Chapter 20
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: High Risk, High Return: Paso Robles (7)
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#Intermission: Regarding the Fictional Disease "Morgellons"
The pandemic infectious disease "Morgellons" that appears in this game takes over its hosts and spreads infection. That's why the infected bite living people. It's like rabies, increasing hosts through wound infections. Of course, there are other routes of infection as well.
"Morgellons" dominates infected humans. Therefore, the infected mutants aren't walking corpses—they're flesh whose masters have changed.
Hey, don't laugh. This isn't just some unrealistic tale!
In Bernard Werber's novel *Ants*, there's the "horsehair worm" that manipulates its hosts. It's a real parasite. This thing burrows into an ant's brain and nerve ganglia to control its behavior.
There are other parasites too, ones that alter the host's physical traits—like changing the color of its body to make it more visible to predators—or mushroom spores that move the host to an environment suitable for sprouting, using it as nutrients. Didn't the classic game *The Last of Us* draw inspiration from that? What? You don't know the game? Zergnaga my ass.
Anyway, humans are known as higher intelligent lifeforms, so it's said they can't be controlled by pathogens or parasites. But according to some scholars, that's not entirely true.
The "Toxoplasma" is a parasite that infects cats. However, it also infects humans as intermediate hosts. Once male and female parasites mate inside a cat, the eggs are excreted through the cat's secretions and enter intermediate hosts like rats or humans, where they hatch.
Infected rats become sluggish while also incredibly bold. They stop fearing the smell of cat feces. The parasite forms cysts in the rat's brain and manipulates the fearless rat into getting eaten by a cat, allowing it to return to its definitive host, the cat.
So what about humans? Jaroslav Flegr, a professor in the parasitology department at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, claimed that humans also undergo emotional and behavioral changes due to "Toxoplasma." According to him, those infected by this parasite become more favorable toward cats. In other words, it draws humans closer to cats.
There have even been studies suggesting the same parasite might cause schizophrenia. In Europe, up to 71% of people are said to be infected with "Toxoplasma." Hey, you cat lover. Are you perhaps raising a parasite? Hahaha.
But don't worry too much. Even Jaroslav Flegr, who first warned about the dangers of "Toxoplasma," kept two cats despite claiming they were risky. Ah, the fatal charm of cats.
If you don't have congenital immune deficiency syndrome or complications, this parasite is harmless to you. So what if you end up liking cats you already love a bit more? Kitty cats are truly adorable. Unlike heretical dogs. I hear dog lovers are devil incarnates who pour sauce over sweet-and-sour pork.
Oh, so is the true nature of "Morgellons" a parasite? Who knows—it could be an unknown virus or a highly infectious spore organism.
The answer is: I don't know! Hahaha. Background lore can be swapped out anytime with content updates, you know. Have you never seen a plot hole or two? The important thing is money. Money.
If you have complaints, please call the Paradise Group Virtual Reality Division Customer Center. One counselor is on standby to handle the flood of protest calls.
Have a fun time in the world of *Day after Apocalypse*.
The monster's true nature was, as expected, a special mutant.
The soldier testified that the monster ignored heavy machine gun fire and a direct rocket hit. Its size was larger than a mid-sized car, and it even crumpled an armored Humvee that could shrug off rifle rounds with a single punch.
Hearing that, Winter just thought it was a bit early. As the number of infected mutants increases and time passes, special mutants appear. It's a different concept from enhanced mutants. Enhanced mutants are just particularly superior individuals among their kind. In other words, eventually, a real monster that is both a special mutant *and* an enhanced mutant will show up.
Once the soldier's testimony—mixed with sighs and tears—ended over the radio, Winter nodded.
"Understood. We'll come rescue you now."
Everyone listening was stunned. Even the soldier who had just witnessed Able Company's annihilation stammered.
[Hey, you got everything I said right?]
"Of course. Thank you for the valuable information."
[What the hell are you thinking... Your life is in danger!]
"I'm human, after all."
A single phrase loaded with meaning. The other side went silent as if their mouth was full of honey. In the hush around him, some stepped forward to stop him right away. The three terrified ones. His companions.
