Mi-Yung was willing to change her mood for the better and faced the reality of her situation with even greater vigor. Or it was the booze doing the talking. Either way, William didn't question her.

  “Defending inland regions is challenging, so that’s where geography helps a lot, or breaks things apart. There have been fortresses built into the mountains in South and even North Korea. They broke over time, as they were never enough to last decades. It needed something more... prudent, or maybe better as a whole. What I mean is that things could be better. Always. In the end, Walkers are essential, and fixing holes where Walkers aren't isn't for regular people, or the military, or buildings that could crack. Eventually, shit breaks down.”

  “That's why Walkers are resilient, yet over time, what does it even matter for anyone? The majority of Asia lost its spark and technological advancements. How much is left? One tenth? Less? In terms of land, maybe, but in terms of people? It is the most populous region in the world for a reason, but it doesn't feel like it. It's shitty. Why? Sometimes, it’s hard to defend anything. Fleeing is better, so the fuck it works that way? Why can't humans stick together, and why is it never working out?”

  A bit of fearful and angry melancholy came from her voice, and only Ellie understood what was going on.

  William quenched his fist, and even Hound and Celeste noticed the change of mood.

  “Korea could've been a force on a par with the current Federation if Japan’s prospects came along, and... well, it was a great wish of my father to have this fusion done. Now, Koreans live here and live in their own little bubble. For work or entertainment, some as Walkers, but that is a minor matter. We acclimated and aren’t as foolish about this opportunity.” Mi-Yung ended her story and seized more bottles under the table.

  The talking session was over, and she wasn't unhappy about these talks. It might be therapeutic, as it was a reality she didn't want to forget. It fueled her. Changed her. Many Walkers needed to feel this remainder, or they would have to find one; otherwise, they would lose themselves.

  As she talked and drank the booze, a much stronger sense of melancholy hit her mind. Ellie saw patterns in that, but it was too late to change it.

  The night was becoming quite a memorable experience for everyone. Sometimes, it was good to let go of all stops and talk from the heart. It was bittersweet, like her unkempt smile, or quickly depleting alcohol.

  William was speechless and understood where she was coming from. He read about Korea, and there were people Outside who remembered the most destructive matter. If anything, such news spread quickly through most radios and by word of mouth. Sometimes, they changed, turned for the worse, or twisted into propaganda.

  South Korea was an old story, and reports around its destruction consisted of nothing fancy, but also nothing unexpected.

  It was just another nation that turned to dust and then merged into the Federation. William wasn't even alive back then, so he realized these stories way later.

  Most of the topics were heavy and brutal, requiring considerable human effort. For most people, it was far from a hot topic. For many others, it was depressing how there was no bright side to this world.

  South Korea used to be an important piece of land. It was between Japan and China, with Japan being protected the most due to its proximity to the massive Eurasia, the world's largest landmass, and China. Still, China was also nearby, and the vast lands of Eurasia came with many caveats.

  Close to Africa, and completely detached from Australia, New Zealand, and far away from South and North America, Euroasia was like a world for many people. A small piece of land touched Alaska, which was a minor border between Russia and North America, but north was still north.

  Fortunately, South Korea’s defeat didn't mean the eradication of Japan or a tremendous political shock to the rest of Asia. It just pushed many boundaries and changed how Asia operated. Most lands felt it on a more personal level, and they wanted to prevail, and woke the fuck up. They put more effort into everything because nobody wanted to end up like South Korea.

  Japan took it a little worse, as they locked up their country and cared only about foreign Walkers going in and out. It was a period of turmoil and internal efforts and reforms.

  Now, great invite-worthy Walkers knew how Japan had changed and where the bad choices and realities had turned for the better. Mi-Yung was one of them, even if it were a bit bittersweet, or borderline repulsive if she wanted to be honest with herself.

  She couldn’t be like that, let alone afford it. They should've helped all those years ago! Save everything. They were so close... but they didn't.

  That meant not the most vicious loss to the world, sure, but a lot of people still lost their lives, and South Korea wasn't insignificant. Heavy losses were frequent, so what became of it was sooner or later forgotten in most distant lands, as every bad news became mild or straight up bland.

  William heard of it in that way, thanks to people in camps interested in these topics and viewed Asia as...well, Asia. Camps and North America managed many rumors, news, and issues because of the Federation, but not everyone was the same.

  Information gathering made camps good, albeit limited, since genuine news could mean nothing for regular people. It was like a story for them, far from their current lives, and perhaps even insignificant tales.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  The Federation shared what mattered and worked for future-proofing this camp system. Failure often meant improvements, regardless of devastating attacks reaching from the south.

  It was a positive focus marked by the stains of this era. People had to move on if they wanted a better future. Because of that, not many people wanted to hear about large-scale, depressing losses, such as the elimination of nations or the deaths of famous Walkers.

  William wasn’t even sure how the backbone of South Korea had fallen, or how many people had fled and survived thanks to the Federation and the Academy's help.

  He wasn't even sure how trustworthy those stories even were, since, by all means, he couldn't verify shit.

  “You don't have to feel sad about it,” Mi-Yung said, still drinking. “I don't feel sad about it any longer. It’s more like an anger that seeps and keeps me moving. But... Loss of family is different. It feels personal, like heart demons. Comrades or losses of friends move us as well. We are humans. We ought to keep it that way, right, HOUND!” she laughed after noticing Hound’s confusing reaction.

  “I will remember it,” William said and lifted his bottle. He wanted to cheer her up, but it ended up empty. So he opted out for tea and fruit drinks since he wasn't polite about them like Mi-Yung was with the booze.

