Hiding a House in the Apocalypse

Chapter 2: Gangster

Firearms are probably the most efficient weapon ever created by humans. They are especially effective against other humans. It's not just about shooting and killing or injuring humans. Just the presence of a firearm when interacting with others or when you need to reveal yourself has the effect of restraining the actions of the other party. It's like an etiquette injector that makes others humble just by having it.

The firepower against humans goes without saying. After all, firearms were not originally designed to kill people. There's a saying that the effectiveness diminishes against monsters or zombies, but I can't fully agree. The usefulness of an item depends on how it's used.

Anyway, to survive in the post-apocalyptic era, firearms are necessary because, as Nunu said, the greatest enemy of humanity is humans.

But this is South Korea. Getting firearms here is difficult, and even attempting to acquire them is illegal. You could go to the United States to prepare for the apocalypse, but they have their own problems.

Think about the popular battle royale games from before. What fun would it be if you just landed from an airplane and started shooting immediately? You need moments of farming, punching, and duking it out.

Of course, for someone like me, it would be more fun if I had firearms from the beginning. It happened when Elder Kim was still alive.

Elder Kim had a hunting shotgun. It was usually kept at the police station, but during hunting season, he always took it out to show off his lousy marksmanship.

"When I was in the army, you know, those communist bastards infiltrated. I was hiding behind the acacia bushes, and when one of those communist guys revealed himself from behind a tree, I shot him right between the eyes with a deadly shot!"

Later, through personal connections, I found out that Elder Kim was in civil defence, and he even participated in the communist suppression operation. However, his shotgun was a reasonably useful weapon.

Shotguns had good stopping power and could be handled by someone with no shooting skills. But it wasn't enough to prepare for the future.

My eyes were on the nearby Air Force base. It was a joint base with the U.S. military, so there was U.S. military equipment, and according to rumours, a few Hunter units, specialized in hunting monsters, were stationed there. Getting Hunter equipment would be the best outcome, but what I wanted was a large supply of ammunition and several assault rifles.

However, that was not easy. How would I infiltrate an Air Force base guarded jointly by the Korean and U.S. militaries to steal weapons and ammunition? Originally, my plan was a bit rough.

In case of a war with China, that Air Force base was a top-priority target. It was right next to the U.S. military base in Korea. According to the Chinese war plan I learned, the U.S. military base next to my house was a pre-emptive nuclear strike target.

So, after the nuclear explosion, I would calmly put on a suit, collect firearms and useful items, basically go on a treasure hunt. That was my initial rough plan.

It might sound absurd, but to obtain high-quality weapons, I thought this method was the most realistic one.

In a world where anyone can create online communities or chat groups, there are also internet communities for those preparing for the impending apocalypse. One of these communities is called "Viva! Apocalypse!" It's a community of people like me, preparing for the end of the world.

Not just anyone can join. You need to have Melon Mask's satellite internet equipment called the "Galaxy Link," and on top of that, you have to pay a monthly fee of $100. [TL Note: Yeah Melon Mask sounds funny but if you remove the M, you should understand more :D]

Despite the expensive entry requirements, there were quite a few users, and it was popular enough to have a separate Korean-language board. I posted a question on the Korean board.

Soon, there were several replies, but none of them provided any useful information. Most of the responses were irresponsible suggestions like attacking police stations or small military bases to raid their armoires.

My mentor and spiritual guide, "John Nenon," also gave an unhelpful opinion. It was because the security in South Korea was not as lax as it seemed. You might be able to raid weapons, but there was no guarantee you would be safe doing such things in a country with high-resolution CCTV cameras everywhere.

In the midst of this discouragement, an unexpected proposal came from an unlikely source.

"Isn't this a bunker? The ones that doomsday preppers are building these days."

The proposer's name was Kim Wangsoo, and he was an employee of a construction company responsible for the first bunker construction.

His nationality was Chinese, or more precisely, he was a Joseonjok (ethnic Koreans in China). Until Kim Wangsoo revealed his identity, I thought he was born and raised in Korea.[ Note: He is an ethinic Korean from China now living in South Korea]

He looked younger than me, dressed better, had a more refined appearance, and spoke in a trendy and fashionable manner.

While other workers hesitated and mumbled when I asked them to build a bunker on an empty plot of land, Kim Wangoo showed a keen interest in the bunker.

"Even in China, there are a lot of people like that. Party cadres and capitalist kids with connections are already setting up bunkers in rural areas. They're much larger and more sophisticated than yours."

