episode_0167

By breaking through a wall.

An illegal act that, under normal circumstances, would lead to a hail of bullets without question, leaving us unable to utter a peep. What’s more, we came in to raid the base. The way we moved was no different from petty thieves. But there was no need to worry about being shot. There were no American soldiers to stop us either.

Undisturbed, the soldiers and I walked quietly through the base.

Thud thud-

I wanted to hold my breath and pass by as quietly as a cat. But things didn’t go as planned. The sound of our military boots with each step was more bothersome than I expected. Moreover, there weren’t just one or two of us, but six. Adding to that, there was the faint rubbing sound of our firearms.

Thanks to this, Captain Lee and the team members were on edge. They were just walking, but their breathing was ragged, as if their stamina was draining. The sound of footsteps from behind also seemed heavy somehow. I didn’t look back, and the soldiers didn’t complain. We simply kept walking forward. Behind us, they remained vigilant, keenly aware of their surroundings, and simply followed.

Gulp-

Someone swallowing hard told the tale of their current state of mind. It wasn’t quite tension, but I too began to feel uneasy. As we walked, the faint, strange noises that only I had heard began to grow louder. The soldiers also began to clearly perceive those sounds. At the same time, the soldiers’ footsteps grew heavier, even as they tried to quicken their pace.

The groans of zombies, heard while our bodies were exposed and defenseless outside. That fact seemed to ensnare the soldiers. Perhaps because of that, the soldiers grew tired faster than expected.

‘…….’

Once one thing started to bother me, everything else became displeasing. I didn’t like the frustratingly slow pace of movement. I didn’t like the dilapidated paved road between the old buildings either. And I didn’t like how unnecessarily vast the base was.

“Fucking America.”

“Huh? What did you just—”

“It’s nothing.”

I unconsciously blurted out a remark. Aware of the female soldiers who reacted even to minor things, I kept my mouth shut. As we continued walking, we left the sparsely scattered buildings behind and arrived at a quiet area.

What we saw first was a detached house. The rather large, light-colored brick house was just like those seen in American movies. Everything, even the small lawn adorning the front entrance. A few houses built close together and a multi-unit dwelling caught my eye. A modern cleanliness, unlike the worn-out streets we had passed until now.

After confirming the small residential area, I stopped walking.

“Is it over there?”

At my words, Captain Lee, who was at the rear, stepped forward.

“According to the location, it seems to be correct.”

Captain Lee, who had taken out a crude map and estimated the location, nodded.

“First, we plan to secure that building and reorganize.”

He spoke softly, pointing a finger at the multi-unit dwelling.

‘A four-story building…’

As a multi-unit building, it was large and stood out. It was relatively tall compared to the surrounding buildings. Without a word, I immediately took the lead and moved forward. The paved road, suitable for cars, was empty. As usual, it was a desolate sight, with bloodstains and trash scattered about. And that sight intensified as we approached the residential area. The chaotic traces left on the road and the ruined lawns, though messy, pointed in a consistent direction.

‘South, perhaps?’

I glanced at the direction people might have fled and then headed toward our objective. Though it was just a residential area with a few houses, it felt like being in an American neighborhood. Being on an American-style street like this, it felt like visiting a horror movie set. A 100% pure, realistic filming location.

I wished it were so, but the illusion remained just an illusion.

Swoosh-

I extended my hand backward, signaling the soldiers to stop. The soldiers reacted instantly to my gesture. They raised their rifles, preparing for combat at the same time.

“Groan…”

A strange sound emanated from inside the multi-unit dwelling directly in front of us. And that unpleasant sound was heard by everyone holding their breath.

“Fuck…”

Behind Sergeant Park, who had cursed, Captain Lee approached with a grim expression.

“This won’t do. We need to go somewhere else.”

“Didn’t you say you needed a tall building?”

“…That’s right.”

“But there doesn’t seem to be anything else nearby.”

At my words, Captain Lee looked around and frowned. The situation hadn’t been easy since the very beginning. Thanks to that, I was slowly getting annoyed. Captain Lee seemed to be in a similar mood now. I casually offered him a suggestion as he surveyed the surroundings.

“Leave it to me.”

“What? We’ll go with you—”

“Bullets. Aren’t you short on them?”

“…….”

“Just hide yourselves somewhere.”

Without wasting time, I turned and headed towards the building entrance.

“Seonghan-ssi, wait…”

“I’ll be right back.”

Shaking off Captain Lee’s soft plea, I pulled out the knife from my waist.

‘A knife… right?’

