Chapter 19

17. Premonition

It had been a while since I received a TV broadcast.

The President is going to make a statement.

I didn’t listen properly.

I had to unclog the sewer pipes, which required me to constantly move between the air-raid shelter and the outside.

There was no need to listen properly.

"The government's relocation to Jeju Island is not true."

He started barking from the beginning.

I started the pipe work with the TV on.

The main culprit blocking the pipe was the leaves and trash piled around the sewage outlet.

The trash was one thing, but where did the leaves come from?

"The recent frequent takeoffs of military aircraft are not for moving government assets to Jeju Island, but due to the threat from Japan. On the 3rd, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces Navy sank a humanitarian asylum ship carrying 150 South Korean citizens without warning shots, and... "

I moved back and forth between the air-raid shelter and the outside while listening to the broadcast intermittently.

The distance between the sewer pipe and the air-raid shelter is considerable.

A small stream flows around the small hill where the main air-raid shelter is located, but the flow is low and there are too many eyes, so I installed the sewage outlet at a distance from the stream.

It turned out to be a good decision, but it’s a bit troublesome at times like this.

"Some government assets have indeed moved to Jeju Island, but this was handled unilaterally by Lee Sang-hoon, the director of the National Crisis Information Strategy Bureau... "

I thought about turning off the TV there, but I decided to keep it on and continue working, thinking I might not hear such a broadcast again.

I reinforced the outlet with a wire mesh and tried to let the water flow.

It was clean.

While I was at it, I also cleaned the septic tank.

This involves using a hose and pump to suck up the sludge at the bottom of the septic tank and send it elsewhere.

I listened to the broadcast intermittently while the pump was sucking up my waste.

"The government will release its reserves within three days and start unrestricted distribution, and will also implement emergency free health check-ups for children and teenagers. Contrary to what some media and rumors say, our government has a three-year stockpile of food, medical supplies, and other essential consumer goods... "

I considered letting the water flow directly into the stream without a septic tank, but the smell of human waste is quite strong, and if the sediment sticks around the outlet, it would only reveal that people live here. So, with the help of my mentor, John Neun, I installed it.

Of course, I regret it every time I clean it, but it’s a wise decision to get through this short, difficult period.

My air-raid shelter is not a temporary refuge but a place where I will live until I die.

"Ah! Shit!"

Sewage splashed onto my mouth.

I cursed and returned to the air-raid shelter, where a warm voice greeted me.

"Our government will always be with the people."

I turned off the broadcast at that point.

It was a waste of electricity, and there was no need to listen further.

Still, I gained some information.

Three days.

At least it will be quiet for three days.

But I can’t shake the bad premonition.

*

First day.

I walked around the air-raid shelter to check its condition.

I focused on checking whether the explosive wires connecting the dummy air-raid shelter to the main air-raid shelter were working properly.

There were no defects, but two places where the camouflage was exposed.

It might seem trivial, but in a crisis, even a small difference can mean life or death.

I carefully camouflaged the explosive wires and installed new explosives at the entrance to the secret passage connecting the dummy air-raid shelter to the main air-raid shelter.

It’s not strong enough to blow off the door, but it’s to easily eliminate any intruders inside the main air-raid shelter with a single button press.

I also prepared a death trap and cover that only I can use behind the secret entrance to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

In the afternoon, I started the process of turning the meat I had previously put in the dryer into preserved food.

What I’m making is called pemmican, which involves drying the meat, grinding it finely, mixing it with dried cranberries, and solidifying it with oil.

It has a relatively long shelf life and is rich in nutrients.

I didn’t plan to make it immediately.

While it’s called preserved food, it’s not as efficient as canned goods, and my taste is a bit picky.

It’s more like an insurance policy for situations where I can’t use a freezer or generator.

But as the Choe Jung-ryeong incident showed, not everything goes as planned.

There might be another Choe Jung-ryeong or two who will invade my territory.

