A Survival Guide for a Counselor in the Apocalypse Chapter 59

Chapter 59

 

When Johanna’s speech ended, we were given weapons, armor, and cold-weather gear. The armor was heavier than it looked. Lee Hoin seemed to be handling it just fine, though…

As Johanna checked each piece of equipment, she tapped my armor lightly and said,

“Endure. It will save your life. And you…”

Johanna looked at Lee Hoin. A faint glimmer flickered in her eyes.

“Good frame. Have you trained?”

“Yes, I have.”

Lee Hoin answered in a crisp, almost military tone, like he was addressing a superior. Why was he acting like that? Well, Johanna was huge, so he did look smaller in comparison.

‘He’s not the type to become this docile just because someone is intimidating.’

‘Is that bastard raising his synchronization?’

 

—

[Synchronization: 6%]

[Worry about yourself, narrator!]

—

 

……

Without a word, I picked up the spear. It was heavy too. Honestly, I used a dagger, so I didn’t need a spear, but since all the guards were carrying one, I took it anyway.

Soon, Johanna finished inspecting everyone’s gear and assigned each of us to a guard position. Lee Hoin and I were both stationed on the eastern side, though in slightly separated sections.

“And one more instruction. Hermadion is cold. Never remove your cold-weather gear. If you feel ‘hot’ or feel like taking your clothes off, immediately inform a nearby comrade and go inside. If you are unable to report, go in immediately. All guards must constantly be aware of whether there are allies nearby.”

The rotation was simple. After standing guard on the wall for about an hour, we would go inside for 30 minutes, then return.

Probably to maintain body temperature.

‘Below minus 30 degrees, was it?’

Lastly, Johanna checked our communicators.

“Do not rely too much on these. Some monsters can interfere with them. What you see with your own eyes is always the truth. And I will never issue commands through the communicator. I will only receive your reports.”

Right after that, we moved to our assigned positions.

Thankfully, the top of the wall wasn’t completely exposed.

If there were blizzards or strong winds, you could fall off while on guard. Even so, the insulation wasn’t great. There were open gaps here and there. Windows, too.

I parted ways with Lee Hoin. Wrapped in thick winter gear, with only my eyes exposed beneath a heavy hood, I stared into the dark, wind-ravaged forest.

Near the wall, torchlight flickered, casting some light… but beyond that, it was pitch black, like closing your eyes.

Even with multiple layers of thermal wear and hand warmers already generating heat, the cold still bit into my flesh.

‘Better not talk at all.’

If even a bit of breath moisture froze inside the mask, I might actually die from the cold.

I exhaled briefly and stared blankly ahead.

In this silent space, where there was nothing to do but think, I simply stood there.

Looking into the darkness.

 

***

 

Humans are said to be creatures of adaptation.

It wasn’t as easy as expected.

No… actually, it was fucking hard.

The cold slapped against my face over and over, no matter how much I tried to warm up, and there was nothing to see beyond the darkness.

I could sense that others were nearby, but it still felt lonely.

How long had it been since I’d gone this long without interacting with anyone?

Even when I was with Lee Hoin, we still exchanged a few words every ten minutes or so.

Drink water. What should we eat? Hey, should we go get something?

Just small things like that.

I knew, logically, that others were standing guard in nearby sectors, but my body couldn’t accept it. It was a loneliness born from the howling wind.

With nothing else to do, I reread the rules.

 

—

[Guard Rules]

East (Osten), West (Westen), South (Süden), North (Norden).

Report after reciting the correct code and assigned sector.

Always rest for 30 minutes after 1 hour of guard duty.

If leaving your post, reporting is mandatory. (In unavoidable situations, reporting may be delayed.)

If an anomaly is detected, do not make judgments. Report immediately.

3-1. If no follow-up action occurs after reporting, use a signal flare (yellow).

Never respond to any “commands” heard through the communicator.

