[TV News plays]
"...Around 11 a.m., a minor explosion occurred at a research facility located in Yangyang-gun. One researcher is reported missing, but no other casualties have been confirmed so far, according to police and fire authorities..."
**
"Aaaaaagh!"
Ji-won's scream rang out.
Every soldier turned toward the pension entrance.
A shadow loomed over Ji-won, biting into his shoulder.
Too late, I thought.
Without hesitation, I ran and kicked the door.
But the door was sturdier than expected.
It shook violently, but didn't budge or break.
One soldier—who somehow had a wooden club—rushed over and began pounding on the door.
Sergeant Yoo joined in, and together we kicked repeatedly.
The door held firm.
After several attempts, the club snapped, and pain flared in my ankle.
Finally, with a shriek, the door gave way.
As the shadow became visible—it was a man. He charged at the soldier with the club.
The soldier swung instinctively and hit him square in the face.
For a moment, I feared we had killed him. The weight of possibly beating a civilian to death crushed my chest.
But then came something unbelievable.
Despite the blow, the man slowly crawled toward Yoo.
He couldn't stand, yet his relentless crawl was unnatural and terrifying.
Some soldiers froze, huddled together.
Others, gripped by fear, lashed out violently.
Several joined the soldier and beat the crawling man.
Yoo and I stood still—both immobilized for our own reasons.
A short moment of terror had birthed a new chaos.
"Stop!"
Yoo shouted.
I snapped out of it.
"Stop!"
It was all I could say.
"I said stop!"
I shouted again. Finally, the troops halted.
"Is he... dead?"
I asked.
No response. No movement.
Someone had to act. Me.
I approached the man—victim or assailant, I wasn't sure.
Oddly, I didn't tremble.
What happens when someone dies?
Honestly, I had no idea.
But this man was dead. His blood-soaked face told me everything.
"We're leaving this man here. But remember this location—we'll return and bury him properly."
I spoke softly, yet everyone listened.
"Anyone here know how to stop bleeding?"
I looked around.
A corporal who had comforted Ji-won raised his hand.
"I do, sir."
"Treat Ji-won. Once you're done, we move. Understood?"
"Yes... sir."
The soldiers murmured in response.
Yoo stepped in.
"Team 2, with me. We'll move the deceased inside. Team 1, help the lieutenant with Ji-won. Understood?"
I led Team 1 to the pension.
Ji-won had collapsed on his own vomit, but no one flinched anymore.
The corporal pulled out a medical kit and began treating the wound.
"What's your name?"
He answered while applying pressure.
"Corporal Kim Se-hyun, sir."
I wondered where he had learned to treat wounds.
He seemed experienced.
"Where did you learn this?"
Eyes and hands still focused, he replied,
"I study nursing. I was assigned as a medic to the 5-minute team."
I didn't ask further.
I could now guess what kind of soldier Ji-won was and their bond.
"You must've looked after him a lot. Report when you're done. Team 1, maintain perimeter."
Meanwhile, Yoo led Team 2 to move the body into the pension.
Kim remained focused.
Team 2 went upstairs, checking for open rooms.
I heard boots on stairs, door handles turning, doors rattling.
Then, a door opened.
"Room 502. Sergeant Yoo."
A voice reported.
"Copy. On my way."
Yoo's voice replied.
I murmured to myself.
"502... 502... 502."
Yoo radioed in.
"Deceased placed temporarily in Room 502."
"Copy. 502 confirmed."
"Bleeding stopped."
Kim reported.
Sweating, hands bloody, he wiped them and awaited instructions.
I grabbed my radio.
"All units, withdraw. Regroup at the entrance barricade."
Team 1 heard me.
Kim supported Ji-won but struggled alone.
Just as I stepped in to help, Team 2 returned and assisted.
With all units exiting, I suddenly felt compelled to see Room 502.
Inside lay the person who had attacked us—whom we had... killed.
Yoo hadn't thought to cover the body.
I was glad I came.
I quietly draped a blanket over him.
He looked like any ordinary person.
I stood for a moment of silence, then left.
Outside, soldiers took turns helping Ji-won.
No orders needed. Their camaraderie showed.
Taking turns, they supported him as we left the cursed road.
Fear. Chaos. Death. I would have to report it all.
"Bravo Battery CO reporting. Special events occurred during the recon mission."
I omitted Ji-won's escape.
I reported that he had been injured while we fortified the pension, and that a civilian attacked a soldier, who responded in self-defense—resulting in the civilian's death.
The commander didn't hide his displeasure.
Especially about the last part.
"Who did it?"
"I did. He charged me, and I struck without thinking."
"What are you saying? Who's taking respo—"
"I take full responsibility. My failure in control."
I cut him off.
"We're returning. Mission compromised."
I spoke calmly.
"You bastard, do you think this is acceptable?"
"Ji-won needs treatment. We'll stop by a nearby hospital first."
I hung up.
In the military, hanging up on a superior is a major offense.
But I didn't care.
The soldiers stared at me.
All eyes were on me.
"Let's go back. But first—let's get Ji-won treated. Understood?"
I didn't expect an answer.
It was a command disguised as a suggestion.
"Where's the nearest major hospital? Look it up."
I ordered Yoo.
He silently checked his phone.
"Gangneung Dowoen Hospital is closest."
"Then that's where we go."
The troops were already boarded.
As I started my vehicle, Yoo radioed in.
"Sir! I saw something while searching hospitals—news just broke about Gangneung."
He sent the link.
[Gangneung Incident Expands]
What now?
I clicked the link.
It had a sensational title but no substance.
"Gangneung is under military-police lockdown. The violence has spread beyond Coffee Street."
No real info.
Even the claim of lockdown was a lie.
Then my phone rang.
"Bravo? It's the Operations Officer."
"Yes, sir."
"The commander is furious. Apologize when you return."
Yeah, figures that's your priority.
"Situation's bad. Think you can make it out?"
We had to try, regardless.
"If not, you can set up a forward base and wait. Report back."
Don't act like that's a favor.
"I'll assess the situation."
I answered half-heartedly.
I grabbed the radio.
"Let's try to leave. Once we see it for ourselves, we'll understand."
I started driving.
But we didn't get far.
A massive car accident blocked Anmok Intersection.
Unpassable.
Wasn't this area under police control?
Then I saw him.
The same officer who had guided us to Coffee Street.
But something was off.
"Groooaaaagh..."
Damn it.
That familiar sound.
Like the crazed citizens, he too was bleeding and charging at us.
The problem: he wasn't alone.
Over ten people rushed at the vehicles.
"Reverse! Back to the barricade! Now!"
I shouted into the radio.
Did they hear me?
Thankfully, the 5-minute team began reversing fast.
It seemed the attackers couldn't keep up.
A mere hundred meters, and things had deteriorated this much?
The chaos was spreading beyond Coffee Street.
Now, it felt like the city itself wanted to devour us.