Chapter 418 – Caravan (2)
The Silk Road is an ancient trade route between East and West that everyone has heard of at least once.
Silk, ceramics, spices, wool, and even the main character, pepper. Numerous trade goods were transported along the desert ridges.
What was once only briefly skimmed over in textbooks has been revived in the wake of the post-apocalypse.
Here’s one of them. There is a caravan entering the beginning of Manchuria to avoid China, which has become hell.
It has 15 camels, 9 horses, dozens of poultry, 4 wagons, and a total of 34 people. In this day and age, this is by no means a small scale.
They are all armed with firearms and crossbows and have even hired mercenaries, so they can easily defeat wolf packs, small numbers of infected people, and clumsy bandits.
Now that the Chinese army brigade has disappeared, there is nothing to be afraid of as long as you avoid Chinese or Russian gangster areas filled with radiation and infectious agents.
“The more you look at it, the more fascinating it becomes.”
Ibram, a new merchant, said.
The horse ridden by caravan leader Taraz is the only shelter-made GMO species at the top.
“You can go, stand, and even cover your pee and poop without needing to fight.”
Captain Taraz says, ‘Put here.’ He only relieves himself in designated places. Thanks to this, the stable he stays in is very easy to clean.
Even an elderly person at the camp with 50 years of experience raising horses was amazed.
Taraz laughed as his proudest point was praised.
“Is that all there is? They eat any grass or rotten meat and produce milk all year round, regardless of pregnancy. They also have sharp ears, so even while you’re sleeping, they’ll warn you if someone approaches you within 100 meters. When you have to hold your breath, shush! If you do it once, it will close on its own.”
His boasts about his beloved horse poured out endlessly. Taraz loved the horse he was riding more than his bear-like wife.
Their endurance and strength exceed that of most horses, and there is no need for horseshoeing or maintenance.
This is a huge advantage at present, as the majority of funeral rites are dead, and the technology is being put into practice.
“Hwiyu, this guy is better than people.”
Thinking that it was this time, Ibram flattered him.
“That’s why I’m planning to travel this long distance to buy it.”
“But the competition is very fierce, right? What if I waste my money? “I’ve already found three traces of the upper part I went to earlier.”
Since there were only a few safe trade routes, the movement routes naturally overlapped with those of business partners.
You can’t help but feel anxious when you see caravans of different races, religions, and countries rushing to the end of Asia.
“It may be unfortunate, but it doesn’t matter. All you have to do is get a pig, a chicken, or at least a rat.”
“Do you eat rats?”
“Make up your face, man. Because it’s not an ordinary rat. “He’s a genetically improved guy like this guy.”
Taraz tapped his horse’s neck.
“It’s easy to grow and doesn’t bite even if you touch it. They give birth to a lot of babies, and they eat everything, and it tastes good. Even the bones are soft, so if you chew them carefully, you don’t need calcium supplements.”
“No matter what, the mouse is a bit…”
Taraz grinned at Ibram’s disgust.
“It’s because you haven’t tried it. Once you try it, your mind will change. Besides, you can make a lot of money just by getting medicine or alcohol.”
Taraz looked at the sky.
“There are tons of items that can only be found in the eastern end. You will have to get used to this road from now on. If you’re bored, memorize this.”
Ibram accepted the small booklet that Captain Taraz gave him.
This is a travel booklet that summarizes simple Korean. It was tattered and dirty due to many people taking turns reading it.
“Kanshahanda?”
“Thank you. Be especially careful there because they are sensitive to polite language. When shaking hands, always hold it with both hands. If you’re going to make a living this way, you’ll have to get used to it.”
As they got closer to their destination, the upper party looked forward to what kind of goods would be waiting for them at the marketplace on the outskirts of Polis.
If anything, I’d like to discuss some issues with the girls there.
The problem is that there were people who approached the East expecting their flesh as much as they expected it.
“Ready for battle! It’s an infection!”
A mercenary in the role of scout sent a warning from the front.
Originally, they had separate terms for infectious agents, but during trade with the Korean Peninsula, they all corrected them to the Korean Peninsula style.
Kids’ broadcasts are also very helpful, and it is advantageous to use unified terminology to facilitate information exchange with local people.
Of course, in cases like this, it is basic to follow A’s method.
“Damn, how can the schedule be so smooth?”
Captain Taraz grumbled and observed the enemy with a signal flare in one hand and a telescope in the other.
“Aren’t you going to shoot?”
Ibram asked.
“It’s not that big. We solve it among ourselves. “Getting help isn’t free, and you might be caught whining about something trivial.”
Meanwhile, the peddlers gathered their wagons, set up barricades, climbed on top of them and took up weapons. It’s not a skill that everyone has tried once or twice.
“The number is about 20, but there are not many variants! “Don’t be scared!”
Cavalrymen lined up next to Taraz, who was holding a gun. Veteran merchants on camels and mercenaries on horses.
