The Irresistible Dinner
The "hearty feast" Baek Ha-il had boasted about was, as promised, a sight to behold. It featured braised beef short ribs as the main course, pork kimchi stew, various seasoned vegetables grown in the greenhouse, and an assortment of wraps.
"Gulp."
"I-it’s ribs. It’s actually ribs."
"Tofu? Bean sprouts? How on earth did they get these? And are those tomatoes? Holy crap!"
"This is insane..."
For the shelter members, this was a menu they saw a couple of times a week, but for the newcomers from the resort, Choi Ha-neul’s meticulously prepared meal left them absolutely wide-eyed.
"There’s plenty, so dig in. You all must have had a rough time getting here. The seasoning on the ribs should be just right, so I hope you enjoy it."
As soon as Choi Ha-neul’s gentle, airy smile faded, a literal storm of eating began. The members of Blossom, in particular, devoured the food with such intensity that it made their tearful reunion with Park Seon-hui and Jo Yu-na just ten minutes prior seem like a distant memory. While the Blossom members stuffed their cheeks with rice and meat like squirrels preparing for hibernation, Jun-ho, who had finished his meal the fastest and in the greatest quantity, pulled only Jun-hyeok and Baek Ha-il aside to the second-floor lounge to share the plans he had formulated regarding the government’s broadcast.
"...And so, for the time being, I’m going to need you to put in some extra work, Hyung-nim."
"Well, what can I do? I’ll have to build a new one. But I don’t think the basic design will change much. The ground drones are the real problem, though... maybe it’ll be fine if we increase the weight and add armor plating? Even if the operating time drops a bit, it should be able to handle burst fire from a K2 without issue. Let’s do it."
"Yes. I’m counting on you, Hyung-nim. And Jun-hyeok, you go around the shelter and the outposts with Mr. Choi Jung-woo and handle the turret replacements."
"Doesn't it take a while to build new turrets? What should I do until then?"
"Let’s move the existing turrets to the safe zones. The AI will determine the installation points."
Before the apocalypse, the AI Akina had learned a vast array of data. Beyond general shelter management and work assistance, it had secured and continued to study a significant amount of material related to "combat." In particular, it had focused its learning on 20th-century modern warfare and riot control tactics that could be obtained through legal channels. While it might not be suited for massive wars involving tens of thousands of troops, it had developed exceptional capabilities for small-scale combat, especially defensive warfare.
"You know that closed tunnel where we rescued Mr. Choi Jung-woo and the Ha-yun siblings? We’re going to focus on installing air-rifle turrets there and along the path to the reservoir. We need to set them up for crossfire."
By considering concealment and cover, installing just five or six units at each location would make it difficult for even a platoon-sized force to advance.
"Got it. But Hyung, we have a safe house near that tunnel, right? Why don’t we install them there too? We could even convert it into an outpost."
When Jun-ho was building the shelter, he had established safe houses at the Riverview Apartments and the villa near the closed tunnel. They were created to prepare for unexpected situations when dealing with the threats in Gahyeon-ri, but now that the entire area was under his control, the value of those safe houses had diminished.
"That’s a good idea. PTZ cameras are too conspicuous and overkill for that spot, so let’s install a few high-performance CCTV cameras and hide the turrets well."
"Aigoo, if we’re going to do all that, the electrical work is going to be a real pain."
"Mr. Choi Jung-woo will have to work hard. Besides, he has plenty of assistants now."
"Hey, hey, electrical work isn't something just anyone can assist with. Seon-hui might be able to, but the new guys won't be able to handle it."
"There is someone who can. Mr. Kim Jae-mun."
"Kim Jae-mun? That tall, lanky guy?"
Kim Jae-mun, a former CAPS employee and one of the KJM Brothers, had the unique background of being an electrical engineering major. He claimed he changed his career path after realizing late in life that he had a knack for physical labor, but the two years he spent in university wouldn't just vanish. He would be more than capable of assisting Choi Jung-woo.
"Combat personnel don't just have to fight, you know. They’ll help with the work in their spare time. If we install twice as many cameras and turrets as we have now, we’ll only need to deploy when something actually happens."
Moreover, the entire shelter and safe zone area could be traversed using multi-purpose electric vehicles or electric MTBs. It wouldn't be too late for combat personnel to deploy while the PTZ cameras and reconnaissance drones detected the threat and the turrets and attack drones responded.
