Chapter 117

Pio and Berda, the newly joined members, brought a notable balance to the team. Pio’s skills in both hand-to-hand combat and marksmanship were just below Sweeper and Hajin’s level, while Berda outclassed even Hyuk or Jung-hwan.

Overall, Pio was a bit more capable, but in one area, Berda clearly stood out.

Briefing.

Her clean and clear voice delivered briefings with precision. She felt like an upgraded version of Seri.

Rina, on the other hand, was absolutely hopeless in any combat situation. No matter how much she trained, her marksmanship, melee skills, and even crossbow handling never improved—she might as well have been tossing ammunition into the air like trash.

Yohan even considered using Jung-eun as a regular team member again. But Rina had to be kept in combat, too.

During long-range expeditions, her ability to foresee the future might come into play—so she had to stay close to him.

So-hee was a bit of a wildcard. Useless for now, but one day, she could be their Joker card.

“Break.”

At Yohan’s command, the squad collapsed on the spot.

“…This is brutal.”

“Feels like I’m gonna die, hyung.”

Though they’d gained plenty of experience in actual combat, Yohan still saw plenty of shortcomings.

Even A-rank survivors like Sweeper and Hajin had weaknesses, and quasi-A-ranks like Hyuk, Jung-hwan, and Sergeant Ong weren’t without flaws either. Ong was weak in close combat, Jung-hwan was lacking in general stats, and Hyuk’s pathetic mental state was arguably the least troublesome of the bunch.

The condition of Squads 3 and 4 was, frankly, worse.

While Yohan stared out toward the distant mountain, thinking of what still lay ahead, Jung-eun—currently on perimeter duty—approached him.

“Oppa, we got a call in the situation room.”

“Alright, I’ll be right there.”

Yohan instructed the squad to take another lap around the island, then headed to the situation room, where a radio message from the old man of the mercenary corps was waiting.

“This is Yohan.”

—Hey, rookie.

“Hope you’re well.”

—Can it with the sappy crap. I hate that girly stuff.

At the familiar harsh tone, Yohan chuckled softly.

—Just wanted to pass on a message.

“Yes, go ahead.”

—It came from one of the Seoul contacts.

“I’m listening.”

—After that Gae Baek-jeong or whatever died, it seems there was a major power struggle among the survivor factions in Seoul.

“Makes sense.”

That Gae Baek-jeong had swallowed up most of the factions. Someone would’ve stepped in to fill the void.

—The biggest group now is based in Yeouido.

“Yeouido?”

Tension rippled through the air for a moment. The core of the Yeouido camp in the first round was a man Yohan knew better than anyone.

“Do you know who their leader is?”

“Someone named Shin Noah.”

A chill ran down Yohan’s spine. Shin Noah of the Yeouido camp. A comrade who’d stood by him till the very end. His appearance had come much earlier this time. Was it because the Gae Baek-jeong had died?

“Shin Noah… you say.”

—What, you know him?

“Sort of.”

—He’s a rookie too, but seems like he’s got some real skill. Apparently, he got hit with three zombie waves in a row and bought wave data from my contact.

“I see.”

—Sold the info at full price, so don’t come whining about royalties, got it?

“Of course. Keeping people alive is more important.”

—Tch. Saying crap you don’t mean.

“Was it that obvious?”

—Damn psychopath.

“Anyway, what else?”

—The issue isn’t just the zombie waves. Remember that zombie procession you mentioned before?

“Yes.”

—That thing’s apparently heading straight toward their camp. And not just one or two. So they’re preparing for a massive relocation.

“To where?”

—No idea. Consider this your info fee for that zombie procession data.

“Thank you. Oh, and I’ve got more intel on two new mutant types.”

—Oh? Hit me.

“But… it might be hard to believe.”

—Kid, every morning I wake up and still can’t believe this is my house.

Yohan shared what he knew about the two mutants—one capable of crossing land and sea, and another that spawned others and spread infection via respiratory transmission.

—Completely unmanageable types.

“Exactly.”

—F me…

He was probably feeling just like Yohan had when he first heard about them.

“Please keep an eye on that Yeouido camp.”

—Got it. Thanks for the intel.

“Likewise. I always appreciate it.”

—Later, rookie.

‘Shin Noah…’

Yohan murmured his name like calling out to an old lover.

The island was peaceful—but it felt like the calm before a storm.

—

As dusk settled, the sea was calm in the fading light. The water’s surface was still, and a sea fog that had rolled in from the shore now blanketed the entire island, obscuring visibility.

Tiny ripples disturbed the surface, followed by bubbles.

A dark shadow gradually spread across the water before a crimson creature burst forth. First its head, then its shoulders, long arms with sharp claws, and webbed, extended legs.

With every step it took, droplets of water fell, splattering onto the ground.

—

Jung-hwan woke up to the sound of barking. Rubbing his eyes, he shuffled into the living room. Heukgu was barking into thin air.

“Ugh… Heukgu, what’s wrong?”

He asked as he stroked the dog’s back, but Heukgu just kept barking at nothing.

“Oppa, what’s going on?”