"Hey, little boss. Your courage is amazing, but this is way too reckless! Think it over again."
An Jejung pleading desperately, in the tone of soothing a childish kid.
"Don't we matter too? You promised to get us out safely, remember? And what about the people waiting? Without you, things will go back to how they were! That GI said he's ready to die anyway! Courage and recklessness are different!"
Park Jinseok asserting his promised rights, arguing like he was picking a fight.
"......"
Lee Yura silently shaking her head, clutching his arm with desperate eyes.
Among the crowding Americans too, Amalia Clemens and Stuart Hamill grabbed the boy. It wasn't right for someone so young to throw himself into danger.
The bystanders fell into two camps. Those genuinely worried for the boy, and those displeased and fearful at the loss of an armed member. The boundary between good and evil.
The rescue target thought the same.
[...You still listening?]
Winter was still holding the receiver.
"Yes, go ahead."
[I'm grateful. Really grateful. Honestly, I'm touched. That thick-headed bastard Markert was such a prick, but you're still willing to help... But I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me. I'm a soldier—protecting civilians is my job. Just stay put. It's best for both of us. You never know. I might hold out until another rescue team comes tomorrow.]
"Are you certain your current position is safe?"
[......Yeah.]
"You're not good at lying."
[Shut up, you banana.]
He used a slur, but the tone was close to an endearment. Like black folks calling each other "nigga"? With plenty of slang in his speech, he was probably black for real. Must've had it rough under a racist superior.
Winter said,
"I'm coming to rescue you anyway."
[Hey.]
"You said you rolled down some stairs? You must've taken shelter inside a building—can you pinpoint your location? Or describe some identifiable landmarks."
[I'm telling you not to come...]
"Even if you don't tell me, I'm heading out. I'll just get lost. That'll raise my chances of dying, won't it?"
[...You serious?]
"Dead serious. So stop crying. I don't want to hear a grown man sobbing."
[I wasn't crying.]
As the conversation flowed, favorability update notifications cluttered his view. Some went up, some down, but Jinseok and Jejung's drops were significant.
Jinseok even tried to snatch the receiver. He failed, of course. Thanks to advanced "Combat Sense" predicting his movement path. With his arm grabbed and twisted, he let out a pained yelp. Winter had wrenched it mercilessly—it hurt. Tears welled in his glaring eyes.
[Hey, something wrong? Sounded like a scream.]
"Don't worry. Someone stubbed their toe on the doorframe. Must hurt. Hit it hard."
[Really? Didn't sound like it...]
"Quiet. Tell me quick. Anything from your last memory is fine."
[Koreans really do love rushing... Fine, hold on. My head's foggy from the pain and daze.]
The soldier's voice now carried a hint of hope. Winter chalked it up to realistic AI responses. Everyone wants to live, deep down.
Jinseok struggled, but Winter subdued him one-handed, effortlessly. A joint lock. Not even a conscious technique.
Skill level 10 in techniques was the final stage of expert territory—the realm a normal person reaches after a lifetime of training. The synergy of "Close Combat" and "Combat Sense" manifested Winter's intent into optimal motion.
The radio only transmitted when the button was pressed, so Winter ignored the commotion and slammed Jinseok to the floor. He also meant to leave a strong impression on the watchers.
"Didn't you all acknowledge me as leader?"
Jinseok spat, face flushed red.
"Being leader doesn't give you the right to make this big a decision alone!"
"Is that so? Then I quit being leader. I'll go by myself."
At that, Jinseok was momentarily speechless, but soon exploded.
"What about the rest of us if you leave? How much more dangerous will it get? One guy we might not even save! Versus thirty-four we can definitely save, plus two comrades! Damn it, it's an obvious choice! If you go, you're an irresponsible bastard!"
Winter released him. The young man backed off a few steps, muttering curses. His eyes were fierce. Meanwhile, the radio crackled with new signals. Winter pressed the receiver to his ear and, facing the group—aimed at the young man—brought a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.
"The rest later. Let me hear this man out first."
