RE: Survival - Chapter 82

Yohan trailed off and stood up. Every member of the search team wore a determined expression. Just as they were about to move out, Hyuk raised his hand.

“Hyung, shouldn’t we also inform the Family Foundation Camp and the Mercenary Camp about this?”

Yohan stared at him. It was a very Hyuk-like suggestion. If they were going to use them as bait, it was only fair to at least provide them with enough information to protect themselves.

Though his reasoning was a bit too soft-hearted, this time, he wasn’t wrong. Even if they planned to use them as shields, leaving them completely in the dark would be too cruel.

If the ambush failed, the enemy would head straight for the Family Foundation Camp. They would have to hold out until Yohan’s team could attack from behind. Being caught defenseless would be disastrous.

“Fine. Go tell them to strengthen their defenses—there may be remaining enemy forces approaching.”

“Got it!”

“And in exchange for that information, bring back a PRC-999K radio.”

“Huh?”

“What? If we’re giving something, we should get something in return. Now go. If you don’t bring back the radio, don’t bother coming back—just live there instead.”

“…Hyung.”

Hyuk, who had been thrilled that his suggestion was accepted, quickly pouted at the extra demand but was shoved out by Yohan.

“No more questions, right?”

“Wait, Yohan.”

Hajin raised his hand again.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I trust you. Again.”

Yohan blinked at the sudden statement.

“What nonsense is that?”

“I trusted you before. I trust you now. And I will trust you in the future. We’ve put our lives in your hands. So… don’t you think it’s time to tell us the truth?”

Yohan didn’t need to ask, ‘Tell you what?’

Everyone here knew Yohan was hiding something.

And yet, no one asked. Because they knew that even if they did, he wouldn’t answer.

Yohan nodded. They deserved to hear the truth. They had risked their lives for his words alone.

It wasn’t about whether they believed him or not.

“I’m always grateful to you all. Believe me or don’t—but once this battle is over, I’ll tell you everything.”

Then he added one last thing.

“So not a single one of you better die. We’re winning this clean.”

—

Jung-hwan ran at full speed.

Yohan had given him two hours—that was the deadline. He had to gather every survivor at the search team’s camp within that time.

It wasn’t impossible. Even factoring in the time needed to gather everyone and move, it would take no more than thirty minutes to an hour. But urgency still pressed on him.

As he ran, he continuously called over the radio.

“This is Jung-hwan. Camp leaders, please respond.”

Silence.

After several calls, a reply finally came through as he passed the outer ring road.

— “Jung-hwan? It’s Seo-jun.”

— “We hear you.”

Voices from four different camps responded in succession. Jung-hwan quickly continued.

“I’m heading to the camp now. Gather every single survivor in front of the mart immediately.”

— “Everyone?”

“Yes. Not a single one can be left behind. This is Yohan hyung’s order.”

A short pause. Then, reluctant confirmations came through.

Thirty minutes later, Jung-hwan arrived at the mart. He took a deep breath and scanned the crowd.

A decent number of people had gathered, but it wasn’t enough.

The Park Town Camp members were missing—only Marco and a handful of his guards were there.

“Where’s everyone else?”

“They’re busy. They want to know what’s going on before they move…”

“We don’t have time for that! Get them out here now!”

Jung-hwan’s raised voice was met with silence. Old Man Park stepped forward, placing a calming hand on his shoulder.

“Calm down, Jung-hwan. Didn’t Yohan warn that gathering in one place could trigger a zombie wave? At least explain the situation first.”

The old man’s words steadied him. Right. There was still time.

Jung-hwan took a deep breath and explained.

He told them about the battle outside, about the Seoul Survival Union, and how they were on their way here.

Panic flickered across the survivors’ faces.

“You can’t just go around picking fights like that! You’re putting the entire camp at risk!”

Marco’s words made Jung-hwan clench his fists.

Marco flinched under his sharp glare but quickly changed the subject.

“Then we need to move the supplies first.”

“There’s no time for that. There are emergency rations at the search camp. We need to move now.”

“You expect us to just abandon all this?”

“We’re not abandoning it. We’re ensuring everyone gets to safety first.”

“Wait a moment.”

Marco raised his palm toward Jung-hwan and whispered with his people. Then he shook his head.

“Sorry, but we’re not going.”

“This is Yohan hyung’s order. Everyone moves. If you refuse, we’ll use force.”

“You can’t be serious, Jung-hwan!”

Frustration boiled in his chest. Marco and his group had no right to argue.

Since joining, they had contributed, but the bulk of their supplies came from Yohan and the search team’s efforts.

“We’ll barricade ourselves in the mart instead. We’re not letting all this food fall into raiders’ hands—”

Marco never finished his sentence.

Seo-jun’s revolver was pointed straight at his face.

“Move. Now.”

The cold steel silenced him.

