Chapter 54
As Jung Dong-gun had stated, reclaiming the industrial complex was achievable with just the twelve-person reconnaissance squad he led.
Immediately after the meeting concluded, the heavily armed Jung Dong-gun and his subordinates headed straight to the industrial complex, where they encountered numerous zombies.
“Fire the Bahamut Rounds.”
“Yes, sir.”
The zombies they encountered were cleared out liberally using the Bahamut Rounds reserved for the meeting.
They invested the full power of all their ammunition except for the fire rounds, which could destroy the surroundings, beginning to take back the territory piece by piece with overwhelming firepower.
“Eeeeek!”
“That one seems to be the boss here, huh?”
“It’s even taken some captives. Let’s take it down quickly.”
During the attack, they found a massive mutant spider zombie at the center of the industrial complex, which they suspected was the queen of the mutant spiders.
“Fire without holding back.”
“Aye aye, sir!”
“Keeek!”
Just as before, they dealt with it using overwhelming firepower from the Bahamut Rounds.
After investing ample ammunition, Jung Dong-gun and his squad managed to eliminate what was assumed to be the queen spider entrenched at the heart of the industrial complex without even catching a clear look at it. Clearing out the remaining zombies afterward proved to be much easier.
“Form squads of four and proceed quickly with the cleanup of any stragglers.”
“Yes, sir.”
With the queen gone and the mutant spider zombies thrown into chaos, they swiftly crushed them one by one, as they methodically searched through the industrial complex for any remaining threats.
As they tenaciously cleared the zombies, Son Sang-hui thought their level of thoroughness bordered on madness.
“Is it really necessary to eliminate them so thoroughly?”
“If even one is missed, it could later mutate and spread into a greater threat. So, while we have the chance, we must eliminate them all.”
“Oh.”
This thoroughness was born of experience.
If even one zombie were missed and later reemerged as a mutant zombie, handling it would become significantly more challenging.
Thus, it was wiser to conduct a meticulous search of the industrial complex now, eradicating any zombies hiding within.
“Still, since this isn’t a residential area but an industrial complex, there aren’t as many roaming or hidden zombies.”
“Yes, there were fewer than expected. Maybe the only danger here was the mutant spider zombie?”
“Likely.”
However, even after such a diligent search, there weren’t many zombies roaming around.
They only encountered the mutant spider zombie on their path, with few common zombies in sight. Jung Dong-gun concluded that the lack of zombies was likely due to this being an industrial zone rather than a residential area, and Son Sang-hui agreed.
And then…
“Commander, we’ve found the cocoons.”
“…Understood.”
Upon hearing that they’d secured the cocoons that the mutant spider zombie had taken captive, Jung Dong-gun, with a hardened expression, headed to the location indicated by the soldier.
The mutant spider zombie had taken dozens of people captive, as dozens of cocoons hung in a circular formation from the ceiling, and they appeared to be writhing with life inside.
“Prepare the Bahamut Rounds just in case.”
“Understood.”
“…Hmph.”
Jung Dong-gun ordered the soldier to prepare the Bahamut Rounds as a precaution, while Son Sang-hui and the soldiers looked up at the hanging cocoons with grim expressions.
What exactly was inside, and why had the mutant spider zombie captured people?
Curiosity mixed with an ominous feeling.
“Damn it.”
Jung Dong-gun cut down one of the cocoons hanging from the ceiling with a knife, and as it dropped to the ground, he opened it up, revealing a person in the process of transforming into a mutant spider zombie.
It was unclear whether this individual had already been a zombie or had turned into one after being captured by the mutant spider zombie inside the cocoon.
However, realizing that the purpose of the mutant spider zombie capturing people was reproduction, not sustenance, Jung Dong-gun cursed and immediately started opening the other cocoons.
“Ugh!”
In one of the other cocoons was a woman.
Fortunately, she hadn’t yet transformed into a mutant spider zombie, maintaining her human form, though it was hard to say she was unharmed.
Her abdomen was swollen as if pregnant, and upon realizing what was inside, Son Sang-hui couldn’t help but gag at the sight.
“Pregnant?”
“Horrifying.”
It wasn’t clear whether she was truly pregnant or if eggs had been laid in her uterus, but her abdomen was indeed swollen as if pregnant.
Jung Dong-gun briefly pondered, his expression reflecting uncertainty about whether to consider her alive or dead.
If she hadn’t yet turned into a zombie, she could still be considered human.
“For now, we can only hope whatever is inside her abdomen doesn’t hatch here.”
“Indeed.”
Conversely, if something were to hatch, it would complicate matters, as it was unclear how to handle both the hatched entity and the host.
“Completely destroy those who have turned into zombies, and transport those who haven’t turned into zombies to the forward base. Thanks to the teleportation granted by God Bahamut, we can handle the cocoons swiftly.”
“Yes, sir.”
In any case, Jung Dong-gun’s course of action was to kill anyone turning into a zombie and save only those who hadn’t yet transformed.
This was the best compromise Jung Dong-gun, the field commander, could make, as sacrificing his men for unknown captives was not a decision he could justify.
