Hiding A Logistics Center In The Apocalypse Chapter 17

Hiding a Logistics Center in the Apocalypse – Part 17

(On-site service (1))

“Huh···”

This is the operations headquarters of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The operations headquarters chief, Yoo Seong-cheol, who was left alone, let out a deep sigh.

At the end of his gaze, the status and results of various operations carried out by the military over the past few days were written down without fail.

He muttered to himself.

“···It’s really dark. So dark.”

The results shown on the dashboard were dismal.

It was literally invisible.

There were more than a few units all over the country that suddenly lost communication.

In other words, it was no different from saying that the unit was completely swallowed up by monsters.

Of course it could happen.

Since the situation is reminiscent of war, there may be minor defeats.

"but···"

The real problem is that hope is gradually fading away.

He ordered higher command units across the country to form new troop formations.

In a situation like this where all kinds of monsters are appearing simultaneously, the most urgent task was to establish a focal point.

The existing troop formation was organized with additional Awakened members and organized into city and county units, but the organization itself was not carried out properly.

“It seems like Gwacheon and Anyang have also been blown away… The 56th Apostle… The only place that has gathered properly is the 1st Corps.”

As he was organizing the situation board to himself, he suddenly muttered something irreverent.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff's operations headquarters here was the center of power, controlling military operations.

“With the situation at this level… can we really say that the government still exists?”

A nation is a concept, not a real entity, but it exerts its influence through institutions and military power.

But it was falling apart.

He stroked the collar of his military uniform bitterly.

Three stars felt at your fingertips.

The star embroidered in black had already died, its light gone.

Just then, someone entered the conference room.

He was Yoo Seong-cheol's personal aide.

“Chief, there’s someone here… I think you should meet him.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m the commander of the 50th Information and Communications Battalion of the National Communications Command. I heard that he was assigned to a communications support mission at the government complex in Gwacheon. He said that he had some news that he absolutely had to convey to the chief of headquarters…”

“···Gwacheon? Is that true?”

The troops at the government building were assumed to have been annihilated.

Yoo Seong-cheol was delighted to hear the news of the survivors.

“Tell them to come in right now.”

The vision that had been darkened finally caught sight of a small morning star.

.

.

.

“···A coup d’état?”

Yoo Seong-cheol asked back with a bewildered expression.

In his hands were several confidential documents handed to him by Signal Battalion Commander Han Kyung-ho.

Two or three of them were written under orders from the Joint Chiefs of Staff here.

But a few···

Han Kyung-ho added.

“Yes, 1st Corps, Commander.”

The orders that were directly delivered from the 1st Corps were recorded.

Although it was not an official document, its contents were certain.

Cut off support and communications to the staging area of the units to be organized into the Capital Defense Force.

Reporting the failure of a unit formation as an attack by monsters.

'Are these guys out of their minds?'

There was also circumstantial evidence.

The only places in the country where units were properly organized were the 1st Corps, several divisions at the front, and higher-level units in the rear.

Among them, the ones whose assembly was delayed the most miserably were none other than the capital defense forces.

Only then did all the puzzle pieces seem to fall into place.

But there was one thing that was questionable.

“How on earth did you get these documents? I’m sorry, but these are documents that are difficult for you to even touch with your position. It’s also strange that you came back from Gwacheon alive alone…”

“That’s how it was supposed to be. So, there’s someone I really want the chief to meet.”

Han Kyung-ho briefly explained what had happened to him over the past few days.

A man named Kim Jeong-gyeom saved him, and he not only possessed the National Intelligence Service in his subspace, but also possessed powerful fighting power.

It was a truly absurd ability, but···

“If that’s true···”

Operations Headquarters Chief Yoo Seong-cheol had no choice but to nod.

***

Operations Headquarters Chief Yoo Seong-cheol came down to the parking lot to meet me.

I got out of the car with Lee Yong-soo and immediately started negotiating with him.

As I had requested in advance, Han Kyung-ho would have explained my abilities to the chief.

“My family is on the other side of that wall right now. So, I would like to borrow a helicopter… If you give it to me, I will give you more than that in return. Water, food, military supplies are also possible.”

“I heard about Mr. Kim Jeong-gyeom’s ability from the commander of the communications battalion here. It’s really an unbelievable ability. The helicopter is a very important strategic asset… but I don’t think it’s impossible to pass it on.”

“Really?”

I was delighted.

It's because I never thought you would give it up so easily.

but···

“However, there is a condition. I would like you to become a military Awakener. As you know, the government is having a hard time calming down the current situation. However, if Mr. Jeonggyeom joins our military… we may be able to find a solution.”

“I’m sorry, but that would be difficult.”

This time too, I flatly refused.

And added:

“I understand the government’s situation, but right now, nothing else can take priority over saving the families.”

Although I didn't say anything, it was the same even after I found all my family members.

It felt equally shameful to see the monsters tearing humans apart and the 1st Army group greedy for power in this place, but I wasn't sure if this government could survive.

The chief answered.

“That’s too bad. Then it will be difficult to provide a helicopter.”

“Okay, I won’t ask any more questions.”

Thud!

I immediately got into the passenger seat.

It was difficult to get a helicopter, but… I hadn't even properly inspected the wall anyway.

