Chapter 33. The Soldiers' Approach.
Chapter 33. The Soldiers' Approach.
The journey started smoothly enough, and the vehicles matched the pedestrians' pace. Beside me, Seo Ji-hoon unfolded a map and spoke.
"I estimate about five hours on foot. Barring anything major along the way, we should arrive before sundown."
"Being outside the city means there probably aren't that many zombies, either."
"Yes. A group this size would normally draw attention from the noise we make moving, so that's one small mercy."
We moved for about two hours, ate, walked some more, and repeated the cycle of walking and resting. Eventually we reached a spot where the base came into view. Just then, we heard the sound of a helicopter passing in the distance.
— Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
The helicopter must have spotted us as well. It hovered briefly, surveying us, then flew off.
"So the helicopter we spotted last time really did come from the military base."
"I don't know which building they're in, but now that they've confirmed our presence, they'll reach out."
A group holding a steady formation without a single zombie among them, who'd made it this far safely—we'd naturally pique their curiosity.
"First, let's not conduct any reckless searches. We'll settle into a suitable building."
We assigned the civilians to stand guard while the combat teams entered the building and cleared out every zombie. Once the all-clear was confirmed, we called everyone back outside and piled the corpses in front of the building before burning them all.
We conducted a head count, and mercifully, everyone had arrived safely without a single injury. The long march must have exhausted everyone; though it was still early evening, people began drifting off to sleep one by one.
* * * * * * * *
"Is it true that a group of what looked like survivors was heading this way?"
"Yes, sir. We didn't track them all the way, but they were definitely heading in our direction."
"Are they looters? What were their numbers?"
"There were elderly people and children mixed in among the vehicles, and women as well. Doesn't look like they're looters. And we didn't see any wounded. Estimated strength is around one hundred thirty."
"That many people made it here on foot, without raising any significant noise?"
"It's only a guess, but the ones at the front didn't appear to be armed with firearms. I suspect they're Awakened."
"In that case... what do you think their reason for coming here is?"
"...They likely came to resupply on armaments, I'd imagine."
Once the report from the soldier who'd been operating the helicopter was finished—covering their estimated ages, distinguishing features, overall demeanor, and more—the people assembled launched into a heated discussion.
"Then what attitude should we adopt toward them?"
"We are at war! As citizens of the Republic of Korea, shouldn't they be helping us reclaim our country?"
"If the majority of them are Awakened..."
"There's a possibility of armed conflict..."
"All of you, stop it! I understand your concern, but the report mentions elderly people and children. It's highly unlikely they're looters. The question is, how do we initiate contact?"
"What about sending a drone to the building where they're presumably staying?"
"Out of all these buildings, do you know which one they're in?"
"With numbers that large, they wouldn't have gone too far in. And we can always check the vehicles they brought with them, not the ones left abandoned."
"Fine. Then prepare a walkie-talkie, instructions for how to use it, and our communication channel. Write it all on a note and send it along when we deploy the drone."
"Understood."
* * * * * * * *
We gathered separately to hammer out our next plans. Now that our group had grown to a certain size, whenever there was an important discussion we assembled the original party plus Seo Ji-hoon, Choi Jae-hyeok, Im Ji-hye, and Terion. It felt a bit like a company's executive board.
The meeting began when Choi Jae-hyeok spoke up.
"First, the stance we take will change depending on how we classify the group already here. Enemy, ally, or third party."
"What's your take?"
"I'd rule out classifying them as enemies, at least for now. They aren't looters, and their group is composed of soldiers. That said, we can't be certain since we haven't gotten a clear read on them yet."
"Then why did you separate them into ally and third party?"
"If they're a third party, we can simply cooperate with them to help them salvage the remaining grounds and accept a fixed amount of supplies in return. If they're allies, we absorb them into our side and live together. But that will cause friction."
"Because it's hard for them to fit in? If that's the case, the people from the church are fitting in just fine now."
"That's not it. They'll definitely have high-ranking officers in command. In that case, those officers are guaranteed to clash with the people in charge here. A single group doesn't need two heads."
"Hmm... If they don't like it, the monk can pack up and leave, as they say."
"I don't know the exact ranks of their commanders, but if they're generals, they're going to be none too pleased about taking orders from you all. You're younger than them and, what's more, civilians."
