episode_0195

The flare, seen for the first time, had a significant presence.

This was especially true considering it was daytime, even if the sky was cloudy.

It fell, emitting a strong light just like something out of a movie.

A marker floated down amidst the heavily falling snowflakes.

Pushing through the vision-obscuring snow, I headed towards the light.

The helicopter left the Han River and entered the city center.

Beyond the narrow view, the streets could be seen, covered in white.

Snow was already accumulating on the ground.

Abandoned cars on the roads, the roads themselves, and the rooftops of buildings.

Everything visible from above was turning white.

Perhaps it would be good if everything was dyed a spotless, clean color like this.

After all, the world being painted entirely white is one of winter’s gifts.

Unfortunately, it was too difficult to enjoy winter’s gift.

‘…’

Down below, there were plenty of things ruining the winter scenery.

They were everywhere human footsteps had touched.

On roads, by the roadside, at building entrances, or around corners.

And between alleys.

No matter where I looked, there were zombies.

They moved slowly, writhing.

The areas where they stood were becoming dirty.

The softly falling snow was turning into murky water.

Was it because their very existence was sinister?

Merely touching it turned the snowflakes into beautiful refuse.

The snow covering those creatures’ heads and shoulders was already filthy.

Each zombie was covered in snow.

Perhaps because they were corpses, the snow didn’t melt even when it touched them.

Just as I was thinking they were like foreign contaminants in the world.

“Captain. Another flare…”

“I saw it too. It seems they’re on the move.”

Captain Lee stared at the street, pausing his words for a moment.

“…They didn’t fire it to call us.”

“Then why?”

“I don’t know for sure, but it seems they fired it deliberately to attract attention…”

“Judging by the spacing, it looks like they’re moving by car.”

“I think so too.”

The two quickly exchanged opinions, trying to grasp the situation.

“What will you do? Should we continue like this?”

“How’s the fuel?”

“Sufficient.”

Captain Lee seemed to hesitate, but he made a decision immediately.

“Follow them. Since this is the Seongsu-dong area, we’ll combine it with a reconnaissance of the surroundings.”

“Understood.”

A side quest popped up instantly through their brief conversation.

As the helicopter advanced, Captain Lee kept his gaze beyond the cockpit.

The flight didn’t take long.

“Is that the first light?”

“Yes, sir.”

“…They were being chased. Close in.”

Captain Lee didn’t hesitate, and Jo Junwi didn’t falter either.

The helicopter immediately changed direction, following the light’s position.

‘…’

Zombies were moving on the street viewed from the window.

Though not as many as on the Han River banks, their numbers were still considerable.

A considerable number seemed to have their attention drawn by the shining dot in the air.

It was clear from their foolishly upturned gazes.

‘Did they try to attract attention while escaping?’

If so, the person who fired the flare seemed to have a good idea.

Since they had successfully kept the zombies’ attention, it was a success.

The role of the second flare was the same.

Zombies were concentrated near the floating light.

It tied down a significant number of zombies, if not all of them.

Or there were some running from a distance towards the light.

The moment they passed the point where the second flare was fired.

“Captain. Target visible.”

“…Damn it. Increase speed!”

The body tilted slightly, and I felt it accelerate.

Captain Lee quickly handled his firearm and explained the situation.

“Currently, what appears to be a survivor’s vehicle is fleeing from zombies ahead. We’ve confirmed two buses so far, and zombies are clinging to them from all sides.”

Captain Lee’s hands moved busily as he continued his explanation.

Sergeant Kim and Sergeant Park also quickly checked their firearms.

“…On a clogged road, with a bus?”

“That’s for later. For now, Sergeant Kim and I will provide suppressive fire to shake off the zombies.”

Click-clack!

“Ready.”

A grim intensity emanated from Sergeant Kim, who usually made verbal blunders.

“Sergeant Park will provide support from behind.”

“Understood.”

The three quickly finished their combat preparations.

Sergeant Park clung to the door, ready to open it.

“Captain! What about me? I’ll fight too!”

“…Heize-yang, please stand by for now. Protect Lawrence-yang.”

“Yes sir!”

“Seonghan-ssi!… You also stand by for now!”

I nodded and buckled Lawrence’s seatbelt.

Lawrence was flustered by the sudden engagement.

I patted her gently trembling shoulders and glanced beyond the cockpit.

“…”

Heize, fidgeting with the gun she had been given, muttered softly in English.

“What did you say?”

“I’ll kill them all!!!”

“Whoa! You startled me!”

I was startled when she suddenly yelled into my ear.

“Jo Junwi!!”

This time, I flinched at Captain Lee’s shout.

From front and back, just…

“Overtake! Provide cover for the vehicles!”

The engine noise suddenly grew louder, and the helicopter began to accelerate even more.

It quickly passed over the concrete jungle below, rapidly closing the distance with the vehicles.

I quickly scanned the inside of the helicopter.

‘The safety harness… I don’t know where it is.’

Just in case, I looked for a safety harness, but I couldn’t figure out what was what.

Looking around, I leaned into the cockpit and observed the situation.

“Whoa.”

Beyond the window, a line of vehicles ahead was tearing through in a furious race.

‘Two buses, one mini-bus, one dump truck.’