Another relic that was revived from the past along with the Silk Road is the dragoon.
“Start the attack!”
“Turn around!”
At Taraz’s signal, everyone rushed bravely.
Against infected entities, it is wise to hide behind sturdy barricades and engage in defensive warfare, but they have goods and livestock to trade with.
If goods or carts are damaged or livestock are killed during a fight, you will feel sick.
It was better for them to believe in their own mobility and engage in guerrilla warfare, both in terms of property protection and combat power.
Unless you’re a juggernaut, you can’t catch up with the cavalry on the plains.
As the mercenaries on horseback split off to the left and right, the group of infected agents followed him and scattered in disorder.
Taraz in the center and the veterans on camels stopped running. Only a few infected remain as most of them are chasing mercenaries on horseback.
“Ignore the walkers! Let’s deal with variants first!”
Ta-ta-tang!
As the volley of shots poured in, the Dissolver’s abdomen burst like a balloon and dissolved in its own acid on the spot.
The remaining walkers ran hard, but fell one by one after hitting vital points before reaching Taraz and the others.
It’s not difficult to hit because it’s a stationary shot and the enemies run at me like they’re going to kill me.
Hee!
The mercenaries continued to run away rather than fight, wasting time.
“Kyaarrrrva!”
A Reaper chased after me at great speed. Walking on all fours, the trembling limbs make you look like a cockroach.
“What a monster!”
“You’re a monster!”
Seeing this, even the mercenaries who had been through many hardships stuck out their tongues. If this was a mountainous area or if they were on foot, they would have been caught a long time ago.
However, it is impossible to catch up with a horse on flat ground.
“Kyahaaak-! Sigh-!”
No matter how great his leg strength he is, he cannot overcome a horse with his speed.
Moreover, since he chases at a full sprint, his movements are very honest.
“Now is the time!”
At the signal from the mercenary leader, everyone turned their backs as if they were riding a horse.
Bang bang bang!
The bullets flying from the Partisan shot shattered Ripper’s shoulders and knees, causing him to fall to the ground.
Originally, it was aimed at the head, but considering that it was an impossible shot, this is quite remarkable.
Bang!
Tatang!
Caravan merchants who had chased after them on camels joined them. The infected were knocked down helplessly by gunfire coming from the sides and rear.
Bilville Daedun Ripper’s head was broken, and his head was hanging limply.
Now all that’s left are walkers struggling to stand with gunshot wounds here and there.
“Save money!”
The mercenaries holstered their guns and took out pyeongons from their horse saddles.
Even bullets are money. It is economical to deal with non-threatening enemies with cold weapons.
Spears are too bulky, swords are unwieldy, and splatter disgusting bodily fluids. Both require considerable skill to be used in horseback combat.
On the other hand, the Pyeongon, which consists of two solid sticks connected by a chain, is an all-purpose weapon. It is easy to use and manage, has a long range, and produces little body fluid splash.
Bah!
Sigh!
With a cheerful sound, the walkers collapsed, bleeding from their heads.
Thump!
One walker that got hit on the snout spat out its teeth.
“Haha! “Look at that guy stealing corn!”
During the course of trade, the foods and languages of the Korean Peninsula were exchanged, and their speaking styles were also different.
“Kik… Kikki…”
Kwasik!
Walker, who was still out of breath, was crawling on the ground and was gently crushed by his horse’s hooves.
“Whoa! It’s over.”
The mercenary leader who stopped his horse reported to Taraz. The pin in his hand was covered in blood.
“What is the damage?”
“As you can see, there is none. “It was the perfect opponent to warm up with.”
“Thank you all for your hard work. “I will give you combat allowance as per the contract.”
“I accept it without hesitation.”
“Damn it!”
Taraz, who was wiping his sweat, suddenly swore.
The mercenary leader misunderstood for a moment because he thought it would be a waste to give him combat allowance, but realized the situation when he saw Taraz pulling out a flare.
“It’s not over yet! Ready for battle!”
Push shoot!
At the same time as the mercenary leader shouted, a signal flare rose into the sky.
“What is it? Chief!”
Ibram asked, being slow to understand the situation like a rookie.
“They are Chinese.”
“Shit. The rumor that there were remnants remaining was true.”
Taraz and the mercenary leader looked in the direction where the infected agents appeared and swore.
A camouflaged military APC was seen running, kicking up sand dust.
It is a nightmare-like vehicle that was seen when the extinct Chinese brigade was at its peak of mischief.
“I don’t think it’s just one?”
There is only one visible right now, but the amount of dust that follows suggests that there are additional units.
“Isn’t it because of those guys that the infection spread?”
Ibram asked.
“I guess so. “I thought it was strange that I had climbed so far above their habitat.”
Captain Taraz covered his head as he looked at the marauders. They were truly more hateful than the infectious agents.
“We can’t break through with the weapons we have. Even if it’s unfortunate, you have to make a decision.”
