episode_0051

It’s for the purpose of hoarding more supplies before moving as a group.

When I left the group in the motel before, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. That’s why I couldn’t go far.

Now that I’m with the military, there’s at least a minimum defense, so I felt like I could move far.

Currently, all the rogue species have been driven out.

The recovery period for the two managers with major injuries is also a good reason.

There’s no need to waste time now.

It’s a good opportunity to move in many ways.

However, there’s one concern.

The existence of variants.

Their strength, enough to challenge even trained armed forces, can never be underestimated.

It’s somewhat comforting that they aren’t easily encountered.

If there were no soldiers, my radius of action would be limited since I’m the only one capable of fighting variants head-on. Now is the time to move.

What bothers me is the qualm of using military personnel.

I decided to compensate for this by retrieving supplies, delivering dog tags, and sharing information about the variants.

Though minor, the value of having practical information is immeasurable.

Therefore, I shared the information with a select few.

The two lieutenants and Hyuk hyung.

The two lieutenants, as on-site commanders, need to know so they can respond.

I apologize to Hyuk hyung, but if the other companions knew, it would clearly cause great worry.

I intend to relay this information only to Hyuk hyung, whom I can rely on for mental support.

I called Sergeant Kang and Private Kang, who had combat experience with variants, and conveyed the details as if confronting them.

Indeed.

The existence of variants came as a great shock to everyone.

“…It’s hard to believe. That such beings are roaming around….”

Lieutenant Park swallowed a groan and sighed.

The reactions of the others listening to the story were the same.

It’s not something that can be easily believed or accepted.

This isn’t a horror game or a movie viewing.

The fear of a dangerous new enemy is enough to shake people’s hearts.

I’m sorry, but my testimony and that of the two soldiers are like hammering in the final nail.

However, we can’t just be consumed by fear.

“They are certainly powerful individuals, but it’s certain they aren’t easily encountered. And they can definitely be killed.”

Everyone froze stiff.

The two soldiers who fought them and survived were a little less so, but their expressions were grim.

“It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Even when we first encountered them, if it weren’t for Master Sergeant Choi’s sacrifice, all of us would have certainly been annihilated….”

I don’t know what sacrifices were made where I couldn’t see.

But Sergeant Kang’s expression, reminiscing about that time and testifying, reveals a mix of sorrow and fear, making one feel confused emotions.

Everyone seemed to feel it, and the atmosphere remained heavy.

To change the subject slightly, I uttered some positive remarks.

“We are currently on the defensive, and I believe we have enough live ammunition and firepower. Unless several appear simultaneously, we should be able to hold them off.”

“They are certainly strong and not easily killed, but their heads are definitely their weakness.”

Private Kang, who had been listening quietly, added as if providing an additional detail.

The two lieutenants, upon hearing the story, seemed to organize the information and make a decision, exuding a firm resolve.

“We should increase the number of perimeter guards as a precaution. We must also fully brief the reconnaissance teams.”

“Reconnaissance teams… you mean?”

“We can’t just sit back and wait for support, can we?”

By reconnaissance team, it seems he means supply procurement.

Seeing Lieutenant Kim, who was discussing countermeasures with a slight smile, I felt there was no need to worry.

Lieutenant Kim seemed to have shed a layer of something.

Would it have been better if he had been like this from the start?

Anyway, judging by their reactions, they wanted to ask more about the variants, but I ended the conversation. No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn’t tell them I took down an enemy that was hard to kill even with guns using only a crowbar.

After we parted ways, and only the two of us remained, I asked Hyuk hyung for one thing.

“If you encounter a variant, run, no matter what.”

Hyuk hyung nodded heavily at my words.

I feel bad for the soldiers, but unless the situation is unavoidable, combat is not for my civilian companions. Even if they call me a coward, I will urge my companions to survive.

Fortunately, Hyuk hyung showed no particular resistance.

I advised them to hide in accommodation facilities like motels or hotels nearby if something went wrong in my absence.

It’s difficult to search the entire city, so it’s a kind of promise.

As long as they survive, I will surely find them and be together.

I entrusted all the pistols and bullets I took from the gang leader to Hyuk hyung.

It was a sign of trust.

Perhaps understanding this, the normally calm man became infinitely serious.

Finally, I pretended to empty my duffel bag, taking out as much food as possible and organizing it.

Although the store was large, the journey had taken over two full days.

I don’t know how long this trip will take, but I intend to hurry as much as possible.

I took out plenty of food, thinking that my companions shouldn’t lose stamina due to poor meals during that time. It was fortunate that I could avoid suspicion due to the large-capacity duffel bag.

My companions accurately understood the current situation, so they didn’t object to my going out. However, they held me back, wishing I would rest even for a moment.

Especially the strong demands from Hyuk hyung and Shia were hard to ignore.

Unable to ignore their feelings, I finally rested for another day before I could venture out.

