[TV News plays]
"Breaking news. The violence that began in Coffee Street, Gangneung, has reportedly spread to areas including Gangneung City Hall. Some social media users are speculating the involvement of a 'rage-inducing virus'..."
**
We passed the empty streets and returned to the barricade.
Bloodstains no longer fazed me.
The bodies that had been lying over those stains had vanished.
Were they moved... or did they move themselves?
It had been fear before. Now it was just questions.
I parked behind the barricade and assessed the situation.
A sigh escaped me.
For some reason, people are going wild. Not just panicking—they're attacking. Biting.
Yet, some still retain their sanity.
Even the violent ones still looked like normal people.
Then there's the team.
Sergeant Yoo—no need to elaborate. Competent. Still calm under pressure. I recall he said he was a 4th dan in Taekwondo.
Quick to act, and usually right.
Corporal Kim Se-hyun—nursing major. His first-aid skills are crucial. In this scenario, maybe even more valuable than Yoo.
Private Jang Ji-won—I remember his name from the roster, flagged as someone who might need extra care.
And now he's been bitten.
His injuries are severe. His shoulder was torn open. Temporarily bandaged, but he's no longer combat-effective.
The rest?
Some cursed Ji-won, others tried to comfort him—but all of them chased after him earlier. Probably followed Yoo's lead.
Can Yoo keep them together?
I don't know.
And me—can I command in this chaos?
Can I get everyone out of here alive?
I lost myself in thought.
But... is now the time to be lost in thought?
Whether I can or can't doesn't matter.
I haven't always done only what I could do.
I've done what I had to do.
I need to stay sharp.
I stepped out and approached the soldiers.
Their heads hung low.
I took a deep breath—silently.
Then said, "Heads up. There's nothing on the ground."
Calmly. I had to hide my emotions.
"We're heading back to the pension. That'll be our base as we prepare to escape."
But their eyes were vacant.
That's when Yoo spoke up.
"Do we have a plan, sir?"
"..."
I said nothing—just looked at him.
He seemed to think for a moment, then nodded.
"I'll follow your lead, sir."
That gave me strength.
I headed for the pension alone.
"Let's move."
The troops hesitated.
"What are you waiting for? It's dangerous here," Yoo said.
They hesitated again—but began moving.
...Once inside, I need to identify the soldiers.
"Move the vehicle too. Clear the barricade. Reinforce the pension's defenses."
The troops dismounted and, under Yoo's lead, cleared the barricade.
But they moved hesitantly.
Yoo kept talking to them.
"The lieutenant is brilliant. Trust him. We always admired Bravo Battery."
Alpha Battery's CO lacked presence and care for his men. Not a single call from him while his troops are here.
Some responded coldly.
"When have we ever benefited from a CO? Maybe this one's no different."
...Seriously? Right in front of me?
As I debated whether to ignore it, Yoo spoke.
"I trust him. You just don't understand how close Bravo is."
While they chatted, the barricade was cleared.
We relocated to the pension.
There, I reminded everyone the vehicles were critical for our escape. I also ordered them to gather more materials to strengthen the defenses.
This time, I joined in.
The soldiers hesitated, but followed orders.
I left Ji-won in Se-hyun's care, assigning two others to stay with them—one inside, one to watch from outside.
Soon, the gathered materials formed a messy but functional barricade. Like a maze.
It would work against enemies charging in straight lines.
...And yet, I had a strange feeling.
People were coming.
Far down the road, figures started running toward us.
Were they just people—or something else?
"Everyone inside! Now! I'll watch the perimeter!"
The troops rushed inside. I hid among the debris.
Time passed.
Not much. But it felt endless.
Fear was returning.
I peeked out carefully.
The approaching people were now wandering aimlessly.
Some came closer. Others drifted away.
I exhaled silently.
Should I keep reinforcing the barricade—or wait?
It was holding. That was proven.
Time to check on the troops.
As I walked to the pension, I thought.
Why did they come?
Why did they scatter?
No answers.
Inside, I assigned two new guards.
This time, I instructed them to hide behind the barricade—and if spotted, to report immediately.
Then I called Yoo.
"There should be keys in the front office, right? Use them to assign rooms—three per room. Let the others rest. Also, I want to speak to everyone one by one."
"Understood."
He moved to act—
"Oh, you're first. You're the senior."
"...Got it."
He looked surprised, but complied.
He returned with some soldiers and handed me a key.
"Room 401. For you, sir."
I took it.
"Put me with Ji-won and Se-hyun. Even if it's awkward, I'll manage."
He looked at me like I was eccentric.
Three per room meant one room of two. That'd be his.
"Don't stay alone. Pick someone to share with. No one moves alone."
"Understood."
Things were finally stabilizing.
I went to 401.
Inside the pension, I felt a bit of relief.
But when I opened the door, I was stunned.
Three uninjured women shrieked at the sight of me.
"Kyahhh!"
"Waaah!"
Their screams startled me more than their presence.
I screamed back.
"Wait! Don't scream!"
Would they understand me?
The three clung to each other, staring at me.
The screams faded.
"Y-you're human?"
One asked.
I was just as relieved.
"Yes. Please stop yelling."
Then I paused.
Should I leave?
This was their room.
We stood awkwardly.
Thankfully, a soldier arrived—drawn by the noise.
He looked confused.
"Are they... sane?"
What a rude question.
Then a radio call came.
"The shouting made those people look this way. They're coming closer. What's happening up there?"
Something happened, all right.
"All's fine. Are they just watching?"
"Yes. No aggression."
"Got it. Maintain silence. No replies."
I tried to slip out quietly.
Then one of the women spoke.
"You're just leaving?"
More shocking than blood and gore.
What should I do?
No clue.
"Just... stay safe in here, okay?"
I walked out.
What did I just say?
I knocked again.
"..."
No response.
"Sorry, it's the soldier from before. I said something weird. I was flustered. Just... stay here. We'll get you out. If you need food or water, let me know. I'll be in the next room. Don't leave, okay? Promise me you won't go outside."
Then came a reply.
"Can you come in for a second?"
I entered cautiously.
They were still huddled together.
"You're really human, right? You'll save us?"
They wanted reassurance.
That helped me regain composure.
"Of course. I will. I promise."
"Please. Save us. Okay?"
It just got harder.
But I now had one more reason to make it back.