The Hunter and the Hunted (5)
Screech! Skreeeech!
The car Go Cheon-su was riding in swerved wildly, leaving skid marks in its wake.
"Help us!"
People poured out, screaming as they lunged toward the car. But unfortunately, Go Cheon-su had to swerve to avoid them.
Screeeeech!
He barely regained control of the nearly tipping vehicle and slammed down on the accelerator again.
Vroooom!
"Haa."
Through the rearview mirror, he saw people being snatched up and devoured by the Big Bodies.
"You fucking bastards."
No matter how desperate survival made them, it was a horror beyond words.
The viewers' sentiments mirrored Go Cheon-su's, though their circumstances were worlds apart.
"Goddammit...!"
Go Cheon-su still hadn't escaped the crisis.
Vehicle lifespan remaining: 10 minutes.
So it's down to this much already.
The soldiers had wasted too much time at the airport intersection. He could make it to Cheongju Airport with time to spare if he pushed the speed a bit, but the problem was the soldiers ahead weren't going that fast.
114 km/h. The van's speed wasn't slow, but it was cutting it close for arrival. One more obstacle, and they'd run out of time.
"A plan? What're you talking about?"
Go Cheon-su caught on to what Han Do-choe meant.
"At the airport, you mean...?"
He had a few ideas in mind. His best hope was a green line—a branching path—ahead that would give new info. If the info window updated, his survival odds would skyrocket.
But that relied on luck.
"Shop window."
No item refresh. Go Cheon-su bit his lip. He couldn't rely on chance now. His only option...
"Looks like blending in is the way."
At Daejeon Complex Terminal, the soldiers had time to fool the civilians. But now?
"They won't have time to pick me out. Cargo hold or wherever—I'll mix in."
He'd anticipated this since they chose bait to lure. Now it was just about pulling it off.
A bit further, and the airport loomed close. Go Cheon-su took a deep breath.
Who knows what variables are waiting.
The soldiers knew monsters were here and prepared meticulously. But they didn't know about the Graspers. Contradiction. If scouts had checked Daejeon Terminal ahead, the mid-route info wouldn't be blank.
Only one answer.
Someone at Cheongju Airport.
Someone already there spotted monsters and radioed it in.
Might be more 7.5 Division troops...
Long-range radio, likely airport staff or soldiers.
I already figured that.
More specifics would help, but this was fine.
"Here we go."
Go Cheon-su gripped the wheel tight. Target: the fork ahead of the airport.
Vrooom!
Accelerator down. As expected, soldiers took the closest entrance path.
"Gotta be faster...!"
Nav map confirmed the detour. Close the distance gap, arrive first safely.
Vrooooooom!
The car shook violently, on the verge of flipping, but Go Cheon-su suppressed his fear, focusing on the goal.
Screeeeech!
Finally at the parking lot near the entrance, he braked hard, slamming into a pillar.
Crash!
Not smooth. Go Cheon-su staggered with a sigh.
"Hng...!"
Head spinning, but no time. Clutching his aching head, he opened the passenger door.
"Heukgu, out."
Heukgu, unharmed, hopped out at his command.
"No gunshots for now."
He'd sent Heukgu out first out of necessity, not hoping for bullets.
"Let's go, Heukgu."
As Go Cheon-su and Heukgu dashed toward the building,
Vrooom!
Soldiers' vehicles approached from not far off.
"Got it."
Go Cheon-su sent Heukgu inside first. He covered the axe head at his waist with his shirt, just in case.
Anyone...?
Scanning quickly, no signs. He swallowed and entered.
No choice now—soldiers too close.
Woof!
Heukgu, ahead, suddenly turned and barked.
"What...?"
Go Cheon-su froze, spotting a man in green uniform where Heukgu barked.
"Rescue target!"
The man shouted at Go Cheon-su.
"You're the rescue target? The one who sent the request...!"
"Pardon?"
Go Cheon-su couldn't grasp the situation. His eyes went to the man's chest: a clear wing emblem.
Air Force...?!
As Go Cheon-su reeled, the man yelled again.
