Infected - Chapter 69



Only Noblemtl

Episode 68

“What the heck!”

Beomsik threw down the brick he was carrying and ran across the road.

Considering the distance between the six-wheeled truck and the child, I couldn’t be sure.

I turned my head and looked at the soldier holding the steering wheel.

The soldier is extremely excited for some reason.

Maybe it was because of the fog, but I couldn’t recognize the child at all.

The child who was crying and gushing urine belatedly realized that a huge truck was rushing towards him.

“uh?”

The soldier behind the wheel also discovered the child shortly thereafter.

An urgent situation where you could be hit before you even turn the handle.

The soldier driving gritted his teeth, stepped on the brake, and turned the steering wheel.

Chook―

At the same time as the sound of wheels skidding, Beomsik appeared and disappeared, carrying the child.

Blood flowed from his head, which had been rolling around on the floor several times.

This is because it rolled over the rocks and obstacles scattered on the floor.

However, he kept his hands wrapped around the child’s head and body until the end.

Soldiers who had bumped into each other and slipped from the slid-to-a-stop truck got out, swearing.

But the atmosphere was not good.

Only the soldier who got out of the driver’s seat looked at Beomsik and the child with a surprised face, while the rest ran over the fence without even having time to line up.

After that, several more trucks came in.

The tattoos and Hyun-soo hurriedly ran over to check on Beom-sik’s condition.

The surprised child was crying with a helpless face.

At that, Anna tilted her head.

‘Something’s strange? Was that the only military truck there originally?’

Soldiers who had left their trucks carelessly among the materials were disappearing over the fence as if they were being chased by something.

are you okay?

Beomsik asked with his eyes as he pulled the child away.

The child who had been crying loudly raised his head with difficulty and met Beomsik’s eyes.

Then, as if she was reunited with her family, she buried her face in Beomsik’s arms and began to cry.

Beomsik, conscious of his sweaty body, tried to stop the child, but was unable to overcome the child’s strength and had to hold the child in his arms for a long time.

* * *

Finance, who had left the production area as if being chased out by the manager, was still caressing his wrist.

In contrast, Youngman’s gaze was directed towards the tall tower.

“I almost had a headache. Why did you show up at that moment? By the way, I wonder how Min-young is doing?”

“It will be like that.”

“It’s ironic that we’re in the same safe zone but I’ve never seen you before. I said I understood when you said you were going to make a vaccine, but I don’t know if I can do well in something that has nothing to do with my major.”

“I’ll just be playing a supporting role. I’m sure there are people who used to do it. But it’s still meaningful work, so I think it’s good.”

Even though Jaejae tried to soothe him, Youngman’s expression did not improve.

Since Jaejae had never raised a child before, he probably wouldn’t have much sympathy for Youngman’s thoughts.

I just understood it in my head.

“You have to think positively. You’re in the safest place within the safety zone.”

“sure.”

“And speaking of which… let’s stop thinking about that warehouse.”

“why?”

“Thank goodness the manager just let it slide. Look at the people who entered the safe zone late. They’re working hard right now, shedding blood, sweat, and tears. If we hold our positions well, the rest of our friends will be assigned places to live, so let’s stay quiet for a while.”

Although it was strange that Young-man’s will suddenly gave way to anger, Jae-jae quickly nodded in agreement.

Actually, I did think about that.

There was no need to gamble in a situation where everyone could be comfortable just by doing well in the given role.

That too, out of petty curiosity.

But why do I feel like I need to keep checking?

Is this your intuition as a detective?

Or is it just human curiosity?

still…….

‘It’s strange.’

As I was lost in thought, I heard footsteps from afar.

The sound of them running so quickly caught both of their attention at once.

The owner of the sound was the production area manager.

He was running with all his might, his body looking like it would break if hit lightly.

Is there anything left to say, or is there a problem because of what happened earlier?

While various thoughts were running through Jae-Yeong’s head, the manager who had run right up to him opened his mouth and took a deep breath.

Then, Young-man, who was looking at him seriously, asked.

