Translator/Editor: TranslatingNovice

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Chapter 2: Gangster

Guns are probably the most efficient weapons ever created by humans.

Especially effective against humans.

It's not just about shooting, killing or injuring people.

Just having a gun when interacting with others or needing to reveal oneself already restricts the other person's actions.

It’s like a device that instills manners by merely possessing it.

Its lethality in personal combat goes without saying.

After all, guns were originally made for killing people.

There’s a saying that their effectiveness is halved against monsters or zombies. While I partially agree, it all depends on how you use the weapon.

Anyway, in order to survive the post-apocalyptic era, you need guns.

As I've repeatedly said, the greatest enemy of humans are other humans.

But this is Korea.

Unlike the United States, it's hard to get guns here, and even attempting to acquire them is illegal.

I could go to the U.S. to prepare for the apocalypse, but there are pros and cons there too.

The initial difficulty level of a country where everyone is armed versus a country where gun possession is banned is like night and day.

Think about those once-popular battle royale games.

What fun is there if everyone starts shooting right after landing from the plane?

There should be a time to farm, fistfight, and bicker.

Of course, it would be more fun for me if I had guns from the start.

This was when Old Man Kim was still alive.

He had a hunting shotgun.

It was usually kept at the police station, but he would often take it out during the hunting season to show off his lousy shooting skills.

'When I was in the military, those communist bastards infiltrated. I was hiding behind an acacia bush, and when one of them showed up from behind a tree, I shot him right between the eyes with a bullet of anti-communism!'

Later, I found out through personal connections that Old Man Kim was just a reservist and had never participated in anti-communist operations, but his shotgun was a fairly usable weapon.

A shotgun with high deterring power, even those not proficient in shooting can handle it adequately.

But such a weapon is insufficient to prepare for the future.

I kept an eye on the nearby air force base.

It's shared with the U.S. military and supposedly has some U.S. equipment. According to rumors, there are even a few 'Hunters' specialized in combating monsters stationed there.

Getting hunter equipment would be the best outcome, but I was aiming for a good supply of bullets and a few combat rifles.

However, it was not an easy task.

How could I infiltrate an air force base guarded by both Korean and U.S. militaries to steal weapons and ammunition?

My initial plan was somewhat rough.

If war with China broke out, that air force base would be a primary target, being adjacent to a U.S. military base.

According to the Chinese war plans I managed to learn, the U.S. base next to my land was a target for a preemptive nuclear strike.

Once the nuclear missile is launched and the base is in chaos, I would calmly enter in a protective suit and collect weapons and anything useful.

This was my original rough plan.

It seemed ridiculous, but it was the most realistic way to obtain quality weapons.

There were also ways to get weapons through Southeast Asian gangs or Russian sailors, but all they could provide were handguns at best.

But as the harsh reality hit me and the world started to move differently from what I expected, even I, Park Gyu, started to get anxious.

SKELTON: How can you acquire serious weapons like assault rifles in a country with stable public safety and banned guns, like Korea or Japan?

In a world where everyone creates group chats and communities, there is also an internet community for those preparing for the impending doom.

It’s the community of doomers like me, called ‘Viva! Apocalypse!’.

It's not open for just anyone to join.

You need to have the satellite internet equipment ‘Galaxy Link’ developed by the global businessman Melon Musk, and on top of that, pay a hefty monthly fee of 100 dollars.

Although the luxurious preparatory materials are not cheap, it has quite a number of users, and its unique popularity is such that there is even a separate Korean forum.

I posted a question on the Korean forum.

Several replies came in quickly, but none were of substantial value.

Most suggestions were irresponsible, like attacking a police station or a small military unit with an ally to loot their armory.

The opinion of 'John Nenon,' my usual spiritual mentor, was also not helpful.

Because the public security in South Korea is not so lenient.

Sure, one could raid for weapons, but there's no guarantee of safety after doing such a thing in a country plastered with high-resolution CCTVs at every corner.

Just when the community I joined for a hefty monthly fee of 100 dollars failed to provide a sharp answer, an unexpected proposal came from elsewhere.

“This, it’s a bunker, right? The kind those Doomsday Preppers are building these days.”

The proposer's name was Kim Wangsu, an employee of the construction company tasked with building my first bunker.

His nationality was Chinese, a Korean-Chinese to be exact.

Until Kim Wangsu revealed his identity, I thought he was a person born and raised in Korea.

He seemed younger than me, dressed better, more sophisticated, and spoke in a trendy manner.

