Rust - Chapter 249



Only Krnovel

RUST -249

[Large-scale power outage occurs in major cities in the western United States.]

[It may not be a simple power outage. Experts say it could be an EMP attack.]

Breaking news filled the channels, especially on Rabbit TV and Wolf TV. Wherever you looked, the topic was explosions in the western United States and a series of massive power outages.

Kim Yang, who was watching TV while chewing on jerky, tilted her head. The United States is a large country, so even if there was a problem in the western part, it didn’t seem like it would affect the central or eastern parts that were far away.

But if you listen to what the researchers say, they’re acting like the end of the world is coming, saying it was a good thing they moved into the Ark Tower, and the ladies who were complaining have stopped complaining.

Could it be something else? Even though there was an earthquake in Pohang, there was no major problem in Seoul. There were no major earthquakes or people making a fuss, so Ms. Kim was just puzzled by the outrageous reaction.

“Unit 2 is warm. Explain the current situation.”

Kim Yang said, lying face down on the sofa.

[···At approximately 7:10 p.m. Pacific time, an explosion occurred at a charity fundraising event.]

Samantha, the warm-hearted one in Unit 2, blinked blue.

[A massive power outage occurred in Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles between 7:55 p.m. and 8 p.m.]

[The reason it is likely not a simple power outage is because all communications and information networks in the city were cut off.]

“Cell phone, internet, phone, everything?”

[Yes, some experts claim that it is the effect of EMP.]

EMP Kim Yang also knew that. If a nuclear explosion occurs, an EMP will be generated and electronic products and communication networks will be cut off.

It was a bomb that used that principle to neutralize enemy facilities and equipment by only shooting EMP. But it exploded in a big city?

The TV announcers’ expressions were amazing. Their eyes were wide open and their intonations were high pitched to the point that it seemed like their natural expressions were like that. It was fun to watch them. Ms. Kim seriously considered popping some popcorn.

[There are reports of arson, looting, and rioting taking place in major cities where power outages have occurred.]

[Is it difficult to provide emergency support by helicopter or aircraft?]

[Yes, we are currently transmitting some news via the emergency communications network, but the situation appears to be very serious.]

The expression on the anchor’s face, which had been making a fuss, hardened. Then, bold, thick, and hard letters appeared at the bottom. ‘DEFCON 2 activated.’

[This is breaking news that just came in.]

[The federal government has issued DEFCON 2.]

······

[Citizens are requested to refrain from going out and remain at home until the situation calms down.]

Hey? Is this really an attack? Ms. Kim sat up and turned up the TV volume.

“what’s the matter?”

Maru, who was experimenting with cutting various things with Eclipse in the training ground, came up.

“Defcon 2 is up.”

“Defcon?”

What the heck is this sudden bolt from the blue? Maru was sitting on the sofa watching the news when Diana’s report came up.

[Stores in Detroit are being looted.]

[Armed men are approaching the building.]

As soon as the emergency broke out, they were waiting for the looting? Maru’s eyes narrowed.

Could this be a coincidence?

Thinking about all the things he had experienced so far, it wasn’t a coincidence. Maru quickly gathered his thoughts and decided what to do.

“Evacuate everyone currently working on the skeleton outside.”

[I told them to evacuate. What should the engineers who came to support do?]

“Tell them the raiders are coming and tell them to decide quickly what to do.”

[Delivered.]

“If they enter private property, give them a warning and then shoot them.”

Ms. Kim was surprised by Maru’s strong remarks.

The defensive equipment installed in the building was mostly heavy weapons with a caliber of 20~30mm. Even the bullets were basically armor-piercing bullets. If a person was hit, it would not only not penetrate, but would be shattered, so why just shoot them?

Maru spoke firmly at Kim Yang’s gaze.

“DEFCON is up, but they’re armed and looting. Do you think that’s normal? Those guys are clearly gangsters.”

“That makes sense?” Kim Yang nodded.

“There are even engineers here. But if they come, it means they are going to attack the US military. You can shoot.”

Didn’t they know that the Corps of Engineers was there? Even though they had started construction? So they were saying that they came even though they knew.

