episode_0259

Click! Clatter-!

Clink-

From atop the makeshift wall behind me, I heard hurried movements accompanied by curses. Soldiers loaded bullets, prepared magazines, and braced their rifles forward. The sound of their feet scurrying around for supplies was ceaseless. And everywhere, soldiers were shouting aggressively.

“Snap out of it! It’s not over yet!” “Hurry up and resupply the magazines! None left? If there’s none, bring the whole ammo box!” “Don’t you bastards chicken out! Just do what you just did!”

Through harsh encouragement, they struggled in their own ways to prevent their fighting spirit from dwindling. As fierce as it was, every second was a critical situation. The living humans prepared for battle without a moment to savor the taste of victory.

As the tension of the living humans, swiftly preparing for battle, coalesced, silence naturally fell. “Gah! Groooan!” “Grooooan!”

The zombies, rushing fiercely from ahead, already had their eyes rolled back. Each of their grotesque vocalizations approached us as a great cacophony. Just as the soldiers on the makeshift wall began to breathe a little heavier.

“Goddammit!” Sergeant Kim, who had been on the radio, repeatedly cursed. From what I gathered, it seemed the promised rear support was in trouble. Swallowing his anger, he quickly began issuing orders.

“Park Soo!” “Corporal Park Soo!” “Keep your eyes wide open and find them quickly!” “Yes, sir!”

“Everyone listen up! That line drawn by corpses is the new deadline! Shoot down anyone who tries to cross it!” “Yes, sir!!”

“Grenade launchers!” “Ready!” “Then what are you waiting for! Prepare to fire-!” “Prepare to fire!!!”

Sergeant Kim yelled at the zombies closing the distance in real-time. “Fire!!” Thump- th-th-th-th-thump-! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Screeeeeech-

As multiple grenade launchers opened fire, the effect was immediate. The successive attacks, like drawing a line with explosions at regular intervals along a similar line, were visually spectacular. The rotten chunks of flesh flying into the air, accompanied by grotesque screams comparable to a pig being slaughtered, almost looked beautiful. The small bursts of flame and gore were enough to instill fear, but…

‘Disgusting bastards.’ The zombies, mere monsters devoid of reason, simply rushed forward. If anything, they seemed even more frenzied, as if stimulated. There was no order in their chaotic collision with each other. Their lost anger simply turned towards the living humans. They chew, tear, and kill. Clusters of baseless malice created a chilling sensation. Because it was blind, it felt even more desolate and viscous. As the distance rapidly closed, it felt as though their killing intent was piercing my skin. Perhaps feeling the same as me, the suppressed tension on the makeshift wall visibly thickened.

Just as I could even see the snarling faces of the zombies. ‘Now.’ “Open fire-!!” Bang! Tatatatatatatatatabang-! Thud! Thud! Thump-thump-thump-thump-!

The moment they stepped on the line of corpses stretching across the road, the rifles roared in unison. I also pulled out my rifle and joined the fray. They rushed forward, trampling and crushing the front rows that fell as their flesh burst, but their own limbs were similarly torn off, and they fell. Since the opponents were relentless, there was no hesitation on our side either. The gunshots didn’t cease, and the shooters performed their roles admirably. The power generated by mere dozens of humans gathered together was as splendid as it unfolded before our eyes. It was different from simply enduring a desperate situation like a moment ago. Though the battle continued intensely, the prepared humans were clearly demonstrating the power of intellect and collective strength. As a result, they were narrowly holding the defensive line drawn by corpses.

Boom- Kra-boom! Boom! Boom- The grenade launchers continued to fire at slight intervals, showcasing their power. Bang bang bang-! Bang bang!Bang! The rifles, firing without pause, only stopped for reloading. A few of them, in a mindless charge, crossed the defensive line, but… Bang-! Thud!

They immediately lost their heads and collapsed right where they were running. The bodies of the zombies thus eliminated served as excellent obstacles. The corpses strewn across the ground tangled the feet of the rampaging zombies. Some slipped on blood or entrails. Others tripped and fell headlong. The uneven path of corpses turned into an unexpected advantage. Thanks to this, despite overwhelmingly outnumbering the humans, the zombies found it difficult to close the distance and steadily offered up their heads.

“Those bastards are all stupid! We can do it! We can do it!” Sergeant Kim, noticing this, continuously encouraged the soldiers.

