Chapter 328 – Chinese Army Moves South (3)
When I first received reports of Chinese troops invading North Korean territory and heard their statement, I was dumbfounded.
Did these guys do drugs as a group? What do you believe, and why are you being so picky? That is.
It was because I was proud of my army of steel that continued to evolve.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I have any intention of looking down on them.
“I will admit that they are well-equipped and disciplined elite soldiers. “The number is continuously increasing, so even if we set it at the minimum, it would be the size of a regiment.”
“The result of counting the currently observed soldiers one by one is 1,761. Just the numbers caught by the camera lens. In reality, it should be said that there are more than this.”
“That’s amazing.”
I was honestly impressed by Artemis’ report.
Among the warlords I have seen since their fall, they have the strongest military power.
Reconnaissance photos showed not only mortars but also many towed artillery pieces. Even the soldiers who handle it are elite artillerymen wearing exoskeletons.
Although it does not have the defense power of a reinforced armored soldier, it can handle the battery like a toy with its powerful strength. Its efficiency is nothing compared to egg infantry.
Infantry anti-tank weapons and QW-surface-to-air missiles are also visible.
As it continues to come down from the North Korea-China border, it is unclear how far the quality and quantity will increase.
“I think this is enough to fight the entire remaining military base in the interior of the Korean Peninsula?”
“Do you really think so?”
“Huh. “It would be worth a try as long as we don’t end up destroying each other.”
Even if it is impossible for the Chinese army to occupy South Korea alone, it seems quite possible to occupy North Korea and show off.
“How on earth have they maintained the supply of such troops? “It would be impossible without a functioning city-level village.”
“Beyond the North Korea-China border is unknown territory even for me… It’s not that there is no information source, but I can’t look down on it like I can on the Korean Peninsula.”
Artemis sits on my desk as always. It seems like the same thing is confusing for her.
Supply is a very big problem.
The reason South Korea’s troops are scattered here and there is not simply to protect refugees across the country and block infectious agents.
This is because it would be impossible to feed them if they were all lumped together.
The Yeosu garrison, which mobilizes a large fishing fleet based on its own synthetic oil, and the Honam garrison, which sow seeds on large farmlands, are unusual cases.
There were many commanders who split up their subordinate companies and sent them out, risking the weakening of their control.
“I can’t help but think they didn’t include Shelter in their plans. If it’s not this, it makes absolutely no sense.”
“Sometimes reason and logic obscure the truth. People who become desperate have narrowed perspectives and believe what they want to believe.”
“Looking at their situation, they seem quite relaxed, right?”
“Desperation isn’t just about material things, right? In a way, the internal power struggle is the most intense urgency. Even if thousands of subordinates are cold-hearted, if a few leaders are desperate, the ship will go to the mountains.”
“Hmm.”
Meanwhile, additional information was coming in at every moment. By putting them all together, I was able to piece together the puzzle of what was going on.
* * *
The world is now living in an era where it is very difficult to obtain global information.
It is even more ridiculous to consider satellites to transmit and receive radio waves in a country where there is no properly operating relay base station.
Information was distributed by foot peddlers, people riding horses or driving motorcycles.
Communication through walkie-talkies had many limitations, and it was difficult to trust people unless they had a few trustworthy connections.
Unlike ancient times, when you only had to worry about bandits and wolves, now you are attacked by infected entities and marauders with guns.
In some ways, information limitations have become more severe than in the past.
“Looking at it like this, Korea itself is no different from a huge shelter?”
I looked at the map and smiled bitterly.
It has sea on three sides, an iron border in the north, and North Korea beyond that is a no-man’s land where infected organisms live without an owner.
Korea, which is almost an island country, has become a country where it is very difficult to obtain information from foreign countries.
The only variable is Kids’ broadcast, and her main concern is consolidating her hold on the Korean peninsula.
[What is the use of talking no matter how much we don’t have immediate material influence? You will be treated as if you are talking nonsense.]
In fact, there are people in Korea and Japan who are suspicious of Shelter’s vaccine recovery operation.
It is not strange that other countries cannot properly understand the internal situation of the Korean Peninsula.
In particular, Korea’s ill-feeling toward China has reached its peak due to the nuclear attack.
Since the number of Chinese people active in Korea has disappeared, the amount of information exported to the outside world will further decrease.
“Anyway, I’m sure you’ve heard rumors about Shelter’s machine army.”