“What’s going on?”

“Hey… That… Phew, I feel like I’m going to die. You two, hurry up and go to the tower.”

“To the tower?”

So what’s the problem after all?

“Yes. Oh, I know what you’re thinking, but it has nothing to do with that. I’m not the type of person to go around talking about things like that. It’s an important matter, so hurry up and go.”

“It seems like this is really important since you’re talking like this, so let’s hurry and go.”

“Yeah.”

Jae-Jae and Young-Man walked diligently, leaving the manager behind.

In front of the tower, the young woman we saw in front of Park and Kwon Jeong-woo’s office was waiting.

The doctor nodded briefly and hurried inside with the two of them.

After a while.

Jae-jae and Young-man arrived in the small room and opened the door and went in following the doctor’s instructions.

In a room finished in brown wood tones, two people were sitting at a long table.

The person whose back was visible was obviously Jeong I-jin, and the person whose face was visible from the opposite side was a face I was seeing for the first time.

When Jae-jae saw the combat uniform and rank insignia he was wearing, he immediately realized that this man was the division commander he had only heard about.

The doctor, who had followed in and closed the door, spoke as if introducing Jae-jae and Young-man.

“I brought two people.”

“Oh, I see. I’m sorry for asking you to come when you’re busy. Please have a seat for now.”

The division commander appeared extremely humble and easygoing, which was unusual for his rank and age.

“Then I’ll go out since I’m busy with work.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

Jae-jae, who was watching the doctor turn around after greeting him politely, sat down next to Jeong-i-jin, and Yeong-man sat next to him.

The three people’s gazes simultaneously turned to the division commander.

“As you may have heard, my name is Major General Hwang Jang-seong, currently serving as the division commander. Is your name Kang Young-man?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Young-man answered with a bewildered face.

“It’s such a new feeling to meet you in person. I’ve only seen you in books… … .”

“Can you tell me first what’s going on?”

“Oh, yes. I have a favor to ask of you and Captain Jeong, so I made this arrangement. The matter is so urgent and critical. Since you happen to be with us, I asked you to come over right away.”

Instead of answering, the three of them stared intently at the division commander’s face.

I was waiting for the next words.

“My son is missing.”

At the commander’s words, the room became quiet as if time had stopped.

‘If he’s the son of the division commander, then he’s the platoon leader that Kim Chan-yeol was talking about, right?’

It was when finances were trawling through my memories.

“As you know, there was an operation today. The plan was to supply daily necessities and rice through a large mart nearby before the expansion work was finished, but my son and one of the squads from his platoon did not return.”

“So does that mean the other platoons have returned?”

Finance asked.

“Yes. But the testimonies I hear are all unbelievable stories… … .”

The division commander looked thoughtful for a moment.

He looked as if he was wondering if he could say this, but then he sighed and continued talking.

“It is said that a large monster several times the size of an average adult surrounded the troops along with zombies as if it had been waiting for them. At the time, there was only one squad and the platoon leader, who was the son of the platoon leader, on the second floor, and the last time they saw him was under the escalator. After that, they suddenly swept in and had no choice but to run away… … .”

In the end, it turned out just as the finances said.

The situation I was worried about happened exactly as it was.

I really hoped Kim Chan-yeol wasn’t in that squad.

But the wind was shattered by a single piece of paper.

The division commander slid a piece of paper across the table, and the name Private Kim Chan-yeol was clearly written on the list.

The finances’ complexion darkened.

“Here is a list of the squad members. I don’t even want the dog tags of the fallen soldiers. Please rescue them. Please.”

“I know there are many other excellent soldiers besides us.”

“If that were the case, I wouldn’t be asking you like this. I thought there was only one chance. I thought it would be right for someone with skills to go.”

The division commander looked at the finances and spoke in a frustrated tone.

With a face that was burning with emotion.

It seemed like even the time to exchange answers like this was a waste.

This time, only Young-man asked.

