Ghost from the Past
The next morning.
The manager showed up early to fetch Jaejeong.
Jaejeong couldn't have been happier to see that untrustworthy bastard's face.
The two headed straight for the command tent inside the base.
Flipping back the flap, they stepped in to find several soldiers in combat gear.
They were all fairly old, and given it was the command tent, their ranks were decently high.
With a lieutenant being the lowest, Jaejeong figured the second lieutenants and below bunked with the regular troops.
But the division commander Kim Sang-byeong had mentioned wasn't there.
A division commander had to be at least a major general, but the highest rank here was colonel.
"Well, look who we have here—a real big shot."
A major stood ramrod straight, puffing out his chest with obvious disdain.
It was clear as day he wasn't thrilled.
But Jaejeong ignored it.
They parked him in front and kept chatting.
"Who's this?"
The colonel asked.
"Sir, he's one of the six survivors we discussed earlier. Came from the hospital to the broadcasting station, then crossed back to Yeouido. On a boat, no less."
"Ah, the cop?"
"Yes, sir."
The major answered politely.
The colonel gestured for Jaejeong to take a seat.
"Perfect timing. I was getting bored anyway. Sit, sit. Let's hear your story—how'd you make it all the way here?"
It was the smug tone of a man patting a kid on the head.
Jaejeong felt like a toy, irritation bubbling up, but he sat anyway.
He couldn't figure out why everyone was so obsessed with his group's survival tale.
"Well? He said let's hear it."
The major prodded, glancing nervously.
"What story?"
"How you ended up in Yeouido. And from now on, you're Republic of Korea Army, so watch your tone. You've done your service, right?"
"Well, Navy background, but yeah."
Jaejeong replied with a sour face.
The mood soured further at that, and the major jumped in again.
"Doesn't matter where you're from—your unit now is what counts. We've got Navy guys here too. Hell, that one was Navy up until recently. But not anymore. Everything's been reorganized under the Army. Gotta follow the rules."
"...Got it."
No choice.
For now, play along with what they wanted.
They owned the place—no point pissing them off.
For the sake of his companions too.
"So, you actually made it to the broadcasting station? Heard the rescue chopper went down. What happened? We figured those guys deserted. World's gone to shit—no surprise if they bailed."
"It was an accident."
Jaejeong's unfocused gaze drifted off.
Whenever he sank into thought, that moment always resurfaced.
A goddamn nightmare.
The chopper spewing smoke and bucking wildly, infected slamming into it from all sides as it fell, and...
Himself, rifle aimed.
Bang! Bang!
The bullets punched clean through the pilot and copilot.
Blood sprayed everywhere, turning the cockpit into a slaughterhouse.
The chopper clutched them tight and exploded.
"Figures. Resources are already thin as hell, and they go and get themselves killed playing hero for a handful of people. Tsk tsk."
"Exactly, sir."
The lieutenant chimed in from the side.
Grind.
Jaejeong clenched his teeth, holding back.
Then the faces of the two who'd died on the way to the station flashed in his mind.
Kim Chaemin and Choi PD.
Their faces were still fresh, and these assholes called them "a handful"?
If he could, he'd smash this table to splinters and cave in their skulls.
He knew why they were doing this.
Word of his group's exploits was spreading, and they wanted to knock him down a peg.
Once you became part of the elite, everything got uncomfortable.
Couldn't stand out too much in front of them, or be too pathetic.
Had to be just right.
Perfectly average—outstanding enough when it suited, lacking just so when needed.
The lieutenant spoke up this time.
"Heard you're a cop. That right?"
The kid—clearly younger than Jaejeong—spat out the informal "you."
Yeah, this was the army.
Sigh, reenlisting at my age.
Jaejeong wrestled his twitching face muscles into place.
"Yeah."
"Damn, that build. How much you gotta work out for that? Our boys should aim for something like it. Bet you could smash dozens of zombies solo."
The colonel, major, lieutenant, and the rest nodded in agreement.
Jaejeong, who'd been listening quietly, finally asked first.
"What am I doing here from now on?"
"Ask your squad leader."
"Aw, come on, Lieutenant Park—you're the best at it. Been a while since we had a proper briefing. This guy's sharp as hell."
"True, Lieutenant Park's briefings are top-notch."
The two majors' exchange had the lieutenant jumping to his feet.
"Understood. Let's get started."
The lieutenant stepped forward to the large board with the Yeouido map pinned up.
He pointed at the safe zone with his baton.
Jaejeong might be a reservist, but right now he was basically a raw recruit without assignment.
Having a lieutenant brief one trainee like this?
It screamed how haphazardly the military was being run.
But the lieutenant acted like it was normal, clearing his throat and giving it his all.
"One explanation only—listen up. After the outbreak, we held the safe zone for a week. Narrower than planned, but a success. With primary stabilization done, here's the next phase. On the 17th at 0800, we'll push out to Yeouido Han River Park beyond the north outer wall. While the troops move and secure, laborers start heavy equipment ops to dismantle the north wall and expand. By 1800 same day, Han River Park joins the safe zone—that's the current goal. Questions?"
