Infected - Chapter 532



Only Noblemtl

Side story episode 19

As the sun sets and darkness engulfs the world.

Gaon finally laid down on the bed.

It was my first proper rest since leaving the safe zone.

Maybe that’s why.

Various thoughts hidden in my heart began to raise their heads.

This journey.

Everything was new to Gaon.

It was a chance to prove myself, a chance to grow further, and a stepping stone to my dream of protecting those I love.

I wonder if I can do well till the end.

Gaon had a question for the first time.

Zhang Liming once said something like this.

When the time comes, you will want to spread your wings without anyone telling you to.

They say that when people reach a certain level, they become impatient to unfold it.

‘I think now is the time, Aunt.’

Gaon’s eyes narrowed as he reminisced.

She cherished her life and opportunities so much.

Although I can’t be with my parents who gave birth to me and raised me, I’ve met adults who are just as great as them.

They were such good people that I never felt the emptiness of losing my family for even a moment.

Furthermore, they taught Gaon the values ​​of life and death and beyond.

Long ago, Gaon used to ask that question.

During the time when the chaotic whirlwind of adolescence surrounded him.

“If I have to kill someone to protect my people, what’s the point? That person must have something important too.”

The finances’ answer was this:

“Life is a process of creating, protecting, and leaving something precious to each person.”

I couldn’t understand.

No matter how well I protect what’s precious, isn’t it over when I die?

Gaon grew up witnessing firsthand how much of an impact Youngman’s death had on the group.

For her, death meant the end of everything.

A complete end where someone’s universe completely disappears.

“If it’s all over when you die, what’s the use?”

“You’ll only know if it’s the end or not when you die. Just like you don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Are you going to give up today because you can’t be sure of tomorrow? Life is the same. Doing your best when given is the right answer. Other factors can vary depending on the situation and the person.”

Gaon found himself chuckling without realizing it.

Just imagining it made me feel like the voice of finance was ringing in my ears.

A person who is infinitely compassionate within the safe zone.

But the moment he steps outside the outer wall, he becomes a cold person to an unfamiliar degree.

If Zhang Liming was a great teacher, Jae Jae was a person who showed everything through action.

It was teaching life through life.

Only today did Gaon realize the meaning of those words.

The days when I only thought about the definitions of right and wrong passed by like an embarrassing memory.

Actually, that didn’t matter at all.

After all, justice varies from person to person and from situation to situation.

What matters is unwavering belief.

Rising up from the imperfect today and moving forward into a tomorrow where we cannot see even an inch ahead.

That was the will and belief that the adults instilled in Gaon.

What kind of life will you live?

Who will you choose to do that?

There is no need to place value on the choice itself.

It’s just a question of how I view them.

A life where I think about what I can give before I think about what they can give me.

Gaon thought that this journey was the process of realizing its value.

‘I can do it.’

The anxiety that had been coiled in my chest disappeared without a trace.

His intelligent eyes were filled with the determination to achieve something.

* * *

The next day.

In the safe zone under the mountain, the official news spread like wildfire.

There was news that Gaon would be in control of the military for the time being.

People reacted more calmly than expected.

That’s because he had already witnessed Gaon and his party’s performance in battle once.

There may be some internal noise, but at least none of it showed on the outside.

In a situation where life and death are at stake, it doesn’t matter who leads.

After a while.

Sanha, his right-hand man Yeong-gyu, Jang-hoon, who has been acting as his chief of staff, and Ga-on gathered in the office.

They were talking while looking at a large map spread out in front of them.

The content is about war.

“According to information received at dawn, most of the enemy’s food warehouses have been completely burned down. I don’t know the reason, but this is actually a bigger threat to us.”

Gaon nodded as he listened to his chief of staff Jang Hoon’s story.

“We will attack as soon as maintenance is finished.”

“Is there a solution?”

“How many troops do you have over there? You must know since we’ve been going back and forth so often.”

“If we gather all the rearguard troops, there will easily be 100,000 men. That’s a huge number.”

“What about us?”

“At most, there are 30,000 of us. As you can see from looking around, most of us are elderly and have limited numbers of people who can fire guns. It’s been like that from the beginning.”

“30,000 people… … .”

Gaon’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the map.

“Do you have any farmland?”

“Yes. We farm the mountains that run from the checkpoint to the safe zone. They used to be inside the safe zone, but we needed more food, so we changed that.”

If your farmland is outside the safe zone, your harvest may increase, but it will be vulnerable to enemy attacks.

Moreover, the opponent has the ability to operate a large army.

“The enemy will attack the farmland first. Then they will move along the ridge and attack the safe zone.”

“Why farmland?”

“You said their food warehouse was almost completely burned down.”

“Yes. But that’s what we did… … .”

“Of course I know. But let’s say you’re the governor. It doesn’t really matter who did it. They’ll just try to blame us somehow to get people together.”

“… I guess so.”

Jang Hoon nodded slowly and then asked again.

“No, but is it really necessary to attack the farmland first? Even though the mountain is low, it is absolutely disadvantageous to attack it.”

“The enemy is psychologically intimidated. Despite the overwhelming difference in numbers, they have lost almost all of their food. They are anxious, but they cannot move easily. They have come to confront us head-on, and we are withdrawing our troops to the rear, so they know what they will do next.”

“Oh… … .”

