Chemistry

17. 24h of troubles(5)

「9 PM」 – Crisis Level ‘Alert’

From the summit of a mountain, overlooking the area in silence, Jeong-woo scanned the Gogunsan Islands, consisting of around 30 large and small islands grouped together.

‘Where are you?’

During the hike up the trail, Jeong-woo hadn’t encountered any animals with unusually high temperature.

Considering the closed environment with only one exit leading outside, it was unlikely that the creatures had traveled far from this vicinity.

With his eyes gleaming, Jeong-woo surveyed the area beneath the mountainside and spotted a red aura from the coastline on the outskirts of the island.

‘There it is.’

After roughly an hour of exploration, he finally found it, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Whew, I’m out of breath.”

Following him, Yoo Kang-seok approached Jeong-woo’s side.

“Seriously, how keen are your night vision skills to climb up here alone without a lantern? I almost died trying to follow you.”

“We might have to go back down. To the coast over there.”

Wiping sweat off his forehead, Yoo Kang-seok’s legs wobbled slightly.

“Did you found it?”

“Yes. If you’re tired, take a rest.”

“I’m fine, but what about Seo-yoon and Eun-sil?”

Jeong-woo turned his gaze to Go Eun-sil and Yoon Yi-seol walking up from below. They were chatting animatedly, seeming to enjoy themselves immensely.

There was no trace of jealousy, as if they were the closest of friends.

“Sit down here for now. I’ll bring them.”

Leaving Yoo Kang-seok behind, Jeong-woo approached the slope and addressed Go Eun-sil, who was coming up.

“Eun-sil, watch your step. The rocks here are slippery.”

“Oh, thanks. Seo-yoon, Jeong-woo says to be careful.”

“Yes, unnie!”

After sending off Go Eun-sil, Jeong-woo reached out his hand to Yoon Yi-seol, who was following behind.

“Hold on. Don’t fall.”

Taking her hand and climbing the stone steps, Jeong-woo casually asked.

“Unnie?”

“I’ve decided to call her that way.”

“Why do you talk so much? What if we get caught?”

“I didn’t talk about myself. I was talking about my friend, you know.”

Yoon Yi-seol looked up at Jeong-woo with sparkling eyes.

“You used to get beaten up by Go Eun-sil?”

“…Did I?”

As Jeong-woo stumbled in confusion, Yoon Yi-seol grabbed his hand in return and chuckled.

“Wow, the air up here feels great.”

Watching Yoon Yi-seol walk ahead, Jeong-woo called out to his childhood friend, who revealed his childhood secret.

“Go Eun-sil! What did you just say?”

Shortly after, the group sat on a spacious rock at the summit and took a break while sharing the sandwiches Yoon Yi-seol had prepared.

After finishing the last bite of his sandwich, Jeong-woo stood near the cliff. The target on the coast remained in the same spot.

‘It doesn’t seem to be asleep.’

At the rustling sound, Jeong-woo turned his head. Yoon Yi-seol approached with a water bottle, and he quickly reached out to support her.

“It’s dangerous here.”

“Then hold onto me tightly so I don’t fall.”

She pulled her mask down below her chin and stood next to Jeong-woo with a warm smile.

“Here, water. I deliberately left just enough for you to drink last. Eun-sil said you’re sensitive to saliva and such.”

“Then why did you do it knowing that?”

“To attempt an indirect kiss.”

As Jeong-woo drank the water, he choked at her words. Yoon Yi-seol, as if expecting that, patted his back and asked.

“What were you looking at?”

“Over there.”

Jeong-woo pointed to a spot with his finger, but Yoon Yi-seol’s gaze remained fixed on his eyes without moving.

“What?”

“Your eyes shine so beautifully. It’s fascinating.”

“Stop it.”

“It’s not like it’s wearing out. What are you so shy about?”

Her contours, transmitted through body heat because of infrared vision, were so clear. Jeong-woo had no choice but to shift his focus to the sky.

