Chapter 9: At Sindorim Station (1)
“Buy me time so I can escape?”
“Yes.”
“Didn’t I give you a pistol and a bayonet. As far as I know, our deal was finished.”
“This is a favor from a former team member.”
Park Daeho glanced back and forth between the soldiers and me.
“Originally, my plan was to draw the soldiers’ attention after they were deployed and slip out of here. I didn’t know Alpha Team would come.”
“Even if it wasn’t Alpha Team, one of the SUT teams would’ve shown up. Are you saying you planned to sacrifice them and survive alone?”
“I won’t deny it. If you hadn’t come in person, Team Leader, I would’ve moved according to my plan.”
“Heh, I don’t know whether to thank you for this or call you ungrateful.”
“Either way, everyone’s safe, aren’t they.”
“Kim Woojin, the process is just as important as the result.”
“Doesn’t look like we have the luxury for that.”
It was something I’d heard over and over since the days when I was on his team.
Park Daeho’s brow furrowed.
“What do you want from me.”
“When a helicopter comes to transport the samples, the monsters will rush into this building. If that happens, I can’t guarantee Alpha Team will escape safely either.”
“So?”
“Launch two helicopters. There’s a small mountain called Gaewoongsan not far from here. Use low-altitude flight to lure them away, and have the other helicopter withdraw with the samples and Alpha Team.”
“And while that’s happening, you’ll escape too? A kind of decoy operation.”
Park Daeho nodded.
“Not a bad plan. Let’s do it that way.”
“Then I’ll get the people ready.”
“One hour from now. By the way, Kim Woojin, why Sindorim of all places? It’s too close to here.”
“Is there no plan to retake it?”
“…For now, no. The judgment is that it’s best to stop it from spreading further in the metropolitan area. We don’t know how much more will pour out of the rift.”
As expected of Park Daeho. His insight into reading the battlefield was truly exceptional.
They kept moving in search of prey.
Rather than retaking the Gocheok Dome area, suppressing their spread across the country was the wiser choice.
“I’ve been continuously observing their behavior patterns.”
“Did you find anything?”
“They have extremely low intelligence. To the point where, even when trapped inside a narrow elevator, they can’t even think of escaping.”
“Hm.”
“And they move similarly to other beasts. They’ll head south.”
“On what basis?”
“The weather’s getting colder. They’ll try to find warmer places.”
I spoke as if I were guessing, but it was all true.
Before the regression, I only learned this information much later.
Countless researchers also failed to establish the hypothesis that the monstrous lifeforms that emerged from that other space wouldn’t be able to adapt to Earth’s weather.
Their focus was on where they came from, what their weaknesses were, and what abilities they possessed.
That’s why I was giving Park Daeho a hint.
It was information that could be discovered with even simple experiments on the samples.
If their movement routes could be predicted, the government could devise far more detailed plans.
“Interesting. I’ll check it as soon as I get back.”
“If what I said is true, don’t empty the armistice line area. No matter how short you are on manpower.”
“I understand what you mean.”
That was the reason the fighting became difficult before the regression.
In this life, I didn’t want to see monsters coming down from the north as well.
Moreover, once the barbed-wire defenses collapsed, restoring them was difficult.
If that place couldn’t be defended, they would pour in every winter.
“You’ll be directly connected to me.”
“Why are you giving me this.”
“It’s in case of emergencies. Your mind might change.”
Park Daeho handed me a radio.
Alpha Team used only the best equipment.
For a radio no bigger than my palm, its performance spoke for itself.
From location tracking to its absurd communication range and audio quality, it was second to none.
Park Daeho was directly connected to the President and each commander.
That was the position of the SUT Alpha Team leader.
Because of that, this radio felt more reassuring than the pistol tucked into my waistband.
“Then I’ll wish you luck.”
“Please return safely too, Team Leader.”
“Who were those soldiers earlier? Woojin, you’re really okay, right?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“Intern Kim, what about our plan? Can we escape from here?”
“Everyone, get ready. We’ll be leaving this place in one hour.”
I explained the new plan.
The one whose expression visibly brightened was Han Yeahee.
Because it meant the soldiers wouldn’t have to be used as bait.
“What is that…? A gun?”
“They’re old colleagues. I received one.”
“Gasp……!”
Lee Sang-ho and Gu Jihwan went pale at the sight of the pistol.
It seemed I came across to them as a cold-blooded man who could pull the trigger at any moment.
Well, that wasn’t entirely wrong.
“Let’s eat at least one meal before we leave.”
I planned to eat all the remaining food.
There could be unexpected variables on the way to Sindorim Station, and I didn’t know when we’d be able to eat again.
Leaving it behind would only make it baggage. It was better to eat up and be well-fed.
“But what if we go there and they don’t take us in? There weren’t any broadcasts there, and it might not meet the conditions.”
“Yeahee, say you’re a station employee, and Director, say you’re a welding technician.”
“Are you saying we should lie?”
“What, can’t we lie anymore now?”
“N-no. That’s not what I meant…….”
slurp -!
Leaving the dejected Han Yeahee behind, I slurped up the noodles.
This was the last cup ramen.
Right now, I was the only one holding a cup ramen.
“Th-then, what about me……?”
“Gu Jihwan, what would suit you.”
“Anything’s fine with me!”
“Then just make something up.”
After the brief mealtime ended, we hurriedly made our preparations.
