Chapter 245
Chapter 245
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 245
Chapter Title: 103. Struggle (1)
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Outpost No. 328 was built on a ridge at 1,200 meters above sea level on Hallasan, offering a view of the northeast. It sat on a gentle hill-like slope.
The outpost itself was shaped like a regular octagon, resembling a lookout tower more than a military post. The large glass windows on all eight sides were as expansive as those on an observation deck.
The main equipment inside included a searchlight on the roof and infrared night-vision surveillance gear. The searchlight had been out of commission for ages due to unreliable power, and the night-vision equipment wouldn't turn on properly because of battery issues.
The outpost was designed for a four-man rotation.
So it had a spacious barracks room big enough for four, a kitchen using an inverter, and hygiene facilities.
Water relied entirely on rainwater collection, so instead of showers, there was a bathtub for catching water and a purification capsule for cleaning the rainwater.
Fortunately, there was a device to heat the tub at night, allowing even the depths of winter to be endured with lukewarm water.
Power was the biggest issue. Lines were connected, but the supply was unstable, forcing reliance on the rooftop solar panels.
Communication gear included an old-fashioned dial-up landline phone and a computer, with cell phones as backup.
Oddly, the primary communication tool was a computer plastered with pre-war PC bang stickers. Duty reports and requests were handled through the installed work program.
The signal was weak, but it reached. Backups were the cell phone and landline, with the manual stating the landline was more reliable.
Given the outpost's overall sorry state, there were no surveillance cameras or similar nuisances.
Outside were several graves.
Most lacked proper headstones—just piles of local basalt rocks.
One stone before a grave had dried flower petals rustling in the wind.
This was the rough outline of Outpost No. 328, where I'd be staying for the time being.
It wasn't exactly livable, but what made this spot more appealing than anywhere else on Jeju was the satellite equipment hooked up by Melon Mask.
Still, I'd have to use it with caution.
The computer might have backdoors or wiretap programs I didn't know about.
That was why I hesitated even after discovering the Viva! Apocalypse! escape route.
"......"
And the air around here.
It wasn't good.
Even inside the outpost, a faint metallic tang of blood lingered.
Across from the window, there were crudely wiped bloodstains.
Judging by the shape, one of the previous occupants had slumped there, shoved a gun barrel in his mouth, and pulled the trigger.
I flipped through the duty logs on the report computer.
There had been four predecessors, alive and stationed here just a month ago.
They'd served exactly two weeks.
No records after that.
No handover notes, no shift changes, not even any mention of attacks. Probably wiped out in a sudden raid.
No recent graves suggested they'd all perished.
So three died, and the last one took his own life here.
"......"
Definitely an extremely dangerous place.
My current arsenal: one K2 rifle with 120 rounds, and my two axe-divisions like alter egos.
I had no idea what ambushed the outpost, but whatever lightly swept aside four armed soldiers wasn't ordinary.
Viva! Apocalypse! mattered, but securing immediate safety came first.
Of course, I wouldn't skip the important stuff.
I posted something pretending to be clueless as a wiretap test.
Plan was to gradually ramp up and probe the surveillance level.
Best I could do.
Better than nothing.
At least I'd avoid deadly keywords that could alert agencies like Kang Han-min or Na Hye-in.
*Click-*
After tossing the bait, I grabbed the rifle and patrolled the perimeter.
Fog blanketed everything.
This altitude could support plants and trees, but all I saw were low grasses and shrubs.
Even calling it an outpost, the faulty clock made the lower slopes hard to see.
I widened the patrol route.
Focused on the ground.
Footprints could hint at mutation size or type.
Circled pretty far, but nothing notable.
A mundane, almost peaceful hike along the ridge.
Yet I felt a chilling sense of being watched.
"......"
No need to flinch.
The beings in my nightmares were always human.
If it was a monster or mutation, that'd be ideal.
I strolled leisurely, waiting for whatever lurked in the fog to show itself, but nothing happened.
After tidying up, I sat at the computer.
This time, a full sentence.
After sending, I spaced out for a bit.
Waiting for the landline.
If surveillance spotted something, they'd call.
Waited about 30 minutes.
Nothing.
Started cleaning.
Or rather, searching for wiretaps or hidden cameras.
No cameras found.
That gave me unprecedented courage.
Checked the computer.
RJ45 port on the back.
Power strip setup: three ports.
Two LAN cables plugged in.
One to the satellite gear, the other to the upper comms antenna on the roof.
"......"
My mentor Jang Ki-young's drunken mug flashed in my mind.
"Back in my day, I was kinda famous."
Pretty sure it was outside a PC bang.
After the 13th class graduation party, on the way back, he'd launched into unsolicited war stories.
"......If shit hit the fan, I'd yank the LAN cable."
Still didn't get what lesson he meant to impart, but his drunken ramble inspired me.
*Rip!*
Pulled the LAN cable.
Let's see the reaction.
The phone rang almost immediately.
Loud mechanical bell, as expected.
Answered calmly.
"Yes, Outpost 382. Communications security."
"Huh? Isn't this 328?"
"Ah, mixed it up for a sec. Feeling dizzy, maybe altitude sickness."
"This is outpost control. Internet seems to have cut out suddenly. Can you check? Comms signal looks fine."
"Wind's picking up hard here. Fog's thick too."
"Can you check the computer's internet connection now?"
"Sure. But I'm no good with computers. Never really used the internet much."
"You can at least plug and unplug the LAN cable, right?"
"What's a LAN cable?"
"Hold on. Talk later."
The nameless woman hung up, irritation clear.
Yep, something was installed.
But now, no more sending my logs there.
Plus, even without that cable, I had another: Viva! Apocalypse!.
Messaged Valentine.
Only one who could give computer advice to a tech illiterate like me.
Moments later.
Reply from Valentine.
My chest swelled.
Couldn't say Jeju outright.
Even diminished, Jeju lingered as paradise's remnant in survivors' hearts.
Valentine sent a file.
Downloaded and installed immediately.
Mouse cursor danced on its own, poking through the system.
"......"
Valentine's show now.
Hoping for success, I shouldered the rifle and scanned the windows.
Fog still thick.
Sky darkening fast.
Mountains see night quick.
Soon, pitch black all around.
Confirmed no threats, checked monitor.
Reading Valentine's message, my heart filled unbidden.
"......"
This human connection?
I'd helped him, but not expecting payback this big.
Hit enter, surprised myself.
Me, Park Gyu, sharing turf so easily?
Had I changed?
Or the world changed me?
Either way, fine.
I had work.
Messaged Unicorn.
Reading Unicorn's flurry, I typed steadily.
Silence followed.
Unicorn said nothing.
Three long minutes later, she broke it.
Shaken?
Staring at the blanks, heavy-hearted, I messaged her.
"......"
Spot on.
Seems this place was infamous even on Jeju.
A death trap hotspot.
Grinned unwittingly.
Outside was utter darkness.
Staring into it, I typed.
Gently caressed my axes.
Cliché, but life is endless struggle.
Knew I couldn't escape that fate.
Yeah.
This was the punishment for fleeing destiny.
Nightmare stains washed clean by harsher reality.
"......"
So now, just focus on surviving.