“These eyes can actually see through everything. Eventually, everything will be exposed.”

“Try it then. What am I thinking?”

With a provocative look, Yoon Yi-seol lifted her chin and challenged him. Jeong-woo closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and replied.

“A very sinister thought to have in a dark, cold, lonely place.”

“Uh-oh.”

“I was talking about holding hands, why is your face so red?”

Jeong-woo grabbed Yoon Yi-seol’s cheek and forcibly turned her gaze forward. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

“You said Yoon Yi-seol was your first love. Specifically, what do you like about her to call it love?”

There was a hint of excitement in her questioning tone. Jeong-woo, who had only intended to resolve the situation quickly and leave, found this time together not so bad after all.

“When she sings, she’s quite beautiful. I just can’t resist.”

“I see.”

Suddenly, Yoon Yi-seol hummed a tune and closed her eyes. Jeong-woo gently covered her forehead with his hand as she leaned in to offer her lips.

“Stop. If you fall asleep here, there’s no way out, you know?”

“What if I can’t resist?”

“Maybe because I mainly see her on screen. I think I can resist.”

Yoon Yi-seol sighed, her eyes turning resentful.

“It’s unfair. Some people just looking at the face feels like they can’t breathe, like their bodies float, so their minds are all over the place. If it’s going to be like this, why did you confess I was your first love? Just to make my heart flutter?”

Looking at her with a pouting face, Jeong-woo asked.

“I’m suddenly curious. Am I your first love?”

“…Wow, look at that lighthouse. The light is so beautiful.”

“Even if your mind is preoccupied, the night scenery still catches your eye.”

“Any, anyone could have someone they admire, right? What matters is the emotions of the present moment.”

“I understand, Seo-yoon.”

“The emotions of the present moment.”

“Yes, yes.”

“…I love you.”

Park Chung-sik paced in front of the tent while talking on the phone with a senior official, his eyes widening in shock.

“People are falling ill?”

-That’s right. While the Chinese individuals engaged in illegal fishing were detained by the Gogunsan Coast Guard, over half of them are currently hospitalized at Donggunsan Hospital due to high fever.

“The Chinese vessels are the main culprits in this situation? When were they detained?”

-It’s been a few days.

Unexpected news from the head of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency made Park Chung-sik swallow hard, his mouth suddenly dry.

“The hygiene conditions of these Chinese individuals are not great, are they? It’s not so common for diseases to spread back and forth between humans and animals.”

-That may be true, but even the hospital staff can’t figure out the cause of the infection. These individuals fled from the Coast Guard and the first place they docked was Seonyudo. It’s hard to believe this is just a coincidence.

The possibility of a new type of zoonotic infectious disease kept echoing in his mind. The words uttered by Yoo Kang-seok came back to him. Park Chung-sik wiped his sweaty hands on the edge of his shirt.

-When will we know the results?

“Around 11 o’clock.”

-The mayor of Gogunsan will personally come to the situation room, so report even the smallest details promptly. Strengthen the on-site quarantine efforts.

“Yes, sir.”

After ending the call, Park realized there was no time to lose. He hurried into the inspection tent.

“Kang-seok! Tell me more about what you mentioned earlier… Huh?”

As he peered inside, he saw only quarantine staff and employees. Park Chung-sik locked eyes with Noh Sang-ik, who was standing in front of the lab bench.

“Where is Kang-seok?”

“He went to Seonyudo to find the cause.”

“What?”

He immediately dialed Yoo Kang-seok’s number on his phone. The signal connected, and then his voice came through.

-What? Why are you calling at this hour?

“At this hour? Where did you go, leaving your post?”

-I’m in the middle of a forest. I’ll tell you when I get back.

-Be careful with the branches.

-Ouch!

After a while of rustling sounds, Yoo Kang-seok’s voice continued.

-Ah, it hurts. This isn’t a place to walk while talking on the phone. If it’s not urgent, let’s talk later.

