Apocalypse Tyrant

Origin of the King (4)

People’s reactions when facing fear are diverse.

“Uh, uwaaaaah—!”

A camp member of Park Taeha bursting out as if triggered by fear pushed to the limit.

The appearance of desperately gripping a club made from a table leg was quite pitiful.

Thud—!

A small wall blocking the straight path between Han Segye and the camp members like that.

The camp member rolled on the floor as if sliding from the shield Park Woojin thrust out.

“Just a moment—! Just a moment—!”

A shout stopping Park Woojin who was trying to approach the fallen camp member.

Ku Yeri, who had sharply drawn everyone’s attention as if about to be torn, hurriedly slammed the small hammer she was holding on the floor.

Clang—! Clatter clatter clatter—!

The hammer bouncing lightly on the floor and disappearing far away.

Ku Yeri, who raised both hands high to show there was no sign of resistance in front of that, slowly stepped forward.

“This— This— was a kind of demonstration, Mr. Han Segye!”

Ku Yeri hurriedly continued speaking while slowly walking towards Han Segye.

“It’s a mouse driven to the limit expressing its intention to the cat, we were all out of our minds at the sudden notification!”

Ku Yeri continued making excuses as if begging in front of Han Segye.

“People got angry because of the too unilateral notification! Taeha sunbae and the others were just planning to let you know they were angry, there wasn’t the slightest intention to go all the way!”
“Night visitors with weapons dangling from each hand had no intention of going all the way? A kind of demonstration?”
“Yes, yes! You may not believe it, but it’s true. I can even swear! The food issue is such an important problem, you know that well, Segye-ssi.”

Finally whispering while clasping both hands with desperate eyes.

Han Segye quietly looked down at her and nodded his head slightly.

“Well, it’s not an incomprehensible situation.”
“That’s right, that’s right—! We’re so desperate that we’d make such an extreme demonstration! It’s clearly an issue that can be resolved through dialogue rather than sudden notification, right?”
“Looking at this state, dialogue does seem necessary.”

Ah—!

A sigh of relief escapes at Han Segye’s face smiling bitterly while looking around at the camp members.

“…We’ll need more detailed discussions about food distribution.”
“That’s right, right now! Even now, we can cooperate in any—”

Han Segye stopped Ku Yeri who was trying to hurriedly pour out words with a light hand gesture.

He pointed at the quarters Park Taeha was about to enter just before and said.

“The talk seems like it will be a bit long, so how about waiting inside there for a bit?”
“…Pardon?”

Ku Yeri, who had been moving her mouth non-stop, closed it for a moment at Han Segye’s suggestion.

Eyes full of anxiety alternately looking at Han Segye and the camp members.

Han Segye looked down at her face and let out a small snort.

“If I was going to do something, I would have done it already. Besides, you seem to be the only one worth talking to?”
“…I’ll trust you, Han Segye-ssi.”
“Good.”

I still need to talk with your leader a bit.

She had no choice but to believe the following words that came as if reassuring her.

Her shaking pupils swept over Han Segye’s people blocking them like a wall and the camp members blocked by that wall several times.

And Park Taeha quietly closing his eyes and bowing his head.

Thud— Thud—

Footsteps starting to echo through the 2nd floor that was just silent.

Han Segye removed his gaze from Ku Yeri entering the temporary quarters after constantly looking at himself and Park Taeha.

The huge body bowing his head as if nailed in front of him.

Han Segye moved his head to Park Taeha’s ear so only he could hear.

“You know, right?”

A chilling whisper strangely mixed with laughter.

Park Taeha had no choice but to open his closed eyes and meet the eyes of the bastard looking at him up close.

“That everything I just said was a lie.”
“……”

His body gradually stiffens like a frog before a snake.

“You really are an amazing bastard the more I look at you.”

Those eyes forming a shallow arc made it so.

“You were holding it in so much but didn’t bitch at all, then you set off this bomb.”

This bear cub that failed to become a fox.

“But— I think I understand a bit why you did it.”

Han Segye whispered while approaching Park Taeha’s ear a bit more.

“You actually noticed too, right?”

A name seeping into Park Taeha’s ear while laughing shallowly at something amusing.

“You know, your friend.”

Sim Yuhan.

As soon as he heard that name, Park Taeha instinctively recalled his final moments.

The limp body Park Woojin and Kim Minjun brought over while grunting.

His closest friend with his head damaged beyond words.

That guy’s time stopped with a face in too much pain rather than his usual hearty laugh.

“You also thought that maybe Sim Yuhan didn’t die from zombies, right?”

The fear that had covered the suspicion creeping up.

This time that fear forcibly drags out the suspicion that had been hiding.

“Your thoughts are correct.”

As soon as he heard Han Segye’s confirmation, Park Taeha swallowed something rising from his esophagus like bile.

Han Segye looking curiously at Park Taeha whose body flinched greatly for a moment.

He removed his head from Park Taeha’s ear and stared at him straight on.

“That’s why I’m even more amazed.”
“……”
“Do you not know what kind of eyes you’re looking at me with right now?”

