[TV news shows a pixelated screen]
"...The soldiers enter the blocked road and indiscriminately assault civilians. The civilians, helpless to resist..."
**
I took several deep breaths and tried to collect my thoughts. No matter how afraid I was, it was an order. Even if they weren't my usual battery members, I still had to lead them well. A crazy situation was unfolding inside, and I couldn't calm down no matter how many times I repeated that to myself.
The bloodstained roads, the torn bodies lying on the ground, and the people covered in blood wandering aimlessly kept flashing in my mind. The more I tried not to think about it, the more vivid the images became.
Then I remembered the civilian we had saved earlier, the one who had escaped in a car without a word. Ironically, his image reminded me of those still trapped inside and trembling in fear.
We need to save them... We can save them...
My breathing slowly returned. My body still trembled.
Though the mission was labeled a "thorough search," the objective had been unclear until now. Finally, I had a purpose—at least for myself.
I managed to drive the vehicle closer to the troops.
Sergeant Yoo approached me as I neared.
He opened the door, clearly anxious.
"What do we do now, sir?"
I exhaled slowly.
"We go in. Issue ammo, and move out."
"...Understood."
Leaving Yoo behind, I climbed onto the vehicle.
"Attention. I may not be your regular battery commander, but I was your comrade in that last fight."
I looked around at the unfamiliar soldiers. None could hide their fear and confusion. Ji-won, who had been attacked, looked especially fragile—like he might collapse at any moment.
Not knowing them made it harder to help. Damn it. I missed the troops I led every day.
"We're going back into that chaos for a search mission. Corps seems to have no intel. They want information. But I want to save people. There are still people inside who need help. One thing I promise: those we save include all of you. No one here will be left behind or harmed. Any questions?"
A corporal raised his hand.
"Sir... is this a zombie outbreak?"
He looked familiar—likely one of the top soldiers from 1st Battery.
"Zombie outbreak? It might look like that, but we don't know yet. We'll find out ourselves. Any more questions?"
Silence.
"If not, we're issuing ammo. Do not load your weapons—just chamber a round. Load only on my order."
I issued ammo with Sergeant Yoo. Since I didn't have my own, I used Ji-won's magazine—he was clearly unfit for combat.
Please let there be no need to use these rounds.
Soon, the police arrived. It seemed their officers had entered but lost communication. So despite being the ones who requested support, I had to brief them.
I quickly explained the situation and our orders. We divided the area, and our team was assigned to reenter the road with the barricade—the same one we had used earlier.
I took point. Even in front, I could feel the tension behind me.
Unfortunately, that road was our starting point. The same place we had first witnessed the horror.
Going back meant passing the fallen bodies and searching every building.
Still, I never questioned my place at the front. That's what I believed a commander should do.
When we reached the barricade, now a familiar path, chills ran through my body.
The mutilated bodies that had lain there earlier were gone. Only bloodstains remained.
I stopped, and the rest instinctively did too.
Everyone saw what I saw. No one spoke.
After a short silence, I forced myself forward again.
"Don't lose focus. The mission hasn't changed."
I needed to hear that as much as they did.
About 50 meters in, I heard Sergeant Yoo on the radio.
"Sir, please check on Private Jang Ji-won."
I didn't want to leave the front, so I made a request.
"Send Ji-won up to me."
Ji-won staggered forward. His face was pale. As he moved, he lost control and wet himself.
Just one look, and I knew—he could no longer perform his duties.
"Private Jang, don't be afraid. You'll be okay. I promise."
He didn't seem to hear me.
"Get a grip! You'll get attacked again like this!"
No response.
"I swear I'll protect you. Please, just focus!"
Still no change. His eyes were dull, unfocused.
I briefly considered ordering a retreat.
Then he snapped.
"Aaaaargh!"
He screamed and sprinted deeper into Coffee Street.
"Hey! Ji-won!"
Yoo, at the rear, took off after him, breaking our formation.
"No! Stop!"
Another corporal chased after them.
"Goddamn it..."
I cursed out loud and shouted,
"Everyone else stay here!"
Then I ran too.
Behind me came the heavy, unmistakable thudding of military boots.
I looked back—and despaired.
Every soldier was running after me.
Command had broken down. Yoo was now leading all of us in pursuit of Ji-won.
I considered ordering a halt—but didn't.
Ji-won sprinted toward the nearest pension building like a madman.
The road was dotted with puddles of bright red blood and slumped bodies.
Thankfully, no one attacked us.
The pension door was open. Ji-won made it inside.
But even with Yoo running full speed, he couldn't stop the door from closing.
Ji-won had locked it from inside.
Driven by pure terror, he had hidden in the safest-looking place.
"Ji-won! You can't do this!"
Yoo shouted desperately.
"I... I refuse!"
Ji-won screamed back.
Another soldier stepped up gently.
"Ji-won, let's go together. Sergeant Yoo will protect you."
Ji-won collapsed and sobbed.
"I... I can't. I can't do this!"
Then he grabbed his stomach and vomited.
The speaking soldier turned away, unable to watch.
"Goddamn it, cut it out!"
Another shouted.
Mutterings began—curses and encouragement mixed.
Before chaos could spread, I stepped in.
"Everyone, attention!"
Slowly, eyes turned to me.
"We're holding this pension now. No one gets left behind. Ji-won stays as he is for now. Any objections?"
After a pause, Yoo answered.
"None, sir!"
There was no sign of immediate threat nearby. The closest potential danger was the collapsed bodies we had passed.
To defend the pension, we needed barricades.
"Split into two teams. Team 1 is under me. Team 2 under Yoo. We'll operate within a 20-meter radius of the pension. Gather any items that can be used as barriers—trash bins, tables, chairs. Understood?"
"Understood!"
More voices responded this time.
"Team 1: former squad leaders. Team 2: assistant squad leaders. On danger, retreat under team leader control and notify via radio. All threats—individual or group—are to be responded to by everyone. No time for back-briefing. Begin operation!"
"Begin operation!"
Most of the team echoed the command.
It felt like command structure was returning.
Soon, they brought back trash bins, tables, even vending machines. Impressive.
It was enough to block the entrance.
While they worked, I returned to Ji-won.
He was still crying at the door.
"Ji-won. We'll guard this whole building. When you're ready to come out, let us know."
He kept sobbing but met my eyes.
"Try to decide soon, though. I'll protect you, but as you can see, this place isn't perfectly safe."
His reddened eyes wavered.
"So when you're ready, don't hesitate. Open that door. We're going home together."
"..."
No response.
I watched him a little longer, then turned to help with the barricades.
That's when I sensed something behind Ji-won.
A shadow moved in the dark stairwell. I couldn't see clearly, but it staggered toward him and reached out a hand—almost like it was trying to speak.
Someone else is inside the pension...
A chill ran down my spine.
I tried to shout, but no sound came out.
My body froze, with the sickening realization: I was already too late.