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Translator: penny
Chapter: 009
Chapter Title: Resort
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The raindrops grew heavier until, just as they neared the resort, it unleashed a full-blown downpour.
It wasn't the kind that would let up anytime soon.
The resort came into view.
It was massive.
Song Seok-gu let out a gasp of admiration.
"Whoa! This place is insane!"
It was that impressive.
Seven large buildings stood out plainly.
White glass walls encircled the perimeter, offering glimpses inside; the entrance featured a sleek wrought-iron gate shaped like blooming flowers; vast lawns stretched out alongside outdoor pools, and a casino glittered within what looked like a massive dome.
Beyond that lay a golf course.
Song Seok-gu knew the place.
"That's the dome concert hall. I've always wanted to check it out—it's Korea's first retractable-roof venue."
"And there's a bomb shelter there."
Oh Jong-seong puffed up with pride.
True to the saying, even a mutt bites half the hand that feeds it on home turf.
As the car arrived at the resort entrance, bodyguards holding umbrellas hurried over.
I turned around and said,
"Oh CEO, keep your promise."
"You think I'm some lowlife? I stand by my word."
As Oh Jong-seong stepped out, a bodyguard shaded him with an umbrella.
They then opened the door to his waiting luxury car.
"Bro, should we tail him?"
"Follow."
Stepping onto the expansive lawn and passing the dome concert hall, they spotted something odd.
A burly man was dragging a woman along.
She was too far to make out her expression, but her reluctant steps told the story.
"Whoa! Check that out. They built the hotel like a medieval castle."
As Bok Su-jeong said, the arched hotel exuded luxury.
The golden letters spelling "Arena" at the entrance shone brilliantly.
"It looks like real gold."
"So flashy it's blinding."
Ye Ji-ah and Bok Su-jeong marveled.
Oh Jong-seong, stepping out of his luxury car, climbed the stairs and beckoned them.
Ma Tae-beom smirked.
"This'll be fun to watch—how much he'll strut."
"Remember, we're super betas for now. Let's go."
Everyone disembarked and ascended the stairs.
No surprise there.
Oh Jong-seong looked down at me with a sleazy grin.
"Getting the picture now, who I am?"
"Knew it all along."
"Good. Jeong Executive! Escort these folks to their rooms."
"Understood."
A man in a suit approached.
"This way, please?"
On the second floor, a woman in a suit awaited.
"Ladies, follow me. I'll show you to the second floor."
"Can't I stay with my dad?"
Bok Su-jeong pleaded, but the woman's reply was curt.
"No."
"She's my daughter. Let her stay with me."
Bok Cheol-su chimed in, but the woman was unyieldingly robotic.
"No. Ladies, this way."
Ye Ji-ah read the room.
"Su-jeong, just tough it out for a few days."
"Okay."
The two women headed down the hall, while the men went up to the third floor.
Jeong Executive said,
"Room 302 is yours."
"Thanks."
"Enjoy your stay."
The room screamed luxury.
A spacious living room with a sparkling chandelier. The solid wood table gleamed, and emerald tones lent the sofa an air of elegance.
"Money just oozes from this place."
Song Seok-gu fired up his camera and started filming.
"We've arrived at Haeundae Hanlight Resort, Asia's largest. I'll show you around as we go."
"Camera off!"
"Huh?"
Song Seok-gu jumped at my sharp tone.
"We could get kicked out. Turn it off."
"Got it."
He listens well.
"Bros, as super betas here, no filming allowed. We'll resume once we're out. Sorry about that."
I approached Ma Tae-beom, who was gazing out the floor-to-ceiling living room windows.
"Something's bugging you?"
"That woman heading to the dome concert hall—she looked way too grim. Like she was being dragged there."
"Same thought here."
I turned to Bok Cheol-su, who seemed troubled, and said,
"Sir, no need to worry. Ji-ah will look after her."
"It was selfish of me. We traveled too long."
"We'll get you safely to Seoul. Rest easy tonight."
A knock came then.
"Jeong Executive here. Coming in."
Song Seok-gu opened the door.
A middle-aged woman in a white gown entered first.
"Time for blood tests."
"No one's hurt. Do we really need this?"
"Just in case."
No grounds to refuse.
Everyone gave blood.
"We'll let you know if anything's off."
She and Jeong Executive left.
As I inspected the three bedrooms, Ma Tae-beom called me.
"Kang Hyun! Over here!"
"What is it?"
"Two women heading to the dome concert hall."
I went to the living room window.
The backs of two women walking toward the dome.
I pulled out binoculars to check.
Ye Ji-ah and Bok Su-jeong.
With the white-gowned woman.
Bad vibes.
Bok Cheol-su's voice grew urgent.
"Baek Executive, she's not picking up."
"Kang Hyun, why would they take them there?"
"I'll look into it."
I stepped out into the hall.
Jeong Executive was right there.
"Executive."
"What're you doing out?"
"Why take the women to the dome concert hall?"
