Chapter 110
“Remember those strange footprints we found in the mountains? We searched the island thoroughly, but there were no beasts with similar tracks. Probably.”
Yohan paused for a moment before continuing.
“Looks like there’s a mutant that can cross between the island and the mainland.”
Gulping sounds echoed here and there.
“Don’t let your guard down, stay alert, and keep your radios on at all times.”
Yohan left out the part about ordinary zombies. It was a problem beyond the bounds of what he considered common knowledge.
Zombies wouldn’t fall from the sky, nor rise from the sea. Occasional ones washing ashore was one thing, but the idea of that many zombies drifting in at once made no sense.
He needed more clues.
“For now, we’ll focus on the harvest and preparing for the mutant. That’s how we’ll get through the winter.”
The objective was always simple and clear.
Survival.
Survival was the only goal they could truly call their own.
* * *
No matter how thorough the preparations, there were always variables in any situation—and they would inevitably show up. But this was a variable no one could have predicted.
The search team from Camp Yohan stood with grave expressions as the sound of a boat carried in from the beach.
The resolve to avoid confronting the soldiers—shattered in just three days by the sound of an uninvited guest.
A Navy warship had appeared, approaching from Yeonan Pier.
A Navy ship that had survived at sea for eight months was now headed straight for Sindo.
It was a sizable warship. It likely held at least a hundred people.
The intimidating mounted weapons on the main deck radiated power, and as if to show it belonged to a whole different combat class, it advanced slowly yet unmistakably toward them.
As expected, the most troublesome group in the apocalypse era was the military.
‘No choice but to confront them.’
There was nowhere to run or hide.
Yohan simultaneously began preparing to meet the landing party and braced for a potential skirmish.
“Maknae.” (T/N: Can also be “Rookie” but we will use Maknae here. Yohan must be talking to So-hee the one with the bow)
“Yes?”
“Go to the situation room and tell all non-combatants to get into the shelter.”
“Got it!”
“Sergeant Ong, hold position and bunker down.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Jungsoo, Jiwon—head to the armory and stand by. If gunfire breaks out, you’re authorized to shoot any approaching soldiers.”
“Yes, hyung.”
Hyuk wore the face of a lost puppy, seemingly uneasy about the idea of fighting soldiers again.
“Hyung…”
“Don’t look at me like that. I don’t want to fight either.”
But Yohan’s bad feeling had never been wrong.
Humans—especially soldiers—were truly persistent and tenacious. Even with the command structure collapsed and supplies cut off, they’d survived and maintained order.
If they were still alive, it meant they were either moving in special squads or had an environment that protected them from zombies.
Or perhaps the entire unit—from commander to grunt—was so capable they’d already repelled at least one or two zombie waves.
For Yohan, the continued existence of such units wasn’t reassuring—it was troubling. Armed forces without a command structure were like ticking time bombs.
Yohan gazed calmly at the approaching landing craft.
“That’s an Incheon-class frigate. Holds 60 to 120 crew members. Typically operates in coastal and open sea fleet missions… It’s strange to see a lone frigate moving like this. Especially coming here, which isn’t even a naval base.”
“They must have their reasons.”
“Probably all the land bases have been wiped out. If their command is still functioning, they must’ve realized that circling islands for supply runs is safer than returning to port.”
“Then their commander must be quite competent.”
“Yes. Otherwise, there’d be no reason for the ship to come this way.”
Yohan wasn’t familiar with naval systems, but thanks to Jae-ho’s chatter, he got a rough idea of what they were dealing with.
In his head, he was already running combat scenarios. Against a hundred soldiers, their odds were slim. And with those ridiculous heavy weapons, stopping a landing would be nearly impossible.
It wasn’t a good situation. Yohan knew better than to expect rescue from the military.
The military hierarchy had collapsed long ago—from the top down.
What remained was nothing more than a centralized armed group with overwhelming force. Whether they came with good intentions or as violent invaders remained to be seen.
Most of the camp members who understood the gravity of the situation wore grim faces.
“Loosen up. Don’t do anything that might look hostile.”
“What should we do, hyung?”
“We watch. Avoid a fight if possible.”
Even if, in the worst-case scenario, they had to abandon the place, what mattered most was not losing people. Though with the harvest just ahead, this was a nasty variable.
No—honestly, it was enough to make his stomach churn in pain.
Bang! Bang bang!
The ship reached the shore, and a loud voice blared over its broadcast system.
Bang bang bang!
People covered their ears at the loud chimes.
—Landing in 15 minutes! Captain Jin Juha to disembark in 20!
The announcement declared that the ship’s captain would be coming ashore shortly. The fact they still followed such protocol was surprising.
It gave the impression that the officers aboard that ship were sticklers for naval formality.
