By Zephyria 
Currently, Corporal Shin was undoubtedly the Lieutenant Colonel’s closest confidant. He seemed to know everything that happened here like the back of his hand, but for the first time, the Lieutenant Colonel had a secret he didn’t share with him.
Corporal Shin was heading to the residence with Eden. Under the Sergeant’s orders, he had brought Jeong Tae-geon, but he was in a bad mood because he couldn’t even guess the reason for the private meeting.
‘Something smells fishy….’
Anyone who had a one-on-one conversation with the Lieutenant Colonel always had some value. So, this guy must have something important.
In the end, unable to contain his curiosity, the Corporal stopped in front of the residence entrance and turned to look at Eden.
“May I ask what your occupation is?”
Eden’s eyes gleamed with a strange light for a moment.
“…….”
Corporal Shin, embarrassed by the unknown gaze that lingered instead of the expected answer, changed the subject.
“No, never mind. Please go in.”
“Looks like you haven’t heard anything.”
“Yes?”
“Are you curious about the reason for the private meeting?”
The Corporal, unable to withstand Eden’s meaningful gaze from earlier, cleared his throat.
“…Ahem. I’m just escorting you as ordered. I don’t think a mere Corporal like me needs to know.”
“Is that so?”
Eden, letting out a light laugh, knocked on the door twice.
“Come in!”
Watching his back as he entered the residence as soon as the answer was given, Corporal Shin swallowed nervously.
“You’ve arrived―!”
The Lieutenant Colonel, dressed in his military uniform as always, welcomed Eden’s appearance with open arms. A warm tea and a cold iced coffee filled with ice were prepared for him.
Eden swallowed a snort at the more blatant welcome than expected. The Lieutenant Colonel smiled slyly and stroked his short beard.
“Looking at our Eden’s expression, it seems you know everything.”
“I don’t recall ever telling you my American name.”
“Ahahaha! Even if I’m old, I’m still someone who lives off the country’s rice. I know very well what Eden does, having seen and heard it countless times.”
Eden had already inferred the Lieutenant Colonel’s intentions in suddenly calling him out through Corporal Shin’s lukewarm reaction. If it was a secret conversation where he had to hide the reason for the meeting even from his right-hand man, there was only one answer.
That he knew his identity.
“What’s the reason for calling me out? Please tell me the conclusion simply.”
The Lieutenant Colonel, who was trying to open the conversation leisurely, narrowed his thick brow at his more rigid attitude than he thought.
“You seem to be much hotter than you look. Then I’ll tell you right away without hesitation.”
“…….”
“About Blue Works where Eden is. As far as I know, it’s a defense company that even the US government can’t touch, but… have you received any separate instructions regarding the escape plan? I know the Maintenance Depot is almost complete.”
He thought he was just lazy and arrogant, but he seemed to be more interested in national affairs than he thought. The Lieutenant Colonel was surprisingly sharply retracing Eden’s actions.
Only then did he understand why he was kept alive instead of being killed, and why he was trying to keep him at the Ranch, elaborating on the reasons.
Eden, who had been silent, eventually gave a splendid smile that deeply dimpled his cheeks.
“Looks like you need a separate escape plan. I remember you clearly said yesterday that the zombie situation in the metropolitan area would be resolved.”
“Actually, that’s not certain.”
“Hmm, you keep changing your words.”
Lieutenant Colonel So, undeterred by the somewhat sarcastic tone, started talking as if he had been waiting.
“If you have a destination to go to, you’ll need a sturdy car and plenty of weapons. I can support you as much as you want.”
“You wouldn’t support me without a price. What do you want?”
He asked calmly, but Eden already knew what answer would come out of the Lieutenant Colonel’s mouth.
“Let’s escape together.”
As expected.
He took a sip of the hot tea and slowly parted his lips.
“Shall we have a cigarette?”
The Lieutenant Colonel, who had been nervous, brightened at the mention of smoking and waddled to the desk. Holding the cigarette pack, he smiled brightly and led Eden outside.
Corporal Shin, who was standing in front of the residence, saluted the Lieutenant Colonel who was quickly opening the door.
“Uh-huh. I’m going to smoke, so wait here.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The Lieutenant Colonel, who had given a short order to the Corporal, disappeared behind the building. Eden stopped walking and glanced at Corporal Shin.