The sneakers and backpack from the office, the real sword and bayonet, and even a pistol.
Among us, I had the most baggage by far.
“Just remember one thing. Even if the monsters are sleeping, you mustn’t make any noise. As much as possible, keep your eyes forward and walk.”
A moment later, a helicopter appeared in the sky above.
It was bait meant to draw the monsters’ attention.
dududududu -!
The low-flying helicopter’s noise battered my eardrums.
At the sudden surge of decibels, the monsters were whipped into a frenzy.
kieeeek -!
After circling around the building, it slowly moved toward Gaewoongsan.
Gaewoongsan lay in the opposite direction from Sindorim.
This was the perfect timing, with the monsters crazily chasing after the helicopter.
“Let’s go.”
I calmly pressed the elevator button.
Gu Jihwan wore an aggrieved expression, but at Han Yeahee’s gesture, he lowered his head.
“…There really is no hell worse than this.”
Outside was utter chaos.
Everywhere was splattered red.
Occasionally, greenish stains could be seen. The monsters’ blood.
“We’ll follow the subway tracks, and if you fall behind, you’ll be abandoned.”
We had to hurry.
The farther the helicopter sound faded, the more exposed we became.
I didn’t care whether the group was following properly or not.
Getting there came first.
“Huff, huff.”
How far had we gone.
Ragged breathing sounded from behind.
When I briefly turned my head, I could only see Han Yeahee; Lee Sang-ho and Gu Jihwan had fallen far behind.
“Uh, Woojin…! Couldn’t we rest just a little…?”
“I believe I said you’d be abandoned if you fell behind.”
I said that, but inwardly, I couldn’t help being surprised by Han Yeahee’s stamina.
She had kept up with my jogging pace.
The distance wasn’t that long, but without regular fitness training, it would’ve been impossible.
“The others are falling too far behind. Please wait just a bit.”
“If they just follow this track, they’ll arrive eventually. Waiting for them is up to you, Yeahee.”
“I’m at my limit too. Let’s rest for just one minute.”
I was about to move on without answering when a sudden thought grabbed my ankle.
Those two men lagging behind aside, Han Yeahee might actually be useful.
Shelters gathered large numbers of people.
People driven into extreme situations inevitably clashed.
A small spark could set a mountain ablaze.
Han Yeahee would help resolve disputes between people.
On top of that, her basic physical strength was solid, so she wouldn’t hold me back.
No matter how I looked at it, this woman needed to be taken along.
“Standing here is suicide. Do you see the subway train stopped up ahead. Let’s rest there.”
“Hoo— I’ll try to hang on a bit longer.”
I subtly slowed my pace, adjusting the rhythm.
I had planned to rest inside the subway car, but after seeing the blood smeared on the cab window, I changed my mind.
“Shh-!”
I raised a finger toward Han Yeahee. Then I carefully approached and checked the inside of the subway.
Unfortunately, there were monsters inside.
“What is it?”
She asked in a low voice.
I quietly drew my real sword.
“Wait here.”
Monsters preyed on living creatures.
Since we were following the subway tracks, the chance of encountering them should’ve been low.
For now, it could only be described as bad luck.
I opened the door very slowly and went inside.
This was the time when they should’ve been fast asleep.
There were three monsters in the first car.
The interior was so soaked with blood that the white floor couldn’t even be seen.
We were never going to rest here anyway. Still, leaving them alone would only come back to haunt us.
Thud! Thud!
I moved forward, stabbing the sleeping monsters in the back of their necks.
The next car, then the one after that.
By the time I reached the last car, more monsters remained than I expected.
A total of seven.
Nothing difficult.
“P-please save me……!”
“?!”
At that moment, a man covered in blood reached out toward me.
I tried to urgently cover his mouth, but the distance was too far.
“Please save me…! Please… don’t go…!”
kieek!
That man was doing the one thing he absolutely shouldn’t.
His voice was waking the monsters.
shuaak -!
Before I could even finish thinking, my body reacted first.
I burst forward like lightning and cut down the one in front.
kieeeek!
The remaining six rose at once.
After confirming their prey, they screeched savagely, baring their sharp teeth.
The first victim was the man.
kwajijik -! kwadeuk -!
A vicious sound of flesh being chewed along with bone rang out.
Hot blood splattered wildly across the ceiling and windows.
The freshly spilled blood carried a thick stench.
“I thought things were going too smoothly for once.”
kieek!
I struck the shelves with my real sword, drawing them in.
I readjusted my grip.
Abilities? Time attack?
I didn’t want to use them just to deal with six juggling-class monsters.
To activate it, my heart rate had to rise, and this wasn’t a situation threatening enough for that.
shuaak! shwik!
Each time the blade flashed, one monster fell.
No matter how special forces they were, there wouldn’t be a deranged unit teaching swordsmanship in 2031.
Humanity possessed technological power, while monsters possessed physical ability.
The two races fought using what they excelled at.
But Team Zeus was trained to overwhelm them even in physical ability.
Against these low-tier species, not upper-tier ones, they trained and trained until defeat was unthinkable.
In that process, swordsmanship was one of the most important subjects.
shuaak -!
The beautifully drawn blade arcs separated their bodies without the slightest deviation.
By the time I cut down the last one, my white dress shirt had already been stained green.
And outside the window, Han Yeahee and Lee Sang-ho were staring at me.