"Any special reason for the expansion?"
Might as well ask freely since the brass okayed it.
"Ultimate goal: whole Yeouido as safe zone. More resources, easier grabs from afar via boat."
"Then what?"
"Don't push too far from the start..."
"Counterattack."
The lieutenant, about to snap, got cut off again.
By the colonel this time.
Arms crossed, he eyed the map intently.
"We're counterattacking. Can't rot in this cramped Yeouido till we die. Endless bases and weapons out there, rotting. Land somewhere, seize forward bases—gotta hit back. I'm telling you this 'cause I've got high hopes for you. Your old unit, those insane survival stories... Can I expect more?"
"When the time comes, I'll make the best call."
"Humble, huh. Heh. That's the spirit. Oh, and one more thing."
The colonel paused dramatically.
"How's Old Man Youngman? Still kicking at his age?"
"You know the old man?"
"Who doesn't? In my era, everyone's heard of Kang Youngman. Generals too. Living legend. Though now he's just a relic."
Jaejeong shut his mouth.
Praise laced with a subtle diss.
Figures—if they'd honored his service, they wouldn't have stuck him on outer wall repairs.
Jaejeong felt bone-deep how discipline crumbled without watchful eyes and ears.
This wasn't the military he knew.
Felt more like a club of local tough old geezers, with young punks sucking up.
Then someone entered the tent.
"Sorry to interrupt. Orders to take a new survivor to the tower immediately."
"What? Who from?"
The major scowled.
But the young captain ignored it.
Stood even taller.
Sunglasses on, no less.
"Dunno. Taking him now."
"Hey, you little shit—no salute?"
"Don't call me 'little shit.' My name's right here on my chest."
"You crazy fuck!"
Jaejeong stared at the captain.
Crazy?
Mouthing off to a major.
This was beyond mouthing off.
Begging to get killed.
Yet he didn't flinch—neck stiff, defiant.
Backing from somewhere?
But something was off.
He looked familiar.
The speech, voice, stance.
Jaejeong studied him closely.
Bad burn scar behind his left ear.
Yeah, that explained it.
Of course.
A memory flashed through Jaejeong's mind.
Ancient one.
Right before hostage rescue on the hijacked ship—bomb found in the engine room.
Comrades' screams like howls.
Ship exploded with hostages aboard.
Unit lost a man; Jaejeong lost a brother-in-arms.
Couldn't even find the body—buried his dog tags instead.
Why think of him now?
"Enough!"
The colonel's shout stopped them.
"You ignoring me?"
"N-no, sir."
The major bowed politely; the captain said nothing.
Just stood there, staring at Jaejeong.
Colonel talking, but captain's eyes locked on Jaejeong.
"Why the yelling? Jeong I-jin—what the hell? Even if you were Navy, you're Army now. Right?"
"Yes, sir."
The captain nodded at attention.
Utterly relaxed expression.
But Jaejeong's face, watching him, wasn't relaxed.
Shock like seeing a ghost.
"Then quit the hardass routine. You were a loose cannon in the Navy too. World's fucked—time to pull together, not keep drifting."
"I'll watch it."
"Whatever. Take the survivor and get out. Can't stand looking at you."
"Have a good one, sir."
"Sir my ass..."
The captain led Jaejeong out.
Outside, he lit a cigarette.
Then tossed cig and lighter to Jaejeong.
Jaejeong caught them but didn't light up.
Just stood, staring.
The captain, smoking while eyeing distant hills, glanced over.
"Not smoking? Gimme back then."
"You..."
"What? Gonna cry?"
"You bastard! Jeong I-jin!"
Jaejeong lunged, grabbing the captain's nape.
The burly soldier dangled limply; his cig hit the dirt.
"Fuck! My cig! How'd you get even stronger?"
"What happened? Explain! We buried you!"
Jaejeong's eyes bloodshot.
This was impossible.
Jeong I-jin was dead.
Funeral held; attended family gatherings for years after.
Standing here alive?
"Yeah, nice funeral. Gave me a solid second life."
"You fuck—talk straight!"
Jaejeong wrenched his shoulder, not letting go.
"Okay, okay! Bro, still got that grip? Thought I was done."
"Spit it out."
"Hold on."
Jeong I-jin finished his cig before speaking.
"Thought I was dead too. Woke up alive. Some old guy's house overseas—no one spoke my language, but he patched me up. This damn plague kept me out of Korea for years. How? No flights. Boats? Trauma says fuck no."
"You could've at least called family!"
"Complicated shit."
Jaejeong pulled him into a tight hug, silent.
Tears welled in his closed eyes.
Memories and emotions flooded like a burst dam.
"Anyway... glad you're alive."
"Bro, what's with you? Getting soft in your old age?"
A smile cracked Jeong I-jin's scolding face.