“Imagine how the rumor that traveled that far would have deteriorated. “In the first place, the amount of information to be transferred would not have been much.”
Artemis focused on the geopolitical isolation of the Korean Peninsula in a post-apocalyptic era where monsters roam.
“Of course, the authors wouldn’t have come down without knowing anything. “If I had lived without measures like that, I wouldn’t have been able to maintain my level of strength and survive until now.”
“Are you saying that it is a result that is not something you know at all or something you know very well, but rather a poor result?”
“Besides, you’re not trying to make a life-or-death decision with us. “All they want is North Korea’s land.”
The central control room screen showed images of several Chinese military detachments conducting a search in earnest.
“Lack of information about Korea’s interior, a command center that needs supplies and achievements to maintain control, and the insurance of nuclear weapons.”
Artemis spoke loudly and pointed out her fingers one by one.
“For now, we can only see this as an incident that occurred in conjunction with each other.”
We don’t know their circumstances either. We can only guess close to the truth with limited information.
After securing some more useful information, the second meeting with the commanders began.
* * *
Everyone must have been so excited that many people stayed in their seats long before the meeting started.
“It looks like everyone has arrived, so we have some time left, but let’s get started right away.”
When I started singing, everyone nodded.
“Let me say this first and move on. It appears that the rumors of a giant bomb shelter sleeping in North Korea are true.”
Additional reconnaissance information obtained was disclosed.
There were photos taken of the Chinese army securing several key bases and sending out numerous reconnaissance teams.
“It was very busy. When I came down, I kept my prayer secret like that, but now I am aching loudly. They may not be able to control it well internally.”
The Chinese army’s movements clearly showed that they were looking for something.
[Is there really a bunker built by the Kim Jong-un family?]
“We were able to intercept some unencrypted radios, which is almost certain. It would be more like an air defense city than a bunker. “Like the shelter I’m in.”
Artemis wiggled her eyebrows.
“Of course, we wouldn’t dare compare it to here in terms of scale and completeness.”
Additional explanation was quickly added.
Among the videos sent by the drone, there were many of the Chinese military engaging in combat with infected entities.
If we were to look at causality, it was close to finding the scouting party easily thanks to the sound of the battle.
The result of each battle is a one-sided massacre. Quite a few commanders were amazed at the combat power that seemed several levels higher than theirs.
But no one looks scared. It’s just that the gaze of faith pouring down on me becomes stronger.
I clearly feel how much comfort it is to them that we are standing on the front lines.
[It’s good to get rid of monsters, but I can’t be happy about it.]
A lieutenant colonel said with a distorted face.
In the screen, some Chinese soldiers are filming a battle scene with a broadcasting station camera slung over their shoulders.
[I don’t know what kind of treaty they signed with the North Korean gangsters, but it looks like they’re really condescending.]
[They’re probably trying to build up a reputation while fighting against infectious agents anyway.]
Commanders these days cannot survive with military capabilities alone.
Political ability to understand and manage the mood of subordinates was also necessary.
In the past, if you didn’t have political power, you wouldn’t be promoted, but now you could be fragging.
Thanks to this, I was able to see through the Chinese army’s shallow numbers at once.
Meanwhile, there were also commanders who were interested in rice cakes.
[I wonder how much supplies are stored there… I’m looking around with my eyes wide open.]
[Even if only half of the rumors are true, I understand why they do that. I want to go up there with my subordinates right now.]
Even through the burn, you could see him swallowing his saliva. But I have no intention of accusing you of being greedy.
This is because I know that I am not doing this simply because of personal desires.
The climax was reached in the video where a detachment discovered a hidden North Korean military decoration warehouse.
Chinese soldiers smiling brightly and carrying bags of sacks and wooden boxes. Seeing that, the atmosphere of the meeting immediately became tense.
[You must never hand it over to them!]
[Those supplies must go entirely to our country’s refugees. Are you telling me to give it up to the Chinese? If we start an all-out war, we won’t be able to see that!]
[You bastards! It’s not enough to take over and go nuclear during the war, so you’re making threats again?]
The hardliner commanders seem anxious to fight right away.
Strictly speaking, it is a secret base and supplies built up by the North Korean regime, but what does it matter?
To the South Korean military, North Korea is illegally occupied territory of South Korea.
[But what about nuclear weapons? They won’t have any means of delivering threats. Still, a nucleus is a nucleus.]
When an agenda item they wanted to forget came up, the commanders became quiet.
