Chapter 5: Encounter

[TV news broadcast plays]

"Breaking news. The violent disturbance that began on Coffee Street in Gangneung has now spread to nearby areas, including Gangneung City Hall. Some online users are suggesting a possible 'aggression-enhancing virus'…"

**

After passing through another empty street, we reached another barricade.

At this point, puddles of blood don't even faze me anymore.

But the bodies that were lying in that blood—gone.

Whether someone moved them, or they moved on their own… I didn't know.

Earlier, it was fear. Now, it was only questions.

I pulled up behind the barricade and reviewed the situation.

A sigh escaped.

Why are people going berserk?

Not just panicking—but actually attacking others. Biting them.

Even so, not all of them seemed to have lost their minds.

Some still acted like regular people.

And the attackers… still looked human.

Then there's my team.

Sergeant Yoo is, without question, capable.

Even in this chaos, he stays composed.

I think he said he was a 4th dan in taekwondo. He moves well, and more importantly, his actions lead to good results.

Corporal Kim Se-hyun. He said he's a nursing student.

He'll be valuable for bleeding control and emergency care.

In a situation like this, he might even be more critical than Sgt. Yoo.

Private Jang Ji-won.

I vaguely remember his name from a personnel review. Probably noted as someone who needs extra support.

And now he's been bitten.

The wound? Severe.

His shoulder was torn open. We applied emergency hemostasis.

He's no longer a combatant. Just someone to protect.

The others?

Some cursed Ji-won. Others tried to encourage him.

Still, they all ran out to help him.

Likely following Sgt. Yoo's lead.

Can Yoo serve as the central force to bring them back together?

Unclear.

And then… there's me.

Can I lead them through this?

Can I get us all out of here?

I slipped into that train of thought for a moment.

But do I really have the luxury to drift off like that?

…Whether I can or not doesn't matter.

I've never only done what I can do.

I do what must be done.

Time to focus.

I stepped out of the vehicle and walked toward my team.

Everyone's heads were lowered.

I quietly took a deep breath, then said,

"Raise your heads. There's nothing on the ground worth staring at."

I kept my voice calm.

I couldn't afford to show emotion.

"We're heading back to the pension. That'll be our base. From there, we prepare for extraction."

The soldiers looked dazed.

That's when Sgt. Yoo stepped forward.

"Do you have a plan, sir?"

"…."

I said nothing.

Just looked at him.

He seemed to weigh something in his mind—then nodded, resolute.

"I'll follow your orders, sir."

That one sentence gave me strength.

I turned and started walking back toward the pension.

"Let's move."

The others hesitated.

"What are you doing? Move. It's dangerous here."

Yoo snapped.

They still hesitated—but they moved.

Once back at the pension, I ordered them to move the barricades and bring the vehicles inside the perimeter. We had to fortify the place.

This time, I didn't just give orders—I helped too.

They followed, albeit reluctantly.

Ji-won was left to Se-hyun. I assigned two more soldiers to stay and guard.

Ji-won and Se-hyun stayed inside; the others kept watch outside.

Not long after, we gathered materials for barricades.

It wasn't perfect, but it would hold.

The makeshift defenses we laid out looked almost like a maze.

It would slow anything coming straight at us.

But I had a strange feeling.

Like something was coming.

And soon enough, I saw them.

Figures—dozens of them—running toward us.

Were they people?

Were they threats?

No time to find out.

"Everyone inside! Now! Hide!"

They moved fast.

I stayed behind and took cover behind the barricades.

Time passed.

Or maybe not. It just felt long.

I needed to confirm.

Keep fear in check.

Peeking out carefully, I saw the figures had stopped moving toward us.

They wandered aimlessly, as if they'd lost their target.

Some drifted closer. Some turned away.

A quiet breath of relief left me.

Do I reinforce the barricades now? Or wait?

They're already working.

We'll hold—for now.

Time to check on the team.

As I moved back toward the pension, I kept thinking.

Why did they come?

Why did they stop?

No answers.

Once inside, I reassigned two guards.

This time, I ordered them to hide behind the barricades and only report if directly spotted.

Then I called Sgt. Yoo.

"There should be keys in the front office. Grab them and assign the guys into rooms. Three per room. Let them rest. I'll speak with each of them individually."

"Yes, sir."

He started to move.

"Oh, and Yoo—you're included. I'll speak with you first."

"…Understood."

He seemed a bit surprised but nodded.

He returned with keys and handed one to me.

"Your room, sir. 401."

I nodded.

"Put me with Se-hyun and Ji-won. Even if it's uncomfortable, it can't be helped."

Yoo looked at me like I was some strange creature.

We had 11 people.

Three per room means one room would only have two.

That would be his.

"Don't be alone. Share with someone. No solo actions allowed."

"Understood."

Things were finally taking shape.

I headed to 401.

Just stepping into a building like the pension gave me some relief.

I opened the door—and froze.

Inside were three women, uninjured, who screamed at the sight of me.

"KYAAA!!"

"AHHH!!"

Honestly, I was more startled by their screaming than their presence.

I screamed too—then quickly said,

"Wait! Please don't scream!"

Would they understand me?

The three clung to one another, eyes fixed on me.

The screams slowly subsided.

"A…are you human…?"

One of them asked.

I was just as relieved.

They're human.

"Yes. I am. Please, no more screaming."

Then…

Should I leave?

This was clearly a room for them.

Was I invading?

It became a weird, awkward standoff.

Luckily, one of our soldiers, hearing the commotion, came to check.

He entered, confused.

"Sir… they're unharmed civilians?"

That's a rude way to ask.

Just then, the radio crackled.

"Sir, the screaming drew attention. The nearby figures started moving toward us. What happened?"

There was something—but not a threat.

"Nothing serious. Are they just approaching?"

"Yes, sir. No aggression yet."

"Copy. Radio silence unless it's critical."

I turned to leave the women behind.

But one of them asked,

"You're just… going to leave?"

Worse than a battlefield surprise.

What do I even say to that?

"…Just stay here, please."

And I left.

…Wait, what the hell was that?

I knocked again.

"…"

No answer.

"This is the soldier from earlier. Sorry—I think I said something weird. I panicked too. But you'll be safe here. If you need food or water, let us know. We're right next door. Just—don't leave. Please. We'll get you out."

A pause.

Then,

"Would you… come in for a moment?"

I cautiously opened the door.

They were still huddled together.

"You're really… here to help, right?"

They needed confirmation.

Only then could I settle my nerves.

"Yes. I promise—I'll get you all out."

"Please… save us. You have to."

…My burden just got heavier.

But so did my reason to survive.