Chapter 374 – Aftercare (1)
Austerity.
This is a word I have never paid attention to since becoming the owner of a shelter due to an infection situation.
It was natural that we had plenty of resources and space, but little money, and neither I nor Artemis were interested in luxury.
But now, I have no choice but to go into a mode of saving.
From the large-scale suppression of infectious agents, the all-out war with the Chinese military, and the Exile eradication operation that took place just before I returned after my disappearance.
As of today, the country has fought three large-scale battles in a row.
No matter how wealthy we are, we are bound to have back pain.
“When we fought and won against the Chinese army, it was quite rewarding, but now that the opponent is a monster, we just end up paying the cost.”
There was a lot to take care of, including some of the equipment operated by the Chinese military, a small supply base in Manchuria, and even Kim Jong-un’s air raid shelter.
However, when the opponent is a monster, there is no such thing as a trophy.
It’s not like you can pull out their claws or teeth and sell them as accessories, or take off their skin and make clothes.
On the other hand, it is not for nothing that warlords are reluctant to eradicate infectious agents because it consumes a lot of manpower and resources.
Although the damage to our main army is not great, war itself sucks up resources.
Costs for reconnaissance, intelligence, ammunition, fuel, various consumables, and linkage with external forces.
If another external risk arises immediately, it will be difficult for us to step forward this time.
“Is it fortunate that the trade route and passage rights were clearly obtained?”
The map of the Korean Peninsula and Siberia displayed on the central control room screen shows friendly Russian warlords and the trade routes they allow.
Originally, except for a few camps bordering northern North Korea, most people refused to pass, but now all sections are free passes.
“After watching the video of the battle at the epicenter of Exile, you must have realized many things.”
Artemis said.
She is doing yoga-like movements on a carpet a little away from my seat.
Since he was placed in an incubator during the operation, he seems to want to move around.
Although she is superior to her omnipotence in cyberspace, she is also deeply fascinated by the various sensations she receives from moving her body.
The same goes for when she plays her favorite game: chess.
He sat across from me and tried to move the pieces with his fingers, but now he has no interest in playing chess online.
I think it would be effective to enjoy sports and horseback riding together, or to have a hot time at night.
“The battle video was amazing. Because there were more scenes of spraying poisonous gas than scenes of shooting guns.”
The recorded video of the stalkers who participated in the operation was more gruesome than thrilling.
The place is covered with poisonous fog and the howls of monsters coughing death everywhere.
There was only a short period of fighting in the beginning to the middle, and after that, it was more of a show where terminally ill patients were unilaterally executed.
“Wouldn’t poison gas, which works on monsters, work better on humans?”
“Don’t say anything terrible.”
Hehe.”
In a little while, it will be 6 years since the infection war.
What this means is that the vast majority of existing military forces have almost lost their ability to respond to chemical, biological and radiological threats.
Gas mask cartridges and chemical, biological and radiological protection clothing also have an expiration date, and a significant number of them were consumed in the unlimited chemical warfare waged during the infection war.
Our military’s physical combat capabilities and air force are great, but the entire combat area can be covered with poison gas.
Russian warlords know very well how scary this is.
“It’s just the right ratio. “Thanks for resolving the disaster lurking in the north, and even fear towards us who have that much power.”
Artemis looks at me and smiles.
It was a feeling that was hard to describe because he was in a strange and somewhat strange posture.
“It is said that humans are surprisingly easy to betray those they are grateful to. However, if you give them fear, they will feel danger and try to run away. Wouldn’t it be best to give an appropriate mix of both?”
“Besides, their threat is not completely over yet.”
The map shows the location where the Exile battle took place, the southern nest, the northern epicenter, the village that was wiped out, and the location where the search party and battle took place.
Starting from those places, drone carriers are conducting 24-hour surveillance.
Even if the two largest bases were destroyed, there would still be individuals who were away for hunting or other reasons.
Our drones equipped with large-diameter bullets and the Russian search team are chasing down and killing the very few remaining ones.
Now that the giant monster that gave birth to mutants has been dealt with, the countdown to their extinction has begun.
“No need to worry too much. “It is not that difficult to exterminate a predator of that size, whether it is a fungus or a pest.”
Artemis said as if to reassure her.
“But it’s capable of breeding alone, right? What a scary advantage this is… Even if I don’t see it for a few years, I won’t be able to completely relax.”
“That’s right. However, due to its size, belligerence, and caloric needs, it will definitely be noticed if an outbreak occurs. You can never hide it. “What is difficult for our military today is not because it is a strong enemy, but because it is a difficult enemy to find.”
Artemis sat with her legs straight like a ballet athlete and confidently crossed her arms.
“What is the probability that a second Exile-like mutation will occur elsewhere?”
“I can’t say 0%, but it would be very low.”
Artemis snapped her fingers and a map of the Earth appeared on the screen.
Temperature, ecosystem diversity, and food chain safety are indicated.
“Warm places are out of the question from the beginning. “Because everything will rot and fall apart before mutations occur due to the active vaccine action.”
Except for a few places near the north and south of the Earth, everything is black and white.