Unlike other employees who were skeptical about my request to build a bunker on an empty plot of land, Kim Wangsu showed great interest in it.

“In China, there are many people like that. Party officials and capitalists with connections to the party are competing to build bunkers in rural areas. Much larger and more official than yours.”

It was not just interest.

Kim Wangsu had considerable knowledge and insight, as well as information about China that I was unaware of.

“War? Well, sooner or later, isn't it bound to happen? You won’t see it on Western news, but provinces adjacent to Inner Mongolia have all been devoured by monsters. At least hundreds of millions must have died, right? The Party is desperately trying to stop it, but honestly, it's all over. It’s just a matter of time.”

He seemed envious of my bunker and my ability to afford to build it.

“You don’t seem much older than me, but you must have made a lot of money? To own such a large plot of land and equip it with all these facilities.”

“I hit the jackpot with cryptocurrency.”

In reality, I had never even dealt in stocks, let alone cryptocurrency, being an extremely risk-averse investor.

Though I did have some debts.

“Cryptocurrency, wow.”

Kim Wangsu leaned in close, glancing around.

“Have you arranged for things like guns?”

“Guns?”

“Yes. If the world really does end, wouldn’t you need at least some reliable firearms? What’s the use of building such a fine bunker and stocking up supplies if you’re just going to be easy prey for robbers?”

Kim Wangsu deliberately used a Yanbian dialect. (Korean Autonomous Prefecture in China)

Excessively so, to the point of awkwardness.

It seemed like he was trying to show off his connections to that region.

Within the company, Kim Wangsu was known as a diligent, smooth, and clever person, receiving much trust.

More recognized than Chief Hong, an outsider with ten years of experience.

He definitely was a sharp and capable person.

I started the deal with the thought of having nothing to lose.

The outcome was surprising.

“Three Type 56 rifles. 300 rounds of ammunition. Three extra magazines.”

He offered a decent number of bullets – 300 rounds for three rifles.

The price was high, but there was no reason to refuse.

If it was for preparing for the future, a decent firearm was essential.

As the bunker construction neared completion, Kim Wangsu called me out.

“Boss. Everything is ready. Let’s set the date?”

By that point, I was somewhat wary of Kim Wangsu.

I had commissioned a private investigator and found out that Kim Wangsu was not an ex-gang member from Yanbian but a member of the Triad, an organization dominated by mainland Han Chinese.

I met with Kim Wangsu prepared for every scenario.

“Just a moment, please. My people will soon bring the stuff.”

In a secluded spot hidden by industrial waste, we stayed silent for quite some time.

The weather was chilly.

Not cold per se, but cloudy with strong winds.

Maybe Kim Wangsu's gloomy background also contributed to the chill.

As the wait prolonged, Kim Wangsu frequently checked his phone.

Glancing at the screen, I saw a cute little girl who resembled him, smiling broadly.

"Is that your daughter?"

"Yes, she is my daughter."

A faint smile appeared on Kim Wangsu's face, which had been expressionless throughout, accompanied by a blush.

"She must be about seven years old? Such a cute kid."

"Ha-ha, she is cute, but quite a handful, really."

It seemed that Kim Wangsu was exchanging messages with his daughter.

The familiar messenger screen displayed an emoticon that seemed to be sent by his daughter.

A penguin character tilting its head, asking when he would come.

Kim Wangsu replied in a Chinese script I couldn't recognize.

Perhaps he was saying he would return soon.

Soon, a dump truck rattled across the land owned by Old Man Kim.

"Hey! Hey!"

Old Man Kim, who was inside the house, rushed out in a fury, but when he saw me, he grumbled and went back inside.

The dump truck was occupied by just one man, and there were no signs of a special attack or betrayal.

"Let's begin."

Following our prior agreement, we loaded the industrial waste scattered across my land into the dump truck.

While I was busily operating the excavator to load the waste into the dump truck, Kim Wangsu's colleague took down the real item from the passenger seat.

The item was certain.

Three Type 56 assault rifles with 300 rounds of 7.62mm bullets.

Their preservation state was good, and they functioned without any problems.

There was no betrayal from Kim Wangsu's side as I had worried.

But a little surprise awaited me at the end.

As Kim Wangsu was about to get into the dump truck after finishing the work, he suddenly got out of the car and approached me with a threateningly agile movement.

"!"

For a moment, I expected an ambush and even gripped a hidden weapon in my pocket, but the situation turned out to be anticlimactic.

"Do you live alone?"

For a brief moment, I felt a chill from him but did not show it.