"Hey, Su-ho. Hearing you talk, this isn't going to be an easy job. We’ll have to solve the power issues and do some major electrical construction."
"Yes. But since we have about two months, you can take it step by step."
"Ah, then that’s fine. It’ll probably take me a week just to plan and prepare..."
"You can handle it as you see fit, Hyung-nim. By the way, Mr. Choi Jung-woo doesn't really need to be there for that work, right?"
"Jung-woo? It’d be nice if he were there, but it’s not strictly necessary...? Why?"
Jun-ho grinned and replied.
"We’ve secured the routes to Deokso, Paldang Lake, and Gwangju Resort. We need to install amplifiers, cameras, and turrets there, too."
After all, our shelter would now be managing the upper reaches of the Han River and the lower reaches of the North Han River.
***
The next day, Song Ki-jun informed him of the fate of the rioters from the Riverview Apartments. The ringleaders were exiled, and those who had joined late were punished by having their electricity cut and their food rations restricted.
"Where did you exile them to?"
"Mokuri. We dropped them off in front of the first apartment complex at night."
Since zombies have poor night vision, they had gagged them, taken them through the mountain paths, dropped them off, and removed the gags. As a final mercy, they had untied their legs, but there was no chance of them surviving. Only the building where the karaoke family lived was safe; the surrounding area, including the Cheongsan Building, was crawling with zombies and devoid of food. Moreover, he confirmed that about half of them had run away screaming, not even knowing where they were, only to be caught by zombies.
"But couldn't the rest of them survive and come back for revenge?"
Jun-ho asked tentatively, even though he had already confirmed everything through drone reconnaissance, and Song Ki-jun answered coldly.
"They can't. We’ve completely blocked the national highway with vehicles, and we’ve installed barbed wire and outposts at the two mountain paths. We even took the CCTV cameras we had and installed them there. I suppose if they learned how to climb mountains for a few years from a professional mountaineer, they might have a chance."
Furthermore, the mountain Song Ki-jun was referring to separated Gahyeon-ri from Mokuri, and even Jun-ho had shaken his head and said, "This is a bit much..." after checking it himself. In short, even if the exiled managed to survive, there was no possibility of them ever stepping foot on Gahyeon-ri soil again. Crucially:
"If any crazy bastards try to bring people to take revenge, we’ll handle it on our end."
"Are you talking about those people from yesterday?"
"Yes. They’re all former special forces."
In fact, except for Yoon Seol-hee and Gu Jeong-mok, the other two were from the frontline reconnaissance units and the Marine Corps, but since they had been trained directly by Park Cheol-woo and had experienced several real-life battles, they were now on par with special forces. Moreover, since they would now be equipped with firearms and gear on par with Jun-ho and Jun-hyeok, in this world, they were special forces themselves.
"Anyway, you don't need to report to me one by one unless it's something really important. By the way, can I borrow some people?"
"People...?" Song Ki-jun tilted his head.
"Yes. People to work. I think three or four should be enough. I’ll make sure the compensation is solid."
"That wouldn't be difficult, but... what is the job?"
"I’m planning to go around outside of Gahyeon-ri and do some work. I’ll be moving along the Han River, and I’ll take responsibility for the safety. I’ve already checked all the routes."
"If you’re going yourself, Jun-ho-ssi, safety won't be a problem. But what kind of compensation..."
Jun-ho grinned at Song Ki-jun, who asked cautiously.
"When the work is done, I’ll give you a box each of Spam, canned tuna, and 30-count ramen. It should take about three or four days."
"......!"
Song Ki-jun’s eyes widened for a moment, and he then spoke even more cautiously.
"By any chance... can I participate too?"
No one could resist Spam, canned tuna, and ramen.
***
The personnel to assist with the repeater installation were eventually decided by drawing lots. And fortunately, Song Ki-jun won the draw. The person in charge of the work was Choi Jung-woo, and since Jun-ho, Park Deok-cheol, and the newly joined Kim Jae-mun were going along, there was no need to worry about safety. Still, they had to prepare various equipment and make thorough plans, so their departure from Gahyeon-ri was set for two days later.
In the meantime, Jun-ho visited the Hanalreum Nursing Home for the first time in a long while.
"How is the old man doing?"