“But it’s also difficult to go to places that are ridiculously cold. The vaccine will definitely slow it down, but the ecosystem in such a place is too small. “The foundation of infection and mutation is the stage where various life activities take place.”
“In addition, Antarctica is an isolated ecosystem and the Arctic is a place where most of the marine life is present, so the threat of infectious agents was low from the beginning.”
In my response, the North and South Poles were also excluded.
What remains now are Siberia, Canada, and several areas in Northern Europe.
“Looking at it like this, there aren’t as many places to be on guard as I thought.”
“It’s not a level of complete peace of mind. But even if something goes wrong, it’s too far away, right? “Nothing will change because we are already worried.”
There is nothing more meaningless than worrying about things that are out of my hands.
I learned it countless times during my time in the military that I should focus on what I can deal with right away.
Artemis has become more skilled than me in guarding against monsters during the three years I have been missing.
“Be it killing or dissecting, trust me, the greatest monster expert of our time.”
“I guess so.”
I calmly accepted the advice and lay down comfortably on the chair.
“That’s the attitude. You’ve been fighting here and there so much, right? “I feel energized only when the manager reliably protects the central control room.”
As if responding to Artemis’ words, he raised his legs on the desk and placed his clasped hands behind his head.
Then her cheerful laughter filled the spacious central control room.
* * *
Although no material spoils were collected in this fight, it would be wrong to say that there was only waste.
Didn’t they say that the most precious resource among all resources is humans?
Perhaps the fear of Exile’s threat and the power shown by my army created a synergy, and the number of Russians crossing the North Korean border increased day by day.
No matter how small Korea was, it was said that it was a small country, but now that it had swallowed up North Korea and its population had decreased significantly, there was a shortage of workers.
Among them, there were some welcome guests.
“It’s nice to see you again. “Is this your first time seeing my face?”
I found Pyotr through video communication and shook his hand.
[I remember the manager’s voice.]
Pyotr greeted politely.
“Do you like the climate of the Korean Peninsula?”
[In winter, the fierce wind blows the same way here or there. Still, I know for sure that the land here is more fertile and safer. Seeing how many passers-by come and go, it seems like a good place to do business.]
Behind Pyotr were the village expedition team and their families who had been together for a short time.
[Everyone believed in what I said and had a hard time getting here, but I’m glad we arrived safely.]
“It’s worth it. “It’s a very long way.”
[I suffered physically, but the mental suffering was greater. I was skeptical about whether there really was a ‘promised land.’]
“Oh, was it that way?”
A barren land where life becomes increasingly difficult due to the threat of Exile and the destruction of civilization.
I would have to move somewhere, but all the good land is already owned.
In this era that is extremely beta-oriented towards outsiders, where on earth can one go?
In such a situation, the words of Pyotr, who had connections with a powerful warlord on the Korean Peninsula called the shelter manager, shook the villagers.
This is a story about being introduced to a good land in the south where one could farm and settle down.
Because Peter was so popular, everyone trusted him and set out on a long journey, but when he actually arrived at the promised village, everyone seemed thrilled.
“Thank you again for saving my life at that time!”
Isaac, the youngest member of the expedition team, greeted quickly. Next to him is an elderly woman who appears to be his mother with a sad face.
“What about Mikhail?”
[It will take a few more days. There are more people trying to come down than expected, so the warlords are on high alert. Senior executives who are part of the main axis have also submitted their resignations, so we need time to finalize them.]
“I hope this doesn’t cause unnecessary resentment.”
It’s difficult to hate people for stealing their talent for no reason.
But Pyotr smiled faintly at my worry.
[Grudge? There is absolutely no need to worry. As long as you don’t run away with equipment, you can’t mess with transfers between camps.]
“Well, in this day and age, armed desertion must be pursued to the ends of the earth.”
If armed desertion in normal times ended in a security risk, armed desertion now is directly related to the reputation and reputation of the organization to which one belongs.
In any case, unlike Korea, which is collectivist and has a conscription rate close to 100% in a small area, Siberia has a large area and a strong liberal tendency, so it seems to be lenient on transfers.
After sharing a few more stories with Peter about the immigrants, he concluded the communication by saying that he would visit soon with something to eat and drink.
However, soon after, I received a new communication request.
In most cases, I do not receive each and every communication from immigrants directly.
Nevertheless, considering that Artemis connected him, he seems to be a quite meaningful guest.
[We are soldiers who are close friends with Mikhail. I was told that if I were to move to Korea, I had to ask for permission through this channel.]
The image captured by the border surveillance drone appeared on the screen.
No matter how you look at it, they are a small group of soldiers who appear to have escaped from the Siberian warlords.
They were stopping at the North Korean border and asking for permission to pass.
Family-based immigrants are crossing over as they please, but properly armed troops cannot do that.
This is because if you are harsh, it may be misunderstood as an invasion and a battle may break out.
“The immigration of capable warriors is always welcome…”
[Leave it to me! Whether my opponent is a wight or a raider, I will fight bravely! From today, our hometown is the Korean Peninsula!]
The Russian soldier communicating on behalf of the representative spoke in an angry voice.
But these guys came in tanks and armored vehicles.