It was thick and long for a knife, but short for a short sword. If anything, it was similar to the knife Rambo used. I lightly grasped the handle, which had a comfortable thickness, feeling its grip. The original owner wasn’t great, but the item itself was top-notch. It was also just right for swinging in a confined space.

Feeling a small sense of satisfaction, I pushed open the half-broken door.

Creak-

It was like a substitute for a doorbell. The dysfunctional hinges screamed loudly. Immediately after, there was an immediate reaction from inside the quiet building.

Thump thump thump thump-

Pat pat pat-

Loud noises of things running rapidly and colliding everywhere. I could feel them rushing towards the entrance. It was a very enthusiastic welcome.

I, who had been waiting calmly, took a large step into the entrance. The nervous, monstrous screams growing closer. Finally, the zombie that appeared was—

“Ah, fuck!”

I instinctively covered my eyes and turned my head away. The first zombie to appear was a giant. A fat, completely naked zombie, boasting enormous layers of fat, charged forward. It looked like it would trip, yet it somehow managed to charge.

Waddle waddle-

Jiggle jiggle-

With each movement, its enormous fat rippled like waves. Something oozed from its stretched, torn skin.

‘Why is it naked!’

Its unexpected grotesqueness made it impossible for me to even properly open my eyes.

“Screech!”

Its voice was even worse. A hideously shaped enemy approached. I gritted my teeth and steeled myself. I turned the knife sideways and aimed for the fat zombie’s neck. I shifted my body sideways, as if to avoid the massive lump of fat. I sliced its neck with a light touch.

Slice-

Splat-

Its cleanly severed head and body rolled across the floor. The sensation of slicing through thick meat was indescribably horrific. Behind the fatty, who left the worst taste of a cut, a commotion surged.

“Shriek!”

“Roar!”

Zombies appeared frantically, whether climbing the stairs or tumbling down them. Zombies rushed out from the shadows of the hallway at full speed, as if they had been waiting. Zombies charging, having broken through doors with their bodies, now tattered. Each of the zombies, beginning to appear in their own flamboyant ways, precisely recognized my position and charged at me.

‘One, two… Argh…’

Was it because the beginning was too intense? My brain couldn’t function. I stopped counting the rapidly increasing zombies and took my stance. I began to reach out towards the one that had approached right in front of me.

Whoosh!

Slash-

I roughly sliced the neck of the charging zombie. As its head fell off, discolored teeth became visible in the gap. Mimicking a matador’s movement, I shifted my body away and drew the knife through the gap between its bared teeth.

Squish-

Next to the zombie crumbling, leaving behind its lower jaw and clearly visible tongue, a rotten finger jabbed in. A potent stench emanated from the left. A zombie, unable to control its temperament, fell from the second-floor stair railing. Every single one overtly targeted my flesh and charged.

Swish- Swish swish!

I stepped back half a pace, slashing the necks of the zombies charging from left and right, and severing their heads.

Crash!

“Gurgle!”

Crunch!-

The zombie that fell from the second floor couldn’t get up and just raised its head, so I stomped on it. Shattered skull fragments, tangled flesh, and brain matter splattered everywhere. Without time to wipe the fluids off my face, I moved my body. A multitude of zombies, in various forms, stretched their hands towards me. The sight was like the decaying root tendrils of a rotten tree standing on dead ground. A single purpose: to entwine around me and tear at my flesh.

I swung the knife towards the hostility that manifested as murderous intent.

Swish swish swish!

The knife, swung at high speed, remained true to its original purpose. The knife’s body gleamed at the tips of my swinging fingers. Where the gleam had passed, things were cut and torn into pieces. Outstretched rotten arms were severed as if fish were being chopped into pieces. The knife sliced through the zombies as if it were a meat slicer. Zombies were sliced, cut, and hacked down as soon as they approached. My body maintained a distance, barely escaping the zombies’ fingertips. Though they lacked reason, it was no illusion that they seemed to be raging even more wildly. I swung the knife with all my might, meticulously, again and again.

“Shriek!”

Among them, some, perhaps finding running insufficient, leaped and charged. Like a beast lunging, with both arms fully extended and mouth wide open. Its timing was sharp, as if it aimed for the space between the headless, falling corpses.

Whoosh!

Faster than that, I took a step and lowered my stance as if dropping into a crouch. And I held the knife’s blade straight, braced for impact.

Slaaash!-

The sensation of cleaving through bone and skin traveled up the hilt. As the brief sensation ceased, the zombie was split in half.

Splat!-

“Gurgle! Grrr!”

It hadn’t been completely split. The blade was too short to completely cut it in half from face to torso.

‘…….’

As I moved to finish off the zombie, which was sliced in half, all its contents exposed, and still twitching…

“Roooaarr!!”

