EP 12 – Bearers (4)
I doubted my eyes.
“This is a video being broadcast over Yeouido. As you can see, the gate with a diameter of 1 km is running rampant. It is classified as the main gate in the operating room.”
The runaway at the gate was not grand at all.
It was just bizarre and disgusting.
Chunks of flesh poured out of a huge hole like a drunken vomit. A lump of flesh squirmed quickly, rising up on its six legs, and gleaming green eyes.
A piece of flesh next to it squirmed and spread its wings and soared. The flesh beneath it swung its heavy fins into the Han River.
All kinds of monsters prowled around the crevices of the building, and the Han River shook like a basin filled with loach.
loneliness
Thousands of centipedes and scorpions were entangled in one another and a disgust came up. The fear was multiplied by the wind so great that a centipede covered the rubble of the National Assembly building.
and.
Demons are falling from the blue sky.
On the roof of the 63 Building, which is now all burned down and only the skeleton remains.
There were hunters.
* * *
A Chungmu facility in Sokcho, Gangwon-do. The entire South Korean leadership was gathered in numerous underground bunkers in preparation for war with North Korea.
No, it’s too awkward to gather around. Countless faces are being broadcast on the screen that fills one wall. It was more like a video call with dozens of people at the same time.
And, we all looked at the video occupying a quarter of the screen.
Monsters poured down from the huge gate.
Seoul’s hell.
The de facto supreme commander of the ROK Armed Forces, 2nd Operation Commander Kim Doo-sik, started the briefing.
“Around 1 in the morning, the main gate over Yeouido started pouring out monsters. It is close to a kilometer in diameter.”
Dooshik Kim spoke calmly.
“As you can see, a lot of monsters are spreading everywhere. It’s just a bunch of flesh that’s pouring out, but you’ll see it adapt and mutate in an instant.”
A chunk of flesh that fell into the Han River wiggled and formed fins, and some flesh grew wings and immediately flapped and flew into the sky.
There was a guy who had hair all over his body and ran away like an ape, and there was a guy who crawled through buildings like a giant centipede because of the lumps of flesh and flesh.
“If you look closely, there are some hunters fighting around the top of the 63 Building. There is no big effect. Personally, I think it has something to do with the runaway, but it’s just speculation… For now, let’s move on to the more important story.”
Priorities were set quickly.
We are people who have to look at the forest, not the trees. The screen that sent the hell map of Seoul was changed to a tactical map of the metropolitan area.
I was staring at the screen with my eyes drenched in fear that I might catch Yeo Do-yeon’s figure on the screen, but I vomited regret and stepped back.
“The monsters do not stay in the area unlike before, but are rapidly expanding.”
Kim Doo-shik had no expression on his face.
“The troops deployed in the Chungcheong defense line have finished preparing for battle.”
The map illuminating the metropolitan area came down slightly.
A red curve crossed central South Korea along the Asan Bay and Taebaek Mountains.
The greatest achievement that made Commander Doo-Sik Kim a national hero.
A sturdy shield made by stitching the retreating ROK Army together.
The de facto northern border of present-day South Korea.
It was the ‘Chungcheong Defense Line’.
“We expect that a ground battle will occur in Pyeongtaek, the nearest front, in about four hours, and it is safe to say that the air battle has already begun. Fighters have already started sortie to stop the spread of flying monsters.”
The interpreter of the commander of the USFK added urgently.
“Hey, the missiles have just been deployed. We are waiting for the request of the Korean military.”
Doosik Kim continued to speak with a small bow.
“Thank you for your cooperation. Captain Abrams. Anyway. A bad battle is expected, but it seems that the attack of the monsters can be stopped for the time being at the Chungcheong defense line. The really serious place is in the North.”
The map has changed.
The strong defense line of Chungcheong disappeared, and the northern area of Gyeonggi-do appeared.
Red circles and tactical symbols were intricately intertwined.
I couldn’t figure it out, but roughly speaking.
lied
“The northern part of the metropolitan area has no defenses due to sporadic small gates. It is simply that each division rescues as many civilians as possible through individual battles, escorts them along the armistice line, and then evacuates from Gangwon-do to the south by sea.”
Kim Doo-shik tapped his pulse.
“If the monsters of Seoul reach the northern part of Gyeonggi-do, each division will suffer close to annihilation.”
A terrible future was foretold.
“And if the Armed Forces in northern Gyeonggi-do are destroyed, millions of people isolated in Gangwon-do are at risk.”
Wonok-min asked.
“How long does it take for the Seoul monsters to reach the northern part of Gyeonggi-do?”
“The ground monster is 3 hours at the latest. The flying monster is about an hour.”
Kim’s point was simple.
The South can be blocked from the defensive line. Even if you die a little too much.
However, there is no defense line in the North.
…So it was said that everything would be f**ked after 3 hours.
*
“For once, retreat the North Korean army in the metropolitan area! Let’s form a defense line along the Taebaek Mountains!”