The cold season is approaching, but it’s better to be prepared.

I hurriedly watched a video and made some pemmican, which turned out to be quite edible thanks to the kitchen’s excellent skills.

However, it’s not a food I would recommend unless you consider its preservation qualities.

It’s too labor-intensive.

SKELTON: (Cooking) I made pemmican!

So I divided my limited time and posted it on the community.

There were no likes, but it got quite a few comments due to the fresh content.

The human hunter, who was unusually idle, also commented.

Defender: I like men who can cook.

When I saw that, I was taken aback.

“?”

Why is this guy acting like this?

Could it be...

That... a man who likes men...

Should I unfriend him? No, unfriending him would only hasten the day we meet in person, so I’ll bear with it.

With a slight sense of unease, I stored the pemmican, enough for 36 meals, in a cool place, thoroughly mixed with preservatives.

On the second day, I walked around the dummy air-raid shelter to maintain the firing positions.

I checked each gun port and cover point with an actual gun, aiming and removing any potential cover for the enemy.

I had done this before, but the environment has changed since before the war.

Especially the annoying weeds were a problem.

I spent the whole day cutting them down with a sickle, transforming my territory into my own.

Despite this hard work, my principle that combat is the last resort remains unchanged.

I’m alone, and the enemies I have to face are endless.

The level of the enemies is also increasing, which is a dangerous factor.

As the examples from India and China show, when a country collapses, soldiers become the most dangerous group.

I don’t think the planes heading to Jeju Island are full of soldiers.

Kim Daram also said that there wouldn’t be many places for soldiers on Jeju Island.

Just then, a transport plane roared overhead.

I wondered if Kim Daram was on it.

It seemed like it was time for him to go.

That night, I soaked in a hot bath to relieve the day’s fatigue, drank a glass of preserved milk, and logged into the community.

The most popular user recently is the journalist.

Living in Seoul, he provides real-time updates on the city’s decline, which is naturally popular.

gijayangban: Gangnam in real time.jpg

gijayangban: (PaleNet re-post) Real-time Han River temperature.jpg

gijayangban: Recent Seoul fashion.jpg

gijayangban: Tank appears inside the four gates.gif

...

As expected, the popular posts section feels like the journalist’s personal board.

It’s like the heyday of John Neun.

One of the journalist’s posts left a strong impression on me.

gijayangban: Airport scene today.jpg

The airport was crowded with people trying to board planes.

While the military and police were blocking them, some had invaded the runway, blocking the transport planes and demanding to be taken on board. Angry batons beat them.

No one died, but the blood from their broken heads stained the gray concrete, reminiscent of a scene where a monster killed my comrade and was covered in blood.

*

The third day after the President’s speech.

Under the warm sunlight, I laid out a blanket and a folding table to check my weapons and ammunition and sharpen the axe blade.

It was a peaceful and quiet day.

The community’s atmosphere was also generally sharing a similar sense of lethargy.

It was like the calm before the storm.

Everyone talked about their ordinary lives, but their attention was on Seoul.

Still, there was a small commotion.

Defender: Keep calling me a woman, so I’m verifying.

The human hunter posted a picture of his hand.

The hand, with long, white fingers, was quite pretty, but its sturdy shape and prominent veins revealed that it belonged to a robust adult male.

My guess was right.

The human hunter is a man.

After all the talk about female silhouettes and such, the community fell silent when the human hunter verified.

Only one user, who strongly claimed the human hunter was a woman, continued with unconvincing arguments.

unicorn18: (Info) Women’s hands can look like men’s hands depending on lighting and angle!

No one agreed with this.

Still, it seemed that even the great human hunter was facing difficulties.

The guy who had been posting cynical facts and murder verifications silently revealed his struggles on the public board.

Defender: Anyone have extra bullets?

I clicked to see.

-5.56mm ammunition needed. The more, the better. I have plenty of canned goods, batteries, clothing, oil, etc., except for medicine. DM if you want to trade.