The more you get hit first, the less fear you have, but the opposite is true for nuclear weapons. After getting hit a few times, the fear was greatly intensified.
[Really… Bastards…]
The commander, who had burns all over his face, spit out swear words as if he were chewing.
He had no eyebrows and the left side of his nose had melted into a partial pig’s nose. Perhaps due to radiation exposure, his hair is also partially bald.
In the early days of the infection war, ROK Army divisions were preparing for resistance on the front lines, crying out for the ‘last five minutes’.
The reason why they were wiped out in an instant while trying to buy time for the rear against the monsters coming down from the North.
It wasn’t the teeth or claws of the infected. It was a nuclear storm with terrible radiant heat and tearing everything apart.
“Here’s some good news: There’s a pretty good chance that nuclear weapons are a bluff.”
[…!]
Everyone’s colors change in an instant.
[Is that really true?]
“After the meeting, we fully activated our information channels. “This is information I obtained with difficulty from my Russian friends on the Amur side.”
I gave Artemis a glance, and she revealed her video communication record.
* * *
[Oh! Long time no see, sister?!]
On the screen, there is a Slavic man wearing a skinhead.
He is a gang boss who has established influence on both the borders of Russia’s Amur and Khabarovsk.
During the three years I was missing, Artemis was one of the very few people with whom I had a cooperative relationship beyond North Korea.
[The situation is urgent, so I’ll get to the point right away.]
[You always hated waste. I’m doing well too, so there’s no need to say hello.]
The man smiled gently, which did not match his grim face.
All conversations in the video were conducted in Russian, but there were Korean subtitles at the bottom.
[Do you know anything about the Chinese military that has recently been pushing into North Korea?]
Artemis briefly explained the appearance and characteristics of the confirmed units.
[Oh, those bastards? I know. They are a rebel group that deserted in the middle of the infection war. They are on the same side, and they point the gun at me and say, ‘Do you want to die? It is said that the question ‘Do you want to join?’ Was so loud that he rapidly grew in size.]
[It is worth it in the midterm.]
At that time, China was completely in a state of chaos. The state had no control.
[Communist Party officials and generals who were war heroes were also included, so they grew in size quite easily. Now it seems like it has been split and cut a lot.]
[What is your inclination? Even at first glance, they don’t seem like cultured guys.]
[This is what my sister saw. Wherever they go, they uproot every single pillar, leaving no trace of a grass root.]
[Was there any damage there too?]
[The cheetah was properly robbed. Even the animals that were loose in Mongolia were dried up by these guys.]
He sighed.
[These guys are like a plague. I have no intention of finding a usable settlement and cultivating it. After brushing off every place my feet touched, I just…]
His finger moved from the left end of the screen to the right end.
[Move.]
[I know very well what kind of group this group is.]
[No, you don’t know yet. Do you know how they fatten their livestock? Prisoners in occupied areas are cut into pieces and thrown into pig and dog food. That’s how they fatten the animals and eat them.]
[… It’s barbaric. It’s really barbaric.]
Artemis’ face was colored with disgust.
[They don’t think that way. Anyway, since I’m not eating human flesh, I’m wondering if it’s okay. The people who lived in Chita got into their stomachs that way. The refugees who fled here are crying and talking about how terrible it was… They really are trash.]
[I have one more question to ask. They are threatening that they have nuclear weapons.]
[Under! Nuclear?!]
The man snorted.
[If there was such a thing, it would have been written to us a long time ago.]
[Was there an exchange of fire?]
[There were several battles with the Amur warlords. It’s not an all-out war.]
[Who won?]
[It was a draw. As warlords sent reinforcements from all directions, the Chinese also retreated. They’re so notorious that there’s a rumor going around that if we don’t stop them here, they’ll all be eaten. Not long after that, their general commander was purged. I think it was a waste of materials and a loss of face.]
As a commander leading monsters disguised as humans, if his head was about to be blown off, he would have used all the cards he could.
If nuclear weapons had not been used at that time, it would be safe to say that there were virtually no nuclear weapons.
[After a few more months, they completely withdrew. When I taunted him over the radio and asked if he was afraid to stand out, he got angry and said, ‘I have a more important plan!’ Haha! What about the topic of running away?]
The more important plan is most likely North Korea’s secret air raid shelter. A paradise of the last days when enormous resources lie dormant.
[Yes, thank you for letting me know.]
[Hey, don’t say things like that, sister. It would be nice to be able to have you here at any time.]