Ayoung poked her head out from the second-floor stairs, awakened by the noise. Jung-hwan waved his hand.

“It’s nothing. Heukgu just started barking all of a sudden… You see anything? They say when a dog barks at thin air, it’s seeing a ghost.”

A-young let out a faint laugh, as if she’d just heard something amusing.

“Then you better watch under the blanket when you sleep, oppa.”

“Don’t say creepy stuff… Maybe a wild animal came down again?”

Jung-hwan tilted his head. All the while, Heukgu continued barking relentlessly.

Clang!

At that moment, the sound of glass shattering rang out.

“Glass breaking sound, fifty meters northwest.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, no. I said that out of habit.”

Jung-hwan realized he had instinctively pressed the comm button and given a briefing.

He was genuinely impressed by how intense, rote-style training could get ingrained. He pressed the comm button again and called Yohan.

“Yohan-hyung, are you awake?”

—Yeah, what’s up?

It was late, so he figured Yohan would be asleep, but of course he was awake. Did this man even sleep?

“You weren’t asleep?”

—Just woke up. What’s going on?

Ah, so the radio call woke him up.

Jung-hwan felt a little guilty—but he’d only followed training protocol.

“Heukgu wouldn’t stop barking, and I just heard something break about fifty meters out. I was thinking of checking it out.”

—Brief exact location and confirm carefully. I’m heading out now.

“Yes, sir.”

Not that anything ever happened at this hour… but being careful never hurt.

Jung-hwan threw on a coat, geared up, and clipped the leash to Heukgu’s collar. He’d barked at a wild rabbit once before, but never this long.

He didn’t really expect anything to be there. The guards had the island secured in all four directions, and it had been months since anything happened after they settled in.

Still, years of training meant he tensed up the moment he strapped on his gear.

Jung-hwan followed Heukgu northwest. The sound had come from that direction, and Heukgu was heading there, too. Something was definitely out there—it gave him the chills.

That’s when something black darted past in front of him. Jung-hwan flinched in shock.

Something was really there.

“Yohan-hyung, in front of the red two-story building in Sindo 2-ri—there’s something here.”

Heukgu kept barking. It sounded like aggression—or maybe terror. The barking would be going through on the comms.

Jung-hwan steadied his aim. Through the sights of his gun, the black figure appeared again.

In that fleeting moment, the moonlight revealed glowing red eyes.

Creak… craaack!

The moment his eyes met that red glow, his whole body froze. Not a single muscle responded.

Like a corpse frozen in the dead of winter.

‘I have to move…’

It was his first encounter with a mutant.

The fear brought on by this unknown being was beyond anything he had imagined.

“M-Mutant.”

Managing to press the comm and speak was nothing short of a miracle.

Mutant Shark.

The very one Yohan and the others had been preparing for—the one said to bring disaster to their camp.

The moment it moved toward him, Jung-hwan reflexively shifted position and pulled the trigger.

Ratatatat!

The thunderous gunfire shattered the silence of the island. The weapon kicked in his hands as bullets sprayed upward.

The creature’s body suddenly darted left. Whether by luck or misfortune, it didn’t rush him directly.

Instead, it turned to easier prey. A place with a weaker target.

It headed straight for Jung-hwan’s house—where Ayoung was.

Hands trembling, he scrambled for the comm.

“Sindo 2-ri! White standalone house—mutant sighted!”

—Do NOT engage alone! Maintain safe distance!

Yohan’s voice came through seconds later—but Jung-hwan’s legs had already started running on their own.

‘No. No!’

Not Ayoung.

Maybe he could survive a few seconds, a few minutes—but a high school girl with no training couldn’t possibly hold her own against a mutant.

Jung-hwan was now sprinting at full speed.

“Aaaaah!”

“Ayoung!”

As her scream rang out, Jung-hwan burst into the two-story house.

From the moment he heard her scream, his legs trembled, and his mind went blank. All fear of the mutant vanished long ago.

He had only one thought—he had to get there before it did.

But he was too late.

Creak… craaack!

The grotesque sound of grinding teeth rang out. Inside the lit house, he came face to face with the mutant.

Its mouth stretched all the way past its ears, limbs freakishly long.

As it opened its jaws toward him, a row of crocodile-like serrated teeth gleamed.

“Kh… ggh…”

When Ayoung’s voice came from inside the monster, Jung-hwan’s gaze snapped to her.

“Ayoung!”

She collapsed, not even able to moan—foam at her lips. She…

“Ayoung…”

…was missing one of her legs.

“AAAAAGH! A-YEONG!”

Jung-hwan unleashed another hail of bullets.

Die, die, you bastard!

Tears and snot streamed down his face. Wiping his blurred vision, he kept firing at the creature.

Ping! Ping! The bullets struck its body, sounding like ricocheting grenades.

The mutant flinched but quickly realized the attacks didn’t hurt. It took a step forward.

Clack, clack—the empty magazine clattered uselessly.

Its mouth, split to the ears, curled like it was sneering.

Jung-hwan fumbled for a fresh magazine.

At that instant, the creature opened its jaws again. Jung-hwan’s vision went completely dark.

(T/N: Holy shit! Noooooo!! )