Chapter 42
The existence of nearly forty assailants. And the atrocities and threats they committed. It was a shocking reality for both Seo-jun and Old Man Park, who had begun to think their camp was becoming a livable place.
The number of enemies exceeded the combined population of both camps. If they only counted those who could properly fight, they wouldn’t even amount to half.
“They’re moving around our surroundings, killing people indiscriminately. We don’t even know where they came from.”
“Why would they do such a thing?”
“We don’t know their purpose… Supplies and survival are merely tools. It seems like the violence and slaughter itself is their goal.”
“…That’s absurd.”
At first, no one would have thought that they moved with the intent to kill. Perhaps they had initially been ordinary survivors whose goal was survival.
When the government and military collapsed, and they awakened to violence for some reason, that violence could consume the last shred of their humanity.
If the violence of an organization isn’t suppressed from the start, in this era, that group would only become increasingly extreme.
Conflicts, beatings, and the subsequent murders and massacres between survivors would have led them to a growing thirst.
“Yohan, what should we do? There must be a reason you called for this meeting.”
Unlike Seo-jun, whose agitation was visible, Old Man Park asked with a calm expression.
“To be honest, we are well-armed enough to withstand most threats. Our supplies are also sufficient to the point that we don’t need to act independently until the threat is gone. However.”
Yohan took a deep breath and continued.
“We’ve never killed a person before. Killing dozens of zombies is not the same as killing a human. We must be prepared to kill them if we are to fight. They may look like humans, but they aren’t. If we hesitate to kill them, their blades will carve us apart.”
“…”
“That’s why I called this meeting, to ask for your resolve and cooperation.”
A silence heavier than gravity descended.
“Please be prepared to kill them. This message goes for those not present here as well.”
The scouting team, who had already seen and experienced the situation firsthand, must have prepared themselves long ago, but the people who remained in the camp were different.
For them, the only threats had been zombies, hunger, and survival itself.
Killing people. Resolve and cooperation.
Yohan neither forced nor persuaded them further. Over the past few months, while they had been outside engaging in external activities, the three of them had gained considerable trust among the survivors inside the camp.
Since it wasn’t possible to bring everyone completely to his side, the middle managers would ultimately have to take on that role.
“If I’m going to persuade the people, I’ll need to pick up a gun again. It’s been so long since civil defense training that I can’t even remember when it was, haha.”
“Yeah, I thought you handed me a gun for no reason. So this was the plan all along, huh?”
Old Man Park and Seo-jun each responded. It wasn’t the reaction Yohan expected. He thought they might suggest attempting dialogue first, or voice their objections to killing people. Before Yohan could say anything, Seo-jun continued.
“Hey, Yohan. Relax your face. Why are you sitting there looking so grim by yourself?”
“…Huh?”
“We’re not saying we’ll go out and kill them first. We’re talking about stopping those bastards from coming in. Did you think we’d oppose that? Or did you think we’d throw away our lives and say, ‘Please kill us’?”
Seo-jun tore a sheet of paper from the notebook he always carried and handed it to Yohan.
“We know our lives are precious, too. Sure, we’ve lived pathetically for a long time, but we’re not the same people anymore. And.”
Yohan glanced at the paper Seo-jun handed him.
On it, a few lines were written:
– Camp Rules
1. Infected individuals are killed without exception.
2. All acts of violence, including rape, assault, and murder against comrades, are strictly forbidden.
3. Any action taken against an individual threatening one’s safety is considered self-defense.
4. Any action against non-comrades will also be regarded as self-defense if the threat is uncertain.
5. Outside survivors who may become a future threat to the camp must be dealt with.
6. Essential supplies are managed collectively.
7. Those who don’t work don’t receive rations.
8. Ration amounts are based on ability and performance.
“This is…”
These were the very rules Yohan had forced upon them when the camp was first established.
“Why are you showing me this?”
“I distributed copies of this to everyone in the camp. I even told them to keep it on hand at all times.”
Seo-jun smirked and tucked the paper into Yohan’s chest pocket.
“You’re the only one who needs to really understand it now.”
Yohan looked stunned. How had he viewed these people until now? He had believed they were incompetent, stagnant, and incapable of growth.
Even as he acknowledged their progress, part of him had still underestimated them as fragile, greenhouse flowers.
“Jung-hwan, let the others in.”
At Seo-jun’s words, Jung-hwan opened the meeting room door. The people who had been eavesdropping outside the door flinched and scattered in surprise.
“Everyone, come in.”
Six survivors who had not been part of the meeting hesitantly entered.
“Honestly, we already knew. Jung-hwan told us everything.”
“Did he?”
“Yeah. So stop treating us like kids and give us our orders, Captain.”
Seo-jun, speaking as if representing the survivors, spoke to Yohan in a low voice.
“We trust you.”
As he met the eyes of the camp survivors looking back at him, Yohan was overwhelmed with complicated emotions.
—
After the long meeting ended, Yohan sat alone in his quarters, surrounded by maps of the supermarket’s interior and the city. He deliberated endlessly.
