Chapter 98
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Spark, Fort Roberts (1)
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The smartphone's vibration woke Winter. The name on the screen was Gerald M. Rapplin. The colonel. Winter checked the elapsed time since falling asleep and answered the call before it vibrated again.
"Lieutenant Han Gyeowol speaking."
[Oh, Lieutenant. It's the colonel. Sorry to interrupt your rest. I feel bad since I told you to take it easy.]
After returning to base, Winter had been granted about two days' rest by the colonel. The return had been just yesterday, January 30th. Today was the last day of January. A new month would begin tomorrow.
"It's fine. What can I do for you?"
[I have a few things to pass along. And some matters where I need your input. Ah, don't worry—it's not a combat mission or anything dangerous. If nothing comes up, can you stop by my office at 1600?]
"Yes, sir."
[Good. You still have time, so take it easy. I'm hanging up.]
The call ended briefly.
Current time: 2:57 p.m. Winter checked his physical condition. His body responded keenly as intended. He was fully recovered. No traces remained of the cold or fatigue. The only regret was the shortened rest. Sleep in this world was an opportunity to rest exactly as much as needed for situational calculations.
'Things to pass along... Could it be about the last mission?'
The military's civilian massacre was an extremely sensitive incident. The friendly fire between U.S. forces was too. Squad Leader Hernandez had worried that the authorities might cover it up. Just in case they faced unjust treatment.
Off duty until today, but Winter donned his combat uniform and armed himself. It was always better to prepare for contingencies. In the system, events were always randomly generated variables.
As he dressed, he checked the call log. Messages from the two deputies and two combat team leaders of the Winter Alliance, plus numerous missed calls. Many texts had been sent before his return. But since he was out of cell range during the mission, he'd only received them after returning. Reports on the current situation, requests for approval on handling certain matters, inquiries about his well-being.
Tapping out a few replies, a call came in.
"Yes, Yura."
[Ah, Leader! You finally picked up! I saw your text reply and hoped... We were all so worried since you left suddenly two days ago without word. Everything okay?]
From the context, she didn't even know he'd returned yesterday. That made sense. Though the combat team members were formally treated as regular army, they still had many shortcomings in practice. When Winter was absent, they had virtually no liaison to the U.S. military.
'There is one, but it's one-way.'
The team members' influence was weaker than when Winter had been in support. To the point they had no way to inquire about his whereabouts. The Americans didn't pay much attention either. It was something to improve soon.
"I'm fine. And sorry. I should have contacted everyone, but I was so focused on the mission I didn't think of it. It was urgent. I'll be more careful next time."
[No, no! It happens when you're busy! Ahaha, did you go somewhere outside?]
"Yes. I went to Lake Santa Margarita."
Murmurs came faintly from her end. Where's Lake Santa Margarita? Yeah? I know. That's even further south than Atascadero, right? Wow, that's far! Winter could distinguish the voices of the combat team members under Yura. He pictured the scene on the other end of the line. Everyone gathered in a circle around the receiver, listening intently.
[Ahem. So, no injuries?]
Even though he'd said he was fine, she asked again. Winter glanced at the back of his left hand. It had been properly treated right away. There was a temporary debuff on grip strength and precision, but it wasn't severe—a minor wound. It might leave a scar.
"I did get hurt, but just scraped up. Tell everyone there it's okay."
[Got it! When are you coming?]
"Might be tough today. The colonel called me in, and I don't know why yet. If time allows, I'll drop by late. Anything I need to know?]
[Nope, nothing like that. Won't take more of your time since you're summoned. Please try to come today. Everyone misses you.]
Mixed shouts of men and women followed from around her. When are you coming! We'll wait! Let's eat dinner together! Yura Team Leader and Jinseok Team Leader fought again! And so on. The last one flustered her.
[H-Hanbyeol! Why say that! Leader! I'm hanging up! Do your best! Fighting!]
Whispers up front, loud and rushed from behind. The call cut off before he could respond.
He'd thought the two combat team leaders would restrain themselves after the sawmill incident, but apparently not yet.
'Well, pent-up emotions don't vanish easily. Emotions always find reasons.'
At least from Winter's experience. A story from the world he once lived in first. Once anger flared for some reason, next time it sought reasons to flare again. Anger was like a baobab tree growing wild. Recalling the metaphor from a book he'd read in the past, Winter knew he had one too.
He wanted to get angry. So he'd found this world of human-like things.
He left his quarters. The sky, after one storm passed and before another arrived, was a dull gray. The rain had paused for now.
On the way to regimental headquarters, after several friendly greetings, there was a less friendly encounter.
"Listen to the words of Scripture! Verily, verily I say unto you! He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life!"
"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. He that believeth not God hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son!"
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life!"
"Have you heard! Those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have no life! Unbelievers are already dead! What does it mean to be alive yet dead? It means you'll soon be like those sacrifice-eaters! Do you want to live? Do you want to live? The Bible shows the way! The Bible is the book of life the Lord wrote to give you life!"
"Many read this precious book carelessly! It's heresy! The path to hell! Proper interpretation of the word is the power of chosen prophets! Seek the gospel from our Pastor Park Taesun, anointed by miracle! You too can gain eternal life!"
