The Secret Path Only I Know
"Director."
"Yes, Boss. Please, go ahead."
Park Chan-young, the director of Woorim Engineering, a man in his fifties, replied with a polite bow. The fact that Jun-ho was young enough to be his son didn't matter in the slightest. This was the first major construction project he’d taken on in nearly three years, and having heard the client’s background directly from Baek Ha-il—a man he’d known like a brother for years—he was fully charged and ready to give it his all.
"Since Baek Ha-il has already briefed you, I’ll speak plainly. We do not accept general customers here. This will be a private facility for thoroughly vetted VIPs."
"Yes, yes. I’ve heard as much from President Baek several times, so I understand perfectly."
"Good. While we will be using top-tier materials, the exterior must not look flashy. In the unlikely event that something happens, it needs to look like an ordinary pension. Both the interior and exterior must appear completely mundane. I’d especially like it to be perceived as a research lab or a commercial residential building from the outside. Keep it as simple as possible, like this."
As Jun-ho slid the tablet across, Park Chan-young examined it carefully before nodding.
"I understand exactly what you mean. I just need to follow President Baek's instructions, right?"
"Yes. I’ll stop by occasionally, but President Baek will be staying here almost permanently. Regardless, I hope you, President Baek, and CEO Hwang Se-jun can coordinate well to break ground and complete this without any issues."
"Don't you worry about a thing. Whether it's a country house, an agricultural warehouse, a factory, or a specialized facility, there’s nothing we haven't done."
"Woorim's reputation is well-known even in Busan, isn't it? I'll make sure to take care of President Lee, so don't you worry."
Because others were present, Baek Ha-il used formal language with Jun-ho.
"Yes, understood. By the way, CEO Hwang Se-jun, what have you decided regarding the solar power facilities and the batteries?"
"Yes. We’ve decided to have the Woorim office purchase the products we’ve contacted. However, we will handle sensitive items like the hybrid ESS batteries ourselves."
Following Hwang Se-jun’s reply, Baek Ha-il stepped in.
"I looked into it, and it seems better for Dow Computing to handle everything except the panels, flooring, and the automatic cleaning robots. The power facilities need to be calibrated to the AI computers and servers."
Jun-ho nodded.
"Yes. You three can coordinate those details yourselves. Feel free to manage within the budget. Just remember that the shorter the construction period, the larger the bonus you’ll receive."
Excluding the land purchase cost, the total budget allocated for the completion of the shelter was 8.2 billion won. It was significantly less than what Jun-ho had initially anticipated. The reason was the pandemic-induced recession. Baek Ha-il hadn't even squeezed the prices; both the Woorim office, responsible for design and construction, and Dow Computing had voluntarily forfeited a portion of their margins. That was why Jun-ho had made the offer to the two companies, excluding Baek Ha-il: if they carried out the construction meticulously and shortened the timeline, he would pay each company a bonus of up to 250 million won. The deadline was October of this year. The two companies responded with great enthusiasm, claiming it was entirely possible if they utilized parallel construction processes. Since the budget, which he initially thought would exceed 10 billion won, had been reduced, and he could secure both quality and speed through bonuses, it was the best possible outcome for Jun-ho. Above all, the fact that the total cost, including the land purchase, hit exactly 10 billion won made Jun-ho feel strangely satisfied.
'Well, it’ll cost another 400 or 500 million won to buy the initial machinery and equipment for the workshop and maintenance bay after completion, though.'
As Jun-ho was lost in that thought, Baek Ha-il, who had been talking with the representatives of the two companies, leaned over and spoke to him.
"Excuse me, President Lee. Director Park from Woorim says he has something to tell you."
"Oh? Ah, yes. Director, please go ahead."
Park Chan-young held out his tablet and spoke. A satellite map showing the pension site and the surrounding area appeared on the screen.
"It’s this. One of our office staff, while walking around the perimeter of the site, discovered a mountain path that isn't on the satellite map."
"A... mountain path?"
