What They Want, What We Want (1)
People gasped in surprise. I held out my hand to calm them and asked, "The presidential chief of staff?"
"That's right. I'm An Jun-gyu, Chief of Staff to the President. May I have the name of the person who answered the phone?"
An Jun-gyu? Never heard of him. Politics is bullshit anyway, and I've got zero interest in the idiots who risk their lives for that crap. But that's me—everyone else seemed to know better.
Hoon-i blurted out in shock, "Sounds like the chief of staff for real, sir. The voice matches what I've heard on the news."
Jun-hyeok nodded too. "Yeah, seems legit, Sung-hoon."
I nodded back. "If you don't mind, could you tell me why you're looking for me first?"
There was a pause on the other end. A thoughtful hum came through. Then An Jun-gyu spoke. "I can explain, but first I need to confirm that the person on this phone is indeed the man from the video. No offense—it's just classified info, and I have to report to the President. Would you mind?"
That's when Jeong Eun-seo cut in. "Chief of Staff, you know our situation isn't great right now. We don't even know why the government dropped those flyers looking for someone, and we need to understand if we're in danger too."
"And who might you be...?"
Jeong Eun-seo glanced at me, then said, "...Someone close to him."
An Jun-gyu went quiet for a moment. "Very well. Let me explain."
He continued, "I don't know how many of you are there, but it sounds like a group. I'll address you all as such."
Eyes darted around the rooftop. This was a direct line to a top government official.
"As you know, the entire world teeters on the brink of collapse. Korea is no exception. From day one, our government convened an emergency committee and launched urban stabilization plans. But they failed."
I knew that much. If they'd succeeded, we wouldn't be holed up here.
"There were many reasons for the failure, but the biggest was what happened to armies worldwide—it hit ours too. Infections broke out across units, and within hours, soldiers were dying or turning everywhere. Plenty must've deserted. No different from civilians turning in the cities."
...Figured as much. If the military had held, they'd have done something.
"Our forces are obliterated. No police for order, no army left. We estimate at least 90 percent of the population infected within the first week."
90 percent... Felt low, but who could take a census now?
"The National Assembly was the same. Outbreak day coincided with a session—over two hundred lawmakers gathered. Dozens suddenly turned, attacked the rest, and before anyone could escape, everyone there was infected or dead. All that's left are a handful of government officials. And an elite few soldiers."
Not just Korea. Armies, governments, parliaments worldwide—end of days, day one. Game over.
"We have no army. Most are presumed dead or infected. But we have weapons. Just sitting there, waiting."
...Weapons. My eyebrow twitched.
"We're reclaiming our bases to secure them—rifles, explosives, combat helicopters, vehicles. Ultimately, to rescue survivors with those arms."
Expressions shifted around me. I leaned in too.
"We're forming a special forces unit to retake the bases. Talented people have gathered, more on the way, when we spotted your video. That's why the government needs the swordsman."
An Jun-gyu paused, waiting for a response. All eyes turned to me.
I opened my mouth slowly but hesitated. Attack bases for guns? Solid plan. But how? Zombie wave trapping us here. Leave these people? And even if I go, how the hell do I get back?
"Still there?"
I drew a breath. "Yeah. I heard you. Need... time to think."
"Think about what?"
I glanced at the rooftop wall. "We're smack in a zombie wave. Can't move. And we can't just abandon our people."
He hummed. "We can discuss that later. We might even help. But please, as I've asked repeatedly—can you prove it's you?"
...Tough call. Special forces, huh.
I nodded slowly. "...Fine. Video work?"
"Yes, for starters. If we meet later, show us in person?"
"If we meet."
"We'll await it eagerly. Hope to hear from you soon."
"Yeah."
Call ended.
Stares all around. But... weapons. Weapons! All we've got are bows. Who knows what's next—even if we survive this wave, another could trap us. Can these folks hold out with a hundred arrows? My women?
Weapons. We need them. A dozen K2 rifles, ten thousand rounds—could work. Grenades too. Mortars...?
Weapons. The word stirred something in my chest. Noise is an issue for me, sure—my style's silent strikes, no one else pulls it off. I can avoid fights easy. But normal people? Civilians? When guns come out, noise doesn't matter. Shoot to live, don't and die—no choice.
Better to have 'em. Dozen rifles. Ten thousand rounds. Hundred-plus grenades. If shit hits while I'm gone, they survive. And more—family. Parents. Little sister. Gotta check if they're alive. Get out somehow. But if I do... it's temporary. Family matters, but so do my women. I'll return to them. So in my absence, these people—my people—need to defend themselves. Especially my girls. Su-hyeon, Ye-eun, Eun-seo. No one dies. Never.
I finished thinking and looked up. "Han-tae. Go grab my sword. And a tub of almond chocolate balls."
"Got it, bro!"
Han-tae scampered off eagerly. I turned to Su-hyeon. "Record it good."
"...You going? Oppa?"
Worry bloomed on her face. Ye-eun and Eun-seo looked grim too. Scared I'd leave. Everyone did.
I shook my head. "I'm not leaving you. I'll protect you. But the chief's got a point. We need weapons."
More precisely, you do. I could manage without—immune to bites. But one nip and you're done.
Tae-young grinned. "Fuck, just got out of service and now back to shooting."
Words aside, he beamed. "Weapons are good. We need 'em. Grenades would be nice."
"I, uh, know mortars, sir."
Huh. Jun-hyeok knew his shit. Hoon-i perked up too. Yeah, that's Korean guys for you. Awkward strangers one minute, full soldier mode the next when it hits.
Women anxious, men expectant. I looked at the girls—my girls.
"Don't worry."
Eun-seo pouted, teary-eyed. "Always just 'don't worry.'"
First time I'd seen that face. I stroked her cheek, smiled. "When have I ever let you down? Don't worry."
Su-hyeon and Ye-eun watched me. Those eyes... I said I'm not going. If I do, just a quick trip.