Chapter 4

Hiding the Logistics Center in the Apocalypse - Chapter 4 (4/240)

Hiding the Logistics Center in the Apocalypse - Chapter 4

(The Geese of the Logistics Park (1))

"We're here!"

In the dark corridor of the power-off warehouse, Yongsu and Byungcheol led the way, hands raised.

Click!

A strong flashlight beam was directed at us.

Upon closer inspection, a few people were guarding the passage.

A man who seemed to be the leader took a step forward.

"Come in quickly. Everything okay?"

"Nothing was okay. Phew, we almost died."

"What? Are you hurt anywhere? Wait, who is this...?"

The man finally noticed me and asked.

They all held long metal rods with fixed kitchen knives.

Sure enough, a couple of dead orc bodies were slanted in the corner of the corridor.

Yongsu introduced me.

"This person saved us. He says he was with Pax Fulfil until now."

"What? ...Pax is in Building C, right? The one that disappeared this morning?"

They had also witnessed it.

The disappearance of Building C, which was contained in my pocket dimension.

Perhaps trying to repay me, Yongsu vouched for me.

"He's very strong. He took out two orcs by himself. And he has a pretty good personality..."

"Wait... two by himself?"

The guard was startled.

I thought to myself that normally, two strong men with weapons would be needed to take out an orc.

The orc bodies lying in the corridor were covered in wounds all over.

It was clear they had fought in a group.

Thanks to Yongsu's impressive introduction, the guard's attitude became even more respectful.

"Wow... come in quickly. Yongsu will show you around."

"Yes, thank you."

I shook hands with the guard and followed Yongsu into the E Building logistics center office.

In the room marked "Manager's Office," a man in his early 50s was present.

Yongsu explained the situation, and the man, who seemed to understand, shook my hands.

"You really did a great job. Without you, I don't know what would have happened to these guys... I really don't want to imagine it. Ah, but that's not the point..."

He took a small PET bottle from a drawer.

A 500ml bottle of water.

"Have some. Fortunately, we still have some delivery trucks... so we have a decent supply of water."

"No, it's fine. I have enough, so you don't need to worry."

I tapped the water bottle attached to my vest.

Even if it was an essential resource, I could get an infinite supply of water in my pocket dimension.

Even if they had a lot, it was like a drop in the bucket to me.

The man introduced himself.

"Sorry for the late introduction. I'm Lee Jinmok, the manager of Daehyun Express Gunpo Terminal."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Kim Jeonggyum."

I got straight to the point.

"By the way, you mentioned being isolated... is that true?"

"Yes. We're trying to find a way out by car... but the golf course blocks the way up, and the containers on the east side make it impossible to drive. The road to the Yongdong Expressway below is also collapsed."

"What about the west?"

The remaining direction was one I knew well.

The west, leading to the city.

The direction I used to commute by bus.

"Monsters are completely blocking the way. If they were orcs, we could at least try to fight... but with these wyverns flying around..."

"Wyverns?"

"Young people call them wyverns. They're so quick and strong... fortunately, they don't follow us into the tunnel inside the logistics park."

From orcs to wyverns.

The world had become completely fantastical.

I asked.

"Is there a specific reason you're insisting on using the road? If it's just to get out of here... there are many ways to go."

We could walk between the containers, or even cross to the nearby residential area via mountain paths.

The roads were just not passable by car, but on foot, they were open in all directions.

But they had their reasons.

"We need to take water and food with us. All the people here are delivery drivers with families in other places. They came to the logistics center despite the danger, thinking of their families... but now we're isolated because of these wyverns."

Manager Lee Jinmok sighed.

He, too, was thinking of his family waiting for him.

"If I had known, I would have stayed home with my wife and kids... but still..."

This time, his expression was resolute.

"We plan to break through at night tomorrow. Of course, it's dangerous... but if we stay trapped in the logistics park, our families outside won't be safe either. It's a do-or-die situation. We've already loaded the trucks."

Looking out the window, I saw a dozen delivery trucks lined up in the shipping area.

Lee Jinmok, looking embarrassed, said,

"Come to think of it, you must be tired. I'm sorry for keeping you. Go down and rest. Have something to eat, too."

"Thank you for your consideration."

"No, it's nothing compared to what you've done..."

After the introductions, I left the manager's office with Yongsu.

While he led me to the break room, I asked Pax,

"Pax, can other people enter the pocket dimension besides me?"

"How do you level up?"

"Shut up."

It wasn't an astronomical number, but it was impossible for now.

For now, just knowing it was possible was enough.

If I met my family later, I could safely put them in the pocket dimension.

When we arrived at the employee break room, I saw people lying down in a cramped space.

A few blankets were spread out, but it was far from a comfortable environment.

