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Translator: penny
Chapter: 006
Chapter Title: Team Formation
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I started by checking the B2 underground parking lot.
I needed to confirm if my memory was right.
The entrance into the building was blocked by cars parked in two rows.
If I just pulled out the three cars in the back and the one in the front, we could escape.
There were five or six zombies shambling around.
I went up to the front desk and asked a staff member.
"Can I get the keys to the cars blocking the parking lot entrance into the building?"
"We blocked it off so zombies couldn't get in."
"They can't break through the doors anyway, so it doesn't make much difference. I'll reposition the cars myself, so can I have the keys to those six up front?"
"You said you work for the National Intelligence Service, right?"
"That's correct. Securing an escape route for emergencies is critical."
"Understood."
I took six keys from the hotel staff.
"And one more thing I'd like to ask. I understand there are politicians, chairmen, and executives' families on the Royal Floor. If you give special treatment just to them, it'll spark a riot."
"Pardon?"
I turned to the staff member beside him and said,
"We have to hold out here as long as we can. To do that, we need to look after as many people as possible. Keep that in mind."
"Yes, sir."
There was little chance they'd listen.
A regular employee couldn't defy orders from above.
I emphasized it anyway, in case one of them made a wise call.
I headed up to the second-floor banquet hall.
That loudmouth was there, waving around a gimbal and yapping away.
"Brothers, things were too chaotic earlier, so I couldn't film the zombies. But I won't miss them this time. I saw you guys fending them off just like in a movie. I barely made it into this hotel myself."
That was the guy.
The 150,000-sub YouTuber.
I needed his channel.
He spotted me and came running over.
"Bro! I saw you fighting those zombies earlier. You saved my life. Thank you!"
Good ingratiation skills.
"What channel did you say you run?"
"Huh? I never told you."
"Exactly."
"Oh, right. I run 'Seok TV.' Got over 150,000 subscribers."
"Foreign viewers too?"
"You bet. I suck at English, but I've got overseas fans interested in Korea."
Perfect.
I needed to warn foreigners about what's coming so they could prepare.
I looked into the camera and spoke in English.
"I'm an agent with the Korean National Intelligence Service. The zombies that broke out in Japan are spreading worldwide. But that's not the problem. Within the next six months, zombies from China will sweep across the entire world."
💬 Live Comments— Viewer123What the fuck!— NoWayJoseNo way!— TrollKingAre you kidding me?
As expected, no one believed it.
But at least I confirmed there were foreign subscribers.
I could use this channel.
"Bro, what the hell are you saying?"
"Quiet."
I continued in English.
"Early next year, massive meteors will strike Amsterdam, Texas, and Moscow, wiping out everything within a 300 km radius. This is no joke."
— Skeptic99Are you crazy?— WTFManWhat the hell!— NutJobAre you nuts?
The reactions were predictable.
I didn't care if they thought I was crazy.
Maybe if I revealed one event that came true, they'd start to believe.
Worth a shot.
"The Super Ebola virus from Congo will cross into Spain from Morocco, spreading to France and Switzerland. Germany will stop it, but zombies coming from China via Russia will lead to humanity's extinction."
These were things I'd already lived through.
— SarcasmKingOh, brilliant!— YeahRightYeah, right.— BelieverSure you are.— KoreanFan1NIS agent? What a nutjob.— ZombieHunterKRZombies in Japan? Total overreaction! Just kill 'em all and done.— SeokFanboySeok bro, ditch the crazy guy and show us zombies already!
I added one final warning.
"The zombies from China are intelligent and spread fast. That's what will bring humanity to ruin. Those abroad, please pass my words on to your government agencies. As a Korean intelligence agent, everything I've said is true."
It was natural they wouldn't believe me.
I'd given Director Cha a ton of info that morning, and even he didn't buy it.
They might believe when Super Ebola devastates France, but it'd be too late by then.
At least if they trusted me, they could avert the meteor damage.
"Bro, you're really with the NIS?"
"You saw me fight."
"Yeah, but... if you're NIS, wouldn't that be classified...?"
"Humanity's about to go extinct. Secrecy doesn't matter. Follow me."
I opened the emergency door and headed down the stairs.
He followed.
"Bro, the meteors—are those real? Never heard it on the news."
"I'm an agent. I know a lot of secrets. What's your name?"
"Song Seok-gu."
"Ex-Special Forces, right?"
"Huh? ...Yeah?"
He looked flustered.
"And you have a commercial driver's license."
"How did you...?"
I knew because I'd dealt with him before.
The blabbermouth spilled every little detail.
I needed him now.
"Believe I'm an agent now?"
"Ha."
"Work with me for the country."
"For the country?"
He swallowed hard.
"If things keep going like this, South Korea's done for. You in?"
"Me?"
"You seem reliable."
"If I can help, count me in. Loyalty!"
Cheeky bastard.
Good enough.
