Special Forces (1)
"They're missing. We don't know for sure if Team 1 was completely wiped out by those bastards, but the situation suggests it. Right?"
"That's correct."
I nodded and replied.
"Is Team 2's leader still there? Name was Seong... right, Seong Gyu-hyuk. He didn't go missing with them, did he?"
"The other teams haven't deployed on missions yet."
Other teams... so there are multiple besides Team 2. But they have no weapons. What the hell? If these were survivors who escaped from their base, they should've been armed to some degree. Just two pistols and two rifles? ...I have a guess.
"Excuse me, but are the current Special Forces members active duty?"
Chief of Staff An Jun-gyu answered.
"Only two are active duty. One of them went missing on a mission."
Figured. They must be guys who got out after discharge and joined up as civilians. When shit hit the fan, they probably sought out the government or military first. The fact that they made it without weapons means they're definitely trained warriors. Anyone with a spouse or kids would've had a hard time hitting the road to regroup, so most are probably single guys who'd been working civilian jobs post-discharge.
They've got the fighters, but no guns. That's the situation those warriors are in.
I nodded and said, "Got it. We'll join up."
Chief of Staff An Jun-gyu let out a quiet sigh and said, "Good decision. Looking forward to meeting you. We'll be in touch soon."
"Yeah. See you later."
I hung up.
Warriors and weapons. Depending on the people, but allying with a group of well-trained fighters would definitely make surviving the apocalypse easier. I'm not the only one who needs to find family. Everyone's worried about theirs. Me, us, them. Forming alliances and building forces... not a bad idea.
I picked up the bow from the floor.
"Guess we'll see what kind of people they are when we meet 'em."
I nocked an arrow, aimed below, and drew back.
Pwaaaaa—
"Up till now."
I whispered softly and released the string.
Thwip. The arrow pierced a Human Beast's skull with a sharp whistle. The red glow faded.
Whew. I exhaled and nocked another arrow.
"They don't look that bad."
Definitely not like the Cockroaches. As I fired arrows like that, my phone rang. Unknown number. And a video call.
...What the?
I set the bow down and answered. My eyes widened.
On the screen, an elderly gentleman in his later years.
"You're..."
Before I could finish, he smiled and said, "Hello, Mr. Han Sung-hoon. I'm President Min Jeong-woo of the Republic of Korea."
No way. The actual president.
I narrowed my eyes, then said, "Ah, yes. Nice to meet you. Han Sung-hoon here."
He looked haggard. Probably not eating right.
President Min Jeong-woo smiled and said, "In times like these, it's hard to just come out and say I'm the president of Korea. We're struggling too, but I've heard you're taking good care of people. Great work you're doing."
"Thanks."
I'd always hated politics, but meeting the president in person felt different.
President Min Jeong-woo said, "How are things holding up? Eating okay? People healthy?"
"Yeah. We're good."
I inhaled and glanced below with my chin. "Got a mart downstairs, so food and clothes are no issue. How about you, sir?"
President Min Jeong-woo smiled benevolently. "Glad to hear it. With people around and folks like you, Han Sung-hoon, we still have hope."
He didn't mention his own situation. Must be rough. Seeing a kind-looking old man so worn out tugged at me.
President Min Jeong-woo said, "I heard from the chief of staff that you've decided to join us. And that you want to find your family."
"Yes."
The president nodded gravely and said, "I don't know how all this happened. But Sung-hoon, don't lose hope. I pray you find your family. We'll help however we can, so please help us too."
I nodded. "Got it."
President Min Jeong-woo smiled faintly. "Looking forward to meeting you."
"Yes, sir."
The call ended.
"Whew..."
The president... The background didn't look like any office. Just a regular home. Not spacious, more like a motel room—not a place fit for a president. Not the Blue House. No First Lady in sight either. Did something happen to her? Or did she turn?
I lit a cigarette and stared at my phone.
The apocalypse took everything. Even the president isn't exempt. Bitter.
Still, you'd think the president of Korea would be holed up somewhere grand. I knew in my head that with everyone dead or turned, only survivor factions were left. But deep down, I'd hoped some proper military with a chain of command would handle the zombie waves and get us back to normal life. I'd help with my abilities along the way. Yeah, I'd been counting on that.
But seeing the president like that crushed any hope even more. He said he had hope in me, but it's just words. He's only seen some videos—what makes him think I'm the real deal? Shows how desperate they are.
As I finished the cigarette, the phone rang again. Saved number.
[Special Forces Team 2 Leader Seong Gyu-hyuk]
Hm. Must've gone up the chain to the president himself. Time for the Special Forces commander to call.
I answered. "Yeah, Han Sung-hoon."
"Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk. Just spoke with the president. You agreed to join."
I smirked, picking up the bow. "Yeah. Let's do this."
Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk sighed quietly and said, "Han Sung-hoon, don't take this the wrong way. I still don't trust you. Those videos look faked, honestly."
Hm. Straight shooter. I wouldn't believe some random video either. Who'd go hunting for a guy based on one YouTube clip? With things this dire, they're grasping at straws, hoping it's not a scam. Fair.
In that sense, Seong Gyu-hyuk's pretty honest. His thinking's rational—I confirmed that on the last call.
I chuckled. "Doesn't matter if you trust me."
"What do you mean?"
"What matters is securing weapons. Not whether you trust me."
Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk went silent, at a loss for words. I continued.
"Terms are the same. I go in alone. No risk to you. After I clear it, half the weapons. Transport 'em by helo to our people—drop on this building's roof."
Zombie waves could hit anytime; can't leave guns on the street where my people, my women, might get bit. Plus, even if it's hundreds, I can't haul it all solo. Going out there with everyone to farm is too risky. Helo transport's best. And they've earned weapons by stepping up to save people.
I said, "You don't need to trust me for that."
Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk replied, "Understood. Our terms same. If you fail, no rescue op."
I smirked. "Fine. Deal."
Rescue op... I tilted my head. "Heard Special Forces Team 1 went missing. No rescue for them?"
"No."
Damn. Cold. Terms apply equally to everyone, huh.
I nodded. "How'd they go missing? Special forces, even lightly armed."
Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk inhaled and said slowly, "Team 1's mission was infiltration to the armory. They got spotted, fired shots. Then missing."
Hm. Gunfire draws every bastard nearby. Hundreds swarming from all sides... Body shots don't kill 'em; gotta headshot. No way out.
"No word they're alive?"
"None."
Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk sighed. "They knew the risks. Knew rescue might not come. They went on mission and failed. That's it. Don't ask more."
I nodded. Someone close must've been on Team 1. I could feel the hurt.
"Got it. We'll join then. Let's run the op ASAP."
"Yes. 05:00 today. Helo launches. Out."
Call ended.
Hmm. Special Forces Commander Seong Gyu-hyuk. No idea why, but I like him. Gives off total pro vibes.
I smirked and nocked an arrow.
Alright. Sun rises, new day begins. I gazed at the still-bright moon and drew the bow.