episode_0231

I stopped, about to run along the defensive wall.

“Tsk.”

Small cameras were mounted high up at regular intervals along the defensive wall. Realizing the presence of the CCTV a beat too late, I quickly moved away from the wall.

I put distance between myself and the wall, pulled on my neck warmer, and surveyed the entire defensive wall.

The cameras, mounted at regular intervals at heights difficult for a person to reach, were bothersome. Even at a glance, there seemed to be no blind spots in the cameras’ view. In addition, there were troops guarding the top of the defensive wall and keeping watch.

I might have been spotted from the moment I first approached the defensive wall. Given that there’s been no reaction so far…

‘…Lucky me. Bastards.’

It was a good thing I had black hair that didn’t stand out and wore an all-black uniform. Blaming those unnecessarily meticulous bastards who wasted electricity, I took a wide detour.

Finding the entrance wasn’t difficult. I just needed to run along Sangil-ro, which I remembered.

The building was practically a colossal center occupying a vast site. Finding the path leading to the main gate was not difficult.

‘Still the same.’

I had been here before. Of course, I came here to work, and those were meaningful days where I realized the corporate bullying of large companies and also realized it was just a big-sized shitty company. Getting a lung disease in just two months was a side effect.

Chewing over past memories and recollections, I made my way.

The street hadn’t changed much since I came a few years ago. What had changed was that it was scorched earth and had lost its vitality. And the fact that zombies were loitering around was also different from my memory.

‘……’

The densely populated area was a bit far away, so there weren’t many of them. However, beyond the restaurant and bar buildings, eerie sounds were clearly audible. Large and small eerie sounds echoed all around like surround sound.

“Ha… these bastards, really….”

The main street was clean, quiet, and deserted. However, on the inner side, in the opposite direction of their base, it was easy to tell that zombies were arrayed. Not all of them were visible now, but I was reluctant to approach closer. I had the illusion of a subtle eeriness rippling and shimmering.

As if they weren’t already thugs, they only cleaned up the parts they needed. Only partially, both the zombies and the chaotic roads. If those damned things caused trouble, they should clean it up, but they only choose to do stupid things.

Seeing the results of those who piled up unlikability, I approached the base.

Beyond the small stream, their base building appeared grand. However, what captivated my gaze wasn’t the exterior of the building.

“Hmm.”

【Haemaji Bridge】 Underneath the cozy little bridge I had also crossed, it was full of corpses. The smell of burnt firewood and something rotting. Just a slight inhale was enough to make my head throb. That many corpses filled up half the depth of the stream. Not just directly in front, but stretching for a long distance.

Is that why? No eerie sounds were heard around the base. It certainly seems true that if you deal with zombies, the vicinity becomes safe.

“Bastards.”

Regardless of that, a wave of nausea welled up. Captain Lee and I had ruled out throwing them into the Han River due to contamination concerns, but these bastards didn’t care about such things. Having accumulated another unlikability stack, I ran through the darkness.

I leaped over the stream and clung to a tall building directly opposite the base. A fire? Or perhaps an accident? Large panes of glass were shattered due to damage at around the 10th-floor height.

Thump!

With a powerful leap, I jumped up and squeezed into the gap.

A wide-open view that made my eyes a little more comfortable. I surveyed the defensive wall from top to bottom.

In this vicinity, only that building was showcasing its intact appearance. And no wonder, the defensive wall only encompassed their own building site.

Perhaps because it was the main gate, many troops, searchlights, and heavy weapons were visibly deployed on top of the defensive wall. A plot of land that must have been tens of thousands of pyeong, combining engineering and supplies. It was fortified, boasting robust defensive capabilities.

And a colossal gate, appearing as the entrance between the defensive walls. It was a double-sliding gate made of steel plates that looked solid even at a glance. Barricades were enormously laid out along the surrounding wall.

And traces of combat and corpses that hadn’t been fully cleared were visible. In contrast, beyond the defensive wall, it was relatively clean and quiet.

Watchtowers were also erected, and familiar container offices were visible. The containers stacked two high were configured to act as walls even from the inside. Admiring those who effectively utilized the limited space, I noticed something remarkable.

‘…Is that a generator?’

