Pohang Airport (1)
Go Cheon-su and the kid riding on the Maple Fly soon descended close to the ground.
"You can jump, right?"
The Maple Fly had slowed down, so it shouldn't be too hard.
"Ugh, I feel like I'm gonna puke."
But spinning around as it came down was bound to cause dizziness for the passengers.
"I'll jump."
Perhaps influenced by the words that he had to pull his weight, the kid leaped down soon after.
Thud.
The ground below was thick with grass. The kid landed safely and flailed around as he got up.
Thud!
Go Cheon-su dropped right beside him with a louder sound, then quickly pushed through the grass and let out a big breath.
"Ah, the ground really is the best."
Standing on solid earth brought a wave of relief.
Go Cheon-su watched the corpse of the Maple Fly he'd ridden crash to the ground while rolling his stiff shoulders.
Splat, splat!
A huge number of Maple Flies plummeted one after another, littering the ground.
Go Cheon-su shook his head as he watched the scene.
"Not a pretty sight."
Boom!
A massive plume of smoke rose from the distant plane as it vanished into the horizon. Even if he'd stayed aboard, survival wasn't guaranteed.
"Will the others be okay?"
The kid came over, looking up at the sky as he asked.
Go Cheon-su placed a hand on the kid's head and countered.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"That's what matters."
In this world, worrying about others was a luxury. Surviving yourself was the bare minimum.
"Whew."
Even so, Go Cheon-su couldn't help but frown a little.
"Where the hell did Heukgu drop off to?"
If the plane kept going like that, survival odds were low even for passengers. But a wingless dog just jumping out—what could he do?
Calling it "just a dog" didn't fit—the farewell had left too much regret.
Falling from that height meant almost zero survival chance. Even landing soft somewhere, it'd likely be mangled.
"Finding it might be gruesome, bros."
Go Cheon-su said that, but still scanned around. Of course, no Heukgu corpse in sight.
"...Huh?"
It wasn't that Heukgu had flown off somewhere out of view. Go Cheon-su spotted a black dog-shaped figure approaching from afar and looked shocked.
"Heukgu?"
Woof!
No doubt. Heukgu was bounding toward Go Cheon-su excitedly.
"What the."
Even limping should've been enough, but charging full of energy? Go Cheon-su let out an exasperated sigh.
Woof woof!
Heukgu circled Go Cheon-su barking happily, like reuniting with an old friend.
"Dog!"
The kid ran up shouting.
"The dog's alive!"
"Yeah, looks like it."
Go Cheon-su eyed Heukgu skeptically.
Lick.
As Go Cheon-su squatted to inspect closely, Heukgu slapped a tongue on him.
"Ack."
Lick.
"Cut it out."
LickOnYourNeck donated 1 Zen! - Lick
"......"
Go Cheon-su's face stiffened as he grabbed and pushed Heukgu's body away. But he wasn't mad. Relief washed over his features, suspicions cleared.
"Hey, you......"
Bits resembling Maple Fly skin clung around Heukgu's mouth.
"Grabbed onto a Maple Fly and rode it down?"
He couldn't know the exact details. But circumstances pointed to clinging to one for survival.
"You're one badass dog."
Not intentional, but surviving the same way? Impressive.
"Picked a winner, like always."
"Bros, you gonna keep misunderstanding? Had no choice."
It made its way back alive on its own—time to feel good about it.
Boom!
A distant explosion made Go Cheon-su whip his head around. The plane was out of sight, but the sound was close.
"Kid."
Go Cheon-su turned and asked.
"What's your name?"
"Huh?"
"Your name. Can't travel without knowing that."
Whatever happened to the plane, they needed to move fast. Cheongju Airport wouldn't have sent just one flight. If others made it safely to Pohang Airport, 7.5 Division soldiers would too.
'Wonder if they used it as bait again.'
No other planes visible yet—if that was 7.5 Division's ploy, it was vicious. Sacrificing the lead plane as bait.
"Uh, Park Jun."
"Jun."
Go Cheon-su nodded at the kid—Park Jun.
"I'm Go Cheon-su. Short trip together, but let's get along."
"Yes!"
Park Jun beamed. Go Cheon-su stood, brushing grass off himself.