  Celeste was more than happy for simple, clean water. Unfortunately, ever since Mi-Yung began drinking and talking, she had been silently watching and observing her from a front seat.

  “Here, have some of mine,” Mi-Yung said, leaning and pouring William something to change his mind. Rose was good and knew how to make it worthwhile for her.

  Lifting the cup, William nearly drank it if it hadn't been for his breath. He cringed and put it down. “Alcohol… You have been drinking it all along? It smells strong. Are you fine?”

  “Strong? It is not strong at all.” Mi-Yung sneered, gulping down half of the bottle. Red cheeks were barely noticeable on her face. In fact, it made her features that much more outstanding. Still, it was starting to affect her mood and speech.

  Consequently, Ellie hit her forehead and looked at Celeste in worry. She... She drank from those bottles, right? Ellie completely forgot about it because of Mi-Yung and Hound.

  “Are... you fine?” She inquired as her hand reached for Celeste's forehead and side.

  Celeste shrugged. “Water good.” She nodded, sipping vodka for water. It had no effect. One more reason not to consider her ever being normal. Ellie was starting to see even more patterns in this little girl, and the list was growing longer by the minute. Hence, for the sake of her mind, she let her drink and eat whatever she wanted and didn't dare to stop her.

  It wasn't as if William minded alcohol; he just didn't like it because it made people different. Mi-Yung’s drinking was her problem, and since he had seen plenty of drunkards in the camps, he had unpleasant experiences with it.

  It wasn't for the sake of survival. Alcohol was for fun, or so he thought. It wasn't. Alcohol had many uses, and making it drinkable was just one way to look at it.

  Of course, things like beer were a little different, as it was all about a funny drink that was accessible and kind of... well, still silly in what it could do to people. Since ancient times, thousands of years into the past, beer and similar products have been popular for a reason.

  Such recipes survived the Dawn, and brewing alcohol was historically a good way to preserve and change water. Of course, the apocalypse had some beer. It wouldn't be fun without it.

  “If you don't want it,” Mi-Yung stated, hiccuping, “more for me. Great. Cheers.”

  Soon enough, William started to regret coming here, and it didn't take long for most of the bottles to be empty. Like all plates, and unlike their bellies, there was no point in staying here than was necessary.

  Without a speck of politeness, Mi-Yung licked the plates clean and wasn't feeling like herself. Alcohol always made her a little loose, tipsy, and sobering up was extremely bothersome. Both required certain acts and situations, as Mi-Yung barely did this nowadays.

  She would do it more if she could.

  Rose soon arrived to check on them and figured Mi-Yung did... take her full stash. She wasn't supposed to do that. Rose said to pick one or two like usual, so what led to this incredulous situation?

  She was hesitant to approach her, like William and Ellie, while Celeste finished her bottle all by herself without Mi-Yung knowing she had drunk her favourite bottle. Who knew what she would do about it right now? Fight the little girl? Not really, but it wasn’t unthinkable because of that Hound alone.

  Holding a package with both hands, Rose handled the gifts Mi-Yung wanted. To her disappointment, she ended up in a situation where she couldn't talk properly, and perhaps walking might be a high task for this Rank 6 Walker.

  She had seen her like this very few times, as her drinking habit only triggered on very unique occasions.

  “How about staying? I have a spare room. It shouldn't be a bad idea when I look at you,” Rose said after amassing her courage.

  “Nonononyon. I have a place to be tomorrow. I need a home. Go home... Home, come at me?! William will help... William. Right? Right, will you...” Mi-Yung mumbled, looking at the speechless boy in front of her, some fuzzy blond girl who hit her face, and Celeste, who swore this water was tasty, but some stuff was better. She saw worse and funnier faces, while Hound didn’t do much.

  William felt regret escape his heart. Something that he hadn't felt in a long time came off. Dealing with this sort of place and time wasn't what he wanted. It all came down to Walkers and how freakish they were.

  He didn’t think alcohol affected them.

  “William?” Rose rose her brows, eying the lone boy at this table. William shrugged, unwilling to use his voice, but felt like he shouldn’t be passive.

  “Right? Righ! It isn't that far away... Our home is that. Close like heart. Like Korea!” Mi-Yung revealed, and to Rose’s shock, she got up and wavered in her steps.

  She managed to stand up by a miracle and even walked away as if she had run off to get another drink, or gone to the bathroom to throw up. The sudden change of direction fried her brain until it was time to call it a day. Fireworks, stars, or whatnot around her sight tricked her mind and changed her.

  Relaxed, free, and dreaming. At least Rosa was close; the softness of her chest somewhat mitigated the impact of her fall. Not like Rose complained; she just didn't want to see her fall.

  “Are all Walkers like this? I swear...” William shook his head, got up, and looked at the others beside him.

  Ellie sighed and lowered her arm. “I am sorry... I should have stopped her.”

  “Don't be. It feels like she wanted to do this for a long time.”

  “Really?”

  “What?” Celeste inquired.

  “It is... well, I don't know. I am guessin’,” William said and approached Mi-Yung and Rose on the ground.

  “Who are you, boy?” Rose asked while Mi-Yung slept in her embrace and sounded miles different from her previous self.

  “Does it matter? She is my proxy, or something like that, if I can call her that. I guess that makes little sense to me, but whatever. Let's call it her small responsibility, but this time, it is reversed.”

  He crouched and tried to get Mi-Yung up.

  It wasn't working.

  “What are you doing?!”

  “Helping? She is drunk, and our home is not far, so... let's drag her there?”

  Rose frowned even deeper. “She is the mistress of South Korea! Our little princess!”

  “And?” William said simply, unwilling to tell her that South Korea was long dead, or that their princess had a drinking problem.