Departure and Return (3)
American houses are pretty spacious, with a ton of stairs. We'd settled into a second-floor spot with a decent view, but thanks to the relentless downpour, all we could do was stare at the rain pattering against the windows and the drenched streets below.
The upside of a rainy day? The steady drum of rain on the roof has a way of soothing the soul. Watching the storm from inside feels downright cozy. The downside? Good luck getting a helicopter off the ground in this mess. It's not just any rain—it's a full-on deluge, sheets of water slamming down. No way you're flying through that. That's why we're all stuck here, feet glued to the ground, the US military included. I figured it was just a quick shower, not a bloody monsoon season.
I propped my elbow on the windowsill, lit up a cigarette, and gazed out when someone knocked. Only a few people would come knocking at my door anyway.
"It's open."
In walked Seong Gyu-hyuk and Seong Ga-yeon. Their pants were soaked through, clinging like wet rags—they'd clearly been out in the storm doing something.
Ga-yeon sauntered over, plopped into the desk chair, and grinned at me.
"You look bored as hell."
I chuckled and glanced between them.
"How're the locals holding up?"
Seong Gyu-hyuk replied, "They'll be fine. The US side didn't just hand over personal firearms—they threw in heavy weapons too. Looks like every house roof's getting a minigun mounted."
I let out a low whistle. Miniguns? Damn.
"That's some serious firepower. But you think that'll cut it? That forest is still crawling with beasts."
Ga-yeon tilted her head, puzzled.
"That's the weird part. They say the forest is almost empty of beasts now."
What? Weren't they swarming the mountainside before?
Ga-yeon explained, "After the fight with the bosses, the US flew out a bunch of recon drones, worried about a beast raid. But once that monster boar they called 'Mountain Lord' went down, the rest scattered like they'd planned it—fled in every direction."
I took a long drag, inhaling deep, and stared up at the ceiling.
"...Boss goes down, pack bolts? So no clue where they headed?"
Ga-yeon shook her head.
"Everyone's just guessing they're regrouping under new leaders somewhere, prepping another wave."
On the ride back in the Riverlin, I'd shredded plenty in those woods. Cut down the bat swarms overhead too. Killing the alphas must've thinned the herd big time.
I hummed thoughtfully and eyed Ga-yeon.
"Still some left in the mountains, though, right?"
She nodded. "Yeah. That's why the US is handing over a few recon drones for constant monitoring. Our special forces are sticking around till the weather clears to teach the locals how to use 'em."
I shot her and Gyu-hyuk a surprised look.
"You guys handle drones too?"
Gyu-hyuk shrugged. "Not experts, but we all got the basics in the military. Recon's part of the job. Not complicated."
Hmm. Special forces—reliable as ever.
Gyu-hyuk added, "Handing some to the locals, keeping some for ourselves. Security in our zones and yours is gonna skyrocket."
"Appreciate it."
A meter-long recon drone? Perfect for spotting waves from the sky without drawing heat. Ideal for SeoRae Village and us.
I turned back to the window. Hope the mart crew's doing alright. Soon as the rain stops, Park Dae-wi could chopper in and we'd bounce.
Oh, right.
I glanced at Gyu-hyuk. "What about the Chinooks? Hate to leave 'em."
Aside from the few the US is taking and our one, four more are staying here. Waste of good birds. No pilots, though—what can you do?
Gyu-hyuk smiled. "Park Dae-wi and Kim Dae-wi will fly back on the light aircraft later."
I cocked my head. "Light aircraft? What about helos?"
"SeoRae crew's barricading Banpo Sports Complex right now. Building hangars for the Chinooks and our birds. Park and Kim fly light planes in, then hop the Chinooks home."
Ah, got it. I smirked.
"Kim Dae-wi knows helos too?"
"Doubt it. Probably getting chewed out by Park right now, learning on the fly. Park's lead pilot anyway—Kim just assists."
I tilted my head again. "Thought Chinooks need three crew... That enough?"
"No idea. But Park said it'd work when I checked yesterday, so I trust it. Timing's perfect, really."
