The night in Chungmuro Military Safe Zone was different from the streets outside. It was quieter, yes — but it wasn't peace. It was the stillness of caged tension, like a sleeping beast that could awaken at the wrong breath. The zone had walls, structure, and systems in place, but power? Power was still fragmented. The Seo Group's influence was obvious — their voices loud, their presence louder — and it made Hyunwoo grind his teeth.
He walked past soldiers in mismatched uniforms, people gathering around rations, children too tired to cry. None of it felt safe. Just... delayed destruction.
"This zone isn't stable," Hyunwoo thought. "It's a dam with cracks. The pressure's rising."
His goal was simple: find Jeong Yoonsik.
In The Final Apocalypse Chronicles, Jeong Yoonsik had been the exception within the Seo Group — a former battalion commander turned tactical advisor. He was one of the few who never spoke for applause or power.
"If he's here," Hyunwoo thought, "then this place still has a chance."
He headed toward the west sector of the zone, where the internal armory and command tent were located. Ryeok had told him earlier that veterans from the pre-cataclysm military tended to hang around there, clinging to whatever chain of command still existed.
But even after an hour of searching through tents, asking guards, and pushing through crowded barracks — nothing.
"Strange..."
Jeong Yoonsik hadn't shown up since the last scenario. That wasn't right. In the novel, he'd appeared before this. He should have been here already — guiding the scavenger units, pushing back against Seo Jaeyoon's increasingly arrogant power plays.
So why the delay?
Hyunwoo stood still in the cold alley between two tents, the moonlight cutting through the seams above. His fingers tapped against his side, tension creeping up his spine.
Suddenly, a system notification appeared:
[A supporting character's timeline has deviated from the original script.]
[Compensation has been delayed.]
Hyunwoo's eyes widened.
"What...?"
This wasn't the first deviation. But the wording was new.
[Deviation: Jeong Yoonsik is no longer at Chungmuro Military Safe Zone.]
[Warning: Absence of character may result in Scenario Divergence.]
His heart dropped.
"Yoonsik left the zone?"
No. That didn't make sense. He wasn't the type to abandon people. Especially not when the safe zone was under pressure from political parasites like the Seo Group.
Hyunwoo clenched his fists.
"Something happened to him."
He turned and began walking back toward the command tent — faster now. If Jeong Yoonsik was no longer here, then someone must know why. Someone must've seen him leave. Or worse... seen him taken.
As he neared the edge of the central district, he heard voices.
Seo Jaeyoon's.
"...The people need order," Seo Jaeyoon was saying to a small crowd, loud enough for others to hear. "If we don't step up, this zone will collapse."
Hyunwoo stopped at the corner of the tent wall, listening quietly.
"We've already proven we can defend this place. We led the scavenger teams. We handled negotiations with the Doksan Camp. So don't question our leadership."
Murmurs of half-hearted agreement spread. Seo Jaeyoon was building support again — exploiting the absence of the one man who could check his power.
"This is bad."
If Jeong Yoonsik was truly gone... then Hyunwoo would need to take action himself.
He stepped into view.
"Where's Jeong Yoonsik?"
The crowd went silent. Seo Jaeyoon blinked, then smiled that same fake smile Hyunwoo had seen earlier.
"Oh, him?" he said with a slight shrug. "Left a few days ago. Didn't say much. He's a stubborn man."
"Where?"
"South, I think," Seo Jaeyoon said casually. "Wanted to check on another outpost. Haven't heard back."
"Liar," Hyunwoo thought.
But he said nothing.... for now
Hyunwoo was damn sure that Seo Jaeyoon had lied just now, but.. That was not his main priority