Chapter 66

EP 12 - Those Who Bear the Burden (4)

He doubted his eyes.

"This is footage from above Yeouido. As you can see, a gate with a diameter of nearly 1 km is out of control. It’s the main gate that the operations room has classified."

The gate’s chaos was not at all majestic.

It was merely grotesque and revolting.

Chunks of flesh poured out of the massive hole like a drunkard vomiting. One chunk of flesh soon wriggled and rose on six legs, its green eyes glowing.

Beside it, another chunk of flesh wriggled and spread wings, taking flight. Below it, another chunk of flesh swam into the Han River, flapping heavy fins.

All kinds of monsters squirmed between buildings, and the Han River churned like a basin full of loaches.

It was a solitary poison.

The sight was as revolting as thousands of spiders and scorpions entangled together, wriggling. The wind was so strong that a tarantula large enough to cover the debris of the National Assembly building doubled the fear.

And then.

Demons fell from the sky, which was now a deep blue.

On the rooftop of the 63 Building, now a burnt-out skeleton, hunters were fighting.

* * *

At a Chungmoo facility in Sokcho, Gangwon-do, the entire leadership of the Republic of Korea was gathered in numerous underground bunkers, preparing for a war with North Korea.

Or rather, it was a significant exaggeration to say they were gathered. The screens on one wall were filled with the faces of many people, almost like a group video call with dozens of participants.

We all looked at the video that took up a quarter of the screen.

Monsters were pouring out of the massive gate.

It was a hellish scene in Seoul.

The actual highest operational commander of the National Army, General Kim Doo-sik of the 2nd Operations Command, began his briefing.

"Around 1:00 AM, the main gate above Yeouido started spewing out monsters. It has a diameter of nearly 1 km."

General Kim Doo-sik continued calmly.

"As you can see, numerous monsters are spreading in all directions. What’s pouring out are just chunks of flesh, but you can see they quickly adapt to the environment and mutate."

A chunk of flesh that fell into the Han River wriggled and formed fins, while another chunk sprouted wings and flew into the sky.

One chunk grew fur all over its body and ran like an ape, and another chunk merged with others to crawl between buildings like a giant tarantula.

"If you look closely, a few hunters are fighting on the rooftop of the 63 Building, but it’s not very effective. Personally, I think this chaos is related to the recent events, but it’s just a guess... Anyway, let’s move on to more important matters."

Priorities were quickly set.

We are people who need to see the forest, not the trees. The screen showing the hellish scene in Seoul changed to a tactical map of the capital region.

I was desperately looking for Yeo Doyeon on the screen, but I stepped back with regret.

"The monsters are not staying in the area but are rapidly expanding."

General Kim Doo-sik had no expression.

"Troops deployed along the Chungcheong Defense Line have completed their combat preparations."

The map highlighting the capital region slightly panned down.

A red curve ran across the middle of South Korea, following the Asan Bay and the Taebaek Mountains.

The greatest achievement that made General Kim Doo-sik a national hero.

A solid shield created by rallying retreating National Army forces.

The current de facto northern border of South Korea.

The 'Chungcheong Defense Line.'

"In about 4 hours, ground combat is expected to begin at the closest front line in Pyeongtaek, and aerial combat is already underway. Fighters have already been dispatched to stop the spread of flying monsters."

The interpreter for the commander of U.S. Forces Korea added urgently.

"Sir, the missile deployment has just been completed. They are awaiting the request from the South Korean military."

General Kim Doo-sik nodded slightly and continued.

"Thank you for your cooperation, General Abrams. Anyway, a tough battle is expected, but we should be able to hold off the monsters' attacks at the Chungcheong Defense Line for a while. The truly serious situation is in the north."

The map changed.

The solid Chungcheong Defense Line disappeared, and the northern part of Gyeonggi Province appeared.

Red circles and tactical symbols were intricately intertwined.

Though I couldn’t make out the details, the general impression was that it was weak.

"The northern part of the capital region has no defense line due to the sporadic appearance of small gates. Each division is engaged in individual battles to rescue as many civilians as possible, escort them along the DMZ, and evacuate them south through Gangwon-do by sea."

General Kim Doo-sik summarized.

"If the Seoul monsters reach the northern part of Gyeonggi Province, the divisions will suffer near-total destruction."

A terrifying future was predicted.

"If the northern part of Gyeonggi Province is overrun, millions of citizens isolated in Gangwon-do will be in danger."

Won Oak-bun asked.

"How long will it take for the Seoul monsters to reach the northern part of Gyeonggi Province?"

"Ground monsters will take at least 3 hours, and flying monsters about 1 hour."

General Kim Doo-sik’s point was simple.

The south can be defended at the defense line. Even if many people die.

However, the north has no defense line.