Jun-ho furrowed his brow and peered at the tablet screen. Park Chan-young pointed with his pen to the area behind the mountain where the ultra-low-temperature freezer warehouse and fuel storage were planned.
"Yes. It starts here and winds around the back of the mountain like this. He said the width is a little over 2 meters. He walked for about 5 minutes and turned back, but it felt like a hiking trail or a walking path. It might even connect to the other side of the mountain. Shouldn't we check it out?"
"Ah... we certainly should. Let’s head to the location where that path was discovered."
Jun-ho was inwardly flustered. When he stayed here before the regression, there was absolutely no such path. He was certain of it, having scouted the area for days.
"Shall we launch a drone before you go yourself?"
"Ah, a drone. Let’s do that."
These days, drone photography was standard for construction site surveys, and Woorim was no exception.
Whirrr!
With a sound like a swarm of hornets taking flight, the drone soared into the air. Jun-ho and the others huddled around the laptop displaying the footage from the drone.
"Oh? It really is a mountain path."
"So it is. The trees were so dense it wasn't visible on the satellite map. It looks like it was a walking path used by the campsite originally? It seems it was left abandoned after they went out of business."
"Hmm."
At Hwang Se-jun’s words, Jun-ho stared at the monitor with a serious expression. Then, he suddenly realized why he hadn't discovered that path before his regression. It was overgrown even now, but in a few years, the trees would have grown even more, covering it completely.
Watching the drone fly slowly over the mountain path, Jun-ho asked.
"Director, how far can you check with the drone?"
"Well, it’ll be up to here. Beyond this, the signal won't reach."
The terrain was rugged, and since they hadn't installed any repeaters or amplifiers yet, the drone's controllable range was less than 2 kilometers. Ultimately, the drone had to return after reaching its flight limit.
Jun-ho took his eyes off the monitor and said.
"I’ll check it myself. You all continue with your work."
"H-huh... President Lee, you’re going yourself? Will you be alright?"
Baek Ha-il said with a surprised and slightly worried expression. Jun-ho grinned and rolled up his shirt sleeves.
"Of course. I prepared something just in case, so I’ll go check it out while testing its performance. It shouldn't take even an hour."
"...?"
* * *
Whirrr-
With the low hum characteristic of an electric motor, the mid-drive electric MTB (mountain bike) Jun-ho was riding sped off along the mountain path with Purdy. Although it was limited to 25 km/h, it was as fast as pedaling by hand and far less exhausting.
"This time, I’ll do it myself."
Jun-ho put power into the pedals. In an instant, the MTB shot forward like an arrow. It was a gentle slope, but the speed on the dashboard hit a whopping 32 km/h—enough that Purdy couldn't keep up for a moment. If it was this fast without even going full power, it was nearly at the level of a professional mountain bike racer. However, Jun-ho had no trouble speeding through the rough mountain path. It was thanks to his insane dynamic vision and reflexes.
"Good, this is fine."
Jun-ho once again borrowed the motor's power to race along the path. Matching the bike's speed, Purdy began to run, adjusting his pace. He must have been running around exploring everywhere without resting since arriving at the shelter site, but there wasn't a hint of exhaustion; he looked excited instead. As expected, he was a smart and physically gifted dog.
"I should prepare about 20 of these models."
Jun-ho muttered with satisfaction as he rode the bike. After the apocalypse, most survivors moved on foot. However, some survivors used vehicles. They used cars (mostly diesel or electric), inline skates, skateboards, or, like Jun-ho now, bicycles. In Jun-ho’s view, whether in the city, mountains, or fields, electric bikes—especially MTBs specialized for rough terrain—were the best. Furthermore, since laws no longer existed after the apocalypse, most people operated electric bikes with the speed limiters removed. This was because it wasn't rare to encounter zombies or humans running at the electric bike’s limited speed of 25 km/h. Even among ordinary people, there were those who could run 100 meters in 14 to 15 seconds. But there were almost no beings that could keep running outdoors at over 30 km/h, covering 100 meters in 12 seconds. Moreover, it was nearly impossible to catch an electric bike running at that speed in an outdoor environment full of obstacles and complex terrain, not a track.