Its size and appearance were a bit smaller and smarter than what I knew. Thick electrical wires originating from its iron box-like exterior extended into the building. Five more of the same were arranged along the building. It must be the electricity-generating device that Manager Kim mentioned.

Having confirmed the generator, I tilted my head. Even the best of such mobile generators couldn’t possibly supply electricity to such a large building.

Anyway, I had roughly grasped the atmosphere and layout. First, destroy the generators to cut off the electricity and block the power. Turn off the lights to close off vision and…

‘…No…’

I stopped reaching for the scaffolding pipe in my inventory and narrowed my eyes.

It wouldn’t be difficult to take down the bastards inside. Even that sturdy defensive wall could be lightly overcome. But…

‘…It wouldn’t be fun to let them off easy, would it?’

I’m going through all this trouble because of these strict bastards, so if I do it normally, I’d feel disappointed.

Stealthily closing my inventory, I looked back at Sangil-ro, which I had passed through.

Though unseen, I felt a squirming grimness from beyond the road.

Grin-♥

I once again blended into the darkness and began to run.

***

Two hours after Seonghan confirmed Taesung Group’s temporary base.

Though it was late at night, vigilant troops were holding their positions on the defensive wall.

Thanks to their unified attire and unified armament, it was clear they were a single group. It was also clear that they were not soldiers.

Well-armed private soldiers. They were a group that would have been difficult to tolerate in the original Republic of Korea, but now they were openly and shamelessly active.

Even as night deepened, they remained faithful to their original duties. They simply stared at the dark and quiet street, maintaining vigilance. They weren’t being negligent, as they weren’t just preparing for a simple ‘enemy’.

None of them seemed to be trembling or greatly tense, as if they were accustomed to it. Some smoked cigarettes, while others conversed quietly. They held their positions but allowed themselves a small measure of leisure.

Was it because they were experienced veterans, or had their discipline simply lapsed? In any case, they weren’t afraid. As evidence, boredom was etched on their faces, and their postures were relaxed.

“Squad Leader. It’s quiet again today, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Perhaps that’s why it feels even colder.”

“And this place happens to be high up, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t we at least put some kind of heater here?”

“Don’t even think about it. They won’t even let us use solid fuel, saying it draws the zombies’ attention.”

The man who spoke to the Squad Leader, who smiled bitterly, expressed his exasperation.

“…Haven’t we already attracted all the attention?”

“My point exactly. Heh heh heh. What would those gentlemen who just push pens around in their offices know?”

“It’s a shame they won’t know until they have to stand guard like this.”

“They’re mistaking themselves for the ones in charge… but for now, they tell us to stay put, so what else can we do but follow?”

The Squad Leader’s gaze, muttering as if lamenting, still stared into the darkness. The man who had been speaking was also staring into the darkness. Yet, he didn’t stop running his mouth.

“Ugh~ It’s so cold, it makes me crave alcohol and women for no reason.”

“Pfft. You crazy bastard. In this state, you still want that?”

“Well, isn’t it true that when it’s cold, you’re supposed to hold a decent-looking woman?”

“This bastard’s gone mad. Haven’t you heard the story?”

“What story?”

The Squad Leader added, calling him a stupid bastard, and began to explain quietly.

“Didn’t you hear what happened when the management team messed with a woman recently?”

“Something like that happened?”

“You know, that guy you used to borrow and return cigarettes with.”

“Ah~ Huh? Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen his face lately.”

The Squad Leader sighed and briefly explained what had happened.

“Three bastards secretly passed a woman around and got caught, so they were drafted into the patrol unit.”

“Gasp. Into the patrol unit?”

“Yes. And to the middle of Seoul, no less.”

“Huh… Doesn’t that just mean they’re being sent to their deaths?”

“So you better watch your lower half too. And…”

The Squad Leader lowered his voice and looked left and right.

“…There’s talk that this place is withdrawing too.”

“Huh?”

“What ‘huh’? Shut up, listen, and forget it. I heard they’re pulling everything out of here and relocating to the provinces.”

“Wow… they’re abandoning this place?”

“They decided that trying to hold out in Seoul was crazy.”

At the Squad Leader’s words, the subordinate shook his head in disbelief.

