Hell Frog (1)
He slammed the door shut and locked it. Zombies immediately charged at it from the other side.
Creaaah!Craaaah!
It was a glass door here too, so it didn't look all that secure.
"Mayor! Open the door!"
"Are you just gonna lock us out like this every time?!"
This wasn't even properly locked yet. Go Cheon-su found the emergency lever and dropped the interior firewall in place.
"Phew."
His view was now blocked; he could no longer see the zombies. But that didn't mean the danger had passed.
Go Cheon-su slowly walked over and examined the City Hall interior map hanging on the wall. The building had a basement level and three above-ground floors.
Where is it?
There was no obvious shelter spot. It only showed which departments were located where.
Rustle.
A bit further along, debris caught underfoot—traces of chaos.
Something's here?
Since he'd only locked the central door, zombies could slip in from elsewhere. Go Cheon-su cautiously scanned the first floor.
"Hmm..."
All the lights were on, so it wasn't dark, but every window was sealed shut. It looked like they'd locked down the entire building right before people fled.
"Then..."
The debris was remnants from their frantic escape. There had never been a shelter here to begin with.
"Damn it."
His head throbbed. But he didn't collapse. The lights being on meant power hadn't been cut yet. As a local reservist, Go Cheon-su had a duty to guard the nearby substation in emergencies. His comrades would've headed there with the active-duty unit, so it wasn't like he had nowhere to go.
He headed to the Construction and Urban Development Department office here in City Hall and rummaged through the files. He'd only heard rumors about the substation's location before.
"Too far."
Checking the map, it wasn't somewhere he could walk to in this situation.
I can't go alone anyway...
He still had to reach his parents' house, about thirty minutes away by car. The question was getting there safely.
No real comfort there, but something noteworthy caught his eye.
Snapping to attention, Go Cheon-su bolted straight for the mayor's office. Sure enough, the mayor's desk was piled with documents.
"This is..."
Among them, what drew his eye was a map like the one he'd seen earlier—but covered in Xs and arrows. It clearly marked safe routes from dangerous ones.
Perfect, take this...
Beep-beep-beep-beep!
The sudden noise made Go Cheon-su jump in shock, collapsing to the floor.
It was the TV mounted in the mayor's office. He'd accidentally hit the remote fumbling on the desk. His heart nearly stopped; Go Cheon-su clutched his chest and sighed in relief.
He stood up. No time to dawdle if he wanted to survive. He grabbed the map, snagged a backpack from another room, then headed to the basement cafeteria. He stuffed it with snacks and drinks from the vending machines and returned to the first floor.
Peeking through a few windows, he found a spot without zombies clustered outside. He eased it open and slipped out.
Quick, quick.
Moving quietly but hurrying his steps. A car alarm blared from the parking lot—he had to escape before more zombies swarmed.
Heading down the road below City Hall, he hit an apartment complex.
Uwaaaaaah!
Something screamed as it fell.
Not here.
Go Cheon-su turned back. Crowded areas would draw too much attention.
"Huff, huff."
Running was getting routine now. Even as an unemployed guy, his stamina wasn't bad.
"That...?"
A car dealership came into view. He ducked inside on impulse.
If I can just find keys...!
He ransacked every drawer in sight. There should've been some, but nothing.
Clunk!
A drawer he'd overlooked fell open. Go Cheon-su flinched like he'd been shocked.
Go Cheon-su muttered at the chat.
"No clue, seriously."
He'd ignored their teasing at first, but it was hard not to notice.
No answers there, as expected. Go Cheon-su clicked his tongue and kept searching the office. He found something unusual.
"This..."
An electric kick scooter. No idea why it was here, but it made sense as a commute vehicle. He wheeled it out and started riding. Barely any noise—perfect for travel.
"Cross the bridge this way, right...?"
Recalling the map, he steered toward it. The fastest, safest route to his parents' house.
But there was a problem.
"Hm?"
Nearing the bridge, he spotted people passing by.
"Here, here!"
"This way!"
"Hurry!"
Seeing healthy survivors was a relief, but unease surged too. A chill ran down Go Cheon-su's spine. He braked the scooter and hid nearby, watching.
"Everyone, hurry... Gah?!"
One vanished suddenly. Go Cheon-su's eyes widened as he scanned.
"What the—right in front... Kyaaack!"
"Monster! Run!"
"Eeeeek!"
They were impaled one by one and dragged off. Go Cheon-su punched the wall.
Not safe here either.
Nothing goes right.
He replayed what he'd seen. Long spear-like things snatching them.
Tongue? Looked like a skewer.
Go Cheon-su frowned. Leaning forward for a better look triggered more chat.
Watching them bicker calmed Go Cheon-su down instead.
Safe as long as I stay hidden?
Sounded like it—just don't show yourself. But he couldn't stay put. Go Cheon-su pushed the scooter forward cautiously.
If it has a weakness...
He had to pass here. Detours would take too long, and safe spots wouldn't last.
Whoosh!
The pink skewer—tongue—speared something ahead and yanked it away. Go Cheon-su froze. Moments later, a monster emerged.
"Frog...?"
A three-meter bipedal frog. Its grotesque eyes spun wildly before locking on him.
Thwack!
As the tongue lashed out, Go Cheon-su kicked off the ground and dove between buildings.
"Urgh!"
The scooter shattered in his place. He tumbled several times, absorbing shocks, but sprang up and ran. Too close. Another encounter meant getting skewered.
Avoid straight lines?
He zigzagged alleys instead of one path.
Kiririririk!
Chasing roars. After several turns, he spotted a large metal dumpster and hid inside.
Kirek!
It passed nearby. He couldn't fight, but he'd lured it this far. Sneak to the bridge later, and he'd slip through.
Kiriririk!
But it wouldn't fully leave.
No way...
If it stayed within range, trouble. Exiting the dumpster meant hard to shake again.
Click.
Go Cheon-su pulled his lighter from his pocket. Quit smoking, but always carried it for emergencies.
Won't go down easy.
Combustibles filled the dumpster. No weapons, so hunker down, burn if needed.
Kiruk.
It finally moved—back the way it came. Infuriating for Go Cheon-su.
"Phew."
Territorial frog. Tough opponent, but he'd learned.
"Coming here once, huh."
He'd memorized the route from one sprint. Scanning maps was streamer basics. He trusted repeating plays to win.
Safety checked, he exited, piled trash bags in a nearby alley corner. Needed oil—nearby hardware store had pump cans and tools. He crawled under an abandoned car, ripped the fuel gauge sensor, and pumped gas easily.
He doused the bags and ground with gas, filled empty soju bottles from recycling bins for Molotovs. Chat marveled.
Quick glance showed the frog—Hell Frog—had a slimy, soft skin despite extendable tongue. Clear sign of skin-breathing. Nothing blocked airways better.
Thanks to you guys.
Loudmouth viewers gave the hint to evade and prepare.
Not useless after all.
Many heads meant many ideas. Filter well, and it was prime intel.
"All set."
Go Cheon-su stretched slowly. Tension from running fatigued him. Peak sprint needed loosening up. He extended each knee, stood, and headed back to the bridge.
"Let's do this."