“You think Yohan gave that order for no reason? Have you forgotten who kept you alive? I don’t care what else you do, but disobeying Yohan is not an option.”

“Y-You’re pointing a gun at me?!”

Marco’s guards drew their weapons in response. The mart’s perimeter guards did the same.

Tension suffocated the air.

Jung-hwan exhaled through gritted teeth, stepping between them as his head throbbed.

“Calm down! Please!”

Jung-hwan’s sharp voice rang out, making both Marco and Seo-jun flinch.

He was a key figure in the camp—everyone knew how crucial his role was and how much trust Yohan placed in him. Yet, because of his naturally warm and easygoing demeanor, he had always been approachable, someone people felt comfortable around.

Seo-jun had never seen him lose his temper like this before.

Jung-hwan physically lowered Marco and Seo-jun’s weapons. Seeing this, the others hesitated before gradually lowering their own guns.

“Everyone, Yohan hyung wants to save all of you! The people we’re fighting aren’t just survivors like us—they’re monsters! They will gut you, violate you, and throw you to the zombies. If this place gets discovered, we die whether we have supplies or not. But if we stay hidden, everything remains intact. Even if we lose the supplies, Yohan hyung will replenish them in no time. There’s no time to argue. Please, let’s move!”

Jung-hwan’s desperate plea made Marco wet his lips before nodding.

“I’ll gather the Park Town Camp members.”

“I’m coming with you. You’ll need help.”

Just moments ago, they had nearly shot each other, but now they were moving together, scouring Park Town Camp to gather the scattered survivors.

The atmosphere was tense.

Centered around Suhee, a group of female survivors had taken a defensive stance, clearly unwilling to interact with Jung-hwan.

It took the combined persuasion of Seo-jun, Jung-hwan, and Marco before they finally, albeit reluctantly, began preparing to leave.

Jung-hwan felt as if a heavy weight was pressing on his chest. He was starting to understand why Yohan had grown so cold and ruthless.

“Ah-young! Where’s Ah-young?”

“Huh? She was here this morning.”

Jung-hwan instinctively glanced at his watch. Time was slipping away, and his nerves were fraying.

Why was everything moving so slowly?

He checked the total headcount of Park Town Camp.

One person was missing.

Jung-hwan carefully cross-referenced the roster, confirming that one name was unaccounted for.

His heart pounded as he turned to Marco.

“Who’s left? This person, Ah-young—where is she?”

“Ah-young? She’s not here?”

At Marco’s words, the camp members stirred.

Jung-hwan had heard of Ah-young before—a quiet high school student, barely noticeable. She had transferred from the Teacher Camp when the groups merged, but she had always kept to herself.

‘The time…’

Jung-hwan checked his watch again. Thirty minutes until the deadline.

He felt a creeping unease, but there was still time. If he moved fast, he might be able to find her.

‘Not a single one can be left behind.’

Yohan’s words echoed in his head.

That wasn’t a request—it was a command.

“I’ll go find her. The rest of you, move to the search team’s camp immediately. Don’t take a single step outside until I get back.”

Jung-hwan instructed them to move. The search team’s camp wasn’t large enough to house everyone comfortably, but this wasn’t the time for complaints.

His voice was firm.

“Do not make a sound. Act like you don’t exist. If you hear anything loud, get to the basement and lock yourselves in. Don’t come out until the supplies run out. Seo-jun ahjussi, take charge.”

“Jung-hwan, what about you?”

“I’ll catch up after I find Ah-young.”

Jung-hwan reassured him with a determined expression. Seo-jun nodded and began leading the group away.

Once the place was empty, Jung-hwan scoured every inch of the camp.

He searched thoroughly, but no one was left inside.

Clicking his tongue, he moved outside to check the area surrounding Park Town Camp.

The camp was located in a large multi-purpose shopping center at the entrance of an apartment complex.

The main road lay in front, while apartment buildings sprawled behind it.

Technically, the apartment area was off-limits. But a while ago, the search team had already cleared the area, drawing out zombies and making it relatively safe.

Tall perimeter fences surrounded the complex, adding an extra layer of security.

If Ah-young wasn’t inside the camp, she was likely somewhere within the apartment complex.

Jung-hwan controlled his breathing.

‘What if… she’s not just missing?’

What if she had run away?

Or worse—what if she was connected to the enemy?

But that seemed unlikely.

Ah-young had joined alongside Lieutenant Ahn after a brutal fight against a motorcycle gang. If she had been a traitor all along, something would have happened by now.

And besides—

Yohan had already ruled out the possibility of spies from other camps.

Jung-hwan didn’t know if that was because Yohan had some kind of proof or if he was just trying to prevent paranoia from spreading. Either way, the thought of betrayal didn’t sit right with him.

He checked his watch again.

Fifteen minutes until the deadline.