Hiding a House in the Apocalypse - Chapter 313



Only Krnovel

126. Ghost (2)

In stock trading, there is a buying method called a short position.

The more the stock price falls, the more you gain, but if we apply this to the era of destruction, we can see that our doomsday theorists have taken a short position on the fate of the world.

Not to brag, but it’s a fact that our doomsdayers live much better lives than those who don’t.

While other ordinary people, except for a few unlucky friends, were eating nutritional bars rumored to be made of bugs, wandering from shelter to shelter, and even being dragged away to their deaths by the pioneering brigade, all while watching the world fall apart in the comfort of our bunkers, eating so-called popcorn without worrying about food.

The Ji Chang-soo family are unprepared.

They are people who, unlike us, lived thoroughly in the world of light and tried to bloom within it.

I saw with my own eyes what kind of life they lived after the war.

Every time I met them, I always expected that the next time I saw them, they would live a worse life than they did now, but as if to mock my expectations, the Ji Chang-soo family always appeared before us in a better state than before.

Defender gave his own reasons.

“There’s a rumor that he was incredibly good at pulling strings. He always joined hands with the most powerful people, and when it seemed like the most powerful people would lose their ties, he’d find another powerful person and join hands with that one.”

The Jichangsu family amassed enormous wealth and influence behind the scenes in the military faction.

It is believed that this was also the reason why I was able to bring several armored vehicles into my territory in the past.

There is no way of knowing whether he found the legacy of a conglomerate chairman that he so desperately wanted, but it is clear that he emerged as one of the most successful businessmen under the corps regime.

They are, so to speak, the “chaebols” of the era of destruction.

If someone who, unlike us, was not prepared for destruction and achieved that level of growth, he deserves that title.

However, contrary to public opinion, it seems that at least the Ji Chang-soo family still thought they were lacking.

Maybe that’s why.

They were constantly looking for opportunities to elevate them from “mid-rich” to “tycoon.”

At this point, with the Legion faction splitting and showing signs of decline, it seemed like there was nothing left for Jichangsu and his wife, but this time, they did it without fail.

mmmmmmmmm™ : Look at this! Yeah! There was something like this in the basement of my apartment!

A secret facility of the old government that was rumored to be a legend has revealed its hidden appearance.

*

This discovery is of great significance.

This is an issue that may affect us in some way.

If a base that can accommodate hundreds of thousands of people is created in Seoul, it means that there will be a major change in the metropolitan area.

I called all my colleagues and showed them what was currently happening in Seoul.

As expected, everyone reacted with shock.

“Oh my god. Who knew something like that was hidden under that slanted apartment.”

“No. Who would have guessed that someone would hide something like that under an apartment building that looked like it was going to collapse at any moment?”

“Come to think of it. Wasn’t that the time when they used to spin the lottery and stuff?”

While everyone’s opinions were divided, they linked arms and reminisced about the slanted apartment in the past.

When I visited in person, I didn’t have any special impressions.

All I felt was a slight sense of fear at the precariousness of The Hope, which seemed like it would collapse at any moment, and the vitality of Emgu living in such a place.

More closely related to this issue is probably the appearance of M-Goo in Live! Apocalypse! that was aired in the past.

After sending everyone away, I sat in my bunker alone and watched the crude show where Emgu from the past introduced his slanted apartment.

After Emgu’s hilariously un-parkour show, monkey tightrope walking, and ugly slapstick comedy, the scene of a bathhouse that would have been provided by an apartment community in the past was revealed.

“······.”

As expected, hot water comes out.

I found it fascinating even at the time.

Where in that crumbling apartment would they get running water and electricity to fill a bathtub big enough to fit twenty people with hot water?

However, it seems that people at the time were more drawn to the mutation egg that Emgu discovered in the bathhouse.

Emgu was holding a large egg and was bragging that he would raise the chick when it hatched, but from what I could see, the egg was already dead.

Perhaps they broke the back part that we can’t see, took out the yolk, and played a trick on us.

Anyway, the fact that hot water was coming out of the tilted bathroom at that time was a foreshadowing of this incident.

“If you think about it carefully, the only and largest civil engineering project after the war was the construction of The Hope.”

Bang Jae-hyuk made an interesting guess.

“The Hope was a decoy, and the real purpose wasn’t the construction of that facility? It was designed to collapse after the apartments were built, so that the government could hide its remaining assets in the rubble.”

There is no way to know the government’s true intentions, but it is certain that there are secret government assets left behind in the basement of The Hope.

mmmmmmmmm™ : What is this?

Emgu revealed an unidentified machine to us.

It was a line that could be used in a food factory consisting of a large kneading machine, conveyor belt, and industrial oven, and amidst differing opinions, Emgu revealed the correct answer.

mmmmmmmmm™ : Ta-da~

The photos released by Emgu showed a scene where bags were piled up and filled with brown powder, or, as Seoul citizens would say, cockroach-colored powder.