Moreover, with no technology yet discovered to revert zombies to humans, it was logical from a utilitarian perspective to deal with these potential mutant spider zombies here and now, rather than risk new mutations and future victims.
So, the soldiers followed Jung Dong-gun’s cold, ruthless orders without question, breaking open each cocoon and handling the transforming zombies while rescuing the uninfected.
“It’s not exactly a pleasant task.”
“There’s no helping it, is there?”
Even so, it was an unpleasant job.
His mind understood the necessity, but his heart couldn’t help but feel heavy.
Seeing his expression, Son Sang-hui offered a few words of comfort, acknowledging the unfortunate necessity of the task.
“Ah, Ms. Son Sang-hui. Could you take some photos of us?”
“Pardon?”
“We’ve reclaimed the industrial complex, haven’t we? We need proof to show them.”
“Ah, yes.”
Now that they had fulfilled the conditions for this negotiation, it was only fair to receive their reward.
Jung Dong-gun requested Son Sang-hui to take photos of him and his unit at the industrial complex, and she complied, using her smartphone to capture the scene.
“Well then, shall we head back?”
The next part of the negotiation would only proceed once the other side confirmed their success.
After clearing the industrial complex, Jung Dong-gun gathered the uninfected individuals, signaling Bahamut to use teleportation, arriving promptly at the forward base.
“Get every available transport vehicle ready immediately! We have critical patients!”
“Yes, sir!”
They loaded the uninfected into ambulances at the forward base and transported them to Gyeongju University Hospital.
Although he could have requested Choi Yuna’s healing, her treatment might inadvertently trigger the eggs within the patients, so they opted for Gyeongju University Hospital, where surgical options were available.
“This is horrifying.”
When Jung Dong-gun showed the civilians captured by the mutant spider zombies to Han Joon-woo, the head of the hospital, he expressed his horror at the sight.
As soon as they arrived at the hospital, X-rays were conducted to examine the state of their abdomens, and the scans revealed a chilling sight.
“Are they all filled with spider eggs?”
“Yes, it appears so. Detailed examination revealed they are full of unhatched spider eggs.”
Just as anticipated, the women’s wombs were packed with spider eggs.
“What should we do?”
“We need to surgically remove the eggs from their wombs. Since these are eggs of mutant spider zombies, if left alone, they could endanger the hosts.”
Han Joon-woo expressed his concerns, stating that surgical removal was necessary, as the spider eggs posed a serious risk to the hosts.
“So, that’s the situation.”
“By the way, how strong are these mutant spider zombies?”
“They’re twice as strong as regular mutant zombies. And they have a unique ability — an acid that can even dissolve asphalt.”
However, there was one issue.
“…I’d appreciate it if you could assign a few Awakened individuals from Gyeongju. I’m not eager to risk my life here.”
If the eggs hatched during surgery, there would be no way to ensure the surgeon’s safety.
Han Joon-woo nervously requested a few Awakened individuals as support for the procedure.
“To guard you during the surgery?”
“Yes. We’ll be risking our lives with this procedure.”
He wasn’t exaggerating.
If the eggs hatched, it would result in a catastrophe, so Han Joon-woo needed Awakened individuals to protect the medical team.
“I’ll assign about ten of them.”
“That’s reassuring. Are you sure it’s all right?”
Han Joon-woo sighed in relief at the promise of ten Awakened, saying it was reassuring.
With ten Awakened individuals, it would be more than enough.
However, it also placed a considerable strain on Jung Dong-gun, as he needed those forces on the front lines.
“I was the one who initiated this, so I’ll take responsibility.”
“Well, it’s a noble cause.”
“But it does put pressure on Gyeongju.”
However, as Jung Dong-gun insisted on taking responsibility, Han Joon-woo tried to reassure him by saying it was a worthy cause.
Yet, Jung Dong-gun shook his head, acknowledging that it indeed placed a burden on Gyeongju.
“In any case, I’ll begin the surgeries right away. Not a day goes by where we can rest.”
“It’s the apocalypse; did you think doctors would get a break?”
“Well, I suppose you’re right. It’s fortunate we get any breathing room at all.”
As Han Joon-woo lamented the lack of rest, Jung Dong-gun reminded him that a doctor’s life in an apocalypse was bound to be demanding.
With a resigned sigh, Han Joon-woo prepared for the surgeries, acknowledging that he was lucky to get even a brief reprieve.
Jung Dong-gun spoke to him with a determined tone.
“This is only the beginning. You’ll need to brace yourself — there’ll be many more patients to come.”
“Well, I wish I could rely on Lady Yuna.”
If only he could leave everything in the hands of Lady Yuna, the head of the Balhut Cult.
As a remarkable healer, she could undoubtedly succeed where he might fall short.
“Regrettably, she’s currently preparing to summon God Bahamut.”
“The arrival of the Dragon God, then.”
Unfortunately, Yuna was preoccupied with preparations for Bahamut’s summoning.
Thus, she was unavailable for any other tasks.
“Then I have no choice but to give it my all.”
With a bittersweet smile, Han Joon-woo turned and entered the operating room, leaving Jung Dong-gun behind.
—
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