Chapter 345 – From the North
It is inevitable that Korean explorers are poorly armed.
Gun control was at the highest level in the world, and during the Contagion War, the South Korean military moved as many military supplies to the rear as possible even while being defeated.
Civilian survivors have no choice but to capture items dropped by fallen soldiers, but this is also a difficult task.
Most of the soldiers died while protecting a city-like base, and the surrounding area was swarming with infectious agents.
Even if you were lucky enough to find a soldier’s corpse, the gun was often in an unusable condition as it had been aged by rain, dirt, sweat, and blood.
On the other hand, the situation is different in Russia. Through the harsh world wars and the Cold War, a huge amount of weapons was accumulated and released to the civilian population.
[■■■ ■■ ■■■?]
“What are you talking about?”
The behavior of investigators from both countries encountered in the border area of North Hamgyong Province clearly shows the difference.
On the Korean side, the leader is holding a K2 rifle, and the rest are holding police pistols or shotguns.
In the Gyeonggi-do area, it is common for people to carry crossbows for sports, so this party, all armed with firearms, can be said to be doing well.
But I can’t help but feel shabby in front of the Russians in front of me.
They even had a youthful-looking boy carrying a Mosin-Nagant with a scope, and the adults were armed with Soviet-made submachine guns fitted with drum magazines.
If the two sides fight, it is obvious who will win.
“They’re not going to just lash out, right?”
A newbie with an anxious face said.
He fiddled with the police revolver in his holster. It’s annoying to see Russians laughing at that.
If you had understood the conversation, ‘What is that kid doing with that gun?’, Your face would have heated up.
“It was concluded that the troubles a while ago were due to a misunderstanding that they were Chinese. “There is nothing to worry about as the atmosphere is to avoid unnecessary fights.”
“But if they have bad intentions, we will be finished.”
Despite what the leader said, the newcomer was afraid. Just looking at Amman, the difference in armament between the two was too severe.
“This is where a war broke out not long ago. “No gang of thugs survives in a place where there has just been a war.”
“What do you believe in and why are you so confident?”
After giving the grumbling newcomer a stick of chestnuts, the leader took out a cigarette pack.
He makes a cigarette stick out, holds it somewhat high, and slowly approaches the Russians.
It is a universal gesture that can convey friendship even if the language is different.
As if this worked, one person from Russia also came forward. He is a one-eyed man who appears to be in his mid to late 40s.
As we each took out a cigarette and lit it, the atmosphere quickly calmed down.
And that moment.
Tatang!
When a gunshot was heard from afar, everyone turned around reflexively.
[Drone!]
A Russian man points to the sky.
Three drones were flying in formation. Just by looking at its size and unique appearance, you can tell that it is a gas launched from a shelter.
“Kkiiiiit-!”
A strange howling noise that could not be thought of as coming from an animal was heard.
“Is it an infection?”
“Maybe.”
As much as Koreans whispered, Russians also whispered.
The unidentified roar died down as soon as the drone squadron poured bullets on the ground.
The drones hovered for a moment and increased their altitude after confirming that the target had been killed.
The destination is a drone carrier in the shape of an airship. Drones were docked at the bottom in perfect order.
[■■■?!]
“Oh, those hillbillies.”
Unlike Russians who are surprised and point with wide-open eyes, Koreans are indifferent.
This is because drone carriers are a specialty that can be seen frequently in South Korea.
The mechanical hands attached to the docking bay replenishing ammunition and fuel to each drone was so elaborate that it was admirable.
The one-eyed Russian side who saw it through the telescope let out an exclamation.
[■■■! ■■■!]
Next to him, a boy holding a Mosin-Nagant was running around and begging. He probably wants to hand over the telescope.
Other Russian adults looked at the sky with nervous faces.
“Did you see it? “They won’t be able to install it carelessly.”
This was what the Korean leader believed.
“What if those drones attack us in a difficult situation? “It’s not like they’re flying around to protect us.”
“Do they understand that? Consider changing your position. The Chinese army, which I had never even dared to touch, was completely wiped out here.”
“That’s right. “When I saw the video, it was amazing.”
“It was a situation where they recognized that the territory was being guarded by a military force more fearsome than the Chinese military. “It’s not something a stranger can carelessly expose.”
