Knife Rampage (1)

This world had clearly ended.

That didn't mean society had collapsed, though. Surprisingly, human lives went on. People survived and formed groups. We call those groups society.

Even in a world like this, the government was still operating. Can you believe it? In this shithole of a world, there was still an executive branch and a military.

What the hell is it with that power anyway.

And that post went up after the apocalypse had started and some time had passed.

The current government, which had bolted right after the apocalypse hit. They'd somehow set up shop on Jeju Island. Naturally, they knew about the Maelmang Gallery. And they were actively using it—to announce stuff like this.

Reactions exploded.

The president and government who ditched the citizens and fled first. No way the public sees them in a good light. Especially since so many people in Korea had died. Bitten by zombies. Committing suicide because they couldn't handle reality. Or killed by other humans.

These people, constantly under threat of death. Abandoned by an irresponsible government, robbed of their chance at survival. To them, the government was worse than monsters—an enemy.

But did the government ever give a damn? Whether people cursed them or not. Whether people died or not. The ones busy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stuffing their own faces always end up in power.

It's actually good news for me.

I never expected anything from the government to begin with. If I had, I wouldn't have built this bunker. I'd have just tagged along as one of their hangers-on.

And that choice was right. I'm living way more comfortably than others.

Just in terms of info, I've got way more than the government.

Above all, now even the government was using this Maelmang Gallery. Which meant more info for me.

I headed straight to the secret posts.

And sure enough, the big shots were holding a private chat.

The government was chatting in secret posts too. Looked like political maneuvering was underway behind the scenes. Politicians never change, no matter where they go.

So even Jeju isn't a cakewalk for them.

Obviously. It's relatively safe, that's all. Zombies show up there too. They'd need to fend them off first to secure a safe zone. Stockpile food. Distribute it to people while maintaining control. Even a fully functioning administration from the old days would struggle.

And they rushed there with zero prep.

Moving house is stressful enough. For a whole government? Months to years. But they had maybe days. Short on supplies, manpower. No way they can worry about the mainland across the sea.

But they can't just ignore it either.

Lots of hostile factions against the government right now. Hell, the whole country could be called enemies. If the mainland stabilizes instead? The government gets isolated on Jeju. Could even lose public support and get replaced.

That's what they're most wary of.

In a world where numbers are power.

What should I do in a world like this? Nothing much. Just sit tight.

I never planned to get involved anyway. Let them fight and tear each other apart. I'll just reap the benefits in the meantime.

Normally I'd build some connections. But with this Gallery, I'm invincible.

I'm the sole admin of this Gallery.

People, military, government. An era communicating through one single board. Whatever plots they hatch, they can't hide from me.

I just sit back comfortably and feast on their info.

Not long after the government's statement, a new post went up in the Gallery.

Unlike the last empty talk, this one promised actual aid. In this world, food and water are huge. Plenty of people starving without a single grain of rice.

Still, reactions weren't all sunshine.

Seemed they had stockpiles in Seoul they hadn't dealt ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with yet from Jeju. Now connecting with leftover crew there to distribute.

Honestly, way too late. Pure "now you show up" vibes. Criticism was inevitable.

But this time, not just pure hate.

Some defending the government—not really taking sides, just desperate to survive. When you're one day from starving, you take what you can, even from the devil.

Probably not much, though.

Not enough manpower to run it or stockpile to begin with. Divided among crowds? Pathetic amounts per person.

Not for me anyway.

My bunker’s stocked to the gills. Distance and quantity make it not worth the trip.

Still fun watching the comments fly. Public opinion leaning "sucks but take it."

Things wound down, and on the day, crowds headed for aid.

Gallery buzzed with excitement for once. Tons of on-site proof posts.

What they got wasn't just supplies. It was hope that the government might actually do something someday.

I don't think so, but I'm not childish enough to deny them that.

Trouble to go out, so nah.

Some flaunted their hauls. Their innocent joy warmed me a bit.

The Gallery felt bright for this rare event.

Until that one post dropped.

A post of just five sentences. But enough to shock everyone.

The Gallery had seen plenty of dark posts before. Last words, curses. But a straight-up terror threat? First time.

And we couldn't just brush it off. Not in a normal safe world. In this society, lies don't fly.

Hmm.

I eyed the post closely. Personally, I figured it was bullshit. Some far-off guy jealous he might miss aid, trying to scare people off.

Most plausible read.

But zero chance it's real? Nah.

Weapons are essential here. Can't stop someone just for having one. No cops to enforce anyway.

If a stabbing spree happens? Casualties would be insane.

"......"

But someone could stop it. Someone who sees an anonymous post and knows the poster's face.

I gripped and released my axe repeatedly.

"......Well, might as well check out what aid they're handing out."

In the end, I got up to gear out.

Honestly, kinda curious what the government's giving.

Not because that mom with kids posting proof stuck in my head or anything.

......The photo of the grave I buried was still pinned on the recommended board.