Chapter 125

After getting scolded by Yohan to “use a turn signal before jumping into conversations,” Sweeper closed his mouth with a sulky expression, and Yohan continued with the briefing.

“Incheon Port will be the last. After that, we stop all survivor rescues and supply hunts. What matters now is how to operate that warship.”

“Captain, it’s not going to be easy.”

“I know. But we don’t have another option.”

There was only one answer.

“First, we need to secure fuel. Luca, what kind of fuel do warships use?”

“Most navy vessels run on MDO—Marine Diesel Oil. It’s called F-76, a blend of heavy oil and gasoline. We can probably find plenty at the refinery warehouse near Incheon Port. One of the military fuel suppliers operates a refinery there.”

“Huh? Isn’t bunker C oil used for ships?”

“Bunker C’s for fishing boats like the one we’re using now.”

Strange, Jae-ho muttered to himself.

“Get both. We were going to clear out Incheon Port anyway, so we can grab that when we get the helicopter fuel. That’s not a problem. The bigger issue is getting the information needed to operate a warship…”

All military facilities and equipment come with operating procedures. And the manuals used by the South Korean military were surprisingly well-organized. Even if they couldn’t get everything, it might be possible to find materials just to launch and steer the ship.

“We need information about navy vessels. From operations and refueling to maintenance—ideally, as much as we can get.”

Whether they could digest the information was another matter. If not, they’d just have to grind people through the process like a blender until someone got it. Plenty of educated people around. Like this hybrid genius racking his brain right now.

“Jae-ho.”

As soon as he was called, Jae-ho rattled off the details Yohan wanted.

“To get operational data for a warship, you’d have to visit a military facility—it’s classified. The most promising place is the Navy Headquarters in Gyeryong, Chungnam. Next would be the Naval Academy in Jinhae, Gyeongnam. Both places would definitely have the documents.”

“Too far.”

“There’s a Navy Hall on Yeouidaebang-ro, but I doubt it’s related to military training… Ah!”

Jae-ho snapped his fingers, as if something just occurred to him.

“The National Library of Korea.”

“The library? There’s no way classified military data would be in a library.”

“Not the kind available to the public, of course. But the National Library is required to keep at least one copy of every official and unofficial publication issued in Korea—including government and military publications.”

Yohan raised an eyebrow skeptically. Jae-ho quickly continued.

“Most people don’t know this, but the reason the National Library is designated a protected facility is because of that. For government and military documents considered sensitive—especially unofficial publications labeled as Class 1—access is restricted to authorized personnel only. Materials related to warship operations might not be top secret, but educational manuals for sailors or NCOs could be stored there. Like textbooks.”

“You sure? If you’re just throwing it out there because you want to go, say it now.”

It was hard to believe military documents would end up in a library.

“…I’m not sure. But I’m not dumb enough to risk everyone’s lives over my personal desires, Captain. Personally, I think we should head to Gyeryong.”

Yohan nodded at Jae-ho’s firm and honest tone. At least he looked sincere. Not that the information definitely existed—just that it might. An opinion, not a guarantee. That was enough to take it under consideration.

“Alright, sorry for doubting you. Let’s start with the nearest one. We’ll go in this order: National Library, Navy Headquarters, then the Naval Academy.”

“But is it really okay? We’re talking about government facilities… won’t it be dangerous?”

“Honestly, I doubt any of those three are still operating properly. But who knows. Oh, are there any naval bases along the West Sea?”

The idea of heading into central Seoul carried huge risks. Whether people or zombies, it was one of the most densely packed areas—a battlefield in itself.

He could protect himself, sure. But it was another story if one of his comrades died.

“Naval bases probably have some training materials too… but I don’t know their exact locations. I know there are ones in places like Pyeongtaek, Jinhae, Jeju, and Busan—but only vaguely.”

“Got it. No need to feel bad about not knowing everything.”

What Jae-ho had provided was already more than enough. It gave them a direction for what to do next.

Yohan gave him a thumbs-up in approval, then tapped the table a few times.

“Next is deciding who’ll join this scouting mission…”

No one knew how long the expedition would take. Ideally, he’d take all of their top people, but someone also had to watch over the island residents.

The ocean, which had once seemed like a natural fortress, turned out to be more like a wall riddled with holes. Survivors and mutant creatures like Shark could breach it anytime.

Those going outside faced even greater danger. Threats that could strike anywhere, anytime.

He had to choose how many, and who, with care.

The outcome of this decision could change everything.

Someone might die again—or, in the worst case, an entire group might be wiped out.

‘Let’s think probabilistically. Which side is more likely to face danger?’

They had encountered three mutants so far—Gollum, David, and Shark. Three times over five months. At least five weeks between each. The scouting mission would last only a week or two at most.

If key members were left behind, the search party would likely suffer more from their absence.

Yohan made his decision.

“We go all-in. Teams 1 through 4, full personnel, organized by anti-personnel strength. Harvest season’s done, so rotate the production teams into sentry duty for now. Mr. Seo-jun, please lead the perimeter guard.”

“Hey, there’s still another recon team—why me…?”

“They don’t have enough experience leading a group. Please take the role.”

“Alright, alright.”

Seo-jun scratched his head and nodded.

“Team 1—Rina stays back on standby at the situation room. Berda will take her spot in Team 1. Luca joins Team 3 as combat support and recon, replacing Berda.”

“Spare me, young commander.”

Yohan ignored him cleanly.

“Team 4’s leader position goes to Hajin. Team 2’s vacant spot goes to Jung-eun.”