Signal flares: Yellow (Stage 1), Blue (Stage 2), Red (Stage 3).

If you fire a flare and communicate but receive no response, and the monster does not move, immediately enter the building and take the medication in the center of the waiting room.

6-1. After taking the medication, report any changes.

…

—

 

Below are the rules for several standardized monsters… mutants.

Though here, they just called them monsters.

One of them I recognized well. A common mutant, but it was described as more of a wanderer than an invader.

 

—

[Aderaiser]

A massive red leech. Usually crawls in from the western swamps. Average length: 10 meters. Makes little noise, so western guards must stay alert.

—

 

I was stationed on the east side. I checked the monsters that appeared there frequently.

 

—

[Ainaug]

A one-eyed monster resembling a 6-meter ape or gorilla. Usually moves on four limbs but can stand on two. Extremely fast, fire a blue flare immediately upon visual confirmation.

 

[Waldschrecken]

Nocturnal. No fixed form. Does not attack physically. Induces internal discord through hallucinations.

 

[Kaltklaue]

A 2-meter monstrous bird. Visible during the day by its black feathers; at night, only its reflective eyes are visible. Creates blizzards with its wings. Acts as support during invasions, fires a yellow flare if spotted.

…

—

 

I read them over and over to pass the time.

Sometimes, when I got bored, I ate a chocolate bar for energy.

I wondered if Lee Hoin was doing alright. Then again, maybe he was doing better than me.

While I drifted in those empty thoughts…

Suddenly, a massive drumbeat echoed from somewhere.

Doom, doom, doom!

At that sound, Hermadion, which had been asleep, began to awaken one by one.

From the western wall, a signal flare shot up with a sharp ‘fwoosh’, trailing smoke.

Three drumbeats.

An invasion.

From the west.

 

***

 

Even if an invasion came from the west, we couldn’t just abandon our posts.

This was an isolated space. Something else could attack from any direction at any time.

A minimum force had to remain.

And I was part of that minimum.

I didn’t know where Lee Hoin had gone.

The sound of heavy boots carried by the wind, along with distant screams, echoed faintly like hallucinations.

I stared into the empty air again.

More people were being dispatched.

While I quietly watched the darkness…

My communicator suddenly buzzed.

 

—

[This is Westen, Westen. K-1, Gate 1 has been breached.]

—

 

A transmission from the west.

Gate 1. The first of the five layers of gates.

Was it already that serious?

Judging by the calm voice, it might still be under control.

 

—

[This is Westen, Westen. K-2, requesting reinforcements.]

—

 

One call.

No reply.

Johanna was probably already moving.

Then another transmission came through.

 

—

[This is Westen, Westen! C-9, Gate 2 has been breached!]

[This is Westen, Westen!! K-1, requesting reinforcements!!!]

—

 

The voices grew more urgent.

I frowned slightly as I listened.

‘Have they been completely overrun?’

I tightened my grip on the spear.

 

—

[This is Westen, Westen!! K-2, requesting reinforcements!!!]

[This is Westen– fuck! Reinforcements! Hurry!!]

[Here– Aaaagh!]

—

 

Someone screamed into the communicator.

 

—

[This is Westen! Please… hurry–help!!]

—

 

That scream made my head spin.

The sharp noise rang too suddenly, dizzying me.

A near-chaotic chorus of screams flooded through the communicator.

And among them…

Among them, I heard a familiar voice.

 

—

[–Hey, Nam Muyeong!]

—

 

It was Lee Hoin.

My head snapped toward the west.

He must’ve been in the middle of a battle; there was no follow-up after calling my name.

I focused on the communicator, frowning.

After a burst of tearing static…

A calm voice came through.

Johanna’s voice.

As I stared toward the west, where flashes of intense battle lit up the darkness, her voice struck my ears.

 

—

[This is Commando. ‘J. Wolf.’ I am issuing immediate reinforcement orders to Westen. All forces converge on Westen.]

—

 

…An order.