“Wow… where did you hear such a story?”

“Where else? I overheard them chattering below while standing guard up there at the smoking area.”

“Wow~ So?”

The Squad Leader poked the sky with his finger.

“Meaning, it was said by those who keep their desks up there.”

“I… I don’t know if that’s a good thing.”

“You don’t need to worry about that; just take good care of yourself. They’re planning to take the personnel here with them, so don’t cause trouble and get caught by the patrol unit. Understand?”

“Heh heh heh. Would there be any question?”

“Hardly. Heh heh heh.”

“Ah, but today, for some reason—”

……….Eeeee~

The subordinate froze mid-chatter.

“…Squad Leader. Did you hear that just now?”

“Huh? What?”

“A sound of some kind…”

“Hey, dammit! Don’t you know I hate scary things?!”

“Ah, no, it’s not that…”

……….Eee~

This time, the Squad Leader also flinched.

“Huh?”

“You heard it, right?”

“W-what’s that sound?”

The two men, with heightened vigilance, looked around.

………Eeeeeee~

“Over there! It sounds like it’s coming from the front!”

“Shh! Quiet!”

The two men glared into the darkness, and they weren’t the only ones. Everyone on the heavily guarded defensive wall of the main gate tensed up.

………Eeeeeeey~

……….Thump-thump-thump~

Click-

「All personnel, be on high alert. Report anything suspicious immediately.」

As soon as the radio finished transmitting, the guards unanimously muttered curses.

“Damn it……”

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump~

The unmistakable sound of footsteps, undeniable. Even without seeing them, they knew from past experience. A tremendous number were ‘running’ towards them.

「All personnel, prepare for combat! Prepare for combat!」

Starting with the radio call, clicking sounds and curses erupted from everywhere.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-!

The humans, feeling the illusion that the defensive wall was vibrating from the tremendous sound of countless footsteps, trembled their eyes slightly.

“Shine it!”

Flash!!

The moment the searchlights simultaneously illuminated the front at someone’s command.

“My, my goodness…”

Those on guard saw it. The narrow road and the wider sidewalk in front of the defensive wall. Corpses, filling the space between buildings and sweeping in like a tidal wave. The humans, having clearly seen the colossal wave, were on the verge of panicking.

At that moment, everyone gripped their guns despite their trembling hands.

“Th-that, isn’t that a person?”

“What?”

At someone’s cry, the searchlights changed direction. In front of the wave, briefly illuminated by the searchlights. Everyone clearly confirmed that a living human was running at an incredible speed.

Wheeeeeeeeeee~

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-!!!!!

Grooooaaaaan-

Graaaaaaaak-

Screeeech! Screeech-eeech!!

A buzzing sound, like from a loudspeaker, pierced through the ground-shaking footfalls and was clearly heard.

And then they realized.

“Th-that! That bastard!”

“That crazy bastard!!”

「Shoot! Shoot and kill that crazy bastard running in front!!!!」

Some lunatic was herding zombies from somewhere. Right towards this very spot where they stood. It was a simple fact, but the situation was by no means simple. The radio, having grasped that fact, lost its composure and screamed.

But due to the louder sound overriding the radio, the humans couldn’t properly hear the command.

“Your delivery has arrived!!~! You bastardsssssss!!!”

Graaaaaaaagh-!!!

A huge shout, as if the loudspeaker would tear. A colossal symphony of sounds that muddled the mind. Amidst it, the shouts of terrified and highly agitated humans erupted.

「Shoot! Shoot! What are you doing! Do you all want to die!!!!!」

The moment they snapped out of their daze from the harsh radio message and everyone aimed their barrels at the human running in the lead.

“H-he disappeared!”

“Where is he?! Where is he!!”

Suddenly, the crazy human vanished about 40-50m from the defensive wall. In a situation that made them want to tear their hair out, the humans on the defensive wall scrambled.

“Damn it!! Just shoot those things first!!”

“Just shoot!!!!!!!!”

Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tang-!!

Buwaaaaagh-!!!!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

All the firearms on the defensive wall, the base’s stronghold, began to spew fire.

And at that moment.

Pop! Thwack! Crack!

