Chapter 2

2. Gangster

Firearms are probably the most efficient weapons ever created by humans.

They are especially effective against humans.

It’s not just about shooting and killing or injuring people.

The mere act of holding a firearm when you need to interact with others or reveal yourself can have a restraining effect on the other party.

You could call it a tool for instilling etiquette, making the other person’s actions more cautious.

Needless to say, the offensive power against humans is unparalleled.

After all, firearms were originally designed to kill people.

Some say that their effectiveness is reduced against monsters or zombies, and I can somewhat agree with that, but I can't fully agree. It all depends on how you use them.

In any case, firearms are necessary to survive in the post-apocalyptic era.

As I've often said, the greatest enemy of humans is other humans.

But this is Korea.

In Korea, it's difficult to obtain firearms, and even possessing them is illegal.

I could go to the U.S. to prepare for the apocalypse, but that has its own pros and cons.

The initial difficulty of surviving in a country where everyone is armed versus a country where firearms are banned would be like the difference between heaven and earth.

Think about the battle royale games that were once popular.

What fun would it be to start shooting as soon as you land from the plane?

There should be a time for farming and fist fights, too.

Of course, for me, it would be more fun to have a firearm from the beginning.

This was back when Mr. Kim was still alive.

Mr. Kim owned a hunting rifle.

It was usually stored at the police station, but during the hunting season, he would always take it out and show off his poor shooting skills.

“Back when I was in the military, communist infiltrators came. I was hiding behind an acacia bush, and when one of them appeared from behind a tree, I shot him right between the eyes and put a bullet through his head!”

Later, I found out through personal connections that Mr. Kim was actually in the reserves and never participated in any anti-communist operations, but his hunting rifle was still a decent weapon.

It’s a shotgun, so it has high stopping power and can be handled effectively even by someone who isn’t a good shot.

But that kind of weapon isn’t enough to prepare for the future.

I always kept an eye on the nearby air force base.

It’s a base used by both the U.S. and South Korean military, and according to rumors, there are a few specialized monster-hunting units called "Hunters" stationed there.

Getting Hunter equipment would be the best outcome, but what I really want is a large supply of ammunition and a few assault rifles.

But that’s not easy.

How can I infiltrate an air force base guarded by both the South Korean and U.S. military and steal weapons and ammunition?

My initial plan was a bit rough.

If a war with China breaks out, this air force base will be the primary target.

This is because the U.S. base is right next to it.

According to the Chinese war plans I found, the U.S. base next door is a primary target for a preemptive nuclear strike.

Once the nuclear attack is launched and the base is in chaos, I can calmly put on a protective suit and collect the firearms and other useful items.

This was my initial rough plan.

It sounds absurd, but I thought this was the most realistic way to obtain high-quality weapons.

There are other ways to get weapons, like through Southeast Asian gangs or Russian sailors, but they mostly deal in handguns.

However, the reality I faced was rougher than expected, and the world’s flow was different from what I had anticipated, so even I, Park Kyu, started to feel anxious.

SKELTON: How can one obtain assault rifles and other serious weapons in countries like South Korea or Japan, where the security is stable and firearms are banned?

In this world where anything can be done with group chats and communities, there are also internet communities for those preparing for the apocalypse.

One such community is the doomsday enthusiast community “Viva! Apocalypse!” where people like me gather.

Not just anyone can join.

You need the satellite internet equipment “Galaxy Link” developed by the world-renowned businessman Melon Musk, and you have to pay a monthly fee of $100.

Despite the high cost, it had a significant number of users, and there was even a Korean board.

I posted a question on the Korean board.

Several replies came in, but none were helpful.

Most were irresponsible suggestions like raiding a police station or a small military base with like-minded comrades to loot the armory.

Even the opinion of my usual mentor, “Jonnaeon,” was not helpful.

This is because the security in South Korea is not as easy as it seems.

While it might be possible to loot weapons, there’s no guarantee of safety in a country covered with high-definition CCTV cameras.

Even the community I paid $100 a month to join couldn’t provide a concrete answer.

Just when I was at a loss, an unexpected suggestion came from an unexpected place.

“This is a bomb shelter, right? The kind that doomsday enthusiasts are building these days.”

The proposer’s name was Kim Wangsu, an employee of the construction company I hired to build my first bomb shelter.