“In that situation, if you attack the farmland, we have no choice but to desperately block it. If we lose the farmland, we won’t be able to survive this winter. We’re attacking their weakness so they can’t turn their attention elsewhere.”

“So you’re saying you’ll definitely come that way?”

Gaon nodded.

“Yes. I am sure there is no other way.”

Jang Hoon’s gaze turned to the ridge passing outside the safe zone.

It was a terrain where even a small number could achieve a great victory if utilized well.

but…….

Do enemies really attack like that?

If you’re not careful, you could suffer a major defeat.

“Are there any other variables?”

“Yes.”

“What is that?”

“We take the lead.”

“Huh? You’re going to attack first?”

Jang Hoon’s eyes widened.

“Waiting is one way, but it’s hard to win that way. Before attacking a geographically disadvantaged place, we have no choice but to conduct thorough reconnaissance, and no matter how much we hide, we’ll be discovered right away. But what if we make the first move?”

Gaon shook his head and continued speaking.

“I never expected that.”

“No. That’s not the problem. Where are you going to attack? The enemy is in a safe zone surrounded by walls on all sides.”

“I have an idea.”

Gaon’s eyes sparkled brightly.

* * *

Dark midnight.

Troops stationed in various safe zones to the south were arriving one after another in the governor’s safe zone.

Today’s battle was one that had to be fought despite overwhelming numbers.

The leadership, including the governor, could not help but feel very angry.

Trucks carrying various military supplies are lined up one after another.

The eyes of the commander-in-chief watching the scene burn brightly.

The commander-in-chief who persuaded the leadership by using his strong military power.

Now that he was one step ahead of the governor, he had to somehow solidify his position.

Because opportunities like this don’t come often.

The problem is that there has already been one setback.

It was the first time.

Everything was different from the previous battles where we had won easily with overwhelming force differences.

The opponent quickly turned the tables, moving in unison as if looking down on the battlefield from the sky.

Even the special force deployed to capture Sanha at the forward base was completely annihilated before it even arrived.

All the scouts found at the gruesome scene were corpses filling the streets.

This is not Sanha’s style.

He was not a meticulous person, and his attacks were as honest as his honest nature.

Although Jang Hoon, who frequently traveled to the negotiation team, was acting as a staff member, the commander-in-chief felt that Jang Hoon was still lacking in many ways.

Could it be an illusion that a pitch-black haze is felt around them?

‘Could it be in Seoul…?’

no.

That doesn’t make sense.

According to spies who have been operating in Seoul for years, there has been no movement to speak of.

As far as he knew, Seoul’s safe zone was like a fortress built around the Han River.

In order to bring down the iron fortress, the support of spies was essential, and the attack had to be launched at a completely unexpected moment.

It is something that must be occupied quickly in a short period of time.

How much effort has been put into that so far?

Not only did we deploy young men and women who underwent mental training for over a year, we also collected information through them over a long period of time.

The only thing left is for Sanha, who has given up on the alliance, to reach out to Seoul.

This also felt a bit off.

If that had been the case, the commander would have lost most of his men in the afternoon battle.

Tens of thousands of Allied troops would have attacked from all sides.

The sudden raids on outposts, the burning of food warehouses, and even the armies under his command that were much more strategic than before.

The commander intuitively realized that something he was unaware of was at work.

It was a shadow.

An unidentified shadow looming behind the mountains.

“Who the hell are you… … .”

A thick palm caresses the horrible burn scars that spread across his face.

Shadow coincidentally burned down the food warehouse with his firearms.

He knows that he has a trauma from hot flames.

Things were going too perfectly for it to be just a coincidence.

Would it be a good idea to attack now?

I wasn’t sure.

The enemies will be struggling to heal their wounded and rest right now.

Tonight would be the best night to do it.

The commander-in-chief seemed strangely hesitant.

“Ready to go.”

The deputy commander came running and reported the situation.

Troops lined up tightly in front of the east gate.

But the commander-in-chief shook his head heavily.

“no…….”

If the unidentified shadow really exists, it would be watching them most closely tonight.

So, it would have been better to wait another day and gather more information before attacking.

I felt uneasy if things continued like this.

Now, a war waged solely on numbers was dangerous.

Even if it took time, it was better to knock on the stone bridge and see how the other person reacted.

“Check the remaining food stock, feed everyone and make sure they get a good night’s sleep. We’ll attack as soon as the sun rises.”

“Understood. But, Commander, the scouts can’t contact us.”

At those words, the pure white eyes buried in the burn scar sparkled.

“… How long has it been?”

“An hour has passed.”

Laughter broke out.

It was because of the strange feeling of being played with Go.

A darkness that appears calm and peaceful.

In the darkness, a fierce psychological war and a close battle with stones was taking place.

“Look at these kids… … .”

“Shall we send out the assassination squad?”

The commander raised his head and looked up at the sky.

The round full moon was shining brightly.

Thanks to that, I could see my surroundings better than usual.

“Yes. Clear them all out before sunrise. The attack will begin immediately after.”

“Understood. I’ll send out guys who are good at tracking.”

With those words, the commander exited through the east gate.

The commander-in-chief, left alone, stared blankly at the city center engulfed in darkness.

Is it all just my own worries or is it a wise choice?

I thought I’d just watch it for a while.

Infected people