"Moving fast from now. Lag behind, you're on your own."
"Ah, got it...!"
Woof!
Heukgu chimed in. Go Cheon-su chuckled dryly at the dog.
'Definitely not ordinary.'
Lucky break maybe, but in this world, luck was skill.
Go Cheon-su smirked faintly and stepped off.
'Though my luck's gotta be the best.'
Vrooom! Vroooom!
Maple Flies still buzzed overhead.
"Guess they don't care about us."
Park Jun muttered, staring blankly up.
"Yeah. Lucky break."
If they targeted ground level, they'd be hunkered in the grass now. Go Cheon-su sighed, belatedly shedding his torn wingsuit.
Vroooooar!
Then—a massive roar from above as a plane approached.
"That......"
Not civilian colors. Camouflaged military.
Go Cheon-su stared up at the transport.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
It scattered flares, flying on. Maple Flies ignored it, swarming the lights.
"Ah."
Maple Flies reacted to lights. Go Cheon-su sighed.
"Damn it. Should've been on that one."
Rushing onto the wrong plane led to this mess. Whoever was aboard would reach Pohang Airport safer than him.
Go Cheon-su scanned the sky curiously too—no other planes. Maybe diverted or grounded.
"Jun, let's hustle."
Go Cheon-su broke into a run. Had to hurry.
They moved, but nothing notable around.
"A village...?"
Some houses nearby, but far from urban—more rural vibe.
'Near the airport, I think.'
Map from the plane showed little around Pohang Airport. But that didn't pinpoint location.
Go Cheon-su scanned again.
'No standout river or big road.'
No major landmarks nearby. By flight path, only one guess fit.
'Village southwest of Pohang Airport.'
Southwest, but barely deviated south. Factoring Maple Fly detour and dive, it checked out.
"Not far. Let's go."
Woof!
Heukgu bolted ahead in response.
Agreed. Go Cheon-su nodded at the leading Heukgu.
'Scouting ahead?'
Border collie smarts, at least. More, from past actions.
'Jackpot with this one.'
Go Cheon-su followed, staying vigilant. Watch for people or monsters.
"Bro."
Park Jun pointed somewhere. Go Cheon-su, already looking, sighed.
"That's the airport, huh."
A sign appeared. They crested a hill nearby.
"There it is."
"It is?"
Park Jun asked from below. Go Cheon-su nodded down.
"Whoa! Then let's go!"
"Nah, hold up."
Debate: go or not?
'Head straight to the sea?'
Running into 7.5 Division inside would suck. That air transport had likely landed by now.
'Hour minus on foot, maybe.'
Map distance roughly that. But Daejeon to Cheongju had detours too.
'Can't just bail blindly...'
Unknown port risks—no plan meant trouble leaving.
"Jun."
"Yeah, bro!"
"Yeah, airport it is."
Scouting wouldn't hurt. He beckoned; Park Jun and Heukgu climbed up. They crossed the opposite hill, descending slowly toward the airport.
"Bro, it's high."
The slope dropped midway. Go Cheon-su silently scooped up Park Jun and Heukgu, jumping to the road ahead.
Thud!
Decent height, but safe landing with both.
"Whoa!"
Park Jun hit ground, awestruck.
"Bro, you're amazing!"
Woof!
Amid praise, Go Cheon-su wryly smiled.
"Yeah, thanks."
Go Cheon-su scratched his head at chat, then sharpened his gaze on the group.
"Alright, listen up."
Pohang Airport wasn't the goal—just check for transit aids.
"I'll sneak in quiet, scout, come back."
Stealth needed.
"You stay here with Heukgu. I'll go solo."
"Just you, bro?"
"Yeah."
But their help mattered.
"You watch for trouble. Never know what comes."
"Got it, bro."
Park Jun clenched a fist.
"Call if needed."
"Reliable kid."
Go Cheon-su patted his shoulder, then moved.
"I'm off."
Heukgu tried following, but Park Jun grabbed its scruff. Understanding, it halted.
'Good.'
Go Cheon-su headed alone to the Pohang Airport entrance, loosening up.
'See what's there...'
Bang!
Kaboom!
Then—a massive blast erupted from inside the building.