31. Gun and Blood. (2)

“Hm-hm-hm~”

The humming comes out naturally.

Who knew loading magazines could be so enjoyable?

Sitting against the dresser, I pushed the bullets into the magazines.

Thirty rounds per magazine.

Total of 180 bullets.

I’ll need to ask Soo-hyun for a bullet belt later.

Might find one in the men’s section of a large mart.

If not, it’s fine.

I have my backpack.

After loading the magazines into the two Ingrams, I organized the bag.

Water, energy bars, and snacks I brought along.

Gurgling sound.

Neatly stacked the bullet boxes at the bottom.

Placed the snacks and water on top.

Pushed everything to one side.

Four magazines on the other side.

The bag is heavy and solid.

Felt happy and content, I put on the bag and checked the time.

It’s already afternoon.

Zzt-zzt-

Oh.

Time to call.

I answered the phone and said,

“Yes, I’m leaving now.”

“It took quite a while. Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

I chuckled.

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m leaving now.”

Hung up and stood.

Wow, it’s heavy.

Not just the weight, but the bulk.

Felt weight for the first time since getting the Strength skill.

Two swords, a bow with about ten arrows, two thick submachine guns, and the heavy backpack.

The weight is satisfying.

Really glad I maxed Strength early on.

Sincerely.

Not sure how long I rested.

Not exactly resting, but preparing new gear.

Stamina almost fully charged, so probably over two hours.

Fresh, I ignored the child’s room and descended the stairs, leaving the house.

The sun is setting.

“Phew.”

In the distance, the Special Forces members are smoking.

I chuckled and called them.

“Yes, Seong-hun.”

“It’s safe here. Come over.”

Hung up.

The Special Forces members looked at each other, discussing something.

Special Forces leader Seong-gyu-hyeok raised his hand, and four of them walked over.

I nodded and moved to the next house.

Empty.

Next one too.

Probably because of the return procedure.

Many empty houses.

Next.

Hospital.

A three-story building.

But wide, so it looks flat.

…Many inside?

Since it’s a U.S. military hospital in the return procedure, not many patients.

I glanced at the Special Forces members and entered the hospital.

Front desk and emergency room.

Quiet.

Krrrrr-krrrrr-

Noises heard.

From the closed emergency room and inner rooms.

I drew my sword.

Shirr-

 * * *

“Phew.”

Hospital had mostly doctors and nurses. Not many.

No inpatients, only a few in casual clothes.

Probably had the flu.

Should have skipped if I knew there were fewer than ten.

“Tsk.”

Leaving the hospital, the Special Forces members were smoking.

His.

Should I have one?

No.

Sunset is near.

Let’s finish quickly.

“Next.”

Beyond the hospital road were houses and warehouses.

Houses were no different from others.

First-floor windows were shattered, but no glass on the road.

Something broke through the window from outside.

Ordinary.

I nodded and approached the house near the road. Probably the warehouse is the armory.

Hoping for more weapons…

…Hm?

I stopped.

…House.

…Door.

Shattered.

Not forced open by strength like mine.

I approached the door and looked at the knob.

Wooden grain in the shape of lightning.

And a black hole.

…Someone shot.

I looked closely at the door and frame.

Scratches.

Faint bloodstains.

…Something’s here.

Zzt-zzt-

Phone rang.

Unintentionally, my voice lowered.

I answered quietly.

“Yes.”

“What’s going on? Is something in the house?”

“Not sure. I’ll check and call.”

Hung up and drew the sword.

Shirr-

And grabbed the doorknob.

Krrrrr-krrrrr-

Heard.

Slowly opened the door.

Stairs.

Kitchen.

Back to me.

…Who are they?

I glanced back.

…Same.

Looked again.

Thick shoulders and chest.

Neat hair.

Tall and combat-ready physique.

…1st Special Forces members.

…Were here.

Next is the warehouse.

Penetrated quite deep.

These Special Forces members risked their lives.

Being in the house means they needed shelter.

The condition of the scratched and wounded door shows how urgent the situation was.

…Calm down.

I quietly closed the door.

And called.

“Yes, Seong-hun.”

I said deeply,

“Found Team 1.”

No response.

Turned, Seong-gyu-hyeok slowly lowered his phone from his ear.

Staring at me and the house with wide eyes.

I looked at Seong-gyu-hyeok and pointed to the phone in his ear.

