—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Special Task Force Leader Sung Kyu-hyuk said,
“Regarding what you said, Sung-hoon, about having difficulty joining us because of the zombie wave… we might be able to help with that.”
“How?”
“Aren’t they drawn to sound? We have a rescue helicopter currently available for missions.”
Ah!
I, Jun-hyuk, and Hoon all exclaimed softly.
A helicopter.
I distinctly remembered the YouTube videos of them climbing buildings, drawn by the sound of helicopter engines and rotors.
There was no doubt.
If a helicopter came, it would provoke them.
“Where are you planning to lead them?”
Jun-hyuk added to my question,
“What about luring them into the Han River?”
Special Task Force Leader Sung replied,
“The Han River. That’s a good idea, but they can simply walk underwater and climb out on the other side.”
Jun-hyuk and Hoon’s faces fell.
I had suspected as much.
They were neither alive nor dead.
The crimson blood that splattered me every time I cut them down…
If they were truly dead, the blood wouldn’t still be bright red after almost a month.
It would have long since rotted and turned black.
But they weren’t alive, either.
If they were, they wouldn’t be moving without hearts.
When I had cut the bird in half, the part without a heart had still flapped its wings, trying to bite me.
Even with its entrails spilling out.
They only began to decompose after their heads were destroyed.
That’s when their bodies started to rot.
Their blood was red because they weren’t dead.
They didn’t need to breathe because they weren’t alive.
They were monsters.
I nodded.
“I understand. I believe a helicopter would be effective. But I haven’t decided to join you yet.”
Special Task Force Leader Sung spoke slowly,
“…What do you mean? That’s not what I’ve heard.”
“This probably isn’t something to discuss with you, Special Task Force Leader. I’m just mentioning it since we’re on the phone.”
“What is it you want to say?”
I looked at Jun-hyuk and Hoon.
My people.
And my people who were still working hard downstairs.
…My women.
I said,
“I have conditions. We have dozens of people here, including those who cannot fight. They are my responsibility. I want you to provide us with weapons so they can defend themselves.”
Jun-hyuk added,
“A lot of grenades and claymores, too.”
Special Task Force Leader Sung replied,
“That’s not something I can answer. But I can tell you this: we currently don’t have any weapons to provide you with.”
Doubt clouded my face, and the faces of the others.
“What do you mean? Didn’t you say you’re a special task force?”
“Yes. We currently have two pistols and two K2 rifles. And about 200 rounds of ammunition. That’s all. We would also like to have grenades, as you requested, but we don’t have any at the moment.”
…What?
Jun-hyuk and Hoon’s expressions changed in real time.
My own face probably mirrored theirs.
“That seems like rather meager weaponry for a special task force.”
“I agree.”
Special Task Force Leader Sung sighed.
“That is our primary objective. I believe Secretary Ahn mentioned this, but securing weapons is our top priority.”
…That’s right.
I had said they were going to secure weapons.
I nodded and chuckled.
This was a real mess.
“So, I assume the Special Task Force doesn’t have many operatives available for missions.”
“That’s correct. If we did, we wouldn’t have needed to print flyers looking for you, would we?”
That was also true.
I chuckled, slightly dumbfounded.
So.
This was the current state of the government, the state of the nation’s military power.
Both the Secretary and the Special Task Force Leader had used the word “decimated” multiple times.
That was literally what had happened.
They were gone.
Everything was still there, but there was no one to use it.
They were all dead.
Or they had become human beasts.
I smacked his lips and said,
“I see. Then let me put it this way. If we obtain weapons, I’ll take half.”
Special Task Force Leader Sung was silent for a moment.
“…Half, you say?”
Jun-hyuk and Hoon also looked surprised.
Half? They whispered.
I said,
“Yes. Half.”
“Don’t you think that’s a bit much? Half? You don’t even know where the target is.”
“No. Half. But in return…”
I continued,
“I’ll handle it alone.”
Special Task Force Leader Sung didn’t respond.