Now to rescue Bok Su-jeong and Bok Cheol-su.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
By the time I reached the B1 fitness center, Bok Cheol-su, Bok Su-jeong, and some hotel staff were tending to the people.
I approached Bok Cheol-su, who was carrying blankets.
"Teacher."
"Executive Baek. I was just about to ask for your help. We're short-handed."
"Happy to pitch in."
I helped distribute the blankets and pillows the staff had brought.
Terror-stricken people grew wary, fearing neighbors might be infected.
That's why the riot turned into a slaughter.
I couldn't save them all.
Saving humanity came first.
I went up to Bok Su-jeong, who was soothing a scared child.
"Su-jeong."
"Oppa."
We'd shared meals twice, so things were casual between us.
"Early childhood ed major? You're good with kids."
"Fourth year. This much is basic."
"You're doing great. Keep it up."
I handed out the remaining blankets and pillows, then approached Bok Cheol-su.
"Teacher, let's talk for a sec."
"Sure."
I led him out to the emergency exit area.
When Bok Su-jeong got infected by a zombie at the hotel, Bok Cheol-su hugged her and got bitten too.
I had to save them both.
Bok Cheol-su had years of carpentry experience. With him around, we might not lose the potential immune I'd meet in winter.
"Teacher, listen carefully from here on. I'm escaping this place tomorrow afternoon. Martial law's coming soon, and the area's getting sealed off."
"What are you talking about?"
I lifted my shirt to show my abdomen.
A triangular scar from surgery after a gunshot wound.
"Major surgery?"
"I work as a Black Agent for the National Intelligence Service. Bullet wound from the job."
"My God!"
"You have to trust me. The zombies are spreading fast—this place will be a bloodbath in days. You need to leave tomorrow."
"Go where?"
"A safety zone will be set up in Ulju about a week from now. Head there first, then on to Seoul."
Bok Cheol-su stared at me in disbelief.
"Is Executive Baek really NIS?"
"I'm not one to lie."
"True enough."
"Trust me. It's the only way to keep your daughter safe."
He looked troubled.
I knew his character.
Even now, he was serving others—strong sense of altruism.
"I'm saying this to save you and your daughter. Plus, I have a duty to save the nation. Think it over. We leave tomorrow afternoon."
I hoped he'd make the right choice.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next morning.
Martial law was declared in Busan and surrounding areas.
I checked the proclamation.
đź“ś Martial Law Proclamation[...] The following is proclaimed for Busan, Gimhae, and Yangsan, where martial law has been enacted to protect the Republic of Korea's citizens from the virus. 1. Movement in martial law areas is prohibited. 2. Citizens in the area are under martial law command control. 3. Those spreading unverified news will face severe punishment. 4. Firing on command; immunity even if citizens are harmed. [...]Â Martial Law Commander, Army General Bang Chan-jun
It happened right on schedule.
Martial Law Commander Bang Chan-jun.
The guy who took over after the president and cabinet died, showing peak selfishness and incompetence.
Because of him, countless people died.
At least martial law made Bok Cheol-su trust my words.
"Fuck! So what now? Do I have to stay holed up here?"
Oh Jong-seong was agitated.
My questions about Hanlight Group.
Why take young women to the international hospital in Yongsan?
Maybe they were still experimenting on young women.
To confirm, I needed to visit the resort he ran.
"Listen up. I'll get you to Haeundae Resort, so protect us for a few days."
"Do that, and I'll do whatever you say. They've got private security—it's safe!"
"Kang Hyun! We got a plan if we go there?"
Ma Tae-beom asked.
"Safety zone in Ulju in a week. That's when the blockade lifts."
"Resort's safe?"
"Asia's largest resort, run by Hanlight Group. Gotta have bunkers, guards too."
"Right! Super safe! My dad's there now, security's tight. We can survive if we go."
I looked at Ma Tae-beom and said,
"Only safe spot in Busan is around the resort. Buy time there, then head out—that's our path to survival."
"How do I trust this safety zone in a week?"
"I nailed martial law, didn't I? I get info faster than you guys."
Ye Ji-ah backed me up.
At the same time, Song Seok-gu shouted urgently.
"Breaking news! Safety zone being set up in Ulju. Blockade temporarily lifting in a week."
"That make sense? Telling us to die till then? What the hell's the government doing?!"
Ma Tae-beom got heated.
"Cabinet meeting underway in Busan right now."
Everyone there, including the president, gets attacked by zombies.
That's how Bang Chan-jun seizes full control, opening the gates of hell.
I couldn't stop that.
No one would believe me.
"We leave at lunch tomorrow. Teacher, decided?"
Bok Cheol-su nodded at me.
"Good. Meet at B2 parking tomorrow at lunch."
Ma Tae-beom asked,
"Got car keys?"
I jingled the six keys from the hotel staff.
"Not bad."
"Trust me and follow. It's wartime now."
"Loyalty!"
Song Seok-gu saluted.
The team was formed—no repeating last year's mistakes.
From now on, everything would change.