RE: Survival - Chapter 14

“Hyung, it’s Gi-moon. I theoretically know how, but I’ve never tried it… And these days, cars come with multi-layered locking systems connected to key fobs, so it’s not possible. Maybe for older models, early 2000s at best.”

“Hmm.”

Yohan’s hopes, raised by having a car mechanic on hand, dimmed slightly.

Seeing the disappointment on Yohan’s face, Gi-moon added sheepishly, “That kind of thing only works in movies, hyung.”

“You know how to change or charge a car battery, right?”

“Of course, hyung. But charging needs two cars or a generator kit, so… What do you need the car for?”

“We’re moving a 2.5-ton transport truck. We’ll park it horizontally at the entrance to block off the large space, then plug any remaining gaps with trucks, a Starex, or an SUV. A 2.5-ton truck and one midsize vehicle should cover it.”

As Yohan laid out his plan, the group’s expressions darkened.

“Isn’t this too dangerous?”

“Is anything safe since the world turned upside down? And it’s up to you guys to make it happen. Anyway, mechanic.”

“Gi-moon, hyung.”

“Sorry, it’s a name that doesn’t roll off my tongue. Gi-moon, your role in this operation is critical.”

“Yes…”

Despite three hours of prior fighting, the realization that there was more to do made everyone tense again.

“Relax. This one’s going to be cathartic. Gi-moon, go check the vehicle supplies section to see if there’s a battery charging kit.”

After a short while, Gi-moon returned empty-handed. Yohan sighed and briefed everyone on the plan.

* * *

Seven people sprinted across the parking lot.

At the front, Jung-hwan shoved zombies aside, clearing a path as they headed for the nearest visible truck.

Jung-hwan climbed onto the truck’s cargo bed, followed by the others. Once safely on board, they shouted and cursed at the zombies.

“You filthy zombies! Over here! Right here!”

“Hey, you brain-dead idiots, look this way!”

As the seven yelled and baited the zombies, the creatures quickly turned their attention toward them, crowding around the truck, their hands flailing.

‘Everyone but me, Gi-moon, and Seong-bae are on distraction duty. Run to the truck thirty meters ahead and draw the zombies over.’

‘By drawing them, you mean…?’

‘Shout. Scream. Curse to your heart’s content.’

The bait team didn’t engage the zombies, just shouted to lure them. Killing a few would risk others climbing over fallen bodies.

The distraction worked. The zombies’ attention shifted to the bait team. Watching from behind the metal door, Yohan signaled with a nod.

“Alright, let’s move.”

Yohan led his group around the truck and into a large vehicle parking area where several transport trucks were stationed.

‘The vehicle team’s job is to secure a truck and block the entrance. Find one with the keys inside.’

Yohan opened the door of the first truck.

Graaa!

A zombie lunged at him from the driver’s seat. Yohan instinctively leaned back, and the creature tumbled out.

Thud! He stomped its head with his boot and drove a knife into its temple. Once he confirmed it was dead, he searched its pockets but found nothing. Clicking his tongue, he checked the ignition—there was a key.

‘Lucky.’

“Seong-bae, get in. When we secure the truck, I’ll honk twice. That’s your signal to move. Once you’ve parked, I’ll park next to you. Don’t open the door until I signal. Park with the truck’s front flush against the wall.”

“Got it.”

“Gi-moon, how’s it looking?”

“The battery’s good to go, hyung.”

“Great. Things are going smoothly.”

Everything was going better than expected. He hadn’t counted on securing a truck on the first try. Maybe this camp was blessed with incredible luck.

Yohan placed Seong-bae in the truck and checked the next vehicle, then another. No keys. It was as if luck had mocked him with a single win.

“Any vehicles you can hotwire?”

“No, none of these are old enough…”

They scoured all the trucks but found no other keys. Yohan pointed toward a nearby row of cars.

“The width’s about the same, so let’s check the SUVs.”

They walked a bit farther. There were many parked cars, but few had keys or even unlocked doors.

They were straying further from the bait team. Yohan pushed down his creeping unease.

Then, they spotted an SUV with four zombies inside. Yohan yanked the door open and stabbed one, then took out the zombie in the passenger seat and dragged it out.

He secured the key from the driver’s zombie and moved to the back seat. Just as he opened the door, ready to strike—

Yohan froze for a moment.

The zombies in the back were children.

They looked about first-grade age.

With a shrill screech, one lunged at him, tiny hands grabbing his gear, underdeveloped teeth gnashing. Yohan hesitated for a fraction of a second before driving his knife into the zombie’s eye. The thrashing ceased.