“It’s urgent! Gogunsan is forming a joint government support team. Everyone is in a panic, saying it could be a disease affecting people too.”

-What?”

Park Chung-sik quickly briefed him on the information he heard from the head of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.

“So, hurry back.”

-Then I won’t be able to come back even more.

“What? Are you out of your mind?”

-Indeed, my excellent intuition in choosing Han Jeong-woo seems to be right on point. Just wait. I’ll come back with surprising news.

After hanging up the phone, Park Chung-sik turned to Noh Sang-ik.

“What do you think, Inspector? Does this seem like a new infectious disease?”

“As someone who mainly deals with foot-and-mouth disease, I can’t be sure. However, if we assume the information left behind by that young man is accurate, it’s clear that management at the level of handling high-risk groups’ infectious diseases is necessary.”

Park Chung-sik raised his hand to his temple, suppressing a headache, and asked hesitantly.

“Does it make sense that that young man knew everything about an unidentified infectious disease? Is that plausible?”

Noh Sang-ik smiled faintly.

“Given the situation, it seems plausible.”

“Then we need to declare a state of emergency immediately. You might not be able to go home for about two weeks.”

“What’s interesting is that this young man was even thinking about vaccine production.”

At this remark, Park Chung-sik let out a bitter laugh.

“If it were that easy to solve, why would we have the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, why would we have vaccine companies? Just wait for Kang-seok to come back.”

Thud—

Occasionally, the lantern’s light flickered along the rugged coastline where the waves surged.

“I smell something ahead…”

“Just a moment, Mr. Jeong-woo. Let me reload the tranquilizer gun.”

The ears of the brown dog, which had been gazing into the dark sea beyond, perked up. As it crouched down, the bright light flooded into the deeper crevice, illuminating the inside of the rocky cave.

A hand, holding an object that seemed threatening to the dog’s cautious gaze, was revealed.

Woof—

The intention to attack if someone approached closely was made clear, the opponent hesitated.

“Senior, hold your fire. He’s seems to be a trained dog that responds to human voices. Friendly. Not here to harm.”

The dog ceased barking at the stable voice coming from the relatively less threatening human.

“Wanna eat this? I have some sausages left.”

Amidst this, a soft and warm voice was heard.

“He responds better to Miss Seo-yoon. Slowly take that off and toss it towards the front.”

“Like this?”

Sniffing the scent of something that had fallen at his feet, the dog hastily put it in his mouth.

“Seems quite hungry. Keep giving him that and gradually lead him towards our side.”

With his tail wagging, the dog took steps forward, meeting the gaze of four humans.

“My, look at how skinny he is.”

One human, casting a pitiful glance, put down everything he was holding on the ground.

Instinctively drawn by the fragrant scent, the dog approached. As he consumed the food, the four people surrounded him.

“He has a collar. I don’t really know Chinese characters. Senior, do you know how to read?”

“Mingming? Something like that?”

The dog’s head shot up.

“Is your name Mingming?”

Woof!

Hum—

A black van came to a stop in the parking lot of the Saemangeum Rest Area.

The back door opened, and Go Eun-sil and Yoo Kang-seok, holding a blanket wrapped around a dog, hurriedly jumped into the medical tent.

Just before getting out of the driver’s seat, Jeong-woo glanced back at Yoon Yi-seol.

“I’ll go in to wrap things up and then come out. We should be able to leave before 12 o’clock.”

“I heard from Eun-sil that it’s not an easy problem to solve.”

“Our Seo-yoon has been trusting only her Eun-sil’s words since earlier, and doesn’t believe me much. It’s frustrating. If you happen to see Yoon Yi-seol, please tell her to wait for just an hour here. Seo-yoon, take care.”

Jeong-woo cut the conversation short and left. Yoon Yi-seol, who had been watching his retreating figure, couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“He’s quite cool saying it so coldly, isn’t he? No. Pull yourself together, Yi-seol. If you fall for everything like this, there’s no room for playing hard to get. Well… But still, he’s cool.”