I swung the knife-gripped hand upwards, striking the jaw of a zombie that charged and lunged like a four-legged beast. My fist shot out as I sprang up from my lowered stance.

Bang-!!

Splatter-

…I failed to control my strength and blew it apart.

“Splutter!”

I hastily wiped away the rotten blood that had splattered directly onto my face with my hand. It was a good thing I had my neck warmer pulled up; otherwise…

“Ugh…”

I never finish things looking decent. I exhaled a sigh that was almost a lament and scanned for any signs.

‘…Are there no more?’

After about ten to fifteen zombies had charged, the building became quiet. No sounds of movement or groans could be heard. Only the eerie sound of wind passing through the corridors could be heard.

Whoosh- whoosh-

I swung the knife to shake off the blood. Then I struck the side of the knife against the stair railing.

Clang- clang- clang-

Even as the sound of striking hollow metal echoed, there was no reaction. After waiting for a moment and confirming it remained quiet, I turned and went outside.

‘It’s more useful than I thought?’

I liked the knife; its feel in use wasn’t bad. It seems I did well to keep it. As if he heard my footsteps, Captain Lee poked his head out from behind the wall.

“…….”

Captain Lee’s shocked reaction upon seeing me covered in blood was quite a sight. I gestured for Captain Lee, who looked dumbfounded, to come in. But he was still frozen.

“Captain Lee-nim.”

“Hah!”

“Let’s go in.”

“Ah!”

Snapping out of it, Captain Lee began to move with the soldiers. The soldiers were also considerably surprised to see me, but Captain Lee composed himself. Then Captain Lee and the soldiers entered the building.

“Th-this…”

“Oh, my God…”

“Ugh…”

The soldiers, flustered by the fresh corpses piled in the entrance hallway, almost lost their composure again. Captain Lee also seemed quite surprised.

‘Didn’t they see all of it when I fought outside?’

It was a rather belated reaction now. Ignoring the soldiers, I headed to the second floor.

‘…All clear…’

I passed the third floor and checked the fourth floor as well, but there were no zombies. That’s how I felt, but Captain Lee wanted to be thorough. He and his subordinates meticulously searched and checked each of the few rooms.

‘Quite thorough…?’

They entered the rooms, searched every corner, and even checked inside the furniture. Only after confirming everything to the very end did they relax.

“Haa…”

“What will you do now?”

“First, we’ll set up in the room at the end of the corridor.”

Although there was no longer any danger, the soldiers hurried their movements. The last room had the same layout as any other room. A spacious area and furnishings for living. Though places where people live are all similar, the atmosphere felt different.

As I looked around the interior with a sense of wonder, Captain Lee finished his search.

“There are signs that they left quite hurriedly.”

That was Captain Lee’s assessment after surveying the interior. Indeed, clothes and belongings were left in disarray. It seemed they had fled, taking only themselves, without any preparation. It must have been an extremely urgent situation.

Captain Lee first had the injured Jo Junwi lie on the bed and examined his wound.

“…It doesn’t seem to be a fracture, but the wound is a bit deep.”

“I’ll administer first aid for now.”

Sergeant Park, the delinquent woman, approached Jo Junwi, propped her rifle against the wall. And then, she opened her thin bag and began to pull out various items.

‘A first-aid kit, bandages, disinfectant? Could it be this person?’

Sergeant Park washed her hands thoroughly with a transparent antiseptic, then began to examine and touch Jo Junwi’s wound. I hadn’t expected it, but it seemed this woman was the medic. I felt a twitching sensation around my eyes. The medic in my mind wasn’t this kind of woman. The kind who is incredibly reliable, the kind you’d want to be alone with in a bunker…

Something, something felt broken inside me. Isn’t this how a child feels when their innocence is shattered? With a sense of emptiness, I watched Jo Junwi’s treatment process.

“Sergeant Park is quite skilled. You don’t need to worry.”

“…….”

He had the wrong idea. Leaving Captain Lee, who was subtly boasting about his subordinate, I went out to the balcony.

“Haa…”

With an empty feeling in my chest, I surveyed the outside. But…

The more slowly I surveyed my surroundings, the more my playful mood vanished. Looking at the considerably… no, immensely vast grounds, I snapped to attention. I immediately left the balcony and headed to the rooftop.

It seems we’re completely screwed. The entire view of the base, which I confirmed from the rooftop I’d climbed to get a proper look, was far too vast for our current number of people to search.

‘Wow… this is…’

The sheer size of the base’s grounds left my mouth agape. Faced with the grand and imposing American style, I was speechless.