episode_0145

The day after the drinking and conversation session.

The men, including myself, received basic firearms training.

The instructors were Sohee, who had been a soldier until recently, and Incheol.

‘This is when you need to learn from an expert.’

If you have a tool, you should know how to use it.

Just then, two skilled individuals were with them.

Now, there was no reason to refuse.

To learn at least the basic usage, they set up a session early in the morning.

The small mistake made in Yeongdeungpo.

Thinking back to how flustered he was because he didn’t know about the safety lever, he still kicked his blanket [in frustration].

He couldn’t go through such a foolish experience again.

Furthermore, Dong-woo and I hadn’t served in the military, and Hyung had been discharged a long time ago.

So, they diligently listened to the short and concise training.

They put aside official gun names and specifications for later, prioritizing basic knowledge to commit to memory.

During the training, I realized that there were various types of bullets.

I was surprised again by how detailed the classifications were for assault rifles, submachine guns, and so on.

I truly felt that gun enthusiasts weren’t experts for no reason.

To put it bluntly, my entire knowledge of guns was just knowing how to load bullets, insert a magazine, chamber a round, and shoot.

That was the full extent of my knowledge about guns.

Movies and reality are incredibly different.

…Honestly, they all look pretty much the same to me, so I can’t really tell.

Perhaps because I’m not used to them, I only see differences in slight length.

‘If it were bladed weapons, I’d be confident…’

As a novice when it came to firearms, I kept my mouth shut.

Seeing my somewhat bewildered expression, Sohee smiled slightly and comforted me.

“Everyone gets confused and finds it difficult at first.”

“Hmm…”

“Think of it simply. Submachine guns use these 9mm rounds. Rifles use 5.56mm rounds. Their shapes are different, right?”

Sohee emphasized the basic content, putting aside anything difficult.

Incheol helped with the training by demonstrating how to load magazines and various other uses in front of us.

They invested the morning hours, practicing repeatedly.

Learning how to use them wasn’t difficult in itself.

However, repeated practice was needed to use them as quickly and accurately as possible.

Additionally, the training was roughly concluded by learning a few response methods, citing examples of unexpected situations or problems that might arise.

With only live firing left, we learned the series of procedures with concentration.

From now on, these were the weapons that would be responsible for the safety of everyone, including myself.

They couldn’t learn carelessly, so they thoroughly stored the basic training in their minds.

While filling magazines with bullets as part of the practice, Sohee offered a recommendation.

“If you’re going against zombies, it would be better to carry a rifle.”

“Submachine guns seem better for mobility, is there a reason?”

“Because 9mm rounds lack destructive power.”

“Ah, I see…”

“And also, we only have 5.56mm rounds right now.”

I just picked them up without thinking, but I never imagined there’d be such a problem.

As I pondered if there were any compatible rounds among the bullets I had secured, Sohee showed a gun and continued speaking.

“I don’t know how on earth you acquired these, but…”

“I took them by force, but are they any good?”

“This is an authentic German-made MP5. This is an authentic American-made M4 Carbine.”

“Ohh…”

“They’re all old junk.”

“??”

“Hyung-nim. Their condition is good, but there are many improved models that are superior to these.”

“…Can they still be used?”

They looked plausible on the surface, so the disappointment of hearing they were old junk swelled up.

Fortunately, they could be used, and he concluded that they would be more useful than the five K2 rifles he had picked up.

“No matter how well they’re maintained, aging is inevitable. But the higher-ups have no interest in such things. Even though they’re the same old models, the performance of these will be much better.”

Sohee, who had been gritting her teeth for a moment, soon composed her expression.

As an active-duty soldier, it seemed she had quite a bit of pent-up frustration.

“This one is a K13, a special operations model for the Korean military. It’s quite an improved weapon.”

“Oh…”

“It’s a model that’s been much talked about in many ways, but its characteristic is that it’s unexceptional.”

“…Can that also be considered a characteristic?”

At my words, Sohee let out a small laugh.

“Well… it’s better than having many drawbacks, isn’t it?”

“Perhaps…”

Sohee, watching us diligently fill the magazines, quietly spoke.

“There’s one commonality among all the firearms here.”

A commonality…

I pondered for a moment what it could be, but as a novice, I couldn’t figure it out.

“What is it?”

“Corruption.”

“Corruption…?”

“All the firearms laid out here are entangled with corruption.”

