Devouring Ghoul attacked, everyone would have rushed to the shelter regardless of their status. The bloodstains all over the road here were proof of that…
Ho-eun, who was thinking that far, stopped breathing for a moment.
“Could it be…”
A situation he hadn’t seen unfolded before his eyes as if he had.
A Devouring Ghoul suddenly breaking through the castle gates in the middle of the night.
People, terrified, holding their children’s hands, or holding the hands of their elderly parents, climbing the hill to the shelter.
But the nobles arrived earlier than anyone else in their cars.
The nobles locked the door when the people couldn’t get in.
People begging to open the door, begging to be saved, knocking on the door.
The Devouring Ghoul followed those people.
But the door wouldn’t open.
People in a dilemma, with a solid iron door in front and swarming Devouring Ghouls behind.
The Devouring Ghouls gleefully devouring those people.
Tearing flesh, breaking bones, their screams, tears, fear, blood…
“…”
Ho-eun slowly looked down at his feet. Just in time, the clouds moved, the moonlight was fully revealed, and the floor was clearly visible. The soil, soaked with blood, had hardened like a rock. And something small and shiny was embedded in the soil. Like a seashell…
Ho-eun stared at it for a long time before realizing what it was.
Fingernails.
The fingernails of those who begged to open this door. Now he knew why the iron door was covered in blood.
Ho-eun asked the man in the window, his eyes still fixed on the countless fingernails.
“Then I, as a noble, can go in.”
“Thas right. Because you’re a noble.”
“I see. Because I’m a noble.”
Because I’m a noble.
Because I’m a noble.
Because I’m a noble…
Ho-eun repeated the words in his mind. The man glared at Ho-eun with suspicious eyes.
“But are you really the Choi family’s son? No, I don’t think a son from that family would be here. It’s not a short distance from Hanyang to here, is it?”
“…”
“Maybe… could someone come from Hanyang to save you? If that happens, can we go to Hanyang with you then?”
“…”
“When you think about it, we’re saving you. If you promise to go with us, I can let the girl I’m holding in my arms come in with you.”
At those words, Ho-eun stroked the back of Jeong-woo’s head and replied.
“Maybe.”
The man’s eyes flashed.
“Really? Is that true?”
Ho-eun nodded. The man’s face filled with a smile. He whispered something to the people inside the shelter. A faint cheer was heard beyond the door. Then, Ho-eun asked.
“But is there room for a child to enter? How many people are inside?”
“Us? How many are there… uh, seventy.”
“Seventy…”
Seventy…
The soldier said so. That it was a shelter that could accommodate 500 people. So, that meant 430 more people could enter.
But they didn’t open the door, and the 430 people who could have lived went into the Devouring Ghoul’s mouth at this spot. Their faces would have been chewed, their arms torn off, and their bodies ripped apart. They would have died like that.
Ho-eun thought.
What’s the difference between these nobles and the noble man who drove the villagers out to farm in the fields back then? Which of those nobles is worse?
No, no. Comparing the weight of sins was meaningless.
These people were just as bad as that noble man, so they had to be punished. The same punishment as that noble man.
Ho-eun, who had thought that far, slowly raised his head. And said in a low voice.
“They’ll be here soon.”
“Who? Your father?”
“No. The General.”
“General? What General?”
The man raised his eyebrows as if he didn’t understand what he meant. Ho-eun approached the door. And whispered in a voice that Jeong-woo couldn’t hear, but with emphasis.
“The General will punish you all.”
If you don’t, I’ll come back and punish you. I’ll make sure you get punished. I’ll make you pay dearly for the lives of 430 people.
“What are you…”
The man asked back. Ho-eun didn’t answer and turned around abruptly. Then, with a hardened expression, he passed Seong-im and said.
“Seong-im. Let’s go. Let’s go somewhere else besides here…”
But Ho-eun couldn’t finish his sentence. His steps stopped abruptly as if caught on something.
Somewhere else? Where else is there to go?
But I don’t want to go in there. I really hate entrusting my life to them.
But is it right to take Jeong-woo and Seong-im with me just because I can’t forgive them, just because I’m upset? What if they die because of this choice? Then how am I any different from those nobles?
Shouldn’t we discuss right and wrong after we survive?
Isn’t it right to beg them and somehow get inside?
Shouldn’t I save Seong-im and Jeong-woo, even if it means doing that?
Ho-eun’s eyes flickered with confusion. But then, Seong-im lightly grabbed his elbow. Ho-eun was startled and looked at her. And the moment their eyes met.
Nod.
Seong-im nodded her chin. As if she knew all of Ho-eun’s worries. As if she knew what he was hesitating about.