He put the phone to his ear.

I said,

“They’re no longer Team 1. I’ll handle them now.”

“Seong-hun. Among them.”

Paused.

I looked at him with a smirk.

Seong-gyu-hyeok said,

“…Is there a woman?”

Woman?

Thought for a moment and shook my head.

“I saw two, both men. Don’t know about a woman here. Need to check inside.”

Seong-gyu-hyeok slowly nodded.

Hung up.

And looked around, walking toward me.

Other three Special Forces members also approached, discussing.

I waited.

Special Forces members by my side stood by the door.

Their posture shows they’re elite.

Belief they won’t stand in front of the door.

Special Forces leader Seong-gyu-hyeok said,

“We’re entering too.”

Draws tonfa from waist.

…Hm.

I nodded and said deeply,

“Not necessary.”

His determined gaze shows he must enter.

I said,

“…Let’s go.”

Adjusted my sword and immediately opened the door, entering.

Then shouted,

“Special Forces!”

“Kya-ra-ra-rak!”

Two.

No, three!

Rushing out of the open bathroom.

All men!

“Graaah!”

Coming!

Acceleration.

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

I instantly pierced the heads of the three.

Couldn’t behead them properly.

Want to preserve their appearance as much as possible.

Though they’re no longer human, unlike the unaware dead, these soldiers tried their best in despair.

Acceleration ended.

“–Cough-cough!”

Three collapsed with a thud.

Blood splatters.

Droplets.

On face, clothes.

I bowed and listened.

Sound.

Growling.

Their breathing.

Is there more inside?

…Quiet.

Looked up, Special Forces Team 2 members were examining the corpses.

Then bowed their heads solemnly.

Not crying or wailing.

Just deeply sighed and stood.

Usual expression.

Attitude of burying a comrade’s death and continuing the mission.

…Impressive.

I sheathed the sword.

Shirr-click.

Then approached Seong-gyu-hyeok and handed him the pistol from the backpack’s utility pocket.

“Take it.”

Seong-gyu-hyeok looked at my hand.

Then at my eyes.

No refusal or hesitation.

Nodded, took the pistol, checked the magazine and chamber.

Then holstered it with the safety on.

All actions in an instant.

Nodded at me.

I nodded back and began searching the house.

No sounds, but can’t relax.

Something might still be here.

Special Forces members checked each room, signaling to each other.

Well-coordinated.

Finished checking the first floor, went up to the second.

Heave-heave-

…Heard.

Stopped on the stairs and slightly reached out.

Stair climbing sounds stopped.

But behind me.

I crouched and approached the source of the sound.

Door with blood.

Knob too.

Quietly grabbed the knob and turned.

…Locked.

Special Forces members approached, quickly splitting left and right.

Seong-gyu-hyeok, with pistol drawn, faced me.

He nodded.

I gripped the knob and twisted.

Wood-crunch!

Then opened the door.

“Huk, ah!”

Bang!

Gunshot!

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

Bullets!

Visible!

They spiraled through the air!

Only now I realized. A woman’s voice?!

No, more than that!

I stared at the bullet flying toward me.

Behind it, the yellow explosion of gunpowder.

Like a blooming flower.

I raised my sword.

Should I slice it?!

No, the sword might break!

I twisted the sword, deflecting it, and prayed.

Please, armor!

Don’t let the sword break!

The bullet hit the sword.

Scraping sensation.

Rising feeling.

Transferred to my hand.

And acceleration ended.

Ping!

Metal sparks as the bullet ricocheted into the wall.

“Ah, ah!”

Empty gun aimed at me, trigger pulled.

Clack, clack!

A woman in tight t-shirt and skinny jeans.

Very beautiful.

But pale.

Blood all over her body.

…Ankle.

Swollen beyond recognition.

“Ah!”

Woman with terrified face shoots at me.

Clack, clack!

“Ga-yeon!”

Seong-gyu-hyeok rushed past me, embracing her.

“Ga-yeon! You’re alive!”

“Ah, ah… ah….”

Woman still staring at me.

I sighed deeply.

Almost got shot, damn it.

Without acceleration, bullet to the head.

…Head?

…Would she have aimed there?

This woman, not ordinary training.

“Who are you?”

I asked.

Seong-gyu-hyeok, holding the woman, turned to me.

Tough-looking face with teary eyes.

Seong-gyu-hyeok said,

“My sister.”