It's not just interest. Kim Wangsoo had considerable knowledge and insights, as well as information about China that I wasn't aware of.

"War? Well, sooner or later, it's bound to happen, isn't it? Even though Western news doesn't report it, the provinces around Inner Mongolia are all overrun by monsters. Even if they could stop it completely, wouldn't tens of millions have died by then? The Party is desperately trying to contain it, but to be honest, it's already over. It's just a matter of time."

He seemed envious of me, having both my bunker and the resources to build it.

"It seems there isn't much of an age gap between us, but did you make a lot of money? Investing in such a vast piece of land and equipment like this."

"I hit the jackpot with cryptocurrencies."

In truth, I hadn't even dabbled in cryptocurrencies, let alone stocks. I did have some debt though.

"Cryptocurrencies, huh?"

Kim Wangsoo leaned in closer, glancing around cautiously.

"Firearms, like, have you acquired any?"

"Firearms?"

"Yes, if the world is really going to end, wouldn't it be necessary to have reliable firearms? Even with this excellent bunker and stockpile of resources, if you get robbed, honestly, you might as well give up, right?"

Kim Wangsoo used an exaggerated and somewhat awkward northeastern Chinese dialect. It seemed like he was trying to show off his connections in that region.

Within the company, Kim Wangsoo was a trusted individual who was diligent, efficient, and received a lot of trust. He was even more recognized than Hong, who had 10 years of experience as an outsider.

He was definitely smart and shrewd.

I started the negotiation with the mindset that I should at least break even.

The results were astonishing.

"Three AK-56 rifles. 300 rounds of ammunition. Three spare magazines."

He presented a fairly decent number of rounds with just three rifles.

The price was quite high, but I had no reason to refuse. If it was necessary to prepare for the impending future, having decent firearms was essential.

As the construction of the bunker was nearing completion, Kim Wangsoo called me.

"Boss, everything is ready. Shall we set a date?"

At that point, I was somewhat wary of Kim Wangsoo. After hiring a private detective, I found out that he was not a Joseonjok gangster but rather a member of the Samhap Society, an organization led by chinese ethnic Koreans.

I prepared for all possible situations and met with Kim Wangsoo.

"Wait a moment. Our group will bring the goods."

We spent quite a long time in a desolate place where industrial waste was dumped.

The weather was chilly. The air itself wasn't cold, but there were many clouds, and the wind was strong. Kim Wangsoo's gloomy background might have been one of the causes of the coldness.

While waiting for an extended period, Kim Wangsoo frequently checked his phone.

Glancing at the screen, I could see a cute little girl who looked like him, smiling brightly.

"Is she your daughter?"

"Yes, she's my daughter."

A faint smile, tinged with blush, appeared on Kim Wangsoo's face, which had maintained an expressionless demeanour.

"She must be around seven years old, right? She's adorable."

"Haha, she's cute, but you wouldn't believe how unique she is. She gives me a hard time."

Kim Wangsoo seemed to be exchanging messages with his daughter through a messenger app.

An emoji of a penguin character tilting its head and asking when he would return was displayed on the familiar messenger screen.

Kim Wangsoo replied in a Chinese script that I couldn't understand, probably indicating that he would be back soon.

Soon, a dump truck rumbled and crossed Elder Kims land.

The elderly Kim, who was inside the house, suddenly rushed out, seemingly to express his displeasure. However, when I revealed my presence, he huffed and returned to the house.

Only one man was in the dump truck, and there were no signs of a special attack or betrayal as it approached.

"Shall we start?"

As per our prior agreement, we loaded industrial waste scattered on my land into the dump truck.

While I diligently operated the excavator, loading the waste into the dump truck, Kim Wangsoo's colleague placed the actual goods in the passenger seat.

The goods were legitimate three AK-56 rifles with 300 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. They were in good condition, and there were no operational issues.

There was no betrayal from Kim Wangsoo's team as I had worried.

However, a surprise awaited at the end.

As we finished the work and I was about to climb onto the dump truck, Kim Wangsoo suddenly got out of the vehicle and approached me with agile movements that seemed somewhat threatening.

"!"

For a moment, I anticipated an attack, and just in case, I reached for the hidden weapon in my pocket. However, things unfolded rather anticlimactically.

"Do you live here alone?"

For a brief moment, I sensed something menacing from him, but I didn't show it.

"No, my group will be here soon."

"Oh, I see."

"Is there a problem?"

"No, I was just thinking this bunker is excessively spacious for one person."