“Yes! Back in the major league!”

Jung-eun laughed in an exaggeratedly cheerful voice to mask her fear.

Total: 16 members.

That was the entirety of Camp Yohan’s strength.

If he had his way, he’d bring one of the two medics along—but Yohan suppressed the urge. They all knew emergency treatment well enough.

“We start with Incheon Port. Mr. Seo-jun, prepare your pack. Keep it light—no more than a week’s worth.”

“Got it.”

“We move out—”

Everyone swallowed hard.

“Tomorrow morning. No reason to delay.”

* * *

They split up between helicopter and boat to head toward Incheon Port. The helicopter flew in first, sweeping over the dock area like a broom, luring zombies toward the apartment complex. Once it had drawn them away, three squads disembarked from the boat that arrived later.

“Team 1 is assault. Team 2 is escort for the transport team. Team 3 is chopper unit. Team 4 handles transport.”

First, the chopper team would lure zombies as far as possible.

During that time, Team 1 would mow down zombies, Team 2 would cover Team 4, and Team 4 would haul supplies back to the island.

The assignments accounted for Luca and Jae-ho’s ability to operate the helicopter and boat, respectively, in Teams 3 and 4.

“Priority one is fuel. Second is food. Everything else, leave it. And skip low-value food—we won’t be able to carry everything anyway.”

Sweeper, who was escorting the transport team, grumbled beside him.

“Team 1 sounds way more fun. Can’t we be the assault team?”

“You’re the only one on your team who thinks that.”

Yohan tilted his chin toward Sweeper’s teammates. Sweeper turned to Seri, Jiwon, and Jung-eun, who all shook their heads vigorously.

“Pio, got a fix on any zombie locations?”

“Yeah. The dumb ones are clustered around the gray building northeast. Looks like they got stuck at the wall chasing the chopper.”

“Alright. Luca, Berda. Let’s go.”

Yohan gave a brisk order and took the lead, with the three following.

About fifty zombies had gathered at the location.

They had been swaying aimlessly in the direction the helicopter had flown until the four arrived. Then, one by one, the zombies turned and started moving toward them.

“Ong, support us from the rear with the crossbow. Berda on the left, Pio on the right. Fall back gradually as we deal with them.”

Yohan issued the safest possible strategy. Since he didn’t yet know the real-world combat performance of the new recruits, he made sure Sergeant Ong could immediately back up anyone who slipped up.

Yohan stepped in and swung his machete at the nearest zombie’s temple. The rotted skull was severed completely, and the zombie collapsed.

“Haat!”

“Hup!”

The other two shouted with all their strength and joined the fight.

Berda’s weapon was a wooden staff.

He had no idea why she insisted on using such a peaceful weapon when there were plenty of blades available, but she wielded the long staff—nearly as tall as her own body—like a spear, stabbing zombies relentlessly.

“Haat!”

Pio, in contrast, used a short-range weapon. A sharp combat knife that fit four fingers with a spring-loaded locking mechanism near the thumb to allow quick draw and secure grip.

It was a type Yohan had never seen during his scavenging trips for knives, so it was probably handmade.

Setting aside safety, in terms of sheer efficiency, it seemed to be the perfect anti-zombie weapon.

Compact, stable grip, and saved energy even when stabbing.

His movements reflected exactly why he had chosen it.

Just like his personality—neither flashy like Sweeper nor heavy-handed—Pio moved with efficient, precise minimalism to dispatch the zombies. It was an impressive sight.

He had assumed they’d be rusty after being cooped up on the island so long. He was wrong.

These kids were warriors, hardened through relentless training and anti-zombie simulations.

“One left.”

Before he knew it, the two had racked up a higher body count than he had.

None of the three had even gotten splattered with blood. It was hard to believe they’d just fought through a zombie swarm.

Sergeant Ong, who’d only stood by and watched, looked visibly flustered.

Thwack!

Berda drove the staff into the head of the last zombie, then calmly pulled out a wet wipe to clean off the blood.

“Ong, head upstairs and scout for more.”

“Yes, sir.”

After sending Sergeant Ong into the building, Yohan turned to Berda with a bit of advice.

“Berda, you should sharpen the tip of your staff a little.”

“Huh? But…”

“There’s no need to smash them when a simple stab will do. Less tiring that way. Is there some reason not to?”

Berda hesitated for a moment, hopping slightly in place in a fluster. Pressed by Yohan’s expectant gaze, she reluctantly answered.

“Then I wouldn’t be able to hit Pio in the solar plexus…”

“…Just sharpen one end and hit him with the other.”

“Oh! I didn’t think of that!”

As Berda clapped her hands, Pio muttered from behind.

“Or—and I’m just spitballing here—maybe don’t hit me at all? What if you poke me with the sharp end by accident?”

“Well, then that’s just fate. Accept it and die.”

“You flat-chested idiot…”

“Who are you calling an idiot, you little brat?!”

“Not just an idiot—a flat-chested idiot!”

Yohan let out a brief sigh, then shifted his gaze from the two squabbling members to Sergeant Ong, now perched at a vantage point.

“Ong, what do you see?”

“No major groups. One straggler walking around. Should I take it out?”

“Do it.”

As soon as he got the order, Sergeant Ong fired his bolt-action K-14 sniper rifle. The suppressed round whistled out cleanly.

‘He must’ve been itching to fire that thing.’

Considering he was one of the camp’s top fighters and had just been standing there watching, it made sense.