Chapter 1198: The Journey Back, Observing the Group Led by Kang Ye-Jun
Day 381 - 6:15 PM - Nam District, Busan, South Korea
The day had ended, and the sun had set. But despite the looming darkness as the sun vanished on the horizon, the incoming night proved bright with the moon already hanging in the unpolluted sky.
It had already been more than a year since the apocalypse began. In the first few months, air pollution rose due to various sources because of the world’s collapse. It increased further due to the [Second Wave], and the arrival of the space debris boarded by the [Mechids]. Fortunately, the [Fusion of Dimensions] had mitigated most of the worst effects of the event, including pollution, which continued to decrease due to the lack of sources created by human development.
Now, the nights were comparable to the days long before light and air pollution became a problem.
The stars twinkled brightly in the sky, with the moon illuminating the path for everyone under its shine.
It could have been a picturesque scene, if not for the dangers lurking in the shadows that everyone had to be wary of.
***
Under this moonlit sky, the group led by Kang Ye-Jun began preparing to move. It was a pity that they could not load the entirety of the [Giant Boar’s] carcass into their baggage, but there was nothing they could do. The electric truck was already full, and carrying too much weight would just put people in danger.
It was when Mark approached Kang Ye-Jun.
"The rest of the boar is going to be left behind, right? Can we have some?"
Mark asked, glancing at the leftover remains of the [Giant Boar].
"Please do. It’s going to be a waste, anyway."
Kang Ye-Jun bitterly said.
After that brief interaction, the leader of the Korean group watched Mark head towards the carcass with his wife, the [Infected Queen] tailing them.
But looking at the three, Kang Ye-Jun realized something, and his eyes panned not only at the three but also to the other members of Mark’s group. Each of them wore hooded robes covering their entire bodies. Even so, if any of them were wearing backpacks or the like, the shape would be visible through their robes. Yet, it did not seem to be the case. None of them was carrying any large storage suitable for luggage while traveling.
While under the gaze of everyone who was still preparing to depart, Mark began sizing up the remaining parts of the carved-up carcass. Most of the meaty parts were prioritized, leaving the head and most of the back part of the [Giant Boar]. Still, it was more than a third of the body, even without counting the untouched innards.
Mark began talking with his wife for a bit. It was then that everyone’s eyes widened as Mark pulled out what seemed to be a rectangular-shaped sword with sci-fi-looking accents from a hole in space that abruptly appeared at his side. And with swift movements of his that held the sword, the carcass collapsed, separating the remains into different sliced parts. He then stabbed the sword into the larger sliced chunks of meat and flicked the sword, causing the chunks of meat to fly off, only to vanish into the very same hole where the sword came from.
It was an absurd and unexplainable sight. Half of the remaining meat from the carcass vanished quickly before Mark stopped. There was still a considerable amount of meat remaining, but seeing him shrug while poking the carcass with his sword, the surroundings immediately understood that there was a limit to what he could store in that magical hole in space.
Still, it was truly an absurd scene.
Mark had already shown some of his abilities, but to think he had more. Not to mention the skill he showed as he sliced the carcass with his sword.
Fortunately, although the initial surprise was strong, the Korean group accepted the scene rather quickly. If one made it this far through the apocalypse, it meant that they were not new to witnessing odd phenomena and strange abilities. In fact, Amaya Ran’s ability was absurd in itself, not to mention that they had a few [Evolvers] and [Mutators] in their group.
Still, it did not mean they lost interest. It even triggered various reactions from them.
Among these reactions, most showed surprise, others harbored desire, but many felt envy. After all, Mark showed a kind of ability to store things. If they had such an ability, they would not need to carry heavy luggage on foot while traveling over long distances.
The most envious were the ones who were currently lugging heavy backpacks filled with meat on their backs at the moment. Not only was it heavy, but they also had to endure the thick smell of raw meat and blood while being distracted by the texture and temperature of raw flesh rubbing on their backs through the fabric of their backpacks.
This inconvenience was sure to create negative emotions towards those who had the convenience.
Of course, these emotions did not escape Mark. Not even a little bit. However, these emotions were fleeting and harbored no threat. After all, they all thought it was an ability and not the ring on Mark’s finger. The reactions could have been different if they had known.
Still, Mark was being sly. He showed them on purpose that his storage had a limit. It blocked any thoughts of asking him to carry some of the heavy luggage they others were carrying. Of course, it would be shameless to ask him that, especially since he was not a member of their group. But the possibility was still there.
And more importantly...
Mark’s eyes glanced in a certain direction as he concentrated on his hearing.
"Where did you go?"
One of the Korean survivors asked another. The latter seemed to have gone into the woods for a bit while everyone was preparing to leave.
"S-sorry, I had to pee. Did something happen? What is everyone looking at?"
The guy who returned from the forest, who seemed to be of Southeast Asian origin, replied as he looked around.
"You’re unlucky. We just saw something amazing."
The first guy said while looking at Mark, before continuing to talk with the clueless guy.
By this time, after Mark gave the two a quick glance, he returned with Mei and Snow to the rest of the group.
