Infected - Chapter 539



Only Krnovel

Side story episode 26

Eugene went to find his platoon members who were resting.

In front of the temporary shelter that Sanha had prepared, the platoon members were spread out and resting after showering and taking care of personal hygiene.

“Are you here?”

When he appeared, everyone stood up and greeted him.

“Oh, it’s okay. Take a rest.”

“Have you eaten?”

“I haven’t thought about it yet. What about you?”

“I ate.”

Eugene nodded and looked over his platoon members.

Although the room was warm and had a hot shower, it was inevitable that it looked uncomfortable.

Because it wasn’t my home.

Looking at those platoon members, I suddenly felt sorry for them.

They followed along without much doubt or resistance, except for the spots.

Eugene sighed as he let out the emotions welling up inside him.

Then, sensing something unusual, Spotted approached cautiously.

“Sergeant.”

“why?”

“Would you like to take a walk?”

“okay.”

The two walked down the street along the well-maintained tree-lined street.

Perhaps because it was touched by human hands, it was different from the cityscape I had seen from outside.

It was becoming more difficult to find vines, weeds and moss.

The spotted cat opened its mouth after seeing a flower growing through the pavement.

“What’s going on?”

“No. There is no such thing.”

The spotted one snorted.

“I don’t know about other people, but I can’t be fooled. What is it? This time.”

“I told you there’s no such thing.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Eugene hyung. In the past, you used to tell me anything.”

“Where did the kid get the platoon leader… … .”

“So tell me, please. What kind of big secret are you keeping? Just don’t show it.”

“When did I ever show my tea?”

“Okay, don’t talk. Even if I tell you, you won’t listen.”

“Are you upset?”

Eugene glanced at me and tapped me on the shoulder.

“Oh, don’t tell me.”

“This kid is always short-spoken.”

“Then tell me.”

“yo. this?”

“Oh, really!”

“Okay, okay.”

Eugene took out a cigarette and lit it.

Then he exhaled a cloud of smoke mixed with tobacco.

“Actually, I had a little talk with the captain… … .”

The spotted one listened silently without saying a word until the story was over.

“… That’s what he said. That’s why I felt a little bad. I knew it was obvious, but on the other hand, I wondered what I had expected.”

“It takes time, I guess.”

“hour?”

“That’s right. You shouldn’t expect something humane just because you’ve only known them for so long. It’s natural, just like what you said, hyung. We call them captains, but it takes time for them to become real captains, and vice versa.”

“So you’re fine?”

“I’m better off?”

Eugene asked with a look of incomprehension.

“What do you like?”

“I like that the captain is realistic. He doesn’t say useless things like he’ll protect you, and he acts realistically. I like that. If he had talked about camaraderie, which is impossible, I think I would have been disappointed.”

“I see… … .”

“From the captain’s perspective, Seoul is the priority, of course. When did you see us? And honestly, I don’t think going to Seoul is a bad idea. What’s the big deal? They give you vaccines and use a lot of electricity. Just not having to worry about getting bitten is great. Now, when you wake up, you have to look at the person next to you. Where is this like living?”

Eugene chewed on the speckled words.

Going to Seoul.

If you think about it carefully, there is nothing to lose.

The problem is that I am concerned that my family might get hurt in the process.

If Gaon had just kept that promise, it would have been better.

But human affairs are not as easy as they sound.

The governor would have had his own thoughts, and as far as Eugene knew, the governor still had other options.

I heard it once.

I don’t know the details, but I heard that there are people who have maintained a steady relationship for a long time.

Sending spies to Seoul, creating a safe zone in the south and advancing north.

Everyone noticed that it was their help.

But I didn’t mention it to Gaon separately.

Because I couldn’t be sure whether ‘they’ really existed, and if they did, whether they still had a close relationship with the governor.

“Spotted.”

“yes.”

“Do you remember those people?”

“Who is it?”

