Formed Alliances
The next day.
All personnel within the safe zone gathered at the school playground.
Nearly a hundred thousand people filled not just the playground but the benches and streets beyond, packed tight.
The reason was the president's address.
Some in the crowd shed tears as they listened, but most wore blank expressions.
Still, conversations buzzing between people carried a thread of hope.
The president's speech boiled down to this.
First, fortifying the entirety of Yeouido now that helicopters had drawn away most of the zombies.
Second, attempting contact with foreign powers while exploring all options domestically.
Third, in that vein, launching landing operations to establish a second safe zone, search for more survivors, and recruit them.
That was the summary.
As the speech wrapped up, Jaejeong led his group to the clothing store under Anna's charge.
Anna had been managing clothes to distribute to people there for a while now, and its large warehouse made it perfect for quiet gatherings.
The group circled a massive workbench in the warehouse.
Beom-sik appeared too, bringing Minyoung and Gaon, whom they hadn't seen in a while.
Jaejeong spoke up.
"Everyone needs to know the situation. Tomorrow, they'll rip out the outer walls, and the whole of Yeouido becomes our safe zone. We'll survive without them from then on. After that, it's all about the landing operations."
Jaejeong unrolled a map of the Korean Peninsula and continued.
"The landings will probably target granary regions packed with rice warehouses. Yeah, definitely. Plus, it's safest to build a new safe zone with the sea at our backs, so high chance it'll be around here."
He pointed to the granary areas near Gyeonggi facing the West Sea.
"Problem is, the tower proposed the landings. They're trying to separate the president from the military. My guess? Once Yeouido's done tomorrow, the army leaves within a week."
"So what do we do?"
Anna asked, her face grave.
"We... follow the president. For now. But first, something to check."
Jaejeong laid out everything he'd exchanged with Youngman about the warehouse, sparing no details.
Hyun-soo, who'd been listening silently, spoke up.
"But what if there's nothing in that warehouse?"
"No. There is."
Minyoung replied, arms crossed in thought.
Her face was full of conviction, as befitted the brain who'd guided Jaejeong this far.
"It has to be there. No other possibility. The only snag is why the doctor mentioned the warehouse to you first, Jaejeong oppa. That doesn't add up."
"Could be a trap."
Anna said, staring straight at Minyoung.
"Even if it's a trap, we check the warehouse first. That's how we chart our path."
"You're not the one going."
"What?"
Minyoung scowled.
But Anna pressed on.
"You're not going, so don't make it sound so easy. It could be dangerous, and you're pushing like we're already committed."
"Anna."
Minyoung's eyes went ice cold.
"I gambled my life in the tower too. Where do you think this intel came from? Think before you speak."
"Both of you, stop."
As tensions rose, Jaejeong cut them off.
"We're not here to argue. No time to hear everyone out properly anyway. You've all been busy with your own tasks. Some of you might wonder why we're gathered like this. So here's your chance. Anyone not in, walk out now."
He pointed to the door.
Silence hung for a moment.
Confirming no one left, Jaejeong scanned each face.
"From now on, I make the calls. No time for democracy. Chances to meet like this are rare. One thing's sure: this power struggle won't end without blood. No laws, nothing. First... we survive."
The group's eyes hardened with resolve.
"First off..."
Screeech!
That's when it happened.
The group startled at the sudden door creak, whipping around.
If anyone had overheard, it could turn dangerous fast.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Two men entered.
Kim Chan-yeol and Choi Hoon.
Jaejeong and Youngman sighed in relief at the sight.
But the rest eyed them coldly.
"They heard?"
Anna muttered, just loud enough for the group.
Hyun-soo nodded slowly.
"Probably."
Beom-sik and Minyoung's gazes wavered uneasily too.
Then.
"...We want in."
The warehouse went dead quiet, like ice water poured over them.
"We want to join that plan."
They spoke with unprecedented seriousness.
A beat later.
Questions flew at the two now circled by the workbench.
Minyoung was sharpest.
"You two go to the tower every day without fail."
"That's..."
Before Choi Hoon could answer, he glanced at Kim Chan-yeol.
Kim let out a short huff and nodded.
"True. Plenty of soldiers go back and forth to the tower. But we're the only ones feeding military intel."
Jaejeong's eyes snapped to Kim Chan-yeol.
This was news to him too.
Passing army info to the doctor? That screamed spy.