“Nutritional bar?”

Ha Tae-hoon said with a frown.

The text written on the sack supported Ha Tae-hoon’s guess.

[Government Material – Type A High Protein Mineral Nutrition Dough Stick Powder]

This is the moment when the official name of the infamous nutrition bar that once filled the bellies of Seoul citizens is revealed.

The topic was high in protein.

Emgu tried to look through the pod to find the raw materials, but since it was a government item, he couldn’t find the country of origin or even detailed materials.

mmmmmmmmm™ : Don’t be surprised. The real surprise starts now!

Beneath the slanted The Hope is a massive underground parking lot made of steel and concrete.

It is said that due to the nature of the underground space, Mgu did not pay much attention to the surrounding area.

There was always danger lurking in the dark, and with the underground parking lot construction halted before it was finished, there was no hope of obtaining the necessary supplies.

In addition, various types of waste were dangerously entangled, blocking people’s access.

The labyrinthine underground parking lot had four underground levels, and at the end of the last level there was a hidden passageway.

At the end of the narrow, winding, dark passageway, a wide open space awaited.

These are subway tracks.

At the end of the subway tracks, a heavy iron gate blocked the tracks like a castle wall.

That’s right.

It’s better than the legendary Seoul rain.

The hidden assets that the government, which left Seoul, stored in preparation for returning to the capital are hidden behind those heavy iron doors.

As a seasoned Viva! Apocalypse! user, Emgu has often revealed that he is a formidable force by subtly revealing it to his colleagues around him.

They are accompanied by more than 30 troops armed with automatic rifles.

Even troops equipped with high-tech equipment such as night vision goggles.

This isn’t a militia of some sort.

This is a fully trained combat group.

Together with that powerful group, Emgu and his party stood under the iron gate.

However, the following phrase was painted on the iron gate in blood-red paint.

[Property of the Government of the Republic of Korea]

[ Entry strictly prohibited to all except authorized personnel ]

[Unmanned surveillance equipment and lethal equipment in operation]

[ Do not enter ! ]

It’s not ordinary.

They are scattered all over in an eerie form, as if shouting, “You must risk your life to enter here.”

Well, those who want to go will go anyway, but I’m not sure.

Wouldn’t it take some preparation to open that Pandora’s box?

Emgu, who gave us an unexpected adventure experience, nailed it down for today’s show.

mmmmmmmmm™ : I’m going to withdraw today since I’m losing and I can hear zombies. The warning left by the government looks dangerous.

mmmmmmmmm™ : Besides, it wouldn’t be fun to send an event like this with just pictures and text, right?

mmmmmmmmm™: The unboxing of the South Korean government’s hidden assets will be provided live on Apocalypse!

“······.”

Mgoo.

As a man I respect, you know your way around.

I thought I’d declare live here.

MELON_MASK: As expected, M9! He’s really a cool guy!

Seeing the praise for Melon Mask makes me feel the blood of the “named” boil, but there is nothing I can do about it.

Skeleton accounts have had their comments blocked right now, and Vivabot is keeping a close eye on multiple accounts.

I was feeling regretful that I couldn’t join the wave that had finally come to Viva! Apocalypse!, and was absentmindedly pressing refresh while letting new comments flow by.

A familiar nickname caught my eye.

unicorn18 : Huh?

“?”

unicorn18 : What the?! That?!

Is it Na Hye-in?

What are you doing?

Shouldn’t it be inside the crack?

Any doubts that came to mind were quickly washed away by Unicorn’s next comment.

unicorn18 : Don’t go in there! You really shouldn’t go in there! You could all die!

*

“Oh, that’s right. I didn’t really have any trouble living. What’s the point of showing off your money these days? But based on pre-war standards, my net worth was over 100 billion won. Yes. By average people’s standards, at least a golden spoon? A diamond spoon, I guess. Haha. But you know. Well, some people might say I’m full when I say this, but there are things in this world that money alone can’t satisfy. There’s also something called the five stages of desire, right? It’s not that grand, but······.”

Emgu’s Live! Apocalypse! was revealing in many places that it was influenced by the now-defunct Dongtan Mom.

Especially in the interview video, which was directed quite stylishly – and seemed to have been filmed in advance – I could feel the strong shadow of Dongtan Mom.

However, perhaps due to a lack of sense, they used a crude technique of bringing in a professor from YouTube and periodically changing the filming angle, which was not very enjoyable to watch.

What can I say, it was hectic.

It was to the point where I thought it would be better to just take the picture as is without having to change the shooting angle every time.

“I was a first-tier subcontractor for a conglomerate. Yes, I was a subcontractor. At my company, I was treated like a king or a nobleman when I went to department stores or golf courses, and I heard the boss say that. But no matter how much I listened to the words and lived a luxurious life, my true nature as a subcontractor never changed. That weighed on my heart like a brand.”

They tried to block this interview with Ji Chang-soo.