Jun-ho now acknowledged Go Seok-jin, who had long since shed his villainous ways and become a stoic, "hard worker" who did exactly what he was told, and did it exceptionally well. But that was Jun-ho’s perspective; Go Seok-jin still couldn't even make proper eye contact with Jun-ho and would flinch every time he spoke to him.
"Ah, ah, yes. His body has gotten a bit better, but he’s just... dazed. He spends more time alone in his room. Even when my wife and I talk to him, he just repeats 'I know, I know,' and it’s just..."
As a devoted son, Go Seok-jin’s expression was very dark with worry for his father.
"At least he listens when the kids talk to him or ask for something. Seeing that, I think the kids are better than me, his own child. Tsk."
"The kids? Ah, you mean those high school students?"
"Yes. The kids are really kind. And diligent, too."
The high school students and Lee Seul-gi, whom they had rescued when they wiped out the delinquents, had adapted well to life at the nursing home. At first, when they were by themselves, they would often cry and want to go home, but the children quickly realized the reality. That just staying alive that day was a miracle, and that the outside world—outside of this nursing home, or rather, Gahyeon-ri—was hell. And that the same went for the new city where their homes were, and that the safest place in South Korea right now was exactly here.
After that, the children didn't complain and worked hard, helping Go Seok-jin’s couple and the nursing home staff. And Choi Ui-su and his wife, who often went out for medical visits to the nursing home and Gahyeon-ri, played a big part in that.
"Lee-hyeon and Ji-ae usually keep my father company and act cute. That kid Young-jun, he’s really something. He studies at night even in a world like this; sometimes I’m just dumbfounded. I know he’s incredibly smart because the doctor teaches him directly, but..."
Lee-hyeon and Ji-ae were the names of the two high school girls, and Oh Young-jun was the male high school student who had survived because Lee Seul-gi had blocked Jun-ho when he was about to strike him down with a machete, thinking he was a delinquent. Jun-ho already knew they were model students who would go to academies even on holidays, but Oh Young-jun seemed to be something beyond a normal model student.
"But it seems like there’s a limit here. I don't know much about it since I didn't study much when I was in school. Anyway, my father is alone right now. Are you... planning to see him separately?"
To Go Seok-jin’s cautious question as he guided him to where the elderly Go Jeong-nam was staying, Jun-ho nodded.
"For now. But in about 10 minutes, tell everyone who isn't busy to come over."
"Yes...? Ah, yes."
He wondered what on earth was going on, but since it was Jun-ho’s order, Go Seok-jin nodded obediently and left.
Knock, knock.
Since he had already told him he would be coming, Jun-ho knocked and entered the room.
"Oh, you’re here?"
"Yes. How have you been?"
Elderly Go Jeong-nam had been staying in the same living quarters he was in when Jun-ho first rescued him, the Choi Ui-su couple, and the nursing home staff. But unlike back then, the room didn't smell, and it was extremely neat and tidy.
"I heard you went far away and suffered a lot? You aren't hurt, are you? Come, come, sit down."
He had heard that he didn't have much energy, but perhaps because of Jun-ho’s visit, Go Jeong-nam greeted him quite cheerfully. Jun-ho, who had sat down in a chair, stared at Go Jeong-nam for a moment before speaking bluntly.
"Elder. Would you like to come live where I live?"
"Wha...?"
"The environment is much better than this nursing home. Plus, there are a lot of kids. No, I guess they’re babies."
"Ba... babies?"
What did this old man, whose friends he had lived with like family at the nursing home had passed away one by one, need most? What could possibly bring vitality back to an old man who had become hollow inside and was thinking of letting go since he had lived long enough? Especially in a world like this, where despair was far greater than hope, and which was slowly moving toward destruction?
"Yes. They’re much younger than the high school students here. My father and I, we’re both so busy with so much to do that it’s hard to look after them properly. One is now six years old, and the other is eight. Please come and think of them as your own grandchildren and look after them."
Jun-ho was certain that it was the children.
"Kids? You want me to look after kids?"
"Yes, Elder. I’m asking you. And also."
It wasn't just because of young Kim Jun-seo and Choi Ji-woo that Jun-ho needed Go Jeong-nam.
"I think I’ll be getting some cows or pigs soon. Live ones. I need someone to raise them, and no matter how I think about it, it has to be you, Elder."
For the sake of the shelter’s long-term food supply, he wanted to keep this master of farming and livestock alive for a long time. As the first "official resident" of the container housing area.