And added one more line.
"If you interfere, I'll get mad."
Silence fell. The effect of "Intimidation."
A voice came through the receiver.
[Got it. The last place the platoon was together was the intersection of Creston Road and Walnut Drive. We were supposed to head straight your way, but we panicked and veered north. I remember seeing the county health center midway...]
Winter spread out the map. He traced with his finger based on the clues, then asked again.
"Anything else?"
[Else? We were running so frantically I didn't... Ah, yeah. One more thing. There was an overturned FEMA vehicle right before we got here.]
"FEMA? Federal Emergency Management Agency? You said you didn't know, but you're remembering plenty. Guess you don't want to die after all?"
[......I'll admit that, but you're one annoyingly cheeky bastard.]
"I'll take it as a compliment. Alright, we're heading out now, so stay quiet unless I transmit. Don't make noise that draws mutants. But if something really important happens, speak up."
[Hey, I'm a career soldier. I know that stuff better than you.]
"No harm in being careful. By the way, you haven't given your name yet. Rank and name, please."
Over the airwaves, the soldier chuckled foolishly.
[Staff Sergeant Matthew Cohen, reporting.]
"Good. See you soon, Sergeant Cohen."
Winter checked the time. Still half the day left. If it wasn't too far, it was doable.
He needed a way to stay in contact. The carried radio was too bulky. Since the presumed location wasn't far, he strapped a hands-free unit to his tactical vest.
Winter turned to Jinseok.
"You seem full of complaints."
"You really going?"
"Insight" had been active since earlier. Augmented reality strings. A feast of keywords and phrases recommended by the control AI for persuasion. Winter ignored them cleanly.
"There's this thing in the world: parents who sell their kids."
"What?"
Jinseok looked baffled, but Winter pressed on without pause.
"Sell one kid to save the rest of the family—sacrificing one for the many, right? They make excuses while selling the child. To the one being sold, they say: Sorry. But you're family, so sacrifice is natural. Understand?"
He smiled brightly, but his heart was cold beneath. The stone inside still weighed heavy.
"Sacrifice the few to save the many. Yeah, sounds good. You're not wrong, Jinseok. But I'm not wrong either. See, I don't want to stick with people who abandon others to save their own skins. I'll get abandoned too if needed."
"......"
"I'd rather be with people ready to protect each other, even at the risk of death. So I won't force you to follow. Hell, just stay here—all of you. Someone needs to guard this place. But until I get back, think it over a bit more. If I'm really that irresponsible. If I'm truly doing wrong, in your eyes, Jinseok—and you two others."
With that, Winter checked his weapons and ammo, slung a duffel bag, and headed for the door. Yura, with high favorability, started to follow but stopped. She wanted to live.
The Americans, unable to understand Korean but guessing the argument from the radio chatter, approached with complicated expressions. You really going? You okay? Respect. Don't. Dangerous. Protecting us is your job. Listen to the adults. Good luck. I'll pray for you. Affirmatives and negatives sharply divided, like an amplified version of the group's reactions.
Amid it all, Yura grabbed his shoulder and said haltingly,
"I've never thought you were wrong, little boss. It's just..."
"Just?"
"...I lack the courage."
Winter was satisfied with that.
The people watched from beyond the barricade. The emergency exit opened. Instantly, three shambling mutants lunged in. Small, stifled screams.
Winter grabbed the lead one's collar. Pushed back. Thud. His back hit the barricade. It held. He waited for the rear ones to tangle, then tripped them. They tumbled en masse. He kicked the sprawled pile to pin them, then swung his blade down in a flash. Half-swings with snaps—thud, thud, thud three times in a row. The last one half-rose then slumped again. Done.
Winter cleared them. Dragged the last one by the scruff out. Before exiting with the final corpse, he looked back one last time.
"Everyone stay quiet as mice. See you soon."
It would be safe. Without attracting elements like lights or noise. The boy checked the updating mission info and journal. The control AI warned that delayed return could cause crowd panic, failing the mission.
============================ Author's Note ============================
Please wait a bit longer for the seal breaker.