Ho-eun’s eyebrows drooped.
“Really… is that okay?”
Nod, nod.
Seong-im nodded her chin again. Then, for the first time since they met, she smiled. It wasn’t a smile that crinkled her eyes, but Ho-eun could still fully understand her meaning.
Ho-eun walked forward.
“Hey! Hey!”
The man called Ho-eun from behind. But he didn’t look back and kept walking. As the man’s voice gradually faded away, it felt like he could breathe again.
When he had come down halfway the hill, Ho-eun took a deep breath. Then he readjusted Jeong-woo, who was wrapped in a blanket. Jeong-woo stared blankly up at Ho-eun. There was chocolate on his mouth. Ho-eun smiled slightly and wiped his mouth.
“I guess Jeong-i isn’t here.”
Unfortunately, Jeong-i doesn’t seem to be inside that shelter. It seems they didn’t accept anyone who wasn’t a noble. I hope she’s alive and well somewhere. I hope her blood isn’t mixed in with the blood splattered on the surroundings.
As he sighed.
Drip, drop, drip.
Something wet and round fell on his forehead and cheeks.
It was raining.
Ho-eun looked up at the sky. The moon was shining brightly a moment ago, but now it was blurred. Judging by the clouds that were visible from time to time, which were fast and dark, it seemed like it would rain heavily.
“It’s raining.”
Ho-eun said with a troubled expression. He had nowhere to go, and now it was raining. Seong-im also looked up at the sky with a very troubled expression.
It was then. A strong wind blew, pushing Ho-eun’s body. Ho-eun took a clumsy step forward. And the moment he raised his head.
Something sticking out came into view between the rows of black buildings.
A cross-shaped piece of rebar.
It was a church.
The pouring rain was getting heavier and heavier. No, it was getting fierce. It was literally a downpour. It even hurt when it hit him. And the wind was blowing so hard. The rain wasn’t falling from above, it was pouring horizontally. He couldn’t open his eyes at all because of the rain that was mercilessly hitting his face.
The sound of the rain and the sound of the rushing wind made his ears noisy. It didn’t seem like he would be able to hear a Devouring Ghoul crying out anywhere.
“Haa, haa…”
Ho-eun breathed heavily. It wasn’t easy to walk on the ground that had become muddy with rainwater. With every step he took, the ground felt like it was pulling at his feet. His wet clothes felt like they weighed a ton, and every step was so heavy.
He wondered how much further it was to the church, so he raised his head, but the cross was still far away. He wanted to just go into any building and take shelter from the rain, but he couldn’t.
There is a law in the Korean Empire. Buildings that can accommodate more than a hundred people must install fences or build walls to block Devouring Ghouls.
That’s why the hospital had such a high fence, and the church probably did too. So he had to go there. But… it was too hard.
“Wait, just a moment…”
Eventually, Ho-eun called out to Seong-im, who was walking ahead. Seong-im didn’t hear him at once because of the heavy rain, so he had to call her again. Only then did Seong-im turn around.
“Just… just one breath…”
Ho-eun leaned against the wall and took a heavy breath. A cloudy breath poured out from between his teeth. As night came and it even started to rain, the temperature began to drop rapidly. He wasn’t cold because he was moving non-stop, but he couldn’t stop the cold from freezing his fingertips and toes.
“Haa, haa…”
Ho-eun blinked slowly. He couldn’t tell if the blurriness in front of him was because of the rain or because of dizziness. He could feel his body reaching its limit. No, maybe he had already exceeded his limit. He was worried that he would collapse without even realizing it.
He shouldn’t. It would be a big burden on Seong-im.
As he bit his lower lip. A small hand stretched out from under his chin, and then wiped the rain flowing down Ho-eun’s cheek. Ho-eun lowered his gaze. Jeong-woo, soaked in the rain, was blinking and looking up at him.
“You’re cold. I’m sorry.”
Ho-eun pulled the bed sheet he was using as a blanket tightly over Jeong-woo’s head. It was already soaked and couldn’t block the rain, but that was all he could do right now.
“Now, let’s go now.”
Ho-eun said to Seong-im. Seong-im nodded and started crossing the wet ground again.
Just as they were about to turn the corner. The wind blew in. The raindrops pouring on their faces were like small pebbles, so both of them had to close their eyes tightly. And when they opened their eyes again.
“…”
“…”
They had discovered something dark and murky.
It, turned around on the corner of the road, was the size of a gate, its head was flat as if it were wearing a helmet, its spine had bulging bones, and its thighs were as thick as tree trunks.
It was a Devouring Ghoul.