“I know it’s a bit odd to say this, but was there a survival response? Even the rescue team could have failed. I believe you know how dangerous the operation you’re asking of us, Division Commander.”

“Yes, I know. But there was a survival response. It’s just that the radio range is out of reach here, but if you go a little further out, you can transmit and receive. How can I, as a father, stay still when I know my son is alive?”

“Please tell me what you heard on the radio.”

“First of all, my son… is alive. He is with a few of his squad members. The lower floor of the mart is said to be clean. However, I heard that the problem starts when you go up the escalator to the second floor. You can talk to the returned signalman for more details and then leave. If you have the troops, I will support you as much as I can.”

Jae-jae and Jeong-i-jin’s eyes met.

Jeong Ijin was already determined.

It was not because I was the division commander, nor because it was an order, but because a person was earnestly asking me to do something like this, and I could not refuse.

Although he is currently a division commander at the top of military power, he is ultimately just a father to his children.

That was what moved the hearts of three people.

Jae-jae nodded as if he had decided something and spoke to the division commander.

“I don’t think this is something that can be solved with just a large force.”

“Then what should we do?”

“Rather, the number of casualties will only increase. We need to form a small team and go.”

Jeong Ijin also nodded in agreement.

“Please feel free to contact me. I will support you in whatever you want.”

“I don’t need anything else. Of the people who came in with me, please give me these two people: Lee Beom-sik and Anna. And I need a truck, and I want the driver to be the soldier who is currently the most skilled driver in the division.”

“Is that possible?”

“I don’t know the internal situation, but we have already faced that big monster once.”

Yeong-man nodded from the side.

The monster of enormous size that the soldiers had witnessed, as the division commander had said, was definitely similar to the one the party had fought in the hospital cafeteria.

And the reason Finance didn’t mention the suspension was simple.

Hyunsoo was not the right person for this kind of operation or battle.

Of course, that’s the same for Beomsik and Anna, but it was better than Hyunsoo.

Finance believed that the rescue operation was more about efficiency than overall skill.

I decided it would be right to deploy personnel who had experience dealing with that guy at least once.

Also, you can’t get along with someone you’re seeing for the first time in an important operation.

Because the risk was too great.

And anyway, Jeong-i Jin and I could solve the important issues together.

“Then I will depart immediately. If the situation is different from what I expected and additional troops are needed, I will immediately move to a radio-capable area and request them.”

“Thank you, thank you very much.”

The division commander, holding Jae-jae’s hand, stood up from his seat and bowed his head in greeting.

* * *

The division commander neither used the military’s power in the safe zone nor treated him poorly because of his age.

If you think about it, from the moment this request was made, it was something that could not be refused.

After arriving at the border, Jae-jae met Beom-sik and Anna, who were taking care of the child, and explained the situation.

Maybe it was because they had been on the brink of life and death so many times, or maybe it was because they could escape from this place for a little while, but they both accepted it willingly.

Finance has been emphasized time and time again.

I could die, this time it’s really dangerous.

But the reactions of both were lukewarm.

It was as if he had decided to go quickly.

‘Can we rescue it?’

I wasn’t sure about finances either.

It was partly because I didn’t know the details of the situation, but I had to improvise at every moment.

I just had to believe in myself and make good use of my experience.

During the retreat, the signalman and supply soldier who had been exchanging radio messages with the platoon leader appeared and supplied the party with various necessary weapons before explaining the situation.

“The first floor is clean. The problem starts when you go up the escalator in the center of the first floor. You can see the clothing store right away with a relatively easy view, and there is an office next to it. This is not a small office. You can think of it as a company that was just separated and attached. There is a separate hallway inside, and each department is lined up along the hallway. If you try to communicate directly, you will find out, but the platoon leader is currently locked in the supply room.”

“What size is the building?”

Finance asked the question.

“There are five floors in total, and I understand that the parking lot is from the fourth floor onwards.”

As Jaegye nodded and sent the signalman away, a land-based truck approached the group, belching black smoke.

There was nothing more to hear.

From now on, it was a race against time.

Infected people