Life Is Originally Alone (3)
The fish hooked on the line had only one job left to do.
"What exactly do you want to know?"
The soldier met Go Cheon-su's eyes and asked. "I can't tell you everything, but I might be able to give you what you need. Ask away for now."
"Really?"
Then there was no reason to hold back. Go Cheon-su opened his mouth right away.
"What the hell is the 7.5 Division?"
It was a bit too direct, but it was what Go Cheon-su was most curious about.
"What they do?" The soldier let out a hollow laugh. "They picked you as combat personnel, but you really haven't heard shit, huh? They don't call us rebels or anything."
"Yeah, it's all your fault. What if I'd forgotten the code?"
Go Cheon-su glanced at the soldier's condition. He'd only targeted the legs and arms, but the wounds were still pretty bad. Dragging this out too long wouldn't end well.
"Anyway, answer what I asked. What is the 7.5 Division?"
"What else? It's a relief organization."
The soldier said it casually. "The 7.5 Division is a special unit that mobilizes in national emergencies. Our main job is to efficiently gather the necessary people and restore collapsed society."
"……?"
Go Cheon-su blinked in confusion.
'Restore collapsed society?'
It sounded suspiciously like that company named after the English word for umbrella, pretending everything was fine on the surface.
'They expect me to buy this?'
Go Cheon-su cleared his throat and shook his head. Even from what he'd done so far, this guy's words were impossible to trust, but they were in the middle of a conversation now. No time to show suspicion.
"What? Something wrong?"
Sure enough, the soldier looked puzzled. Go Cheon-su waved it off.
"Nah. Bug just flew into my mouth."
Thankfully, the soldier seemed convinced and let out a sigh. "I see. Watch out for bugs too. Lots of weird shit around."
"Thanks for the tip. Let's get back to what you were saying."
Go Cheon-su tossed out the next question, cringing at the weirdly cozy vibe.
"The whole 7.5 Division isn't here, right? This is just a portion in Daejeon?"
"A portion, yeah. Can't tell you how big, though."
There were limits to what he could access, as expected. Go Cheon-su sighed softly.
"So what are the troops here planning now? You gathered all the needed people? Where you headed?"
"……."
The soldier suddenly clammed up.
"What."
Go Cheon-su pressed him. "Why aren't you answering?"
"Hard to say where we're going."
Go Cheon-su scowled at the soldier shutting his mouth after barely spilling anything.
"You gotta tell me how you're moving at least. How else am I gonna catch up?"
"Well, yeah, but……."
"Destination's Jeju Island anyway, right?"
It was the most likely final stop, from what he'd heard at the taxi company.
"Word is it's safe there. Just tell me how you're getting to Jeju from here. Simple, yeah?"
"Ugh."
The soldier groaned at Go Cheon-su dropping Jeju, then finally spoke up again.
"Cheongju Airport."
"Cheongju Airport?"
"That's where we're heading."
Totally unexpected destination.
'What the hell…….'
Go Cheon-su didn't know every airport. Cheongju was one he'd overlooked.
"What about the KTX? You sent one north."
It sure as hell wasn't going to Cheongju.
"No one to Incheon or Gimpo? Not heading to Jeju from there?"
"C-calm down."
The soldier swallowed dryly. "Most on the KTX were our troops. Tracks to Yeongdeungpo Station were clear, and reports said Gimpo Airport was safer than expected, so we sent a team to check."
"What?"
Not bait after all.
"Then why Cheongju now?"
"KTX contact cut off ages ago."
The soldier sighed. "Something latched under the train shortly after departure. Couldn't even pick up speed. Contact dropped soon after."
So they hadn't slowed it on purpose.
"B-but anyway."
The soldier glanced at his body. "I could use some first aid or something."
Go Cheon-su followed his gaze. The guy's state wasn't great. To save him, yeah, some treatment was needed.
"Yeah."
First aid brought Kim Ha-ryeong to mind. She'd probably jump at the chance.
As Go Cheon-su's lips twitched thinking of his missing crew, the soldier grew more urgent.
"Untie me first. No more boats coming, so let's make a raft quick and bail together."
"Ah, nothing else coming?"
Go Cheon-su asked quietly. "Then one more quick question since it's getting hard to talk. You said you 'efficiently gather people,' right?"
"Uh? Y-yeah……."