“The people who came a few months after you and the kids came in.”

“People? Who are you talking about?”

The spotted man asked, lighting a cigarette.

“You know, those guys who walk around wearing white masks.”

“Oh, religious people?”

“okay.”

Eugene continued, taking a deep sip of his last drink.

“After that, many people came to visit, but I don’t think I was wearing anything like that back then. Do you remember, by any chance?”

“Well, I don’t know. Why all of a sudden?”

“I think they’re all the same people. That’s what I remember. Haven’t you heard anything else?”

“I’ve never heard of this before. Anyway, why is that?”

“No. Nothing.”

Eugene shook his head, flicking the butt far away.

“Oh, what is it? Why did you stop talking?”

“I guess it’s not important. Anyway, thank you for listening to my story.”

“It’s bland… … .”

“How are the kids?”

Eugene changed the subject, thinking of his platoon mates.

“What is there? It’s just the same.”

“It means you’re not upset.”

“What’s there to be upset about? I told you. We’ve already made up our minds. The captain just needs to make up his mind. No, and if we’re going to follow, we’ll go all the way. Why worry about that?”

Eugene, who had been staring at the polka dots, snickered.

When I heard it, it was all true.

But it’s something that can’t be undone now.

It was just a waste of time worrying about nothing.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Anyway, my heart is more delicate than that of most women. What are you going to do with that kind of heart in the future?”

“Oh, whenever that kid gets a chance… … .”

The spotted one smiled mischievously and avoided my hand.

*???*???*

A few days passed like that.

The radio connected to the scout was silent, and the safe zone under the mountain was repeating the same routine.

Meanwhile, Gaon and Seonwoo took care of not only the platoon members but also the troops under their command.

The sight of her standing on stage, holding the baton and shouting.

It was just like Zhang Liming, who commanded General Ko’s troops at the Nambu Terminal.

Two people who look too similar to be called priests.

The only difference was that Gaon was physically much better than Jang Liming.

It’s only been a few days since I arrived in the safe zone under the mountain.

But Gaon’s influence was enormous.

When the sun rose in the morning, the soldiers naturally gathered in the exercise yard and began physical training along with morning exercises.

After a good sweat, breakfast and personal grooming followed.

It was training, training, training all day long.

Gaon actively utilized the city center within the safe zone to conduct training.

Squad combat and the roles of its members, monitoring the rear, and even signaling when the enemy is spotted.

Thanks to this, everyone was able to learn the basics, even though it was only for a few days.

Maybe that’s why.

Unlike before, the eyes were quite alive.

New learning is a way to change your thinking.

The sight of them dispersing in unison to Gaon’s cheers on the playground looked like an army.

It was past noon, and everyone was taking a break.

Chijijik!

The radios of the signal soldiers resting in the exercise yard all rang out.

It was a radio transmission from scouts.

The content is intelligence that the governor’s troops are moving.

The commanders gathered together.

He spreads out a large map on the table and explains the route via the walkie-talkie.

“As expected, they seem to be moving towards the military base. Their direction is consistent with yours. They are definitely short on supplies.”

“Let’s go.”

“All right.”

It was Gaon who just waited for them to move.

The number of enemies identified is around 1,000, including vehicles.

It seemed like they were thinking of spreading the supplies with minimal troops.

After a while.

A 5,000-man special force was dispatched by truck to the north of the safe zone under the mountain.

It had been a while since I heard the radio transmission, but the military unit was closer to my unit.

Of course, both sides were equally distant.

Military bases, by their nature, were located in open areas rather than in city centers.

Therefore, it was more efficient to ambush by utilizing the nearby terrain rather than fighting in urban areas.

After traveling for a long time by car, a 5,000-strong special force takes up position near the military unit.

A straight road about 1km long stretching out in front of the military base, and a ridge of moderate height surrounding both sides.

An observer on the ridge sends a signal to Gaon.

Through the telescope, a line of trucks was visible from the city center.