“It’s possible that he’s connected to the guys we missed in LA. Maybe he’s connected to the gang that messed with PD Michael.”

“LA… a drug addict?”

“Yes. Let’s get this right this time. Get ready.”

As soon as Maru finished speaking, Ms. Kim, who had been lying on the sofa, stood up.

Suddenly, Yang Kim looked full of enthusiasm. I wondered what conditions I should suggest, but it would be good if I could be this enthusiastic. Yang Kim spoke to Maru, who was thinking like that, in a voice full of anticipation.

“What about the loot?”

It was a gang. A drug gang with a lot of gold and money.

Kim Yang’s eyes sparkled.

======

======

Kim Yang, wearing an exosuit, took her seat first.

[Kill everything that comes in?]

“okay.”

The problem was that the ones who survived were making a lot of noise, while the dead were just silent.

“Diana, take care of the auto-turrets. Samantha, find out where the gangsters came from and send them to their hideout. Tria, continue what you were doing.”

AI tends to be good at repetitive tasks. Samantha was always collecting and manipulating information, so it was better to leave that to her.

“And Samantha. Together with Xenia, block the surrounding CCTV, and cut off all internet and communication. Make it seem like what happened here never happened.”

[All right.]

Samantha relayed this to Hood. If it’s Hood and Samantha, information control will be assured.

[Then who is in charge of the gang hideout?]

I could hear Kim Yang’s excited voice. What can I do when she asks with such anticipation?

“If it’s one place, you go, and if it’s more than that, each of you takes a different role.”

[Okay.]

It seemed like the mood was to just deal with it quickly and leave.

“Even if you’re wearing an exosuit, be careful. Even if it blocks heavy weapons, it’s still dangerous if you get hit by something like an RPG.”

[Upgraded to 6 drones, so it’s fine. Just shoot first.]

It seems that they have modified it and added a drone. It will definitely be advantageous to snipe from a long distance before the enemy attacks. It will be even safer if there is support from AI-controlled drones like now.

The construction near the building had just begun, so the area was a mess. Something had broken out while the foundation reinforcement was being laid, and there were reinforcement bars and other materials scattered all over the place. The engineering corps had hurriedly withdrawn, saying they had received an order to withdraw, so it was just empty.

“Where are the National Guard, the National Guard, and the police?”

The authors who had been patrolling tightly under the pretext of maintaining order were nowhere to be seen.

[The police headed to the stores and factories, while the National Guard and the National Guard headed to the camps.]

“A concentration camp? A place where people infected with the mutant virus are gathered?”

[Yes.]

“Why there?”

[There is a risk that the families of those who were forcibly detained may attack the camp.]

If someone is unable to control their anger, the disease has probably progressed for quite some time.

“There must be a lot of people who have become dementia zombies, and you’re going to attack them to save them?”

I understand the family’s feelings, but isn’t it dangerous? At the Japanese thief hospital, they attacked like crazy at the slightest sound, so will they recognize them as family?

[Since the news of the availability of a relevant treatment in Korea was reported, there have been continued protests demanding the availability of a treatment and the abolition of forced detention.]

After the news broke that the Phase 3 treatment for anger management from the Ojin Group was almost successful, criticism of the forced detention of those infected with the mutant virus grew louder.

“Is this the case in all other regions?”

[Yes, similar things are happening in every state.]

This is not good. What if a few of the camps explode? We mobilized the military to initially block the spread of the mutant virus, but it explodes and the infected people run wild?

“Diana. You mean the containment facility for the infected? Is it a structure fenced off with electric wire?”

[Yes.]

“Yes. The big cities in the western United States. The concentration camps there, too.”

[Yes.]

I started cursing on my own. They said an EMP had gone off, so the power to the barbed wire must have been cut off. Most of the National Guard troops who were managing it were out fighting the monsters.

Support? Because of the EMP, everything was out, so it was impossible for support to arrive in time. We had to assume that this had been breached.

“shit!”

It’s over 2,500km from a major city in the western United States to here, so I had plenty of time.

[1,943 armed men. 151 vehicles approaching the encirclement.]