“The retreat is already taking place. It’s a yard where gates are spread throughout the Taebaek Mountains…”
“Isn’t Sokcho to be protected! There are millions of people there!”
The meeting grew hotter.
“After the collapse of Seoul’s encirclement, isn’t it the area occupied by monsters in the eastern direction of Seoul?”
“Most civilian rescues have been made, but there are no ROK forces deployed because of the small gates.”
“Then the Seoul monsters will come rushing in there?”
“The Taebaek Mountains will slow the advance of the monsters, but it is certain that the northern part of Gangwon-do will be threatened within at least three days.”
South Korea was divided into North and South Korea due to the ‘Uijeongbu Incident’.
Monsters from the ‘Seoul Runaway’ are rushing into the gap.
“I understand that most of the citizens are isolated in the northern part of Gangwon-do. Commander Hyun-Jong Yoo. How many people are there?”
“Hey, we’re estimating about 6.3 million people! Agent!”
The 6.3 million people isolated in the north are threatened.
“How about an evacuation plan?”
Won Ok-bun discussed ‘evacuation’,
Kim Doo-shik uncovered the hidden meaning in it.
“…Are you saying that we should give up the provinces north of the Chungcheong defense line?”
“It has not been confirmed yet. It’s just one of the options. However, if only the Chungcheong defense line can guarantee the safety of the people, why not evacuate as many people as possible to the inside?”
“Even in the Chungcheong defense line. At least 30,000 casualties are predicted. It’s actually pointless. If it pours out like that indefinitely, the defenses will start to collapse within a week.”
People are starting to come up with ways to save more people.
“I heard that Donghae-daero was largely restored. How to evacuate refugees by land—”
“For one four-lane highway, the size of the wire increases by 121.8 km.”
“Are you saying that we must use the sea route unconditionally?”
At times, their interests subtly exchanged.
“For container ships, if you double the speed, the oil will quadruple. The remaining oil reserves should be considered to some extent-”
“Hey, you bastard! Saving oil when people are dying—”
“Governor, calm down. It’s not that simple is it? If we run out of oil, the country will be ruined.”
“Connect mic number 8, yes. Chairman Lee Yong-cheol. This time, we will develop the technology to operate container ships with magic power…”
Someone took a chance.
“Ah…! Forgive me for being late. Is mic number 6 correct? I am Cheon Geum-soon, president of GS Group.”
“Yes. I am Yoon Sang-il, Minister of Public Administration and Security. What’s going on?”
“Who is holding Sokcho VTS right now?”
“yes? What is V?”
“Ah, come with me! yes! This is Park Seon-ah, the Vice Minister of Public Administration and Security. What’s going on?”
“I got 15,000 TEU 6 ships from the Northern Passage after showing off with Russia…”
“Wow, what!?”
“I have a partner in Vladivostok… Anyway! Is it possible to connect to the Donghae Port Control Office?”
“I, you did great! I will tell the Coast Guard to leave the line blank!”
In Seoul, reflected in the corner of the screen, the hunters were still struggling.
“Please connect mic number 26. Yes. Let me tell you, Minister. As there are reports that a super-large container ship sank because of a monster in the Pacific—”
“Didn’t you hear?”
“It’s a secret, so you probably didn’t hear it. Anyway, large ships are sailing along the coast…”
very strangely.
“Isn’t there a shortage of trading ports on the east coast?”
“People are being transported by fishing boats near the coastal port.”
“Then what if the monster appears?”
“Is that Cheonghaejin? PMC, established by Governor Chung Jung-yeop, specializes in sea monsters…”
No one was interested in the Hunters.
“Commander Doo-Sik Kim. Didn’t you say that there are still civilians in the unrecovered area? I heard that at least 800,000 people are still isolated in the metropolitan area. Instead of going around the Chungcheong defense line, the ROK military directly stepped forward-”
“I started playing war games right away. Minister. At least 200,000 people will die if the South Korean army goes north. It accounts for the majority of the South Korean army defending the Chungcheong defense line. The strategic importance of the defense line of Chungcheong to sacrifice for 800,000 people is-”
20 million. 80 million. 30 million. 640 million.
“Nevertheless. The national army is supposed to protect the people-”
“Aren’t soldiers not citizens?”
“…Oh, wait! The duty of national defense-”
“While the reservists were smiling that they would go to the general election. If you are not going to throw all college students in their early 20s who were fortunate enough to serve in the military into a pit of fire, please shut up.”
“Commander Doosik Kim! I still understand why people are criticized for noticing politicians for focusing on armored forces rather than infantry ones…!”
“Should I tell you to shut up? Minister? Did you know that I did not know that you were nominated by the National Defense Party?”
“How dare you to the Minister of Defense!”
“Isn’t it a little funny to say that the Scarecrow is in politics and put the table down and now come and get some side dishes?”
Numerical but non-numeric numbers were mentioned.
I just silently looked at Seoul, which was occupying the corner of the screen.