He repeated countless scenarios and assumptions, predicting responses and variables for each. The more he imagined the worst possible outcomes, the more his mind was flooded with overwhelming contingencies.
Even as his head throbbed as if it might split, Yohan didn’t stop thinking.
Endless effort, consideration, and review were the only reasons Yohan had survived. Apart from his experience, years of accumulated know-how, sharp instincts, or decent athleticism and shooting skills, he had nothing to boast about. He wasn’t some movie hero with special abilities or an extraordinary mind.
Yohan desperately longed for survival more than anyone else, moving his body ceaselessly. He convinced himself that was the only way to live.
“Phew…”
A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
Incomplete information and uncertain predictions tangled in his mind, creating chaos.
Would they really attack this place?
If they did, when would it happen?
How would they do it?
How threatening would they be?
Despite thorough preparations and superior armament, the psychological unease remained. No matter how much he thought about it, the unsettling sense that something was missing refused to go away.
Why do they commit such slaughter?
—Because it brings them joy.
How do they break people down?
—They scout survivors in advance, collect information while lurking around their camp, and strike with a single ambush.
Why don’t they attack immediately but instead circle around?
—At best, it’s to strengthen their armament. At worst, it’s to familiarize themselves with the terrain.
Why don’t they settle in one place and instead roam around?
—…
Yohan’s line of self-questioning hit a wall. No matter how much he thought, there was no clear answer. Even when he tried to add plausible reasoning, their actions remained incomprehensible.
Were they wandering to hunt for people?
No.
For safety, having a set camp while slaughtering would be far more stable, and humanity still had enough survivors. Though if they had done that, they likely wouldn’t have survived the zombie wave.
“Could it be…”
His thoughts culminated in a single hypothesis.
They knew about the zombie wave.
Yohan instinctively shook his head at such a conclusion. After just six months? That made no sense. He himself had only realized the pattern a year and a half later, after losing many camps. There was no way they could have figured it out in just six months.
A chilling, inexplicable shiver ran down his spine.
“Oppa!”
“Ah, jeez!”
Yohan clutched his chest as Seri suddenly burst through the door, calling him. He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he hadn’t noticed her approach.
“What’s up with you, looking so disheveled all of a sudden?”
“What is it?”
“Ji-hye made snacks. She said to come eat.”
“I’m fine.”
“Oh, come on, just come eat! If you don’t, Ji-hye will be disappointed.”
Yohan waved his hand dismissively, clearly annoyed.
Seri, however, refused to give up. She dragged a chair next to him and sat down.
“You know what you’re like, Oppa?”
“…”
“You’re always working. You’re a complete workaholic. I’ve never seen you take a break, not even for a second.”
“I’m fine.”
“Resting is just as important as training hard. Isn’t that what ‘you’ always say?”
Sometimes, she was annoyingly sharp.
Yohan let out a deep sigh.
“What snack did she make?”
“Potato pancakes!”
“I hate potatoes. They taste awful.”
“…”
“I’ll rest, so get out.”
Seri puffed her cheeks out in protest.
Then, with a mischievous grin, she suddenly leaned in close, resting her chin on her hands.
“What about Seri, then?”
She blinked her big, innocent eyes at him in an exaggerated, playful manner.
“No. You only act like this when I say I’m resting. Be honest—do you hate it when I relax?”
“Ugh, don’t be ridiculous.”
“And can you cut back on the inappropriate jokes and harassment?”
“What? Don’t you like it?”
Seri widened her eyes dramatically and blinked again, clearly teasing him. The fruity scent of her perfume wafted through the air, making Yohan frown and push her back.
“Ugh, I should’ve disciplined you properly on the first day. That was my mistake.”
“Well, who told you to leave room for hope?”
No point in arguing with her. It would only waste his breath.
“Fine, let’s go eat those potato pancakes.”
“Didn’t you just say you hate potatoes?”
“What are you talking about? Potatoes are delicious. You shouldn’t be picky about food.”
Yohan’s chair scraped loudly against the floor as he stood up and walked out. Seri let out a small, amused laugh as she watched his retreating figure.
—
Yohan chewed on a potato pancake served in a paper cup as he climbed up to the rooftop. The faint summer breeze greeted him as his eyes took in the city’s gray landscape.
It had always been desolate and dark, but as more zombies were burned during the search missions, the ashes and dust accumulated, making even the daytime appear increasingly gloomy.
He raised his binoculars and scanned the surroundings. An hour passed before traces of the assailants appeared and disappeared again. They were spotted about twenty minutes away from this place.
Their movements continued to reveal and hide themselves repeatedly. There was no doubt about it—they were circling the area.
The surveillance continued until twilight fell, and the sun was obscured by clouds, casting an orange glow over the gray sky. As the sky deepened from gray to red to orange, their movements finally disappeared from view. Even as pitch darkness approached, they did not reappear.
The last confirmed location was Gaenam Elementary School, about ten minutes from the two camps.
Yohan instinctively sensed it.
‘Tonight was the night.’