Yongsu said to me,

"I've cleared a corner for you. Go in and rest. If you're tired, you can take a nap."

"No, I'll be fine."

I suddenly left the break room.

Yongsu followed me out.

"Was the place too uncomfortable?"

"No, it's fine. In this situation, it's like a hotel. But..."

"But what?"

"I need to check out the west tunnel."

***

Vroom!

The red post office motorcycle sped up.

We all wore large helmets, and Yongsu held the handlebars.

"I can go alone..."

"I was planning to check it out today anyway. We need to do a preliminary survey before crossing the road tomorrow."

He had been in mortal danger from the orcs just a few hours ago.

His willingness to volunteer for another reconnaissance mission showed considerable mental strength.

He continued,

"The wyverns don't enter the tunnel. It should be safe to observe from inside."

"I see."

My plan was to test the shipping skill on the wyverns.

Unlike the people at the logistics park, who chose a reckless breakthrough, I wanted a definite result.

Yongsu said,

"By the way... you mentioned going to Gangnam, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Unfortunately, no one else is going in the same direction. If it's okay, would you like to ride with me tomorrow? I can take you to Indukwon."

"Sure. Is that your destination?"

Indukwon.

A place I often passed through when going to and from Seoul.

It was disappointing not to reach Gangnam, but I was grateful.

Yongsu nodded.

"My fox-like wife and rabbit-like daughter are waiting. I just hope they're safe."

He showed me a sticker photo of his daughter and wife in the photo slot of his wallet.

The girl, who looked about seven, was wearing a rabbit headband and smiling brightly.

"Sure they are."

I gave a positive response, though uncertain.

I truly hoped so.

We didn't encounter any other monsters on the way.

Perhaps we were getting closer to the wyverns' territory.

Vroom!

We soon entered the dark tunnel,

"..."

Yongsu slowed down without a word.

When we reached the end of the tunnel, the motorcycle stopped completely.

The moment we stepped out of the shadows, the wyverns would attack.

Squawk!

The twisted cries of the wyverns echoed from somewhere.

On the road ahead,

Cars were crumpled and scattered.

One car, overturned, was covered in a foul-smelling white substance, perhaps excrement.

Yongsu said, looking troubled,

"The fallen cars on the road will make it difficult to maintain speed. Sadly... many will die."

He sighed heavily, but I disagreed.

"Not necessarily."

Thud, thud.

I walked out of the tunnel confidently.

Yongsu tried to stop me.

"Wh-what are you doing? Get back in!"

"I need to check inside."

"No, what do you need to check...!"

Whirr!

I opened a portal to the pocket dimension behind me.

A safety measure, just in case.

Changes came quickly.

Squawk!

With a cry,

Thud!

A large wyvern landed in front of me.

It seemed to be asking, "How dare you?"

"How dare you, you bastard. Ship."

Swoosh!

First strike, win.

I threw the knife,

Thud!

Squawk!

The knife embedded in its neck, the wyvern flapped its wings wildly.

It had aimed for my head, but its reaction was too quick.

Flap!

The wyvern's wings created a storm of wind.

Squawk!

The wyvern lunged at me with its claws,

Crack!

But I was already in the pocket dimension.

The wyvern's sharp claws couldn't penetrate the portal's wall.

Thirty seconds passed.

Sensing danger, the wyvern soared into the sky.

But the knife in its neck hindered its flight.

I struggled too.

Every thirty seconds, I threw a knife or axe at the wyvern, which was flying up and down,

Swoosh!

Whirr!

But they narrowly missed.

'This is much harder to hit than an orc.'

Unlike the bulky orc, the wyvern was thin and flexible, except for its wide wings.

But its aggressiveness was on par with the orc.

Squawk!

Thanks to the wyvern's own attack,

Crack!

I was able to decapitate it with an axe.

Thud!

The wyvern's head hit the ground,

Thud.

The long neck, like a snake, slapped the asphalt.

Blood gushed from the severed end.

I immediately entered the tunnel after confirming the wyvern's death.

Squawk!

A few wyverns gathered around the dead one.

They glared at me but, fortunately, didn't chase me into the narrow tunnel.

I slowly approached the motorcycle and got on behind Yongsu.

"Let's go."

"What, how did you...?"

He gasped in amazement.

I had killed a wyvern, which was no small feat.

Especially since it was done using the pocket dimension ability, not special forces throwing techniques.

He started the motorcycle with a dazed expression.

I took out a mana stone from my pocket and showed it to him.

"Do you know that killing monsters produces these mana stones?"

"Yes, we've collected some too."

"Good. How many do you have?"

"Maybe five or six. That's about how many orcs we've killed so far..."

I suggested to him, who was driving the motorcycle,

"Give me all your mana stones. I'll clear the way for you."