“Sergeant Kim-nim!” “You bastard! I’ve been waiting! Hurry!!” Amidst the loud gunshots, Sergeant Kim’s voice, slightly brightened, could be heard. Soon after, I understood why he reacted that way. Thump-! Thump! Th-th-th-th-th-th-th-thump-!

A heavier gunfire sound than rifles rapidly burst forth. Simultaneously, a large number of zombies instantly toppled over. Their bodies burst or were riddled with holes. The zombies, collapsing in utterly ruined states, swiftly turned back into corpses. ‘Oh…’ As soon as the machine gun, boasting a dull rhythmic beat, joined the fray, the zombies clearly began to be pushed back.

“Shoot! Keep shooting! Maintain fire so the ammunition doesn’t stop! Shoot until the barrels bend! Don’t hold back!” Amidst the rifle fire, sounds of different power interjected from various directions. As heavy attacks were added to the hail of bullets, the tide slowly began to turn in our favor. And with that, the defensive line made of corpses grew higher. The rapidly accumulating bodies quickly reached human height. They piled up, fell, piled up, and fell again, repeating the cycle. The piles of corpses soon formed mounds, growing higher and higher. Accordingly, the zombies’ charges became slower and blunter. Like a rock blocking a stream, the mountain of corpses split the zombie horde. The zombies, divided and rushing from left and right, were devoured by the momentum-riding humans.

‘…At this rate, I might not even be needed?’ They fought so well that the initial crisis, which almost broke through, was rendered moot. They said they had repelled several attacks, and surprisingly—

“Two o’clock, Gorilla! Gorilla! Rapidly approaching!!!!!” “Intercept it! Don’t let it get close!” A suddenly appearing mutated creature quickly dashed towards the makeshift wall. Immediately after the urgent shout, the firepower, which had been concentrated on a certain area, split. The divided firepower struck the charging mutant with a hail of bullets. Thump-thump-thump-thump-! Graaaah!!

The mutant, ignoring the loud sounds of bullets embedding in its flesh, couldn’t withstand the impact and rolled on the ground, shrieking. Immediately after, a rain of grenades and bullets fell upon the mutant’s head. Boom-! Boom! On top of that, a barrage from the grenade launchers was added. It was an overwhelming torrent of attacks, but the correct judgment. Under the sudden concentrated firepower, the gorilla-like mutant lost its head and was left tattered.

‘……’ With concentrated firepower, grinding a single mutant into dust was instantaneous. I shook my head, seeing the corpse of the mutant so futilely eliminated. Just as I mentally gave a thumbs-up to the power of modern weaponry.

“Two more! Two more! Damn it! Over there! Right wall! Right wall!” The soldier who had been spotting mutants since before shrieked. Following his words, I turned my gaze and saw three mutants rushing in. ‘……’ The iron gate was precarious, but fine for now. Whiz-! Two gorillas that abruptly appeared, and a camel cricket-like mutant running diagonally up the makeshift wall. I swiftly launched myself forward. The moment I pulled out two long crowbars from my inventory and gripped them crudely.

“Get it off!!!!” Sergeant Kim, yelling furiously, leaned his upper body out, aiming for the camel cricket-like mutant first. But the camel cricket-like mutant paid no heed and quickly climbed the wall. “Park Soo! Get down!” “!!!” Perhaps frozen by the zombie’s killing intent, the soldier’s reaction was a beat late. Just before the mutant’s claws reached the soldier’s neck. “…Ah….” Flexing-! Whoosh-!!

I similarly climbed the makeshift wall, ran towards the mutant, and was able to swing the crowbar just in time. Thwack!! Clang- Thanks to swinging with all my might, the long crowbar ended its life after a single attack. Still, I timed it perfectly, just before the mutant’s hand reached the soldier. Thanks to that, I could brutally burst its head while it was airborne and… Thud- Seeing the mutant’s corpse draped over the makeshift wall’s railing, I landed on the ground. At the same time, I launched myself towards the gorillas.