He is Chinese, specifically a Chosun-jok (ethnic Korean in China).

Until Kim Wangsu revealed his identity, I thought he was someone who was born and raised in Korea.

He looked younger than me, dressed better, was more sophisticated, and spoke with a trendy tone.

Unlike other employees who were puzzled by my request to build a bomb shelter on an empty lot, Kim Wangsu showed a great deal of interest.

“There are many such people in China too. Party officials and capitalists with connections to the Party are competing to build bomb shelters in rural areas. They are much larger and more sophisticated than yours.”

It wasn’t just interest.

Kim Wangsu had considerable knowledge and insight, and he also had information about China that I didn’t know.

“War? Well, it will happen sooner or later, won’t it? Western news doesn’t report it, but the provinces around Inner Mongolia have all been overrun by monsters. At least tens of millions of people must have died. The Party is desperately trying to stop it, but honestly, it’s all over. It’s just a matter of time.”

He seemed to envy me and my ability to build a bomb shelter.

“You don’t look much older than me. You must have made a lot of money, right? To buy such a large piece of land and equip it with all this equipment.”

“I hit the cryptocurrency jackpot.”

In fact, I am an extremely conservative investor who has never even traded stocks, let alone cryptocurrencies.

I did have some debt, though.

“Cryptocurrency. Wow.”

Kim Wangsu leaned in, looking around.

“Do you have any firearms?”

“Firearms?”

“Yes. If the world really does end, wouldn’t it be necessary to have a reliable firearm? Building such an excellent bomb shelter and stockpiling supplies would be pointless if a thief breaks in and takes everything, wouldn’t it?”

Kim Wangsu deliberately used the Yanbian dialect, which sounded awkwardly exaggerated.

It seemed he was trying to show that he had connections in that area.

In the company, Kim Wangsu was known for being diligent, polite, and smart, and he was well-respected.

He was even more recognized than Hong Bu-jang, a 10-year veteran outsider.

He was indeed smart and sharp.

I started the transaction with the mindset that even if I lost, it would be a small price to pay.

The result was surprising.

“Three Type 56 rifles. 300 rounds of ammunition. Three service magazines.”

He offered three rifles and 300 rounds of ammunition, which was a decent amount.

The price was quite high, but there was no reason to refuse.

A reliable firearm is essential for preparing for the future.

As the construction of the bomb shelter neared completion, Kim Wangsu called me.

“Sir, everything is ready. Let’s set a date.”

At that point, I was slightly wary of Kim Wangsu.

A private investigator had revealed that he was not from the Yanbian Chosun-jok gang but was a member of the Triad, a Han Chinese-dominated organization.

I met with Kim Wangsu, prepared for any situation.

“Let’s wait a moment. My comrades will bring the goods.”

We waited in a secluded spot hidden by industrial waste for quite a while.

The weather was chilly.

The air itself wasn’t cold, but there were many clouds and a strong wind.

Kim Wangsu’s gloomy background might have contributed to the chill.

As we waited, Kim Wangsu frequently checked his phone.

I glanced at the screen and saw a cute girl who looked like him, smiling widely.

“Is that your daughter?”

“Yes, that’s my daughter.”

Kim Wangsu’s usually expressionless face showed a faint smile and a blush.

“She’s about seven, right? She’s so cute.”

“Haha, she is cute, but she’s quite a handful.”

It seemed Kim Wangsu was exchanging messages with his daughter.

A penguin character, likely sent by his daughter, was displayed, asking when he would come.

Kim Wangsu replied in simplified Chinese, which I couldn’t understand.

He probably said he would be back soon.

Soon, a dump truck drove across Mr. Kim’s land.

“Hey! Hey!”

Mr. Kim, who was inside the house, ran out, ready to complain, but when he saw me, he grumbled and went back inside.

Only one man was in the dump truck, and there were no signs of any ambush or betrayal.

“Let’s start.”

We loaded the industrial waste from my land onto the dump truck as agreed.

While I operated the excavator to load the waste, Kim Wangsu’s companion took out the real goods from the passenger seat.

The goods were as promised.

Three Type 56 rifles with 300 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

They were in good condition and functioned properly.

There was no betrayal from Kim Wangsu’s group.

However, a slight surprise awaited at the end.

As Kim Wangsu was about to get into the dump truck, he suddenly got out and approached me with a threatening agility.