...So, in 3 hours, everything will be ruined.

*

"First, we should retreat all the National Army forces in the northern part of the capital region and form a defense line along the Taebaek Mountains!"

"It’s already in progress, but with gates spread throughout the Taebaek Mountains..."

"We have to defend Sokcho! There are millions of people there!"

The meeting became increasingly heated.

"After the collapse of the Seoul encirclement, the monsters have occupied the eastern part of Seoul, haven’t they?"

"Most civilians have been rescued, but there are no National Army forces deployed due to the small gates."

"So, the Seoul monsters will surge into that area, right?"

"The Taebaek Mountains will slow the monsters' advance, but it’s certain that the northern part of Gangwon-do will be threatened within four days."

Due to the 'Uijeongbu Incident,' South Korea has been divided into north and south.

Monsters from the 'Seoul Outbreak' are surging through the gap.

"I understand that the majority of citizens are isolated in the northern part of Gangwon-do. Commander Yoo Hyun-jong, how many are there?"

"Roughly 6.3 million, sir! Deputy Prime Minister!"

6.3 million citizens isolated in the north are in danger.

"What about evacuation plans?"

Won Oak-bun discussed evacuation,

and General Kim Doo-sik uncovered the hidden meaning.

"......Are you suggesting we abandon the areas north of the Chungcheong Defense Line?"

"It’s not decided yet. It’s just one of the options. However, if only the Chungcheong Defense Line can ensure the safety of the citizens, shouldn’t we evacuate as many as possible inside it?"

"At the Chungcheong Defense Line, we expect at least 30,000 casualties. In fact, it’s meaningless. If they keep pouring out infinitely, the defense line will start to collapse within a week."

People began to propose ways to save more people.

"I heard the Donghae Expressway is mostly repaired. What about evacuating refugees by land-"

"The front line will expand by 121.8 km for a four-lane highway."

"Are you saying we have to use the sea route?"

Sometimes, their own interests were subtly exchanged.

"Container ships use four times the fuel when their speed is doubled. We need to consider the remaining reserve fuel-"

"Hey, you! People are dying, and you’re worried about fuel-"

"Governor, calm down. It’s not that simple. If we run out of fuel, the country will collapse."

"Mike 8, connected. Yes, I’m President Lee Yong-cheol. This time, we have the technology to operate container ships with Masan power......"

Someone seized the opportunity.

"Ah...! I’m sorry for being late. Is this Mike 6? I’m CEO Chun Geum-soon of GS Group."

"Yes. Minister of the Interior Yoon Sang-il here. What is it?"

"Who’s in charge of the Sokcho Port VTS right now?"

"What? VTS?"

"Ah, come on! Yes, Deputy Minister Park Sun-ah of the Ministry of the Interior. What’s the matter?"

"I’ve secured six 15,000 TEU ships through negotiations with Russia..."

"What!?"

"We have a partner in Vladivostok... Anyway! Is it possible to connect with the East Sea Port Control Center?"

"Great job! I’ll tell the Coast Guard Commissioner to clear the line!"

In the corner of the screen, hunters in Seoul continued to fight.

"Connect Mike 26. Yes, Minister. I’ll add to what you said. Given the report of a super-large container ship sinking due to monsters in the Pacific-"

"Didn’t hear that?"

"It’s classified, so you wouldn’t have. Anyway, large ships should use coastal routes......"

Strangely enough.

"Isn’t there a lack of trade ports along the East Coast?"

"Near the coastal ports, fishing boats are being used to transport people."

"What if monsters appear?"

"Cheonghaejin? Governor Cheong Jung-yeop’s PMC specializes in sea monsters......"

No one paid attention to the hunters.

"General Kim Doo-sik, you said civilians are still stranded in unrecovered areas, right? I heard at least 800,000 are still isolated in the capital region. Instead of just circling the Chungcheong Defense Line, the National Army should-"

"We’ve already run simulations, Minister. If we send the National Army north, at least 200,000 will die. That’s more than half of the forces defending the Chungcheong Defense Line. The strategic importance of the Chungcheong Defense Line-"

200,000. 800,000. 300,000. 6.4 million.

"Still, the National Army exists to protect the citizens-"

"Are soldiers not citizens?"

"......Shut up! National defense-"

"If you disbanded the reserve forces to run for the election, and now you’re pushing young college students into the fire, then shut up."

"General Kim Doo-sik! I still don’t understand why focusing on armored forces over infantry is criticized by the political establishment!"

"Should I tell you to shut up, Minister? Do you think I don’t know you got the nomination from the National Defense Party?"

"How dare you talk to the Minister of National Defense like that!"

"Isn’t it a bit funny that a straw man who overturned the political landscape is now trying to pick up the scraps?"

