49. The Owl’s Call. (1)

The special forces member who saw me get up left, saying:

“Everyone is waiting.”

“I know.”

I responded, then rested my elbows on my knees and sighed deeply.

I must have dozed off.

I got up, equipped myself, and went out. In front of the main entrance of the building, people were gathered, and Commander Sung Gyuhyeok and Song Jungsah were talking on the stairs.

“There’s no way?”

“No, there’s no way… He’s stubborn. He says he’s leaving tonight.”

At that moment, Song Jungsah noticed me and raised his hand. Commander Sung Gyuhyeok looked at me and said:

“Seong-hun, the operation is about to start. How are you feeling? Are you okay?”

My stats are fully charged.

I smiled and said:

“I guess I’m a bit groggy from just waking up. My body is fine, though. But…”

I turned to Song Jungsah and asked:

“Director Park is leaving tonight?”

Song Jungsah nodded and then frowned, saying:

“Yes, he says he’s leaving tonight, but…”

“But?”

Song Jungsah looked slightly uncomfortable, glancing at Commander Sung Gyuhyeok before turning to me.

“He’s leaving, but he doesn’t seem like he’s really going. He didn’t pack much and didn’t do anything.”

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok shook his head.

“He can pack when he leaves. If he’s leaving alone, he won’t have much to pack. What matters is his mindset.”

I added:

“People’s minds can change. There’s still time until tonight, so keep trying to persuade him.”

Song Jungsah nodded.

“Yes.”

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok turned to me and said:

“Let’s go, Seong-hun. Let’s go.”

We followed Commander Sung Gyuhyeok.

In front of the main entrance of the management building, the special forces members, Sung Gyeon, Director Park, and the survivors I had rescued were gathered.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok smiled and said:

“We only needed our team members, but everyone came.”

The old man among the survivors scratched his head awkwardly.

“Everyone said to come…”

Among the survivors were only women and the old man. I frowned and asked:

“Uncle, it seems you haven’t fully recovered yet?”

A familiar-looking woman said:

“Yes. My husband is still… but he’s regained a lot of strength. He can even wash himself now. Thank you. We’re very grateful.”

“You’re welcome. I hope your husband recovers quickly.”

I didn’t save him just to have him lie in bed all day.

The woman smiled and nodded.

“Yes. I’m feeding him well, and he says he wants to get up soon.”

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok nodded and said:

“I hope you take good care of your husband. Every person is valuable in these times. Isn’t that right, Director Park?”

Director Park looked at Commander Sung Gyuhyeok.

His eyes were shadowed, and his face was dark.

It was the same face I saw when I first met him.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok waited for him to say something, but Director Park just gave a faint smile and turned away.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok sighed softly and said to the special forces members:

“Everyone should be familiar with the operation plan, but I’ll go over it again. The plan is simple. We’ll cut the power and turn it back on in four hours. During that time, we need to protect the area enclosed by the barbed wire.”

The special forces members nodded.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok turned to Director Park and asked:

“Let’s confirm again. Have you secured the power plant properly?”

Director Park only nodded without speaking.

Song Jungsah answered for him:

“Yes. Director Park and I went around and secured everything properly. Even if some of our landmines or Claymores go off nearby, it won’t be a problem. The beasts won’t be able to get in no matter what they try.”

The survivors’ expressions changed immediately.

The old man asked, his voice trembling:

“Y-You’re going to detonate bombs at the power plant?”

It seems he’s hearing about this plan for the first time.

Song Jungsah nodded and said:

“Yes, but don’t worry. The walls of the power plant are over a meter thick, reinforced concrete. They’re designed to withstand a direct hit from an airplane. A few landmines or Claymores won’t even scratch them.”

Scratch them, he said.

The women and the old man looked at each other, murmuring. Commander Sung Gyuhyeok said to them:

“The bombs will only detonate if something attacks. This is a necessary measure for stable power supply in the future. Please understand.”

The old man, his hands trembling, said:

“I-I guess if it has to be done, it has to be done. But bombs at the power plant… Director Park, are you sure…?”

Director Park didn’t even look at the old man.

He just nodded slightly.

“Yes. The explosive force and shrapnel have been calculated within a safe margin. Our power plant can withstand it.”

“W-Well, if that’s the case, I guess it’s reassuring…”

Even as he said this, the old man and the women didn’t look reassured at all.

