Chapter 33
“Ugh!”
I instantly dropped the hammer sideways to block the zombie’s mouth.
Kueeek!
As I was overpowered and collapsed backward, the zombie didn’t miss the chance and pressed its attack.
Kregh!
Both of its arms stretched toward my head, forcing me to duck and dodge. Just imagining those skeletal claws grabbing hold of me and tearing my flesh like paper sent a chill down my spine.
They were easy enough to deal with one by one from a distance—but once surrounded, or once they got close like this, being pushed back was inevitable.
Kueeek!
While I was stalled in one spot, more zombies began closing in from all sides.
Clatter—.
At that moment, while dodging a flailing arm, I lost my grip on the bracelet in my hand.
I bit down hard on my lip and stared at the bracelet that had fallen near my knees.
If I reached for it, I’d have to let go of the hammer and would surely get bitten. But if I abandoned it, I was afraid it would be crushed or damaged under the zombies’ feet.
As if sensing my hesitation, Danha shouted,
“Miss, abandon the bracelet!”
Kueeek!
Before I could even reply, another zombie closed in from the right.
“Ugh!”
Swallowing a groan, I kicked the zombie away. I tried to put strength into my legs and stand up, but my balance gave out and I fell heavily to the ground.
As my grip on the hammer loosened and my posture collapsed, the zombie seized the opportunity and lunged at me.
Damn it!
Just as the zombie’s face filled my vision and I squeezed my eyes shut—
Crunch!
Startled by the sudden sound, I snapped my eyes open. Sharp bone fragments grazed past my cheek.
Blinking once, then opening my eyes wide, I saw Danha pinning the zombie’s skull to the ground with a hand shovel.
His wide sleeves had slipped down, and bluish veins pulsed along his thick forearms.
…What just happened?
Crack—.
Before I could fully process the situation, Danha pulled the shovel free and stepped back.
As the zombie collapsed in a heap, he stared down at the scattered skull with a troubled expression. Then he set the shovel aside and knelt.
Eyes closed, he offered a prayer, then slowly rose to his feet.
The habitual smile he’d worn since we first met was gone.
Beneath the shade of the tree, his shadowed eyes flickered faintly with complex emotion.
“Miss.”
“Ah… yes.”
I answered, still dazed.
He walked over, picked up the bracelet from the dirt, fastened it around my wrist, and met my gaze.
“I never believed the saying that a single meeting could be more powerful than a thousand.”
“……”
“But now I understand what it means.”
The corners of his lips lifted—slowly, smoothly.
“Wherever you go, I will go as well.”
“……”
“A promise made with the heart should be kept with the heart.”
Beneath the same tree where we first met, he smiled—his right cheek dimpling softly.
Behind the cabin.
Deep in the forest, where the call of a cuckoo echoed at intervals.
Under the moonlight, two black shadows stood facing each other.
One was small.
The other belonged to a grown man.
When the man frowned, the other spoke calmly.
“Please don’t be offended. I came to inform you that the orders have changed.”
“Then what happens now?”
“For the time being, they must be kept here.”
“……”
“You are to wait until further instructions—while keeping your sights on that man’s heart.”
One of the shadows turned away.
The man watched it disappear, then slowly closed his eyes. In the forest where he stood alone, only the lonely cry of the cuckoo echoed on.
