Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: PMC Mercenaries (2)
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Having finished our preparations, we stepped out of the tent to find the entire C Team already assembled.
Leading the squad was Carlson, our squad leader. Beside him stood Sera, my ex-girlfriend and drone expert; Marcus, the heavy weapons specialist who handled machine guns and other high-firepower gear, the team's only Black member; and finally, medic Lea.
Everyone wore tense expressions, waiting for Carlson to speak.
"Everyone's here."
Carlson scanned the team's armament with his eyes and spoke in a low voice.
"I'm briefing you on the mission now. As you all know, we've received an urgent request from the chairman of South Korea's massive conglomerate, Yuseong Group."
The moment his words fell, information flooded my mind once more.
'Yuseong Group...'
A colossal conglomerate ranking in the top three of South Korea's business world, wielding immense influence across electronics, chemicals, construction, and more. It was especially renowned for its dominance in biotech and pharmaceuticals, second only to Global Pharma.
"Our mission is to escort Yuseong Group's chairman's youngest daughter, VIP Yui-na, to a safe location."
'Yui-na.'
The late-born youngest daughter of Yuseong Group's chairman. Twenty-two years old this year. Famous for her stunning beauty and sharp intellect, yet equally notorious for her immature antics and scandals that kept her in the tabloids.
Carlson looked around at us and continued.
"This mission comes with a massive payout. But it's not just about the money. If we pull it off successfully, Yuseong Group has promised to hand over all their security operations to our Titan Security moving forward. This isn't just about the company—it's the future of every one of us on this team. So stake your lives on it. Any questions?"
A murmur of quiet admiration rippled through the team as he finished.
Korea boasted relatively stable public safety compared to China or Russia. Even the occasional domestic conflicts were usually handled by police, making it a top choice for PMC mercenaries seeking work.
In other words, becoming Yuseong Group's dedicated security firm meant no more deployments to dangerous war zones—just steady work in safe cities, with a lifetime of financial security.
At that moment, the hulking Black man with the machine gun slung over his shoulder, Marcus, raised his hand with a question.
"Squad leader. I have a question."
"Shoot, Marcus."
"Why do we need this much firepower just to rescue one college girl? Our current arsenal outguns a small platoon. Is the VIP kidnapped by some armed group or something?"
Marcus's question was reasonable. The military truck we'd brought was loaded not just with spare assault rifles and pistols, but machine guns, grenade launchers, and even anti-tank rockets. It didn't scream "simple VIP escort."
Carlson fell silent at Marcus's query. He furrowed his brow as if displeased, then opened his mouth as if resolved.
"Good question, Marcus. Let me explain the enemy you'll be facing."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Instead of answering right away, Carlson looked around at us in silence. The pause hinted at the gravity of what was coming.
"As you all know, the South Korean government has banned all outbound transportation. They've classified this incident as 'localized damage from an unidentified biological weapon' and clamped down on media coverage. That's the official line you know. But according to our military satellites and inside sources, it's not that simple."
"Rather than explain... better if you see it for yourselves."
Carlson fiddled with the PDA terminal on his arm. A small holographic video projected from it. As it started, blaring music filled the air, followed by a young man's face dominating the screen.
'An internet stream?'
"Hey! Thanks for the 100 balloons, viewers! Yo, manager, upgrade that guy to silver rank right now!"
The guy on screen was unmistakably a BJ running a personal broadcast. He chatted excitedly with his audience.
"So, where am I today? The hottest spot lately—right here in Seoul's Gangnam, in front of Titan Security's Korean branch!"
The BJ swung the camera, revealing the familiar Gangnam streets outside. At the center stood the massive building emblazoned with Titan Security's logo. Dozens of protesters held signs out front.
Their placards read things like "Oppose PMC Legalization!" and "Titan Security, Get Out!"
"This is... our company branch."
Sera muttered in disbelief.
"Viewers! You're looking at the eye of the storm: Titan Security's Korean branch! As you can see, tons of citizens are gathered today to voice opposition to PMC legalization. Sure, PMCs gained traction back when gun smuggling was an issue, but lately, it's their excessive power and extraterritorial rights sparking these protests. Of course, with all the vested interests involved, things are different now than..."
That's when it happened—right as the BJ was rambling on.
"Kyaaahhh—!"
A piercing scream erupted from off-screen.
The BJ and viewers alike seemed stunned. The chat exploded with question marks.
[?? What's that sound?]
[Is someone fighting?]
"Huh? Huh? What? What's going on?"
The BJ, flustered, grabbed his streaming camera and rushed to the window. The shaky feed captured the protest scene on the street.
And that's when we saw it.
One of the peaceful protesters suddenly lunging at another's neck, tearing into it—an unbelievable sight.
"Whoa, insane! What the hell is that?!"
The BJ yelled in shock, his voice trembling.
[Holy shit, he's actually biting a person]
[Should we call the cops on that?]
"No way... Is Titan Security cracking down on protesters with force!?"
The BJ shouted excitedly. His eyes gleamed more with scoop potential than fear. He barked at his cameraman.
"Hey! Swing the camera that way! Hurry!"
The camera jerked toward the alley where the scream originated.
A group of people—no, more and more—burst out screaming from the alley.
Terror etched their faces as they fled like something invisible chased them, charging desperately toward the protesters on the road.
"Whoa, that's dangerous!"
The BJ voiced his concern.
Sure enough, panicked civilians tangled with protesters, turning the street into pandemonium in seconds.
People tripped, trampled, screams of agony everywhere. The road became a massive whirlpool of chaos.
But it didn't last.
From the opposite alley where the runners had emerged, a new group appeared.
They looked horrific. Clothes shredded, bodies smeared in dark red bloodstains.
Some had arms twisted at grotesque angles, others legs— like car crash victims.
"...Insane. Jackpot. This is a scoop!"
The BJ's voice quivered with excitement. He saw this nightmare as his big break.
"Hey! Camera! Close-up on those injured people! Now!" ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The camera zoomed in, revealing their details: vacant eyes, rotting, festering skin. And dark red blood dripping from their jaws.
Nothing human about them.
But the chaotic street crowd hadn't realized yet. A few brave citizens approached to help the fallen "injured."
"Whoa! Look at that, folks! Classic Korea—world-class civic spirit!"
The BJ gushed just as...
Blood sprayed like a fountain from one citizen's neck. One of the "injured" had bitten into it.
[What the fuck did I just see?]
[??? This has to be a movie shoot, right??]
"Gaaahhh!!"
Screams erupted, the street turning into living hell. The "injured" tore into, clawed, and devoured anyone trying to help.
It took no time for the ordinary street to become a gore-soaked slaughterhouse, entrails and flesh flying.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Police on site for crowd control opened fire with pistols. Bullets punched through torsos and heads; the creatures crumpled one by one.
"Phew, good. Cops handled it."
The BJ sighed in relief. But it was premature.
"Huh? What... is that?"
The camera shifted to those bitten by the "injured."
The man with his throat torn out from blood loss. The woman with her guts spilling from a ripped belly. They... rose as if nothing happened.
With the same vacant stares as their attackers, they staggered toward the living.
[This is crazy... what are those?]
[Straight out of a zombie movie!]
[Shit just got real]
The chat filled with horror. The BJ went silent, numbly filming the atrocity.
But it wasn't over. At the video's edge, more infected poured endlessly from the alley.
The footage ended there.
Carlson shut off the hologram. Heavy silence fell. Even laid-back Marcus stared stone-faced.
"Something's wrong."
Carlson broke the quiet.
"Similar incidents are happening simultaneously across South Korea right now."