Load, Aim, Fire (3)
Thud, thud, thud.
Zombies were unpredictable. Their behaviors varied wildly depending on their traits, and their erratic abilities made it impossible to anticipate their attacks. But humans were different. Humans had desires and moved within the bounds of those goals, choosing their methods accordingly. Once you figured out their objective, humans were easier to predict than zombies.
And the VIPs Ju Kang-rim had dealt with before—the immortals—were just humans who wouldn't die.
The guy on the road isn't Lopez.
The real Lopez was hiding somewhere in a building. The first moment Ju Kang-rim sensed something off was when the injury happened. A single gunshot. It pierced the leg in one shot. Then the presumed Lopez on the road started spraying bullets wildly.
But from that instant, Ju Kang-rim knew something was wrong. On a road cluttered with wrecked cars, you couldn't aim for legs like that. Which meant the shooter on the road was just a noisy decoy. The real Lopez was holed up in a blind spot on a high building rooftop, sniping the hunters.
Ju Kang-rim bounded up the stairs without hesitation. Normally, he'd watch for booby traps, but he was certain there were none around here—except maybe grenade-wielding zombies. Sure enough, his hunch was right.
He's luring them down the right path.
The distance was closing, so Lopez must have figured this was where he'd make his stand. But booby traps weren't infinite, and he hadn't had much time to prepare. So he'd cut off the center at the T-intersection, herding the hunters right. The traps were probably concentrated there.
Ju Kang-rim had warned Han Min-seong not to take the detour, but he wasn't sure if the guy listened. Sure enough, a massive boom and smoke rose from the opposite building.
Not even a subordinate—just an equal hunter. Can't force him.
Gunfire intensified. The hunters had guns too, but suppressing a hidden enemy on purpose was no easy feat. Especially against zombies or immortals who wouldn't drop easily even if hit.
But we've gotta end this quick.
The longer it dragged, the darker it got, and the noise would draw more zombies. Ju Kang-rim pushed his speed harder. Soon, he reached the rooftop entrance.
Bang.
Ju Kang-rim kicked open the rooftop door and scanned around. Below, the hunters were scrambling in chaos. Knowing Han Min-seong's future, Ju Kang-rim knew he wouldn't die here, but it looked like he'd suffer.
Ju Kang-rim leaped across to the building where Lopez likely was.
Rough angle estimate... gotta cross five more buildings.
Low-rise ordinary villas—no problem. Ju Kang-rim halted just before his final run-up.
The target was a large hotel where Lopez was probably hiding. To get in, he'd have to smash a window, not jump the roof.
"You look like you've figured something out."
The sudden voice nearly made Ju Kang-rim jump. Yoo Wol-ryeong was crouched beside him, utterly silent until now.
"Shit, I thought you were a ghost!"
"Not wrong. I'm a grim reaper. Did you guess Lopez's position?"
Ju Kang-rim nodded. He still couldn't believe she caught up so fast—without a sound or presence.
He couldn't gauge Yoo Wol-ryeong's power at all.
"Your first real immortal fight. You sure you're good?"
"Immortal? What's so special? Just humans who won't die."
"Different."
"How?"
"Don't know his rank in the group, but immortals inherit from immortals. Even at the bottom, they've got skills. And knowledge passed only among immortals. Assume at least B-rank awakener."
Ju Kang-rim just smirked at her words.
"I've killed S-rank awakeners."
But he never ignored advice, especially from experts.
"Any tips?"
Yoo Wol-ryeong eyed him quietly before speaking.
"Heard you reinforced your saingeom. How far along is your uigwanjeongje?"
"Huh?"
"...You have no idea."
She looked mildly concerned and explained.
"The saingeom is a grim reaper's weapon, clothes, cuffs, and companion."
"Yeah, Yeomra said the same."
She nodded, repeating patiently.
"It's a weapon, of course. But it also summons the 'armor' a reaper wears into battle. It binds enemies or fights alongside when needed. That's uigwanjeongje."