“Still, I think you’re showing off your guts too much.”
“You have to have this much guts to be able to achieve something one step ahead of others.”
The Russians stopped their search when they discovered the drone carrier.
They talked amongst themselves and then went back the way they came.
“We don’t even care about the people in front of us, we just look at the sky. “This hurts my pride.”
The man with the shotgun said.
“A little hurting your pride is better than getting a bullet in your stomach.”
“That’s true.”
“Now, let’s not hesitate and quickly search around the area.”
“If we go further, it’s Russian land?”
“What is the use of discussing borders in this yard? They also come down to the East Sea and catch fish.”
So far, I’ve been sticking close to the sea to be as safe as possible, but it seems like the time has come to head west.
5 years since the infection war.
Basic level exchanges with foreign countries were resumed through land routes.
Although we were still awkward with each other, like missionaries meeting native people.
Boo!
After completing maintenance, the drone descends again and begins to scout the surroundings.
“Okay, fly hard. That way we can move forward too.”
The searcher leader has never been grateful to the country in his life, but now he expressed gratitude to those who operate that drone.
* * *
My work day begins with a morning meeting in the central control room.
Start by inspecting the most important equipment such as the nuclear reactor, atmospheric circulation equipment, and water supply facilities.
Afterward, changes in the number of residents, food supply, and material and logistics status are identified.
Next, we look at reports of robots active outside and diplomatic sources from major warlords.
This part can actually be seen as ‘news’ after the destruction.
It’s quite interesting because various incidents happen every day.
Recently, encounters with Russians in the North Korean border area have been a major concern.
“A lot of people are going up.”
As the advance team advanced along the East Sea to North Hamgyong Province, did North Korea seem to be safer than expected?
South Korea’s hesitant explorers began to rush north.
Conversely, Russians also frequently appeared near the border.
Rather than looking for supplies, I think I want to have some kind of certainty.
They couldn’t believe that the Chinese brigade that had been harassing them from time to time had disappeared, so they tried to inspect the battle scene.
-You need to set up a guard post and block it.
-There is a report that a Russian fishing boat has come down to the waters off Gangneung. Isn’t this crossing the line? Let’s set an example by capturing a ship!
The commanders belonging to the hardliners remained the same even during times like this.
For them, who served in the military only in divided countries, borders were sacrosanct and inviolable. It is a central line that foreigners are not allowed to cross even one step without permission.
Especially in a world as cruel as it is now.
We had to make them understand that borders around the world often have only a single sign, and that in the current situation, it is better to have vague borders.
Currently, Koreans frequently cross over to Russian territory, and fishing boats frequently travel in and out of Chinese or Japanese territorial waters.
Even if we point guns at each other and set up a confrontational stance, it will only cause unnecessary waste.
Some large groups of peddlers even stepped forward to open a commercial route with Vladivostok, where their survival was confirmed.
I contacted Director Kim to see if he was interested, but he declined.
[Thank you very much for the recommendation, but I will only accept your heart. I was lucky enough to have that in this messed up world. I saw several friends who got more greedy and ended up reaching the goal.]
But even though he said that, he seemed intent on sticking a spoon in whenever he got the chance.
South Korea is now filled with peace and stability. Although there were sporadic outbreaks of infectious agents, it was nothing more than a compatibility issue during the Joseon Dynasty.
Hwang Jin, commander of the Honam garrison, seems to have developed an eye for farming and pioneering and is forming a new pioneering group.
[We plan to send 300 households to Hwanghae Province on a pilot basis. If food is grown in both Honam and Hwanghae Province, the food problem can be eliminated from the Korean Peninsula.]
Everyone’s eyes are turning to the north. Everyone is full of opportunity and hope.
But I couldn’t participate in it as much as I did.
This is because of a photo taken by a drone that went on a reconnaissance mission over Mt. Baekdu.
A lump of cocoons lying alone on a rocky area entering the forest.
It was large enough to hold two adult men, and there was a carcass of an elk with only bones and skin left on the surface.
The inside of the cocoon is empty, as if something inside has already come out.
The ominous entity that was discovered three years ago when a large-scale separatist attack took place has appeared again.