The radio’s sound echoed like waves along both ridges.

When the convoy of trucks crossed the bridge and passed the rice paddy road and entered the straight road leading to the military base.

The five thousand strong special forces lay flat on the ground and hid their bodies.

The front line of trucks was just about to leave the guard post.

Swish!

Anti-tank rockets flew in from the ridge covered with late autumn bushes.

Boom!

As a rocket exploded under the passenger seat, the truck rose into the air in a burst of flames.

Soldiers are thrown out along with all kinds of debris.

I rolled around like crazy in the flames that engulfed my entire body, but the more I did, the stronger the flames became.

Then, the 5,000-man special forces lying in ambush on both ridges began firing simultaneously.

The ambush was successful.

In the midst of a hail of bullets, the governor’s men could not even stick their heads out of their trucks.

The truck was soon filled with blood as bullets poured through the gaps in the cargo bed and pierced the neck, shoulder, and chest.

In order to survive, he had to crouch down, using his dying comrade as a shield.

A panic worse than death was coming.

What was even more terrifying was the mutations occurring all around during this time.

Soldiers who were barely surviving while being crushed by corpses had their limbs torn off by their comrades who had turned into zombies.

“Kwaaaaak!”

A soldier with his stomach split open screams and trembles.

Countless black bloods are pouring out of his mouth.

The zombies with their faces buried in the stomach skin didn’t spare a single penny.

Wagjak! Wagjak!

As time passed, there were many changes among zombies.

Unlike in the past when they would pass over once the infection was over, now they would bite without stopping until the mutation was over.

Bullets rain down and zombies tearing limbs apart.

It was a gruesome sight that would not be found in any hell.

But it wasn’t just the zombies who didn’t keep their hands to themselves.

At this point, it would be appropriate to recommend surrender.

Gaon did not order to cease fire.

It was the will to kill every last one.

However, Gaon, who was scanning the battlefield, tilted his head.

It was because of the ominousness that was difficult to understand.

Clearly they were being pushed back with overwhelming force, and the enemy was trapped on a straight road, meeting a terrible end.

But what is this inexplicable feeling of unease?

Right then.

“Gaon!”

When I turned my head, Seonwoo was running at full speed not far away.

“Get down!”

Gaon’s gaze was drawn more to the object visible over Seonwoo’s shoulder than to the expression on his face as he ran toward him.

An oval-shaped object with a pointed end.

It was a rocket.

bang!

The old tree that had stood for many years split open left and right, scattering fragments in all directions.

A situation where even a simple piece of tree bark can cause fatal injury if it hits you wrong.

Seonwoo, who had been covering Gaon, quickly raises his head.

As expected.

Dozens of soldiers who had been huddled together were horribly killed by the debris that erupted from the impact of the explosion.

And that was just the beginning.

Piles of dirt jutted out like crazy from all over the ridges on both sides.

Gaon stood up, pulling Seonwoo’s arm.

We had to figure out where and by whom this attack was coming from.

But Gaon lowered his posture as soon as he got up.

Because the soldiers standing nearby fell down, splattering blood and flesh.

The enemies were closer than we thought.

The situation changed in an instant.

Enemies who couldn’t even stick their heads out of the truck were crawling out like cockroaches.

From the position where they were pouring out attacks from the ridge, they ended up being surrounded by enemies.

At this rate, we can’t even go down the road.

Whichever way you go, you’ll be isolated anyway.

“Eugene!”

Gaon hurriedly looked for his platoon members.

At that moment, a hand suddenly emerged from the pile of dirt covered by the explosion.

Eugene stood up, holding onto the tree roots, and pulled Spot out of the pile of dirt.

Both of them were in terrible shape.

“Retreat to the military base!”

The signalmen’s hands became busy at Gaon’s words.

“Eugene! You lead your platoon and follow us!”

“okay!”

It was a crisis.

Infected people

Infected people