Splat- Splat- Splat-

“Wh-what the!”

“The lights are hit! The lights are smashed!!”

“D-damn it?!?!”

The searchlights and standing lights illuminating the zombies were shattered one by one.

They couldn’t tell what was happening, but the defensive wall lost its bright light in an instant. The humans, suddenly plunged into darkness, began to flounder.

「Calm down! Respond calmly! The wall won’t break!! Shoot down the ones clinging to it first!!」

“Th-that’s right!! Damn it!!”

“Z-zombies can’t break this!”

“Dammit!! You’re all dead!!”

The moment the flames of human fighting spirit erupted in the darkness.

Whoooooosh!!

CRAAAASH-!!

The humans on the defensive wall felt an immense roar and a vibration that shook them to their knees.

“W-what was that just now…?”

The wall clearly shook. The wall undoubtedly vibrated greatly. A culmination of money-wasting, boasting special materials, immense thickness, and high strength. Something that absolutely should not have been felt was now felt through everyone’s feet.

“Th-the gate!!!!”

“The gate is breaking!!!”

“What kind of bullshit is that!!!!!”

It was a reliable gate, just as much money spent on it as the wall. Everyone was on the verge of panicking at the absurd sound. But if that gate were to be shattered…?

“D-damn it!! Protect the gate! Protect the gate, I said!”

“How are we supposed to do that!!”

The troops, on the verge of losing their minds, began a cacophony of meaningless words. There was no meaning to it, but they had to shout something.

Just as additional troops came rushing up behind them.

Whoooooosh-!

CRAAAASH-!!

“Uwaaaaaaak!!”

“Wh-what! What!”

“Th-this time, the wall!!”

“D-damn it!! What is that!!!!!!”

The Squad Leader and his subordinate, swaying, confirmed something impaled in the wall beneath them.

“A p-pipe?”

“You can see it! Where the hell did that—”

Whoooooosh-!!!

Kwooong-!!!

“Kyaaaaaaaah!!”

“I-impossible…”

The Squad Leader, holding onto the railing, gaped in horror in his leaned-out posture.

Impaled in the wall was a common scaffolding pipe. It was crumpled and twisted, likely from the impact. Where it came from was a question, but that wasn’t the problem now. It was deeply embedded in the wall, and a massive crack had formed around the scaffolding pipe.

As if a battering ram had struck, or a missile had bombed it. The colossal crack, like the dry, withered back of a tortoise, was deeply gouged and ruined the wall. If it were hit by the same thing again, the wall would surely collapse.

The Squad Leader’s eyes bulged as he looked again, but reality hadn’t changed. The moment he shook his head hard, grabbed his gun, and adjusted his stance.

Whoooooooooosh-!!!

“…Squad Leader….”

No sooner had the air-ripping sound occurred than the subordinate dazedly turned his gaze to the Squad Leader. The irritating sound of gunfire, the grotesque screams of zombies, were also unheard. At this moment, the Squad Leader felt as if the world had stopped.

Regardless, the Squad Leader saw it clearly. The scaffolding pipe flying through the darkness towards their feet. And clearly, the human figure seen halfway up the building beyond it.

That’s him. The crazy human who was herding zombies, smashing the lights, and trying to break the wall. No, a monster. What grudge did he have against them—

“…Damn it.”

CRAAAAAAAASH-!!!!!!!

Crackle-crackle-crackle-

“It’s breached!!! The wall has been breached!!!!!!”

The culmination of money and technology that protected the humans at the base. That had now collapsed.

Zombies pouring in continuously, as if a colossal stream of water was flowing in.

……….

Confusion, despair, fear, the survival instinct to flee. All sorts of similar emotions engulfed the living humans.

And then, the zombies began to overwhelm them once again.

The breathing humans, even as they cried, did not stop resisting. All kinds of firearms spewed fire, noise, and smoke. Over a hundred personnel gritted their teeth and fought desperately.

Was it because it was a fierce scene for survival? The members of Taesung and Daehan Security forgot. They forgot the existence of the one person who had driven them from their safe, comfortable positions into a death trap.

A position far higher than the defensive wall.

……

No one noticed the fact that a man, with gleaming eyes and twisted lips, was watching them.