Ju Kang-rim glanced at her suit.
"So your clothes are...?"
"A type of uigan, but battle gear is separate. Mastering full attire in uigwanjeongje completes you as a reaper."
She straightened her tie.
"Though I expect Intern Reaper Ju Kang-rim can hunt immortals without it."
Her calm tone felt like pressure: master it before facing Lopez. Ju Kang-rim nodded awkwardly and turned to the hotel.
He hurled his hand axe at the opposite window.
Crash!
As glass shattered, he dove in.
Shatter.
Fragments pricked his skin, but nothing serious. He brushed them off and looked back. No Yoo Wol-ryeong—probably ghosting in later. He hurried to the stairs.
A zombie waited in the emergency stairwell. Ju Kang-rim swung his hand axe at its head without flinching.
But as it moved, the grim reaper chain around his neck yanked free.
Ting.
A sharp ring, then an explosion swept the hall and stairs.
Rumble.
Lopez glanced at falling debris and dust, listening. The heavy footsteps that echoed loudly had stopped.
Surprised me when one crossed the road... but that's all he had.
Probably an experienced awakener. But without body enhancement, no surviving his traps. Even if, he'd be pinned down.
Lopez aimed his scope at the hunters. Most who'd flanked right were trapped. Rear was pinned by gunfire and grenade zombies too. Even Han Min-seong was on the defensive.
Just fuck off.
Lopez had clashed with Han Min-seong at Yongsan US base. He'd pushed thanks to prep, but head-on? No thanks.
He'd planned to chase him off lightly, but the guy wouldn't quit. Instead, he gritted his teeth, resolved.
Han Min-seong suddenly grabbed a fellow hunter's nape.
The hunter turned in confusion. But Han crushed it like breaking a neck.
The hunter withered black, dead.
Han Min-seong's ability: Blood Rain activated.
Another hunter screamed something. Han paused a beat, then slit another's throat with a knife, draining life force.
The last aimed his gun. Han's hand flashed.
Thud.
His thrown dagger pierced the throat. The hunter gurgled, staggering, then Han grabbed his nape.
The military knife from the neck twisted space, oozing malice.
Zombies charged the last human. Han swung calmly. Crimson waves shredded them. Even wrecks sliced like tofu.
Desperate thrashing.
Lopez smirked through the scope. Han meant to force a win.
Gripping the enhanced dagger, Han crossed the road head-on. Bullets rained, but it boosted stamina too—he weaved sharply through wrecks.
Lopez sighted his head. Then released the trigger, deciding to retreat.
Sniper fail? Can't handle that.
Once spotted, he'd be the target. Better let him grab the road decoy "fake Lopez" and bail satisfied.
Lopez's lips twisted.
If he survives, that is.
He slung his rifle, prepping escape. Stolen Yongsan goods hidden nearby. While Han tangled with zombies, he'd bolt. He packed hastily.
Soon, a massive blast outside. Enough to shatter every window.
Han reached fake Lopez.
Lopez laughed at the soaring flames.
Dumped all spare explosives into that trap.
Regretted not finishing Han himself, but if he lived, they'd meet again.
"Wonder if that dagger has shields..."
Knock knock.
The knock behind made him whip out his pistol. He scanned, checked door traps. Anyone entering? Shredded instantly.
Misheard?
Too clear. Then the door flew open.
Kaboom!
Door traps detonated, shockwave blasting. Even braced, Lopez staggered in smoke-filled room.
Before assessing, zombies poured in. He cursed, firing blindly—smoke fouled headshots.
Bang.
He nailed a close zombie's head, noticing: all jaws missing. Couldn't bite.
Click click.
Last zombie, out of ammo. He stabbed its head with his knife.
Then saw the traps dangling from it.
"You fucking..."
His own hotel traps hung on the zombie. The blast engulfed him instantly.