Our Restaurant is Operating Normally Even in the Apocalypse - Chapter 3

Episode 3. Chicken and Beer (1)

Burning the countless zombies wandering the streets.

Jae-hyung was thinking.

This isn’t some naturally occurring virus.

The root cause of the zombies that destroyed the current world is a disaster born from someone’s pure malice.

It doesn’t make sense otherwise.

It falls far short of being compared to the cheat code that is magic, but there’s no way the technology of modern civilization would collapse this easily.

Especially not to slow-walking zombies, not aliens or the Demon King’s army from another world?

“It makes no sense.”

Therefore, there were only two possibilities left for Jae-hyung.

Either some unparalleled scientific genius went insane, joined hands with someone in power, and spread the zombies.

Or it was the work of someone possessing supernatural abilities like his own magic.

Regardless of which one it was, there was only one thing for Jae-hyung to do.

“E-everyone, run!”

Yes, saving people….

“What the hell is that?”

Jae-hyung, who had been thinking about his future plans, returned to reality at the sound of screaming.

Bang, bang, bang.

Soon, the sound of gunfire followed.

“Are those the looters that the camping supply store owner mentioned?”

Since he had said there were bastards wandering the area shooting guns, he had thought they would be robbers or thugs using violence.

However, what caught Jae-hyung’s eyes when he stepped out to check the situation was different from his expectations.

“Everyone, don’t panic and maintain formation! If even one person runs, everyone dies!”

“Yes…!”

An urgent voice giving orders.

Busy movements following them.

Uniforms that looked like they had been copied and pasted.

It wasn’t very difficult to deduce their identity.

It just made him frown.

“Ah, damn it… it’s been ages since I was discharged.”

Aside from his tedious military life, Jae-hyung decided to do what he had to do.

Snap-!

A cheerful snapping sound echoing as his fingers crossed.

Fwoosh!!

A giant flame dancing as if responding to it.

The magic flame Jae-hyung conjured soared up in an instant, becoming a massive barrier separating the zombies and the soldiers.

“W-what is this…!”

The soldiers looked flustered by the sudden natural disaster.

“Oh my, Pilseung! You soldiers of the national army are working hard!”

Jae-hyung saluted with his right hand and strode toward them.

“Hm? Did you not hear me? Pilseung! You soldiers of the national army are working hard.”

The surprise attack of the hidden zombie horde and the sudden pillar of fire.

On top of that, an unidentified man approaching while acting glib.

Since it was a situation where they couldn’t help but be suspicious, the soldiers urgently aimed their guns.

“Stop! Hands up, move and we shoot!”

Even in front of the gun barrels aimed at him, Jae-hyung showed a relaxed demeanor.

“Hahaha, oh my…. I fully understand your suspicion. If some suspicious-looking guy came approaching with a goofy grin in a world that’s been destroyed, I’d be suspicious too.”

Even if they poured a hail of bullets, he wouldn’t be hurt by a single hair.

However, he didn’t want to unnecessarily provoke them.

Even if they were just pieces of metal that were useless lead lumps to him, they would be precious resources protecting their lives.

“The world might have gone to hell because of the zombies, but let’s resolve this through conversation like civilized people. Nice to meet you. My name is Park Jae-hyung. I’m a small business owner running a restaurant.”

The soldiers raised their guard even higher at his playful tone that reminded them of a kid detective.

“…I am Captain Han Su-seok of the Civil Relief Team belonging to the N-Division.”

A soldier wearing a commander’s insignia.

One could tell at a glance that this man was the commander leading them.

“If you’re a captain, you must be a company commander…. Did you happen to be disappointed in me too?”

It was intended to break the ice, but unfortunately, it only made Captain Han Su-seok frown.

“…I ask that you please not joke around.”

A cold reply returned.

Even so, Jae-hyung’s attitude remained relaxed.

The apocalyptic situation facing all of humanity is comparable to wartime….

No, it could be said to be a much more urgent situation than that.

How could they easily trust a human walking around looking perfectly fine like himself in such a situation?

Since he could fully understand their reaction, Jae-hyung said with a deep smile.

“Sigh…. Let’s fill our stomachs before we talk about who we are and what our purposes are, shall we? Just looking at you, it seems you haven’t had a proper meal in a while.”

The destitution that even military uniforms couldn’t hide.

No, it might have been that they looked even more pitiful because they were wearing military uniforms.

Because Jae-hyung was also a reservist who had fulfilled his national defense duty by guarding the sea for 23 months.

“Did you say a meal?”

Su-seok’s gaze became sharper.

It wouldn’t mean going to find a restaurant and eating leisurely while the world was covered in zombies.

This felt like evidence that this strange man was also a looter targeting food.

But Su-seok didn’t know.

That the words really meant to share a meal and have a conversation.

Clap, clap.

Two sounds of clapping echoing.

Whoosh!

Soon, the scenery changed in an instant as if a curtain was being drawn.

The soldiers who had been aiming their guns at Jae-hyung couldn’t help but be flustered by the sudden situation.

The place they had been standing until a moment ago was a ruined city street.

Not a restaurant with such a neat interior like this.

“What is this….”

Su-seok was just as flustered.