We, who had been diligently working, paused for a moment and looked at Sohee.

Sohee gave a brief explanation with a self-deprecating laugh.

First, defense corruption.

Aging firearms are not easily replaced, and even then, only some units receive gradual replacements.

Wasn’t there that famous story about the 50-year-old canteens?

The official reason was sequential supply.

If you just slapped it on, that was the pretext and the reason.

The development of the next-generation firearms, which were selected as new models, also reportedly faced setbacks or difficulties due to various corruptions. That K13 rifle, too, supposedly only reached its 4th generation after numerous improvements.

And even foreign firearms that came across the sea carried a certain kind of “non-corruption” corruption.

‘Was it smuggling…?’

Sohee pointed out that the very fact that a civilian organization possessed such firearms in a country where gun ownership is illegal was problematic.

Couldn’t that also be considered corruption?

I had just accepted it, having been shot at whenever we encountered them, but hearing her, it sounded plausible.

Who would have expected that the items we collected for safety would have such a commonality?

Just as “drug-free nation” became a saying of the past, the meaning of illegal gun ownership had also faded.

Now, we too were laying hands on guns.

It was for survival, but it was certainly an ironic situation.

‘…….’

*Click-clack—click-clack—*

I silently loaded bullets into the magazine.

Magazines, each holding 30 rounds, piled up high on the table.

I continued working without a pause and quietly said,

“Now that they’re in our hands, let’s make good use of them.”

“True. It probably doesn’t matter much now. Oh, by the way! Please try to recover empty magazines as much as possible.”

At my words, Sohee nodded slightly in agreement.

Whatever they were, as long as they were in our hands, they were simply our weapons.

Even if just out of regret for the taxes paid so far, they were resolved to extract maximum value from them.

The simple task, which continued for a bit longer, quickly became familiar.

Listening to Sohee’s nagging that wasn’t quite nagging, we concentrated on the work.

Only after filling a significant number of magazines did the morning’s work conclude.

It was a somewhat awkward time, but after an early lunch, they hurried to prepare for their outing.

Having received theoretical training and eager to continue the momentum, they decided to deploy immediately.

First, as a trial, they armed themselves with the rifles taken from those Daehan bastards.

The starting members were Hyung, Dong-woo, Incheol, and Sohee, who insisted on joining.

Despite her leg still being uncomfortable, she insisted that she needed to move for rehabilitation. Since they planned to move gently anyway, they didn’t refuse.

And Young-cheol, who would be responsible for transportation.

The elderly grandfather and Byeongsu, who was still a patient, were exempt.

Reporter Kim was put on hold, to join later.

They also packed backpacks and duffel bags that hadn’t been used in a while…

Only after packing full protective gear and magazines for everyone did they finish preparations.

As a bonus, they even prepared the walkie-talkies they had picked up earlier.

Not the short-range, civilian-use walkie-talkies, but the next level up, more versatile ones. I took one, and Sohee took the other.

Perhaps realizing that they were about to be deployed into real combat, everyone’s expressions hardened slightly.

Breaking the slightly stiff atmosphere, Jihyeok Hyung spoke.

“Do you have a plan?”

“We’ll split into two cars, and we’re simply going to explore a nearby area. We’ll go to a market in the vicinity.”

“A market… what’s the objective?”

“The main goal is field experience. It would be good if we could get supplies too, but the primary purpose is to gain real-world experience.”

“Hmm… sounds good?”

“Since this is virtually everyone’s first combat experience, we won’t push ourselves too hard. We’ll ‘clock out’ from the field once the sun starts to set.”

“Heh~ Clock out…”

Hyung smiled, but he couldn’t hide the slight tremor in his voice.

It was evident that the group heading outside was starting to get nervous.

Until now, they had only followed behind me, never directly stepping forward.

First combat.

Though they now had weapons, it was a sudden proposal and a rapid progression.

No one raised an objection.

Even now, as they exited the entrance, they were nervous but not afraid.

Instead, the shelter occupants left behind worried more.

I didn’t add any unnecessary comments about this.

I knew that no words could ease their worries for us.

The fortunate thing was that they didn’t stop us from leaving.

Grandfather, Grandmother, Representative Choi, and all the women, though silent, seemed incredibly worried.

“Cheer up. You don’t have to worry that much.”

“Still…”

“Don’t worry, just prepare something delicious.”

After comforting Shia, who was fussing with small worries, I set out with everyone.