"Timing?"
Gyu-hyuk grinned and nodded at the window. "The monsoon. Gives Kim time to learn helos, locals drone basics, and us time to inventory what else we can snag from the US haul."
I caught his expression and smiled. "Scored big, huh?"
"Yeah. Especially aviation fuel additives—tons of 'em. No fuel shortages grounding us for at least a year or two."
Nice. With the existing helos, Chinooks, and fuel? Operational range just exploded.
...One step closer to finding family.
"Good stuff."
I smiled, peered out the window, and lit another smoke.
The monsoon finally broke after a week, past noon.
The US loaded Chinooks with troops and gear, sending them skyward first. Secure the LZ, then ferry the rest in waves.
We were prepped too. Ship ten tons of weapons, ammo, and explosives first, then loop back for personnel and fuel.
Team boards last. I'm heading out now.
Our Chinook sat in the middle of the puddle-pocked runway. As I walked up, Park Dae-wi and Kim Dae-wi waved from the cockpit, helmets on—looked like pros now.
I waved back. Feels good seeing familiar faces.
"Sung-hoon!"
Ga-yeon called from behind. A few US troops stood with the special forces—Tom Jackson on crutches among them.
Ga-yeon dashed over with a wooden box. "Gift from him."
Gift? I took it—English lettering: [Tom L. Jackson].
US commander. Inside: cigars, packed tight.
...Oh yeah!
Jackson waved from afar, crutches under his arms. Hell of a parting gift.
Locals with recon drones waved too. I waved back, boarded the Chinook.
"Heard you busted ass. You good?"
Kim Dae-wi asked from the co-pilot seat.
I shrugged with a grin. "Fine."
He nodded, smiling. "Good work. Strap in—taking off."
I buckled into the third-crew seat.
Whirrrrrr—
The engines roared to life.
* * *
Banpo Sports Complex had changed a lot since we left. Barricades everywhere—razor wire, fences, furniture lashed together into fortresses. No amateur work; must've mobilized everyone day and night.
They'd cleared the perimeter too—no human beasts despite the Chinook's thunderous landing.
Banpo Sports Complex and SeoRae Village—people's sweat turned them into near-perfect safe zones.
Seeing it hit home. I stepped off, headed to the government motel outpost in SeoRae.
"Truly, outstanding work. Heard all about it from our special forces captain. Incredible feats."
President Min Jeong-woo gripped my hand, beaming.
I smiled and nodded. "All due to the special forces grinding it out."
Riverlin runs up and down the Han, standing watch with the US, hauling weapons, teaching drones—they earned it. No way I'm stealing their thunder.
Song Gyu-tae approached. "Heard you scored aviation fuel too. Thanks—huge relief."
I nodded.
An Jun-gyu, chief of staff, chimed in. "Not just weapons and that beast of a helo, but allying with local farmers? Brilliant. Recapturing the peninsula's no dream now. Keep it up."
His voice dripped joy, face lit up. Everyone chimed in—I couldn't respond to all.
Shoulder slaps, handshakes, cheers. I slipped through to SeoRae's edge.
The old ladder barricade? Now a sliding steel gate.
Damn, they hustled while I was gone.
Crowd poured out to see me off. A four-man special forces team atop the wall called down.
"Heading out? Your bike's ready."
Pointed to my old ride, parked neat.
...Ah, the bike. Feels nostalgic already.
I grinned. "Nah, don't need it."
At the gate, a special forces guy slid it open.
Rumble—
"Walking? Long way—want an escort?"
"I'm good."
I smiled, stepped through.
US troops, locals. Ga-yeon, Gyu-hyuk, special forces. They all know now.
I'm no ordinary guy.
All eyes on me, I strolled toward Banpo Bridge.
Inventory open—grabbed Whirlwind.
Tossed it ahead.
Shwooom!
Pure white motorcycle. Whirlwind materialized.
Gasps erupted behind me.
I didn't look back, mounted up.
Rrrrrumble—
Low, heavy engine growl. I gunned it.
Vroooom—!