Episode 33

“Ugh!”

I immediately turned my hammer sideways to block the zombie’s mouth.

Kueeeek!

As I was pushed down by its strength, the zombie didn’t miss a beat and continued pressing forward.

Krrraak!

Its arms reached for my head, forcing me to duck to avoid them. Just imagining those bony fingers grabbing me and tearing my skin apart like paper sent a chill down my spine.

Dealing with zombies from a distance was easy, but when surrounded or caught in an attack like this, strength alone wouldn’t be enough.

Kueeeek!

As I struggled in place, more zombies began closing in from all directions.

Clatter—

At that moment, while dodging the flailing zombie’s arm, I lost grip of the bracelet in my hand.

I bit my lip hard and glared at the bracelet that had fallen near my knee.

If I bent down to pick it up, I would have to let go of my hammer, leaving myself open to an attack. But if I gave up on it, the zombies might crush it underfoot and destroy it.

Sensing my hesitation, Danha shouted.

“My lady, abandon the bracelet!”

Kueeeek!

Before I could answer, another zombie lunged at me from the right.

“Ugh!”

I gritted my teeth and kicked it away. Just as I tried to push off my legs and stand, I lost my balance and collapsed back down.

The moment my grip on the hammer weakened and my stance faltered, the zombies took the opportunity to pounce.

‘Damn it!’

A zombie’s grotesque face loomed closer, filling my vision. Just as I clenched my eyes shut—

Crack—!

A sudden noise startled me, and I snapped my eyes open to see a sharp bone shard grazing past my face.

I blinked, trying to process what had just happened.

Danha was standing there, pressing down on the zombie’s skull with a small shovel.

His wide sleeves had slipped back, revealing thick forearms where blue veins pulsed slightly beneath the skin.

‘…What just happened?’

Crunch.

As I struggled to comprehend the situation, Danha pulled the shovel out of the zombie’s crushed skull and took a step back.

The zombie collapsed in a heap.

He looked down at the fallen remains with pained eyes, then slowly set the shovel down and knelt.

Closing his eyes, he offered a silent prayer before rising once more.

The habitual smile he always wore had completely disappeared.

Under the shade of the trees, his shadowed gaze flickered with unspoken emotions.

“My lady.”

“Uh… yes.”

I replied blankly, still dazed.

Danha stepped forward, picked up the bracelet from the dirt, and fastened it around his wrist before meeting my gaze.

“I never believed that a single encounter could be more powerful than a thousand.”

“……”

“But now, I finally understand what that means.”

His lips curved slowly, smoothly, into a smile.

“Wherever you go, I will follow.”

“……”

“A promise made with the heart must be kept with the heart.”

Beneath the very tree where we first met, he smiled—his right cheek dimpling slightly.

* * *

The back door of the cabin.

The sound of a cuckoo echoed intermittently through the forest.

Under the moonlight, two dark silhouettes stood facing each other.

One was small.

The other was the silhouette of an adult man.

As the man furrowed his brows, the smaller figure spoke calmly.

“Do not be displeased. I came to inform you that the orders have changed.”

“So, what happens now?”

“For now, we must keep them here.”

“……”

“You will remain on standby until further instructions. Keep aiming for his heart.”

One of the shadows turned and walked away.

The man watched the figure disappear before closing his eyes.

Only the cuckoo’s cries echoed eerily through the now-empty forest.