Turning to the people who had followed us to the entrance, I spoke a single sentence.

“We’ll be back.”

“I’m not worried since Seonghan is with you, but… please return safely.”

Leaving Representative Choi, who received our farewells with mixed feelings, we got into the cars.

Dong-woo, who naturally got into the driver’s seat, started the engine and asked,

“Hyung-nim. Where are we going?”

“Myeonmok Market.”

I explained the approximate location and then used the walkie-talkie.

“You can follow slowly.”

“Understood.”

With that, we left the shelter and drove quietly along the road.

Perhaps due to tension, everyone was silent.

I don’t dislike quiet atmospheres.

But being this rigid with tension isn’t good.

“The weather’s good today, and it’s bright too, so it’s perfect.”

“Y-yeah, it is.”

“Relax. Dong-woo, you need to ease up too. Your shoulders will get stiff.”

“…Y-yes…”

He answered readily, but the tension didn’t easily dissipate.

I also didn’t make any more noise.

If they moved and experienced it directly, they would get better.

The saying “experience is the best teacher” isn’t for nothing.

I know that well from my own experience.

Of course, there’s no dramatic change like becoming an invincible warrior after doing this a few times.

This isn’t a game; it’s reality.

They had to overcome it themselves, experiencing the fear of death and the intent to kill firsthand.

And based on that experience, they needed to build and refine themselves, one step at a time.

The process of gaining the strength to survive tomorrow without my help.

That first step had effectively begun now.

So far, it could be seen as a good start.

They were nervous, but not afraid.

Although it was akin to throwing themselves into danger, no one refused.

The shelter occupants, regardless of gender, showed an encouraging spirit.

We had no trolls.

I suppose that might be one of our shelter’s strengths.

While I was evaluating everyone a bit highly, the vehicles drove smoothly without issues.

Dong-woo’s driving skills were quite good.

There were no zombies between Sagajeong and Myeonmok Station.

There was nothing notable visible inside the low buildings or between the alleys.

There were no unsettling sounds or presences that grated on the ears either.

The narrow road was clear, and the streets remained silent.

In fact, the car’s engine sound felt almost too loud.

“…There’s nothing here.”

“It seems that sweeping through them thoroughly last time made a big difference.”

“R-right?”

“So, stop shaking.”

“When did I ever shake?!”

“Hmm… right now?”

“Ah, Hyung-nim!”

“Hey, hey, hey. Watch the road.”

I stopped chuckling and teasing.

Normally, the person in the passenger seat would fill the silence for the driver, but it seemed like it would only backfire now.

Though slightly anxious, the vehicles reached their destination in the meantime.

They drove slowly and carefully, but since the road was clear and there were no traffic lights, the arrival time was short.

They were truly benefiting from those Daehan bastards having cleared out the wrecked cars.

The start wasn’t bad.

A wide-open intersection appeared as the narrow two-lane road ended.

They quietly parked the car at the market entrance across from Myeonmok Station, and I surveyed the surroundings first.

『Dongwon Market』

I thought it was Myeonmok Market, but the sign was different.

Putting minor issues aside, I focused on my senses.

‘Good.’

The surroundings were quiet.

Aside from the sound of the wind blowing between the buildings, there was nothing unusual.

“Disembark!”

“He says to disembark~”

Beginning with Incheol lightly relaying the order, everyone stood on the road.

“Young-cheol and Sohee, please guard the vehicles. If anything happens, radio us immediately.”

At my words, the two followed without a complaint.

Sohee, whose leg was still uncomfortable, also didn’t object.

However, judging by her gaze, it seemed she would be very active once her body recovered.

The remaining three and I packed our backpacks and duffel bags and got into position.

Then, with me in the lead, they naturally formed a line.

“Relax. Check your guns.”

Everyone checked their magazines and selectors, completing their inspections.

Sohee added one more thing.

“If possible, shoot in semi-auto. If you set it to full auto and pull the trigger, it won’t even take a few seconds to empty a magazine.”

“Oh… thank you. Everyone heard that, right?”

At Sohee’s words, I confirmed again.

After preparations were definitely complete.

I stepped forward without hesitation, and the three followed behind.

The entrance to Dongwon Market, which they slowly entered, was desolate but not problematic.

This was the first time doing teamwork since meeting the group.

*Thump—*

With a pleasant, slight tension, my excitement began to surge.