"One said she wanted to see it."
"In this rain?"
"Why ask me?"
Jeong Executive gave a sour smile.
"Got it. Did you take their smartphones? No contact."
"No idea what you mean. Rain might've drowned out the ring."
"Understood."
I returned to the room.
Song Seok-gu approached.
"What'd he say?"
"They went sightseeing at the dome."
"Women, right? I wanna check it out too."
I looked at Bok Cheol-su and said,
"Try calling again soon. Probably the rain."
"Yeah, nothing to worry about. I'll try later."
I pondered.
Something was definitely up with that bomb shelter.
In my past life, Ye Ji-ah had been tested by the Korea Disease Control and deemed a potential immune.
What if there were medical facilities in that shelter?
She could end up as a test subject.
Ma Tae-beom read my face.
"Something on your mind?"
"I'll tell you once I've sorted it out."
"Trouble, huh."
Then.
Knock knock.
"Room service."
"Perfect timing—I'm starving. Bet it's fancy stuff."
Song Seok-gu cheered and opened the door.
The cart brimmed with food: charcoal-grilled sirloin, seafood, nutritious rice, fruits.
Song Seok-gu took the cart, beaming.
"Bros, top-tier resort confirmed. Dig in."
"Sir, eat up."
"Nice spread. That guy's looking out for us."
Whether Oh Jong-seong had arranged it or not, it befitted a premier resort.
I chewed the meat, organizing my thoughts.
And reached a conclusion.
A massive conspiracy likely hid here.
Time to rescue them.
"Baek Executive, sorry if I overreacted."
"No issue."
"Su-jeong's the last gift my wife left me, so I'm extra attached."
"It's fine."
Meal over.
All satisfied.
"Baek Executive, you married?"
"Nope."
Overhearing, Song Seok-gu got excited.
"Bro, for real? With your looks, dating's a slam dunk."
"Don't wanna spawn a kid like you."
"What's wrong with me? Ex-Special Forces here. Did Arctic training four times! No hobby for books, so YouTube after discharge, but I'll be a huge success."
"Got it. Shut up already. Loud."
Bok Cheol-su turned to Ma Tae-beom.
"You married?"
I caught the flicker in his eyes.
Loss, regret, despair.
Something like that.
Ma Tae-beom smiled faintly.
"First love crashed and burned. Living solo now."
"Deep wound, eh."
Is that why the look vanished?
Still questions about him.
Whoosh—whoosh—
The rain intensified.
Time to speak up.
"Everyone, listen closely."
I revealed what I knew about Hanlight Group's virus lab.
"Bro, that can't be right? They knew zombies were coming and kept it secret for profit?!"
"True."
"Big corps' greed for cash? Fair."
Ma Tae-beom scowled bitterly.
Bok Cheol-su paled.
"Then Su-jeong and Ji-ah could be guinea pigs? We gotta save 'em."
"Here's the plan. First, share contacts for comms."
"Lost my phone."
Song Seok-gu pulled a spare from his bag at Ma Tae-beom's words.
"Secondary phone. Use it for now."
"Thanks."
We exchanged numbers, and I detailed the operation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The rain pounded harder.
Heaven was on our side.
I confirmed only one female staffer at the hotel lobby desk.
Heading to the entrance, she asked,
"Where to?"
"Left meds in the car."
"Hurry back."
"Thanks."
I stood at the entrance, eyeing the torrent.
"Sir, take this umbrella."
Turning, the staffer smiled warmly, handing over a large umbrella.
"Appreciate it."
Looks pay off.
I texted Song Seok-gu: operation starts.
He'd distract her to buy time.
Then Ma Tae-beom and Bok Cheol-su would head to the dome.
Boom—crash!
Lightning flashed.
I dashed along the paved path through the grass to the dome entrance.
'They definitely came this way.'
Checked entrance 'E'.
Alert, I slipped inside to a vast space.
A long stretch of shops and eateries.
How to find them here?
Group text:
[Entered E Sector]
'The bomb shelter entrance has to be around here somewhere.'
I squinted, scanning intently.
Vibration buzzed as I checked every nook.
[Hotel staff increased by one. Need more time]
From Ma Tae-beom.
Hadn't found the entrance yet, so delay fine.
Right-side shops under renovation—crowbars, hammers, nails scattered.
I peered between pillars and walls.
Thud-thud.
Faint footsteps.
I ducked behind a pillar.
A suited burly man approached.
He turned right.
I tailed cautiously.
Tip-toe.
Into a gift shop alley, left turn—escalator.
Iron door behind it.
'There.'
The man heading to the escalator suddenly looked back.
I dove under the handrail.
"Who's there?"
Busted.
I stood, umbrella in hand.
"What the—?"
"Sorry. Got lost."
Lame excuse.
Suspicious to be here late at night.
Spotted his ID badge—had to take him down.
I approached slowly, umbrella ready.
"How do I get out?"
The man instinctively reached into his pocket in fear.
I struck.