Kang Ye-Jun’s side also seemed amazed and perplexed by seeing what Mark did, but they did not let it hinder their preparations. After a minute or so, Kang Ye-Jun approached Mark’s group.
"We are ready to leave. Is your group really coming with us?"
The leader of the Korean group had to make one final confirmation.
They had already talked about this earlier after Choi Seo-Yeon calmed down. While the true reason Mark’s group was here remained mostly undisclosed, they decided that they would accompany Kang Ye-Jun’s group back to Yeongdo. Of course, the Korean group had no reason to deny them.
While others would think only on the surface, Kang Ye-Jun was different. He was a leader for a reason, and his observational skills were one of his fortes. He deduced many things just by observing Mark’s group. And one of those was the fact that his group was mostly women and children. In the current state of the world, such a group would find it hard to be so nonchalant and carefree. A group like this would be bound to be targeted by people with evil intentions, making them more paranoid and cautious.
The current behavior of Mark’s group only meant they were capable of having such attitudes. It was either that Mark had the strength to protect them all, multiple of them had such a capability, or in the best case, all of them were.
If that was the case, they were more than welcome, as their presence would elevate the sense of assurance for a safe journey home.
"Yes," Mark nodded. "It’s better to have somewhere safer to spend the night than camping outside."
It also aligns with his goals, Mark thought.
After a few more exchanges, everyone was ready to go.
The whole group moved in formation.
With the electric truck as the central piece of the formation, the luggage carriers surrounded the truck and walked alongside it. Then, the combatants, composed of fighters and scouts, surrounded them. On the other hand, the leader, Kang Ye-Jun, was also at the center, along with the main combatants of the group. It was to allow them to easily run to support whichever direction any danger would come from. This was the main structure of their usual formation.
This time, however, it was quite different. The guests were also positioned at the center of the formation. It was the most suitable position, after all. Of course, there would be cons, but they could not be other locations of the formation would be far more unsuitable.
As such, the entire group left the clearing at the foot of the mountain and began their journey south.
It was already nighttime. A very unsuitable time to travel in the apocalypse. However, they could not just camp either, since they were carrying fresh meat. While spoilage would be an issue if they took too much time camping, it was not the most pressing one. The smell of fresh meat would definitely attract danger. They would end up besieged by an increasing number of [Infected] through the whole night if they decided to camp.
They were lucky it was rather uneventful while they were in the middle of dismantling the [Giant Boar]. But after leaving the territory of the [Mountain King], things would be different.
***
SPURT!
Blood sputtered like a faucet from the head of an [Infected] after the spear that penetrated through its brain was pulled out haphazardly.
"I’m done here."
Kim Yong-Hwa spoke on her radio.
"Return to formation," Choi Seo-Yeon’s voice replied from the radio. "Yong-Gyu, help with the enemies at 9 o’clock."
"Roger that."
Kim Yong-Gyu’s voice followed Choi Seo-Yeon’s.
Kim Yong-Hwa rushed back into the formation after killing her target around 50 meters away. From her position, she could see everyone, especially Choi Seo-Yeon, sitting on the roof of the Electric Truck with their leader.
It was Choi Seo-Yeon’s main role for the group. She was in charge of communications. And since her ability allowed her to differentiate [Infected] mutations and abilities, she could command and send the perfect personnel to deal with the danger each kind of [Infected] posed. Of course, she could only distinguish the kinds she had seen before. Nonetheless, it was more than enough.
"A Spitter at two o’clock. Around a hundred meters away."
Choi Seo-Yeon declared on the radio.
"I’ll deal with it."
Kang Ye-Jun said without waiting to be ordered and aimed his weapon. It was a standard-issue K2 assault rifle that was modified with accessories to serve as a designated marksman rifle.
PSSST!
With a single shot, Kang Ye-Jun neutralized the target without letting it pose any danger to his group.
From aiming, confirmation of target, and even his mannerisms as he shot his gun, Kang Ye-Jun was a professional. It was not surprising. Every man in South Korea, unless with special circumstances, had to undergo mandatory military service. Considering his skill, it was possible that it had not been long since he ended his service before the apocalypse began.
It was not wrong to say that most men past the age of 28 had military experience. And this was one reason why Kang Ye-Jun’s group would be considered weaker than other groups from Yeongdo. Because their group was made up of people from different countries, not all of them had such experiences. In fact, most members who carried the luggage were from other countries, while the combatants were mostly Korean men.
Watching the surroundings with his group, Mark could not help but nod in compliment. Despite their shortcomings, Kang Ye-Jun’s group was well-organized, making use of each other’s strengths at the right moments.
And the most crucial one would be the petite-looking Choi Seo-Yeon. Without her, this team would be in a far more horrible state.
"Hmmm?"
Mark suddenly frowned.
Shortly after...
"Hah?!" Choi Seo-Yeon was startled before suddenly shouting. "Everyone! Gather up!"
It was a sudden command, but no one questioned her. They immediately tightened the formation.
Of course, everyone still looked at her in askance. They wanted to ask what was wrong, only to see Choi Seo-Yeon and Kang Ye-Jun looking in front.
And from there, about a hundred meters away, barely inside Choi Seo-Yeon’s detection range, human silhouettes appeared from the ruins of the city, one after another.
