"Good morning sleepyhead. It's time to get to work."
Dodak opened his eyes to a smiling Jisung who was extending his hand out for him. He grabbed his hand and got up as the radiant beams of sunlight fell onto Jisung's face.
Jisung then led him to the food storage area, where they met the bulky and ruggedly-handsome man once again.
Now that there was sunlight, Dodak could clearly make out the details on his face.
Towering over Dodak by a whole head, the man leaned against the wall and awaited their arrival. With muscles that popped and veins that pumped vigorously, he resembled a professional bodybuilder or athlete. Along the side of his eye was a small scar that enhanced his piercing gaze further. The crew-cut bolded his head, making his outline even more defined. He was definitely handsome.
"What's up man. Could we get some food?"
The man merely stared menacingly at Jisung, as if he was analysing every detail of him.
"Sure."
He picked up a few packets of biscuits and passed it to Jisung, who thanked him with his signature heartwarming smile.
"That was scary…"
While they were walking away from the food reserve area, the duo bumped into Song Jiwoo.
"Hey, you two. Come help me out with this."
Song Jiwoo had dragged the two over to sort out boxes of supplies that who knew appeared from where. Every 5 meters they walked, there was always someone who recognised her poised stance and emanating aura. They always bowed their heads in gratitude and showcased their biggest smiles.
"You really are popular. I guess stars still shine regardless of an apocalypse."
Song Jiwoo appeared to be caught off-guard by Dodak's sudden praise. The perfect angle at which her head was tilted at shifted downwards slightly and her jawline was no longer at knife-like levels of sharpness.
"You think too highly of me. I just did what any person would have. Helping each other out especially in times like this is crucial."
Dodak merely scoffed under his breath and went along with the other two.
~~~
Just like that, the day passed. The duo had wasted the day aiding Song Jiwoo with her supply checks, organising their little corner so that it would be a little more cozy and interacting with the people in the library. The day was oddly peaceful.
While Jisung was in the restroom doing some business, Dodak took the opportunity to roam around and interact with some figures he had identified. Even in an apocalypse, it did not hurt to have connections. Especially if they would prove to be useful in the near future.
He first went back to the food reserves. The muscular man was still there, but this time he was doing push-ups, his bulging biceps pulsating as he went up and down.
Dodak just sat down at the cafeteria seat and watched as the man continued his exercise, either oblivious to his presence or simply indifferent to it. The man went on and on, so much so that Dodak, who had been unknowingly keeping count, lost track. Finally, the man got up and wiped his sweat away with his shirt, putting up his rock-hard abs on display.
He had to admit, his body was something worthy of envy.
"You just gonna sit there and watch me, or you gonna say your piece?"
The man had finally broken the peace and quiet between the two, his voice deep but calming. He fixed his gaze on Dodak and then fell silent, awaiting his answer.
Dodak, however, chose to remain silent, choosing to instead return the intense stare and smirk, tilting his head ever so slightly.
The man approached, stopping just before him so that their legs touched. He gazed down at Dodak authoritatively, his brown eyes narrowing and his eyebrows furrowing. Dodak could feel the husky smell of the man permeating throughout the area.
"So all along, under the mask hid such a pretty face. I assumed you would be ugly since you always wore that spider mask."
"I'm surprised you recognised me so quickly."
The man then caressed Dodak's hand, slowly lifting it up and cupping it.
"How could I not? You're a…special figure."
The man then moved his hand towards Dodak's chin, tilting it up with a finger and forcing him to match his intense gaze.
"So, Widow, what do you need?"
"Let's just start with root beer."
~~~
After Dodak had left the food reserve area, he headed for his next destination.
It was night, but the radiant, yellow glow was annoyingly bright. Dodak could see her go up the stairs and enter into the planning room, the lair of Park Baesu.
He continued along his path to the former resting area, now a medical centre. Inside, he saw the commander-like girl, who had finally treated all her patients. She was now hunched over a chair, munching on a sandwich like there was no tomorrow, her brunette hair ruined after hours of work.
Walking over to her, he placed a soda next to her. She looked at it thoughtlessly before returning to her sandwich. A few seconds later, she jolted her head back towards the soda and she began beaming with energy once again.
"How did you know I liked root beer? It's so hard to find this stuff here!"
She snatched it from the desk and started chugging it down, kicking her feet like a little child. Her regular persona was evidently different from her working self. She continued munching and drinking until she had finished her meal and slumped onto her chair, rubbing her belly as a beaming smile grew on her face.
"So…I assume you've had a rough day."
"Sorry for the rude behavior. I don't normally act like that. I'm just really, really hungry and tired."
The girl smiled sheepishly at Dodak, scratching her head in embarrassment. She then stood up from her chair and extended her hand out for a handshake.
"I'm Park Yerin."
"Hye Dodak."
The awkwardness in the room was evident. Silence reverberated throughout the area.
Breaking the silence, she spoke out first, her voice calm and soothing like the ocean breeze.
"Did you need anything?"
"Nope. I'm just here to check on you. There are doctors to look after patients, but there's no one to look after the doctors."
Her eyes widened as she clutched the root beer within her hands. After a few seconds, her face softened and she flashed a small grin.
'Thank you, I didn't expect that. I still haven't thanked you for the root beer. I love root beer. Gives me energy after a burnout."
Dodak glanced around to see that all of the patients were now soundly sleeping, each one with a look of relief plastered on their faces.
"I'm a medical student, and I also have some healing abilities. It's like a sixth sense that just tells me what patients need to recover. But there are limitations. I can heal cuts and wounds but not recover amputated parts. And if I exert too much I lose consciousness and need to drink lots of root beer."
He looked at her with astonishment and laughed.
"Sorry, too much info right? I tend to blabber a lot when I'm tired."
"Don't worry, I can tell you're really proud of your powers. As you should be."
"It's a doctor's dream, to be able to diagnose anything within a blink of an eye. But it hurts, seeing all these people in pain."
She gestured to the many people lying in the resting areas, with an assortment of bandages and dressing wounds decorating each of them like Christmas trees.
"Don't be too harsh on yourself. You did your best. You should also get some rest."
From the corner of his vision, Dodak watched as Song Jiwoo left the planning room. Her bright, radiant aura had diminished, devoured by the faint, purplish moonlight. Her head was no longer tilted to that perfect angle and was instead now looking towards the floor.
"I should. Good night Dodak. Thanks for the root beer."
Dodak then got up to leave, leaving her alone amongst the sea of sleeping patients.
~~~
The days went by aimlessly, with Dodak helping Park Yerin out whenever she needed, exercising with Jisung, completing tasks around the library and then tucking himself into bed. He felt at peace, with no worries in life and nothing to care about. It felt like a peaceful trance, like a soft whisper that told him to relax.
As he laid in bed, he felt his mind wander off. What exactly was he doing here? Nothing. What was keeping him here? A few smirking, stinking goblins, but they could easily power through that. Perhaps it was the peace and security the library provided that eluded him, coercing into an aimless trance. But he knew he had to go back to the outside world. He could not remain here.
"Jisung, what do you say, we leave this place and head for home?"