Han Segye stared at Park Taeha’s eyes as if piercing them while shaking his shoulders incessantly.

After several small laughs passed, Han Segye burst into a big snort and asked him as if really curious.

You—

“Why are you looking at me with eyes that seem somehow relieved?”

Park Taeha’s body flinched again at Han Segye’s question.

Why?

“Do you want me to kill you like this?”

To no longer be responsible for anything.

To no longer see anyone’s death.

Words sharp as arrows incessantly pierced his chest.

He should deny it, say it’s nonsense.

But his mouth just remained tightly closed as he blankly stared at Han Segye strangely penetrating his chest.

“Your current appearance is the reason you survived while Sim Yuhan died.”

Actually, I like you quite a lot more than I thought.

A bright smile completely unsuited to this situation.

“It’s a bit annoying when you bitch around not knowing your place, but that’s because you’re literally an idiot who really doesn’t know anything.”

Han Segye continued speaking while looking Park Taeha up and down as if appraising something.

“You look like you’d be really good at doing what you’re told.”

You look just right like an ignorant bear cub.

Right?

Thud—!

A hand lightly landing on Park Taeha’s shoulder as if seeking agreement.

Park Taeha couldn’t dare resist that touch.

He just kept moving only his pupils to look at Han Segye like a stiffly frozen statue.

“From now on, you’ll only do what I tell you to.”

Han Segye’s face filling Park Taeha’s pupils.

An irresistible spell whispering something quietly.

“You don’t need to agonize and worry anymore with that idiotic head of yours.”

“You won’t be stressed because of those annoying bastards watching your mouth all day.”

“You don’t have to writhe in guilt that bursts out uncontrollably when something goes wrong.”

Whispers naturally reaching deep inside him even if he tries not to listen.

“You’re scared of being responsible for something too, right? You’re so, so scared of someone dying because of you, right?”

What’s that measly vice president position.

No, actually I’m not sure if it’s right to say I’m trying not to listen.

Maybe I wanted to keep listening.

“If you think about it, you’re just a college student not much different from others. It’s too unfair that suddenly all eyes are on you.”

Park Taeha moved his body for the first time at the continuing whispers.

Just a small gesture of bowing his head slightly.

Han Segye, watching that gesture, patted Park Taeha’s shoulder again where he had placed his hand.

“You’ve done your best until now. The situation has become like this anyway, so from now on you’ll just listen to me.”

Isn’t that nice, comfortable for your mind and body.

“Understand?”
“……”

Park Taeha just bowing his head deeply and remaining silent.

Han Segye patted his shoulder once more and softly murmured.

“You need to answer, Taeha.”
“…Yes.”

An answer faintly audible only to Han Segye who was very close.

However, Han Segye smiled with satisfaction.

“Good. Since Taeha has joined our camp, I want to give a gift too.”

Hmm—

Han Segye’s face stops at one place while looking around and trailing his words long.

Ah.

With a short exclamation, Han Segye whispered to him with a bright smile.

“…How about Ku Yeri?”
Eyes naturally opening round at the very secretive whisper.

Han Segye lowered his voice even more subtly to Park Taeha who was showing a big reaction for the first time.

“Why? Ku Yeri is worth fucking, right? I’ve always been curious if those haughty, high-maintenance bitches act the same when being raped.”

Park Taeha’s eyes shook violently at the words continuing nonchalantly.

“Come on~ You were in the same student council. Plus, how long were you together on the 2nd floor of the library? You must have imagined it at least once for sure.”

Imagining fucking Ku Yeri.

It was an undeniable truth but too blatant a sentence.

The devil continues whispering to Park Taeha who could only remain silent.

“I heard you didn’t even touch other girls? Then you must be having a hard time holding back too. It’s human instinct for sexual desire to naturally rise when survival instinct soars. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

It’s not your fault, Park Taeha.

As if Han Segye’s whispers were the fuse, Park Taeha’s mind gradually becomes slick with flesh color.

And the protagonist of that flesh color was naturally Ku Yeri.

“You must have imagined it several times for sure? That proud face subtly demanding to solve problems was fucking annoying compared to those blatantly sucking up. But she’s not bad looking either.”

The imagination in his mind gradually becomes more concrete following his whispers.

Ku Yeri proudly asking what he thinks as always.

Strong hands forcibly laying her down.

“I know what you’re worried about. You’re afraid of the aftermath. But look at me, Taeha.”

Han Segye pointed at himself and smiled faintly.

“There’s a rapist who played with Cha Seolhee right in front, who would care about the guy who raped Ku Yeri? You have no choice. Look at our appearance now. You clearly look like you’re being threatened by me.”

Park Taeha slowly looked around at his whispers.

The camp members quietly watching the confrontation between himself and Han Segye with frightened faces.

“You’re raping Ku Yeri because you have no choice to avoid being killed by me. Just think of that.”

“Don’t be responsible for anything else or worry anymore.”

“Completely ignore the guilt creeping up.”

Just comfortably.
“From now on, you just need to listen to me.”