Addendum: Some people worry about how many people I’ve killed, but I don’t bother community users.

Well, if you kill so many people, you’re bound to run out of bullets.

His offer to trade, especially at this time, shows that his mindset is different from ordinary people.

But this guy is my internet friend.

Message from Defender: Skeleton. Do you have extra bullets?

SKELTON: Not really.

Message from Defender: If you have any, can you give me some? What do you want?

Message from Defender: Answer me.

SKELTON: You left the chat.

Message from Defender: Stop messing around. I’ll come to you?

“...”

This guy isn’t particularly threatening to me.

His combat skills are estimated to be quite high, but that’s it.

In a variable-rich wild, the outcome depends on his preparation and luck, but in a situation with no variables, the chances of me losing to him are extremely rare.

It’s just that we don’t match.

Everyone has a genre of movie they don’t like.

In my case, it’s horror movies.

Life is scary enough; I don’t need to watch them.

The human hunter is like a horror movie.

And this horror movie keeps showing up.

Message from Defender: Just kidding. I’m in serious danger now. I messed with some people connected to the military. They’ve been searching the area for two weeks, and I think a big fight is coming soon. I don’t know about others, but I trust you, Skeleton. Can you help me?

From his actions and words so far, I could tell he wasn’t the type to lie.

What should I do?

Maybe the answer was already decided.

SKELTON: (The loyal man Skeleton) Where are you?

We are similar in many ways.

Message from Defender: (Defender moved) Skeleton, you’re awesome!

The meeting place Defender requested was unexpected.

It’s a theme park in Yongin, which was thoroughly abandoned after being hit by chemical weapons during the war.

It’s not a place I particularly want to go.

The area has been a gray zone outside government control since before the war.

There’s a region nearby controlled by roaming monsters, but they are stationary, so it’s not dangerous as long as you don’t get too close. However, the monster-created no-man’s land has attracted various criminals.

Mutations haven’t been reported, but the most terrifying thing during travel is unexpected gunfire.

Meeting Defender would significantly increase that risk.

I hesitated.

After a while without a response, he sent a message.

Message from Defender: If you can’t come, I’ll come to you. I’m the one who’s disappointed, but I don’t have a car, so I have to walk.

SKELTON: No, I’ll come. Just tell me a safe route.

It’s risky, but it’s better for me to go.

I don’t want to reveal my territory.

The human hunter is showing off, but my territory isn’t easy to find.

We discussed the meeting schedule via messages.

Since it’s a dangerous area, we had to discuss the route in 100-meter increments using a map.

This was the last routine of the third day before the storm.

*

The next day, everyone waited for the next news from the journalist’s fingers.

I repeatedly refreshed the page with a strange feeling, unsure if it was tension or anticipation, while maintaining a blank expression.

keystone: (Breaking news) Status of the bastards in the tent next door - still haven’t left

Anonymous118: Doesn’t the server response seem slower than before?

iamjesus: He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.

unicorn18: My little one is getting hard...

Anonymous552: Current situation in Seoul.jpg

Kyle_Dos: The above post is a troll.

SKELTON: What should I have for lunch today?

...

...

Always my peaceful mental homeland.

In the afternoon, the journalist finally posted.

gijayangban: Current situation in Seoul.jpg

The result exceeded everyone’s expectations.

The government kept its promise.

They are distributing the promised food and providing support such as medical supplies.

I stretched, feeling half relieved and half disappointed.

Somehow, we got through the crisis.

A transport plane roared overhead my air-raid shelter.

Maybe I should do some sun-drying of the bedding.

While I was organizing the bedding, my K-walkie-talkie emitted a sharp signal.

Personal ID: DARAM

It’s Kim Daram.

“...”

Someone said that bad premonitions always come true because people don’t count good premonitions.

But how often do people count good premonitions?

If you can count good premonitions,

“Senior. How’s the air-raid shelter? Is there room for three more, including me?”

It might be a happy life.