The old man said:

“You said you’ll cut the power. Does that mean the electric fence will be off…?”

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok nodded.

“Yes, it will be off.”

The old man’s face darkened as he said:

“T-Then… what if that thing from the mountain appears?”

“That thing?”

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok frowned and narrowed his eyes, asking:

“You mean the giant beast in the mountains?”

“Yes, the giant beast. Yes, that’s right.”

The old man’s face was full of fear as he answered.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok frowned and asked:

“You’ve seen it… with your own eyes?”

The old man took a deep breath and said darkly:

“Not exactly… I went out to catch worms and bugs. It was raining, and it was getting dark. I heard something echoing from the mountain. When I looked up, I saw something like a rock on the mountain ridge, near the top.”

The old man swallowed and continued, his voice trembling:

“I’ve lived here for over seventy years. I know the mountain better than anyone. There shouldn’t be any rocks there. When I looked closely… it moved.”

The old man trailed off, blinking.

“It… it moved, you mean…”

A massive, rock-like figure, visible even from a distance.

We, Commander Sung Gyuhyeok, Sung Gyeon, and the special forces members, all knew what it was.

We exchanged glances, confirming what we already knew.

As I looked around, my eyes fell on Director Park.

Director Park.

Does he have any interactions with anyone besides Song Jungsah?

I’ve never seen him talk or interact with anyone since we rescued the survivors.

His earlier response about the power plant’s sturdiness seemed like a formality, as if he was saying it to avoid any further involvement.

Is he just bad with people?

He doesn’t seem that way when he talks to Song Jungsah.

A mysterious person.

While I was thinking this, Commander Sung Gyuhyeok nodded and said:

“The operation will be carried out by our special forces team. Residents, please stay inside the building. Song Jungsah, you’ll be in charge of protecting Director Park and the residents.”

“What? Me? I can fight too.”

“No.”

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok simply rejected Song Jungsah’s protest.

“You’ve learned a lot from Director Park, haven’t you?”

Song Jungsah looked like he wanted to protest further but closed his mouth, as if he had been silenced by those words.

Director Park and Song Jungsah are the only ones who can manage the power plant. Especially, Song Jungsah must not be harmed under any circumstances.

Not only the power plant, but Song Jungsah is also the only one who can maintain the Chinook helicopter.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok said:

“We’ll divide into three teams. The first team is the defense team. Gyeon, you’ll be the team leader. Take four members and defend from the roof with the minigun.”

“Got it.”

Sung Gyeon crossed her arms and nodded.

The women among the survivors looked slightly surprised at Sung Gyeon being the team leader. It seems unusual for a woman to lead a special forces team.

However, the special forces members didn’t look surprised, having fought alongside her in many battles.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok said:

“The second team is the demolition team, led by me. The demolition team will also handle observation and heavy weapon ammunition management. Don’t forget to bring two anti-tank rockets each, and keep an eye on the surroundings with the drones. Understand?”

The special forces members nodded.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok turned to me.

“The third team is you, Seong-hun. I don’t need to explain your mission, do I?”

I’ll counter the boss.

If something breaks through the mines and Claymores, it might be a boar that could charge in while taking a few bombs. If it does, it’s mine.

That’s my role.

I smiled and said:

“No one’s taking my prey.”

The faces of Commander Sung Gyuhyeok, Sung Gyeon, and the special forces members twisted into slight smiles at my words.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok chuckled and said:

“Right. I’ll make sure no one takes your prey. Everyone got that? Don’t touch this man’s share.”

Sung Gyeon and the special forces members laughed and responded, “Yes, sir.”

The women and the old man looked confused at our laughter.

The old man said:

“D-Did you just mention the giant beast…?”

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok smiled and answered:

“Yes, that’s right.”

“H-Have you all not been afraid of that giant beast…?”

The old man shuddered as if just thinking about it made him tremble.

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok smiled and pointed at me.

“Don’t worry. This man has hunted three of those beasts alone. Whatever comes, he can handle it.”

The old man, the women, and the aunts looked at me with surprised eyes.

The old man, his jaw trembling, said:

“Ah… I see. The day I first met you, there were bodies all over the road. You were jumping around, and I thought you weren’t an ordinary person… You really hunted those large beasts alone?”

Commander Sung Gyuhyeok, Sung Gyeon, and the special forces members looked at me, all with curious smiles.

I chuckled and said:

“Yes.”