[I’m sorry. Since I am newlywed, I really want to stay at home.]
The communication record ended with the sound of a man laughing.
* * *
“As everyone has seen, the probability that the Chinese military possesses nuclear weapons is low, but we cannot conclude that it is 0%.”
[Then isn’t it the origin? It’s not a helicopter or a fighter jet, it’s a nuclear weapon. Even if it is only 1%, you cannot move hastily.]
The commander with his face burned said.
“At least you can see that there is no way to launch it remotely. That’s enough. “If we block all the routes they can come down from, we can greatly reduce the risk.”
[Is the shelter safe? Now it is like our army headquarters.]
One hardliner commander asked.
“We selected the site and built the building from the beginning to withstand a nuclear bombardment. “Don’t worry about that.”
[… What about the police?]
He was a commander on the eastern coast who actively promoted migration to Polis.
“It depends on what delivery method is used. There are so many possible assumptions that it is difficult to give a definite answer right away.”
[Don’t assume it will continue. Definitely not. What kind of person would he be as a commander leading those guys who are worse than beasts? Would a person like that have been quietly purged without even using nuclear weapons? If it can’t be used in Russia, it just doesn’t exist.]
The hardliner commander said in frustration.
[And if it really happens? Will you take responsibility?]
[If you live like that and worry, you won’t be able to do anything. When it comes to winning, you have to take a bold bet!]
[Not just your life is at stake! If you are harsh, many citizens could end up dead in droves.]
[Please be moderate with your citizens. So, are you going to be dragged around by their threats for a thousand years to come? Anyway, even if there were nuclear weapons, they wouldn’t be able to kill us all. All the living have to do is remember the dead and move forward to take revenge.]
[There is no such thing as a warmonger.]
[Call me a patriot, you coward.]
The situation was like this, so even if I let go for just a moment, it got hot in an instant. It was my turn to step in and cool it down.
“Actually, we have already dispatched a special force.”
[…
[…
The murmur disappeared at my words. Everyone’s eyes gather at once.
“As one person said, we can’t keep being dragged around by these guys like this. However, launching an all-out war is also a risky gamble. In that case, we need to find the next best solution.”
One of the commanders raised his hand and asked to speak.
“Yes. “Tell me.”
[Lieutenant colonel. Soo-min Kim.]
“…”
When I extended my hand and pointed, he made a statement. No matter how many times I listen to a lieutenant-level officer repeating his rank statement, I never get used to it.
[If confidentiality is not required, can you tell us the composition of the commando unit? You are already doing drone reconnaissance. If you had only sent a drone, you wouldn’t have mentioned it.]
“It is as you said. We sent robots with infiltration operation specifications. “Sending a drone is safe, but ultimately there’s nothing you can do but observe from afar, right?”
The commanders laughed softly.
“Really useful information must be obtained from people’s mouths. Let’s see…”
I opened the drawer of the manager’s desk where I was sitting and rummaged through the props.
Everyone participating in the video meeting waited patiently, with only clattering and rustling sounds.
“Oh, I found it.”
What I picked up were scissors, pliers, and nippers. These are things that should definitely be in the drawer of a combat engineer and technician.
“Since ancient times, there is only one way to quickly and reliably obtain information about an enemy country.”
I grinned, clapping the pliers in my hand.
“It may be difficult with drones, but the robot friends currently working hard to travel north will be able to do it well. Very secretly.”
[Ahahaha.]
The commanders’ laughter had decreased to about half of what it had been before.
Those who laugh are mostly hardliners. The person whose face was burned was even clapping.
Even those who did not laugh did not necessarily talk about war crimes.
* * *
Around the time when the second warlord meeting ended successfully.
New combat robots departing from the shelter have begun moving to North Korea.
Without anyone knowing, in a way that no one can find out in today’s world.
Only nature can know the advance of these secret assassins.
The fish swimming under the sea were startled by the strange smell and noise of metal that they had never experienced before and dispersed.
An underwater scooter moves forward between them.
Holding the scooter’s handlebar are warriors of science who have no emotions.
Their red eyes glowed in the dark sea.
There is no need for an oxygen tank. There are no periodic sounds of breathing or water droplets rising to the sea surface.
In complete silence and apnea, the red eyes only look towards the north.
The strong grip that has only torn and destroyed infectious agents now seeks to catch new prey.
The enemies in North Korea would not even dare to imagine what kind of entity is coming to target them.