"No, my group will arrive soon."

"Ah, I see."

"Is there a problem?"

"No, just thinking that the bunker is too spacious for one person."

"I like big houses."

"I think even a single room would be enough."

"If you ever have a problem, come over."

"Would that be okay?"

"We should help each other."

Despite being a gangster, he seemed like a fundamentally decent person.

Considering his considerable carpentry skills and the guts to be a gangster, I thought it wouldn't be bad to have him on my side.

Above all, he was a caring father of a child.

The way he smiled at the text from his daughter held a warmth that made me want to reconsider him, no matter who he was.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'll decline."

"Why?"

"Oh, I plan to return to my home country soon."

"China?"

"Shanghai."

I still didn't know what kind of person Kim Wangsu was, but when he emphasized the region Shanghai, I felt I understood a little bit about what kind of person he was and what thoughts he had about life.

I heard from Kim Wangsu again three years later.

It was when war seemed imminent and the apocalypse almost certain.

The call came to my first cell phone.

An unknown number.

I had used the first phone only until three years ago and had not used it since, just keeping the contract active.

The same number called again after a missed call.

It felt suspicious.

Checking the closed-circuit screens fully equipped inside the bunker, I spotted an unknown vehicle within my territory.

In front of the vehicle, a man was smoking a burning cigarette with a nervous look, one hand in his pocket.

The moment I saw his face, I was momentarily in a dilemma.

Should I meet him, or ignore him?

Kim Wangsu's decision was quicker than mine.

He opened the door of the vehicle and said something towards the invisible interior, then ran towards the bunker with terrifying agility.

In his hand was an axe wrapped in a leather case.

Of all things, an axe.

"..."

I picked up the first cell phone and called back the number that had rung twice.

"Oh, Boss?"

Kim Wangsu answered the phone cheerfully.

Even while running at full speed, his breathing didn't falter.

"Is this Mr. Kim Wangsu? What's the matter? Why are you suddenly here?"

"I wanted to say goodbye before leaving Korea."

"Goodbye?"

"Where are you?"

I showed myself in front of him.

From a distance, I could see Kim Wangsu's uniquely friendly and refreshing smile.

He quickly closed the distance.

10 steps away.

Suddenly, he lunged forward, revealing the axe hidden in his wrist, and threw off the leather case that was covering the blade.

As the axe flew in a parabolic trajectory, I let out a shallow sigh.

Thud!

The axe embedded itself deeply between the shoulder and neck.

The axe wasn't Kim Wangsu's.

It was mine.

Kim Wangsu, with a look of horror, tried to turn his head towards me, who had just embedded the axe blade into his body.

But already, his neck was not listening to him.

Each twitch of his muscle made blood spurt from the flesh and muscle torn by the axe.

I stepped aside, releasing my grip on the axe to give him a clear view.

Kim Wangsu jerked around, swinging the axe wildly.

However, his axe missed me by a hair's breadth, swinging futilely in front of me.

"A soldier...?"

I shook my head.

"A gangster?! No...!!"

"Why are you doing this?"

I sighed shallowly, glaring at him as he lay dying.

“I could have offered you a place.”

The corners of Kim Wangsu’s mouth lifted.

“Shā, shàngdìměi...” (transliteration of the Chinese word 傻逼. It’s a more vulgar term for idiot, comparable to the english word c*nt)

Those were his last words.

As he collapsed, a cellphone popped out of his pocket.

Unlocking it with his still warm face, the familiar messenger screen appeared.

I couldn't read the conversation filled with Simplified Chinese characters, but the emoticon marketed in Korean gave me a sense of déjà vu.

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

"..."

There was no time to be sentimental.

Sirens warning of a nuclear strike were roaring, threatening to tear my eardrums.

At that time, our Old Man Kim was still alive.

How long has it been since the storm passed?

The Geiger counter, indicating it was safe to venture out, beeped its approval.

I drove the old four-wheeler that had been carefully hidden in the bunker, heading towards the air force base.

Just in case.

But.

"What a... dog-shit mess.."

I couldn't help but swear.

Beyond the collapsed buildings, there were heaps of guns and weapons.

There was no hunter equipment that I had hoped for, but even this was a jackpot. Enough to form an army if I wanted.

In the end, my rough plan of looting weapons from a military base after the world's end turned out to be the right answer.

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

The charred remains of the vehicle lay grotesquely.

I still think about it sometimes.

If I hadn't dealt with him, could he and his family have survived?

I don't think so.