If you throw a thousand grenades, won't a hole somehow be made?

I was just thinking about that.

dripping.

There was a knock on the car window from outside.

Jiying.

As I rolled down the window, Chief Yoo Seong-cheol was trimming his long neck.

“Then I have another favor to ask. If you help me with this, I’ll send you a helicopter.”

***

Vroom.

We were inside a running Korando.

Swish.

A dry hand popped out of the portal that opened between Lee Yong-soo and me.

It seemed like a scene from the movie 'The Ring', but in his hand was a lunch box wrapped in a cloth.

That is, it was O Ji-su's hand.

"Thank you."

As I expressed my gratitude, the hand slowly returned into the portal, its thumb extended.

This time it was a scene from 'Terminator'.

When I opened the bundle, there was a thick, homemade sandwich inside.

Consideration for me and Yongsu Lee, who skipped meals because they were constantly out and about.

Although there were probably ready-made sandwiches lined up at the Fresh Center, this was a high-quality sandwich made with homemade ham and cheese.

“···!”

Of course, the taste was also amazing.

Yongsu Lee also turned the steering wheel busily and chewed his sandwich with his other hand.

This man must have saved the country in his past life.

Munch on the bread, meat and vegetables in your mouth,

I thought back to the conversation I had with the chief of operations a little while ago.

Yoo Seong-cheol, he definitely said that.

“The master of the castle is the ‘Knight King.’ Of course, he is not a human.”

“The King of Knights···?”

It was a name that reminded me of a myth or a game character.

That too… I never knew that monsters would have such honorable names.

“It’s not a name given by people. Sometimes, elite monsters called ‘Skeleton Knights’ appear, and they recite the words ‘For the honor of the King of Knights.’”

It was also a strange thing that a monster could speak.

To me who was wondering, Yoo Seong-cheol added a note of caution.

“If you happen to encounter the Skeleton Knights during the operation, avoid fighting as much as possible. You must retreat unconditionally, even if it means taking damage. Our attacks won’t work on them.”

Signal Battalion Commander Han Kyung-ho also told a similar story.

An enemy that is impervious to modern firearms, including guns.

The situation here was certainly no different.

“Except for the Skeleton Knight, the rest are all just skeletons. Their fighting power itself isn’t that threatening… but they’re surprisingly hard to catch with a gun.”

“Why?”

“First of all, since his entire body is pierced, bullets tend to miss quite a bit. In addition, if the ‘core’ made of magic stones is not properly broken, his bones will assemble and regenerate.”

“Where is that core?”

“It would be nice if it was attached to the head… The middle part of the last rib on the lower right is made of magic stone. If the magic stone is separated, they will lose their strength and fall.”

After giving a rough idea of the enemies, he finally got to the point.

Because he was the one who asked me to help with the operation in the first place.

“They are expanding their influence down Namsan to Huam-dong, Namyeong-dong, and Cheongpa-dong. And the place where we recently called up the reserve forces of the Awakened was Seoul Station. Fortunately, communication with them is going smoothly… but the roads are blocked by the skeletons. Since they are the early Awakened, their fighting ability is lacking, and even if we launch a rescue operation, we will have to take considerable damage.”

“In short, you want me to get those people out?”

“Yes, that’s right. Is that possible?”

“Yes, that’s good.”

It was inconvenient that time was wasted, but fortunately, it wasn't that far to Seoul Station.

Moreover, if we get a helicopter for this project, the process of going over the wall and heading to Euljiro will be even faster.

But I added one more condition.

“However, I will take all the magic stones generated during the rescue process.”

This was not a rescue operation that I participated in alone.

We were planning to bring in a few transport trucks and reinforcements, but it would have been difficult to interfere with that much and then start a dispute over ownership of the magic stone.

The total number of magic stones collected underwater so far is 617.

It was a terrifying amount, but it was still not enough to achieve subspace level 3.

Surprisingly, the chief readily agreed to my condition of handing over all the magic stones.

“Yes, that’s right. The purpose of this operation was to rescue people… However, it would be inconvenient if we were to waste time collecting magic stones. After you rescue the people, you must immediately return to headquarters.”

“Okay, you don’t have to worry about that.”

So we joined hands.

It was a temporary transaction to give and receive what each other needed.

As expected of the chief of operations, he used his imagination.

“I heard you can summon anything in subspace. How about using a two-and-a-half-ton truck or something to sweep away the skeletons? They’ll probably come back to life… but it’ll buy you enough time to get moving.”

“Ah… Yes, I will keep that in mind. Okay.”

So, our conversation ended.

Outside the window of a moving car.

As I watched the sun slowly set, I finally collected my thoughts.

Chief Yoo Seong-cheol's plan to summon a truck.

It's not a bad method, but… somehow it doesn't feel right.

After reaching subspace level 2, I still had undiscovered abilities.

Pax opened the window.

—-[Items Available for Opening]—-

[Cost 50]

◈ Tracking Delivery

– Automatically tracks shipped products to their set destination.

————————-

Beyond <precision delivery> that could adjust the shipping location, it was now a tracking missile.

The destination is the lower right rib cage of the skeletons.

I was thinking of giving them a proper ribbing through tracking delivery.