Numbers, but not just numbers, were discussed.

I silently watched the corner of the screen showing Seoul.

Though I could only see from a distance, a tough battle was ongoing. Occasionally, something flashed, killing a monster, and occasionally a hunter fell, losing their life.

However, even at the most, there were no more than 50 hunters visible on the screen.

The ones leaping between building rooftops seemed like flies from this distance.

Though I couldn’t see clearly, I desperately searched the screen, hoping to spot Yeo Doyeon.

Damn.

The administrator minimized the Seoul screen and enlarged the tactical map.

It seemed he thought that was more important.

So, I had to press my face against the screen.

"The most vulnerable area is the southeastern part of the capital region. 800,000 people are isolated, and there are no National Army forces deployed. The small gates are scattered, and the rescue operations have turned out this way......"

"We have to rescue them! Send the mobile forces!"

"The area is already occupied by monsters. How can we send mobile forces with the Seoul monsters approaching?"

"Send Yeo Doyeon! There are other hunters there...! The mobile forces can provide cover!"

"......Minister, you have a point this time. However, flying monsters won’t threaten Yeo Doyeon-"

"U.S. forces!"

"Yes. Excuse me, Representative Han Seung-moon. Can you go with Yeo Doyeon?"

Where is Yeo Doyeon?

I searched the monitor for a long time but couldn’t find her in the indistinct image.

"Representative Han Seung-moon?"

Still, I had to see, didn’t I? Human emotions are such that-

"Representative Han Seung-moon?"

"Ah, yes! What is it?"

After burying my head in the monitor for a while, I snapped back to reality at General Kim Doo-sik’s call.

General Kim Doo-sik calmly suggested.

"Can you support the southeastern part of the capital region with Yeo Doyeon?"

"......Yes?"

"Air support will be provided by U.S. Forces Korea. They recently received additional supplies from the 7th Fleet, so support won’t be lacking."

"Ah......"

"......I understand your concerns. However, if you can buy some time, many lives can be saved. 800,000 lives are at stake. Please, just-"

My mind went blank. I didn’t hear a word of what General Kim Doo-sik said.

Should I give up on Yeo Doyeon? Of course, going there with Yeo Doyeon would save the most lives.

I couldn’t even ask to save the hunters in Seoul.

By now, General Kim Doo-sik had finished speaking and was waiting for my answer.

My mouth wouldn’t open, and a thousand thoughts raced through my head.

Should I ask to save the hunters?

Should I suggest finding out why the hunters are fighting?

Should I propose investigating why the gate went out of control?

I stuttered, frozen in place.

...Should I just obey the duty given to me?

Then.

"What are you trying to do now!"

The Minister of National Defense, sitting opposite, slammed his desk and stood up.

He was a loyal subordinate of Won Oak-bun and had clashed with General Kim Doo-sik over not mobilizing the reserve forces to run for parliament.

In other words, he was someone who would be in serious trouble if civilian casualties increased. He was also someone who had to sacrifice soldiers and hunters to save civilians.

He pointed and said.

"800,000 people are about to die...! What did you just say!?"

He wasn’t talking to me.

Hong Sun-ah smiled calmly and replied.

"I refused the dispatch."

"Laughing at people dying!?"

"They’re trying to kill us, so I’m just laughing nervously, Minister."

Her sharp eyes lost their smile.

"Am I wearing a uniform?"

"What...!"

"You should be grateful for the volunteer work we’ve done in Gangwon-do. We’re not running away with our kids, and I didn’t say we’re joining the Sokcho front-"

"800,000 people are isolated in the southeastern part of the capital region! With the mobile forces-!"

"Then who will protect us?"

Hong Sun-ah refuted the Minister point by point.

"Tanks are too expensive and slow to send. The formation only has trucks and infantry. So, are they a mobile force or a transport unit? We’re supposed to provide escort."

"My point is...! Our superhumans can be most effective with the mobile forces! While Yeo Doyeon and the Air Force buy time, we can save as many lives as possible-"

"With monsters surging in, entering a monster field, while the National Army rescues people, and we fight to the death?"

"Of course, hunters are better at catching monsters than infantry-"

She smiled awkwardly and cut to the chase.

"I don’t even understand why we should follow your orders. I don’t know why the National Army’s Awakened aren’t going. I don’t understand why we have to die. We refuse the dispatch agreement."

"Hey! You traitor!"

"Your words are harsh. We’ve fought for you this whole time."

"You...! You...! Even Kim Doo-sik won’t do it! If you don’t do it...! Who will protect the citizens!"

"Who knows. Who disbanded the reserve forces to run for the election...?"

Hong Sun-ah stood up, smiling silently.

"Sorry, but we have no obligation to die."

No one wants to bear the burden.