“Battery status?”

“Dead…”

“Which car uses the same battery?”

“Anything of the same make would use the same battery…”

“Never mind, show me.”

Yohan jammed his knife between the hood and the grille, using it as a lever to pop it open.

“What about this?”

“This one’s dead too.”

“Pick the newest car you can find.”

“That black one.”

Yohan wrenched open its hood. Gi-moon’s eyes lit up.

“This one’s good. It’ll work.”

“Take it out. Let’s go.”

Yohan returned to the vehicle with the key. While Gi-moon prepped the battery replacement, Yohan opened the front door and popped the hood.

“Hyung, zombies, zombies!”

Nothing ever went smoothly.

Yohan quickly stepped out and saw the zombies approaching.

“There are too many. I can’t do this alone. How long?”

“Five minutes…”

“That’s too long!”

“Th-three minutes!”

Thump! Yohan moved behind Gi-moon, covering him while taking down one zombie after another. Growls echoed around them, demanding Yohan’s attention in a 180-degree radius, all while shielding Gi-moon.

‘If it comes to it, I’ll use the gun.’

Zombies kept swarming. Yohan alternated between stabbing and shoving them away. But he was starting to push more than fight.

Gi-moon’s hands trembled as he worked. Though routine, the pressure made him fumble, dropping his hex wrench repeatedly.

“Hurry up!”

“I’m done!”

Gi-moon slid behind Yohan, starting the engine. The rumbling sound felt like salvation. Yohan dodged and wove through the zombies, opening the driver’s door.

“Move. I’m driving.”

Sliding into the seat, Yohan hit the horn twice. Zombies clung to the car.

In the distance, the transport truck rolled forward, halting perfectly at the parking lot ramp without braking. A clean drift.

“Wow, that guy drives like a pro, hyung.”

“Yeah. Best driver, hands down. Hold on. I’ll show you some top-tier Tetris skills.”

“Driving skills, you mean?”

“Yeah, buckle up.”

Gi-moon blinked at the seatbelt command, quickly understanding why.

As Yohan accelerated, the thudding of zombies hitting the car rang out.

He drove toward the entrance, spinning the wheel to reverse near it. The car scraped the wall, echoing loudly as the warning beeps blared inside.

“Hyung, we’re gonna hit!”

“I know! Hold tight! The airbag won’t deploy!”

“Hyuung!”

Screeching, followed by a loud thud. The rear bumper crumpled, stopping short of flipping the vehicle. The parking lot entrance was perfectly blocked by two vehicles.

Gi-moon tumbled out of the car, gasping, while Yohan held his neck as he stepped out, groaning.

“Hyung, you’re too rough…”

“Sorry, got carried away.”

The crash had attracted zombies, but most were still distracted by the bait team, leaving Yohan’s group relatively safe.

Yohan opened Seong-bae’s truck door. Seong-bae gave a thumbs-up.

“Hyung, seriously… Never thought I’d be swooning over a guy before.”

“Yeah, let’s hope that’s the last time.”

With a wave, Yohan signaled the bait team to engage the zombies. The slaughter began. Yohan led Gi-moon and Seong-bae back to the truck.

An hour later, when no more zombies emerged, the exhausted group collapsed. Seri lay sprawled across the truck bed.

“Ah! I can’t move a finger!”

“Phew. How many did we kill?”

“No idea. Too many to count.”

“I didn’t think there’d be so many.”

As the chatter died down, Yohan and the vehicle team walked over. Those resting stood up, stepping down from the truck.

Byung-jin stumbled as he dismounted, and Yohan caught him.

“Thanks. You were awesome earlier.”

“Yeah, oppa, you’re like… not even human.”

Seri echoed the sentiment, and Jung-hwan added,

“Seriously, hyung. What were you, some kind of commando?”

“Just a regular office worker.”

Ignoring Jung-hwan’s skeptical look, Yohan helped everyone down from the truck.

“When do we clear the upper floors?”

“There probably aren’t many left. With all the noise, the zombies would have come down.”

“So, it’s really over now.”

“Yeah. Just cleanup left. Good job, everyone.”

Their faces lit with hope. Accomplishing what had seemed impossible renewed their spirits.

The simple acknowledgment of their hard work washed away tension and fatigue.

“It would have been nice if everyone was here,” Gi-moon muttered, looking more confident. Yohan nodded, sharing the sentiment. If they had all worked together, they would have grown stronger as a group.

But there would be more chances, and respecting each person’s pace was important.

“Gather the others. Time to clean up.”

“Yes, hyung,” Jung-hwan answered crisply.