The next day, when I set out, the two lieutenants in charge did not object to my departure.

My abilities had already been proven, so they merely wished for my safe return.

And the soldiers also had to move busy, so they had to focus.

I started running early in the morning, leaping over buildings.

My destination was Holy Sale Yangjae Branch.

When I previously checked store locations, I confirmed it was a massive place in terms of size and sales.

There are several large supermarkets near Yeongdeungpo right now.

But if I was going to aim for something, I decided to aim for both quantity and quality.

Honestly, I also couldn’t forget the impression of the American style there.

So, I decided to aim for it again when conditions allowed.

I didn’t expect to visit so soon, though.

The distance is roughly under 20km.

It would be quick by car, but it takes a long time on foot.

Since I can run fast and leap over rooftops, I judged it wouldn’t take too long and set out.

I hesitated a bit about the travel route but decided to simply cross the city in a straight line.

I thought about running along the Olympic Highway and then the urban expressway, but there were many obstacles. Especially if I encountered zombies, there was no way to ignore them and pass by.

If I were unlucky, I might have to deal with a zombie horde too numerous to count.

Without GPS, getting lost while crossing the city would be a disaster. But for safety, I chose this route.

And now, I’m completely focused on running hard.

I almost ended up in the mountains halfway, but I passed through safely.

Whenever I took a short breather, I checked the map on my smartphone.

It’s important not to lose direction while running.

Running almost nonstop, the visible scenery was desolate.

The closer to the city center or commercial areas, the more traces of destruction there were.

And near those traces, without fail, were the footprints of zombies.

Looking down from the rooftops, the streets below were filled with traces of zombies and victims.

Military trucks and corpses and zombies in military uniforms were visible.

From the entrance to the playground and reaching the building, the school was scarred with traces of battle everywhere.

Parts of the building were half-destroyed or showed signs of being consumed by fire.

Whether corpses or zombies, soldiers, civilians, and those in school uniforms were mixed together.

Unlike the high school in Yeongdeungpo, this place failed to defend itself.

The result was exactly as it looked….

When I faced the undead hordes in another world, I always thought:

‘If only I had guns, these bastards would all be dead!’

But the reality now is completely different.

Even with far more advanced modern firearms, nothing could be done.

When the zombie apocalypse first happened, I thought the government would take care of it.

Now, I’ve thrown that thought into the trash.

Could anyone really be held accountable for this?

I turned my eyes away from the scene of the disaster and dismissed such useless thoughts.

Surviving comes first, before talking about responsibility.

If even the nation’s leadership fled with their own lives, what could I, an individual, do? I just have to take good care of my own life.

Running again, the thought that filled my head was quite selfish.

‘Yes. If I don’t prioritize myself, I can’t survive.’

Of course, that includes the companions I’ve grown somewhat fond of.

Despite my complicated thoughts, my diligent steps led me to my destination. A large white building visible beyond the villa complex.

“Huff- huff- I made it.”

I arrived safely in less than two hours.

The immediately noticeable building and various logos.

Luxurious car brands stretched around the Holy Sale building like an embrace.

A smile came to my face the moment I saw the logos of famous high-end foreign car brands.

‘I never even dared to dream of this before, and now I see it like this.’

I thought if I worked hard, I might one day drive a decent car.

Reality, however, had significantly lowered the entry barrier.

Stopping my awkward laugh, I surveyed the area around the building.

The main road extending from the villa complex and the surroundings of the building.

The number of zombies immediately visible was large.

‘What happened here….’

The scene spread out on the street was extraordinary.

Abandoned cars filling the street were the least of it.

The amount of scattered bodies on the street was immense.

Though partial, it was truly a sight that fit the description of ‘human ocean’.

After circling once, I found that three sides of the store, excluding the Yangjae-daero side, were teeming with zombies. The low growls and wails of the zombies echoed like surround sound, making the scene dizzying.

I leaped to the rooftop of the opposite building, which was closest and relatively easy to reach.

“Ha… shit. What should I do?”

Not only was the area around the Holy Sale building blocked, but even the entrance was.

By piles of zombie bodies.

This wasn’t a problem of just pushing through.

The scene before my eyes was literally packed with zombies, with no room to step.

The zombies themselves were just writhing, blocked by each other, in a situation so absurd it wasn’t even funny.

I could break through with force.

But thinking about the blood and bodily fluids I’d be covered in from smashing through that many zombies…

‘I might become a zombie even without being bitten. Shit.’

There were truly so many that such a thought crossed my mind.

I took out an electrolyte drink from my inventory and lit a cigarette.

“Hoo~~”

I flicked the quickly burned cigarette butt over the zombies’ heads.

Taking a long gulp of the refreshing electrolyte drink, I fell into thought.

‘What should I do…?’

With a tempting treasure trove before me, I started chain-smoking.

I began to ponder deeply how to avoid those zombies, even just a little.

Meanwhile, cigarette butts began to accumulate at my feet.