The dump truck spearheaded the way, followed by three other vehicles.

They dangerously weaved between the road and sidewalk, breaking through recklessly.

‘…What did they do to that dump truck?’

No matter how powerful a dump truck was, such a destructive breakthrough shouldn’t be possible.

I couldn’t question every detail in such a desperate situation…

Still, the sight of it powerfully smashing through everything and moving forward was impressive.

The streets were a mess, so the vehicles couldn’t go at high speeds.

As a result, zombies were clinging all over the four vehicles.

They were amazingly holding on and running.

Suddenly, a front-loader that had attempted a solo breakthrough came to mind.

A desperate struggle that had unfortunately failed.

I watched the rear of the leading dump truck.

It rattled whenever it hit something, but it was holding up well.

When it grazed abandoned cars, they would move aside or flip over with a harsh scraping sound.

Perhaps it had mercilessly crushed zombies, as its rear wheels were soiled with grime.

A long, unpleasant tire track stretched out where the dump truck had passed.

‘Can it hold up?’

The helicopter caught up to the dirty tracks and finally reached the rear.

Soon after, it began to slowly descend.

“Captain!”

At Jo Junwi’s signal, Captain Lee nodded firmly.

“Open it!”

Wham! Whoosh!

As Sergeant Park threw open the door, cold wind rushed in.

The roaring engine noise and the sound of the rotor blades slicing through the wind.

The grinding sound of cars colliding and tires scraping the ground.

“Kaaaooooh!!”

The zombies’ monstrous cries mixed together, assailing my ears.

In response, the soldiers reacted.

As if completely fearless, they leaned out slightly and took aim.

Rat-a-tat-tat-!! Rat-a-tat!! Bang bang bang!!

As they began pulling the triggers without hesitation, the response was immediate.

The dangerously loud sound of tires scraping sharply decreased.

‘I can’t see well.’

Only the bus roof was barely visible over Captain Lee’s shoulder.

Having apparently cleared the rearmost bus, the two turned their gun barrels.

And they continued to fire calmly and relentlessly.

Amidst the ear-splitting noise, Jo Junwi’s shouts were heard.

“Captain! Bus roof! Bus roof!”

“Is that… isn’t that a person?!”

“Goddamn it! Save the person first! Shoot!”

‘A person?’

Looking down past the cockpit window, there really was a person.

On the roof of the third bus, a person was fighting zombies.

‘No wonder there were so many on the roof.’

‘Action on the roof of a moving bus?’

I’m curious how they got up there, but I’m even more curious about that person’s skill.

The sight of them fighting multiple climbing zombies with just a crowbar was impressive.

As Captain Lee and Sergeant Kim provided suppressive fire, the bus roof was quickly cleared.

The helicopter, timing it perfectly, passed the bus and overtook the dump truck.

In the meantime, Captain Lee and Sergeant Kim decisively shook off the zombies clinging to the mini-bus and dump truck.

The two finished off the creatures clinging to the vehicles as if washing away filth with a high-pressure hose.

‘…They’re good shots.’

They knocked off all the zombies in a short time.

The height advantage provided by the helicopter was indeed significant.

But I was amazed at their skill in showing such accuracy in an unstable condition.

Plus, their dazzling speed and dexterity when changing magazines.

Professionals are certainly different.

The outcome of the battle, achieved by just two people, was excellent.

A desire to be able to handle a gun that well swelled within me.

“Captain. It seems safe now.”

At Sergeant Kim’s words, Captain Lee, who hadn’t relaxed, gave a small nod.

The vehicles, despite their broken windows and messy appearance, sped on powerfully.

“Captain. That person is waving their hand.”

“…What an incredible person. I wonder if they’re brave or reckless.”

“You can say th― Danger!!”

The two straightened their relaxed postures and aimed their gun barrels.

Crash-!!

Screech!! Scrape!

Along with a huge noise, the sound of the car shaking was heard.

“Damn it! That, that thing!”

“Be careful not to hit that person!”

“No! They’re too close!”

Just as I tried to look down over the shoulders of the two suddenly noisy people.

KABOOM-!!

With an enormous crashing sound, one bus was caught in my sight, launching into the air.

The bus slowly twisted its body in the air.

CRASHING!! BANG! THUD! CRUNCH-

Falling from the driver’s seat first, the bus was severely crumpled.

Unable to withstand the speed and impact, the body rolled a couple of times and then dragged itself across the ground.

BOOOM-!!

The bus exploded as if by magic.

This was no joke.

A huge explosion that assaulted my eardrums shook the helicopter.

Black smoke and scarlet flames surged upwards.

The bus was instantly consumed by flames.

An extreme accident that occurred in an instant unfolded before my eyes.

The sudden situation left me speechless.

“Goddamn it!!!”

Sergeant Kim burst out with a coarse curse, raising his gun barrel, and―

Clank-!!

“!!”

“Screeeam-!!”

I lost my balance for a moment and staggered.

The helicopter tilted heavily to the opposite side.

“Hold on tight!!!”

Captain Lee’s desperate shout didn’t reach.

Everyone rolled on the floor due to the heavily shaking helicopter.

‘…!’

Someone was trying to bring down the helicopter.

Screech-!

…It seems it’s our turn this time.