「11 PM」 – Crisis Level “Serious”

Park Chung-sik was startled as he stepped out of the tent after receiving the PCR test results.

The sight of reporters beyond the control line. It wasn’t just local newspapers, but major media outlets as well. How they caught wind of it was a mystery.

There was no tension quite like the tension before the initial media announcement. With information still sparse, if they answered incorrectly, the whole country might be in turmoil by tomorrow morning.

“Sigh… Kang-seok hunch was right.”

An outbreak of an unreported novel zoonotic infectious disease.

If it turns out to be linked to illegal Chinese fishing vessels, the epidemiological investigation surrounding it will become overwhelming.

“Park Chung-sik!”

Kang-seok, who had been sticking to the medical tent without bothering to look at the test results, rushed over.

“We succeeded.”

“What?”

“The vaccine. The affected cats are now entering the recovery phase.”

“What vaccine have you been talking about all this time? Are you going to keep bothering me with that nonsense? I have to report to the mayor now, you know?”

“Ugh. Come with me.”

As they opened the door to the makeshift tent housing the animals and stepped inside, they saw a crowd of people gathered around the examination table.

Park Chung-sik pushed through them and went further inside.

A female veterinarian was tickling a kitten on the examination table.

“Hey? Isn’t that the second outbreak cat?”

“Yes. The first batch is here. The third and fourth batches are over there.”

They looked around as the veterinarian pointed, but there were no distressed animals in sight.

“What kind of harmony is this…”

However, Park Chung-sik’s attention was caught by a young man holding a white cat.

Realizing it was Han Jeong-woo, Park Chung-sik nudged Kang-seok, who was smiling beside him, as if to say, “Explain”.

“Explain it so I can understand. A novel infectious disease is sweeping through Gogunsan, yet the atmosphere here is so peaceful?”

“It may be dangerous for rats, chickens, and cats, but it should be covered by the vaccine.”

“Is that what that guy said?”

“Yes. I agree with him.”

“Again?”

“What more do you want to know? I’ve already told you everything. Ask him directly if you’re curious. Before Han Jeong-woo leaves.”

Park Chung-sik made a confirming expression towards Kang-seok but quickly softened his expression as Han Jeong-woo approached.

“Are you Han Jeong-woo? If it’s okay, could you spare a moment to talk with me?”

“Right now?”

Glancing at his watch, Jeong-woo replied.

“I have to leave by 12. I have an appointment.”

Waiting for Jeong-woo, who said he would come in an hour, Yoon Yi-seol, feeling bored, turned on the DMB in the car.

Turning the channels back and forth, she glanced at the news that happened to be airing while searching for something to pass the time.

The breakwater behind the podium at the press conference looked very familiar.

“Huh? Isn’t this right in front?”

Yoon Yi-seol increased the volume of the screen.

「Park Chung-sik. You mentioned earlier that this sudden mutant virus originated from a dog abandoned on a Chinese fishing vessel. In 2002, during the SARS outbreak, Chinese authorities culled 10,000 civets when civets were identified as the culprit. Will you not do the same thing again?」

-Since the vaccine already exists and the infection route is clear, it is expected that such a wave will not occur.

Smart.

Turning her head at the sound of knocking on the passenger seat door, Yoon Yi-seol saw Go Eun-sil standing in front.

Yoon Yi-seol put on her mask and immediately lowered the window.

“Unnie.”

“Jeong-woo asked me to bring Kiki.”

Meow―

Kiki, who was in Go Eun-sil’s arms, gracefully landed on Yoon Yi-seol’s lap through the window.

“Is Kiki safe now?”

“Yes, thanks to someone.”

“He did something again.”

At Yoon Yi-seol’s familiar reaction, Go Eun-sil let out a silent laugh.

“Oh, Jeong-woo will be a little late.”

“Late? Where is he?”

Go Eun-sil pointed to the monitor showing the news.

“There.”

“Huh?”

Next to the podium where journalists were bombarding with questions, Jeong-woo was standing.