Yohan couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought that life aboard the ship must still be strict for the sailors.
Sailors disembarked in lines, forming neat ranks. And exactly twenty minutes after the broadcast, a man in an officer’s uniform stepped off the ship.
“Let’s go.”
Yohan and the others walked toward the beach where the Navy unit had landed. Might as well face the music.
The officers who had spotted them whispered to their commanding officer, Colonel Jin Juha.
An uneasy encounter, a strange standoff had begun.
Navy Commander Colonel Jin Juha.
Likely one of the few remaining officers of his rank in this era. Equivalent to a battalion commander in the Army. For Yohan, he was the first proper commanding officer he’d encountered since regression.
The highest rank he’d met until now had been Second Lieutenant Ahn Jun-young, a mere company commander at best.
The first thing Yohan checked was their armament. Unlike the heavily armed warship, the sailors’ personal weapons were surprisingly underwhelming.
Officers each had a handgun at their waist, and only the guards and what seemed like naval military police carried K2 rifles. Most of the soldiers were effectively unarmed.
Yohan gave a polite nod to Colonel Jin, then glanced briefly up toward the main deck.
Not all the soldiers had disembarked. If they resisted now, the firepower from those mounted weapons could easily strike the shore from the deck.
Colonel Jin, upon spotting Yohan’s group, swept his gaze over them like he was inspecting merchandise.
A subtle tension filled the air. The most critical part was his first words. His tone would reveal his nature.
If he simply exchanged names and greeted them calmly, then he was at least a reasonable man.
Hopefully, at least that much.
“Hmm…”
Finally, the colonel spoke.
“Why are civilians armed with firearms?”
What a pain in the ass.
A textbook hardline conservative commander.
Yohan bit the inside of his cheek without showing it and forced the brightest smile he could muster.
“Hello, I’m Yohan Lee, representative of the survivors on Sindo.”
“I’m Colonel Jin Juha, commander of the Baekryeong. We were forced to land due to complications during a coastal special operation.”
“Yes, Colonel Jin Juha.”
“I’ll ask again. Why are civilians in possession of firearms?”
What kind of idiot asks that question when he already knows the answer?
Though his inner thoughts fumed, Yohan’s mask was flawless. Instead, he skillfully tossed the ball back to the colonel.
“Colonel, may I ask if you are aware of the current state of the world?”
If he said yes, the natural reply would be “then how can you ask that question?” If he said no, it opened the door for “how can a commanding officer be unaware?”
As if he caught on to Yohan’s intent, Colonel Jin’s face stiffened slightly.
“I’m requesting disarmament. We will take custody of any firearms of ROK military origin.”
“We’ll disarm, Colonel. But we cannot hand over the weapons.”
His face, already filled with doubt, now shifted fully to displeasure.
Some officers subtly reached toward their holsters, and an uncomfortable tension began to ripple between both sides.
Colonel Jin waved his hand as if to calm them. But before he could say anything, Yohan spoke first.
“As you are surely aware, the Korean military and police have lost their ability to protect the citizens. We’ve survived through our own strength, and we must continue to do so. We cannot surrender our lifeline to the Navy, especially if you intend to leave this island.”
The statement meant two things—no, they would not hand over their weapons, and yes, the Navy should leave soon.
As expected of a commander who had kept his crew alive this long, Colonel Jin quickly picked up on the subtext and forced his expression into neutrality. Or at least tried—his reddening and twitching face was a sight to behold.
‘Bite us, and we’ll bite back.’
That was the energy radiating from Yohan. If they tried to seize weapons by force, he was prepared to resist to the death. Colonel Jin took a step back.
A wise decision. Perhaps he just wanted to observe for now.
“May I ask why you’ve landed on this island?”
“You’re rather bold to ask about military secrets.”
The colonel feigned offense, turning his back and issuing various orders to his subordinates. Judging by the smooth chain of command, his leadership was clearly solid.
‘They’re out of food.’
But their intent was obvious just from the sailors’ faces. However they’d survived until now, they’d hit their limit—whether it was food, water, fuel, or something else.
“Regardless, we’ll be using this island as a military base until the operation concludes. I ask for your cooperation.”
“…Understood.”
So long as they didn’t try to seize weapons or supplies or resort to violence.
“Sweeper.”
At Yohan’s call, Sweeper approached. Yohan lowered his voice and whispered.
“Disarm the guys—have them hide pistols under their clothes only. Strengthen security around the armory and supply depot. You guard it yourself for now.”
“And if things go south?”
“Respond with force.”
“Roger.”
If they stayed quiet, we wouldn’t touch them. But if they made a move, we’d bite. Tear them to pieces until not a scrap of flesh remained.