“!”

I expected an attack and even held the weapon hidden in my pocket, but the situation was anticlimactic.

“Do you live alone?”

For a moment, I felt a chill from him but didn’t show it.

“No, my comrades will be here soon.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, I just thought the bomb shelter was too large for one person to use.”

“I like spacious places.”

“I think even a small room would be enough.”

“If there’s a problem, come to me.”

“Would that be okay?”

“We need to help each other.”

Despite being a gangster, he seemed like a decent person.

He had good carpentry skills, and if he had the guts to be a gangster, having him on my side wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Most importantly, he was a caring father.

The smile on his face when he read his daughter’s message was warm enough to make me want to see him again, regardless of who he was.

“I appreciate it, but I’ll decline.”

“Why?”

“I’m planning to return to my home country soon.”

“China?”

“Shanghai.”

I didn’t know who Kim Wangsu was, but when he emphasized Shanghai, I felt I understood a little about who he was and what he thought.

I received a call from Kim Wangsu three years later.

It was a time when the war was becoming more visible, and the end of the world seemed almost certain.

The call came to my first phone.

It was from an unknown number.

I only used the first phone before the three-year mark and had only maintained the contract since then.

After a missed call, the same number called again.

It felt suspicious.

I checked the closed-circuit screens in the bomb shelter and saw an unknown vehicle in my territory.

A man was standing in front of the vehicle, smoking a cigarette and looking anxious, with his hand in his pocket.

When I saw his face, I hesitated.

Should I meet him or ignore him?

Kim Wangsu’s decision was faster.

He opened the car door, said something to the unseen interior, and then ran towards the bomb shelter with terrifying agility.

He held an axe in a leather case.

Of all things, an axe.

“...”

I picked up my first phone and called the number that had called me twice.

“Hello, sir?”

Kim Wangsu answered warmly.

Even while running, his breathing was steady.

“Mr. Kim Wangsu, right? What’s the matter? Suddenly.”

“I wanted to say goodbye before leaving Korea.”

“Goodbye?”

“Where are you?”

I revealed myself.

From a distance, I saw Kim Wangsu’s characteristic friendly and bright smile.

He quickly closed the distance.

10 steps away.

He suddenly sprinted.

The axe, hidden in his wrist, was revealed, and he threw off the leather case that had been covering the blade.

As the axe flew in a parabolic trajectory, I sighed.

Thud!

The axe embedded itself deep into the space between a person’s shoulder and neck.

It wasn’t Kim Wangsu’s.

It was mine.

Kim Wangsu, with a look of shock, tried to turn his head to look at me, who had embedded the axe into his body.

But his neck no longer obeyed his commands.

Every time his muscles twitched, blood spurted from the flesh and tissue torn by the axe.

I took a step to the side and let go of the axe.

Kim Wangsu convulsively swung the axe.

However, it passed harmlessly in front of me, missing by a hair.

“S, soldier...?”

I shook my head.

“G, gangster?! No...!!”

“Why are you doing this?”

I sighed and glared at the dying man.

“I could have given you a place.”

Kim Wangsu’s lips curled up.

“S, s**t...”

That was his last word.

His phone fell out of his pocket as he collapsed.

I unlocked his still-warm phone and saw the messenger screen I had seen before.

The conversation window was full of simplified Chinese, which I couldn’t read, but the Korean emoticons gave me a sense of familiarity.

A penguin character, tilting its head, asking when he would come.

“...”

There was no time to dwell on it.

The air-raid siren was roaring, tearing through my eardrums.

At that time, our Mr. Kim was still alive.

*

How long had the storm passed?

The Geiger counter beeped, indicating a safe level of radiation.

I got into the old four-wheeler I had hidden in the bomb shelter and headed towards the air force base.

Just in case.

But.

“What... What a f**king mess...”

I couldn’t help but mutter.

Beyond the collapsed buildings, there were firearms and weapons everywhere.

The Hunter equipment I had hoped for wasn’t there, but this was still a jackpot. There was enough to form a one-man army.

My rough plan of looting weapons from military bases after the world ended was ultimately correct.

I looked at the side where Kim Wangsu’s car had been.

The car was now a black, charred wreck.

I often think about it.

If I hadn’t made a deal with him, would he and his family have survived?

I don’t think so.