Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 8. The Law of Military Stories
In the hardware store owner’s hand was a black iron bar that looked, at a glance, both heavy and sturdy.
“What’s this?”
“Ah, this here is called a crowbar.”
To me, who had no interest in tools, it was a rather unfamiliar object.
But one thing was certain, it looked far sturdier than a golf club or a steel rod.
And since one end was pointed, it looked like it could even be used to stab if necessary. The other end was shaped like the lever of a hammer puller, so it would be plenty powerful if swung.
“This is something construction workers use a lot on site. They use it to pull out paving blocks, and even the police or firefighters use it when they’re prying open doors.”
After hearing the explanation, this thing called a “crowbar” suddenly felt a lot more appealing.
“Thank you so much. This looks really useful.”
The moment the chill of the metal transferred through my palm, a powerful premonition flashed in my mind.
With this thing, I can do it, something like that.
“Hehehe, but Officer... are you really planning to go through those monsters all by yourself?”
As I fiddled with the crowbar, checking its weight and balance, the hardware store owner cautiously spoke up.
“I have to.”
After hesitating for a while, he finally asked a question.
“Hmm, but say... was what you said earlier really true?”
“Huh?”
“You know, that talk about chemical gas or biological weapons or whatever.”
Wait, why was this guy suddenly asking that?
“I like to read web novels as a hobby, you see. There’s this site called Dalpia, it’s kinda famous among people who read that sort of thing...”
Huh?
“The way I see it... this looks just like one of those apocalypse clichés, you know?”
What’s with this guy?
“Those infected people or whatever they are, it’s just like the monsters from apocalypse stories... and you, Officer, keep saying it’s some kind of chemical weapon or poison gas...”
So all that side-eyeing while talking wasn’t because he was scared, it was because he was suspicious?
“Ah, it’s not that I’m doubting you... I just thought maybe the higher-ups were lying.”
What the hell, why is this random guy so sharp all of a sudden?
“Didn’t anything strange happen? Like, people talking about some kind of system window or special abilities, but the higher-ups ignored them, huh?”
It felt weird.
I lied because I figured no one would believe me anyway... but now there’s someone who’s pushing me because he believes the unbelievable story is closer to the truth.
‘So this is the Law of Military Stories, when something sounds too ridiculous to believe, it’s probably true; and when something sounds realistic, it’s probably a lie...!’
Still, I wasn’t sure if I should tell this man the truth.
Just because this Dalpia reader believed it didn’t mean everyone else would.
‘Normally, people like Lieutenant Hwang would think I’m crazy.’
After thinking for a moment, I decided to half-agree with what the man said.
“I don’t really know either. Honestly, in this situation, I think your version sounds more believable.”
“Right? There’s no way the North has the technology to make such weird weapons!”
No, mister, why are you taking the conversation there again...
“America can’t even make something like this, and you’re telling me North Korea did? Makes no sense!”
Well, technically, that’s a fair point... but the premise is totally wrong. Why are we assuming from the start that North Korea released chemical weapons?
‘Then again, I guess there’s no other country that’d spray chemical weapons around like this...’
No, no, that’s not the issue right now.
I’m starting to feel like I’m losing my own argument here.
Back to the main topic.
“Either way, the infected and zombies are dangerous. So we should be cautious. And when talking to people, it’s probably more convincing to call it a chemical weapon, don’t you think?”
“Hmm... that’s true. When I mentioned the system window thing earlier, those old folks over there told me I was a senile kid before my time.”
You already did bring that up? And you even went through the classic ‘no one believes you’ development arc?
“But when you said it was a chemical weapon, I just believed it right away... Yeah, saying it that way is definitely better.”
So you just validated my lie for me. Quite the novel turn of events.
“Ah, come to think of it, I heard something strange too.”
Given how perceptive this guy was, I figured I could drop a little hint.
“There was this guy who took a police gun and shot an infected person, but they arrested him for murder. They said you have to keep people isolated until the system window appears, because people without one might still turn into infected. Supposedly, the system window proves you’re not infected, or something like that.”
To anyone else, that’d sound like utter nonsense, but the man clapped his hands together as if all the pieces had fallen into place.
“That’s it! That guy’s a regressor!”
It’s a returner, actually.
“He must already have a system window! Maybe even a special power by now! No, I’m sure of it!”
The man nodded slowly, clearly impressed with his own insight, continuing his deduction.
And the creepy thing was, aside from the small details, most of what he said was actually spot on.
“Still, since he didn’t hole up somewhere to make a shelter and is out here talking about that stuff, he’s not a psychopath protagonist... I like him.”
That’s flattering... but really, mister, I just ended up like this while eating a bowl of blood-sausage soup.
I might not have a shelter, but a base camp is definitely part of the plan.
