36. The Thing in the East Sea (3)
The US military commander plucked a cigar from the ashtray, lit it, and stuck it in his mouth. Then he turned to me.
"You said it was a proposal?"
I nodded as I listened to Seong Ga-yeon's translation.
"You said you couldn't get cooperation from the locals. We'll provide that cooperation for you."
I tapped the ash off my cigar onto the floor and continued.
"We'll help you move to Donghae. In exchange, we'll take some weapons. Including mines and small-to-medium guided missiles. Javelins, was it?"
The US commander stared at me steadily before replying.
"That proposal? A month ago, or if you had enough troops, it might've been tempting. No offense, but you've only got about ten people. And we're well-trained enough. We don't need your help."
Hmm... playing hardball, huh...
I crossed my arms and took a deep drag on the cigar.
...Damn, this cigar's good. No wonder everyone raves about Cuban ones.
I exhaled slowly, savoring the smoke as I eyed the US commander. His gaze was already steely. This guy's not changing his mind. Persuasion's pointless.
So...
I glanced briefly at the US troops standing behind him.
...Four hundred of them. Should I just kill them all...?
That thought crossed my mind as I shifted my eyes back to the commander. He was watching me, oblivious to the peril his life was in, his expression asking if I had more to say.
I took another drag. Oddly enough, our timing synced up. We puffed in unison, exhaling thick clouds of woody, dark-brown smoke that swirled around our noses and mouths before dissipating.
...This cigar...
...Tastes great.
...Tch. Shouldn't have taken it.
I nodded and stood up.
"Got it. See you around."
The commander smiled kindly and said something—probably a farewell. Seong Ga-yeon didn't bother translating.
We left the command building under escort from the US troops, heading toward the runway. The Special Forces members and the Americans were chatting a few steps apart, faint smiles on their faces like they were swapping jokes.
Spotting us, both groups turned their heads.
Special Forces Captain Seong Gyu-hyuk held out my Ingram SMGs and swords.
"How'd it go?"
I took the weapons and shook my head slowly.
His face darkened slightly. As I armed myself and started walking, the Special Forces followed.
Seong Ga-yeon's voice drifted from behind, explaining what had just happened.
I walked along the runway, deep in thought. Can't leave empty-handed after coming this far. If something happens to them en route, their weapons will just fall into the hands of the local survivors. Sorry, locals, but I want those weapons. A base this size has to have a serious stockpile. Can't let it go.
"Sung-hoon, what's the plan? Call the chopper?"
Seong Ga-yeon came up beside me.
Seong Gyu-hyuk approached from the other side.
"No, we can't call the chopper. We need those weapons."
"But bro, the president said not to push too hard."
Seong Gyu-hyuk didn't respond. His expression was resolute. He'd get those weapons by any means necessary.
I said quietly,
"For now, no chopper. Let's stick around today."
Seong Ga-yeon looked worried.
"They said beasts come out at night. We don't have anywhere to stay here."
Yeah. Beasts. I need to check them out anyway.
"This is right under Seoul. Whatever happens here could happen there too. I need to see what these beasts are firsthand."
Worry creased her face. I added,
"No idea when the Americans are leaving, but Donghae's a long way off—not some quick stumble. No vehicles, so they'll have to walk. That far? Without taking any losses? Doubt it. They say they don't need us now, but that's the unknown."
I was the only one talking as we strolled the runway. No one objected.
"We need those weapons. No arguments there. Scouting other units is fine, but they'll be just as fucked. No guarantee what doesn't work here works elsewhere."
The runway ended at some hazy buildings in the distance. I headed that way.
"Let's do this."
Captain Seong Gyu-hyuk nodded.
"It'll take time. I'll report to the president."
"Yeah."
As we walked, Seong Ga-yeon glanced at her phone.
"The locals went back to Dong Chang-ri. It's along the river, so the monsters that were submerged might come back up. Could be dangerous for them."
Seong Gyu-hyuk, mid-text, glanced at her.
"We're in a tighter spot right now. Sun sets in a few hours. Need a place to hole up."
She bit her lip and nodded.
The neighborhood at the runway's edge was Anjeong-ri. Two villages flanking one runway—must be a hell of a strip. We walked a good while before entering the town proper.
Soybean sprout soup joints, PC bangs, pool halls, noraebangs—your standard lineup. Buildings were short, but it was a solid commercial-residential hub. Probably thrived off the base.
We scanned for a spot to crash, wandering the streets.
The scene was no different from Seoul. Roads clogged and cleared in patches, some smashed-up wrecks flipped over. Nothing special. Shattered storefront glass everywhere? Par for the course.
What caught my eye was something else.
"...No one's here?"
I muttered under my breath. Exactly as it looked—no human beasts anywhere on this street.
Seong Gyu-hyuk groaned.
"...Our chopper must've drawn all the monsters here into the river."
Seong Ga-yeon peered through a salon window.
"...They said when beasts run out of food, they'll go after people."
The Special Forces exchanged looks. I nodded slowly.
"Quiet here's good news. Let's pick a spot and hunker down."
"Sung-hoon, what about the beasts? They might hit the people."
I didn't answer. She was right. No food here. Only us, and we're geared up—they won't rush us easily. So only one target left.
Lucky for me. Predictable where they'll head.
"That looks good."
Seong Gyu-hyuk pointed to the tallest building around: clinic, pediatrics, pharmacy, McDonald's. Convenience store too—no food worries. Top floors for us.
I nodded.
"Yeah. Top floor."
We cleared the building, raiding the conbini first. Seventh floor overlooked a single entrance. Owner must've lived up here. One Special Forces guy pulled a small toolkit and jimmied the door—not picking the lock, just ripping off the handle. Definitely not a locksmith. Reminded me of Su-hyeon. Miss her already.
The place was spacious. Whole floor as a home—floor like a gymnasium. Minimal furniture; we could all sprawl out with room to spare.
"Dinner here, curtains drawn, keep quiet. You all know the drill."
The team, stretching on the floor, nodded.
"What's next?"
I looked at Seong Ga-yeon.
"Where'd you say the people went? What ri?"
"Dong Chang-ri."
Her eyes widened.
"You're not going there, are you?"
I smiled and nodded.
"Gotta. People might die, right?"
Truth? Don't care much about the people. Wanna scout beasts, see if I can kill 'em. No need to say that outright.
She opened and closed her mouth before saying,
"It's dangerous."
I chuckled.
"When have I ever had it easy? Covered in blood's my default. No worries."
Her eyes—and the team's—shifted, recalling me drenched in gore.
I grinned.
"Hungry. Who's cooking?"
Seong Gyu-hyuk clapped a team member's shoulder and stood.
"Sesame noodles sound good, right?"
I smiled.
"Perfect."
Sunset's a ways off. Eat, digest, then head out.
I sank into the sofa, watching Seong Gyu-hyuk and two others rummage the kitchen for big pots and fill them with water.
...Nuclear carrier in Donghae...
I smirked. Useless crap. Not like I'm crossing oceans. Tank'd be handy—plow through wrecks, shrug off human beasts. Never driven one, but heard Black Panthers are solid. Base got any? Should've asked.