"So you cut the bridge 'cause you don't need more people here?"
The soldier sighed at Go Cheon-su's question.
"Pretty much. Just need a few civilians. Taking too many makes control tough."
"Control."
Nice word.
"You shitting me?"
The soldier looked flustered at Go Cheon-su's sudden icy glare.
"W-what."
"Gather just enough people to control easily. Sounds plausible. Prevent chaos or whatever—easy explanation."
Extremely efficiency-focused, it wasn't incomprehensible. But for a normal military op? Way too fucked.
"But blowing the bridge? Even if you're only taking who you want, isn't that sloppy?"
People left behind couldn't cross and would die.
How selfish could you get?
"Smells fishy."
Go Cheon-su shoved his face close. "Not restoring society—overthrowing it."
"W-what the hell are you saying!"
The soldier twisted his face and yelled. "Think we're rebels again? We're busting our asses for this country!"
"For real?"
"You don't believe me?"
The soldier glared with bloodshot eyes. Go Cheon-su stared right back and muttered,
"Psycho."
He sensed some twisted conviction from the soldier. The kind hypocrites have—putting people in danger but convinced they're righteous.
"Dunno what you're into, but conversation's over."
He'd known since the guy spouted bullshit so calmly about the 7.5 Division. This was all you'd get from him.
"Got what I need."
Go Cheon-su raised his gun.
"Anything else? Like the real deal on the 7.5 Division."
The soldier looked incredulous. "I answered everything you wanted…… and this is how you screw me?"
"Who screwed who first?"
Blowing the bridge cost him his crew. If it was to stop monsters, maybe understandable—but nah.
"Can't be buddies with you lot."
"Y-you bastard……!"
"Last chance."
Go Cheon-su glared. "Spill. If there's more."
Gun to his face, but no answer. The soldier shut down like a broken machine.
Kraaaaa!
A sound rang out. Go Cheon-su glanced at the window.
A zombie shuffling down the street.
"Old friend's dropping by."
Go Cheon-su walked over and flung the door wide.
Aggro 1 - 09:59
The zombie spotted Go Cheon-su and approached. He turned back to the soldier.
"Still nothing to say?"
The soldier looked up, eyes full of hate.
"Thanks. Nice glare."
Made it even sweeter.
"Revenge for my crew."
Kraaaaa!
The zombie charged.
Crunch!
Not Go Cheon-su. He stepped aside, and the building filled with the soldier's dying screams.
Outside by the river, Go Cheon-su scratched his head.
'Headache.'
He knew roughly where to go. But how was the issue.
'Can I just cross? Blown boats are gone.'
No wood zombies in sight. But couldn't relax. Normal Ents gulped water fine. Hadn't seen it drink when submerged, so maybe attribute changed, but unlikely drowned. Had to watch for ambushes.
'Cheongju Airport.'
Unfamiliar solo trip. Go Cheon-su rubbed his chin.
A few ideas after thinking. First, check the shop.
"Shop window."
Flash!
A translucent catalog floated up.
"Huh?"
No Zen to buy anyway, but not this format.
"Hmm……."
He touched it. Tangible, of course.
"Duck boat?"
The pages flipped automatically, showing items.
"……."
Just two items, photos included. Go Cheon-su stared blankly.
Go Cheon-su flipped more. Still just those two.
"What the……."
End note: 'Items update randomly.' Tiny red text below: 'Low chance existing items may vanish on update.'
Bad luck with no Zen? Watch stuff you need disappear while window-shopping.
"Brothers, what is this?"
"Damn."
Tube for 2 Zen—but zero Zen.
"Shouldn't this be free?"
Photo screamed kiddie pool float.
"Ha……."
Go Cheon-su sighed at the laughing chat.
Go Cheon-su groaned at the alert.
'Han Do-choe again.'
Small amounts, so probably doling it out slowly.
"What is this."
Sponsorships followed Han Do-choe.
"Don't sponsor when I'm killing, but now?"
Whether pity or funny, even the messages matched.
'Top fan?'
Han Do-choe was already die-hard, no?
'Ah.'
Streaming platforms had official 'top fan' tiers by sponsorships/activity.
'If this has that…….'
Important, but not urgent. Go Cheon-su checked his Zen.
'10 Zen debt left…….'
He had to cross this river solo.