“Alright, that settles it then. For now, you’d better live alone for a while. Stay put too long and you’ll starve, so move around when you can.”
This unbelievable man, who believed in the apocalypse theory over the chemical weapon theory, was already starting to make plans.
“And it’s best to spread the rumor about the chemical weapon or poison gas far and wide.”
I nodded, pretending to be impressed.
“Then the protagonist’s goal must be to stop the infection from spreading. He’s lying because he’s afraid people won’t believe him.”
“Exactly. So you and I will spread believable rumors and follow the protagonist’s intentions. How’s that sound?”
Unbelievable. What kind of guy is this?
“Anyway, since he’s the protagonist, he’s gotta have some kind of special ability. He’ll definitely escape. And when he does, we’ll meet him eventually.”
Already escaped and met you, actually...
This guy’s something else. When the base camp’s done, I have to recruit him.
“Alright then, let’s keep this between just you and me.”
As the man nodded solemnly, looking all serious…
Growl…!
His stomach let out a hungry sound.
My plan had originally been to hit up a convenience store or fried-chicken shop with few people around to recharge a bit, but given how well I got along with this man, maybe I could fill up here instead.
Might as well ask.
“Uh, Mister, do you have any food here?”
“Huh?”
“I’ve been fighting monsters all day, and I’m getting kinda hungry...”
“Ah, I see. Hold on.”
No sooner had I finished speaking than he pulled out a cup of instant noodles from under the counter.
“But are you sure it’s okay to just give this away? I thought in an apocalypse, people would be hoarding food.”
“Ha! Where’s the sense in that, giving nothing to the man who saved my life? Besides, I’ve got a feeling you’re gonna end up as the protagonist’s right-hand man. You can’t die. That’d mess up the world-saving plan.”
Slightly off the mark again, but yes, I shouldn’t die.
Roundabout or not, this guy’s heart’s in the right place. I just hope he never turns into one of the infected... though that’s beyond my control.
Then, the fluorescent light flickered a few times before the store was swallowed by darkness.
“Looks like it’s really starting now. The power’s out.”
As he spoke, the man quickly filled the cup with hot water from the dispenser.
“Soon the hot water’ll stop too. Let’s eat quickly.”
After placing chopsticks over the lid and waiting a short while, the spicy, savory smell of ramen filled the air. Maybe because I couldn’t see well in the dark, the scent felt even stronger than usual.
Once my eyes adjusted to the darkness, the man peeled open his lid.
I followed suit, quickly picking up my chopsticks.
“Haa...”
The spicy taste of ramen eaten in the dark was simply divine.
The thin noodles, lighter than freshly boiled ones, had a distinct texture, and their sharp, tangy flavor melted away the fatigue built up from back-to-back battles.
“Hehehe, you’re really enjoying that. Must’ve been starving, huh?”
Seeing me devour a cup of noodles in just three bites like a starving beggar, the man smiled warmly.
“Here, have another.”
Before I could refuse, he pulled out another cup and poured in the hot water.
“Mister...”
After two hundred years, this small act of kindness from another person made my nose sting with emotion.
“It’s fine, it’s not free. You saved my life, so it’s only right I feed you. When we meet again later, take good care of me, yeah? Now eat up.”
In the end, I ate both cups of ramen, not leaving a single drop of soup behind.
After finishing the meal, I checked my system window—and then noticed something strange in my vision.
『Satiety has increased.』
『Current Satiety 100+10』
‘Huh?’
What’s that supposed to mean, 100+10? Not 110, but 100+10?
What am I, a backup battery or something...
‘Could it be that all the eating and fighting today expanded my stomach or something?’
Whatever it was, it was good news.
Since food wasn’t something I could find and eat whenever I wanted, how much satiety I could store would directly affect my survival.
After all, when it comes to batteries, the more capacity, the better.
“So you’re heading out again to fight those monsters, huh?”
The man looked at me with genuine concern.
“Yes, I have to.”
To stop the spread of infection and grow stronger before mutated creatures or monsters started showing up, every hour of rest felt wasteful.
So tonight, I planned to push myself a little further.
My body could still take it, for now.
After finishing my meal, I turned to leave the hardware store, then paused and asked one last question.
“Mister, do you have anything like a signal light that works without electricity? Something I could use to send a signal, something visible from afar.”
* * *
Leaving the hardware store behind, Dae-shik slipped through the streets under cover of darkness.
Corpses were strewn everywhere, and abandoned cars clogged the roads.
Though it hadn’t been long since the apocalypse began, there were already whole districts swallowed by darkness as the power went out.
‘It’s progressing faster than I thought.’
Dae-shik let out a deep sigh, then headed toward the nearest area that still had lights.
Unaware that in his system window, something he couldn’t see was quietly being written.
『Hidden Message』
『A concealed trait is blossoming.』
『Trait Activation Rate: 1%』