So, there was an attempt to prevent this live from happening.

Time goes back to the past.

Long before the live broadcast began, that is, when Emgu and Ji Chang-soo discovered the government’s hidden assets.

The one who provided the starting point was Unicorn18.

Message from unicorn18: Skeleton?! I was watching you!

SKELTON: What are you doing? What about the crack?

Message from unicorn18: You can take a break! Do you work all day?!

SKELTON: That’s not true, though.

Message from unicorn18: We have to stop this. Seriously. If we go in there, we’ll all die. Our little Emgu could die too!

It doesn’t really matter why the unicorn is outside the crack.

It looks like Emgu is going to die right now.

It’s true that he’s my rival, but it’s disrespectful to a rival to die in vain like this.

As a rival, he sent a stern warning to Emgu.

SKELTON: (Skeleton Serious) Mgu······.

A special message from mmmmmmmmm™: What is it?

SKELTON: (Skeleton worried) I don’t think we should go in there.

A special message from mmmmmmmmm™: ?

SKELTON: (Skeleton urges) Don’t go in······.

There is no need for superficial words or rational proof between us who have overcome the harsh times of destruction together.

I believe that “named” people are sincere to one another.

As expected.

A special message from mmmmmmmmm™: What is it? Is something happening?

Emgu listens to what I say.

SKELTON: I don’t know for sure, but Unicorn18 said it’s dangerous there. Unicorn18 will know the specific dangers.

Special message from mmmmmmmmm™: Unicorn18? Weren’t you behind?

SKELTON: What they’re doing here is stupid, but they’re bigger than we think.

A special message from mmmmmmmmm™: (M9 arms crossed) Hmm. Just like you?

SKELTON: (Skeleton Balgre)

Special message from mmmmmmmmm™: Get out of here kid! LOL

SKELTON: What?!

A special message from mmmmmmmmm™: Talk to the unicorn himself.

That’s how I connected the unicorn and the emgu.

If things had gone right, this show would never have happened.

Whether Melon Mask was disappointed or not, this live should not have been held.

But the show went on as planned.

I haven’t heard any detailed information from Emgu since then, but it’s likely that the show continued because of the will of Ji Chang-soo and his daughter, rather than Emgu’s.

They had over 35 fighters in three vehicles.

No matter how well Emgu is able to ride the slope, there is a limit to what he can do against a large number of armed groups with guns.

The most he could do in that situation was to tell Ji Chang-soo and his wife to stop the investigation.

It’s creepy, but I could have been in Emgu’s place.

If I hadn’t been in a group, and had been discovered by Ji Young-hee in that state, and had been dragged in without any reason.

The chat window suddenly became hot.

The reason is simple.

A woman came out.

The person in the interview changed from Ji Chang-soo to Ji Young-hee.

“······Just. I wanted to be acknowledged. That’s all. We are those people. They are nice people, but we still wanted to prove that we are better than them. No matter how ruined the times are and how everything is becoming meaningless, you can’t give up on a dream that you’ve been holding onto all your life, right?”

She smiled.

“I wanted to be the master, not the paper.”

It was a transparent and sincere smile that she had never shown me before.

“······.”

I could even smile like this.

But despite the purity of that smile, I disagree with her thoughts.

She and her father are already victors who have emerged from the ruins.

Although he did not take a short position like our doomsday activists, he dealt with the destruction more skillfully than any other businessman in South Korea, and with a few strokes of luck, he built a force that even the warlords called the Legion Faction could not ignore.

They are already the tycoons of this era.

Je-pung-ho and Park Cheol-ju.

It is clear just by looking at the endings of those they thought were their masters.

Yet the reason they endlessly seek recognition for themselves is probably because they have aligned their dreams with the standards of an old era to which they can no longer return.

In an age of no return, seeking dreams is the work of a delusional being.

Now, a ghost who may or may not be the master is trying to follow in the footsteps of his dead master.

The destruction will be grand and will unfold under the watchful eyes of all the people of the Earth.

The screen changed and a heavy iron gate appeared before us.

Kkieeeeeeing–

The backs of dozens of men with guns are visible, with those at the front seen opening iron gates with welders.

And the image of the woman standing side by side in the center.

Just as the destruction was about to begin, a friendly and charming face appeared on the screen.

“I’m really sorry, but I’ll end today’s live here!”

It’s Mguda.

He chuckled.

mmmmmmmmm™ : This guy has an open ending!

The Vivarians who were watching the live expressed strong dissatisfaction with the sudden ending, and even Melon Mask showed a questioning reaction, but Emgu boldly ended the live.

After the broadcast abruptly ended, Emgu said in the chat that he could only send out recorded footage due to reasons such as poor broadcasting equipment and internet connection, but this was intentional and his intention was timely.

In terms of preserving the value of the apartment named “Hope.”

I don’t know if it’s because of that, but the number of residents at The Hope has increased by a few.