"I like spacious homes."

"I thought even a small single room could be sufficient."

"If any problems arise, feel free to come."

"Can I really?"

"We should help each other to survive."

Despite being called a gangster, he seemed like an alright person at heart. He had considerable carpentry skills, and having a guy like him with a gangster background might not be so bad, I thought. Above all, he was a kind father.

The way he smiled while reading his daughter's message showed a warmth that would make anyone, regardless of their character, look at him again.

"Thank you for the offer, but I'll decline."

"Why?"

"Oh, I'm planning to return to my home country soon."

"China?"

"Shanghai."

I still didn't fully understand who Kim Wangsoo was, but when he emphasized Shanghai, it gave me a slight sense of who he might be and what he might be thinking.

Three years later, I received contact from Kim Wangsoo.

It was during a time when war was becoming imminent and the world was on the verge of chaos.

The first call came to my primary phone.

It was an unknown number.

I had only used the first phone three years ago and had maintained the contract without using it since then.

The second call came from the same number, again after being cut off.

It felt eerie.

I examined the surveillance screens equipped in the bunker and found an unknown vehicle within my area.

In front of that vehicle, a man was nervously putting his hand in his pocket, holding a cigarette, and walking towards it.

Upon seeing his face, I hesitated for a moment.

"Hey! Over here!"

Should I meet him, or should I ignore him?

Kim Wangsoo's decision was faster than mine. He opened the vehicle's door, said something towards the interior that I couldn't see, and then rushed menacingly towards the bunker.

In his hand, there was an axe piled in a leather case. Oddly enough, it was an axe.

"."

I called the number that had twice rang my first phone while he was running.

"Oh, boss?"

Kim Wangsoo answered the phone pleasantly.

Despite running at full speed, he didn't lose his breath.

"I wanted to say goodbye before leaving Korea."

"Goodbye?"

"Where are you?"

I revealed myself in front of him.

From afar, I could see Kim Wangsoo wearing his characteristic grinning mask.

He quickly closed the distance.

Within ten steps.

Suddenly, he lunged at me with remarkable agility.

I, like him, revealed the axe hidden in my wrist, tearing off the leather case that covered the blade.

As he dashed, his hand came off the axe, which was now flying toward me in an arc.

I let out a shallow sigh as I watched the axe fly.

Thunk!

The axe deeply embedded itself between the shoulder and neck, but it wasn't his axe; it was mine.

Kim Wangsoo, with a shocked expression, tried to turn his head towards me but failed to do so.

However, his neck no longer responded to his commands.

With each twitch of his muscles, blood spurted out from between the severed flesh and bone exposed by the axe.

He took a step towards me, removing his hand from the axe to show me he meant no harm.

Kim Wangsoo moved frantically, swinging the axe in every direction, but it narrowly missed me each time.

"Ar... Are you a soldier...?"

He tilted his head.

"G-Gangster?! No...!!"

"Why are you doing this?"

I asked while sighing softly, looking at the dying man.

"If you had asked, I could have given you a place."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Kim Wangsoo's mouth.

"B-Bastard..."

That was his final word.

He slumped down, and a cell phone popped out of his pocket.

Unlocking it with his still-warm but lifeless face, I found the messenger app I had seen before.

The conversation window was full of simplified Chinese characters that I couldn't read, but the Korean emoticons released by the Korean version of the app gave me a sense of discomfort.

A penguin character tilted its head, asking, "When are you coming?"

"Huh."

There was no time to dwell on this.

The sirens announcing a nuclear strike were wailing like they would shatter eardrums.

At that moment, as far as I knew, our elderly Kim was still alive.

How long had it been since the storm passed?

The Geiger counter indicated that it was safe to leave. [Note: Its like a meter to measure radiation in simple terms. You can search if you want detailed information]

I got into the old SUV I had hidden in the bunker and headed towards the air force base, just in case.

But...

"This... Can such a damn thing happen..?"

An involuntary exclamation escaped my lips.

Beyond the collapsed buildings, there was a wealth of firearms and weapons.

Although I had hoped for hunting equipment, this was more than enough. It could even equip an army, far exceeding what I had anticipated.

My rough plan had eventually been the right answer: to loot weapons from a military base after the world went to ruin.

I looked towards where Kim Wangsoo's vehicle had been.

The blackened vehicle was lying there, looking pitiful.

Even now, I occasionally wonder. Would Kim Wangsoo and his family have survived if I hadn't traded with him?

I don't think so.

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