Therefore, stocking the shelter with electric MTBs and removing the speed limiters later was an obvious choice. Of course, he would prepare regular vehicles or agricultural electric carts as well, but there were bound to be situations where one had to walk or use a bike depending on the circumstances. Even if a bit expensive, a high-performance electric MTB that could run at least 40–50 kilometers even in mountainous terrain on a full charge was essential.
Whirrr-
Even if the noise was slightly annoying, at this level, it was difficult for zombies or humans to notice it from just 10 meters away.
"Perfect pass."
Jun-ho was satisfied with the performance of the newly inaugurated electric MTB and rode along the mountain path he had failed to discover when he stayed at the Sky Forest Campsite before the regression. Had it been a little over 10 minutes? Jun-ho finally crossed the mountain and arrived at a point where he could look down at a fairly large village.
He stopped the MTB, gave Purdy some water, and then drank some himself, narrowing his eyes as he looked down at the village.
"Gahyeon-ri..."
Jun-ho knew Gahyeon-ri, a place that literally had everything: two apartment complexes of 300 to 400 households centered around an elementary and middle school, a high-end country house complex where wealthy people lived, and even a commercial and villa district, even if most were under 5 stories. Because of the incident that occurred right there, he had to go all the way to the Namyangju downtown area, and in the end, he met his own end there. In the memories that were coming back to him, Jun-ho’s gaze sank deep. And within those memories were the faces of a few people he couldn't forget. They must all be living their ordinary daily lives right now.
Woof!
Purdy woke Jun-ho from his brief immersion in old memories.
"Right, let’s go."
Jun-ho patted the head of the dog, who was sending him a look as if asking if they weren't going to run anymore, and climbed back onto the electric MTB. And slowly, at a quiet speed, he went down the mountain path.
A few minutes later.
The sound of cars speeding on the road could be heard from afar, and soon, a gleam appeared in Jun-ho’s eyes.
"It’s blocked...?"
The mountain path leading from the back of the shelter site was completely blocked at a certain point. It wasn't a natural obstacle. Several barricades with 'No Entry Under Construction' signs, a rusted iron gate, and a soundproof wall about 5 meters high connecting the left and right sides were blocking the mountain and the road.
"Hmm..."
Jun-ho got off the bike and closely examined the metal door that had been made separately between the barricade and the soundproof wall. It was extremely old and rusted, clearly installed at least a year or more ago. Also, the fact that various materials and trash were scattered around suggested it was a place used by workers during road or soundproof wall construction.
"That means..."
It was highly unlikely that anyone would enter through this path, not only before the apocalypse but even after it broke out. No one in their right mind would have a reason to climb the mountain even while cutting chains. Moreover, Jun-ho had ridden the electric MTB at an average speed of 25 km/h and it had taken less than 20 minutes from the shelter to here. But what if a person came on foot?
"Since it’s a mountain path, at least three hours. Considering the health condition of an apocalypse survivor, it would take more than four hours."
It was almost half a day. Unless their lives were threatened, no one would try to cross the mountain by spending half a day after cutting chains and opening an iron gate. Besides, beyond this iron gate was a highway. Only cars passed by; there were no people, and not a single building. But when the apocalypse hits, there are almost no cars on the highway.
"But this path, right now, only I know about it, don't I?"
Jun-ho’s brain worked rapidly. Currently, the only path leading to the shelter was the one road he and the company representatives had traveled by car today. But what if he blocked that road just before or right after the apocalypse? And what if he secretly used this mountain path, where at least one SUV or truck could pass?
"It’s entirely possible."
He could build something like a guard tower at the spot where he had rested briefly with Purdy earlier and monitor this place with high-performance CCTV cameras like the ones he had installed at the Bucheon House. And that wasn't the end.
"I’ll even be able to see as far as Gahyeon-ri during the day? This is totally... I’m lucky."
Reconnaissance, surveillance, and a secret passage. An unexpected opportunity had come to Jun-ho, satisfying three things that were extremely important for the shelter’s survival all at once.