세상의 끝: End of the World

Deadly Theory

In Lee Minho's office, what Lisa reported to him was this:

The triad group competing with the SKZ for Gimpo City had been infiltrated by an unknown third party. This third party was using the triad to conduct dangerous research on harnessing the power of zombies. Lisa suspected they tried to make obedient super-zombies as weapons, but failed. Lisa went to meet one of the suspected members of the unknown third party at the underground base. She had plans to investigate the area, but upon meeting Han Jisung and Rosé, changed her plans to retreat and find Lee Minho.

Through talking with her, Lee Minho confirmed that the strange zombie he'd seen was related to this group. He might not have been a full zombie. He could have been an experiment, or even the researcher.

"So this is the reason behind the rise in the zombie population? These experiments?"

"Yes. I believe so. My contact said there was data he could use in the underground base... if we can recover the information there, we'll be able to figure out a little more. But..."
Leaning against the office window, Lee Minho asked, "How did you explain to him SKZ members coming to you for help?"
"It's as you think."

Being an undercover agent was a lot of risk. And when you were caught, there was only one way to convince everyone you were still loyal to their side. "So," he said slowly. "You're a triple agent now?"

Lisa nodded at Lee Minho. There wasn't a single trace of apprehension in her eyes. The light from the window spilled over her with an angelic halo, and in her gaze was complete and utter faith in Lee Minho and in the SKZ.
Lee Minho closed his eyes.

Lisa had been with the SKZ for years. She'd never given him reason to doubt her before.
In this tumultuous world, the difference between survival and death lay in whether you could trust the people around you or not.

So Lee Minho quirked the side of his mouth, burying the conflict he felt to a place Lisa wouldn't see, and opened his eyes again. He looked at her calmly and said, "We need to return to that underground base. Get ready in fifteen minutes."
"Yes, sir."

The SKZ base buzzed with activity.
A solemn and serious air filled the base. Everyone now knew that other factions were teaming up and conducting dangerous experiments that lead to the creation of deadlier zombies. The SKZ prepared for war, and readied to accept more refugees.

The records in the underground base had all been destroyed by the time Lee Minho had gotten there. Luckily-or perhaps, 'coincidentally'-Lisa had managed to find clues of the existence of other secret bases.

To Lee Minho, these deadly experiments had to be stopped by any means: humanity couldn't afford to create new zombies. It was only the creation of a vaccine that could help humanity survive.

Specialized SKZ teams comprised of powerful humans and ability users returned to the base. Lee Minho informed them of the new mission priority: find out where these experiments were being conducted, and who was behind them.
Lee Minho left with them.

Thus, he didn't know that while he was away, Han Jisung faced off against Lisa's influence.

Water splashed on Han Jisung's face. The survivors had shoved him to the ground, and his entire body was covered in mud. His bruises and wounds stung as the dirt rubbed against them.

"This bastard keeps trying to sabotage the base!"
"He was poisoning the water-we all saw it! He can't live, or he'll kill us all!"
The ones who ganged up on him were the ordinary members of the base, the survivors that Lee Minho's team had taken in. They were like a raging horde around him. The SKZ guards sent to check on the situation were nearly pushed back, and they scowled.