After a moment, he replied slowly and deliberately,
“…Alone, you say?”
“Yes.”
I heard a sigh from the other end of the line.
I said,
“You have nothing to lose. None of your operatives will be at risk. Just take me there by helicopter or plane, and I’ll take care of the rest. And I’ll take half the weapons there, for myself and my people.”
A long silence followed.
A scoff, as if in disbelief, echoed from the phone.
Hearing that, I smiled.
They had no idea what I was capable of.
And they needed weapons.
Weapons to protect themselves.
Half the weapons for handling it alone? They might think it was excessive.
But they had a significant advantage that I and my group lacked.
A helicopter and someone who could fly it.
Since they had access to aerial transportation, half the weapons was a reasonable deal.
After a moment, Special Task Force Leader Sung spoke,
“I will relay your message… but I must tell you, if you are injured or killed, we won’t be able to help you. As you said yourself, we don’t have many operatives left. Our priority is securing weapons, not rescue missions. I want to make it clear that we won’t put our operatives at risk to save you.”
I nodded.
That was reasonable.
I was a civilian.
I was a reservist, but he wasn’t a professional soldier like Special Task Force Leader Sung.
I didn’t have any patriotism.
Patriotism was a concept for when there was a nation to be patriotic for. What did borders even mean in this situation?
Those who protected the borders and those who might invade had all become monsters.
This was the apocalypse.
My own survival was paramount.
So, Sung Kyu-hyuk’s words, prioritizing the lives of his men, sounded perfectly reasonable to me.
“I go in alone, I come out alone. You don’t need to worry about anything else. Just take me there and back.”
“…Understood. I will report to Secretary Ahn. Is there anything else?”
I nodded and said,
“I want to find my family. There are many others in our group who are also looking for their families. After the mission, I want you to help us find our families.”
Yes.
That was it.
That’s what they wanted.
Special Task Force Leader Sung said,
“…You want to find your family… I will relay that as well. But to be honest, both of your conditions will be difficult to accept.”
I smiled and said,
“You want something too. From what Secretary Ahn said, you want to secure weapons, consolidate your forces, and rescue survivors, correct?”
“That is correct.”
“That’s what you want. Not what we want. We want to live. We want to find our families. That’s what we want. With the nation in ruins, how can we expect any protection or support from the government? We have to survive on our own.”
Special Task Force Leader Sung didn’t reply.
Looking at the silent phone, he said,
“Half the weapons. I handle it alone. And you help us find our families. If these conditions are not met, I refuse to join you.”
Special Task Force Leader Sung slowly replied,
“…I will convey that to Secretary Ahn.”
“Thank you. Let’s talk again.”
I hung up.
Jun-hyuk and Hoon were looking at him.
Hoon muttered,
“Half the weapons…”
Jun-hyuk nodded and said,
“We’ll have to see how much there is, but if we can get half, it would definitely be a significant boost to our firepower.”
I nodded.
Hoon quietly asked,
“Sir, do you think the government will accept our conditions?”
I shook my head.
“I don’t know.”
I inhaled deeply and exhaled.
Looking out into the distance, I saw the sun setting.
“There’s no government anymore. Just like we’re a faction, they’re also just a faction. If they’re not going to be helpful, it’s better not to get involved with them at all.”
Jun-hyuk and Hoon’s expressions changed at my words.
They hadn’t thought of it that way.
I said,
“Survival is paramount right now. Now, go back to work. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
“Okay, Sung-hoon.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jun-hyuk and Hoon nodded and left the rooftop.
I walked over to the wall and leaned against it, looking down.
Yes.
Borders, nations, races, religions… none of it mattered anymore.
All that remained were factions of survivors.
That night passed, and the next day came, but there was no contact.
The others busied themselves moving supplies and reinforcing the windows and stairwells, and he continued his daily archery practice, leveling up.
And after about a week…
I reached the maximum level for Wild Hunter.
It was time for a new specialization.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