“It seems like the head of the Epidemiological Investigation Department asked him to assist with the press conference.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m going to take care of other cats. Have a safe trip back to Seoul, Yoon Yi-seol.”

Surprised by this statement, Yoon Yi-seol turned her head.

“How…”

“Kang-seok senior is oblivious. How could he not recognize that beautiful voice? I’m a big fan of Yi-seol’s songs.”

Yoon Yi-seol lowered her mask, greeted with a shy nod, then bowed deeply.

“Let’s meet again when Soo-chan and the alley members gather.”

“Yes, definitely.”

Watching Go Eun-sil walk away and wave her hand, Yoon Yi-seol muttered quietly, “I’m sorry”.

How could she not realize she had feelings for Jeong-woo. But in front of love, one must remain firm.

Love is fate and timing, after all.

“How do you guarantee the safety of the vaccine?”

“Well…”

Park Chung-sik turned his gaze to Jeong-woo. It was a moment that required a professional discussion. Upon receiving the signal, Jeong-woo nodded.

“…It would be quicker to hear an explanation from the researchers who actually developed the vaccine.”

As Jeong-woo stepped forward, the attention of the journalists focused on him.

“I work at KG Chemical Pharmaceutical Bio Center.”

“Since you developed the vaccine, but how can you guarantee that it will be effective against this cross-species epidemic?”

“We were able to find neutralizing antibodies that effectively block this mutant gene from the natural host. We mass-produced it in culture vessels, and currently, all the animals infected with the disease have been treatable.”

As soon as the answer ended, questions flew one after another.

“Due to the potential risks posed by the natural host that first disseminated this pathogen, should it be culled?”

“If we can produce the vaccine in large quantities, shouldn’t we now exclude the contamination medium?”

All the questions were aggressive and sharp.

Seeing that it was almost 12 o’clock, Jeong-woo quickly continued to answer.

“Mingming’s immune system was greatly compromised due to poor nutritional status. Nevertheless, antibodies were produced. Oh, and it seems he listens to people quite well.”

“TVC Reporter Shim Tae-san here! What does that have to do with the risk?”

“I mean, if Mr. Shim’s immune system is better than a dog’s, then it’s definitely not dangerous.”

At this response, some nearby journalists chuckled. Shim Tae-san, feeling embarrassed, asked in a slightly louder voice.

“If my immune system is better than a dog’s…”

“Of course, it would be safe. You’re stronger than a dog.”

At this point, even Park Chung-sik, who stood nervously at the podium, couldn’t help but cover his mouth and laugh.

The press conference, filled with questions and answers, continued frantically for a while. Time passed, and it was already past 12 o’clock.

“…I don’t have anything more to say about the vaccine. Oh, what did you say earlier? Culling? I don’t think it’s necessary. Since it’s a disease that can be treated cleanly.”

Jeong-woo added as a final remark.

“Once Mingming’s health improves, he can return to being an ordinary dog. By then, he will have enough immunity to push out all the mutant genes in the body. It’s a problem where animals in pain cannot speak. Isn’t it something humans can bear this level of risk for?”

Jeong-woo nodded politely and stepped back, leaving the press conference room. As he walked towards one side of the control line, he met Yoo Kang-seok.

“Wow, Jeong-woo, the more I see you, the more interesting you are. I’d be too nervous to even stand in front of the journalists, let alone speak well. You’re really good.”

“Oh, come on.”

“It’s fortunate you’re not an enemy.”

“Huh? What…”

Yoo Kang-seok extended his hand for a handshake to Jeong-woo.

“Can we meet later? I have so many questions to ask.”

“That’s fine.”

It was almost 1 AM before Jeong-woo could get into the driver’s seat of the van.

“Sorry, I’m a bit late…”

Yoon Yi-seol, while holding Kiki, was sound asleep. She seemed very tired, probably from being busy since morning with the photo shoot or something else.

Jeong-woo chuckled and switched the screen from the news to the navigation. After setting it to Seoul, Yoon Yi-seol’s house, he started the car.