"Then we'll just leave. We were only planning to resupply and move on, anyway."
"Once they see what you're capable of, they're not going to let you go easily."
"Are you saying they might threaten us?"
"I doubt it'll come to that. They'll try to coax you, or cling to your ankles—one way or another, they'll make pests of themselves."
"..."
"Because they'll believe that if they can get their hands on overwhelming military force, there's nothing they can't do. Their greed will be enormous. Do you think generals get lumped in with politicians for no reason?"
"If they..."
Sensing the ominous shift in the atmosphere, a few people swallowed nervously and stared at my mouth, waiting to hear what I'd say.
"...if their greed crosses the line and they lay a finger on us... they'll pay for it."
"Of course... I was merely giving an example."
At that moment, Terion climbed out of my pocket and up onto the desk.
"I had such men to deal with back when I ruled a kingdom, too. The people on the ground are ultimately just following orders. Forgive the harsh phrasing, but isn't it simply a matter of removing those heads?"
"But how could we, in a state governed by law...!"
"Hmph... As I understand it, the government that once propped up this nation has collapsed, and the laws have become meaningless. Am I wrong?"
"Even so, we have no justifiable cause to eliminate them...!"
"A cause is something you can manufacture by any means, my good man. If they genuinely cry out for patriotism, then a trifling thing like command authority shouldn't matter to them. Those who end up colliding with us will be the ones clinging to power because they refuse to let it go."
"I don't know how everyone else might view it, but like Terion, I'm someone who's a little more accustomed to life over in that world. And the truth is, people like that are utterly useless if you let them stay in your group."
"The son-in-law is right. Even back when I was running my business, those types were nothing but trouble."
Just then, we heard the sound of running from outside, followed by a frantic knock.
— Knock, knock, knock!
"Yes, come in."
The person who'd been standing guard outside burst in, gasping for breath as he answered.
"Hah... A drone just landed on the rooftop. It was carrying a box with a walkie-talkie and a note inside."
"Hm. For now, leave the drone where it is and just bring the box. We don't know their intentions yet."
He went back outside, and a few minutes later, carried the box in, set it down, and left again.
"No particular reason is written here. Just a note saying they want to talk, along with their communication channel and how to use it."
"What could they want to say to us?"
"They absolutely want to cooperate. There's no way they'd have requested a rescue without knowing our military strength."
"We won't know what it is until they speak directly."
Seo Ji-hoon, apparently already familiar with how to operate a walkie-talkie, tuned it to their channel and attempted communication.
— Sizzle... chhk...
"Can you hear me? I understand you wish to speak with us."
"Ah, yes, we hear you clearly."
"What is your affiliation?"
"To begin with, I am Major Lee Si-won. Affiliations mean little right now. In practice, survivors have gathered in this building, so most people's original units are mixed together."
"My name is Seo Ji-hoon. Then, what is your reason for requesting to talk?"
"We wanted to know your purpose. And how you came to be here, by what means, that sort of thing."
"You mean your purpose isn't a rescue?"
"No. We are self-sufficient to a certain degree, and our only interest is in understanding the intentions behind your sudden arrival."
"Which building are you occupying right now, by chance?"
"...Please wait a moment."
Seemingly meaning that he couldn't divulge that on his own judgment alone, he asked us to wait, and the transmission cut out for a moment.
"We are currently using our headquarters building for both operations and barracks."
I took the walkie-talkie from Seo Ji-hoon and spoke to them.
"I'll come and find you myself. Let's talk in person."
"There are large numbers of zombies on every approach. Reaching here is impossible..."
"No. Don't worry about that. I'll come to you shortly."
After saying that, I turned off the radio and looked at my group. The old man spoke up.
"Who do you plan to take with you this time?"
"Unlike ordinary looters, they're troops armed with rifles. It'll be easier for me to handle things if I go alone."
"Then what should the rest of us be doing?"
"Just keep things normal. If I leave Terion here too, you won't need to worry about any potential attacks."
"If you're all right with it, it's all right."
"Terion, can you cast some kind of defensive magic on this place?"
"Hm, permanently would be impossible, but I can make it last for a certain duration."
"That's more than enough. It's not like we're planning to live here forever."
"In that case, instruct everyone to conduct a weapons inspection. I'll stop by sometime tomorrow afternoon."