"No time! Those monsters are on your tail, right?"
"Uh? Yeah."
"No more ammo to fight 'em! Hurry!"
The man beckoned. Meanwhile, more Air Force in matching uniforms passed by.
"Lt. Col. Jin! All prepped! We gotta—"
One calling the man "Lt. Col. Jin" spotted Go Cheon-su and widened his eyes.
"Who's that...?"
"New rescue target who just arrived! Get him on board quick!"
The airman sighed at the order and grabbed Go Cheon-su.
"Uh, okay."
Go Cheon-su found himself being pulled along.
"What's your name, sir!"
The airman shouted while guiding him.
"Name?"
"Yes!"
"Go Cheon-su."
"Got it, Mr. Go! Our unit's under monster attack—prepping emergency takeoff! See that gate there?"
He pointed to a boarding gate.
"Board and strap in! Explanations later—no time!"
Too frantic to argue.
"What about him...?"
All he managed was about Heukgu.
"Bring him! Just hurry inside!"
The airman turned away—not boarding.
"...Wait!"
Go Cheon-su grabbed his shoulder.
"Ow? What?!"
"Got something to say."
"Huh? Now?!"
"The soldiers behind me—they're a dangerous bunch."
He didn't know how they coordinated with these Air Force, but they weren't allies.
"Saw them use civilians as bait on the way. Not a normal unit."
"Wh-what're you saying?"
"Tell your superior."
Go Cheon-su said firmly.
"Board 'em if you must, but stay alert."
No way they'd take off without them now. A firefight would doom everyone.
"Going."
Warning enough. Go Cheon-su headed to the gate with Heukgu.
Clunk.
As they rushed the aisle, the plane door started closing.
"Hold up! Passenger boarding!"
Whatever. If they took off from here, he'd play the fool.
"Wh-what the!"
As Heukgu entered the reopened door, the guarding airman freaked.
"Two passengers. Take care."
Go Cheon-su patted his shoulder and went in.
This is...
The cabin was packed with people. Crammed full, like a bomb shelter overflowing with refugees.
Woof!
Following Heukgu's bark down the aisle, Go Cheon-su sighed.
Rescued folks...?
Some soldiers, but mostly civilians.
I get it now.
Why the Air Force waited for Daejeon soldiers: shared goal. On the surface.
"Strap in quick! Taking off!"
A soldier shouted. Go Cheon-su scanned for a spot. Seats scattered empty from rushed boarding.
He took an aisle seat, buckled up.
"Here, boy."
Heukgu, wandering the aisle, sat beside at his call.
Vreeee!
Plane engines hummed to life. Tow tractor detached; taxiing to runway solo.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
No announcement—just seatbelt warnings blaring.
Vreeeeeeeeee!
Engines roared. Plane accelerated down the runway.
"Oh god."
"Monsters..."
"Scary, Mommy."
Amid murmurs, Go Cheon-su peered out the window.
"...Huh?"
Big Heads and Big Bodies swarmed near the airport.
"What the hell."
His face twisted in shock.
Cinematic or not, it was real to Go Cheon-su.
"..."
A chill ran down his spine; he slumped silently.
That was close.
Trapped there, he'd be dead 9/10 times.
Alive for now, but...
7.5 Division soldiers couldn't be touched. Best outcome possible, but it nagged.
Landing would bring new problems—same destination.
Vroooom!
But the plane lifted off the runway, as if saying worry later.
"Haa."
Go Cheon-su exhaled in relief. Boarding, surrounded by all these people—it was too sudden to believe, but not bad. Not bad, but...
No.
Hardened by countless apocalypse games, he knew better.
This...
Shouldn't happen. Until the game ended, luck and peace like this demanded suspicion.
Ignoring viewers, Go Cheon-su looked out again. Not at monsters this time.
"Why..."
The plane banked in a turn.
Viewers' reactions made Go Cheon-su raise a brow.
"Folks. Quiet down a sec."
He unbuckled, shifted to the window seat, peered below.
"Ah."
The plane wasn't heading south. The moment he realized, clouds obscured the view.