The group, holding placards and Bibles, brimming with zeal—they were from the Full Gospel Church. From midway, it was typical cult nonsense, but to the faithful, it carried the weight of truth.
Come to think of it, what was the nature of that "miracle"? Winter recalled the flu outbreak. Rumors had spread: holy water blessed by Pastor Park Taesun could cure all diseases. Speculation that he'd somehow obtained antibiotics and mixed them in, but nothing confirmed.
'If there was really something to it, it might be another change I don't know about.'
As he pondered, one person approached. The girl was visibly frightened.
Winter's reputation in the church wasn't good. She'd likely heard plenty of malicious rumors.
Winter turned his steps to pass quickly, but the girl ran to block him.
"Excuse me! W-W-Wait a moment!"
Eyes turned. Regardless of affiliation, everyone watched this odd standoff. Amid it, the girl's hands trembled. Winter finally stopped and mustered an appropriate smile.
"What is it?"
"Th-This!"
Winter took the paper she offered. Small size, crammed with tiny handwriting. Surely not a letter. It was a missionary flyer.
'Handmade?'
The content was Bible verses, as expected.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)"
And plenty more. As he was about to say he had no intention of gaining faith from this, the girl beat him to it.
"L-Lieutenant Han Gyeowol! Aren't you scared?"
"Of what?"
"The sacrifice-eaters!"
Sacrifice-eaters. The church's term for the infected mutants. Winter denied it first.
"What if I'm not?"
"You can't lie! The Lord hates liars! 'A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish!' Proverbs 19:9! Remember that!"
"Why do you think I'd lie?"
"The sacrifice-eaters are the Lord's wrath! Maybe even you're lying without knowing it! You think you're not scared, but deep down you are!"
It was a loaded question. Still, she was a girl younger than a boy. Winter responded mildly and gently.
"That could be. No one fully knows their own heart. But I know mine best. No reason to heed others' words."
Emboldened by his soft demeanor, much of her fear faded. Religious fervor filled the space, innocent as befits her age.
"There's a reason! It's about your life, Lieutenant!"
"Sorry, but I don't have time to waste. Excuse me."
"No!"
She grabbed him as he tried to pass. No need to shake her off forcefully, but it wouldn't look good. As Winter briefly pondered, she pressed her faith again.
"Ugh! Please read what I just gave you! God says there's no condemnation for those in Jesus! Believe in the Lord Jesus, and the sacrifice-eaters won't harm you! Listen to our pastor and escape the valley of the shadow of death!"
Her hand gripping his sleeve turned white. That desperate. At least from her perspective, she was sincerely worried for Winter.
As he pried her fingers off one by one, Winter realized her strength was unusually great. Even by "Combat Sense" threat assessment, it was on par with an average adult male.
'The fact that a threat assessment even triggers is abnormal...'
It could only mean the girl was born with warrior talent. But meaningless against Winter's buffs. He detached her hand, held the gathered fingers, and regarded her anew.
If he let go now, she'd grab again. Winter coaxed her kindly.
"I'll read it, so let me go. I have an appointment with the colonel. Can't be late."
"Then promise me too! You said you'd read it, so you have to! Lying is..."
"Something the Lord hates, right? Got it."
Only then did she release. She looked about middle school age. After a few steps back, she bowed deeply with flushed cheeks.
"Thanks for your time! Everyone will be thrilled if you come to church!"
Winter responded with a silent nod and checked the time as he walked. He'd left with plenty of margin. Even delayed, no worry of being late.
From behind came her lingering shout.
"Pastor Park Taesun saved me with a miracle! I hope you get one too, Lieutenant!"
Hmm. Glancing back, she beamed and waved vigorously. Winter asked.
"What's your name?"
"Me? W-Wow, I'm Hwangbo Esther! If you really come to church later, say I introduced you!"
Winter made a mental note that she was a miracle experiencer.
============================ Author's Note ============================
#Empathy
The dystopia depicted in the columbarium is ultimately a world without empathy. Everyone, don't hate those with different opinions. Bridging differences is always through dialogue. Not fighting.
#Model
Asked about Winter's model, and luck7seve7 said it's the author himself. Truly thankful. Be careful when you sleep. There might be a great old one under your bed.
#Q&A
Q. OneChance: @I too, right in middle school, thought about colors and told a friend, and he saw me as a total middle schooler! He still teases me with it whenever I forget. Such a pure-hearted friend!
A. Good friend! Send him to the bottom of the Baltic Sea!
Q. twking5008: @Great Old Ruler (lol)! We offer sacrifices (chase, nose) for innocence. Please be satisfied!
A. Satisfied. Receive my blessing. [Innocence Recovery Speed +10%]
Q. 사람나무: @Sudden thought, but the entrepreneur who bought Winter's body—lifelong faithful to his wife, to the point of self-betrayal, and even in illegal deals kept his own code? The seed from wife's betrayal blooms into incest, right? Heh heh lol innocence innocence!
A. Ahem... this innocence is delinquent... Hope your innocence battery doesn't explode? The Little Prince of the Columbarium is a good innocence charger, but seems incompatible.
Q. 우리아츠: Is your nickname from Tonggu + Sska?
A. What's Tonggu, what's Sska? My nickname is from the Tunguska Great Explosion. Cause is probably meteor impact with high probability.