“I told you earlier, didn’t I? I run a restaurant. Welcome, guests. I will treat you soldiers even more specially.”

It wasn’t just the place that had changed.

Clearly, until just a moment ago, this man’s attire was casual clothing.

But his current attire was a neat chef’s uniform that could be found in any restaurant kitchen.

Soon, Jae-hyung raised the corners of his mouth into a grin and reached out toward the soldiers.

The soldiers flinched at Jae-hyung’s sudden movement.

A loud noise followed immediately.

Creeeak.

Su-seok and the soldiers urgently turned their heads at the sound coming from the back of the formation.

In their field of vision were various drinks and water.

And the sight of a refrigerator packed full of even alcohol.

“Ah, water, drinks, and alcohol are self-service, so help yourselves to as much as you want.”

As he finished speaking, a bottle of water flew by itself.

Jae-hyung opened the cap of the plastic bottle that flew into his hand and started gulping it down.

That sight amplified the thirst of the soldiers who were exhausted from the battle with the zombies.

Gulp.

The sound of someone swallowing saliva echoing in the air.

“It’s fine, so don’t be shy and drink. If you’re scared that there might be poison in it, I can check it for you one by one like a royal taster.”

The soldiers were shaken by Jae-hyung’s confident appearance.

Seeing that he would prove there was no problem by drinking it himself first, they must be drinks that were safe to consume.

But they couldn’t move rashly just because of that.

Because the order from the commander leading them hadn’t been given yet.

Su-seok, who suddenly received the attention of the soldiers, could grasp what the meaning contained in their eyes was.

“…I judge that there is nothing we can do right now. So, everyone, as that man said, quench your thirst first.”

A situation that could be called a miracle beyond absurdity.

Showing a relaxed attitude even in front of gun barrels clearly meant he was confident.

If he had any intention of doing something sinister to such a man, he would have done it already.

‘…The pillar of fire that blocked the zombies must also be that man’s doing.’

It was a judgment swayed by emotion that could be called the worst for a commander.

But since Su-seok was also human, he wanted to rely on this strange situation.

“Company Commander, here….”

A cold glass bottle handed to Su-seok, who had been agonizing for a while.

Inside it, the golden liquid he had missed so much was sloshing around.

Gulp.

Su-seok swallowed dry saliva and calmly looked around.

Soldiers who were holding alcohol and drinks in their hands but not readily drinking them.

Jae-hyung’s deep gaze watching those soldiers.

The die was cast.

A suspicious man whose identity was unknown.

Phenomena that didn’t make sense logically.

Accepting the goodwill offered by that man in this situation?

Perhaps he could lose his life with this current choice.

But it was already too late to back out.

Then, the best method he could take in the current situation was….

“How long has it been since I’ve had alcohol…!”

A liquor bottle opened with a cheerful sound.

Su-seok brought the beer bottle to his mouth for everyone to see.

And he realized.

That the die he had cast was showing a result of 6.

The taste of beer he was tasting for the first time since the world was destroyed.

It possessed a thrilling refreshment that couldn’t be compared to the filtered rainwater he had to drink for survival.

Su-seok letting out a “Kyaa” sound without realizing it, and the soldiers watching him blankly.

Jae-hyung chuckled and asked Su-seok.

“You’ve confirmed there’s no poison, right?”

Su-seok, who hadn’t been able to come to his senses due to the pleasure he felt for the first time in a while, only then realized what he had to do.

“Attention, all personnel!”

Silence arriving in an instant.

And the gazes toward Su-seok.

Su-seok, having focused the attention of the crowd, shouted in a bright but stern voice.

“The company commander also knows that it’s difficult for everyone to calm their excitement at the sudden good fortune. However, you are proud soldiers of the Republic of Korea who must always maintain your dignity! So, enjoy the goodwill with a grateful heart, but do not show a relaxed appearance! Drink only to the extent that you will not be ashamed before the benefactor who treated you!”

The commander’s order that made them recall unit dinners during their military service.

Cautious movements of bringing liquor bottles to their mouths followed.

Jae-hyung watched them with a gaze filled half with satisfaction and half with pity.

Soldiers who had faced an apocalyptic pandemic due to zombies.

The sight of them reflected in Jae-hyung’s eyes resembled Jae-hyung in his 20s, sharing drinks with his unit members while laughing back when the world was still peaceful.

‘Whether the world is peaceful or not, soldiers always have it tough….’

Before being soldiers who maintain peace and protect civilians, they were still just young kids in their early 20s.

Jae-hyung shouted to the soldiers who were enjoying the situation, albeit cautiously.

“Wouldn’t it be a shame if food was missing when there’s alcohol and drinks? This isn’t a cafe that sells alcohol or drinks, but a restaurant that sells food and snacks! Now, I’ll make you anything, so if there’s food you want to eat, don’t be shy, raise your hand and tell me!”

At Jae-hyung’s declaration toward them, the soldiers began to cautiously share their opinions with each other.

A list of foods being brought up in various ways.

The opinion narrowing down to one name soon after.

The soldiers who finished their decision looked at Su-seok as if seeking the commander’s permission.

“Can you really make any food?”

Jae-hyung replied to Su-seok’s question by raising the corners of his mouth into a grin.

“Just say the word, whatever it is, guests.”