“Graaaaargh!” The gorillas, charging while receiving a hail of bullets, noticed me. They too changed targets and rushed at me, shrieking. ‘……’ Whir- Swish-

I threw a broken crowbar piece at one’s face, hitting it, and the struck mutant stumbled slightly. As I threw, the remaining one leaped up and brought both arms down towards me. Sizzle- Squeeze- I braced myself, slightly lowering my stance. The moment the mutant’s two fists plunged down onto my head. Whap- I thrust diagonally into its side and— “Hup!” Whoosh! Thwack-!! “Gwaaaak-”

I struck the mutant’s side, intending to plunge my fist in. Gorilla 2, having fully absorbed the shock, was sent bouncing and rolling near the main gate.

“Grooooaaaan-!!” Whoom- Grab-! Gorilla 1, whose face I had hit, extended its long arm to grab my neck, but I snatched its hand. If we were the same size, our fingers would have interlocked, but its hand was twice as large. So, I gripped both of its middle fingers and simply pressed down. Crack- crack-crack-

Then, I rotated its hand so its palm faced me. Snap-crackle-pop- I twisted the mutant’s hand upward, shattering its bones. “Hyaaaaaaak!!”

Unknowing pain, it screamed and tried to crush me with sheer force. “You bastard.” Squeeze! As I exerted force and crushed it in return, the mutant’s posture slowly lowered. “Gah! Hyaaaah!” It clacked its teeth and thrashed its head, but its eye level was now aligned with mine. The moment the mutant’s waist bent diagonally backward. Thud!! “Ghrk?”

I tensed my abs and lower back, then slammed my forehead into the mutant’s nasal bridge. Thud-! Thud!! Crash-! Splat-! “Wheeeeze…”

An attack utilizing one of the hardest parts of the human body: the forehead. The rapid-fire headbutts landed perfectly. Its long arms, drained of strength by the intense impacts, hung limply. It looked up at me with its severely mangled face, snarling. Even after being beaten like this, its eyes still gleamed.

“Good form.” I slowly nodded and pulled out a shotgun from my inventory. Click- Bang! ‘Oh!’ The heavy recoil felt through my hand was quite substantial. The power seemed good, but its half-smashed head didn’t immediately burst, even when shot at close range. …If one shot isn’t enough, then until it is.

Bang- Bang- Splat! Squish! Its mangled head was visibly ruined, and black blood splattered. “Grr….” “Hah… tenacious bastard.” Bang-! Thud-

The high-quality shotgun finally blew a hole in the mutant’s head, and it toppled backward. I turned my gaze and approached the tattered mutant in front of the main gate. The one that had been beaten and rolled on the ground was now riddled with holes, thanks to the soldiers on the makeshift wall. As I approached, the soldiers turned their muzzles elsewhere. ‘……’ How hated it must have been by the living humans. The mutant’s form, which had completely changed in a short time, was literally half-minced meat.

“Grr! Grr!” “…….” Still, it bared its teeth and twitched. It was truly a tenacious bastard. I stomped on the back of its neck, stopping it as it crawled on the ground, trying to reach the iron gate. Bang-! “Guuh!!” Bang-! Bang-! Splat!

“Hmm.” The feel of the shotgun, which I had used for the first time, was excellent. I really liked the distinct heaviness, completely unlike a rifle. It was also good that it could be used conveniently with a single reload. Concluding my brief, impressed thoughts, I stood in front of the iron gate. Even at this moment, the zombies continued to push forward in sheer numbers. Checking the situation, I narrowed my eyes. The distance towards us was slowly closing.

“Ammunition?!” “We’re bringing it!” “Too slow!” The firearms, which had been continuously spewing flames, one by one fell silent. From Sergeant Kim’s indirect nagging, it seemed there was a problem with the ammunition feed. “Just keep firing!” He yelled with a hoarse voice, but reality was cruel.

‘…Is it now?’ I put the shotgun back into my inventory and pulled out something else. Squeeze- Clatter- A multi-barreled firearm of immense weight in my hand. An ammunition belt stretching long in the air. I smiled, feeling it glinting in the sunlight, revealing its formidable presence.

Click- First, I powered it on. Click- clack- I spun the barrels to load it. Slide- I slightly withdrew my right foot and moved its position slightly forward from my waist. I aimed the wicked muzzle at the horde of zombies in front. “Good.”

I smoothly pulled the minigun’s trigger. Whirrrr- The moment I confirmed the barrels slowly rotating. Squeeze- Braaaaaaaang-!!!! With a thunderous roar, the minigun began to spew fierce flames.