It could only be confirmed from a distance, but a difficult battle was continuing. Occasionally something flashed and killed the monster, and sometimes the hunter fell and lost his life.
However, no matter how many hunters were caught on the screen, there were no more than 50.
Those who struggled while running on the roof of the building looked like flying flies from here.
It was hard to see, but I was frantic to see if I could see Yeo Do-yeon, so I desperately searched for her on the screen.
shit.
The administrator reduced the Seoul screen and made the tactical map larger.
He seems to have thought that was more important.
So I had no choice but to put my face on the hand-made screen.
“The most vulnerable is the southeastern part of the metropolitan area. 800,000 people are isolated and there are no ROK troops deployed. Since it is a small gate distribution area, a local rescue operation is expected to come back like this…”
“We must rescue you! Even by sending a squadron!”
“The area has already been occupied by monsters. Seoul monsters are coming, how do you send a riot squad?”
“Send Miss Jiyoon Gam there! There are other hunters too…! Why don’t we cover the Mobile Forces!”
“……Well, this time, the Minister’s words are also valid. But the flying monster is not threatening Ga Gam Yoon-”
“U.S. Army!”
“yes. Oh, excuse me, Senator Han Seung-moon. Can you go with Ga Ji-yoon?”
Where is Yeo Do-yeon?
I looked at the monitor for a long time and looked for her, but there was no way to find her on the screen where even the human form was difficult to distinguish.
“Rep. Han Seung-moon?”
Still, I can’t help but see it. The human heart is-
“Rep. Han Seung-moon?”
“Ah yes! What’s going on?”
After burying his head in the monitor for a while, he regained consciousness at the call of Commander Doo-Sik Kim.
Kim Doo-shik bluntly suggested.
“Can you support the southeastern part of the metropolitan area with Ms. Jiyoon Gam?”
“……Yes?”
“Air support will be provided by USFK. We recently received additional supplies from the US 7th Fleet, so there will be no shortage of support.”
“ah……”
“…I know what your concerns are. However, if you buy a little time, many lives can be saved. 80,000 lives at stake. Please just a little-”
hair turned white Kim Doo-sik said something or something, but none of them came into his ears.
Should I give up on Yeo Do-yeon like this? Of course, heading there with Ga Ji-yoon was the way to save the most lives.
In the midst of this, I couldn’t even whistle to rescue the hunters in Seoul.
Suddenly, Kim Doo-sik finished his speech and waited for my answer.
Thousands of thoughts ran through my head as I couldn’t open my mouth.
Shall I ask you to save some hunters?
Would you like to find out why the Hunters are fighting?
Should we investigate why the gate ran into a runaway?
I stuttered as I froze.
…like this. Do I have to obey the duties given to me like this?
at that time.
“What are we going to do with this now!”
The Minister of Defense, who was sitting across from him, smashed the desk and got up from his seat.
He was a faithful servant of Won Ok-bun, and he fought with Kim Doo-sik after not convening a reserve army because he wanted to become a member of the National Assembly.
In other words, the greater the damage to civilians, the more f**ked up. He was also a man who had to save civilians by killing soldiers or hunters.
he smirked and said.
“It looks like 800,000 people are going to die…! What did you do now!?”
it’s not about me
Hong Seon-ah answered with a calm smile.
“I told you that I refused to send you.”
“I laugh when people die!?”
“You’re trying to kill us, so we’re laughing out loud, Minister.”
Her sharp eyes lost the smile.
“Am I wearing a military uniform?”
“What…!”
“You should be grateful if you have volunteered in Gangwon-do until now. I didn’t mean to run away with my kids, I didn’t say I’d join the Sokcho front-“
“800,000 people are isolated in the southeast of the metropolitan area! On the battalion…!”
“Then who will protect us?”
Hong Seon-ah refuted the minister’s words one by one.
“Tanks are expensive and slow, so you can’t send them. Looking at the formation, there are only trucks and infantry. So isn’t that a maneuver-to-ground transport? We are the escorts.”
“what I’m saying is…! It is said that the most effective place for our superhumans to be active is the Mobile Team! While Miss Gam Ji-yoon and the Air Force were wasting time, as many lives as possible—”
“Aren’t you telling us to fight and die while the monsters are coming, go into the monster field, and while the ROK army saves people?”
“Of course, hunters are better at catching monsters than infantry-”
She laughed awkwardly and cut it off.
“I don’t even know why we have to listen to your orders. I don’t know why the Awakeneds on the Armed Forces side don’t go. I don’t even know why we have to die. I reject the dispatch agreement.”
“hey! You bastard bastard!”
“You’re talking too harshly. How many fights have you fought so far?”
“I…! I…! Kim Doo-shik doesn’t do it! You don’t do it, then…! Who the hell protects the people!”
“Well. Who was the person who disbanded the reserve forces for the general election…?”
Hong Seon-ah smiled without saying a word and got up from her seat.
“I’m sorry, but we have no obligation to die.”
There was no one who wanted to carry the burden.