[TV News plays]
"...Soldiers arriving late are visible. Rather than entering the restricted street, they park their vehicle off to the side..."
**
Inside the blocked-off street, people were running around like rabid dogs. Amidst the chaos, some were biting into others.
What the hell is this...
It looked like something out of a movie. Sergeant Yoo and I exchanged a glance. Actually, no—movies were better.
Then I suddenly remembered—we had live ammunition in the vehicle. But no, we couldn't possibly shoot civilians. That was unthinkable.
In reality, all we had were empty rifles and questionable body armor.
Still, we had been ordered to conduct reconnaissance, so we decided to approach cautiously.
Fortunately, the barricades—presumably set up by the police—were doing their job, even though no officers were in sight. In front of the barricades lay bodies, torn and bleeding.
It was the first time I had seen something like this. I could see the fear in the eyes of our rapid response team members.
Should we retreat right now?
Just then, I locked eyes with Sergeant Yoo again. Maybe it was my imagination, but his look said, "I trust you, sir."
I couldn't betray that trust. Let's go a little further.
"F***ing gruesome... I'll go first. Keep formation."
I gave the order calmly, though I was just as scared. But a battery commander has to keep his composure. I pretended to be confident.
The team began to move in. The tension was palpable. Or maybe it was just me who was tense.
As we approached a more densely populated area beyond the barricade, one of the citizens suddenly tackled one of our soldiers.
"Agh! Sir!"
"Ji-won!"
Sergeant Yoo rushed over and pulled the attacker off. The man had a torn uniform clamped between his teeth and fought to break free from Yoo's grip. Had it not been from behind, he might have bitten Yoo as well.
"S***! Everyone fall back! Behind the barricade!"
Yoo threw the attacker away and ran back with us.
Maybe it was a late call, but it was clear we couldn't handle this alone.
Just then—
Honk honk!
"Help us!"
A plea came from a vehicle deeper inside the area.
Without waiting for orders, Yoo turned and sprinted toward the car.
That man... You gotta respect that about him.
I chased after him, yelling, "Squad leader, gather the team at the barricade and report in. I'm going with Sergeant Yoo."
Still, doubts flooded my mind. Could we make it safely? What if more civilians attacked?
Yoo moved first. He struck an oncoming attacker with his rifle, knocking him aside, then followed with a kick.
But these are civilians... Is this okay?
Too late now. I had decided not to stay rational.
Then someone jumped on me.
Why the hell are they trying to bite me?!
"You son of a...!"
I jammed the rifle sight into the attacker's mouth. The man made guttural, inhuman sounds and showed no reaction to the metal object in his mouth. Blood smeared his lips. His eyes were vacant.
Despite second thoughts, I made a split-second decision.
"Say goodbye to those teeth, bastard!"
I twisted my rifle, forcing the man away. Crack! His teeth broke as he flew back.
I sprinted toward the vehicle.
No more attackers came for me, but Yoo was still fighting another.
Like something out of a movie, Yoo leaped and spun, landing a perfect kick to the attacker's face.
No need to step in.
That guy might need dental surgery.
"Damn it."
I pushed the thought aside and ran to help the person in the car.
Five attackers were surrounding it, smashing and headbutting the vehicle like madmen. They were drenched in blood, hammering the car with fists and skulls.
As we approached, they turned their attention from the car to us.
Yoo set down his weapon temporarily.
"Please, go easy," I said, while gripping the barrel of my rifle like a bat.
Five crazed civilians versus two trained soldiers. For some, it might sound like an adrenaline-pumping fantasy. For me, it was pure terror.
These people were bleeding profusely and charging with wild eyes. It didn't feel real.
I may have been a soldier, but I'd never been in a real fight.
What pushed me forward was Yoo's fearlessness.
My hands still trembled uncontrollably.
Focus. We need to fight.
A 5-to-2 fight meant they might surround us or attack from different angles.
But no. They just charged straight ahead.
I sidestepped and used my rifle stock to trip one. He fell face-first. Another rammed into me with his shoulder, pushing me back two steps.
I kept both attackers in sight while bracing myself.
"Yoo!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Subdue them without hurting them too much."
"..."
He didn't answer, but I trusted him.
Both men got back up and attacked again.
This time, I dodged and struck one in the ribs.
Then I saw Yoo. He let one pass by me and tripped him. Then he raised his leg high and slammed it down. Like water flowing.
Wait, weren't there five attackers?
"Where are the others?"
"Handled."
He delivered a final spinning kick to the last attacker.
"Didn't I say to subdue them gently?"
"Yes. I wasn't hurt. Are you okay, sir?"
"...?"
Maybe we misunderstood each other.
At least neither of us was injured.
We turned to the car.
The man inside was shaking, mumbling to himself. His face was pale, his clothes stained with someone else's blood.
"Are you okay—"
Vroom! Screech!
...Are you kidding me?
The car sped away without a word.
Yoo and I looked at each other.
"...Let's go back."
"Yes, sir."
We had saved someone, technically. Sure, eight civilians were injured, but it was self-defense.
Yoo and I ran back behind the barricade. I was shivering uncontrollably, despite the mild weather.
I wanted out of there. Fast.
Back at the rear, I ordered Yoo to check on the team.
Even while giving the order, I was still trembling.
I took a deep breath and called the battalion commander.
How do I even explain this...?
"Bravo Battery CO reporting. We entered briefly and... I'll report what we saw."
I gave a concise account of the chaos, the biting, the blood, and the civilian injuries.
The commander sighed.
"You said civilians were injured during operations?"
That's the part you focus on? Are you kidding me?
"...Yes, sir. We are now returning."
"Those injuries happened under your command. Got it?"
"...Yes, sir."
This is bullsht.*
I then reported to brigade and got chewed out again.
I called Yoo over.
"How are the troops?"
Not good. Obvious even at a glance. All were visibly shaken. One, Ji-won, who had been attacked, was crying.
"Let's fall back."
Just then, the phone rang again.
"Captain Kang? This is Corps Command. Do not return. Standby."
"...Understood, sir. May I ask why?"
"Order from the corps commander. Stay put. How many personnel do you have?"
"Eleven, including myself. One officer, one NCO, nine soldiers."
"Alright. Hold your position. Further instructions will follow."
I sighed deeply.
Yoo began loading the troops into vehicles.
"Everyone standby. Await further orders."
No one answered.
Normally I'd chew them out, but not this time.
"We just need to hold until reinforcements arrive. Probably... Let's just get in the vehicles and wait."
"..."
No response.
Yeah, we're all in shock.
"Yoo, after loading them, come talk to me."
"Yes, sir."
Yoo followed orders and returned.
"They're not okay. Especially Ji-won. He's out."
"Who's Ji-won?"
"The one who got attacked."
"And the rest?"
"We just came out of a blood-soaked hell. Think they're okay?"
I sighed.
"There's live ammo in my vehicle."
"...Sir? Were we ordered to bring it?"
Normally, 5-minute response teams bring ammo by default. But since we're close to a tourist zone, our brigade requires specific orders.
Yoo's question was valid.
"I'll go retrieve it. Watch the team."
"Yes, sir."
I returned to the vehicle deep in thought.
What orders would come next? How would I lead the team?
And what the hell was this situation?
A short while later, I received new orders from corps:
"Hold the barricade until additional police arrive. Once they do, conduct a thorough search of the area, including inside the buildings."
So we're going back in.
A thorough search?
Suddenly, I found it very hard to breathe.