「Monday, 7 a.m.」 – Crisis Level ‘♡?’

“Yi-seol.”

Feeling a gentle shake, Yoon Yi-seol raised her head groggily. Yawning and stretching, she glanced at the familiar parking lot scenery.

“Oh.”

“I let you sleep in.”

Feeling the warmth of Jeong-woo’s gaze from the driver’s seat, Yoon Yi-seol felt her cheeks flush.

Normally, her body, which would wake up every two hours due to insomnia or whatever, had to choose today to do this!

“I was planning to stay with you, but something urgent came up at work.”

“You’re going to work on a holiday?”

“Yeah, the person who doesn’t care about such things is my senior for the next three weeks. Oh, Yi-seol, you know Dr. Moon Chae-eun, right?”

“I know her, but…”

With a disappointed look, Yoon Yi-seol watched Jeong-woo and then said.

“Do you want to have ramen before you go?”

Jeong-woo froze in the midst of unfastening his seatbelt.

“Yi-seol… We haven’t properly dated yet, we haven’t even properly defined our relationship, and on top of that, you know my situation.”

Seeing Jeong-woo flustered, Yoon Yi-seol couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“I just meant it as a checklist. Doing something nice for a friend by making delicious food.”

“Huh? Ramen for that?”

“I don’t know how to cook many things.”

After hearing the reason, it made sense.

Hooruk.

Jeong-woo, with a mouthful of steaming ramen, raised his thumb.

“It’s delicious.”

“Is the broth okay?”

“It’s a bit bland, but it’s ramen, after all. If you mess up making this tasteless, that’s quite a feat.”

As Yoon Yi-seol was about to put a piece of kimchi in Jeong-woo’s mouth, she widened her eyes at his response.

In the blink of an eye, Jeong-woo finished his bowl and wiped his mouth with a towel. Meanwhile, Yoon Yi-seol looked under the table, watching Kiki nodding off.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For everything.”

Yoon Yi-seol found herself twisting her hands and feet inexplicably while speaking. Jeong-woo got up from the table.

“I need to head to work now, so I’ll just quickly wash up and leave.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

A moment later.

Jeong-woo roughly dried his hair and came out of the bathroom.

“I guess we’ll have to postpone our date. When will you have time?”

Yoon Yi-seol’s eyes widened at his words.

“That’s right. If you go today, we won’t see each other for three weeks.”

“You’re that busy?”

“Geez. Am I the only busy one?”

As Jeong-woo headed towards the door, Yoon Yi-seol urgently grabbed his arm.

“I can’t let you go like this.”

“…Yi-seol.”

“I need you to take responsibility for letting me sleep deeply at night.”

Yoon Yi-seol pointed to her lips and leaned in.

“If you don’t do this, I won’t let you leave.”

“No, we can’t. It’s not the right mood for that. What’s with you since the morning…”

But with Yoon Yi-seol’s determined eyes closed, she aggressively attacked Jeong-woo’s lips.

He could have raised his hand to stop her, but instead, Jeong-woo compromised by giving her a kiss on the forehead.

Yoon Yi-seol gave him a glance.

“I’ll do more research for next time.”

“Do we need research for just a kiss?”

“True.”

Putting on his shoes, Jeong-woo looked back at Yoon Yi-seol.

“I may not be your first love, but I’m the one who gave you your first kiss. See you next time, I’ll call you.”

The door clicked shut, and Jeong-woo disappeared.

Yoon Yi-seol watched the door for a while, then dashed to the living room sofa and plopped down. When Kiki approached, she hugged her tightly.

“So, what did you think of that guy earlier?”

Meow.

“You think he’s cool? I think so too.”

code: Broad-spectrum clone antibodies

case: Mingming virus perfect blocker

research: Developed around May, when the spring breeze was blowing, it is a recombined vaccine that mixes artificially mass-produced natural antibodies possessed by dogs like a cocktail.