Kim met Jaejeong's gaze steadily and continued.
"But we figure the tower has no future. People keep vanishing, and those soldiers stationed there... they're off. Combat gear, but not our guys. No clue where they're from..."
"What's that got to do with the tower's future? Doesn't add up. Why bring up soldiers now?"
Minyoung shot back.
Kim faltered, shooting Choi Hoon a help me out look.
"Ah, he's not great with words. I'm no better, but simply put: for various reasons, we want to stick with you folks over the tower. Yeah. That's it."
The group fell silent again.
Neither was silver-tongued.
Jaejeong welcomed them inwardly.
But not in this mood.
Even if he'd go dictatorial, they needed solid trust first.
He told them straight.
"Don't take it personal. Some here have run ops with us, but that's not enough. Gotta earn it. Words won't cut it—bring proof."
Anna, arms crossed, nodded eyes closed.
Every word rang true.
"Got it. We'll think of something."
"No."
Jaejeong cut in before Kim finished.
"Mishear me?"
"No, you heard right. No time to think or hunt. Instead... you know that warehouse at the edge of the production zone? Can you guard it?"
All eyes turned to Jaejeong.
Handing them something this critical?
Youngman saw the logic, but the others didn't.
"We can pull guard duty, but why?"
"What's in the warehouse..."
"Hold up, oppa. No."
Anna interrupted.
"Why?"
"It's a trust test, but you're giving away key info. Bad call."
"You don't trust me?"
"What?"
"Don't you trust me?"
Anna stared blankly, then snapped to.
"Ah, no, it's not that... just feels off."
"I trust 'em. So you can too."
"...Fine."
Anna looked away reluctantly.
Jaejeong's tone was ironclad.
No fight left in her.
Judging the debate over, Jaejeong eyed Kim Chan-yeol and Choi Hoon again.
"Make the warehouse guard happen somehow. Check what's inside too."
He tore a paper from the table, scribbled the passcode, and handed it over.
Choi Hoon took it.
"What's in there to make you do this?"
"That's what I'm dying to know—why I'm sending you. But bail if it gets risky. Not worth lives. Got it?"
"We'll set a schedule and report back. We'll head out then."
As Kim Chan-yeol and Choi Hoon left, Jaejeong addressed the group.
"Now we prep for after the army leaves for landings. Minyoung, keep doing what you do in the tower. Their thoughts, their plans. Doc won't tell me shit anymore."
"Got it."
Minyoung nodded.
Next, Hyun-soo.
"Hyun-soo."
"Yes."
"You've made friends in the boundary zone, right?"
"You bet. Only thing I'm good at."
Hyun-soo grinned.
"Through them, and by getting around yourself, gauge the mood. Who prefers president or tower? Spread that following him is obvious. Can you?"
"No problem."
Next, Anna.
"Anna. You handle this warehouse. We'll meet here from now on. Make sure no one enters without your say-so unless it's urgent."
"Got it. Not hard—already doing it."
Maybe sore about the bumpy recruit process.
Anna looked glum.
But Jaejeong moved on.
Couldn't micromanage everything now.
Group time here was stretching anyway.
"Beom-sik, you..."
Jaejeong trailed off, spotting Gaon glued to Beom-sik's side.
Beom-sik jumped in like he'd planned it.
"My brothers. Enlisting them in the army. Military's key now—more in, more help. Somehow."
All nodded agreement.
"Yeah. Count on it. Uncle, stick with me like usual. Can't look off from outside."
"Will do."
"But..."
A new voice drew all eyes.
Unlike any before.
Gaon.
"Uncle, aunties. Got a question."
"Yeah? What, Gaon?"
Anna knelt to her level, gentle.
"How for next meetings? Not all together?"
Gaon looked up with doll-like sparkling eyes.
The question stumped them.
Jaejeong had no solid relay plan.
Pondering direct meets or using the sergeants.
Then Gaon asked.
Jaejeong smiled.
"Dunno."
"We do it! Uncle! Us!"
Gaon tugged Beom-sik's arm, insistent.
Beom-sik looked pained.
"Us? How?"
"Mart trip, others couldn't, but soldier uncles let us see. Gave toy too."
"Ah..."
Beom-sik recalled.
With Gaon, never questioned or restricted.
People were friendly to him with the kid, opened blocked paths for strolls and sights.
Not exaggeration—Gaon was pitching to use that.