Corporal Shin tried hard not to react, but he couldn’t stop his head from spinning with suspicion. The man’s eyes seemed to be urging him to follow.
In the end, unable to contain his curiosity, he slowly followed after Eden had completely disappeared from his sight.
The Lieutenant Colonel handed Eden a cigarette.
“I don’t know if it’s your taste. This is all I have.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Eden was not a talkative person at the negotiating table. His unique authoritative atmosphere was unmatched by anyone, regardless of status or age, so Lieutenant Colonel So was already intimidated.
His hand, which kindly lit the lighter, was trembling, unable to hide his nervousness. Finally, the opportunity to liquidate the tiresome Ranch life and escape the ruined homeland had come.
In the meantime, he had faithfully carried out the Ministry of National Defense’s order to protect citizens, befitting his rank as a Lieutenant Colonel, but there was no news of material support, and contact with the higher-ups had been cut off for a long time.
Most of the units had disintegrated and left to find their own way, so it was his turn to make a decision. It was the first and last chance. To survive, he had to catch Eden, the treasure trove that had rolled in on his own.
“As Lieutenant Colonel said, Blue Works will send an escape Transport plane.”
The Lieutenant Colonel’s fingers, which were about to bring the cigarette to his mouth, awkwardly lost their way.
“I, is that really true?”
“Yes. It’s exactly a week later, and it’s going to Hwajeong City. Will you come with me?”
Eden rattled off lies without batting an eye.
“Isn’t that obvious! If you take me, no, I can follow you as much as you want!”
Eden, who had deeply inhaled the cigarette until his cheeks were sunken, opened his mouth, exhaling murky smoke.
“Instead, you have to hand over one thing.”
“Yes? What do you mean….”
“The culprit who killed my colleague. If you hand over that culprit, I will definitely take Lieutenant Colonel So with me.”
The flustered Lieutenant Colonel scratched his oily forehead and reluctantly replied.
“Oh, that’s among the Rioters….”
“Are you going to keep lying?”
“…….”
“You better cooperate. Whether you kill me here or deceive me, you’ll only lose a precious escape opportunity. Think carefully.”
At Eden’s resolute words, Lieutenant Colonel So’s face hardened like a rock. He racked his brains, and then let out a deep sigh and pleaded as if begging.
“I’m sorry about your colleague’s death. It’s all my stupid subordinates’ fault, so it’s really… embarrassing. I told them to shoot only when it’s certain that the Rioters have arrived, but these troublemakers started shooting innocent civilians indiscriminately from some point on, didn’t they?”
Watching the Lieutenant Colonel making excuses, Eden calmly suppressed his boiling anger.
“Are you saying that the killing of my colleague was entirely the subordinates’ own decision?”
“Yes! Of course, I have nothing to do with it!”
“…Anyway, you’re saying the culprit is in here. What’s his name?”
“Well, there’s no need to tell you, that friend is now….”
“Ah, before that, I missed the most important question.”
Eden glanced at Corporal Shin, who was secretly watching them, and opened his mouth.
“There’s not enough space on the escape Transport plane. I don’t think I can take care of Lieutenant Colonel’s subordinates.”
“That’s okay! Anyway, those useless guys are just baggage if you take them.”
Corporal Shin’s face, who was watching, began to distort terribly. Eden smiled brightly and turned back to the Lieutenant Colonel.
“Including Corporal Shin? Isn’t he your cherished subordinate?”
“Hehe, it’s okay. That guy is just a pawn to be used and thrown away. He’s so cunning that I can’t figure out what he’s thinking. Those kinds of guys are bound to stab you in the back at the last minute… Anyway, you don’t have to worry about him.”
“Are you really going to leave them all behind?”
“Oh, you can see it, can’t you? Like how those guys made Eden’s colleague like that, I’m very worried about how many more headaches these guys will cause in the future, I’m very worried as their superior….”
“You fucking bastard!!”
With a sudden shout, Corporal Shin rushed at the Lieutenant Colonel. Eden lightly dodged and stole the Lieutenant Colonel’s dagger from his waist, holding it in his hand.
“Wh, what! Keheok!”
“You fucking old fox! How dare you… how dare you leave us behind!!”
“Kakeuk…! Eden…!”
The enraged Corporal Shin climbed on top of the Lieutenant Colonel’s body, who had fallen to the ground, and began to wildly swing his fists.