“Upload a video.”

It wasn’t just a simple vehicle. It was a pickup truck with something that looked like a drum can attached to it. It was clearly a drum can mortar that had been used in the Chinese Civil War.

A vehicle equipped with a heavy machine gun and a mortar made by a priest? Are these things waiting to come out?

“Are you connected to the guys who detonated the EMP?”

[Insufficient information.]

It wasn’t a matter of information. It was a matter of intuition. And Maru’s intuition was whispering. They were aiming for this.

[Warning: This is private property. Trespassers will be considered robbers and attacked.]

[I warn you again. This is private property. Trespassers will be considered robbers and attacked.]

Diana’s voice rang out. Whether they did or not, the men began to push their way into the construction site.

Just as the vehicle armed with the drum mortar was about to take up position, sparks began to fly from the automatic turret piloted by Diana.

The turret, which was designed as a Close-In Weapons System (CIWS), started attacking rather than defending. The 30mm shell instantly reduced the pickup truck it was in to a rag.

Kwaaaaang!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Dozens of pickups were reduced to burning scrap metal. Then, RPG rockets and bombs fired from barrel mortars began to hit the building.

A small battlefield was created as bullets, shells, and bombs mixed together. And those who jumped into it.

In a situation where a normal person would have lowered their head and trembled, people with bloodshot eyes were caught on screen running towards them.

They were pharmacists.

Maru got up from his seat, put on his helmet, and grabbed Eclipse.

“I told those Homeland Security guys to stay away from me.”

[Delivered.]

Now that we don’t have to worry about getting caught up in life, what’s left is direction?

“Which one has more?”

[South and North.]

Diana’s answer gave Maru a direction.

“I am Nam, Seo.”

[North, East, I understand.]

Judging by the number that continues to grow beyond 2,000, it seems like they are planning to completely wipe out this place.

Could all the crime syndicates around Detroit have gathered here? Over 2,000 people in a city of 600,000 people.

‘Well, there was an advertisement saying that everything was ready.’

As I climbed up the outer wall, I noticed a destroyed automatic turret. The automatic turret was the target of attack. Humans were definitely tricky.

Those who were already difficult, but whose fear was reduced by medicine, did not retreat. Gangs that charged even though they were being torn to pieces by 20-30mm shells.

Pusheeeek-

A rocket fired toward the floor.

Krrrrrr–

The rocket warhead was chewed up as the roughly drawn blade made a beastly sound.

Swish – The warhead that was eaten, the end with the detonator attached, fell to one side and exploded in a small way.

Phew-

Maru took a deep breath and started running down the outer wall.

A step that refuses to fall freely from vertical to horizontal.

Maru, who had been running sideways, defying the laws of physics, began to cut down the ropes and ladders that had started to get caught on the outer walls.

Krr- krruk-

An iron ladder being cut like wooden chopsticks.

The gunmen, who had come into the automatic turret square against the wall, fired their guns at the floor.

Maru, who had been running horizontally, flew up, covering her body with Eclipse’s blade to the side. Bullets of various calibers struck Eclipse.

Krung- Krururung-

Bullets shatter into small pieces. Just like pebbles thrown into the water, they create circular waves. The floor where the bullets landed scattered into the air without any recoil or impact.

“Shoot!”

“asleep!”

A deep, murderous aura was shot out towards the drug dealers who were running towards them with bloodshot eyes.

Ugh!

Ugh!

Those who had been rushing forward as if chewing and swallowing the murderous intent that was squeezing their hearts collapsed as if their legs had lost their strength.

Huh- ahh-

One by one, the ones who had been rushing in foaming at the mouth began to fall.

The guys who were running and trampling on the people who were lying on the ground and shivering soon collapsed and scratched their faces on the cement floor.

Kyaaaaah

Kwaaaaah

Maru swung his sword at those who were unable to overcome the clash of the weak and the living.

The sound following a knife strike.

It was a sound that tore through the air.

The transparent air was torn apart into dozens of pieces.

Following the air that swayed in pieces, shattered chunks of red meat scattered on the floor.