Taraz closed his eyes tightly at the mercenary leader’s words.
* * *
[Emergency rescue signal has been detected.]
A manual was provided on the PDA.
The location information of the caravan, which was displayed abstractly, was modified, and accurate coordinates appeared.
Unlike the Korean Peninsula, which is within the range of satellite surveillance, the Manchurian area is covered by a drone carrier. However, it was so wide that precise surveillance was impossible.
Excluding areas where the camera directly touches, detection is done indirectly using dust scattering from the rest of the surface.
To compensate for this, we have been selling special flares for foreign caravans for some time now.
When a signal flare explodes in the air, it emits a special wavelength, through which the location can be specified.
The nearest drone carrier moves in that direction.
“What happened?”
Seyoung brought her horse closer and placed her chin on my shoulder.
“A caravan following the trade route fired a rescue signal. Just before that, we detected a group of infectious agents approaching.”
“The area around the trade route was cleaned last time.”
“Don’t underestimate China. Even if you clean it up and put it away, it keeps coming up. But the signal just now is probably not due to an infectious agent. It looks like the hidden looters made a surprise attack.”
Considering the size and combat power of the caravan, it is not inferior to a few infected entities.
You probably encountered well-armed marauders.
“Your liver is also big. There must be more than one caravan coming and going. “What if we join forces and are chased down?”
“I guess I’m thinking of taking a big hit and running away.”
I stopped at a nearby rest area with Seyoung.
Bikes and trucks are tied up in the parking lot, and cows, horses, and camels are tied up in the large stables.
I saw people interacting while drinking fake coffee, drinks, or moonshine, and people engrossed in Shelter’s online MMO RPG phone game.
Seyoung quickly tied her horses in one place and ran over. I guess I was quite curious about the status of the battle that would take place on the PDA.
Seyoung sat down next to her and hugged her arm. I angled her PDA, so she could see clearly.
A caravan procession began to be visible on the camera of a drone carrier flying at high altitude.
There was no sign of fighting, but the caravans gave up the battle.
“They abandoned the carriage and spread out 360 degrees and are running away.”
“Even if there is damage, it is a way to not lose everything. “It’s an appropriate decision for an opponent you can’t beat anyway.”
“From the merchant’s perspective, there will be tears of blood.”
There were a total of 3 APCs. Perhaps the goal from the beginning was for merchandise, but those on horses and camels who run away are not chased.
However, the slow-moving footmen were shot and fell while running away.
“Damn.”
The APC stopped and the soldiers disembarked. One of them turns the corpse over with its feet and loots the goods.
[Confirmation of identification of remnants of the Chinese army.]
The high-magnification camera zoomed to its maximum level and confirmed the model name of the armored vehicle and the Chinese military uniform.
“I was always concerned about those who stayed at the rear supply base and then fled to Manchuria, but this is how I found them. “If you see that you are not in a hurry, does that mean you don’t know the meaning of a signal?”
“It’s not strange. “You will be living the life of a fugitive, ostracized by all forces.”
When you touch the PDA and give a tracking and annihilation command, the fighter drones docked at the bottom of the carrier launch out all at once.
It was a spectacular sight to see eight medium to large drones flying in formation.
Four of them are models equipped with machine guns, and the other four are bombers equipped with bombs.
The Chinese infantrymen, who had been examining the carriage triumphantly, were caught running towards the APC in surprise.
But it was already too late.
The smart missile mounted on the bombing drone flew in a parabolic curve and landed on the lid of the armored vehicle.
The PDA screen, which was transmitting the remnants of the Chinese army from a long distance, was divided into four. This is a camera from the perspective of a rapidly approaching missile.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Without any time to react, the APCs were shattered by the bombs coming down from the top attack.
[■■■ ■■!]
The Chinese soldiers who managed to escape made noise as if they were screaming, but the interpretation system was far from working.
The soldiers who were firing anti-aircraft fire became a beehive of drones that fired while taking evasive maneuvers.
The last two remaining soldiers threw away their weapons and raised their hands.
-Surrender! Surrender! Don’t shoot!
As a drone equipped with a machine gun approached them, it started chatting in Chinese. Because the distance was close enough, the interpretation system activated and added subtitles.
Even with both hands raised, they rolled their eyes and saw the red laser sight stationary on their foreheads and hearts.
He was sweating profusely, and his whole body was shaking like an aspen.
-You bastards!
-I’ll make you beg me to kill you!
After seeing the smoke from the shattered APC and the surrendered Chinese troops, the returning caravan and mercenaries swore.
His eyes were burning with the desire to skin him alive right away, but he didn’t dare take the first step because there were shelter drones.
Because we know that this is not just a drone, but the eyes and ears of the city rulers.
I adjusted the PDA to activate voice mode and said just one word. Even if you speak in Korean, it will be automatically interpreted and transmitted.
“Do whatever you want.”
